Governor Fallin Signs Key Pension Reform Legislation into Law

Reforms Will Reduce Pension Systems’ Unfunded Liability by Over $5 billion


Governor Mary Fallin yesterday signed several key pieces of pension reform legislation into law at a public bill signing with state leaders. The bills aim to provide a boost to the fiscal solvency of the state’s public employee pension systems, which are currently troubled with $16 billion in unfunded liability. 


“Pension reform is about creating a sustainable future for our state budget and our state retirement systems,” Fallin said. “We can’t keep allowing these systems to go deeper and deeper into debt without serious consequences. By beginning the reform process today, we are helping to ensure that we don’t one day face a crisis scenario where the state is simply unable to deliver on the benefits we’ve promised our retired workers.”


One bill, HB 2132, authored by House Speaker Kris Steele and Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman, would reduce unfunded liability in state pensions by $5 billion by requiring the legislature to provide a funding source for cost of living adjustments (COLA’s). Fallin said the commonsense measure restored fiscal responsibility to the system.
“We can’t promise to increase pension payments without identifying where that money is coming from,” Fallin said.


“That’s the sort of behavior that put the state of Oklahoma $16 billion in the red when it comes to our pension systems. HB 2132 changes that and ensures that any COLA increases are fully funded and fiscally sound.”

Rep. Randy McDaniel
R-Oklahoma City

In addition to HB 2132, Fallin also signed the following pension reform measures into law, all authored by Senator Mike Mazzei and Representative Randy McDaniel:

• HB 1010: increasing the retirement age for new members of the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges (URSJJ) who started work after January 1st of this year. For new members with 8 years of service, the measure increases the normal retirement age from 65 to 67 years old. For new members with 10 years of service, the measure increases the normal retirement age from 60 to 62 years old.
• SB 377:  Raising the normal retirement age for new teachers from 62 to 65 years of age and establishing a minimum age of 60 for full retirement benefits for teachers who meet the rule of 90. Currently, there is no minimum age requirement for those employees whose age and service equals the sum of 90.
• SB 794: Ensuring that elected officials are treated the same as other public employees when calculating retirement benefits. Also, applying the same minimum retirement ages to all new public employees as SB 377 does to new teachers: a minimum age of 60 when the rule of 90 is met and a normal retirement age of 65.
• SB 347: providing for the forfeiture of a municipal officer or employee’s retirement benefits upon conviction of crimes related to their office (bribery, corruption. etc)

Governor Fallin, Legislative Leaders Announce Budget Deal

Governor Mary Fallin, House Speaker Kris Steele and Senate Pro Tempore Brian Bingman today announced a budget agreement laying out a fiscally responsible plan to balance the state budget without raising taxes. Addressing a $500 million shortfall, today’s budget deal relies primarily on targeted budget cuts.

As part of the budget agreement, both the speaker and the pro tem have committed to passing key government modernization bills, including legislation to consolidate several state agencies under the Office of State Finance and legislation to consolidate the state’s Internet Technology services. Both items include projected savings and were included as part of Fallin’s legislative agenda.

Under the proposed FY 2012 budget, cuts to state agencies vary, generally ranging from 1 to 9 percent. Both the governor and legislative leaders made shielding core government functions a priority. For that reason, cuts to the Department of Education (4.1 percent), the Department of Public Safety (4.0 percent) and total spending for Health and Human Services (1.2 percent) are significantly less than cuts to other agencies. Transportation, also identified as a priority, is receiving a 7 percent cut, although the budget proposes a $70 million bond issue that will allow the department to complete its eight year work plan on time.

Governor Fallin said, “At the beginning of this legislative session, I asked lawmakers to send me a plan that accomplishes three things: balance the budget without raising taxes; prioritize spending to protect core government agencies like education, public safety, transportation, and health and human services; and pass legislation that makes our state government smaller, smarter and more efficient.

“This budget accomplishes all of those goals. It makes tough, but realistic spending cuts while shielding government priorities from the highest reductions. Furthermore, I have received a commitment from our legislative leaders that important government modernization efforts will be passed and sent to my desk, so that we can keep our promise to voters to make government operate more effectively.”

Speaker Steele said, “We faced a challenging financial situation again this year, but I am pleased we were able to put our heads together and come up with a balanced budget that protects the core services our citizens expect,” said Steele. “Oklahomans will be pleased with the results this budget will produce."

Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman said, “This budget reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility while preserving core services to the citizens of Oklahoma. We are prioritizing our needs in the areas of public safety, education and transportation funding. I want to thank Governor Fallin and Speaker Steele for their work in this effort, and my Appropriations Chair Senator David Myers for his hard work in leading the Senate budgeting process.”

Other notable items within the budget agreement:

· The budget includes three supplementals targeted at higher education, common education and career technology for a total of $21M.

· The Department of Corrections receives a cut of only .5 percent, preventing further furloughs

· The Human Rights Commission is consolidated into the Attorney General’s Office

Budget Agreement Announced, Agency Cuts Listed

Location:Oklahoma State Capitol Blue Room

Education Issues Discussed On OETA Recently

Rep. Ed Cannaday and I discussed education issues on the OETA show The People's Business hosted by Bob Sands on April 20, 2011.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Legislature Sends Major School Choice Bill To Governor

The state Senate voted this week to increase educational opportunity for needy children through a new scholarship tax credit program.

Senate Bill 969, by state Sen. Dan Newberry and state Rep. Lee Denney, would create the “Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act.”

Under the provisions of SB 969, students meeting financial need requirements or living in school districts identified for improvement under No Child Left Behind will be eligible for scholarships.

“In order to give every student a chance to learn, we must empower students and families with freedom of choice,” said Newberry, R-Tulsa. “This legislation will encourage private sector investment in the success of our low-income children, removing barriers to achievement and helping children build better lives. Expanding choice will create a more fertile climate for learning, improving our education system.”

The bill would allow a tax credit equal to 50 percent of the amount contributed to a scholarship-granting organization up to $1,000 per person, $2,000 per couple or up to $100,000 per business entity.

The total credit authorized could not exceed $1.75 million annually.  

“This legislation provides an opportunity for Oklahomans to help poor children obtain a quality education,” said state Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing. “It provides a much-needed new source of education funding to benefit the students who are most at-risk.”

Scholarships funded through the tax credit program would serve children from low-income families and allow them to attend private schools. The privately funded scholarships would pay up to $5,000 or 80 percent of the average per-pupil expenditure in the school district where the recipient student resides. Scholarships for special needs students under the bill would cover up to $25,000.

UPDATED: House Redistricting Plan Made Public

Update: House District 60, currently held by term limited Rep. Percy Walker, was moved into portions of Canadian and Caddo counties in central and west central Oklahoma. HD 60 currently runs along Oklahoma's western boarder with Texas.

House District 20, currently held by Rep. Paul Roan, was moved from south central Oklahoma in Atoka, Coal and Johnston counties to Cleveland, Garvin and McClain counties just south of the Oklahoma City metro. Rep. Roan is also term limited.


These changes reflect the continuing population shift from rural to urban areas of the state.


Original Post: The proposed State House redistricting maps associated with the Conference Committee Substitute for House Bill 2145 are available to view on the House Redistricting webpage, under the Redistricting Bills tab.


The actual bill language for HB 2145 CCS will be published as soon as the text is reviewed by Bill Processing and proofread for accuracy of population totals. With the new conference committee process in the House, a meeting notice for the Redistricting Conference Committee cannot go out until the CCS is available to post, but the plan is to have a Redistricting Conference Committee meeting on Monday, May 9, after adjournment.


Location:Oklahoma State Capitol, Oklahoma City

Ethics Reform Measure Signed into Law

Legislation increasing the public’s ability to learn the identities of campaign donors has been signed into law.

Rep. Sean Roberts
R-Hominy

House Bill 1776, by state Rep. Sean Roberts, requires major candidates to file a campaign contributions and expenditures report electronically with the Ethics Commission, and requires the report to be posted online.

The legislation applies to all candidates for state office, candidates for municipal office in towns with populations greater than 250,000, and candidates for county office in counties with over 250,000 citizens.

“Today, candidates for many municipal and county races have to raise thousands of dollars and can receive up to $5,000 from just one contributor,” said Roberts, R-Hominy. “House Bill 1776 will ensure that the citizens know who is funding each of those campaigns. It fosters open government by increasing transparency and gives citizens greater ability to scrutinize candidates and officeholders at the local level of government.”

House Bill 1776 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on an 89-5 vote and then cleared the state Senate unanimously. Gov. Mary Fallin signed the bill into law on April 29.

Attorneys Representing Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Students Create Website

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, part of the legal team representing more than a dozen families in the Tulsa area who are suing four school districts, has created a page on its website to provide information about the case.

