by Muskogee Politico - October 17, 2020 at 05:31PM
Tulsa Beacon: Don’t retain Judge Jane Wiseman
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
Don’t retain Judge Jane Wiseman
Judge Jane Wiseman, who is on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, will be on the November 3 ballot for a retention vote.
In Oklahoma, voters can retain or dismiss judges on the Oklahoma Supreme Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Civil Appeals. Those are the three appellate courts in the state. (District court judges are not subject to retention votes but people can file and run against them). All judicial retention votes and races are nonpartisan.
Since the judicial reforms in the 1960s, Oklahoma has not dismissed a judge during a retention vote.
That’s an amazing statistic.
Why do judges always seem to get two-thirds yes and one-third no in statewide retention elections?
There are several reasons. One is that the vast majority of voters know nothing of the judges who will be on the ballot. So people tend to vote yes on all of the judges or no on all of the judges. No one – especially the liberal news media – delves into the records of the judges up for retention. It’s almost impossible to find information about them on the Internet.
And most of all, no one seems to care if bad judges get confirmed every six years.
Six years ago in October of 2014, Wiseman conducted the first legalized homosexual marriage in Oklahoma. The U.S. Supreme Court decided to make law by forcing states to permit men to marry men and women to marry women.
by Muskogee Politico - October 17, 2020 at 05:31PM Tulsa Beacon: Don’t retain Judge Jane Wiseman Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico 1889 Institute: Auditor Byrd abuses office demonstrates she doesn't understand charter schools10/13/2020
Cindy Byrd Abuses Office Demonstrating She Doesn’t Understand Charter Schools
By Byron Schlomach, Ph.D.
Epic Charter Schools, with 60,000 students, has gotten too big and successful for the public school establishment to ignore. Unfortunately, State Auditor Cindy Byrd has joined in a witch hunt by ignoring the philosophy behind charter school laws and the purpose of state audits, issuing a hit piece masquerading as a special audit. Her excuses for not following standard audit protocols remind one of Dean Wormer’s double-secret probation in the movie, “Animal House.” There are three basic ideas behind charter school laws. First, public schools are more costly and less productive than they could be because they are monopolies. Second, parents facing relatively easy educational choices would choose to the benefit of their children. And third, charter schools must compete for students. This competition regulates charters far better than any government agency could, and because they compete, charter schools need less regulation that public schools. Unfortunately, policymakers constantly try to shoehorn charter schools into the public education system, Cindy Byrd being a prime example. Charter schools are private contractors with whom the state has uniquely contracted to provide education. It’s unique that parents, not bureaucrats, independently determine the school attended. The nature of education makes the deliverables ill-defined, which means payments to charter schools, as well as to traditional public schools, are only contingent on enrollment. But, with charter schools, parents can instantly move their children other schools as they wish. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - October 13, 2020 at 07:50AM 1889 Institute: Auditor Byrd abuses office, demonstrates she doesn't understand charter schools Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico Time for fairness, certainty, unity
By Jonathan Small
Imagine that you and your neighbor work at the same business, in the same town, for the same income, yet you are subject to different taxes and regulations than your neighbor. Unfortunately, that’s the reality that potentially faces Oklahomans in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent McGirt decision, which declared the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s reservation was never formally disestablished. While the ruling dealt only with criminal jurisdiction and Creek land, the logic of the ruling is expected to apply to four other tribes whose territories include most of Eastern Oklahoma, and opens the door for those tribes to exert new powers in areas such as taxation and regulation. For example, there is reason to think non-Indians could soon be subject to taxation from both the state and a tribe if they live on what is now considered a reservation, but that a Cherokee living in Tulsa (now part of the Creek reservation) may be exempted from state and local taxes. In the same way, businesses owned by tribal members may be exempted from state and local taxes paid by competitors even when both businesses operate in the same community. The ripple effect will ultimately impact all Oklahomans. Officials at the Oklahoma Tax Commission have predicted, conservatively, that state tax collections will decline by hundreds of millions because of new exemptions created by McGirt. Yet the state will still be expected to fund things like roads, schools and public safety in the reservation areas, despite the fact that many individuals in those areas will be paying far less to support those government functions. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - October 12, 2020 at 08:00PM OCPA column: Time for fairness, certainty, unity Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
Secretary of Budget Mike Mazzei announces resignation to return to private sector
