Cornett names Agriculture Advisory Council

Cornett Names Agriculture Advisory Council

Members hail from across the state, agricultural industries

OKLAHOMA CITY– Republican candidate for Governor and former Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett today announced the formation of an Agriculture Advisory Council, tapping seven to serve as advisors on agricultural issues to Cornett during his campaign for Governor.

“Agriculture is one of the largest and most-important industries to our state,” Cornett said. “Throughout this campaign, I’ve sought to learn more about different farming and ranching activities within the agricultural industry, how to grow the industry, and how state government can be a better partner. These seven farmers and ranchers have proven they want a stronger state, and I am pleased to have their support and guidance.”

Members of Cornett’s Agriculture Advisory Council include:

Bob Ed Culver, Tahlequah
Bob Drake, Davis
Keeff Felty, Altus
Joe Neal Hampton, Waukomis
Jimmy Harrel, Leedey
Joey Meibergen, Enid
Ben Walkingstick, Chandler

Cornett said additional agricultural leaders will be added the council in the coming weeks.

Ted Cruz endorses Cathy Costello in Labor Commission runoff

Costello and Cruz at a presidential campaign event in 2016

SENATOR TED CRUZ ENDORSES CATHY COSTELLO

(July 30, 2018) U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) announces his official endorsement for Cathy Costello in the race for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner.  Sen. Cruz won Oklahoma's GOP Presidential Primary in 2016 with more than 158,000 Republican votes.

    "Our republic requires an active participation by all of us and it's encouraging when solid conservatives step up to run for office," Ted Cruz says.  "I'm asking Oklahoma voters to carefully consider the choices before them in this election cycle and to stand with those who have proven themselves to be conservatives of conviction.  In the race for Labor Commissioner, I am proud to endorse Cathy Costello, and I urge the voters of Oklahoma to join me by supporting her."

    Sen. Cruz won Oklahoma’s Republican Presidential primary with a strong conservative message and statewide community contact.  Cathy Costello is campaigning across Oklahoma the same way.

    "I am deeply honored to receive this endorsement from the leading conservative lawmaker in American politics," says Cathy Costello.  "Senator Cruz and I met often during his Presidential campaign and I know he is a man of integrity and principle.  He fought tirelessly to improve mental health legislation in Congress.  I want the voters of Oklahoma to know that Senator Ted Cruz and I are both cut from the same cloth.  We both came from humble beginnings and worked our way to success, we value the integrity of workers in the free market, and we both are determined to fight for limited government."

    Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health.  She has been instrumental in passing major state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

    The Republican primary runoff for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for August 28 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.

OCPA column: Distorting facts to fit a narrative

Distorting facts to fit a narrative

by Jonathan Small

President of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA)

In a recent interview, self-described socialist and congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tried to explain away low unemployment and recast world history in her own image.

Ocasio-Cortez claimed, “Unemployment is low because everyone has two jobs.” But as James Pethokoukis from the American Enterprise Institute points out, “…. only 4.8 percent of employed Americans hold multiple jobs. That’s lower than before the Great Recession and lower than during the 1990s boom. Indeed, that number has been declining for years.”

The socialist candidate went on to claim that, “Capitalism has not always existed in the world and will not always exist in the world.”

While no one can see the future, the history is clear. And it’s not on the side of Ocasio-Cortez. As Pethokoukis points out, “…. capitalism has pretty much always existed. People have been trading since there was something to trade.” And, let’s not forget that no other economic system has done more for the benefit and prosperity of humanity than capitalism.

Ocasio-Cortez’s comments are another instance of trying to change the facts to fit a political narrative. Such distortions are not just for blue-state socialists; unfortunately, it happens in Oklahoma.

Rep. Leslie Osborn, the former chair of the Oklahoma House Appropriations and Budget Committee, spent much of her time there advocating for tax increases. She routinely blamed current shortfalls on previous tax cuts. The truth, however, is that as soon as you zoom out and see the long term trends, Oklahoma government has been growing, not shrinking. Recent declines in revenue were almost entirely due to the effects of low oil prices rippling through our economy. Still, in the long run, the total tax and fee burden on Oklahomans has gone up.

It is not only candidates and elected officials who sometimes bend the facts. Multiple university presidents claimed last year that Oklahoma was “dead last” in spending for higher education. They cited a national report on higher education funding, but the report actually showed that Oklahoma spent more per capita than a dozen other states.

Everybody has their own ideas about politics and public policy. An open and honest debate is necessary to maintain a free society. When politicians and other government officials play fast and loose with the facts, or intentionally distort them for their own benefit, they corrode our very system of government.

We are all entitled to our own opinions, but we are not entitled to our own facts. Politicos in Oklahoma, and across the country, should stop bending the facts to meet their needs.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Cornett releases his first runoff commercial

Cornett Campaign Releases Opening Ad of Runoff Titled “Okay”

Cornett pitches results, others say ‘Do it again, Mick’

OKLAHOMA CITY– Mick Cornett’s campaign for Governor on Monday announced their first advertisement before the August 28 Primary Runoff Election titled “Okay,” a 60 second spot which features Cornett speaking directly to voters about the challenges facing Oklahoma, the achievements of Oklahoma City while he was Mayor, and supporters urging him to “do it again!”

“As I’ve travelled across our great state, the challenges we are facing are apparent to nearly every Oklahoman,” Cornett said. “State government is a mess, but people aren’t ready to give up. They’re ready for the right person to lead them through it. I’ll work hard for you, your family, and your community no matter what part of the state you call home.”


Blogger's note: the ad ends with supporters saying "Do it again, Mick" -- including former Tulsa mayor Dewey Bartlett Jr. and former football coach Barry Switzer, who I was unaware had endorsed Cornett. 

