U.S. Supreme Court agrees with State Attorneys’ General in Farmers’ Property Rights Case
Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a victory for property owners this week when it reversed a lower court’s decision regarding a California labor regulation on farmers.
The ruling issued Wednesday (June 23) said the regulation that allowed union organizers to come onto private farms without permission in order to recruit agricultural workers violated the constitutional rights of the farm owners when California refused to compensate the property owners for the entry. The regulation allowed union organizers to enter the private property for up to three hours a day, 120 days a year.
The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office led briefs in support of two California fruit farms that challenged the union regulation.
Oklahoma Solicitor General Mithun Mansinghani said the ruling is a major victory for farmers and all others who value their property rights.
“The U.S. Supreme Court agreed with what we argued -- private landowners have the right to choose who can be on their property, and when that property right is taken away, California must pay just compensation,” Mansinghani said.
“Protecting property rights is fundamental to the Constitution. We applaud the U.S. Supreme Court and appreciate our colleagues who fought with us.”
In the 6 to 3 opinion, the Justices explained the founders recognized the protection of private property is indispensable to the promotion of individual freedom.
As John Adams put it, “[p]roperty must be secured, or liberty cannot exist.”
The Supreme Court reiterated that “protection of property rights is ‘necessary to preserve freedom’ and ‘empowers persons to shape and to plan their own destiny in a world where governments are always eager to do so for them.’”
The Court held that the California regulation creates an unconstitutional taking of private property under the 5th Amendment because it forces the farms to allow non-employees access to their property without providing compensation to the property owner.
Read the High Court opinion, here: https://ift.tt/3j9pBH7
Read the legal brief for Oklahoma and several other states, here: https://ift.tt/3qodgQV
www.CapitolBeatOK.com
U.S. Supreme Court agrees with State Attorneys’ General in Farmers’ Property Rights Case Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
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Pat McGuigan
Oklahoma City – From an editor’s notebook, items in the world of news:
On Thursday, June 24, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt will officially swear-in The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women's elected 2021-2022 officers at the Commission's regular monthly meeting .
The new officers begin their official duties on July 1, the beginning of the state's Fiscal Year.
The meeting is set for the Oklahoma Judicial Center, 2100 N. Lincoln Blvd., Grand Room, in Oklahoma City.
Participating in the swearing-in will be Governor Kevin Stitt, Victoria Woods, Incoming Chair 2021-2022, Molly Wehrenberg, Vice Chair, Shondra McCage, Finance Officer, Dr. Nyla Khan, Advisory Council Chair and Delores Runnels, Immediate Past Chair.
About the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women: The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women is a state commission that serves as the voice for women in Oklahoma. It strengthens and empowers women in Oklahoma by informing and educating the legislature and executive branches about issues to improve opportunities and quality of life for women.
Commissioners are appointed by the Governor, Senate President Pro Tem and Speaker of the House. The commission oversees the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame and presents the Guardian and Kate Barnard Awards. To learn more about OCSW, visit www.ok.gov/ocsw/.
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Speaking of Dr. Nyla Ali Khan, one of the commissioners meeting with Governor Stitt for the swearing-in, I cherish our exchanges, dating back to our first encounter at a June 2019 event hosted by the Dialogue Institute of Oklahoma City.
I have often mentioned her new book, Educational Strategies for Youth Empowerment in Conflict Zones: Transforming, not Transmitting, Trauma” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2021). Cindy Evans Ruffel and her husband, Lance Ruffel, are hosting an evening gathering to help launch Dr. Nyla’s promotional efforts (https://ift.tt/3guGWHB). For information on their July 1 event, a by-invitation-only evening gathering, please contact Pat Carr through this email address: [email protected].