OKLAHOMA CITY (October 12, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today he has named Chief Policy Advisor Brian Bingman as Secretary of State and Native American Affairs. Bingman, former President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, joined the Stitt Administration in August as the governor’s lead negotiator on legislative policy and will continue those duties as Secretary of State. “Senator Bingman is a natural choice to be our next Secretary of State,” said Gov. Stitt. “It has been clear since he joined our team that he is respected by our colleagues in the Legislature and Oklahomans across the state. His wisdom, calm demeanor and understanding of the legislative process will continue to benefit our state in his new role.” Bingman represented House District 30 from 2004 to 2006 before representing Senate District 12 from 2006 to 2016. He also served as President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate from 2011 to 2016 and Mayor of Sapulpa from 1992 to 2004. He was the first Republican in state history to serve three terms as Pro Tempore of the Senate. Under his leadership, landmark workers’ compensation and lawsuit reform became law, and he authored and pushed for a reduction in Oklahoma’s income tax rate. “I am honored to be named as Secretary of State and Native American Affairs,” said Bingman. “I have had great conversations building relationships with our colleagues in the Legislature and look forward to continuing to partner with them to accomplish our shared desire of making Oklahoma a Top Ten state.” Gov. Stitt also announced he has accepted the resignation of Secretary of Budget Mike Mazzei, effective October 23. As Secretary of Budget, Mazzei’s primary responsibilities included coordinating the Governor’s Executive Budget Book, improving the state’s financial operations and negotiating the state budget with the Oklahoma Legislature. This spring, Mazzei added a role as one of the leaders of the CARES FORWARD team, ensuring efficient and effective distribution of the $1.26 billion in COVID-19 federal relief dollars to cities, counties, state agencies and economic relief grant recipients across Oklahoma. “I have enjoyed serving in Governor Stitt’s administration to help make Oklahoma a Top Ten state,” said Mazzei. “I’m incredibly grateful for all the hard work and collaboration with the team of highly talented cabinet secretaries, budget staff, and agency financial officers to transform the financial operations of the state and provide more accountability and transparency. After an extraordinary season of time-consuming work, this is the right moment for me to step back and return to my financial planning company.” Mazzei has spent a total of 14 years in state government. He was elected to represent Senate District 25 in 2004 and served the maximum of 12 years before reaching his term limit in 2016. During his time in the Senate, Mazzei served in leadership roles as Senate Finance Committee Chairman and Assistant Majority Floor Leader. “The State of Oklahoma is a better place because of Secretary Mazzei’s service,” said Gov. Stitt. “Through 12 years in the Senate and two years as a cabinet secretary, he has fought for fiscal responsibility and prudent use of taxpayer dollars.” John Budd, Oklahoma’s chief operating officer and Secretary of Agency Accountability echoed the governor’s sentiments. “I have worked side-by-side with Mike Mazzei for the last two years,” said Budd. “His commitment to service to Oklahoma is unsurpassed. I am grateful for his thought partnership and I am comforted to know that I can call on him for help any time I need it.” by Muskogee Politico - October 12, 2020 at 07:40PM Stitt taps former Senate Pro Tem Bingman as Sec'y of State and Native American Affairs Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN DENOUNCES DEBATE COMMISSION DECISION OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, October 8, 2020 – The chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party said today he applauds Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West in denouncing the Commission on Presidential Debates’ (CPD) attempt to manipulate the next Presidential debate by making it digital and remote. “Chairman West is absolutely correct, and I commend him for speaking out,” said David McLain. “The decision of the Commission on Presidential Debates to make the second debate between President Trump and Joe Biden a virtual affair is wrong. The fact that the Commission is using the President’s contracting of, and medical clearance from COVID-19 as the reason to change the format from live to virtual, is ridiculous. The fact is the debate can be staged safely just as the Vice-Presidential debate was. I support the President’s decision not to participate in the manipulated shell game the CPD is playing. The American people deserve to hear from both candidates live, in the same room, in the same city in front of a live town hall audience, as the debate was scheduled to be. Unfortunately, it appears the CPD prefers to play politics with the format by using President Trump as a pawn.” Here is the announcement from the Commission on Presidential Debates: CPD ANNOUNCES SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WILL BE VIRTUAL Washington, D.C. (October 8, 2020) – In order to protect the health and safety of all involved with the second presidential debate, scheduled for October 15, 2020, The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) announced the following today: The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which the candidates would participate from separate remote locations. The town meeting participants and the moderator, Steve Scully, Senior Executive Producer & Political Editor, C-SPAN Networks, will be located at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami, Florida. The