However, if more money is needed, the solution is easy. The gaming venues in our state annually send nearly $200 million in direct tax revenues to the Capitol for legislators to spend. Most men and women serving in that hallowed and falling-down building are Republicans, members of the same party that voted almost unanimously against […]
politics
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Gone Hollywood?
Credit: Brad Gregg Although it’s doubtless that the filmmakers aim to dispute Inhofe’s contention that manmade climate change is “a hoax,” Oklahoma’s senior senator has said he is tickled to be part of the flick. “I was not surprised to see myself front and center on the promotional material for this climate-change movie, and quite […]
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Party time
In that role, the 33-year-old Pinnell will serve as the chief liaison between the RNC and state parties. “Matt knows the workings of the state party system and has the vision to help strengthen state parties as we build for 2014 and 2016,” Priebus said in a statement. “In order to achieve success, we must […]
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Threatening email
Prosecutors also charged the 54-year-old Gerhart with violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act by sending a threatening email to Sen. Cliff Branan, R-Oklahma City, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee. Gerhart wrote in his March 26 email, “Branan, get that bill heard or I will make sure you regret not doing it. I will make […]
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Gunning for freedom
Credit: Brad Gregg Turns out, the thought of a sweet kindergarten teacher suddenly morphing into Kindergarten Cop isn’t such a realistic prospect after all. The decision comes at the recommendation of the Oklahoma Commission on School Safety, a group of law enforcement officers, mental health officials, teachers, parents and first responders. Their opposition, of course, […]
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New faces
OKC city hall Credit: Mark Hancock With Marrs and Kelly no longer at the council chamber’s horseshoe, 14 combined years of council experience are being replaced by rookies James Greiner and John Pettis Jr., two men who now find themselves in the middle of critical decisions, including several MAPS 3 projects. The new council members […]
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Let them eat cake, eventually
Credit: Brad Gregg Silver used current polling, trending data and a bunch of other math-type stuff to project when each state would approve same-sex union According to his figures, Oklahomans in same-sex partnerships still have plenty of time — roughly seven years — to plan their state-sanctioned nuptials. If you can believe Silver and the […]
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Tweet heat
The March 15 tweet was part of an exchange between Shannon and Mickey Hepner, dean of the college of business administration at the University of Central Oklahoma. After Shannon remarked that Oklahoma would stand against the Affordable Care Act, Hepner tweeted that the Constitution prohibits the state from ignoring federal laws. Shannon replied with a […]
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Advocacy or extortion?
Jessica Brown, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, confirmed the agency is examining bribery allegations against Al Gerhart, who admitted at Tuesday news conference that he sent a threatening email message to state Sen. Cliff Branan, R-Oklahoma City. Gerhart sent the March 26 email warning the lawmaker that he would become the “laughing […]
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Marriage equality is up for grabs
The Supreme Court justices (in that very same Supreme Court building) are presently considering California’s Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage. They are also considering the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Interestingly, attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies jointly filed the federal lawsuit that brought […]