When the acting head of the Federal Trade Commission proclaimed last year, “I challenge anyone to explain why the state has a legitimate interest in protecting the public from rogue interior designers carpet-bombing living rooms with ugly throw pillows,” it was clear that occupational licensing reform had gone mainstream. From Mississippi to Arizona to Wisconsin, states have enacted reforms that will make it easier for their workers to climb the ladder of opportunity.

In Oklahoma, we went big. The governor put together a task force to examine occupational licenses. It came up with recommendations that won’t just remove barriers for Oklahomans, but will provide a blueprint for other states, counties and towns across the country to follow so more American workers can find jobs and pursue their dreams.

There was a time when occupational licenses applied only to doctors, lawyers and other high-income occupations whose malpractice could jeopardize consumers’ health, well-being or safety. That’s no longer the case. Today, a license is required for roughly 25 percent of the workforce, up from just 5 percent in the 1950s.

This presents a significant impediment to employment for people in disadvantaged communities. A 2017 study by the Institute for Justice of 102 low- and middle-income occupations nationwide found that to obtain a license in Oklahoma (we license everything from travel guides to shampooers) an aspiring worker must pay an average of $234 in fees and complete nearly 400 days of education and experience.

Public safety is often the primary justification, but research shows licensing doesn’t improve quality or public health and safety. Real-world experience also belies the claim. Most of the 102 licensed occupations in the IJ study are safely practiced unlicensed in other states.

What’s more, the licensing requirements for jobs that do affect public health are often less strenuous. Nationwide, the average emergency medical technician, who can be the difference between life and death, must complete just 34 days of training, while cosmetologists on average need 386 days of experience.

The real purpose of many licensing boards is to insulate industry players from competition. Boards often include individuals who work in the profession they regulate and have every incentive to engage in behavior that limits competition.

This is where the task force’s recommendations enter the picture. They provide a blueprint that policymakers nationwide can use to examine current and future licenses.

Instead of broad ideas of what licensing should look like, the blueprint contains a series of specific questions to evaluate individual licenses. For example, “Is there a compelling public interest that needs to be protected?” If the answer is no, then scrap the license. If yes, then determine whether a license is the least restrictive way to protect that interest. After that, the questions focus on ensuring that active market participants do not control the board and consumer interests are protected.

The goal must be to remove unreasonable barriers to employment so that more Americans can realize their dreams and experience the dignity of work.

Tidwell is Oklahoma state director of Americans for Prosperity.

Read the complete story on NewsOK.com

AFP Co-Hosts 2018 Growth and Opportunity Summit in Tulsa Saturday
Dr. Tom Coburn to headline conference

TULSA, Okla.—The 2018 Growth and Opportunity (GO) Summit is coming to Tulsa this Saturday, Feb. 24 at the DoubleTree Hotel in South Tulsa. The event will be headlined by a keynote address from former U.S. Senator Dr. Tom Coburn.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Coburn address this year’s Growth and Opportunity Summit,” said. AFP-OK State Director John Tidwell. “Things are moving quickly at the State Capitol and the GO Summit provides an opportunity for citizens and voters to learn more about what the state legislature is up to and how they can impact lawmakers when they engage on issues.”

Among other learning opportunities available at the GO Summit, Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs Executive Vice President Trent England will give a lunch presentation on the Oklahoma Constitution, the longest state constitution in the country, and how the state can follow the law and best serve taxpayers. Rounding out the day will be a legislative roundtable with current members of the state legislature on the state budget “crisis” and what comes next for our state budget after the failure of the Step Up plan.

In between speakers will be breakout sessions that will provide a more detailed picture of issues that are being talked about at our State Capitol. These breakout sessions include:

• Hollywood Handouts: Even in Oklahoma Hollywood is gobbling up tax credits. Where is the money going and what to we do about it?
• Fact or Fiction: The Oklahoma Budget
• Occupational Licensing 101: I need a license to do that?
• Impacting your legislator: How to cut through the clutter and best communicate with your legislator.
• Healthcare and Medicaid Reforms: How we can audit and right size our system through common sense reforms.
• Inside the Oklahoma Education Funding Formula: What goes into the formula, what comes out and all the nonsense in-between.

