The items on the legislative program, which the council passed unanimously, are first recommended by city department heads to the city manager, who then passes the recommendations on to the council’s legislative committee. Last year’s agenda items that were eventually passed into law included restoring December city elections in odd years, requiring counties to notify […]
elections
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Whither a Kardashians court?
No, that’s not the name of next season’s Kardashian family spinoff, but rather the possible future of Oklahoma judicial retention elections as scripted by the State Chamber of Oklahoma. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce became a shrewd and dominant legal player at the turn of the millennium, transforming formerly quiescent, low-dollar state Supreme Court elections […]
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Candidates and early childhood education
While some think early childhood development rests solely on the shoulders of parents, there are ways in which societal factors can hinder early learning. These include lack of access to quality health care and child care as well as exposure to toxic stress and poverty-related trauma. Research shows quality early childhood care and education helps […]
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An embarrassment of a senator
Traveling around the county I hear two things about Oklahoma: “Love the Thunder” and “Who is that idiot who thinks global climate change is a myth?” What would it take to change his mind? Some 26,000 heat records broken this year, epic droughts and deadly wildfires? Or perhaps that dramatic photograph from space recently published […]
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No party for third parties
Credit: Brad Gregg Nope. There’s also independents. And Von Hayek acolytes. And Ron Paul fans. And Ayn Rand devotees, or “Randroids,” as we called them in college (they were cool with it; libertarians have a great sense of humor). And your cabin-dwelling uncle who thinks the FDA is poisoning the water table. The Libertarian party […]
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Primary purpose
The seat, traditionally held by a Democrat, opened in February when former state Rep. Al McAffrey successfully ran for Senate District 46, which was vacated when Sen. Andrew Rice moved to Tennessee. Located in central Oklahoma City, HD 88 is roughly defined by N.W. 50th and N.W. 10th streets, Santa Fe Avenue and Interstate 44. […]
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Move school board elections
When one looks at the Oklahoma City Council races and the untraceable funds that poured into them — and, the fact that so few voters vote in these types of races — it is easier to “stack the deck” against the larger sample of voters who vote in general elections. School boards are controlled by […]
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The next step
Meanwhile, at least two Oklahoma City Council members have suggested that the city look into forming its own election reporting requirements and oversight body prior to the 2013 council and mayoral elections. During the council’s Jan. 17 meeting, Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid and Ward 4 Councilman Pete White expressed disappointment that the Ethics Commission […]
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Recs in effect
Meanwhile, a member of the Oklahoma City Council said he plans to file a complaint with the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office over the municipal elections earlier this year. During its Nov. 17 meeting at the Capitol, the Ethics Commission received a staff report recommending changes to the Political Subdivisions Ethics Act, which governs municipal […]
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Recs in effect
Meanwhile, a member of the Oklahoma City Council said he plans to file a complaint with the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office over the municipal elections earlier this year. During its Nov. 17 meeting at the Capitol, the Ethics Commission received a staff report recommending changes to the Political Subdivisions Ethics Act, which governs municipal […]