Dr. Nyla’s book, available both in hard cover and digital format, and continues to garner favorable notice. Dr. Diana J. Fox, Professor of Anthropology, Founder/Editor Journal of International Women’s Studies, Bridgewater State University, has commented:
“Blending the intellectual rigor of a strategy of comparison, with the passion of a compelling personal narrative that begins in Jammu and Kashmir, this book is a clarion call for the collective societal healing of generational trauma. Nyla Ali Khan’s new book delves into the pedagogy of healing and liberation from trauma, beyond the paradigm of a near exclusive focus on the west. Harnessing a decolonial lens, Khan weaves together insights from trauma theory, largely informed by Holocaust studies, with testimonial accounts of the horrors of war, sexual violence, and the victimization of otherized minority groups, calling on our collective empathy and morality to ‘actively work to rehabilitate those who have witnessed or encountered acts of barbarity or savagery.’ Focusing in particular on the ‘the heterogeneity of the identities and histories of children’ suffering from mental and emotional trauma, she rejects “the propagation of sentimental political discourse that iconizes” trauma victims, instead offering an urgent and necessary lens ― as well as paving a path ― to healing and building flourishing democratic societies.”
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One of my U.S. history professors at Oklahoma State University, back in the day, was a white guy named Jim Smallwood. We were not close, but he taught me some history. I enjoyed his teaching and writing.
I once asked Dr. James Milton Smallwood why he had focused on Black History. He said it always interested him – and there was a need for teachers familiar with the Black American experience, so he gravitated toward that work.
Sort of an entrepreneurial motivation that fed into his noble intentions
With personal interest in and knowledge of Cherokee and African-American history, Dr. Smallwood focused much of his scholarly work on the Reconstruction era in Texas. …
I came across this biographical note while searching for him online recently: Texas State Historical Association, “Smallwood, James Milton (1944-2013)”
https://ift.tt/3h4xA5k
I was fortunate to have a white guy from Texas who, back in the day, taught me a lot of the truth about history, including Black History.
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Columnist Neil Patel recently sketched one of the great moral challenges for American citizens in the modern age: "As a society, we are growing increasingly self-interested. Citizenship brings responsibility beyond self-interest. ... The social and cultural segregation in our country is directly contributing to the coarseness of our national culture and politics. We no longer just disagree in America; we vilify those who don't share our views. ... When you have little interaction with those who don't share your background or beliefs, it's easy to view them as caricatures. It becomes easier to demonize or marginalize them. This results in the sort of fissures we have in America today and the normalization of summary political violence; we've all seen it. Left to fester, these dynamics lead to the downfall of societies."
I could not have said it better myself, although I’ve tried.
Editor’s Notebook: Status of Women commission swearing-in, an honored book by Dr. Nyla, a professor with noble intentions, and citizenship Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Pat McGuigan
A new allowing small businesses to offer bottle service to customers in Oklahoma -- sponsored by state Representative A.J. Pittman, D-Oklahoma City -- took effect last month without much fanfare.
House Bill 2726 quietly gathered steam in the final weeks of the recent spring session of the Oklahoma State Legislature.
As CapitolBeatOK.com, an independent news service in Oklahoma City, reported in March, Pittman said the bill “was a request bill from many small businesses in my district and throughout Oklahoma City. What we are doing is creating parity with what other states offer and what consumers want. Economic Development was at the top of my list of priorities when we started this journey, now we can see how we can restore our business communities from multiple things that challenge their success.”
The legislation, Pittman and other advocates say, does not encourage alcohol consumption. It does not remove safeguards to limit alcohol-linked incidents.
Pittman said, “This legislation isn’t about alcohol as much as it is about helping small businesses in House District 99 and throughout Oklahoma. This legislation will add a second layer of safety for families or patrons that gather in support of our professional sports teams and other celebrations.”
As the legislation worked its way through the committee and floor consideration process, it garnered co-sponsors. In the House, state Reps. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman, and Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow, became co-authors. The measure’s Senate author was Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City.
The measure was amended to add an emergency clause, allowing it to go into effect immediately upon final approval.
H.B. 2726 passed the House of Representatives in April by a wide bipartisan majority.
