Prepared to explain the vote
Consider the following statement one might hear if they stay around the capitol very long: “If there is one consistent thing about that legislator, it…
State Government
Inhofe pays a visit to Guthrie for town hall meeting
U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee,…
Oklahoma IT modernization effort featured in national publication
Oklahoma’s modernization reform efforts have drawn national attention following the publication of a cover story about the consolidation of Oklahoma’s information technology infrastructure in the…
Two elected officials who are not playing the game
In 2010, the state electorate gave a vote of confidence to a new wave of state-level office holders. Nearly all of these candidates ran on…
Decrease the pay of legislators
State Rep. Jason Murphey today announced his mid-March tradition of a yearly donation of $8,241.92 from his legislative salary to the Guthrie-based Crossroads Clinic. Oklahoma legislators…
Aggressive government modernization plans approved by House
Oklahoma residents are set to benefit from a package of modernization initiatives designed to cut the cost of state government, add transparency to government activities…
The key to legislative success
Aside from the last week of the legislative session, this is probably the busiest week in the legislative year. Bills authored by those who serve…
Retiring a bunch of the ABCs
Last Thursday was the deadline for House committees to approve bills. Any bills not approved by committee before or on that day must wait a…
The May 23rd vote that changed everything, Part 2
Last week I wrote about the decade of debt during which Oklahoma lawmakers went on a debt-fueled spending spree which increased the average state debt…
The May 23rd vote that changed everything, Part 1
For years, the conservative fiscal values of Oklahomans were upheld because state officials were unable to issue general bonded indebtedness without first receiving approval through…
Giving up absolute power
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
This is what conservative leadership looks like
The list of bills to be considered this year by the Legislature has now been published. As hundreds of bills have been filed, it takes…
Murphey to serve on Freedom of Information Oklahoma Board
House District 31 State Representative Jason Murphey has been named to serve on the board of the Freedom of Information Oklahoma organization. Murphey attended his first board…
Never believe that government does not have enough of your money
It is a very old story that I have heard repeated many times. It seems that legislators cannot hold a budget hearing or meet with…
Tax reduction in Oklahoma this year
This is the time of year when Governors across the nation are providing State of the State speeches to their various state legislatures. I enjoy…
Lawmakers File Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act
During the past few weeks I have received many emails about 2nd amendment related legislation that will be sponsored this year in the Oklahoma. Here…
Transportation, States Rights, Modernization and Federal Government spending
Last week, members of the House of Representatives received their committee appointments for the next two years.
State highway improvement projects update
In the next few weeks I plan to release the latest version of the House District 31 transportation update. This update is published periodically in…
Murphey appointed to third term as Government Modernization Chairman
Local state Representative Jason Murphey has been appointed to a third term as Chairman of the House of Representatives Government Modernization Committee. Murphey was re-appointed by…
An assault on your property rights
Last week, I wrote of the House of Representatives’ creation of new committees designed to expand legislative purview at the state level. Specifically, I pointed…