Lamb Issues Broad Policy Report on Eve of Session

OKLAHOMA CITY - Lt. Governor Todd Lamb published his 2012 Policy and Issues Report last week. The report contains ideas, advice and suggestions from Oklahomans from every corner of the state. 

In the year since Lamb took office he has visited all 77 counties asking one important question, “What impedes your opportunity for growth?”

Attendees of Lamb’s town hall meetings have included people from all walks of life according to the report. The report is a distillation of what Lamb has heard from those who have attended his meetings. 

The report has been presented to Governor Mary Fallin and legislative leaders before the 2012 legislative session begins. 

The report is divided into two parts. The first is Lamb’s vision for the future of the state. The second contains the many ideas gleaned from his conversations while traveling the state. 

The income tax, education, water and the creation of jobs are among the several topics covered in the report. 

Lamb says the report is intended to spark “further debate and discussion” by legislators as they look for ways to make Oklahoma more competitive economically. 

“Oklahoma is the best state in the nation,” Lamb said. “It’s time we compete with other state in something besides football.”

An online copy of the report can be obtained on the Lt. Governor’s website. 

Lawmakers Study Privatization of State Parks, Golf Courses

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 1, 2011) – Public-private partnerships like those used by the U.S. Forestry Service could be the model for Oklahoma to run state parks more efficiently, the fiscal policy director for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs told lawmakers today.

Jonathan Small
Fiscal Policy Director
Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Jonathan Small, OCPA fiscal policy director and a certified public accountant, said privatizing some park operations is one of the few things the federal government has done right.

“One of the things the federal government has done right is outsource the complete operation of many U.S. Forestry Service federal parks,” Small said. “The U.S. Forestry Service has approximately 300 private concession contracts fully operating hundreds of parks throughout the United States. In many cases, these privatization arrangements have resulted in savings of millions of dollars to states and the federal government.”

Rep. Leslie Osborn
R-Mustang

State Rep. Leslie Osborn said with legislative efforts to reduce the size of state government, privatization is a good tool to avoid elimination of a program or state-owned asset.

“The private sector can run these state parks better than our state government and save taxpayers money that they would probably put to better use,” Osborn said. “I think our state needs to move towards public-private partnerships to run its parks.”

More than 11 million people visited state parks in 2010 and more than 79,000 rounds of golf were played at state golf courses, according to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department’s presentation.

The study also focused on the location of state parks. After Oct. 1, 2011, there will be 35 state-run parks. Ten of these parks are located west of Interstate 35, while 25 parks are located east of the interstate. Only six of the parks are located in the six most populous Oklahoma counties. The state ranks 22 out of 50 states in parks per capita.

State golf courses are 81 percent self-sufficient, but the tourism agency is working to make them 100 percent self-sufficient.

Deby Snodgrass
Director, Oklahoma Tourism &
Recreation Department

Osborn and Small both praised current Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department Director Deby Snodgrass for her efforts to make the operation of state parks more efficient.

“I appreciate the steps Director Snodgrass has taken to reduce costs,” Osborn said. “With Director Snodgrass’s strong leadership, it should be easy for lawmakers to work with her in finding ways to improve the efficiency of the state park system.” 

“Director Deby Snodgrass and the OTRD should be commended for their leadership and effort to operate state parks in an efficient manner that minimizes the use of taxpayer dollars. Increased privatization can add to the success and stewardship that is taking place at the OTRD thanks to the new leadership of Director Snodgrass,” Small said.

Frontier City Theme Park Tickets for People with Disabilities

If you are a person with disabilities over six years of age, you can purchase a $32.99 ticket for Frontier City Theme Park for just $12.  

Sunday, October 16, 2011 from noon till 10 p.m. has been set aside for people with disabilities.  

For more information call 800-299-2811 or 405-282-2811.  A portion of each ticket purchased will be donated to Make Promises Happen camps for people with disabilities.

