Sources tell the Oklahoma Political News Service that the “establishment” wing of the Republican House caucus – those that had once supported Lance Cargill – have coalesced around Rep. Gus Blackwell, the current Speaker Pro Tem.

Speculation is that former Speaker Cargill is not the only member with potential ethical skeletons in their closets, thus the belief that one of their own won’t push for investigations or further reforms.

As for the members of the caucus that opposed the Cargill group, sources also indicate a “deal” between Rep. Dale Dewitt, Braman, who is being supported by agricultural and rural interests, and Rep. Susan Winchester, Chickasha. The terms of the “deal” are that the anti-Cargill element will advance one candidate against Blackwell, and that at this moment DeWitt and Winchester lead the pack. They’ll compete to see who makes the runoff against Blackwell.

Our sources say the “corporate welfare crowd” has jumped in to advance a Winchester candidacy but that DeWitt is slightly ahead at this time. Regardless, it appears that the loser of the DeWitt and Winchester contest will support the winner in their quest to lead the insurgents.

OKPNS will continue to investigate

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 31, 2007) – In the 2007 legislative session, several key pieces of legislation by Speaker Lance Cargill were passed into law, including measures to benefit working families, place greater fiscal restraints on government, and reduce inmate recidivism rates. Several of those new laws will take effect Thursday.

“Our overarching goal this year was to pass laws that ease the burden on families, that decrease the size of the state government bureaucracy, and that apply more common sense to our state’s laws,” said Cargill, R-Harrah. “We did that through a variety of measures, some that I authored, and many more that were authored and introduced by other fiscally prudent lawmakers.”

Laws authored by Cargill in 2007 that take effect Thursday include House Bill 2101, the Transformational Justice Act, which encourages state prisons to partner with faith-based, community and voluntary organizations to help inmates rejoin society and reduce the rate of repeat offenders.

“In Oklahoma, we’re fortunate to have voluntary, faith-based groups that understand how to help inmates become constructive members of society,” Cargill said. “Many times, prison is a place where inmates learn to become better criminals. But faith has a transformative power in people’s lives, including those who need the most help. These faith-based groups provide a service that no government program can, by helping inmates find the connections and develop the life skills they need.”

Also taking effect Thursday is House Bill 2103, which provides full-time enrolling freshmen the option of “locking in” one fixed rate of tuition at state colleges and universities through completion of their degree program. Beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, HB 2103 will require all public higher education institutions in Oklahoma to offer in-state students an option to participate in a guaranteed tuition rate plan.

HB 2103 also includes key provisions to help keep the growing cost of textbooks down. The measure cracks down on practices such as “edition churn” or textbook “bundles” that hike the cost of materials.

House Bill 2111 eliminates a number of smaller states agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs), 18 in all, that have been inactive for years or duplicate other state entities.

House Bill 2104 requires the Oklahoma Historical Society to designate one day per week as a free admission day for all children age 17 or younger to state museums and historical sites.

All four measures – House Bills 2101, 2103, 2111 and 2104 – passed the Legislature earlier this year with broad support from both sides of the aisle.

By Scott Cooper

Amid the backdrop of a current investigation into Republican campaign contributions from 2004, sources inside the party have questioned contributions made for a vote recount last November.

Rep. Todd Thomsen, R-Ada, won House District 25 last year after a recount declared him the winner two weeks following the election. The House Republican leadership organized a fund-raising effort to aid Thomsen in his recount request.

Sources said it was at a caucus meeting after the election where contributions were solicited for the recount. According to campaign reports, five House Republicans wrote checks to the Oklahoma County Republican Committee on the day of the meeting. Two of those members told Oklahoma Gazette their contributions were intended to aid Thomsen’s recount effort.

EARMARKING CONTRIBUTIONS?

Contributions from candidates to parties or committees cannot be earmarked, said University of Oklahoma political science professor and election law expert Keith Gaddie. Read more…

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 16, 2007) – Oklahoma House Republican caucus members Tuesday elected Lance Cargill as Speaker-designate for the 2009-10 session, giving Cargill a second term in the House’s top post.

“I’m grateful to my fellow caucus members for their support, and I thank them for this vote of confidence as we move forward with important conservative reforms,” said Cargill, R-Harrah, who currently serves as Speaker. “I also want to say how much I respect Representative John Wright. He’s a valuable member, and as a unified caucus we’re poised for real progress this coming year. I see tremendous opportunities in the areas of state fiscal accountability, state government modernization, and performance pay for teachers.”

Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, joined Cargill as a candidate in seeking the Speaker-designate position.

“I congratulate Speaker Cargill on his election by the caucus to continue to serve the House of Representatives as Speaker, and I dedicate to working with him to continue to advance good policies for the state of Oklahoma,” said Wright, who serves as chairman of the caucus.