Parents of thirteen special needs children filed suit in Tulsa federal district court against four public school districts in the Tulsa area that have denied the children scholarships created by House Bill 3393 last session that will help them get specialized education.

The new page is named for the lawsuit Kimery v. Broken Arrow Public Schools.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is a non-profit, public-interest legal and educational institute that protects the free expression of all faiths.

I will continue to provide information related to House Bill 3393, the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act, as well.

Quote

“I make a concerted effort to reach out to students who have traditionally been underrepresented in scientific fields, i.e. our students with special needs and disabilities, our minority students and our young women.”

Michelle Shearer

Maryland high school chemistry teacher named 2011 National Teacher of the Year. She has been teaching at Urbana High School in Frederick, Md. for 10 years. She will be honored by President Obama today. Shearer wrote that she has successfully accommodated students with low vision, dyslexia, dysgraphia, attention deficit disorder and Asperger’s syndrome. In between two teaching stints at Urbana High School, Shearer taught science and math at the Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick.

http://www.herald-mail.com/news/hm-frederick-county-educator-named-national-teacher-of-the-year-20110501,0,6420639.story

School Grade Bill Headed to Governor

Legislation requiring that Oklahoma school districts be issued letter grades based on student performance was sent to Gov. Mary Fallin yesterday afternoon to be signed into law.

Rep. Lee Denney
R-Cushing

"Today, lawmakers moved from talking about education reform to enacting it," said state Rep. Lee Denney, a Cushing Republican who chairs the House appropriations subcommittee on education. "The new letter-grading system will provide parents a measurable, concrete and clear apples-to-apples comparison between local schools. As a result, this measure will help determine both our state’s success stories and areas of need, incentivizing improvement and a better product for all Oklahoma children."

Under House Bill 1456, by Denney, Oklahoma’s public schools would be given an annual grade of "A" to "F" based on student performance on state tests.

Under the legislation, annual reports would be issued giving letter grades to schools based on student performance on the Oklahoma School Testing Program.

The grades would be as follows:
"A" means schools making excellent progress;
"B" means schools making above average progress;
"C" means schools making satisfactory progress;
"D" means schools making less than satisfactory progress; and
"F" means schools failing to make adequate progress.

Under the bill, 33 percent of a school’s grade would be based upon test scores, 17 percent learning gains in reading and mathematics, 17 percent on improvement of the lowest 25th percentile of students in the school in reading and mathematics, and 33 percent on whole school improvement.

For middle school grades and elementary school grades, total school improvement will be based upon the drop-out rate, the percentage of students taking higher level coursework at a satisfactory or higher level, and any other factors selected by the superintendent of public instruction.

"This legislation will make it easier for poorer-performing schools to duplicate the strategies of their successful counterparts, benefiting students all across Oklahoma," Denney said. "All Oklahoma children deserve access to a quality education, and this bill will help make that possible."

The legislation is based on a similar plan in Florida.

In 1999, the first year Florida issued letter grades for schools, there were 515 schools that received an A or B, while 677 received Ds or Fs. Performance continually improved until 2,317 schools received As or Bs in 2009, and just 217 received Ds or Fs.

House Bill 1456 gained final passage in the Oklahoma House of Representatives today on a 59-31 vote and now goes to Gov. Mary Fallin to be signed into law.

Quote

"Chemistry is everywhere, and thus chemistry is for everyone. Everyone. Not just college-bound students, [or] students of a particular ethnic group, or even students of a certain age,"

Michelle Shearer

Maryland high school chemistry teacher named 2011 National Teacher of the Year. She has been teaching at Urbana High School in Frederick, Md. for 10 years. She will be honored by President Obama on Tuesday.

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2011/05/01/maryland-chemistry-teacher-named-best-in-nation

Bipartisan hopes: Hamilton, Denney make the case for opportunity scholarships

by Patrick B. McGuigan, CapitolBeatOK.com

Senate Bill 969, creating an opportunity scholarship program funded by tax credits, passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives last week. State Rep. Rebecca Hamilton of south Oklahoma City, a Democrat, was one of the half dozen legislators who rose to speak in favor of the legislation. 

Republican Lee Denny of Cushing, House author of the measure, closed debate in favor of the measure.

While passage of the bill represents a significant development in the history of education policy in Oklahoma, Rep. Hamilton addressed the issue in terms of the practical effect it will, she believes, have on her constituents. While many of them impoverished, they hope for better education and prospects for their children, she said. 