In the end, 68 House members voted yes, with 26 opposed and seven not voting.
On May 5, the measured sailed through the Senate 40-7, with one member not voting.
Governor Kevin Stitt signed the legislation on May, adding Rep. Pittman’s revisions to the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Act as state law.
www.CapitolBeatOK.com
Rep. Ajay Pittman’s Bottle Service legislation is now state law Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City Young Professionals recently recognized State Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-OKC, as one of this year’s Top 50 Influential Young Professionals.
OKCYP’s annual list is comprised of outstanding young professionals who were selected by a special committee, which consisted of members of the public, leaders of influential organizations, and community leaders, according to the OKCYP website.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized by my community alongside my peers and colleagues in the work we do to serve and give back to our neighbors throughout Oklahoma City,” Munson said. “As this list shows, we have a lot of talented, passionate people working to help this city flourish, and I am happy to be counted among them.”
Munson’s primary work is focused on victim advocacy, mental health, and reducing trauma, especially among children.
“I love the progress of our city and certainly understand the responsibility I have as a leader to continue that progress,” Munson said. “It is always my goal to use my skills and strengths to ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience the highest quality of life. I am so proud of Oklahoma City and grateful I get to live, work, and play here.”
In related news, as featured on Page One of The City Sentinel print edition (June 2021) and in an earlier report on our website (https://ift.tt/3gMBPnx ), Rep. Munson has been elected as the House Minority Leader beginning after the 2022 statewide elections.
www.CapitolBeatOK.com
Cyndi Munson designated one of 2021’s 50 Top Influential Young Professionals Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK Steve Fair Inflation occurs when the purchasing power of the dollar declines. When the price of a basket of selected goods and services rise due to increased costs to produce the good and service, inflation happens. For years, economists have believed increased US government economic policy(regulations/restrictions/intervention) would keep inflation to a minimum. But in the past six months, major grain, oilseed and edible oil prices are at historical highs, crude oil prices are at six times the year ago level and freight rates are up +25 percent. Food prices according to the USDA have increased by 3-4 percent each month since March. Investors are nervous and Wall Street has stalled. Consumers are seeing increased prices at the shelf and at the pump. Inflation has returned and it is the result of bad economic policy. Three observations: First, some inflation can be healthy for an economy if it is a by-product of a growing economy. But it needs to be controlled and temporary. The current inflation trend is neither. Criticism of President Joe Biden’s economic policies comes from not only Republicans, but Democrats as well. Lawrence Summers, former Secretary of Treasury in the Clinton administration and a former economic advisor to President Barack Obama says President Biden’s stimulus plan has been the driving force behind recent inflation. Summers says Biden and his policies are causing “inflationary pressure of a kind we have not seen in a generation, with consequences for the value of the dollar and financial stability.” Second, President Biden’s economic policy is not free market driven. By continuing to send citizens stimulus checks and unemployment payments, Biden has hurt the economy. Employers across America can’t get people to work because they can stay home and make as much money not working. Promoting laziness, idleness and sloth is not good economic policy. The cornerstone of Biden’s economic policy is tax increases and more government spending, which he believes will get inflation under control. President Reagan said, “People who think a tax boost will cure inflation are the same ones who believe another drink will cure a hangover.” Third, millennials have no reference point in regard to economic inflation. Before most of them were born, in the late 70s and early 80s, inflation was out of control in the U.S. In 1975, the annual inflation rate was 10.1 percent. It was 9.6 percent in 1981. Home mortgage rates were over 10 percent APR. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter was defeated by Ronald Reagan, primarily because of inflation and the economy. President Reagan took a three-pronged approach to curbing inflation; (1) Reduced government spending on domestic programs, (2) Reduced taxes, and (3) Reduced the burden of regulations on businesses. During Reagan’s two terms (8 years), the U.S. economy was turned around and inflation brought under control, using supply side economic policy. The real issue with inflation is wages don’t increase as fast as consumer prices increase. That hurts consumer confidence and stalls the economy. President Reagan said, “Inflation is as violent as a mugger, as frightening as an armed robber and as deadly as a hit man.” Hopefully the inflation rates of 40 years ago will not be seen again, but socialist economic policy coupled with more government regulation could make that possible. Note: A commentator and writer, Steve Fair is also chairman for the Oklahoma Republican Party in the state’s Fourth Congressional District. He can be reached by email at [email protected] . His blog is stevefair.blogspot.com . Inflation is a mugger: Commentary Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Steve Fair
In 1973, then Secretary of Treasury George Schultz convened an informal meeting of the five top economic democracies in the world in order to discuss how to get inflation and monetary exchange rates under control. That group evolved to became the Group of Seven (G7), an inter-governmental political forum that seeks solutions to issues of trade, security and economics in the world.