The 2018 Growth and Opportunity Summit is presented by Americans For Prosperity-OK, Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs and Tulsa 912. For more information or to register for the conference please visit okgrowthsummit.com. Registration will also be available the day of the event.

Occupational Licensing Task Force Releases Recommendations

OKLAHOMA CITY— Labor Commissioner Melissa Houston and the Occupational Licensing Task Force released its final report and recommendations to policymakers.

The final report includes an introduction to the issue of occupational licensing, policy recommendations, and licensing blueprint, an analytical tool policymakers can use to examine current and future licenses. The Task Force also collaborated with stakeholders to create a universal database of licensure in Oklahoma available for public use. The database can be found at licensing.ok.gov.

“Since the formation of the Task Force, our goal has been to develop objective tools that policy makers can use when examining occupational licenses, not another report that sits on a shelf,” said Labor Commissioner Melissa Houston, Chairperson of Task Force. “The Task Force has met continuously this past year to examine how Oklahoma can achieve a balance between maintaining free market principles, protecting public safety, and reducing barriers to escape poverty. Policy recommendations in the report are practical first steps to improve Oklahoma’s licensing framework to better serve its citizens and serve as a model for the rest of the country.”

Oklahoma Occupational Licensing Task Force Report – January 2018 by TheOkie.com on Scribd

“I appreciate the work of Commissioner Houston as well as the effort and time put forth by members of the task force in developing these recommendations and licensure database,” Governor Mary Fallin said. “The recommendations will be helpful in removing unnecessary or burdensome regulations that are a barrier to potential workers. Removing unnecessary or outdated barriers can help Oklahomans, particularly those who may not have completed a formal education as well as some minorities, obtain jobs and build new businesses that create jobs.”

In December 2016, Governor Fallin called for the formation of the Occupational Licensing Task Force to study the issue of occupational licensing in Oklahoma and to provide recommendations. Task Force members include:

• Labor Commissioner Melissa Houston, Chairperson of Task Force
• Senator David Holt, Oklahoma Senate
• Senator Adam Pugh, Oklahoma Senate
• Representative Mark McBride, Oklahoma House of Representatives
• Representative Mike Osburn, Oklahoma House of Representatives
• Mithun Mansinghani, Solicitor General, Attorney General Mike Hunter
• Joe M. Allbaugh, Director of Department of Corrections and Oklahoma Justice Reform Task Force member
• Fred Morgan, President of Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce
• Renee Porter, President of Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School
• Natalie Shirley, Former OSU-Oklahoma City President and Oklahoma Secretary of Education and Workforce Development
• John Tidwell, State Director, Americans for Prosperity

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.— Americans for Prosperity-Oklahoma (AFP-OK), the leading free market grassroots organization in Oklahoma announced their opposition Step Up Oklahoma’s announced plans to raise taxes in the state by over $780 million.

“The reforms outlined fall short of the true reform we really need” said John Tidwell, AFP-OK State Director. “We can all agree that our state needs significant changes in our budget and overall structure of government, but this plan does not get us there. As well-intentioned as they may be, the plans announced today contain no real spending reforms, while passing a greater financial burden on to hardworking taxpayers.”

“We saw this last year,” Tidwell added. “Oklahomans didn’t want it then, and they don’t want it now. They know that more government does not equal better government, and unless we control spending, more taxes will solve nothing.”

In a letter sent to Oklahoma Speaker of the House Charles McCall on Wednesday, AFP-OK had a simple message leading into the 2018 legislative session: “We can do better.”

Tidwell outlined the organization’s strong opposition to the state legislature’s impending “tax frenzy,” a series of tax hikes aimed at the state’s most vulnerable populations.

“We will continue to stand for economic freedom,” added Tidwell. “As we have in the past, we are going to let our lawmakers know that the ‘tax frenzy’ is irresponsible and harmful. And given the stakes, we have a responsibility to inform their constituents how they vote and hold them accountable when necessary.”