Rep. Rebecca Hamilton
D-Oklahoma City

In Wednesday’s debate, Hamilton told colleagues, “I am speaking today for the children of House District 89. If I went against this bill, I really feel that I would be a complete ingrate, and I would not be doing what’s right for the people who put me up here and who trusted me with their lives when they did it.

“I represent children (and I mean all of the children that I represent) who go to schools that are essentially factories. Those schools not only do not provide them with the kind of education that they need to have a future, but they destroy their souls while they’re at it. The schools are dangerous. The schools are dehumanizing. You don’t do this to human beings, and yet we do this to human beings. If this bill will help any of those children at all, then I have to vote for it, and I have to speak for it.

“I wish there was a way that we could help them all, and I know that this won’t help them all. But I cannot turn my back on the ones that it will help.

“I have to tell you that since 1980, when I was first elected …, I have introduced many bills to try to do something about the inner city schools, and they were killed every single time. The arguments that were used to kill them were essentially the same arguments that are being used against this bill today.

“I wish that we had a public education system that provided the kind of educational experience for every child in Oklahoma where they had a hope and a future. But it does not, and we do not.

“The number one thing lacking in my district among my children is hope. You take hope away from people, and you destroy them. You take hope away from people, and these are not chimps, these are people, with all the drive and intelligence that is inherent in every human being, and you get something that is dangerous, and destructive, and that ends up costing you a lot more money, if money is what this is all about. Hopeless people are dangerous people. That’s what these schools give these children right now: no hope. That’s what this bill does give them: hope.

“If this bill goes into law, one of the first things I’m going to do is use my letters that we get to send out up here to the kids in my district and say ‘this program is available. I want you to apply for it. If you have problems…’ -- and they will with the paperwork –‘I want you to call my office, and I will help you.’

I am going to contact all of my parents, because my parents are scared, they’re scared of any kind of authority, and I’m going to walk them through it, and convince them that they can do this without fear, because I’ll protect them. I have to tell my constituents that a lot, ‘I will protect you. You can call the police because I will protect you. I will call the police for you’ because they’re scared to do it. ‘You can walk through this, because I will help you.’

“I know that is a very alien thing for some of you with districts where you have constituents who don’t even really need representatives because they can fight for themselves. But that’s what I deal with everyday.

“I’m going to vote for this bill. I co-authored this bill, because I owe that to the people who have trusted me in election after election after election for all these years to come out here and take care of their interest in government. I urge all of you to do the same.”

Rep. Lee Denney
R-Cushing

Rep. Denny closed debate on the issue. She thanked colleagues who had supported the bill, then refuted contentions made by House Minority Leader Scott Inman of Del City, assertions that foreshadowed a press release listing opposition arguments that was circulated in the hours after debate concluded. 

Denny said, “I wanted to start out by refuting what the Representative from Del City said. I don’t know where he read in the bill about cherry picking, or that we’re trying to help private schools. This bill is about helping kids. It was designed to help kids, not schools. We do a lot out here to help schools; this is designed to help kids. It’s designed to help parents of those kids that know that their kids are in a failing situation that’s not working for them, and they want a better opportunity. I don’t know a single parent that doesn’t want what’s best for their kids. Up and down, it has no economic boundaries, it has no socioeconomic, no class boundaries. Parents want what’s best for their kids. 

“This bill opens the door of opportunity for kids [who] are in failing schools, kids that have no hope, kids that are trapped in these poor schools, an opportunity to do better. I don’t know one parent that wouldn’t want to take advantage of this. 

Quote

"I am accountable not only for my students' AP scores, but also for fostering habits of mind such as creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and skills essential to success in college and careers."

Michelle Shearer

Maryland high school chemistry teacher named 2011 National Teacher of the Year. She has been teaching at Urbana High School in Frederick, Md. for 10 years. She will be honored by President Obama on Tuesday.

Parents of Disabled Children Sue Tulsa School Districts For Denying State-Mandated Scholarships

This week, parents of thirteen special needs children filed suit in Tulsa federal district court against four public school districts in the Tulsa area that have denied the children state-mandated scholarships that will help them get specialized education.
The lawsuit, entitled Kimery v. Broken Arrow Public Schools, challenges the decision by Broken Arrow, Jenks, Tulsa, and Union school districts to defy Oklahoma's Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program Act (commonly known as “H.B. 3393”). The Act guarantees parents of children with special needs a scholarship that enables them to send their children to private schools that can tailor instruction to those needs.