Costello leads Labor Commissioner race in latest poll

COSTELLO DOMINATES LABOR COMMISSIONER RACE IN LATEST POLL

July 28, 2018 -- The latest polling on the Oklahoma Labor Commissioner race shows Cathy Costello with a commanding 10% lead over her primary runoff opponent.  The survey was conducted last week by Sooner Poll and News 9 among 483 registered Republican voters.

    “We found Cathy Costello’s platform of conservative values and limited government is resonating with Republican voters,” says Bill Shapard, CEO of SoonerPoll.  “Labor Commissioner is considered a down-ballot race so we still have quite a few undecided voters.  But that 10% lead will be extremely difficult for her opponent, Leslie Osborn, to overcome with just a month left in the campaign.  Costello is ahead in every demographic except voters between the ages of 25-34.  If the candidates evenly split the remaining undecided votes, Costello would win with 55%, which is considered a landslide victory.”

    The poll also shows Costello has the most support from Tulsa with a 15 point lead over Osborn and an 11 point lead among conservatives.

    SoonerPoll is Oklahoma’s only independent, non-partisan polling firm. The final numbers show Cathy Costello with 32%, Leslie Osborn with 22%, and 46% of GOP voters undecided.  The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.88%.

    Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health.  She has been instrumental in passing major state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

    The Republican primary runoff for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for August 28 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.

Stitt and Cornett tied at 37.5% in latest poll

It's a dead heat in the GOP gubernatorial runoff

SoonerPoll/News9/News on 6 Oklahoma GOP Gubernatorial Poll (link) 

483 likely Oklahoma voters, conducted July 18th to 20th. Overall MoE +/- 4.46%. 

• Mick Cornett - 37.5%
• Kevin Stitt - 37.5%
• Undecided - 25.0%

You can view the full crosstabs here.


Other races polled:

Attorney General
Mike Hunter: 38.6%
Gentner Drummond: 29.1%
Undecided: 32.3%

State Superintendent
Joy Hofmeister: 42.9%
Linda Murphy: 30.1%
Undecided: 27.0%

Labor Commissioner
Cathy Costello: 31.8%
Leslie Osborn: 22.1%
Undecided: 46.1%

Group switches from Lamb to Cornett, running new TV ad

The Foundation for Economic Prosperity is running a new ad in support of Mick Cornett in the GOP gubernatorial primary runoff. FEP had supported Todd Lamb in the June primary, and in the past supported James Lankford's 2014 Senate run.

Fallin places Gov-LtGov joint election measure on November ballot

Governor Mary Fallin Places Governor-Lieutenant Governor Joint Election Measure on November Ballot 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today issued an election proclamation that places on the November ballot a state question approved by legislators that would allow the governor and lieutenant governor in Oklahoma to seek the offices as a team.

State Question 798 would establish a joint ticket for the top two statewide offices, like candidates for U.S. president and vice-president. If voters approve the question on the Nov. 6 general election, it wouldn't take effect until 2026. Like all state questions, it requires a simple majority by voters to be approved.

Lawmakers this year approved Senate Joint Resolution 66, which sends to a vote of the people an amendment to the state constitution that would provide for the joint nomination and election of candidates for governor and lieutenant governor beginning with the general election in 2026.

The deadline for the governor to sign election proclamations for state questions to be placed on the Nov. 6 general election ballot is Aug. 27.

Former Rep. McCullough endorses Glesener over Lawson in HD30 runoff

MARK MCCULLOUGH ENDORSES KENT GLESENER

Former state representative Mark McCullough has announced his endorsement of Kent Glesener in the House District 30 runoff election. 

“Kent is a man of integrity, has a extensive business background, and has a heart for serving others,” McCullough said. “Having known Kent for years, he understands the challenges facing Oklahoma individuals, families, and small business. He has the proven leadership we need to make a difference for all Oklahomans.”

McCullough represented District 30 in the state house of representatives from 2006 until 2016.

“I am proud to receive Mark’s endorsement,” Glesener said. “He represented our district well for a decade and understands what it takes to lead in Oklahoma City. I look forward to putting my 45 years of business experience to work for the people of our district.”

“Join me in voting for Kent Glesener, as the clear and best conservative choice on August 28,” McCullough said.

For information visit KentForHouse.com.

Blogger's note: Glesener is running against State Rep. Mark Lawson. Lawson voted in favor of the hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes, which were unnecessary in light of the record revenue being collected before the tax increases began to be collected. Lawson has a -20.9 on the Conservative Performace Index (87th out of 101), his Conservative Index is a dismal 43 (his predecessor, Mark McCullough, had a 76), and his ACU rating is 59% (below the Republican average).

1889 Institute releases "Straight Talk on Public Education"

1889 INSTITUTE RELEASES “STRAIGHT TALK ON PUBLIC EDUCATION”

The truth about Oklahoma’s public education system and why it cannot be fixed from within.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (July 25, 2017) – The 1889 Institute, an Oklahoma state policy think tank, has published “Straight Talk on Public Education,” a compilation of historical and current Oklahoma and national public education statistics as well as a short history of public education in the United States, in an effort to counter some of the mythology that has arisen around public education.

“This paper simply looks at statistics and history objectively, which leads to basic, inevitable conclusions,” said Byron Schlomach, the study’s author and Director of the 1889 Institute. Schlomach has a long history of involvement in education policy going back to 1994.