You can read Tidwell’s letter to Speaker McCall here.

Dear Governor and State Lawmakers,

We are a coalition of conservative citizens, many of us serving in leadership of state or local organizations, who write to urge you to address the need for more consolidation and other efficiencies in all areas of state government and to resist raising taxes on your constituents.

Many Oklahoma families and businesses are struggling and have been forced to reduce their own spending. Indeed, Oklahomans lost more than $13 billion in taxable income and reduced purchases by $4.1 billion in one year alone when oil prices collapsed.

And yet, Oklahoma’s total state government spending is at an all-time high. The state is now on track to spend more money next year—more than $17.9 billion—than at any time in our history. If you believe that certain state services are not adequately funded, we urge you to prioritize spending rather than raise taxes.

“Limited government” and “lower taxes” have been winning campaign messages in Oklahoma over the last decade. Some candidates have even made written promises to oppose and vote against (or veto) “any and all efforts to increase taxes.” We encourage you to stay true to these principles and to oppose efforts to increase the burden of government on hard-working Oklahoma families.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Small
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA)

John Tidwell
Americans for Prosperity-Oklahoma

Grover Norquist
Americans for Tax Reform

Steve Curry
Republican National Committeeman for Oklahoma

Ronda Vuillemont-Smith
Tulsa 9.12 Project

Tom Newell
Former chairman, General Government Oversight and Accountability Committee, Oklahoma House of Representatives

Michael Bates
BatesLine.com

Brandon Arnold
National Taxpayers Union

Jamison Faught
MuskogeePolitico.com

Andrew Lopez
Canadian County Republican Party

Daniel Schneider
American Conservative Union

Charles W. Potts
Oklahoma Republican Party executive committee member

John Michener
Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee

Bunny Chambers
Eagle Forum of Oklahoma

Lisa B. Nelson
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)

Ashley N. Varner
ALEC Action

Other signers will be added to the letter as the special legislative session continues.

AFP Oklahoma Comments on Governor Fallin’s Call for Special Session
Grassroots group calls on legislature to look at spending cuts, not raising taxes.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma (AFP OK) responded to Governor Fallin’s call for a special legislative session to address an anticipated $215 million budget shortfall.

In 2016, the tax commission estimated a new $1.50 per pack tax on cigarettes would generate $184 million in new revenue. Lawmakers passed the increase as a cigarette cessation ‘fee’ in the final days of session this year. The Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down the measure, deeming the fee a tax, making passage in the final days of session unconstitutional.

AFP OK State Director John Tidwell issued the following statement:

“Any call for a special session without a plan to address our state’s fiscal health is a bad idea. All that usually comes from special sessions are new taxes, more spending – never a plan to right-size state government. The state of Oklahoma is planning to spend more money than ever next year, an increase of more than 27% over the last decade.”

“Nothing has been done to address how our state balances the books and what we spend our dollars on. Our state can find a solution that doesn’t involve a tax increase but it will require spending cuts. Families can’t balance their checkbook by raising taxes; they have to live within their means and the government should do the same.”

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org

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AFP-Oklahoma Hires Deputy State Director Joey Magana
Former Congress Staffer Joins Grassroots Advocacy Group

Oklahoma City – Americans for Prosperity – Oklahoma (AFP-OK) today announced Joey Magana as the deputy director for the grassroots organization’s state chapter. Magana has worked with conservative legislators at both the state and federal level in Oklahoma prior to joining AFP. Most recently, he served as Constituent Services Director and Field Representative for Rep. Steve Russell (OK-05).

“I’m excited to step into this new opportunity to help shape policy and grow the grassroots network in our state. Americans for Prosperity epitomizes the free-market conservative values I support,” said Magana.