The disabled children in the lawsuit suffer from several different disabilities, including autism, Asperger's syndrome (a disorder on the autism spectrum), sensory processing disorders, significant learning disabilities, and many other disorders and disabilities. All of the children were suffering academically in public school. And most of the children have been bullied severely by other children in the public school population. One student was beaten with nunchucks while in public school. Another cried himself to sleep nearly every night due to constant bullying. In some cases the children have been merely “warehoused” by the school districts rather than receiving instruction.

The school districts claim that the scholarships law violates parts of the Oklahoma Constitution, but they have also frequently expressed concerns about losing the additional state funding that follows special needs children. The school districts are the only school districts out of 541 statewide that announced that they would not comply with state law. After being pressured by the state’s Attorney General, the districts changed their position, stating that they would comply with the law and would instead seek a declaratory judgment regarding the constitutionality of the law. But that never happened. Instead, the parents in the lawsuit allege, the districts retaliated against them for seeking scholarships by reducing their awards and significantly complicating their attempts to claim those benefits.

Eric Rassbach, the Becket Fund’s National Litigation Director, said “These school districts put the ‘heartless’ in ‘heartless bureaucrat.’ What kind of public servant holds special needs kids hostage to shore up the school district budget? Are these children supposed to be bullied every day so Jenks Public Schools can hold on to a few extra dollars?” Indeed, these special needs students have been in limbo for nearly four months since the school district announced that they would try to comply with state law. Their on going eligibility for program benefits–the source of their educational resources–has been in doubt.

Some of the provisions relied on by the school districts are the notorious Blaine Amendments. Blaine Amendments are state constitutional provisions enacted in forty states during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century that were designed to thwart the growth of the developing Catholic community in the United States. Today, the Blaine Amendments are interpreted to prohibit all sorts of funding to religious individuals and institutions solely on the basis of their religious identity.

Meir Katz, a Legal Fellow at the Becket Fund and national expert on the Blaine Amendments, said, “These school districts have taken a bigoted law originally designed to punish Catholics and are now using it to punish some of Oklahoma's most vulnerable students.” “What's ironic is that most of these students aren't even trying to attend a religious school. The Blaine Amendments have become a license for governmental abuse; it is about time that the abuse be brought to an end,” he added.

Sen. Jolley comments on House passage of ‘Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act’

Statement from Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, author of SB 529

Sen. Clark Jolley

“Wednesday evening’s House vote in favor of Senate Bill 529, the Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act, is another important step toward protecting the lives of innocent Oklahomans by strengthening our drunk driving laws.

“I want to express my profound thanks to House Speaker Kris Steele and Floor Leader Dan Sullivan for ensuring this bill was heard, along with my House author, Rep. Jason Nelson, for all he has done.

“The title is off, which means the bill will go to conference committee so that all concerns can be fully addressed. My goal with this legislation is that we save lives and never forget the loss that Erin Swezey’s family and so many others in our state have endured needlessly because of drunk driving.”

Legislation to Protect Disabled Adults Signed Into Law

Rep. Pat Ownbey
R-Ardmore

Legislation that would ensure individuals with developmental disabilities are protected in the handful of sheltered workshops that do not contract with the state has been signed into law.
House Bill 1228, by state Rep. Pat Ownbey, would authorize the Department of Human Services to issue, modify and revoke licenses for sheltered workshops. The legislation would also authorize DHS to inspect and evaluate workshops and require criminal background checks for all employees of a sheltered workshop.

“The legislation provides minimal standards for DHS to enforce,” Ownbey said. “These facilities generally have few problems, but because disabled adults are more vulnerable to abuse, I think it is appropriate that there are safeguards in place to ensure their well-being. Many of the sheltered workshops in the state are already overseen by the Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services Division. There is no additional cost for DHS to inspect and license the remaining sheltered workshops that do not contract with the state.”

The new law will take effect on Nov. 1, 2011.

Quotes

"This is a historic Legislature, completely controlled by Republicans for the first time. As such, reforms that were once unprecedented have become commonplace."

Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City

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"It is incredible and unacceptable that Oklahoma taxpayers are paying nearly six times the cost of what comparable groups are spending for that same process. This legislation is designed to fix that."

Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, Author of Senate Bill 541.

A study stated that Oklahoma state government has a significantly higher number of full time employees employed to conduct these operations than peer organizations. Oklahoma processes 2,039 accounts payable occurrences for each employee while peer groups are able to account for 15,693 of these same processes with each employee.

