Politics

I have frequently expressed my view of the inappropriate influence of lobbyists over the legislative process.

I once watched, “The Best Government Money Can Buy,” a documentary that details the considerable influence of lobbyists over the development and implementation of policy.

It is the time of year when legislators file legislation for the next session. Every so often I feel it important to write an article…

Here is an antiquated House procedure that should be corrected: members of the House of Representatives vote on key legislation during a limited two-minute time…

Here’s some encouraging news: notwithstanding this year’s repeated ferocious attack by the Legislature upon the wallet of Oklahoma taxpayers, there is hope for the future.

For much of Oklahoma’s history, the conservative fiscal values of Oklahomans were upheld because state officials were unable to issue general bonded indebtedness without first…

When asked to point out what I believe to be the most wasteful and inappropriate form of government spending, I can answer without hesitation. Without…

“We have a LOT of travel! There are a lot of savings to be found in this area.”

How would you reduce the state budget? To answer this question, I have maintained the following framework for restoring a responsible and fiscally conservative budget…

Observing the Legislature over the past 11 years have given me much perspective. I now have a tremendous appreciation for those courageous legislators who are…

I have made it a practice to keep on file notable correspondence both written and emailed. From time to time, I go through these archives….

Prior to holding office I had heard the commonly used Action quote: “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

It is a very old story and I have heard it repeated many times. It seems that legislators cannot hold a budget hearing or meet…

Last week I described the dangerous decline of transparency in the Legislature and how this is leading to an environment into which terrible ideas are…

Last week I described a key moment from the 2015 legislative session that put the Oklahoma Legislature on a downward transparency trajectory: legislators suspended an…

Last week I wrote of the devolution of openness in the Oklahoma Legislature.