A few of the statistics include:

• From 1950 to 2000, real spending per student rose 200 percent; real teacher salaries rose 33 percent.
• Today, fewer than half of Oklahoma’s public school employees (>84,000) are teachers (41,047).
• 40 percent of Oklahoma high school graduates who attend college must take remediation classes due to inadequate high-school preparation.
• In 2017, only 16 percent of Oklahoma’s high school seniors were college-ready on all four of ACT’s benchmarks while 42 percent of seniors did not meet a single college-ready benchmark.
• Oklahoma is one of a handful of states formula-funding pre-K for all comers; only Vermont and Florida serve a higher percentage of their 4-year-old populations in public schools.
• Oklahoma’s 4th-grade National Assessment of Educational Progress results have shown no improvement since the advent of universal pre-K. The 2015 score improvement was wiped out in 2017.
• If Oklahoma halved its pre-K program, there would be $200 more to spend on each remaining student.

Some points from the history section include:

• The story of public education has been one of constant cycling through re-packaged pedagogical fads, mission creep, and frustrated efforts at reform, all accompanied by spending increases.
• The education model Jefferson proposed is most akin to a fully “charterized” school system with parent-governed schools, but with parents substantially funding them.
• The degree to which Americans are literate today cannot be attributed to the existence of a centralized public education system.
• The roots of the current U.S. education system can be traced to Prussia, the leading state of Germany.
• John Dewey turned the education system toward its Prussian roots of molding society.
• Schools have become centers of social experimentation, social work, community health, entertainment, child care, transportation, and nutrition.
• The system has been shamed, prodded, threatened, begged, encouraged, asked, sued, pandered to, and bribed.
• School Choice gives parents the ability to choose good schools with good teachers.

About the 1889 Institute
The 1889 Institute is an Oklahoma think tank committed to independent, principled state policy fostering limited and responsible government, free enterprise and a robust civil society. The publication, “Straight Talk on Public Education,” can be found on the nonprofit’s website at http://www.1889institute.org/ed-finance.html.

Stitt launches first TV ad for runoff

STITT FOR GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES FIRST TV AD OF GOP RUNOFF

New TV ad features Sarah Stitt speaking about Kevin’s Christian values & the conservative leadership he will deliver as governor of Oklahoma

TULSA, Oklahoma (July 24, 2018) – The Kevin Stitt for Governor campaign announced today its first TV ad in the Republican primary runoff for governor titled “Anniversary.”  The ad features the candidate’s wife, Sarah Stitt, talking about their family’s Christian values and how Kevin Stitt will deliver strong conservative leadership to Oklahoma.

“Kevin and I met a little over 20 years ago at church. We got married and we built our business here in Oklahoma. Today, we have six children. So, yes, we are pro-life,” opens Sarah Stitt. “Kevin’s faith is what drives him. And for him, serving as governor is about bringing a new kind of leadership to Oklahoma.”
“The state of Oklahoma needs a leader like Kevin,” Sarah Stitt continues. “We need a strong conservative who is not afraid to make the tough decisions for our children and for our grandchildren.”

Sarah Stitt often joins Kevin Stitt on the campaign trail, speaking alongside him about their shared desire to temporarily leave the company and serve the state. The Stitts speak about a vision to make Oklahoma a Top Ten state and how they believe this will require a shakeup at the State Capitol that ends politics as usual.

The ad echoes Kevin Stitt’s campaign mantra that he is committed, as a conservative political outsider, to lead the state in being a problem solver and making decisions for the next generation, not the next election.

AG Hunter Leads Coalition in Fighting Attack by Atheist Group against Legislative Prayer

Attorney General Hunter Leads 20-State Coalition in Fighting Attack by Atheist Group against Legislative Prayer

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter has authored a brief, urging a federal court to reject an appeal by the founder of an atheist activist group that claims he was discriminated against by the U.S. House of Representatives chaplain for not selecting him to give the opening prayer.

The brief, supported by 18 additional state attorneys general and the governor of Maine, encourages the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to uphold a 2017 lower court decision to allow legislative prayer and the chaplain’s decision determining who can give the prayer.

Attorney General Hunter said he supports the lower court’s decision and anticipates a similar outcome.

“The rules and previous judgments are clear,” Attorney General Hunter said. “This court, as well as the Supreme Court, have already correctly ruled on many separate occasions that the legislature may commit time for prayer and choose who gives the prayer,” Attorney General Hunter said. “For an atheist activist, who denies or disbelieves in the existence of a supreme being, to argue he deserves the right to give the prayer is absurd. Other than his woeful misinterpretation of the rules, he is asking the court to violate the Constitution’s separation of powers.

“My colleagues and I strongly encourage the court rule to reject this challenge.”

The case on appeal is from a 2016 lawsuit, where Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation Dan Barker claimed he was discriminated against by House Chaplain Rev. Patrick Conroy and Speaker Paul Ryan, when he was prohibited from delivering an atheist invocation in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

For a guest chaplain to give the opening prayer, the chaplain requires that the guest must be sponsored by a member of the House, they are ordained and the prayer given must address a higher power.

In the brief, Attorney General Hunter and his colleagues write that Barker’s interpretation of the House rules are wrong as a matter of law and his allegations improperly urge the court to infringe the separation of powers by interfering with the internal rules of a different branch of government.

“Barker nonetheless alleges that he has a constitutional right to force the House of Representatives to provide him the opportunity to give a secular invocation—not a prayer—at the time that legislative rules have set apart for a “prayer,”” the brief reads. “But the Supreme Court’s and this Court’s cases make clear that the legislature may dedicate a time for prayer as a religious exercise seeking divine guidance.”

The brief continues, pointing out that the separation of powers allows legislatures the discretion to decide on such matters and to determine for themselves how to define prayer and whether such statements fall into that category or achieve the same effect.

The brief is signed by Attorney General Hunter, along with the attorneys general of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the governor of Maine.

Read the brief, here: https://bit.ly/2JH8ebb.

OCPA column: Politicized schools threaten education

Politicized schools threaten education

by Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA)

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an Illinois state worker could not be forced to pay fees to a political organization as a condition of keeping his job. The First Amendment protects all Americans from government officials prodding us to support their pet special interests.