The House approved Senate Bill 541 by a vote of 61-34. The legislation now returns to the Senate for additional consideration.

The state’s multicounty grand jury reconvenes Monday in Oklahoma City

Attorney General Scott Pruitt

The grand jury will meet from Monday, April 18, through Wednesday, April 20, at the Oklahoma County Courthouse.

The multicounty grand jury was requested by Attorney General Scott Pruitt and approved by the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Jan. 27. It will be led by Assistant Attorney General Charles Rogers, chief of the Multicounty Grand Jury Unit for the Oklahoma Attorney General.

The multicounty grand jury has jurisdiction to investigate criminal matters in all 77 counties, assisting local law enforcement as well as handling matters of state interest.

The state’s 12th multicounty grand jury wrapped up in September. It indicted 10 people and assisted 145 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
Grand jurors typically meet to hear testimony two to three days each month.

Testimony before a grand jury is closed to the public. 

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"The people of our state deserve a government that is funded yearly to the extent that is desired without the use of robbing Peter to pay Paul, or selling bond after bond which only adds to the long-term debt of our great state."

Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs, represents District 24 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Governor Mary Fallin Statement on Oklahoma City Bombing Anniversary

Governor Mary Fallin today released the following statement on the 16th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing:

“Sixteen years ago, 168 victims tragically lost their lives in an unimaginable and shocking act of terrorism. Today, we remember the fallen, give comfort to the families left behind and to the survivors. We also again express our appreciation for the rescue workers and first responders who spent countless hours at the scene.

“In the days and weeks after the bombing, the world saw on display our resilient nature as we comforted one another and began the difficult healing process. That community spirit, known as the ‘Oklahoma Standard,’ continues to showcase the generosity, resiliency and loving nature of our citizens even during the most difficult of times.”

House Approves Government Financial Service Reforms

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved legislation designed to transform inefficient state agency financial services systems.

Senate Bill 541, by state Rep. Jason Murphey, (R-Guthrie) and state Sen. Anthony Sykes (R- Moore), was proposed following a report by the Hackett Group, which demonstrated massive inefficiencies in the way state agencies conducts financial services.

The report compared Oklahoma agencies’ financial services processes to those of other public and private sector peer organizations of like complexity. The report demonstrated the inefficiencies by stating that it costs Oklahoma taxpayers $20.05 to process one accounts payable invoice while comparable peer groups pay $3.58 for each similar service.

“It is incredible and unacceptable that Oklahoma taxpayers are paying nearly six times the cost of what comparable groups are spending for that same process,” Murphey declared. “This legislation is designed to fix that.”

The study also stated that Oklahoma state government has a significantly higher number of full time employees employed to conduct these operations than peer organizations. Oklahoma processes 2,039 accounts payable occurrences for each employee while peer groups are able to account for 15,693 of these same processes with each employee.

The House approved Senate Bill 541 by a vote of 61-34. The legislation now returns to the Senate for additional consideration.

Location:Oklahoma State Capitol

The flags at the Capitol will be at 1/2 staff tomorrow, April 19th, in honor of the victims of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

Governor Mary Fallin Signs Funeral Protest Restrictions into Law

Governor Mary Fallin today signed into law Senate Bill 406, a measure adding further restrictions to funeral protests.

Rep. Dustin Roberts

The bill, by Sen. Josh Brecheen of Coalgate and Rep. Dustin Roberts of Durant, would prohibit protests within two hours before or after a funeral. SB 406 also bans such protests from within 1,000 feet of a funeral. Previous law allowed protests to occur within 500 feet.


“Protesting a funeral for political purposes is an abhorrent and disgusting practice,” Fallin said. “While such distasteful protests have been ruled constitutionally protected and cannot be legally prohibited, this legislation will help protect grieving families from people who are looking to exploit their suffering.”

Agreement Reached on Oklahoma Health Insurance Private Enterprise Network

Governor Mary Fallin joined other state leaders late last week in announcing that Oklahoma will establish a Health Insurance Private Enterprise Network to prevent the establishment of a federal health care exchange in Oklahoma.

Working together, leaders were able to address concerns expressed by some by adding specific safeguards into the legislation that will prevent the implementation of a federal health care exchange while creating an Oklahoma-based health insurance network. The Health Insurance Private Enterprise Network, based on a concept by the conservative Heritage Foundation and legislation passed by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2009, will increase access to affordable, private, portable health insurance plans through a free market-based network that offers choice and competition to consumers. The network will be governed by a board consisting of a majority of members from the private sector and chaired by the Insurance Commissioner. The network will be funded through state or private resources. The state will not accept the $54 million Early Innovator Grant.