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Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org

]]> https://www.theokie.com/magana-joins-afp-oklahoma-focus-to-include-building-grassroots-army/feed/ 0 https://www.theokie.com/afp-challenges-state-leaders-where-are-the-cuts/ https://www.theokie.com/afp-challenges-state-leaders-where-are-the-cuts/#respond Thu, 18 May 2017 17:00:55 +0000 http://www.theokie.com/?p=27755 MAY 16, 2017

AFP – Oklahoma Challenges State Leaders: “Where Are The Cuts?”
 ANY budget deal must include substantial, strategic spending cuts.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Americans for Prosperity – Oklahoma (AFP-OK), the state’s leading grassroots organization fighting for lower taxes and less government growth, issued a challenge to state leaders to find ways to cut spending instead of looking primarily at tax increases to solve Oklahoma’s budget woes.

AFP-OK State Director John Tidwell challenged state leaders to show taxpayers budget cuts before raising taxes:

“It should be of grave concern to voters that all of the focus at the Capitol remains on filling the budget hole with tax increases, not spending cuts.  Where are the cuts?” said Tidwell.

On Monday, the Appropriations and Budget Committee advanced several tax increases for consideration in the House. An excise tax increase on vehicle title transfers between a spouse or their family members and a tax on cable and satellite TV service, including streaming video services like Netflix, will be voted on this week. Lawmakers also advanced a bill to halt the back-to-school sales tax holiday which occurs every fall.

Two recent Oklahoma polls found that voters believe state leaders need to focus on reducing the size of government. In February, the SoonerPoll found 81% of respondents believe ‘more efficiencies can be found in state government spending.’ Just last week, CHS Inc. released a Sooner Survey which found that 65% of respondents believe state leaders should ‘reduce spending’ as a way of dealing with the budget shortfall.

Tidwell added, “The majority of Oklahomans want spending cut, but the politicians aren’t listening to them. If legislators ignore the will of the people and refuse to cut spending, we will remember at the next election.” 

Tell Lawmakers to Stop the Tax Frenzy. Send them a message at www.NoTaxFrenzyOK.com – Our state needs responsible spending, not more taxes.

It’s time for a dose of honesty with the citizens of Oklahoma. The 56th Legislature is focused on raising taxes to fix a budget shortfall that is totally self-inflicted. Oklahomans deserve better than broken promises and higher taxes.

I find myself — along with thousands of other Oklahomans who have worked for decades in our state to pursue economic opportunity, innovation and investment — dismayed by the singular goal of our Legislature right now to pass bills that are “revenue raising.”

That’s bad news for Oklahomans, but even worse would be to accept one proposal for addressing the budget: to enact a job-killing tax increase on Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry. This short-sighted approach does nothing to curb the irresponsible spending that put us in this position.

Aside from the energy jobs it would impact, raising taxes would also have a devastating effect on service industries, from IT to food service, and would hurt thousands of Oklahoma families. Such a devastating action is akin to having a cut on your finger that needs minor first aid and deciding to amputate the finger because you were out of bandages.

Read the complete story on tulsaworld.com

Oklahoma’s tax frenzy doesn’t solve our problems, it just compounds them
By John Tidwell, Americans for Prosperity

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb took the bold step last week of resigning from Gov. Mary Fallin’s cabinet, where he had served as the state’s Small Business Advocate. His reason? He believes Gov. Fallin’s proposal for sweeping tax hikes “will adversely harm Oklahoma’s small businesses and families.”

Lt. Gov. Lamb is absolutely right. And his resignation from the governor’s cabinet is the latest sign that these tax hikes should never see the light of day.

Gov. Fallin is proposing a bevy of tax hikes to make up for the state’s $878 million budget hole. From haircuts for you and your pup, to lawn care and cable TV service, it seems there is no end to the impending tax frenzy.

Yet rather than take more money out of Oklahomans’ wallets, Gov. Fallin and policymakers should first seek to cut wasteful programs and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. This is especially true when considering the harm tax hikes will inflict on Oklahoma families.

Gas taxes, for instance, disproportionately hurt those with limited means. The people who are most hurt by gas tax hikes are those who earn less than $50,000, according to the Brookings Institution, because they spend a higher percentage of their pay commuting to work.