White House Pool will provide coverage of the second presidential debate. by Muskogee Politico - October 09, 2020 at 03:00PM OKGOP Chairman blasts Presidential Debate Commission over 'virtual' decision Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT ANNOUNCES EXTENSION FOR OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO CLAIM FUNDING FOR VIRTUAL COURSE OPTIONS OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 7, 2020) — One week after the program’s initial deadline, Governor Kevin Stitt announced an extension for all Oklahoma school districts to claim funding for virtual learning resources through Learn Anywhere Oklahoma. While more than 250 school districts have claimed funding through the program, roughly one third of all districts across the state still do not have an established virtual learning platform. The deadline to register has been extended to Oct. 30. The Oklahoma Supplemental Online Course Program will be proactively reaching out to districts to assist in connecting all schools to virtual resources that will assist in delivering education during the COVID-19 pandemic and help provide greater access to quality learning opportunities. “Our top priority is to ensure all Oklahoma students have access to a quality education,” said Gov. Stitt. “Learn Anywhere Oklahoma provides school districts with a tool belt of options for delivering virtual education to individual students or entire classrooms, allowing students to remain engaged in their districts during this historic pandemic.” “We are extending the deadline to Oct. 30 out of a desire to ensure all districts are informed of this affordable, robust resource,” said Secretary of Education Ryan Walters. “Once a district opts in, the district will be given credits it can put towards Learn Anywhere Oklahoma’s K-12th grade courses beginning immediately and available through 2022.” The new deadline set by Gov. Stitt allows districts to sign up for Learn Anywhere Oklahoma until October 30, 2020, thereby claiming funding that can be utilized for up to two school years. All districts are encouraged to participate, even if they have a current virtual learning plan in place. Support is standing by to assist school districts with enrollment at learnanywhereok.org. For more information about Learn Anywhere OK, visit the website or contact 405-645-7750 with questions. Learn Anywhere OK is administered by the Oklahoma Supplemental Online Course Program. by Muskogee Politico - October 09, 2020 at 11:27AM Stitt announces extension for schools to claim funding for virtual options Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico Conservative leaders support SQ 805 OKLAHOMA CITY (October 6, 2020) -- Jonathan Small, President of Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs; Trent England, David and Ann Brown Distinguished Fellow at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, and Ryan Haynie, Criminal Justice Reform Fellow for Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement today in support of State Question 805: One of America’s most popular conservative pundits is known for his catchphrase, “Facts don’t care about your feelings.” While people may feel differently about the policy of SQ 805, here are the facts. Oklahoma has one of the highest incarceration rates in the country. We have the highest incarceration rate for women. Yet Oklahoma crime rates are not so extreme--neither in the very worst nor the very best among the states. Oklahoma puts people in prison for much longer sentences than the national average. This includes sentences that are 70% longer for property crimes and 79% longer for drug crimes. Sentencing enhancements, which SQ 805 will curtail for nonviolent offenders, increase sentence lengths by 36% based on a study conducted by OCPA. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - October 08, 2020 at 11:26PM OCPA leaders announce support for State Question 805 Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico In some great news for the OKGOP, 5th District nominee Stephanie Bice outraised incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Kendra Horn in the last quarter, and a new poll has Bice leading Horn in the GOP effort to retake the 5th District. A survey released by the firm Pat McFerron and Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates has Bice at 49% and Horn at 45%. Of interest, President Trump leads the Presidential ballot in CD5 with 49%, Biden at 43%, Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen at 3%, and independent Kanye West at 1%. You can read more details on the poll here. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - October 07, 2020 at 08:43AM Bice tops Horn's single-quarter fundraising record, leads in new CD5 poll Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
This week's Music Monday is Air and variations, the final movement from Suite No. 5 in E major, HWV 430, also called "The Harmonious Blacksmith", by the great classical composer George Frideric Handel.
Enjoy!
See below for all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to suggest for a future Music Monday? Email me at [email protected].
by Muskogee Politico - October 05, 2020 at 08:43PM Music Monday: The Harmonious Blacksmith Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico Epic Charter Schools has been the subject of a recent audit as ordered by Governor Stitt. Last week, State Auditor Cindy Byrd released the first part of the audit at a press conference in Oklahoma City. In this post, you can read reactions from:
by Muskogee Politico - October 05, 2020 at 08:10PM Wide-ranging reaction to Epic Charter Schools audit Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
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