Governor Mary Fallin: “I’m pleased to announce this agreement that accomplishes my goal from the very beginning: stopping the implementation of the president’s federal health care exchange in Oklahoma. We have addressed concerns expressed by implementing strict safeguards to prevent the implementation of the federal health care exchange while definitively laying out the framework for a free market-based network that will empower consumers by providing a place for individuals, families and small businesses to shop for affordable, quality health insurance plans.”

House Speaker Kris Steele: “Health care coverage is not a one-size-fits-all issue. We need to make all options available to the people. The goal is to equip Oklahomans with the information necessary to make wise decisions. The network will provide a user-friendly tool intended to help people identify a health plan that best fits their individual needs.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman: “This private enterprise network not only offers the people of Oklahoma more options when buying insurance, it will serve as a defensive strategy that protects Oklahoma from the federal health care law. This is Oklahoma’s solution and federalism at work. Our plan is based on the principals of the free market; it will not limit participation, it will increase competition among private plans and offer consumers the ability to shop for their best option.”

Location:Oklahoma State Capitol

House Unveils Congressional Redistricting Plan

House lawmakers have unveiled a proposed congressional redistricting map for the state of Oklahoma.

"The proposed congressional redistricting plan adheres to the basic principles outlined when we began this process," said House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee. "It does not needlessly divide communities of interest, it protects the rights of citizens, and it is carefully constructed to ensure each district has equal population."

"Because we are committed to a sensible redistricting process, the new map is not dramatically different than the old one," said state Rep. Dale DeWitt, R-Braman and chair of the House Redistricting Committee. "Rural districts remain rural and urban districts remain urban, and each district contains an almost identical number of citizens. I believe this plan will easily gain passage in both chambers of the Legislature."

House Bill 1527 creates the "Oklahoma Congressional Redistricting Act of 2011." According to the 2010 Census, Oklahoma’s total population is 3,751,351; therefore, each of the state’s five congressional districts should have approximately 750,270 people.

Agreement Reached on Oklahoma Health Insurance Private Enterprise Network

Governor Mary Fallin today joined other state leaders in announcing that Oklahoma will establish a Health Insurance Private Enterprise Network to prevent the establishment of a federal health care exchange in Oklahoma.

Working together, leaders were able to address concerns expressed by some by adding specific safeguards into the legislation that will prevent the implementation of a federal health care exchange while creating an Oklahoma-based health insurance network. The Health Insurance Private Enterprise Network, based on a concept by the conservative Heritage Foundation and legislation passed by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2009, will increase access to affordable, private, portable health insurance plans through a free market-based network that offers choice and competition to consumers.

The network will be governed by a board consisting of a majority of members from the private sector and chaired by the Insurance Commissioner. The network will be funded through state or private resources. The state will not accept the $54 million Early Innovator Grant.

Governor Mary Fallin: “I’m pleased to announce this agreement that accomplishes my goal from the very beginning: stopping the implementation of the president’s federal health care exchange in Oklahoma. We have addressed concerns expressed by implementing strict safeguards to prevent the implementation of the federal health care exchange while definitively laying out the framework for a free market-based network that will empower consumers by providing a place for individuals, families and small businesses to shop for affordable, quality health insurance plans.”

House Speaker Kris Steele: “Health care coverage is not a one-size-fits-all issue. We need to make all options available to the people. The goal is to equip Oklahomans with the information necessary to make wise decisions. The network will provide a user-friendly tool intended to help people identify a health plan that best fits their individual needs.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman: “This private enterprise network not only offers the people of Oklahoma more options when buying insurance, it will serve as a defensive strategy that protects Oklahoma from the federal health care law. This is Oklahoma’s solution and federalism at work. Our plan is based on the principals of the free market; it will not limit participation, it will increase competition among private plans and offer consumers the ability to shop for their best option.”

Location:Oklahoma State Capitol

Historic Transparency: Steele Announces Standing Conference Committees

Speaker Kris Steele

For the first time in state history, the Oklahoma House of Representatives will have standing conference committees that hold meetings open to the public.

The historic reform, adopted by lawmakers at the start of session, will be implemented next week as conference committee work begins.


"Opening up conference committees represents a major change in the way business is conducted at the state Capitol," said House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee. "The rule changes adopted this year dramatically increase the opportunity for public input into the legislative process and provide greater safeguards against last-minute changes escaping thorough review."