Taxes on cigarettes also unfairly burden the poor, who make up a disproportionate share of the smoking population. Yet under the current proposal, lawmakers would raise nearly $250 million in new cigarettes taxes on those who can least afford it.

Cigarette taxes are also unreliable revenue streams, creating uncertainty for future years. Many smokers will either purchase cigarettes from other states or switch to alternatives like vaping. Oklahoma also spends nearly $50 million each year on programs designed to encourage people to kick the habit, which would make sure we bring in less money the next year than the previous. It simply doesn’t make sense.

There’s even talks of increasing the tax on soft drinks. These types of plans are also problematic. You have to look no further than the city of Philadelphia, which recently passed a 1.5-cents-per-ounce tax on soft drinks. That may not seem like much, but it added up to the point that a 12-pack of sports drinks cost more than a 12-pack of beer. Even tax-loving U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders opposes a tax on soft drinks given that it falls disproportionately on the poor.

The list of tax increases goes on, touching everything from foot surgery at your local hospital to a family funeral. All in all, lawmakers are proposing nearly $2 billion in new taxes. This approach is not just misguided, it’s unfair. State leaders are even proposing a utility tax on digital goods like Netflix and iTunes purchases to cover the budget hole.

Some say we’ve “cut government spending to the bone” and that tax hikes are our only option. But we must take a more innovate and creative approach to reconcile this budget. That means eliminating wasteful budget items and tax giveaways that are depriving the state of lost revenues.

A great place to start would be to eliminate special-interest tax credits for wind energy producers. These credits cost Oklahoma $100 million every year. Eliminating these special favors would level the playing field for other energy producers, giving consumers — not politicians — the ability to choose which sources we prefer.

And to prevent falling back into this budget hole again, lawmakers should refuse taking on more debt to pay for public construction projects. We already owed a staggering $44.2 billion in debt as of 2014. If we are already struggling to pay our bills, we shouldn’t keep racking up even more.

Focusing on these sorts of spending reforms would go a long way toward resolving Oklahoma’s budget shortfall. It’s a far better place to start than reaching into the pockets of Oklahoma’s small businesses and families.

John Tidwell is the Oklahoma state director of Americans for Prosperity.

AFP OKLAHOMA LAUNCHES “PROSPERITY ACROSS THE PRAIRIE”
New website is one-stop-shop for the latest from AFP Oklahoma and the legislative agenda

OKLAHOMA CITY — Today Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma launched its new website detailing the group’s legislative priorities. “Prosperity Across the Prairie” will act as the place activists and members of the press can come to learn about AFP Oklahoma’s stance on several legislative issues and how to take action.

Click Here to See www.ProsperityAcrossThePrairie.com

Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma State Director, John Tidwell, released the following statement regarding the website:

“Oklahoma is one of the best places to live, work and raise a family in the U.S. But there are still reforms needed in order to encourage entrepreneurship and help our economy flourish. We will be using this new website to drive action here in the Sooner State. This is a site for activists to use to contact their legislators on key issues, while also being informative about issues that affect us here in Oklahoma. We can’t wait to get more people involved and active with our organization.”

Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma is the state’s foremost group of grassroots activists advocating for limited government and economic freedom. This website will remain a core part of the group’s mission to inform and aid Oklahomans in being active in the legislative conversation.

For further information or an interview, please contact John Tidwell at JTidwell [at] afphq [dot] org or (405) 225-0247.

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 2.8 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 35 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states.  For more information, visit www.AmericansForProsperity.org. 

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Entrepreneurship has been a staple of the American dream since the founding of our nation. Today, however, the entrepreneurial spirit that once fueled the world’s greatest economic power is in dire condition. New business creation rates across the country, for instance, are at record lows. In fact, according to Gallup, American business closures now outnumber business start-ups.

Many scholars have noted the correlation between America’s entrepreneurial decline and the rise of policies restricting economic freedom. One example of those policies detrimental to entrepreneurship, which often escapes wide public attention, is overbearing occupational licensing laws.

