SoonerPoll: Republican Runoff Poll for News9/News on 6 by TheOkie.com on Scribd

SoonerPoll: (All Parties )Runoff Poll for News9/News on 6 by TheOkie.com on Scribd

Country music legend Merle Haggard would have been amazed.

Soon not only are there likely to be Okies smoking marijuana in Muskogee. Some will be doing it with the legal approval of the state.

Oklahomans voted to approve the state-sanctioned use of medical marijuana Tuesday. The vote was 505,384 (57 percent) to 383,841 (43 percent) with 1,948 of 1,951 precincts reporting.

Tuesday’s vote reflected a dramatic shift in attitudes toward the drug by a majority of Oklahomans in a state that has sometimes been referred to as the “buckle on the Bible belt.”

Read the complete story on NewsOK.com

The Oklahoma Attorney General and the director of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s Public Utility Division stated in a regulatory filing late Monday they remain opposed to Public Service Co. of Oklahoma’s request to obtain preapproval to recover costs to build the Wind Catcher Connection project.

However, Attorney General Mike Hunter and Brandy Wreath, director of the utility division, did include a list of stipulations they could agree to as part of the filing, asking for the commission’s elected members to require those as part of any deal where the utility is granted the preapproval it seeks.

Hunter said his goal remains to guarantee Oklahomans are protected from potential financial harm.

“Our position has been clear from the beginning … this project does not meet the requirements for preapproval and cost recovery,” Hunter stated in a release issued by his office after the filing was made.

Read the complete story on NewsOK.com

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, April 18, 2018 – Oklahoma Lt. Governor Todd Lamb announced the Twentieth Annual Oklahoma Small Business Day will be held Tuesday, May 1 at the state Capitol. Registration is from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on the second floor rotunda with the program beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 11:00 a.m.

“By traveling to all 77 Oklahoma counties each year, I know firsthand that small businesses are not only the majority of Oklahoma businesses, but also the backbone of Oklahoma’s economy,” Lamb said.  “In order for Oklahoma to prosper economically, we must collectively create a pro-business, anti-regulatory environment in order for our thousands of Oklahoma small businesses to flourish.  Small Business Day provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase Oklahoma’s small employers and their employees to the legislature while allowing legislators a platform to visit one on one with leaders from across the state who represent a multitude of industries.”

The event will feature legislative updates from Speaker of the House Charles McCall and Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz. The Lt. Governor’s Small Business Awards of Excellence will also be awarded.

Small Business Day partners include The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), The State Chamber of Oklahoma, The Tulsa Regional Chamber, The Northwest Chamber, The Oklahoma Business Roundtable and The Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education (OKACTE).

To register for Small Business Day, visit https://engage.nfib.org/events?state=OK

If you have any questions about the event please call the Lt. Governor’s office at 405-521-2161.

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Attorney General Hunter Joins 17-State Coalition Defending Religious Leaders against Atheist Group’s Lawsuit

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter has joined a coalition of 17 state attorneys general to defend the housing allowance religious leaders receive from the federal government.

In a brief, supporting an appeal filed by clergy members and churches, the attorneys general ask the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse an October 2017 judgment that declared the parsonage allowance unconstitutional.

The original lawsuit was filed in 2011 by the atheist group Freedom from Religion Foundation. In its petition, the group claims the tax exemption for housing allowances violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment.

Attorney General Hunter said the tax exemption is vital to communities and religious leaders.

“The parsonage allowance dates back to the founding of the country and is supported by the Constitution,” Attorney General Hunter said. “If upheld, the ruling stands to place a financial burden on religious organizations, which will harm outreach and charitable services provided to worthy causes and our most needy, vulnerable citizens.

“My colleagues and I stand by all faiths in defending this important resource and against the attack from this atheist group. We encourage the court to follow centuries of law and custom and reverse this ruling.”

In the brief, the attorneys general write that the exemption is constitutional and has been accepted by the colonies, the early states, Congress and the Supreme Court and is still practiced today.

“The federal parsonage allowance applies when a church-employer gives a housing benefit to a ‘minister of the gospel’ as ‘part of his compensation,’” the brief reads. “This is the essence of the deeply rooted parsonage system: a church giving its minister a home to live in while he or she serves that church and its congregation.”