"While the democratic process may be noisy and, at time, contentious, it must also be transparent for the public to have faith in the decisions made at the Capitol," said House Speaker Pro Tempore Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview. "I believe this new process provides far greater openness and accountability as well as common-sense timelines for the end of session allowing adequate opportunity to review legislation. These reforms were needed in the Legislature for decades, and I am proud that lawmakers have been bold enough to enact them this year."

Speaker Pro-Tempore
Jeff Hickman

The conference-committee rule changes are the result of a working group created in November 2010 and chaired by Hickman.


Conference Committee Reforms
When the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill, the legislation is then sent to a joint conference committee where a final version is negotiated. In the past, those conference committees rarely convened in any actual meeting of the members and votes were seldom cast in public.


Under the new process, the House will establish permanent standing conference committees to handle its half of the process. Those permanent conference committees will hold public meetings and all votes will be cast in public. Advance public notice that includes a detailed listing of bills on the agenda will be required for each conference committee meeting.


The House rules will continue to prohibit completely gutting a bill in conference and replacing it with language unrelated to the measure’s original topic.


To provide extra safeguards against such action, no bill can be assigned to a standing conference committee unless the group’s membership includes the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the traditional standing committee that previously heard the measure.


Prior to receiving a vote in conference committee, proposed versions of each bill will be publicly posted online for member and public review with a link to previous versions with changes highlighted.


As in the past, for a bill to emerge from conference committee and receive a vote from the entire Oklahoma House of Representatives, the conference committee report must receive the support of a majority of both the House and Senate members constituting the conference committee.


The reforms also include a hard 24-hour rule that requires a House conference committee report to be filed and posted online for a full day before it can be considered on the House floor. Previously, there was no 24-hour rule during the final two days of session.


The conference committees are as follows:

Governor Mary Fallin Signs Education Reform Bill Eliminating ‘Trial de Novo’

Bill Allows Under-Performing Teachers to be Dismissed without Costly Legal Appeals Process

Governor Mary Fallin today signed into law House Bill 1380, an education reform measure that makes it easier to dismiss underperforming teachers.


Under the current system, tenured teachers who are dismissed by local school boards can appeal that decision in district court. The appeals process, known as “trial de novo,” assures that dismissing underperforming teachers is both a lengthy and expensive process for schools. HB 1380 eliminates “trial de novo” and reforms the system to allow locally elected school boards to let teachers go without a long and costly appeals process.


Fallin said the bill is the first step in a series of education reform measures she is asking the legislature to send to her desk. Fallin had earlier identified the elimination of “trial de novo” as a priority in her State of the State address.


“This is an important measure that brings more accountability to our school system,” Fallin said. “The vast majority of school teachers are quality educators who deserve our appreciation and our thanks. In the limited instances where a teacher is not performing at a sufficiently high level, however, school boards must be given the power to seek a replacement without the fear of an expensive and lengthy legal battle. We owe it to our children and to taxpayers not to throw up legal blockades that keep ineffective teachers on staff.”


“Education studies have shown that a key factor in student performance is the quality and effectiveness of our teachers. Eliminating ‘trial de novo’ will help to ensure that every teacher in the classroom belongs there. This is a great first step as we continue to look at ways to work with parents, teachers and administrators to hold our schools accountable, raise the bar in education and increase student performance. I am extremely hopeful that our lawmakers will continue to send bills to my desk that achieve those results, including legislation to end social promotion and to establish an ‘A-F’ grading system for our schools.”

Governor Mary Fallin Signs Law Reforming Role of Board of Education

HB 2139 Reforms Duties of State Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction

Governor Mary Fallin today signed into law House Bill 2139, a measure that reforms the duties of the state Board of Education and the superintendant of public instruction.


The bill, authored by House Speaker Kris Steele and Senate Pro Tem Brian Bingman, streamlines the operations of the state Department of Education by placing control of the department with the superintendent rather than the state Board of Education.


The bill also clarifies the superintendent’s authority to give advice and make recommendations to the state Board of Education on all matters pertaining to the policies and administration of the public school system. It also directs the state board to submit a budget, as prepared by the state superintendent, to the governor’s office.


“In Oklahoma, the superintendent of public instruction is elected based upon the ideas and agenda they present to voters. And the superintendent – not the unelected Board of Education – should have the power to run the Education Department. This legislation will help to make the department more accountable and responsive to the will of the people,” Fallin said.