Many Americans equate a license for work with specialized professions, such as those found in the medical or legal fields; however, states have expanded licensing to occupations beyond high-risk or even technically complex fields. Government reports indicate that the number of U.S. jobs requiring state licenses has grown by 500 percent since the mid-20th century. More than one-quarter of workers must now have a license for employment.

Training and other licensing requirements are certainly necessary in some professions. If a field is not particularly high risk or specialized, however, licensing can act only as an unnecessary obstacle to those seeking employment or attempting to start their own business. In addition, these laws can disproportionately affect low-income workers and entrepreneurs, ultimately acting as the barrier between poverty and prosperity.

Read the complete story on NewsOK.com

Our geographically based public education system is deeply ingrained in American culture. Even prior to the rise of public school systems in America, community schools outside of the home were necessarily only available to those within geographic reach. In modern America, geography plays a role in everything from football to funding in our educational system. Most regrettably, however, a child’s location all too often determines their quality of education, as well.

Over the past few centuries, America has led the world in a technological renaissance in which the quality and duration of lives can be increased and the ability to communicate and distribute information can be accomplished in seemingly unlimited methods. These advancements could not have occurred without our country’s unique spirit of entrepreneurship and free-market economy.

However, many of our most prominent advances in science, economics and technology have also come in part due to breakthroughs in academic research or as a result of education at one of America’s great institutions. Yet, despite all of the endless examples of humanity’s progress due to education, government has needlessly fallen behind in ensuring that future generations will be able to make their own mark in history or simply equipping them with the tools needed to pursue their own American dream.

Read the complete story on tulsaworld.com

AFP OKLAHOMA WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH BACK AGAINST EPA’S “CLEAN POWER” OVERREACH

OKLAHOMA CITY — President Obama’s announcement of the finalized “Clean Power Plan” today is his administration’s most forward attempt to tax the climate, which could result in higher energy costs for consumers across the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s Attorney General, Scott Pruitt, has been the leading AG in the lawsuit against these rules. And just this past legislative session, the Oklahoma legislature passed a bill pushing back against the EPA’s overreach. Governor Fallin has been integral in the movement to stop Washington’s overreach in the Sooner state.

Following the President’s press conference today, AFP Oklahoma’s State Director, John Tidwell released this statement:

“Oklahomans don’t want more regulation from Washington. As we observed in the legislature this year, our elected officials can see the harm that would come from more regulation on our businesses. All Oklahomans should be aware that utility bills are going to skyrocket in the coming years, but it’s not the rising costs of energy that’s doing it, but instead it is the Obama administration’s insatiable appetite for appeasing the environmental lobby. We’ll all be left to suffer while the President scrambles to carve out a legacy for himself, leaving a ruined economy in his wake. Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma has been on the front lines of the battle against an ever-growing EPA and we will continue to educate citizens on the importance of a free market.”

Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma is the state’s foremost group of grassroots activists advocating for economic freedom and limited government.

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In a complete disregard of the overall economic impact in individual states, the Obama administration is pushing forward with a policy to regulate greenhouse gas emissions that would be detrimental to consumers and businesses. The Environmental Protection Agency has dubbed this scheme the “Clean Power Plan,” requiring a reduction to the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by one-third by 2031. In Oklahoma, it’s estimated that energy producers will be forced to reduce their emissions 6 percent more than other states, cutting greenhouse gas emissions up to 36 percent.

But Oklahomans will lose more than just greenhouse gas emissions with the EPA’s power grab, which will greatly restrict fossil fuels that account for more than 80 percent of our state’s electricity. Oklahoma will be forced to jump to other fuel sources.

The approval of these regulations would result in a price increase at all businesses in the state. According to NERA Economic Consulting, businesses’ energy bills will jump between 14 to 22 percent over the next decade, an increase that you will see directly correlated in all of your purchases.

But we won’t just spend more at the store with these regulations. In the same study, NERA reported Oklahoma homeowners would pay 15 percent more each year on our electric bill from 2017 to 2031 — the fifth-greatest increase in the nation.

