Thank you! I will always remember!
On November 14, I will take the oath of office for the next term of the Legislature. I have now served six years as your…
State Government
Getting lawmakers off welfare
When a lawmaker decides to accept lobbyist gifts, he enters into a type of welfare system. Like all welfare systems, this tends to destroy the…
Voters to vote on six state questions in November
This is the time of year when voters start researching and asking about the state questions which will be on the November ballot. Unlike two…
Shaking down lobbyists
Back in February I wrote an article describing the influence of certain lobbyists over the legislative process. I wrote that lobbyists, ” . . ….
State questions on November ballot
This is the time of year when voters start researching and asking about the state questions which will be on the November ballot. Unlike two…
Disqualifying candidates based on occupation
I believe our nation’s founding fathers designed Congress to be made up of citizens from varied professions and occupations. This concept was applied to the…
It is time to end pork earmarks
The issue of pork earmarks or legislative pass-throughs has received a bit of public scrutiny within the past few weeks after the Oklahoma Council on Public…
When the government refuses to follow the law
Imagine the challenge faced by the citizen who feels the call to become civically involved and hold government accountable only to be denied access to…
40 million dollars of savings and counting
Oklahoma taxpayers received some great news as part of a recently released report from Oklahoma State Chief Information Officer Alex Pettit. During the last legislative…
Who will pay for higher education in the future?
Last week I described the future model of higher education as being mostly free to use. This begs the obvious question. Who will pay for…
Popping the Higher Ed Bubble
I have found it interesting that it has taken so long for technology to bend the cost curve for Oklahoma higher education entities. Just as…
Suggestions For Lowering Tuition Costs
There were some positive outcomes from this year’s legislative session. This includes the scheduled closure of two high profile state government corporate welfare funds. Closing…
CNG could drive down cost to the taxpayers
Earlier this month I enjoyed the opportunity to attend an event in recognition of the placement of the new Compressed Natural Gas pump at the…
Bauman, McHand and Pearson take primary election
As expected, the Logan County primary election for the Sheriff’s race came down to a matter of votes for both the Republicans and Democrats.
Rep. Jason Murphey Earns 100% voting record on small business issues
OKLAHOMA CITY — Jerrod Shouse, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said today that Jason Murphey achieved a 100 percent voting record in the 2011-…
When Faith Meets Politics
This year’s legislative session recently ended. This was when legislators experience a tremendous amount of stress as they work against the constitutionally mandated closure of…
We Are Just Getting Started
Oklahoma state government will become more efficient and transparent as a result of a series of recently approved legislation. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has signed…
Modernizing Constituent Surveys
These email updates frequently opine about the need to modernize government processes. I certainly want to practice what I preach and apply these same concepts…
Brooks Mitchell speaks in Guthrie at Republican forum
Oklahoma Corporation Commission candidate Brooks Mitchell spoke at the public forum held by The First Capital Republican Women and the Logan County GOP.
Courthouse facing overcrowding, handicap facility issues
The Logan County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but the historic structure is having a hard time dealing with day-to-day…