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 Government
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…
The impending State budget deficit
It’s a state budget shortfall which some believe could run as high as one billion dollars. Despite this large number, next year’s budget downtown could…
The persistent Logan County resident who would not give up
The proposal went it into effect this Sunday; however, it was many years in the making. I first filed the proposal as a bill in…
New car seat state law begins Nov. 1; 251 new laws added
Over 250 new laws begin on Nov. 1 for the state of Oklahoma, including the requirement that all kids eight and younger must be in some kind…
Your bill idea
Last week I wrote about how this is the time of year when legislators start to shore up their list of legislation for the next…
Getting your emails noticed
We are at that time when legislators start to finalize their list of bills for the next legislative session. Some of these bills are sponsored…
Legislative hearings this fall
This is the time of year during which it is customary for legislators to conduct hearings before the various legislative committees. This year I am…
The co-opting power of cynicism
He was a good legislator. He had the best of intentions, a driving desire to do right, and had staved off the co-opting forces of…
