The impending threat to the Transportation Improvement Plan
Thank you to all of those who attended the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s town hall and hearing at Waterloo Road Baptist church this past week….
State Government
State Board of Education approves academic standards for ELA, math, with next stop being state Legislature
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Board of Education today unanimously approved the final draft of new state academic standards for English language arts (ELA) and…
Gov. Fallin approves transfer of emergency funds to aid Oklahoma’s earthquake response
OKLAHOMA CITY — Governor Mary Fallin announced today she has approved the use of nearly $1.4 million from the state emergency fund to bolster the…
Gov. Mary Fallin brings together former Oklahoma Governors for an evening at the Mansion
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin and First Gentleman Wade Christensen welcomed home five of Oklahoma’s former governors to their former official residence.
The specifics of needed Legislative action on earthquakes
Last week I wrote about the Legislature’s need to take immediate action to allow for the enforcement of the Corporation Commission’s cutback directives. That article…
The return of seismic swarms and the need for immediate action
It wasn’t good news. Just after 11 a.m. on the morning of November 4, I glanced at my phone and saw the following text: “Really…
Superintendent: “Bad news” is programs and services will be cut
I don’t like to deliver bad news. Unfortunately, there are times where my job requires me to convey information that is less than encouraging. Following…
State education: FAQs on the $46.7 million budget cut to preK-12 education
On Dec. 23, 2015, the Oklahoma Secretary of Finance declared a General Revenue failure and instructed all state agencies to reduce specific appropriation accounts by…
State budget cuts present challenges to ODOT’s construction program; highway maintenance remains priority
Highlights of the Oklahoma Transportation Commission’s Monday, Jan. 4 meeting include an update on cuts in state transportation funding due to the recently-declared revenue failure,…
Gov. Mary Fallin: Keeping Oklahoma’s momentum moving forward
The New Year has arrived, which means many Oklahomans have made resolutions and personal goals for themselves for 2016. Include me among them. I’m working…
Term limits and The Assimilation
I was recently asked about my point of view regarding term limits. It’s was a timely question as I am likely to file a proposal…
It is acceptable to say no to the Federal Government
Last week I wrote of the shared feeling of helplessness which many feel regarding their inability to have their voice heard in the large, ever-more…
State Superintendent reacts to $46.7 million reduction in funding
OKLAHOMA CITY — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister says Oklahoma educators will do what needs to be done to protect classroom instruction. The comment…
The shared, growing feeling of helplessness
From time to time I give a presentation to area civic and political groups regarding legislative events. I have found that the greatest value from…
OU stadium renovation project demonstrates need for reform
In a 2007 committee hearing, legislators received an important report containing cost-saving recommendations. One notable recommendation suggested that “tremendous ongoing savings” would be realized if…
The member driven State budget Part II
Last week I provided a copy of a letter which I wrote to legislators in 2014 regarding the need for budget reform. In that letter…
My case for budget reform as made to fellow lawmakers
As I composed last week’s article regarding the need for a reform of the state budget process, I recalled a letter in which I made…
Examples of the abuse of your taxpayer dollar
Think about the means by which a business prepares its budget. Each business unit submits its operational plans and budget for the next year to…
Giving up the authority over the State budget
It was 2007 and House Speaker Lance Cargill’s call to me occurred a few weeks following the start of my first legislative session. As a…
Sen. Griffin, Oklahoma juvenile justice professionals take aim at reducing recidivism among youthful offenders
A new study shows Oklahoma is part of a national trend that shows fewer youthful offenders being incarcerated. According to new numbers from the office…