OKGazette.com - Commentary

Fixing a role in parole -

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The state Department of Corrections struggles financially every year because we have some of the most overcrowded prisons in the country.

Thunder has transformed city’s image -

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

I was watching ESPN the other night and saw Skip Bayless, Tim Legler and Stephen A. Smith spend 20 minutes talking about the Oklahoma City Thunder. A few days earlier, I’d seen the ESPN First Take team analyzing Russell Westbrook’s game.

Drive a car, learn to read -

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Thank heaven for little girls — and boys!

Tax credits worth saving -

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Are the hundreds of thousands of families in Oklahoma who make less than $50,000 a year a “special interest”?

Politics of satire -

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Although they’ve been maligned by at least one corporate media outlet for doing so, three state lawmakers are standing up for Oklahoma women’s rights by fighting absurdity with absurdity.

Proceed with caution -

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

In mid-January, Gov. Mary Fallin and three of state government’s top financial officers made what must have been a stressful trip to New York City.

Saving college savings -

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The state of Oklahoma currently has one of the best higher education savings incentive programs in the nation.

A plan to fix DHS -

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

Last October, House Speaker Kris Steele asked me to lead a bipartisan group of state representatives in a strategic review of the Department of Human Services, the state’s largest agency.

Oklahoma stalls on insurance exchange -

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EDT

There is little doubt the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), colloquially known as Obamacare, is one of the most burdensome pieces of legislation ever forced upon American businesses.

OKC needs a children’s museum -

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT

A small group of us recently embarked on a large mission in a relatively short amount of time. Our lofty goal? To save Stage Center by turning it into a children’s museum.

No school takeover -

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT

I want to directly address the people of Oklahoma City and explain my opinion on the potential state takeover of our schools on the state’s priority list: It is a terrible idea.

A smarter criminal justice system -

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The Oklahoma Legislature is considering legislation this session to reform our criminal justice system. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma believes reform cannot come fast enough.

Keeping an industry from fading to black -

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EDT

The film industry and the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program are good for Oklahoma. In an industry driven by financial incentives, if the state Legislature eliminates the film rebate this session, our growing industry will likely die.

Remembering an Oklahoma civil libertarian -

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

Some people we expect to be around forever. Michael Camfield was a solid presence for civil liberties work and challenges in Oklahoma for so many years.

The tipping point for families -

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

The world has watched how Greece’s debt and financial woes have crippled Greece, the European markets and nearly brought down the world’s financial markets. Little Greece was nearly, and may yet be, the last straw — the tipping point for a global economic disaster.

Time for tax credit reform -

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Oklahoma was forced to trim its state budget in recent years, and as the recession eases we still face a standstill budget next year. Why?

Remembering Anthony Shadid -

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

What I remember most about Anthony Shadid from high school was his laugh. It was disarmingly infectious. His eyes would crinkle and his head would tilt back, and he reminded me of a young Ringo Starr, all smiles and shy charm.

Perils of ‘Personhood’ -

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Raise your hand if you want state government to decide what birth control method you can use, what type of fertility treatments are available to you, or how to make medical decisions involving a life-threatening pregnancy complication.

Laura Massenat: involved and independent -

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

On Tuesday, in the heart of the Oklahoma City school district, District 4 voters have an opportunity to elect a new school board member.

Point: Phase out state personal income tax -

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Oklahoma has the opportunity to establish itself as the nation’s No. 1 location for economic opportunity by responsibly phasing out its personal income tax.