The seven countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States – account for 10 percent of the globe’s population, but have 60 percent of the world’s net wealth and one third of the worlds GDP.
The week before last, President Joe Biden made his first out of the country trip since being elected, attending the G7 summit in England. He said the gathering was ‘an extraordinarily collaborative and productive meeting.’ He went on to say that his engagement with the other leaders in the G7 was met with ‘genuine enthusiasm.’ Biden announced at the meeting that American taxpayers will pay for 500 million coronavirus vaccine doses to be used throughout the world.
The president pressed the group to push for a minimum 15 percent corporate income global tax. A point of fact; corporations don’t pay taxes, consumers do. Corporations simply pass taxes and fees onto their customers in the form of price increases. Biden also walked back President Trump’s demand that European countries pay their fair share in NATO.
“America’s back in the business of leading the world alongside nations who share our most deeply held values. I think we’ve made progress in reestablishing American credibility among our closest friends,” Biden said.
Three observations:
First, most of the members of the G7 do not share the U.S.’s most deeply held values.
America is a democratic republic founded on a specific written document.
The US constitution grants unprecedented and very specific rights to American citizens. It is codified (written down/systemized). In the UK the constitution is uncodified (unwritten). The British form of government allows parliament to enact laws no other body can challenge. Most of the members of the G7 are democratic socialist nations, with similar forms of government to the UK. Most despise capitalism and a constitutional republic form of government.
Second, a friend doesn’t let you pay their bills.
The reason President Trump wasn’t popular among G7 leaders was because he pushed them to pay their fair share. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was founded to stop the Soviet Union from propping up shadow governments in Europe after WWII. It was to be funded by the member nations. Since it’s formation, the US has foot the bill.
In 2014, after some pressure, Germany agreed to spend 2 percent of GDP on their military defense, but have never spent more than half that. Germany, and 27 other nations in the alliance, allow United States taxpayers to fund 70 percent of the cost to protect Europe. Those types are called freeloaders, moochers, bloodsuckers, leeches or parasites, but certainly not friends.
Third, America’s creditability took a hit at the G7.
During President Trump’s term, he called out the member nations unwillingness to pay their fair share. Creditability involves trustworthiness, integrity, and character. Biden’s return to the same ‘open checkbook’ policies of the Obama years were met with enthusiasm, but rest assured the other six members of the G7 respected and feared America more under the Trump administration.
In its infancy the G7 forums served a purpose -- to stabilize the world’s out of control inflation and fluctuating currency exchanges. G7 still deals with those issues but its primary initiative has moved to spending taxpayer money on global initiatives that have little to do with economic stability.
G7 is an organization pushing a global agenda using the US as little more than an ATM machine.
Note: A commentator and writer, Steve Fair is also chairman for the Oklahoma Republican Party in the state’s Fourth Congressional District. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. His blog is stevefair.blogspot.com.
G7 uses U.S. as an ATM: Commentary Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Patrick B. McGuigan, Movie Review
NOTE: This review from 2015 is revised slightly, with more detailed reflections on Dr. Ralph Abernathy’s role in the civil rights movement.
“Selma” powerfully captures the character, vision and magnetism of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – and, thankfully, that of his wife.