Cargill’s first term as Speaker will end after the upcoming 2008 session. The Harrah native has served in the House since 2000, representing large portions of eastern Oklahoma County. Provided Republicans retain their majority in the House in the 2008 election cycle, Tuesday’s caucus vote means that Cargill will serve as Speaker for another two years in 2009 and 2010.

“Today’s vote is a victory for the entire caucus, and puts us in a strong, unified position,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Gus Blackwell, R-Goodwell. “By maintaining our current Speaker, we’re giving the House Republican majority the ability to press for needed conservative reforms in the upcoming session and beyond.”

House Majority Leader Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore, also praised Tuesday’s vote saying, “By designating Lance Cargill for a second term as Speaker, the House Republican majority is well-prepared for the upcoming legislative session, and we have real momentum.”

Today, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m in Room 432A, 4th floor, Speaker Lance Cargill and the House Education Committee will hold the last of five hearings to study teacher performance pay, with the goal of developing a performance pay plan to be presented to the Legislature in February. The following is a list of the guest presenters for the hearing:

Related:

Stateline.org: States venture into teacher performance pay

Inside sources have confirmed to OKPNS, that various Republican state representatives have called on Speaker Lance Cargill to postpone the upcoming October 16th GOP Caucus election to determine the Speaker-designate for the 2009/2010 session. The embattled Cargill is seeking to become the State’s first Republican two-term Speaker of the House. The House Republicans will be meeting that weekend for an annual retreat to lay out legislative plans for the upcoming session, but the pressure fundraising controversy has put many House GOP members in a tight spot.

Cargill has reportedly denied the members’ request to postpone the election date. Cargill remains the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission for mishandling campaign funds in past election cycles, and many members privately are hoping the Speaker election date can be put off until more is known about the emerging controversy.

Insiders say the Speaker has been irate with members close to him who have suggested such a postponement. “The pressure is building, and with more bad press on the way, it appears that he’s beginning to take out his frustrations on those who are seeking to help,” says one familiar with the process.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2007
For more information contact:
David Blatt, Public Policy Director
Community Action Project
918.382.3228

OKLAHOMA CITY – If the fiscal policies of reducing revenue continue, state government will lack the resources necessary to properly fund vital programs on which Oklahomans rely. According to members of the Alliance for Oklahoma’s Future, dramatic funding cuts in state services such as education, public safety, and state pension programs are inevitable if further reductions in state revenue occur this coming legislative session.

“Because of recent decisions enacted by the Legislature, Oklahoma’s revenue growth has slowed dramatically and we are facing long term budget shortfalls,” said David Blatt, Alliance chairman. “Costs for the state’s existing programs are increasing faster than revenues and this situation will further put the squeeze on those priorities that matter most to Oklahomans.”

The Alliance was called today to speak to members of the House Revenue and Tax Committee regarding changes to Oklahoma’s tax structure. The Committee chair posed the question, “Should Oklahoma cut taxes and if so, which ones?”

“With a grossly underfunded education system, increasing poverty rates among Oklahoma’s children, crumbling roads and bridges, and a crowded prison system, we believe these are the wrong questions for the committee to be asking,” said Blatt. “First and foremost, we need to guarantee that we are meeting our goals as a state to achieve an adequate tax system that provides every Oklahoman opportunity, prosperity and security.”

The Alliance proposed the following recommendations to the Committee:

• Take a breather from further tax cuts;
• Evaluate the current tax structure’s capacity to adequately fund the state’s goals;
• Develop long-term budget forecasts;
• Modernize Oklahoma’s tax system;
• Maintain a balanced tax structure; and
• Preserve and ensure equity in the state income tax.

Further testimony by Elizabeth Hudgins, Senior Policy Analyst for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a national nonpartisan policy research organization, pointed out that Oklahoma’s taxes are already among the lowest in the nation. “Oklahomans pay among the least in the country in state and local taxes, ranking 43rd nationwide,” said Hudgins. “Policymakers should consider their state’s goals and priorities and ensure a tax system that works for all Oklahomans.”

The Oklahoma Political News Service has heard this same rumor – and the name that allegedly goes with that rumor. OKPNS will continue to investigate.

From Sooner Thought:

Word on the street is that a top “family values” Repub was caught in flagrante delicto in his office with an aide.

Wheels turning? (Hmmm…that’s a tough one…trying to single out the “family values” Repub who would have the debauched nerve to cheat on his wife—at work???)
Stay tuned.

Videographer John Angier II of Okie Campaigns, provides us video highlights of Speaker Cargill’s press briefing held at the Capitol last Friday. Cargill praised the 2007 legislative session’s accomplishments of passing a fiscally conservative budget, tax relief, and immigration reform.