The attorneys general also express concern that if the ruling isn’t overturned other tax exemptions offered to religious groups will become exposed to potential lawsuits, such as exemptions for sales tax, state income-tax and real property.

“Each of these laws may be vulnerable to attack in light of the district court’s opinion, causing incalculable disruption to the states and their citizens,” the brief concludes.

To read the brief, click here. 

In addition to Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, the brief was signed by attorneys general of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Michigan.

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As mentioned in my previous post, a record 794 candidates filed for office last week. In this post, I went through some statistics on the filings, but here I’ll break it down further and give some more details on races.

U.S. HOUSE RACES

1st District: 10 candidates filed to replace outgoing Congressman Jim Bridenstine. The five Democrats are seemingly led by attorney Tim Gilpin (who leads the field with $13k raised). The Republican side has the strong lead, with businessman Kevin Hern as the frontrunner ($1.1M raised), followed by former Air Force captain Andy Coleman ($230k raised), former DA Tim Harris ($250k raised), State Sen. Nathan Dahm (CPI of , $95k raised), and pastor Danny Stockstill ($25k raised). Hern has the big money advantage, but Harris may have better name recognition due to his tenure as District Attorney and Coleman has been endorsed by former presidential candidate Rick Santorum (who won the 1st District in 2012) and five Freedom Caucus congressmen.

2nd District: incumbent Republican Markwayne Mullin should be facing his toughest reelection yet, as he is breaking his oft-repeated term limits pledgeand seeking a fourth term in office. Mullin has the money lead as expected (60% from mostly out-of-state PACs), with just under $1M raised and $540k on hand. The three Republicans are former Army captain and 2016 GOP challenger Jarrin Jackson ($140k raised), 2016 Independent candidate John McCarthy ($115k raised), and economics professor Brian Jackson ($25k raised; no relation to Jarrin). Four Democrats also filed — Tahlequah mayor Jason Nichols ($33k raised), former Army colonel and schoolteacher Clay Padgett ($31k raised), Creek Nation official Elijah McIntosh, and perennial candidate Virginia Blue Jeans Jenner. Libertarian Richard Castaldo and Independent John Foreman also filed.

Read the complete analysis on muskogeepolitico.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 9, 2018

Attorney General Hunter Releases Tar Creek Audits

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today requested and received approval from Judge Thomas Prince, who presides over the state’s Multicounty Grand Jury (MCGJ), to release the Lead Impacted Communities Relocation Assistance Trust (LICRAT) audits that were requested by the state’s previous attorney general in 2011.

With the audit, Attorney General Hunter released associated investigative files.

Attorney General Hunter said the release of the audits come at his discretion, as is the case with all investigatory audits presented to the multicounty grand jury unit.

“The politicization of this matter by an out of state special interest group is unnecessary and unwarranted,” Attorney General Hunter said. “The facts are clear:  The investigative audits looked into the bidding process for the removal of structures and to facilitate the removal of toxic debris, not the buyout and relocation of residents by the federal government. The matter which was the subject of the audits was reviewed by prosecutors in the Attorney General’s Office, the EPA under President Barack Obama and reexamined and scrutinized by newly hired, experienced criminal prosecutors in my office.  No one in the review chain described above found prosecutable evidence of criminal activity.

“My office continues to support transparency and remains committed to sharing information with Oklahomans in a manner consistent with the obligation to protect the rights of informants and individuals who are not charged with a crime. We will continue to defend the integrity of the multicounty grand jury process and those who appear before it.”

Since taking over as attorney general last February, Attorney General Hunter’s office has complied with 185 open records requests containing more than 95,000 pages.

Investigative Audits

The LICRAT audits are considered an 18f, or investigatory audit, which is requested by the attorney general to the state auditor when necessary to assist in investigations. Unlike other audits, an 18f is part of litigation and investigatory files of the Attorney General’s Office.

These files are kept confidential to preserve the integrity of the investigation. However, it is not uncommon to provide information within the investigative audit to the audited party after its completion to allow them to respond to or clarify information.

These files only become public at the discretion of the attorney general, or if criminal charges are filed and the documents become part of the court files.

No criminal charges were filed after the LICRAT audits were complete, therefore never making them an open document.

Additional Investigations

In 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General, under then – President Barack Obama’s EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, launched an investigation after receiving complaints similar to what led to the state’s audits.