Read the complete story on NewsOK.com

Americans For Prosperity Celebrates Another Successful Week
State’s Grassroots Advocate Leads The Way On Strengthening Education, Economy

Tulsa, OK – Americans For Prosperity, the Sooner State’s largest grassroots advocate for economic freedom marked another week of policy victories.

On the heels of Governor Fallin signing HB 1749 last week, providing for significant public sector payroll deduction reforms, the organization applauds House committee votes this week that will strengthen our state’s economic future.

“With committee approval of SB 782 and SB 676 this week, we are on the march to shaping a brighter future for Oklahoma families, small businesses and students” said John Tidwell, Americans For Prosperity Oklahoma State Director.

Senate Bill 782, which cleared the House Common Education Committee on Monday, will offer more education opportunities through the statewide expansion of charter schools. The bill authored by Rep. Lee Denney and Sen. Clark Jolley cleared the committee with broad support by a vote of 12 to 2.

Tidwell noted, “AFP has been working diligently over the past several years to see SB 782 become a reality. We are thrilled to have helped develop a consensus and build support on such an important education opportunity. Rep. Denney and Sen. Jolley have worked diligently to see the expansion of charter school become a reality and they have our sincere thanks and appreciation.”

Senate Bill 676, authored by Sen. Greg Treat and Rep. Jon Echols empowers the Governor, Attorney General and State Legislature to push back against federal overreach by the EPA. The bill cleared the House Environmental Law committee by a vote of 6 to 2.

“It’s high time we are given better tools to push back against Washington, DC. Governor Fallin has helped to lead the charge against regulatory burdens among her peers in the National Governors Association and we are excited to see local efforts to do the same” Tidwell added. “Sen. Treat, Rep. Echols and Attorney General Pruitt have our thanks and praise for their leadership on EPA push back as well”

Both SB 782 and SB 676 now proceed to the Oklahoma House for consideration before the next legislative deadline on April 23, 2015.

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Washington politicians will make any promise to get their way. Take the president’s promise in 2010 that Obamacare would save families up to $2,500 a year in premiums. This promise was central to the law’s passage.

Washington just broke that promise. The Oklahoma Insurance Department announced recently that nearly every health care plan will have higher premiums in 2015.

Two of the smallest insurers, which have less than 1 percent of the market share, will see slight decreases. The second-largest insurer in the state will have average premium increases of 27 percent. The state’s largest insurer, through which 97 percent of Oklahomans gets their health insurance, will boost premiums by an average of 12 percent.

No matter where you look, health care is getting more expensive. Premiums aren’t the only example. Since Obamacare went into effect earlier this year, deductibles on the most affordable plans — the “bronze” plans sold on the federal exchange — have risen by 40 percent. Many people have also seen their copays rise. Ditto for co-insurance, which dictates how much you pay after reaching your deductible. Many Oklahomans now have health care plans with an 80/20 split.

Read the complete story on NewsOK.com

Education dominated the Oklahoma political landscape this year.

Whether the superintendents race or at the state Capitol throughout the legislative session, so many policy debates grabbed headlines across the Sooner State: the repeal of the national Common Core standards, the legislation to expand and bolster the Lindsay Nicole Henry Scholarships, the debate over expanding public charter schools and the reading skills testing for all Oklahoma third-graders.

Education has not dominated the policy debate like this in a long time. But it always seemed that folks had their backs in a corner with fingers pointed out. They were playing the blame game and nothing was getting done.

Something occurred to me midway through the session as I was watching a press conference by a local superintendent. The answer, possibly the key, to the education debate which our state has been engaged in for so long was right in front of me: We’re all to blame.We have to accept our results: Everyone is at fault.

It’s not the state superintendent or the district administrators. It’s everyone. It’s groups of past and present: legislatures, teachers, parents, think-tanks and activist groups, the “education associations” more commonly referred to as teachers unions, governors and state superintendents, chambers of commerce and everyone in between.

We’re all to blame and until we agree on a plan to change it, we are destined to repeat the failures and continue limiting our success.

Let’s stop the blame game and focus on helping Oklahoma’s children succeed.

Read the complete story on tulsaworld.com