Some Oklahoma school officials seem to reject this idea.

During Oklahoma’s primary election season, Bixby Public Schools administrators allowed school facilities to be used for political activities by a union Oklahoma Education Association affiliate, the Bixby Education Association. The BEA is a union that represents government employees and gives 40 percent of the dues it receives from teachers to their far-left affiliate, the National Education Association.

You might agree or disagree with groups like the BEA, but no one can deny they are political. In fact, the BEA used schools to organize phone calls and door-to-door canvassing targeting a strategic list of voters. Asked about these activities, the BEA deleted references to targeting particular voters from its website and insisted they were just reminding people to vote.

That is hard to believe given how much adult interest groups like the BEA have at stake in shaping the debate. Organizations like the BEA have worked hard this year to shift education debates away from academics and toward funding. Their allies – including local school administrators – do everything they can to keep the public conversation focused on state government rather than on what local districts might do better.

Should education debates focus just on money? Are local administrators incapable of directing more resources to the classroom? Students might benefit from a public debate on these questions, but the interests of a handful of adults often trump the needs of students.

Bixby Public Schools was already a tragic example of adults protecting their own power and money at the expense of students and taxpayers. Last year, the district got caught mishandling sexual assault allegations in order to protect Superintendent Kyle Wood. The school board allowed him to retire with full benefits plus a $167,000 payout even though the alleged assaults took place at Wood’s own home.

Public schools, like every other part of government, should be separate from campaign politics. Government employees have the same right to be involved in politics as everybody else. But no one should use government resources or power in political campaigns.

Elections are about the people being in charge of our government, not the other way around.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Gov. Fallin Signs Paperwork Placing Optometrist/Optician Issue on November Ballot

Governor Mary Fallin Signs Paperwork Placing Optometrist/Optician Issue on November Ballot

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed an election proclamation that places on the Nov. 6 general election ballot the question whether to allow optometrists and eyeglass retailers to operate in large retail stores.

The governor received information Monday certifying that the backers of the issue collected enough signatures to qualify for placement on the November ballot and that all of the other procedural requirements of state law had been met.

The issue, if approved by a majority of voters, would amend the state constitution by allowing optometrists or opticians to practice in retail establishments, and allows the Legislature to regulate them.

Oklahoma law prohibits consumers from getting their eyes examined and filling their eyeglasses prescription in the same store.

The deadline for the governor to sign election proclamations for state questions to be placed on the Nov. 6 general election ballot is Aug. 27.

Music Monday: I Just Can't Wait to Be King

In honor of our daughter Carmen's birthday tomorrow, this week's Music Monday is one of her favorite songs -- I Just Can't Wait to Be King, from Disney's 1994 movie The Lion King.


Enjoy!

See below for all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to suggest for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.