The EPA investigation revealed no evidence to support any of the allegations. No further action was taken by the federal government.

Read the Tulsa World’s article on the 2013 EPA investigation, here: .

In 2017, after the lawsuit filed by the Washington, D.C. based special interest Campaign for Accountability, Attorney General Hunter tasked MCGJ Chief Joy Thorpe and Senior Deputy Attorney General Tom Gruber, both experienced prosecutors, with reassessing whether charges should have been or needed to be filed in the case.

Thorpe and Gruber both determined no larger investigation was necessary and that no criminal charges were warranted after review of the audits and MCGJ investigative files.

Responsive information was provided to the audits by the attorney for LICRAT Andy Lester.

Read Lester’s response to the audit, here: .

Two Audits

The original audit was conducted before civil litigation caused the project to be re-bid. The original audit regarding the initial bidding process can be found, here:.

Supporting documents can be found, here: .

The second audit is the subject of the current litigation and what was investigated by multiple agencies. Read the second audit, here: .

Supporting documents can be found, here: .

Supporting Material

Read Attorney General Hunter’s application to Judge Prince for the release of the audits, here: .

Read Judge Prince’s response, here:.

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The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has opened an inquiry into alleged stalking of Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore) that could be turned over to the state’s attorney general or the Oklahoma County district attorney for consideration of criminal prosecution.

After finding a remote-tracking device attached to his pickup truck in December, McBride called Moore police and ultimately filed a lawsuit in Oklahoma County District Court.

“I can tell you we are working an incident involving the representative as a potential victim,” OSBI public information director Jessica Brown told NonDoc, saying the situation could “potentially” be criminal.

McBride — known as a defender of oil-and-gas industry tax incentives and a critic of the wind industry — said he found the device underneath his truck Dec. 4 after being told that a private investigator had been contacted about following him. McBride said he saw a pickup truck parked behind his property and, later that night, decided to search his truck as friends had suggested.

Read the complete story on nondoc.com

NEW FINDINGS RELEASED SHOW WHY OKLAHOMA FAMILIES CHOOSE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS
Study outlines benefits and challenges of enrolling in virtual charter school program

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 10, 2018) – New study results find the most important factors motivating Oklahoma families to enroll a student in a virtual charter school are the particular learning needs of the student, followed by a medical need of the student or family member. An independent study conducted by a national consulting firm that specializes in community-based research and planning, Thomas P. Miller and Associates, was commissioned by the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board (SVCSB) to provide a nonpartisan study focused on determining the reasons families choose to enroll, the benefits families perceive to gain and the challenges are for the families with students enrolled in virtual charter schools across the state.

With more than 12,000 students enrolled in one of Oklahoma’s four virtual charter schools, less than 2 percent of the state’s public school enrollment, these schools offer full-time public education options delivering instruction through an online format. Parents and/or guardians from all four virtual charter schools, including Epic Charter School, Insight School of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Connections Academy and Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy, participated in this first-time study for the state agency, through a survey and individual interviews.

“The findings of the comprehensive report may allow schools to make research-informed decisions about the support students and families need to be successful in their educational journey,” SVCSB Executive Director Rebecca L. Wilkinson said.

Additional findings included:

• Bullying or threats from classmates at other schools was commonly cited (40.6 percent of respondents) as motivation for enrolling in a virtual charter school
• Benefits of enrolling were that virtual schools provide a flexible schedule and a learning format that works better for the student
• Challenges of virtual education cited most often included a lack of social opportunities in virtual charter schools, issues with technology and struggles with self-discipline and motivation

The in-depth findings from the report were presented to the SVCSB in a public board meeting at 2 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. A full report will be made available at the SVCSB website in early 2018.

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About Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board (SVCSB)

The SVCSB was created via Oklahoma state statute to have sole authority to authorize and sponsor statewide virtual charter schools in this state. For more information on the board, visit: http://svcsb.ok.gov/

About Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA)

TPMA is a full-service consulting firm, empowering organizations and communities through strategic partnerships and informed solutions to create positive, sustainable change. For more information about TPMA, visit: https://www.tpma-inc.com/

Governor Mary Fallin Statement on Change of Leadership at Office of Management and Enterprise Services

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin tonight issued this statement on leadership changes being made at the Office of Management and Enterprise Services:

“With Secretary Preston Doerflinger  named interim director for the Oklahoma State Department of Health, I am pleased to announce Denise Northrup will be filling the position vacated by Secretary Doerflinger as interim director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES).