David Oyelowo as Dr. King and Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King are revelations. Close your eyes, to hear MLK's voice in Oyelowo's cadence. As you open them, Ejogo passes for Mrs. King's twin.
The film briefly touches upon King's Nobel Peace Prize lecture, then jumps to events before the march he led into Selma.
MLK's best-known frailties briefly enter the story. Yet, a viewer's knowledge of that gives context to his courage.
His wife forgave him, and he persevered knowing his secrets were being used against him.
A major criticism: An otherwise effective screenplay by Paul Webb distorts President Lyndon B. Johnson's views. This is not a quibble, but a concern for posterity. Yes, every historical movie takes liberties. Still, great care is needed in presenting the views of real people. I am not a major fan of President Johnson, yet he is not quite treated fairly in this motion picture.
LBJ's views on racial justice are portrayed inaccurately. The grandeur of the 1965 federal push for voting rights, perfectly delivered by actor Tom Wilkinson, is eroded by a narrative that makes him appear to be a reluctant warrior.
Certainly, there is evidence Johnson was racist in his early years of Texas politics, but not in his policy record as vice president (under John F. Kennedy) and president.
A criticism: In its theatrical release, the film under-portrays the part Ralph Abernathy (Colman Domingo, in just minutes of screen time) played in the movement of American equality, and in King's inner circle. He became leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (which King had led) after Dr. King’s murder. Dr. Abernathy was a passionate Christian leader, and in fact late in his life stepped away from political activism to concentrate anew on ministry. It is a timely matter to remember that he was a leading advocate for local, state and national observances of “Juneteenth” .
Depictions of Dr. King's other close associates – Andrew Young (André Holland), Bayard Rustin (Ruben Santiago-Hudson) and especially of John Lewis (Stephan James) and Hosea Williams (Wendell Pierce) – are stellar.
And, credit hip-hop artist Common for a deft turn as James Bevel. Film fans have become accustomed to Common's acting ability in recent years, but that is an aspect in his career of relatively recent vintage. In the theatrical version of the movie, the moment when Bevel and his colleagues inform King about the murder of white Christian minister, an ally of the civil rights cause, is priceless. In real time and with brilliant restraint, Oyelowo captures the greatness in Dr. King’s outreach to all Americans, for all the right reasons.
Despite any limitations, the movie is highly recommended.
Costuming, filming, manners of speaking, and the characters' language evoke a era, with a rare quota of anachronisms.
At the heart of this film reside Dr. King's humanity and deep faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. More and more, Dr. King’s transcendent and transformational message of faith is being forgotten or even hidden in analysis and reporting of his life. ‘Selma’ does not fall into this trap.
It is rated PG-13, as it must be. Accurately portrayed is the violence racists inflicted on civil rights supporters of every hue in the 1960s. Wrenching and heart-breaking is the opening sequence bearing witness to the fate of five lovely African-American girls.
“Selma” is noble film-making. It is a timely reminder that, as MLK would say, justice is not only a destination, but also a journey.
Martin Luther King understood we are unlikely to reach true justice in this fallen world. After the events portrayed in Selma, and just a few months before his death in 1968, Dr. King delivered a speech at the University of Newcastle in England. In that address of just a few hundred words, he articulated the original aspirations of the noble cause he led:
“[T]here can be no separate black path to power and fulfillment that does not intersect white routes and there can be no separate white path to power and fulfillment short of social disaster that does not recognize the necessity of sharing that power with colored aspirations for freedom and human dignity. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation, and of all the nations of the world, into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood and speed up the day when all over the world justice will roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
The struggle itself is part of faithful service to the One Who redeems us, and Who can yet sustain America.
NOTE:The founder of CapitolBeatOK.com, McGuigan is also editor of The City Sentinel, an Oklahoma City newspaper where this review appeared in the Jan. 22, 2015 edition, as well as at the website www.City-Sentinel.com.