July 16th, 2018: 'Jupiter' from 'The Planets'
July 9th, 2018: Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
July 2nd, 2018: Turn The Tide
June 25th, 2018: Good Guys Win
June 18th, 2018: Watching You
June 11th, 2018: Adoration
June 4th, 2018: March from 'A Moorside Suite'
May 28th, 2018: Taps
May 21st, 2018: Listz's La Campanella
May 14th, 2018: Handful of Weeds
May 7th, 2018: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
April 30th, 2018: Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 ("Heroic")
April 23rd, 2018: Blow Ye The Trumpet
April 16th, 2018: Asturias (Leyenda)
April 9th, 2018: Old Mountain Dew
April 2nd, 2018: His Life For Mine
March 19th, 2018: See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes!
March 12th, 2018: Choctaw Nation
March 5th, 2018: Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal
February 19th, 2018: The Olympic Spirit
February 12th, 2018: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
January 29th, 2018: Hail to the Chief
January 23rd, 2018: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15
January 15th, 2018: Bleed The Same
January 8th, 2018: Saint-Saëns' Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Maestoso)
December 25th, 2017: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 18th, 2017: I Saw Three Ships (The Piano Guys)
December 11th, 2017:Who Is He In Yonder Stall
December 4th, 2017: Carol of the Bells (Mannheim Steamroller)
November 27th, 2017: Joy to the World!
November 20th, 2017: We Gather Together
November 13th, 2017: Mansions of the Lord
November 6th, 2017: Träumerei
October 30th: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 23rd, 2017: In Christ Alone
October 16th, 2017: When I'm Knee Deep In Bluegrass
October 9th, 2017: I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb
October 2nd, 2017: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major (Brahms)
September 25th, 2017: Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C minor ('Pathétique')
September 11th, 2017: Have You Forgotten?
September 4th, 2017: Bach's Double Violin Concerto
August 28th, 2017: Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord
August 21st, 2017: The Heavens Are Telling The Glory of God
August 14th, 2017: Beethoven's 5th Symphony
August 7th, 2017: 'Lift High The Name Of Jesus' medley
July 31st, 2017: Fanfare for the Common Man
July 24th, 2017: Variations on 'Happy Birthday'
July 10th, 2017: Summer (Presto) from Vivaldi's Four Seasons
July 3rd, 2017: Freelance Fireworks Hall of Fame
June 26th, 2017: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
June 19th, 2017: A Christian Home
June 12th, 2017: Ol' Man River
June 5th, 2017: Choctaw Cowboy
May 29th, 2017: Armed Forces Salute
May 22nd, 2017: Double Bass Concerto No.2 in B minor
May 15th, 2017: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major
May 8th, 2017: The Army Goes Rolling Along
April 17th, 2017: He Is Alive
April 10th, 2017: Surely He Hath Borne/And With His Stripes/All We Like Sheep
April 3rd, 2017: Here Comes Carolina
March 27th, 2017: 'Spring' from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons'
March 20th, 2017: Symphony No. 5 ("Reformation") Finale
March 13th, 2017: The Pigeon on the Gate
March 6th, 2017: Finlandia
February 27th, 2017: When I Can Read My Title Clear
February 20th, 2017: William Tell Overture - Finale
February 13th, 2017: 'Romance' from 'The Gadfly'
February 6th, 2017: White Winter Hymnal
January 30th, 2017: Hail, Columbia
January 23rd, 2017: Hail to the Chief
January 16th, 2017: Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
January 2nd, 2017: Auld Lang Syne
December 26th, 2016: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
December 19th, 2016: I Wonder as I Wander
December 12th, 2016: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
December 5th, 2016: A Christmas Festival
November 28th, 2016: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
November 21st: Beethoven's 'Hymn of Thanksgiving'
November 14th: Hymn to the Fallen
November 7th: This World Is Not My Home
October 31st, 2016: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 24th, 2016: 'Mars', from 'The Planets'
October 17th, 2016: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
October 10th, 2016: Spain
October 3rd, 2016: International Harvester
September 26th, 2016: 'The Imperial March' from Star Wars
September 19th, 2016: Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound
September 12th, 2016: Before the Throne of God Above
September 5th, 2016: The Hunt
August 29th, 2016: Liberty
August 22nd, 2016: Summon the Heroes
August 15th, 2016: Bugler's Dream
August 8th, 2016: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
August 1st, 2016: 'Prelude' and 'Parade of the Charioteers' from Ben-Hur
July 25th, 2016: How The West Was Won
July 18th, 2016: Six Studies in English Folk Song
July 11th, 2016: From Everlasting To Everlasting
July 4th, 2016: The Stars and Stripes Forever
June 27th, 2016: Rule, Britannia!
June 20st, 2016: Bugler's Holiday
June 13th, 2016: Ride of the Valkyries
June 6th, 2016: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, Allegro Vivace
May 30th, 2016: Armed Forces Salute
May 23rd, 2016: Paid in Full (Through Jesus, Amen)
May 16th, 2016: Overture from 'Carmen'
May 9th, 2016: L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1 - Prelude
May 2nd, 2016: My God Is a Rock
April 25th, 2016: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
April 18th, 2016: Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A Minor
April 11th, 2016: Fantasia on a 17th Century Tune
April 4th, 2016: Hark The Sound/I'm a Tarheel Born
March 28th, 2016: Rustle of Spring
March 21st, 2016: 'Ode to Joy' sung by a 10,000-voice choir
March 14th, 2016: Hard Times Come Again No More
March 7th, 2016: 'The Suite' from Downton Abbey
February 29th, 2016: Moonlight Sonata
February 22nd, 2016: Liebestraum No. 3
February 15th, 2016: Help Is On The Way
February 8th, 2016: God of Grace and God of Glory
February 1st, 2016: 'My Story'
January 25th, 2016: Israeli Concertino
January 18th, 2016: What Grace is Mine
January 11th, 2016: "Meditation" from Thaïs
January 4th, 2016: Praeludium and Allegro
December 28th, 2015: Appalachian Carol
December 21st, 2015: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 14th, 2015: O Holy Night
December 7th, 2015: Christmas Fantasy
November 23rd, 2015: Simple Gifts
November 16th, 2015: Preacher Tell Me Like It Is
November 9th, 2015: Armed Forces Salute
November 2nd, 2015: Amazing Grace
October 26th, 2015: The Harmonious Blacksmith
October 19th, 2015: Liberty Fanfare
October 12th, 2015: The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
October 5th, 2015: Elgar's 'Enigma' Finale
September 28th, 2015: Stayed on Jesus
September 21st, 2015: Great Gate of Kiev
September 14th, 2015: Nearer, My God, To Thee

State Sen. Boggs endorses Costello for Labor Commissioner

SEN. LARRY BOGGS ENDORSES CATHY COSTELLO AS BEST FOR RURAL OKLAHOMA

    State Senator Larry Boggs is endorsing fellow conservative, Cathy Costello, in the race for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner.  Larry Boggs is the former Director of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and he is encouraging all rural Oklahomans to vote for Costello.

   “Cathy Costello best represents the conservative values of rural Oklahoma and she knows what it takes to create good jobs,” Sen. Larry Boggs (R-Wilburton) says.  “She wants to get rid of unnecessary occupational licensing that puts a disproportionate burden on people who work in rural areas.  She wants to address mental health issues in the workplace, including substance abuse and addiction, that hold back rural Oklahomans from getting and keeping quality jobs.  Cathy is the only candidate talking about Oklahoma’s high workplace fatality rates — especially in agriculture.  Southeast Oklahoma has all the potential for an economic boom and the right Labor Commissioner can make the difference.  She wants to build our workers to be ready for jobs in agriculture, energy and the emerging markets of tomorrow.  Cathy Costello will help us develop the workforce we need.”

    Cathy Costello is a co-founder of several businesses, both domestic and international, and is a sought-after national speaker and advocate on issues of mental health.  She has been instrumental in passing major state and federal legislation to improve how employers address mental health needs in the workplace.

    The Republican primary runoff for Labor Commissioner is scheduled for August 28 and the general election will be held November 6, 2018.

    For more information on Cathy Costello's campaign for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, visit her website at www.CostelloForOK.com.

Pinnell calls for Murphy to resign over conflicts of interest

PINNELL CALLS FOR CORPORATION COMMISSIONER DANA MURPHY TO RESIGN

Commissioner Murphy Hurting Ratepayers and Courting Influence While Running for Lt. Governor

Tulsa, Oklahoma (July 19, 2018) – Lieutenant Governor candidate Matt Pinnell called today for his fellow contender, Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy, to resign from her position with the Commission. The request came amid the Corporation's ongoing consideration of the Wind Catcher Energy Project—one of the largest cases in history—and her continuation of accepting donations from individuals and corporations she is constitutionally bound to regulate. Commissioner Murphy is gathering donations from individuals on both sides of the Windcatcher case and slow-playing a ruling as a way to raise money using her influence as a Corporation Commissioner.