“Denise has served as the chief operational officer for OMES since November 2016, and prior to joining OMES served as my chief of staff for the office of the governor. I know OMES will be in experienced, capable hands under Denise’s leadership.”

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A cash crunch that emerged over the summer at the state Health Department goes beyond the state’s current budget shortfall and caused the department to reach out to public health agencies in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties for help in shoring up its finances.

The effort comes as the department has ordered furloughs of some employees, announced job cuts and called in State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones for a special audit of its finances. Last week, the department announced cuts to several contracted services, including programs to prevent child abuse.

The shortfall is so severe that the department activated its incident command structure, a management response typically used for public health emergencies, such as outbreaks of the mosquito-borne Zika virus or food contamination cases.

At board meetings in June and July, department leaders provided financial updates that didn’t appear to raise alarm bells. The updates noted a 2.8 percent reduction in state appropriations for fiscal year 2018, along with targeted cuts to several programs totaling $229,000.

But at an August retreat in Stillwater, the board heard about a shortfall for fiscal 2018 that went far beyond the expected appropriations cut.

“This issue began in prior state fiscal years, also leaving the agency with prior year obligations that need to be made current,” according to the August presentation.

When it announced job furloughs in September, the department said it estimated a shortfall of more than $10 million. Leaders blamed the gap on the loss of federal funds, higher costs and cumulative cuts to state appropriations totaling 30 percent since 2009.

On Wednesday, the department went further than the furloughs, informing employees that it was cutting about 250 positions by early 2018. It plans to file specific information about the reduction in force in the next four to six weeks with the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. The cut represents about 12 percent of the agency’s workforce.

In a message to employees, the department said the job cuts would fall mostly on its community and family health services division. They would include both county offices and the central office in Oklahoma City.

“In considering which positions might be affected, service areas were evaluated where expenditures were over and beyond expected budgets,” the email to employees said. “Additionally, areas where there was overlapping responsibilities were included, and a determination was made of how to most efficiently provide those services while reducing staff.”

In a statement to Oklahoma Watch, the department said its financial updates to the board in mid-summer were a work in progress. The department declined to provide additional detail on the causes of the $10 million gap, which represents one-fifth of the agency’s state appropriations.

“The budget process is an ongoing evaluation of grants, programs and funding streams, and was not set in stone in July,” spokesman Tony Sellars said in an email. “Through continued research and monitoring, OSDH provided an update to the budget forecast.”

Leaders of the combined city-county health departments in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties were surprised when the state health department summoned them to a meeting in September about testing and medication costs for sexually transmitted diseases. They were told residents of their counties were seeking treatment in adjacent county health clinics that are state-funded.

Public health programs in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties are affiliated with the state but operate independently as combined city-county health agencies. The other 75 county health departments are under the state.

Gary Cox, executive director of the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, said the state’s request to reimburse costs for sexually transmitted disease testing was unprecedented. The state health department is seeking about $868,000 for STD testing done for Oklahoma County residents this fiscal year.

“Traditionally in Oklahoma, we’ve taken care of whoever shows up at the door,” Cox said in an interview. “In public health, that’s just the way we do it. That’s a big departure from 50 years of public health in Oklahoma, to change the way we do business.”

Cox took the information to his board, which unanimously voted to decline the state health department’s request. In a letter obtained by Oklahoma Watch, the city-county health department requested information about how state health department resources are distributed to all 77 counties.

“We think it important to not only look at STD funding but all public health funding to get an overall accurate financial and service delivery picture,” the Sept. 29 letter said. “Since there appears to be a financial crisis at OSDH, we recommend the immediate establishment of a joint commission with representatives from OSDH, County Health Departments, Tulsa Health Department and Oklahoma City-County Health Department, to look at public health delivery in Oklahoma, prioritization of core public health and shared services in both rural and metro regions.”

The board of directors at the Tulsa City-County Health department had a similar suggestion when the state proposed charging $700,000 for STD testing and medicine starting Nov. 1. The billing request was made by Julie Cox-Kain, senior deputy commissioner of the state health department.