For more information on this or other events or programs visit the Oklahoma Office of Disability Concerns at http://nelsone.ws/oz1dV0.

Route 66 Signage Project Completed in Oklahoma City

State Sen. David Holt praised completion of an initiative to place signage marking historic Route 66 throughout Oklahoma City. The project was spearheaded by Sen. Holt and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and was a joint project of The City of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

“Just in time for Labor Day road trips, Route 66 is now clearly marked throughout the metro,” said Sen. Holt, R-Oklahoma City. “Route 66 remains a draw for tourists, and Oklahoma City hosts some of its most recognizable landmarks. I appreciate the great work of the City and ODOT in making this project happen. This will help Oklahoma City continue its identification with this global icon.”

The project began in 2007, after pop legend Paul McCartney’s Route 66 road trip through Oklahoma City brought local attention to the continuing global draw that is “the Mother Road.” While serving as Chief of Staff to Mayor Cornett, Holt began exploring what could be done to better mark Route 66 within Oklahoma’s capital city. There are over 23 miles of Route 66 within the city limits of Oklahoma City, but there were only half a dozen signs in the entire city marking Route 66, five of which were at one intersection.

The City chose to mark the route that it had previously named the official Route 66 Scenic Byway. This route is largely the one used during the heyday of Route 66 (1929 – 1954). From west to east, it follows N.W. 36th Street to the N.W. 39th Street Expressway, briefly follows Interstate 44, turns south at May Avenue, turns east at N.W. 23rd Street, turns north at N. Lincoln Boulevard, briefly follows Interstate 44 again until turning north at Kelley. Route 66 then leaves Oklahoma City at just north of Memorial Road before coming back into the City for 3.5 more miles east of Arcadia along N.E. 192nd Street.

Oklahoma City’s Public Information Office created a design for an Oklahoma City-specific Route 66 sign, one that honors the traditional brown historic marker, but places “Oklahoma City” within the shield. Holt worked with Mike Hickey, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association, to identify the landmarks that would receive their own identifying signs. Those landmarks are the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the State Capitol, the Gold Dome, the Milk Bottle, the Lake Overholser Bridge, and Route 66 Park. Welcome signs also mark entrances to Oklahoma City along the route. Oklahoma City’s Streets, Traffic, and Drainage Maintenance Department placed Oklahoma City’s signs.

After being elected to the Senate in 2010, Holt worked with ODOT to place the directional signs needed at the two locations in Oklahoma City where Route 66 follows Interstate 44. After some final adjustments over the summer to ensure that drivers could navigate the route through signage alone, the initiative, four years in the making, is now complete.

Inman, Lockhart lead criticism of park closings

By Patrick B. McGuigan, CapitolBeatOK
Published: 29-Mar-2011 

Yesterday (Monday, March 28), the Oklahoma House Democratic caucus met and voted unanimously to oppose any closings of government-run parks.

In a critique provided to CapitolBeatOK, what was described as “a united urban and rural front” criticized the Tourism and Recreation Department for what Democratic leaders called actions “to unilaterally and without input from the public close seven state parks.”

Scott Inman of Del City, the House minority leader, asked for an official caucus position, and his 30 colleagues supported him. Inman said, “I was concerned given the manner in which the decision was made to close these parks, but even more so when I saw that six of the seven parks targeted for closure were along our Eastern border.

“This appears to unfairly punish rural Eastern Oklahoma, in which countless families rely on these parks for recreation, and the community relies on the parks for revenue. These are public parks, and the public needs to recognize their right to oppose these efforts. All of the Democrats in the House of Representatives have vowed to fight these closures, and we won’t stop until our parks are protected.”

Agency officials have said the parks are slated to close August 15. The agency faces cuts of perhaps 5% in the coming fiscal year, after a 13% reduction in the current year. The agency has said the cuts would save the state up to $700,000 in the near-term, with larger savings over time.