"Commissioner Murphy can’t have it both ways: you can’t raise money from the very people you are regulating while at the same time running for a different office. This is what voters loathe. We’re tired of the same politicians answering to the same special interests. I’m asking Commissioner Murphy to do the right thing, resign to run for this office if she truly wants to be Lt. Governor,” Pinnell said.

Last quarter, over 84 percent of Commissioner Murphy’s campaign donations were from individuals and industries she regulates, and even more concerning, she has taken money from those directly involved in the current Wind Catcher proceedings.

“Commissioner Murphy is using her current government role to enhance her self-interest and fill-up the coffers of her campaign account while at the same time delaying a ruling in a consequential Corporation Commission case because she just simply doesn’t like the political optics that would result in picking a side,” said Pinnell.

Dana Murphy has collected more than $500,000 from industry sources to fuel her campaign for Lieutenant Governor, while at the same time sitting on the Corporation Commission regulating those same interests.

"I, as an Oklahoman, call for Commissioner Murphy to step down, effective immediately and let’s have a discussion on her plans as Lt. Governor. I ask that she quit playing politics and wasting taxpayer money holding a government job she is currently not fulfilling.”

AG Hunter Advises Health Board to Amend Rules on Medical Marijuana

Attorney General Hunter Advises Health Board to Amend Rules on Medical Marijuana

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today advised the State Board of Health to convene a special meeting to amend the rules it passed regulating medical marijuana.

Attorney General Hunter said his advice is faithful to and in accordance with the new law created when Oklahomans voted in favor of State Question 788.

“The current rules contain provisions that are inconsistent with the plain language of State Question 788 and the State Board of Health acted outside of its authority when it voted to implement them,” Attorney General Hunter said. “Although I didn’t support State Question 788, the people of the state have spoken and I have a legal duty to honor the decision made by the electorate. My advice today is made pursuant to that responsibility as attorney general.

“Moving forward, I encourage all stakeholders to engage with the legislative working group looking at medical marijuana to ensure they have their concerns and recommendations heard and addressed by the legislature.”

In a letter sent today to Health Department Interim Director Tom Bates, the attorney general writes, the board’s role in limiting the forms of marijuana products is confined to food and safety standards that are in line with food preparation guidelines, not prohibiting the sale of smokable, vapable, edible or other forms of marijuana. 

Attorney General Hunter also took issue with the board’s action to require dispensaries to hire a pharmacist, writing, “the board has not been given any express or implied statutory authority to impose additional requirements on licensees. Thus, the board rules improperly require every licensed dispensary to have “a current licensed pharmacist” present “on-site at least 40 hours per week.” Nothing in the text of State Question 788 expressly or impliedly authorizes this rule.” 

Other concerns outlined in the letter include:

• Restricting dispensaries to limited locations;
• Prohibiting dispensaries from co-locating with other businesses;
• Requiring medical marijuana be grown, processed and dispensed in enclosed structures;
• Requiring a surety bond for licensing;
• Setting hours of operation;
• Limiting the amount of THC in flower, leaf or concentrate for sale or distribution.

“I have no doubt that the board in good faith sought to regulate marijuana in a manner it believed would best promote the health and safety of Oklahomans,” the letter concludes. “However, in so doing, the board made policy judgments not authorized by statute. Such policy decisions are the exclusive prerogative of the legislature and the people.”

Read the full letter, here: https://bit.ly/2LvVQMO.

Mullin endorses Cindy Byrd for State Auditor

In a statement reported by OKEnergyToday.com, Congressman Markwayne Mullin has endorsed Cindy Byrd in the GOP runoff for State Auditor:

“Cindy Byrd is exactly the right person in Oklahoma to look out for how officials and agencies are spending federal funds,” said Congressman Markwayne Mullin. “In my part of the state, we tend to look to FEMA for help following natural disasters. Cindy has been there making sure every dollar is accounted for.”

In announcing his endorsement, Rep. Mullin said Byrd’s work even caught the attention of the Inspector General’s Office because of her audits and reviews of federal funding.
“That’s important because with Cindy Byrd holding officials accountable, it increases the opportunity that FEMA funds will be able to fund recovery from the next natural disaster whether its in Oklahoma or another state.”

In response to the 2nd District Congressman’s endorsement Byrd said, “It’s humbling that Congressman Mullin is aware of the work we’ve done to safeguard public funds and provide accountability and transparency for taxpayers in the 2nd Congressional District. Thank you Congressmen Mullin for being an advocate for my campaign and accountability in government.”

Music Monday: 'Jupiter' from 'The Planets'

This week's Music Monday is Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity, from English composer Gustav Holst's seven-movement suite The Planets.



Enjoy!

See below for all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to suggest for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.