“Julie mentioned that OSDH has been discussing these issues at meetings and off-site retreats for months,” said a Sept. 27 letter from Tulsa health department to the state. “Unfortunately, THD was not invited to be part of those discussions, and yet we have been given approximately 40 days to respond before we begin receiving bills from OSDH.”

Bruce Dart, executive director of the Tulsa City-County Health Department, said the billing request from the state came several months into the fiscal year and after its budget had been approved by the county’s excise board.

“It’s an impossible request for us to meet,” Dart said. “We feel like we don’t have the full story. Suddenly, there’s a budget crisis. Overall, Oklahoma has been dealing with budget shortfalls for a while, but we have been careful.”

Sellars said the state continues to have discussions with Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, contractors and other groups in order “to provide services in a fiscally responsible manner.

“In the current climate, it is imperative for all parties to work together on steps to make public health services stronger,” Sellars said in the statement. “Toward that goal, OSDH is analyzing all aspects of our financial operation. This is a long-term process and it would be premature to go into specific detail at this time about any future plans.”

Even with the layoff announcement, the department still plans to put furloughs into effect beginning Oct. 29. The furloughs – two days per month – will affect all employees at the agency making annual salaries above $35,000.

The department has 2,011 full-time employees, down from 2,287 in 2008. About 100 employees took a VOBO in 2010 and 86 employees took a VOBO last year, according to the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

Meanwhile, vendors whose state contracts were canceled said they are scrambling to fill the funding gaps. The department said it expected to save $3 million from cuts to federally qualified health centers and the Oklahoma Child Abuse Prevention program. The health center program reimburses medical expenses not covered by insurance or other funding sources. The child abuse prevention programs support in-home visits for new parents.

Parent Promise, which has contracted with the state health department for child abuse prevention programs since 1995, was notified in late August it would be awarded a new five-year contract for services. Less than two months later, the agency’s $276,000-per-year contract was canceled.

Employees at Parent Promise visit client homes to provide guidance to parents about child development and how to constructively deal with stress that could turn into neglect or abuse.

“The program really breaks a lot of generational poverty and the cycle of poor parenting skills,” said Sherry Fair, Parent Promise’s executive director. “We help them provide a safe and loving home for their children and offer better skills at coping with stress. These prevention dollars are better spent on the front end so the children can grow up to be productive adults who hopefully won’t need state services.”

Fair said her board is committed to finding a way to make up for the loss of the state contract. Parent Promise also uses private donations and some federal funds for child abuse prevention.

Fair and leaders at the Oklahoma City and Tulsa health departments questioned the sudden cuts at the state health department. The ongoing special legislative session to address a $215 million shortfall affected three main agencies: the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and the Department of Human Services.

“It’s confusing as to why the Health Department has to make these drastic cuts,” Fair said. “It wasn’t among the three departments that were affected by the cigarette fee that was struck down.”

Conservative Leaders Rally to Support Matt Pinnell for Lt. Governor

(Tulsa, OK) – Momentum continues to build for Matt Pinnell for Lt. Governor, as conservative leaders from across Oklahoma have enthusiastically rallied around his candidacy. Covering all corners of the state, and all walks of life, Pinnell has built strong support from grassroots leaders, conservative elected officials, and faith leaders. Here’s what a few of them are saying about Matt Pinnell:

“We are living in trying times for our great state. Expenses are up and revenues are down. Our infrastructure is in need of improvement. There is much work to be done. This is why I am strongly endorsing Matt Pinnell for Lt. Governor. Our state needs new leadership and I believe Matt is exactly what we need. Matt will be a tireless worker for the people of Oklahoma and will be the voice we need as we work to bring more businesses to our state.  Join me as I stand for Matt and his vision for Oklahoma!”
Pastor Robert Carter
Former 2nd District GOP and Delaware County GOP Chair
Grove, Oklahoma

“Matt Pinnell is a proven leader in Republican politics. He has experience representing Oklahoma at the national level and will be a tremendous asset selling the many unique capabilities and opportunities of our great state. I am proud to endorse Matt Pinnell for Oklahoma’s next Lieutenant Governor.”
US Representative Jim Bridenstine (OK-01)