Movie Review: Portrayals of Dr. King, his wife and close allies highlight a stirring “Selma” – Sunday June 20 on CBS, 7 – 10 p.m. CDT Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
Editor's Note: Internet Gremlins today would not let the top photograph here post in a normal way. However, if you merely click on the 'white space' atop this story you can see a nice file photograph of Jack Werner and his long-time associate Todd Feehan. ...
Oklahoma City -- Jack L. Werner, Owner of A to Z Inspections, was recently named to the National Small Business Association Leadership Council.
NSBA is a nonpartisan small-business advocacy organization. Werner, a recognized leader in the small-business community, joins the NSBA Leadership Council alongside other small-business advocates from across the country as they work to promote small business interests to policymakers in Washington, D.C.
"As a small-business owner, I see daily the importance of being involved and active when it comes to laws and regulation," stated Werner. "Through NSBA's Leadership Council I can help get the small-business message to the people that need to hear it most: Congress."
Werner has been involved with small business for 50 years. After returning from Vietnam, where he served two tours with the 4th Infantry Division, K Company, 75th Airborne Rangers, and completing his business degree at the University of Central Oklahoma, he served as a field representative for U.S. Rep. Mickey Edwards of Oklahoma City. Werner has employed his entrepreneurial skills in civic involvement, serving as president of the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and South Oklahoma City Rotary, and teaching and mentoring many aspiring entrepreneurs.
Werner joined the NSBA Leadership Council to help tackle the issues facing small business, including tax reform, regulatory restraint, and health care costs. The NSBA Leadership Council is focused on providing networking among small-business advocates while ensuring small business a seat at the table as Congress and regulators take up key small-business proposals.
"I am proud to have Jack Werner as part of our Leadership Council," stated NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken. "He came to us highly recommended, and I look forward our coordinated efforts for years to come."
Jack Werner writes and speakers regularly in the Oklahoma City area. He is a regular columnist for The City Sentinel newspaper, an independent, non-partisan and locally-owned publication.
Learn more about Jack Werner and his A to Z Inspections at www.atozinspections.com
For more on the NSBA Leadership Council, please visit nsba.biz .
Note: Founded by Jack Werner in 2002, A to Z Inspections provides commercial property inspections throughout the southwest U.S., residential property inspections in Oklahoma, and ADA compliance inspections and is an approved federal contractor. Werner holds a degree in
construction from OSU and teaches home inspection licensing courses for Francis Tuttle CareerTech and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and Universal Design & Build courses for the NASB. He was named the 2019 CAPS national instructor of the year. The staff of The City Sentinel extends congratulations to Jack for his business leadership and stellar community service.
Local Business Owner Jack L. Werner Named to NSBA Leadership Council Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Staff Report
Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, said in a recent press release that Senate Bill 1033 – signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt -- means that “the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) can proceed with developing and finalizing agreements that will better protect legitimate Oklahoma businesses by ensuring more resources to go after criminal operations.
Leewright was principal author of the legislation. He spoke about it in a legislative staff press release sent to CapitolBeatOK.com, The City Sentinel and other news organizations.
“We want to protect our legitimate Oklahoma businesses and, at the same time, send a strong message that Oklahoma is not a safe haven for criminal organizations,” Leewright said.
“Senate Bill 1033 provides the statutory authority for key agreements aimed at both of those concerns.”
Leewright, chair of the Senate Committee on Business, Commerce and Tourism, said prior to S.B. 1033, OMMA could only use its resources for administrative purposes. Under Leewright’s bill (which was signed by the governor on May 28), OMMA and OBNDD will be able to enter into agreements that will provide resources for dedicated agents.
“It’s only been three years since Oklahomans approved medical marijuana, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted the explosion in grows, processors or dispensaries in that time — in Creek County alone, we’ve gone from having zero to about 286 grows, with over 2,200 statewide,” Leewright said. “This gives us the necessary authorization and the resources to go after criminal operations.”