July 9th, 2018: Hail to the Spirit of Liberty
July 2nd, 2018: Turn The Tide
June 25th, 2018: Good Guys Win
June 18th, 2018: Watching You
June 11th, 2018: Adoration
June 4th, 2018: March from 'A Moorside Suite'
May 28th, 2018: Taps
May 21st, 2018: Listz's La Campanella
May 14th, 2018: Handful of Weeds
May 7th, 2018: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
April 30th, 2018: Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 ("Heroic")
April 23rd, 2018: Blow Ye The Trumpet
April 16th, 2018: Asturias (Leyenda)
April 9th, 2018: Old Mountain Dew
April 2nd, 2018: His Life For Mine
March 19th, 2018: See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes!
March 12th, 2018: Choctaw Nation
March 5th, 2018: Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal
February 19th, 2018: The Olympic Spirit
February 12th, 2018: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
January 29th, 2018: Hail to the Chief
January 23rd, 2018: Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 39 No. 15
January 15th, 2018: Bleed The Same
January 8th, 2018: Saint-Saëns' Symphony No.3 'Organ' (Maestoso)
December 25th, 2017: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 18th, 2017: I Saw Three Ships (The Piano Guys)
December 11th, 2017:Who Is He In Yonder Stall
December 4th, 2017: Carol of the Bells (Mannheim Steamroller)
November 27th, 2017: Joy to the World!
November 20th, 2017: We Gather Together
November 13th, 2017: Mansions of the Lord
November 6th, 2017: Träumerei
October 30th: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 23rd, 2017: In Christ Alone
October 16th, 2017: When I'm Knee Deep In Bluegrass
October 9th, 2017: I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb
October 2nd, 2017: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major (Brahms)
September 25th, 2017: Beethoven's Sonata No. 8 in C minor ('Pathétique')
September 11th, 2017: Have You Forgotten?
September 4th, 2017: Bach's Double Violin Concerto
August 28th, 2017: Noah Found Grace In The Eyes Of The Lord
August 21st, 2017: The Heavens Are Telling The Glory of God
August 14th, 2017: Beethoven's 5th Symphony
August 7th, 2017: 'Lift High The Name Of Jesus' medley
July 31st, 2017: Fanfare for the Common Man
July 24th, 2017: Variations on 'Happy Birthday'
July 10th, 2017: Summer (Presto) from Vivaldi's Four Seasons
July 3rd, 2017: Freelance Fireworks Hall of Fame
June 26th, 2017: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
June 19th, 2017: A Christian Home
June 12th, 2017: Ol' Man River
June 5th, 2017: Choctaw Cowboy
May 29th, 2017: Armed Forces Salute
May 22nd, 2017: Double Bass Concerto No.2 in B minor
May 15th, 2017: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D major
May 8th, 2017: The Army Goes Rolling Along
April 17th, 2017: He Is Alive
April 10th, 2017: Surely He Hath Borne/And With His Stripes/All We Like Sheep
April 3rd, 2017: Here Comes Carolina
March 27th, 2017: 'Spring' from Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons'
March 20th, 2017: Symphony No. 5 ("Reformation") Finale
March 13th, 2017: The Pigeon on the Gate
March 6th, 2017: Finlandia
February 27th, 2017: When I Can Read My Title Clear
February 20th, 2017: William Tell Overture - Finale
February 13th, 2017: 'Romance' from 'The Gadfly'
February 6th, 2017: White Winter Hymnal
January 30th, 2017: Hail, Columbia
January 23rd, 2017: Hail to the Chief
January 16th, 2017: Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
January 2nd, 2017: Auld Lang Syne
December 26th, 2016: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
December 19th, 2016: I Wonder as I Wander
December 12th, 2016: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
December 5th, 2016: A Christmas Festival
November 28th, 2016: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
November 21st: Beethoven's 'Hymn of Thanksgiving'
November 14th: Hymn to the Fallen
November 7th: This World Is Not My Home
October 31st, 2016: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
October 24th, 2016: 'Mars', from 'The Planets'
October 17th, 2016: My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
October 10th, 2016: Spain
October 3rd, 2016: International Harvester
September 26th, 2016: 'The Imperial March' from Star Wars
September 19th, 2016: Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound
September 12th, 2016: Before the Throne of God Above
September 5th, 2016: The Hunt
August 29th, 2016: Liberty
August 22nd, 2016: Summon the Heroes
August 15th, 2016: Bugler's Dream
August 8th, 2016: Olympic Fanfare and Theme
August 1st, 2016: 'Prelude' and 'Parade of the Charioteers' from Ben-Hur
July 25th, 2016: How The West Was Won
July 18th, 2016: Six Studies in English Folk Song
July 11th, 2016: From Everlasting To Everlasting
July 4th, 2016: The Stars and Stripes Forever
June 27th, 2016: Rule, Britannia!
June 20st, 2016: Bugler's Holiday
June 13th, 2016: Ride of the Valkyries
June 6th, 2016: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, Allegro Vivace
May 30th, 2016: Armed Forces Salute
May 23rd, 2016: Paid in Full (Through Jesus, Amen)
May 16th, 2016: Overture from 'Carmen'
May 9th, 2016: L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1 - Prelude
May 2nd, 2016: My God Is a Rock
April 25th, 2016: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
April 18th, 2016: Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A Minor
April 11th, 2016: Fantasia on a 17th Century Tune
April 4th, 2016: Hark The Sound/I'm a Tarheel Born
March 28th, 2016: Rustle of Spring
March 21st, 2016: 'Ode to Joy' sung by a 10,000-voice choir
March 14th, 2016: Hard Times Come Again No More
March 7th, 2016: 'The Suite' from Downton Abbey
February 29th, 2016: Moonlight Sonata
February 22nd, 2016: Liebestraum No. 3
February 15th, 2016: Help Is On The Way
February 8th, 2016: God of Grace and God of Glory
February 1st, 2016: 'My Story'
January 25th, 2016: Israeli Concertino
January 18th, 2016: What Grace is Mine
January 11th, 2016: "Meditation" from Thaïs
January 4th, 2016: Praeludium and Allegro
December 28th, 2015: Appalachian Carol
December 21st, 2015: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
December 14th, 2015: O Holy Night
December 7th, 2015: Christmas Fantasy
November 23rd, 2015: Simple Gifts
November 16th, 2015: Preacher Tell Me Like It Is
November 9th, 2015: Armed Forces Salute
November 2nd, 2015: Amazing Grace
October 26th, 2015: The Harmonious Blacksmith
October 19th, 2015: Liberty Fanfare
October 12th, 2015: The Majesty and Glory of Your Name
October 5th, 2015: Elgar's 'Enigma' Finale
September 28th, 2015: Stayed on Jesus
September 21st, 2015: Great Gate of Kiev
September 14th, 2015: Nearer, My God, To Thee

Fields endorses Pinnell in Lt. Gov. runoff

GOP Lieutenant Governor candidate and former OKGOP chair Matt Pinnell just landed a big endorsement for the runoff -- third-place candidate State Sen. Eddie Fields is throwing his support to Pinnell rather than Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy.

