By Patrick B. McGuigan Associate Publisher Gov. Mary Fallin, Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon and Senate President Pro Temp Brian Bingman disagreed on certain particulars about the 2013 legislative session – but were unanimous in praising the end results. Talking about the session with reporters separately, the trio declared they did a great job. [...]
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by Patrick B. McGuigan Associate Publisher Rodd Moesell, an Oklahoma City businessman and a Republican party volunteer without peer, remembers when there were entire counties in Oklahoma where the Grand Old Party had no real chance to win elections. Those willing to carry the party banner, once upon a time, were known not as candidates, [...]
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by Patrick B. McGuigan Associate Publisher OKLAHOMA CITY – New compact agreements between Oklahoma and a leading western tribe mark an historic moment in relations between the sovereign governments. The new accords ban in-state Internet gaming while establishing a new revenue stream for Oklahoma, establish a tobacco compact, and form a cooperative agreement on outdoor [...]
by Patrick B. McGuigan OKLAHOMA CITY — Advocates of the historic criminal justice system reforms approved in 2012, widely known as the “justice reinvestment” initiative (JRI), are reeling over a variety of changes in the program – and over the resignation of JRI author Kris Steele, former speaker of the state House, from the inter-agency [...]
By Darla Shelden Contributing Writer The Oklahoma County Democratic Party (OCDP) will hold precinct meetings and elections Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m. This year precincts will gather according to House Districts (HD). All registered Oklahoma County Democrats who attend precinct meetings are eligible to become officers or committee members. Marguerite McGuffin, OCDP Chair said, [...]
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by Patrick B. McGuigan Associate Publisher Legislation to ban use of foreign legal precedents in most cases passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives last week. Two female legisaltors from the capital city clashed in committee and floor deliberations over the proposal’s merits. House Bill 1060, sponsored by state Rep. Sally Kern, a City Republican, would [...]
By Darla Shelden Contributing Writer On Tuesday, March 26 members of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club will gather for Lobby Day at the State Capitol. They want to show legislators the power of a grassroots environmental movement and focus the attention of the media on the environment. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. [...]
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By Patrick B. McGuigan Associate Publisher OKLAHOMA CITY – Milwaukee (WI) County Sheriff David Clarke now has a fan club at the Oklahoma state Capitol – figuratively, if not literally. Videographer James O’Keefe’s “You Tube” video released last week chronicles hidden camera visits to several urban police departments, where he was told law-abiding citizens are [...]
by Patrick B. McGuigan OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin’s legal counsel has informed the Council of State Governments (CSG) that Oklahoma will rebuff anticipated federal funds for implementation of criminal justice reform legislation passed in recent years. Fallin supported legislative passage of the 2011-2012 “justice reinvestment” measures, designed to shift Oklahoma away from incarceration [...]
. by Patrick B. McGuigan Associate Editor It’s time again for the annual Oklahoma City Gridiron roast of national, state and local politics. “Something always happens in Oklahoma?” You bet — at least since 1928. The late, great Ralph Sewell, a legendary journalist who covered state government for most of his life, wrote the [...]