Mark Woodward, legislative liaison for OBNDD, said the agency has been investigating illegal operations, but having resources for a dedicated unit will be a game-changer.
“We know we have criminal organizations moving into our state, often hiring Oklahomans as straw owners. One hundred percent of the product may end up on the black market,” Woodward said.
“This new law means we can create a full time marijuana enforcement unit with the single purpose of identifying and removing criminal organizations.”
In addition to strengthening Oklahoma statutes to help enforcement, the legislation also authorizes the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) to charge OMMA a 1.5 percent fee for collecting the 7 percent medical marijuana tax. This will help with costs associated for tax collection and compliance.
“OMMA is committed to patient and public safety. We are increasing OMMA compliance and enforcement staffing as well as working with other agencies across the state to ensure oversight and accountability in this rapidly growing industry,” said Kelly Williams, OMMA director. “We appreciate Senator Leewright’s support in these efforts.”
State Senator James Leewright believes new Oklahoma law will protect legitimate businesses, while creating ‘more resources to go after criminal operations’ Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
Jonathan Small
Remembrances of the Tulsa Race Massacre have focused largely —and understandably — on the tragic and unnecessary loss of life and property. But Oklahomans should not ignore other lessons provided by the rise and resurrection of “Black Wall Street,” Tulsa’s Greenwood district.
Too many observers gloss over the fact that a center of wealth and commerce was a black community in a state where Jim Crow laws were still enforced — at times, brutally so. How could this be so? Because the power of free markets is often greater than even the power of true systemic oppression.
By 1921, the Greenwood district covered 35 blocks and was home to at least 200 black-owned businesses, although some officials believe the actual number of businesses may have been closer to 600.
The value of those properties and businesses was equivalent to at least $22 million in current dollars, based on insurance claims filed after the neighborhood was destroyed by white mobs. Again, that figure likely understates the wealth accrued by Greenwood residents.
Those businesses arose because free black men and women, despite the barriers created by Jim Crow laws and racist attitudes, were able to work hard, invest, and grow businesses and job opportunities. The opportunities created by their efforts in the marketplace allowed tremendous economic progress despite racist opposition.
True, racism created barriers. But racism could not overcome market forces and individual initiative. If white-owned businesses would not serve black customers, black-owned businesses quickly sprang up to fill the void, and great fortunes were made in the process. Black men and women were able to enjoy a life of prosperity previously unimaginable within the living memory of some of those individuals or their family members who had been slaves.
The opportunities provided by the marketplace also played a role in Greenwood’s resurrection. While the community was reduced to rubble by the Tulsa Race Massacre, it did not stay that way. Residents quickly rebuilt.
The rebuilding occurred even though, as The Wall Street Journal recently noted, there “was little or no government assistance.” It also occurred despite insurers refusing to cover the losses experienced by business and homeowners.
How did African Americans rebuild their community? By using their property as collateral to secure short-term mortgages. Those bets on the future paid off. By 1940, the homeownership rate in Tulsa’s African American community was 49 percent, a better rate than the 45 percent achieved by whites at that time.
The Tulsa Race Massacre is rightly remembered as a terrible act of racism and terrorism. But the resilience of the Greenwood community should not be overshadowed in the retelling, nor should the role that a free market and individual initiative played in producing opportunity and prosperity.
The free-market forces that allowed blacks to build — and rebuild — a community of tremendous prosperity in 1921 remain viable today.
Oklahoma policymakers should take note.
Note: Jonathan Small is president at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs in Oklahoma City. This essay first appeared at their website: https://ift.tt/3zpICKW . Small’s observations about public policy appear from time to time in The City Sentinel newspaper’s print edition, and often on CapitolBeatOK.com, an independent, non-partisan news service.
Black Wall Street showed benefit of free markets Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK |
Pat McGuiganThe dean of all Oklahoma Journalism, Mr Patrick McGuigan; has a rich history of service in many aspects of both covering the news and producing the information that the public needs to know. Archives
September 2021
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