“As Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, Matt Pinnell led our party to an unprecedented level of success; he then did the same thing nationally serving the RNC. Yet he always kept his focus here in Oklahoma. I know he would bring this passion and drive to the office of Lt. Governor. Matt is hardworking and cares deeply about the future of Oklahoma. I hope you’ll join me in supporting Matt Pinnell as our next Lt. Governor.”
Casey Killblane
Davis, OK

“Matt Pinnell is a dynamic and talented leader who has a consistent record of success in every endeavor he’s undertaken. He combines ethics and enthusiasm with a steady hand that gets the job done. Matt Pinnell will make a great Lt. Governor and ambassador for Oklahoma. I am proud to endorse him.”
US Representative Steve Russell (OK-05)

“I got to know Matt Pinnell when he was training conservative activists across the state, before he chaired the Oklahoma Republican Party or worked with the RNC to build up state parties and elect President Trump. Matt gets things done with excellence, energy, and full dedication to the conservative cause. I believe that Matt will make a great Lieutenant Governor, advocating for the conservative principles that Oklahomans hold dear, and fighting for policies that will advance and strengthen our state. Please join me in electing Matt Pinnell as our next Lieutenant Governor.”
Jamison Faught
Former Muskogee County GOP State Committeeman and Vice Chair; writer for Muskogee Politico Blog
Muskogee, OK

“It is with pleasure and gratitude that I endorse Matt Pinnell’s election as Oklahoma’s next Lt. Governor. We need someone with the courage to lead, to be visionary, and to speak directly about our state’s path to success. That, my friends, is Matt Pinnell. He has created his own business, has led with conservative principles, and is a man of integrity and loyalty. The election of Matt is a vote for Oklahoma’s future.”
Dewey Bartlett
Former Mayor of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK

“We need a Lt. Governor that will prioritize core services and maximize the economic benefits of the state. Matt can do that and more. He will make an excellent salesman across our 77 counties and I’m happy to endorse him.”
Alan Jett
Beaver County, OK

“Matt’s energy, ideas and experience make him uniquely qualified to be our Lieutenant Governor.  I hope you’ll join me in supporting him.  I believe Oklahoma needs Matt Pinnell.”
Michael Willis
Tulsa County Clerk

“I am proud to endorse Matt Pinnell for Lt. Governor. I first met Matt when I ran for Insurance Commissioner in 2010, and I immediately saw in him a natural ability to lead and bring people together. Matt is capable, energetic, and exactly the type of next-generation leader we need. Please join me in supporting Matt Pinnell as our next Lt. Governor.”
Insurance Commissioner John “Okie” Doak
Tulsa, OK

“When I first heard Matt Pinnell was running for Lt. Governor I was so excited and immediately pledged my support. I worked for Matt when he was Oklahoma Republican Party State Chairman and let me tell you, it didn’t take long to realize this guy was going places! I have seen Matt enter a contentious environment, take charge, calm heated emotions, and leave the room with everyone on both sides of an issue happy and unified.  With one shake of his hand you know his heart. A heart for God, a heart for his family and a heart for this great state of Oklahoma. Matt’s high energy is contagious, as he smiles and shares his ideas of how he wants to help make our state the best state in the union. My husband and I are both proud and honored to give our full support to this young man. There is no one better for our state’s second highest position than Matt Pinnell!”
Donna Altom & Pastor Donald Altom
Hollis, OK

“I have known Matt for over 10 years and during that time observed his character, temperament, and leadership skills.  During Matt’s three years as Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party, he facilitated and built coalitions with activists who often were at odds with one another.  Matt truly has the ability to get everyone to pull on the same end of the rope at the same time, which is a critical trait for effective leaders. Matt is also a visionary.  He sees the potential in what can be done and has the ability to develop and execute a plan to realize the vision.   Matt is a devoted husband and father.  He unashamedly exhibits his faith in his life.  Oklahoma needs people of character with leadership skills guiding our state- Matt Pinnell is that person.  Please join me in supporting and voting for Matt Pinnell for Lt. Governor, Oklahoma’s next generation of leadership.”
Steve Fair
Former GOP National Committeeman, 4th District GOP Chair, and Stephens County GOP Chair
Duncan, OK

“Matt Pinnell is a next-generation conservative leader that I can get excited about. In both politics and business, Matt has demonstrated the leadership skill of building consensus and bringing people together. I’m honored to endorse him for Lt. Governor.”
State Senator Jason Smalley
Marine Corps Veteran
Stroud, OK