Fields said the following in his endorsement of Pinnell:

“It is my pleasure to endorse Matt Pinnell as Oklahoma’s next Lieutenant Governor. As a third-generation Osage County cattle rancher I know the challenges many Oklahomans are facing first hand. We need someone who will continue to stand up for Oklahomans in all seventy-seven counties, and be an effective ambassador for our state across this country. As a lifetime member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and other agriculture groups, I trust Matt to effectively champion those causes. Matt brings leadership skills and a conservative vision for this state, and I hope you will join me in securing a bright future for Oklahoma by voting for Matt Pinnell on August 28.”

The LtGov primary ended with Murphy at 45.84%, Pinnell at 35.69%, and Fields at 13.74%. Fields did decently well in some important eastern and northern counties, prime territory for Pinnell to make up the gap in the runoff.

Welcome aboard the Pinnell train, Sen. Fields!

Thursday: Muskogee GOP holding Gubernatorial Forum at Lincoln-Reagan Dinner

Muskogee Republicans to host GOP Gubernatorial Forum at 'Lincoln-Reagan Dinner'

The Muskogee County Republican Party will hold its annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner on Thursday, July 19th, at the Muskogee Civic Center. A candidate forum featuring Mick Cornett and Kevin Stitt, the two Republican candidates in the runoff primary election for Governor, will be held. This event will give voters the opportunity to hear Cornett and Stitt discuss and debate the top issues facing Oklahoma. The forum will be moderated by Russell Mills of KRMG. Other local and statewide Republican candidates will also be present to visit with voters. In addition, six $500 college scholarships will be awarded to area students during the event.

The dinner will begin at 6:30pm. Advance dinner tickets are $30 if purchased by Sunday, July 15th, while tickets at the door will be $40. The public is invited to attend. For more information or to purchase advance discount tickets, email MuskogeeRepublicans@gmail.com or call 918-869-8930.

Election Results Map: GOP Gubernatorial Primary

For the latest installment in my Election Results Maps series, we now take a look at the GOP primary for Governor. As is my custom, I try to match primary results map colors to campaign logos when possible, although sometimes I have to differentiate for contrast.

As with every other Republican statewide race with three or more candidates, this one is going to the August runoff. I have maps further detailing the top-3 finishes for the top five vote-getting candidates, which we'll get into right now.

Mick Cornett took the top spot with 29.34%, on the strength of his 45.28% percentage in Oklahoma County; the second highest percentage in the primary (the top went to Todd Lamb in Marshall County at 45.49%). Cornett was over 40% in Cleveland and Payne counties as well. He took "gold" in 24 counties, grabbed "silver" in 14 counties, got "bronze" in 21 counties, and finished fourth or worse in 18 counties (unique among the top three candidates).

Cornett's worst showing was in Choctaw County, where he finished in sixth-place, one vote ahead of Blake "Cowboy" Stephens.

Kevin Stitt edged into the runoff with 24.41% of the vote, a mere 2,494 votes ahead of Todd Lamb. Stitt's top percentage came in Okmulgee, where he won with 34.34%. Tulsa County was his second-highest, with 32.6%. He took gold in 13 counties, silver in 34 counties, and bronze in the remaining 30 counties.

Stitt's worst showing was in Jefferson County, where he was a very distant second with 13.14%.

Todd Lamb came in third with 23.86% of the vote, just 1.3 votes per precinct from getting into the runoff. His top percentage was in Marshall County at 45.49% (top in the race), and Lamb was over 40% in Love, Jefferson, Harper and Dewey counties as well. Lamb won gold in a majority (39) of Oklahoma's 77 counties, garnering silver in 24 counties, and bronze in the remaining 14 counties.

Lamb's worst showing was third-place in Payne County at 18.5%, with three counties (Oklahoma, Logan and Cleveland) at 19%.

Two other candidates won "medals" in the gubernatorial primary: Dan Fisher and Gary Jones.

Fisher won McCurtain County with 26.99% of the vote, took silver in 4 counties, and bronze in 7 more counties. Other than Cimarron County in the Panhandle, all of Fisher's top counties were in southern or southeastern Oklahoma. He had over 10% of the vote in 23 counties. Fisher's worst showing was 3.74% in Harmon County.

Jones got 23.17% and silver in Comanche County, and took bronze in 5 more counties. Jones had over 10% of the vote in eight counties. His worst showing was 1.63% in Harper County.

Of note, Gary Richardson failed to crack the top three in any county, breaking the 10% line in just four counties (Muskogee, Sequoyah, Ottawa, and Cherokee). His top county was Muskogee at 11.73% (fourth-place), while his worst was 1.09% in Major County (seventh-place). Richardson finished behind Blake Stephens in 19 counties.

Blake "Cowboy" Stephens reached 11.84% and fourth-place in Mayes County. Stephens finished ahead of Jones in about eight counties, and ahead of Richardson (as mentioned above) in 19. Other than Mayes County, he had a fifth-place showing in Harper County, but elsewhere was sixth or seventh.

None of the remaining three candidates broke out of the bottom three.