“Matt cherishes his faith and his family. We know that he will represent hard-working Oklahoma families with integrity. That’s why we are proud to support him as our next Lt Governor.”
Dustin and Nicole Rowe
Tishomingo, OK

“I worked closely with Matt when I was a State Representative. I saw firsthand his ability to bring people together and solve tough problems. He’s been a leader at the state and national level, and I’m excited to see what he will accomplish as our next Lt. Governor. That’s why he has my full endorsement.”
Lee Denney
Former State Representative, District 33
Cushing, OK

“Serving as Mayor of Edmond and later on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, I saw firsthand some of the many challenges our communities and our state face. Matt Pinnell has a talent and passion for Oklahoma that will help lead our state forward as we confront these challenges. Whether in the political arena or as a small business owner, Matt has a proven track record of success that Oklahomans can rely on. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Matt as our next Lieutenant Governor.”
Patrice Douglas
Former Corporation Commissioner and Mayor of Edmond
Edmond, OK

“Matt is a problem solver, I saw it firsthand when I was County Chairman. He understands the issues that we face in rural Oklahoma as well. For these reasons and many more, I’m thrilled to help and endorse him in his campaign for Lt. Governor.”
Martyn McMurphey
Guymon, OK

“As a small businessman and successful conservative political leader, Matt Pinnell is uniquely qualified to lead Oklahoma during this challenging time. Our state needs leaders who are able to work with our next governor and legislature, and who will bring new, innovative ideas to the table. Matt Pinnell is that leader, and that’s why I’m supporting him as Oklahoma’s next Lt. Governor.”
Ann Felton
Philanthropist and Community Leader
Oklahoma City, OK

“While serving in the state legislature, I saw first-hand the challenges that our state faces. In both politics and business, Matt Pinnell has demonstrated leadership, good judgement, and high character. He has the values and experience that Oklahoma needs to move our state in the right direction, and that’s why I’m supporting Matt to be our next Lieutenant Governor.”
Pam Peterson
Former State Representative, District 67
Tulsa, OK

Pinnell is the former Chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party and was most recently RNC National State Party Director. In that role, Pinnell served as the chief liaison between the RNC and state parties. Pinnell traveled to all 50 states, and played an integral role in Republicans taking control of the United States Senate in 2014 and winning the White House in 2016. Pinnell and his wife Lisa own and operate a successful small business in Tulsa. You can learn more at www.MattPinnell.com.

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HARTSHORNE — A former Hartshorne city clerk allegedly used a city credit card to run up more than $80,000 in personal expenditures — including thousands of dollars in tickets to professional sporting events, $264.50 for a Coach diaper bag and at least $829.79 in vacation expenses associated with a trip to Cozumel, Mexico, a state audit has revealed.

Auditors said it also appears that the former city clerk, Dawn Dunkin, “misappropriated” at least $18,004.55 in court fines.

But the amount of money auditors say Dunkin may have misappropriated pales in comparison to the more than $1.7 million in missing utility payments that auditors are blaming on former City Treasurer Shirley Day.

From “July 2009 through July 2016, it appears that a possible $1,725,336.16 of utility revenue was not deposited,” auditors said. “Shirley Day did not appear to effectively execute her duties as the city treasurer in the collection, recording and depositing of utility billing revenue.”

Auditors said when they quizzed Dunkin about her alleged misuse of the city credit card, she acknowledged that she had used the card for personal expenditures but said the charges were “always approved by the mayor.”

Read the complete story on NewsOK.com

Glen Mulready Announces Hiring of Robert Aery as Campaign Manager

TULSA, OK – Glen Mulready announced today that his campaign for Insurance Commissioner will be run by Robert Aery, an experienced conservative with a proven track record of political success.

“Robert’s organizational skills, relationships, and political expertise make him the perfect choice to lead my campaign,” said Mulready. “I am glad to have him on board and look forward to the months of campaigning that lie ahead of us.”

Robert Aery is an experienced political professional and a licensed attorney. Most recently, he served as the Deputy State Director for Americans for Prosperity (AFP), where he organized voter programs, managed the state’s policy agenda, and engaged in media and community outreach. Prior to his work at AFP, Aery served as the Tulsa field manager for the Oklahoma Republican Party. He has also served on the Tulsa County Republican Party Executive Committee and in leadership for numerous other Republican and conservative organizations.

“I am honored to join Glen Mulready’s efforts to protect Oklahoma consumers through a free-market approach that will create more competition and transparency within the insurance industry,” stated Aery. “There is no more qualified candidate to run for Insurance Commissioner in this state and I am looking forward to working alongside him to share his vision for the Insurance Department over the coming months.”

Aery earned his bachelor’s degree from Oral Roberts University and his law degree (J.D.) from the University of Tulsa College of Law. He is a native Oklahoman, having grown up in Tulsa.

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Here’s a rough estimate of the potential impact of a recent ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that says Oklahoma criminal courts don’t have jurisdiction over cases involving American Indians within the Creek Nation.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, 361 inmates convicted in seven counties wholly inside the Creek Nation identify themselves as Native Americans. Another 331 self-identified Native American prisoners come from Tulsa County, which is mostly inside the Creek Nation.

Give or take a few, that’s 692 potential felons currently in prison who might have to be retried in federal court unless the appeals court ruling in the case of death row inmate Patrick Dwayne Murphy is reversed.

I’ll admit some flaws in that guestimate. Some of those inmates claiming to be American Indians might not actually be members of a tribe. That would subtract a few cases. Others may have exhausted their appeals, which could take out a few others.

Read the complete story on tulsaworld.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – When state Department of Labor officials introduced their push to update licensing laws, they said the movement had bipartisan support. That became clear during a panel discussion Wednesday.

Last week, officials announced they would create a blueprint for new licensing regulations so that lawmakers can gauge whether licensing is necessary or if there’s a less strict way to regulate an industry. For example, they could mandate a registration, which doesn’t require the same amount of costly training. They could also allow the workers to get certified through a trade organization and let that stand. The move has sparked a conversation on whether the state should reassess some of the licensing requirements already on the books.

A few speakers came in, including one from a national libertarian organization and a few from local policy think tanks. They noted their political leanings and often made jokes about them.

Tom Newell resigned from his state representative post before the legislative session began to work for the Foundation for Government Accountability. That is a conservative national think tank that advocates for limited government spending. He sat next to Courtney Cullison, a policy analyst at the progressive Oklahoma Policy Institute.

Read the complete story on journalrecord.com

Harvard Political Review: How can the GOP appeal to African Americans?

T.W. Shannon: I’ve been a conservative and a Republican my entire life. I got my values not from watching commentators on Fox News or CNN. I got my conservative values from my predominantly African American church in Lawton, Oklahoma—Bethlehem Baptist Church. I just believe that the greater the freedom, the greater the prosperity.

As we talk about the historic ills of the African American community, whether it be racism or poverty, the values of the GOP are an important instrument to restoring hope and liberty to people that have been disenfranchised for generations. We have got to do a better job with our messaging, talking about the things where we agree, making sure we are recruiting candidates that reflect those values and candidates that can communicate empathy.

HPR: You graduated with a degree in communications. Why did you start working in politics?

TWS: My undergraduate degree is in communications, and then I got my Juris Doctorate right after. While going to law school, I worked for two members of Congress. I just happened to be walking into the office of Congressman J. C. Watts Jr., who was the fourth ranking member of Congress at the time, one of the most conservative Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives, and he also happened to be African American.

After working for J. C. during the time when most people, like I was, were thinking about their own value systems and reevaluating their philosophies, I really identified with his message. His ideas about freedom and liberty resonated with me.

HPR: What caused you to make the jump from working for politicians to running for office?

TWS: It was probably something I had wanted to do for a long time. I had a grandmother, who I knew briefly before she passed away, but certainly her legacy lived on. Although she was not a politician, she worked for a lot of politicians. She did amazing campaign work in the African American communities of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and she also had a certain level of influence to help her neighbors.

Those stories I heard always fascinated me. I thought that could be fascinating. I was involved in school politics, all of the student council stuff, and it was kind of a natural progression. But, again, having a mentor like J. C. Watts was what really got me interested in the process and made me think I could probably do this.

HPR: You eventually rose to Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. What did you find to be the best strategies to effect political change?

Read the complete story on harvardpolitics.com