May Revenue Collections Indicate Big Rainy Day Deposit Likely

The depleted state Rainy Day Fund will be replenished with a deposit much higher than projected, based on the pace of revenue collections as the 2011 fiscal year winds down, Office of State Finance Director Preston Doerflinger announced Monday.

"General Revenue Fund collections for May show the state economy is still surging, dwarfing the national unemployment rate and bringing in revenue well above the official estimate," Doerflinger said as he released the OSF’s monthly General Revenue Fund report.

"We won’t know the figure until next month, but it's certain the Rainy Day Fund deposit will be substantially higher than the $71.1 million forecast at the February meeting of the Board of Equalization," he said. "It could easily double that amount."

The fiscal year ends June 30 and the Rainy Day Fund deposit will be made in July. The state's savings account now contains only $2.03 after having a record $596.6 million before the recession set in and the state experienced huge budget shortfalls.

A constitutional amendment adopted by voters in 2010 raised from 10 percent to 15 percent the cap on the amount of money that can be in the Rainy Day Fund, based on the General Revenue Fund certification from the preceding fiscal year.

Gov. Mary Fallin hailed the latest revenue figures and the prospects for a hefty deposit into the Rainy Day Fund.

Local Control: Make Education Spending Portable

“[O]ne of the worst things politicians can do now is lock down school budgets with rules that prohibit administrators from responding creatively to opportunities to get the job done with less money,” blogs Heather Clayton Staker, a Senior Research Fellow and Project Manager for the Education Practice at Innosight Institute. 

Staker advocates making education spending portable. 

“Instead, this era of scarcity requires a political shift in the direction of innovative thinking, particularly with regard to the issue of money portability—the ability to shift cash and resources in more flexible, responsive ways,” Staker writes.

I’ve requested an interim study on giving local school districts more control. 

One suggestion by Staker: "[A] funding mechanism that pays providers by the course, so that students can take courses outside their traditional schools."

This could allow small and rural schools to offer more advanced courses. 

Legislative Leaders Announce Committee To Develop Long-range Water Policy

House Speaker Kris Steele and Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman have ordered the formation of a joint legislative committee to review the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan and develop a long-range state water policy.

The committee will begin working over the legislative interim and continue to work during next year’s legislative session. While the committee’s immediate goal is to review the water plan, its ultimate purpose is to facilitate the development of long-range water policy for Oklahoma.

“Responsible allocation of water – our most precious natural resource – is among the greatest responsibilities we have today to the citizens of tomorrow,” said Steele, R-Shawnee. “The state’s last 50-year water plan is about to expire. We need a new one, and we need it now. With the updated comprehensive water plan nearly complete, we must no longer defer action on this vital issue.”

The committee’s co-chairmen will be Rep. Phil Richardson, R-Minco, and Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa. Its membership will be bipartisan and geographically diverse. Committee members and additional details will be announced later this month.

“To develop a plan that works for all of Oklahoma, we must include all of Oklahoma,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “The committee will take all interests into account, whether they are rural, urban, tribal, or anywhere in between.”

Drafts of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan have been publicly available since April. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board will approve a final version of the plan in October.

“The water board has labored for years to put together a fair, unbiased, evidence-based report on water in Oklahoma. We must allow them to continue their work without the appearance of any premature political influence, so the committee will not be taking any official actions until after the water plan has been finalized,” Steele said. “In the meantime, it is prudent for the Legislature to begin at least reviewing the parts of the plan that are publicly available. The plan is lengthy and complex, so we need to make sure we’re doing our due diligence in preparing ourselves to act upon it next year.”

Steele and Bingman said water policy will be a top priority in the Legislature next year and urged legislators to approach the issue with open minds.

“We simply cannot afford to waste time or play political games with our water policy. It is too important to the future of our state,” Steele said.

“Water policy is a complex and sometimes emotional issue, but I am confident that the leadership and will power exists within this Legislature to meet this challenge,” Bingman said.

A Colorado School Board Creates Private School Choice Program

The Douglas County School Board in Colorado takes the unique step to create its own voucher program. Board members say they wanted to make sure to meet the educational needs of its students by offering school choice options.


This school district is putting students first!

Rep. Nelson Requests Interim Study On Local Control of School Districts

The goal of the study is to determine the best way to give local school districts more flexibility and discretion so that they can better compete in an environment of expanding school choice. 

The study will consider the impact of reducing state mandates on local school districts and teachers, what mandates should be eliminated and under what circumstances. The study will also consider how deregulated districts are monitored and how to measure the effectiveness of more local control. 

Specifically, the study will consider language contained in Senate Bill 264 (2011). 

Tomorrow, June 14 is the deadline for submitting interim study requests. The list of approved studies will be issues no later than July 8. 

Click here to view the current list of interim study requests.

Governor Mary Fallin Joins Other Governors in Releasing Medicaid Reform Principles

Fallin, 28 other GOP Governors Send Letter to Washington

Gov. Mary Fallin

Governor Mary Fallin today joined 28 other GOP governors in announcing seven guiding principles for reforming Medicaid.

The principles will serve as a framework as governors continue working with Congress as it considers how to reform Medicaid.

“Given the flexibility to craft their own solutions, states can meet the health care challenges of their citizens better than a one-size-fits-all plan handed down from Washington,” Fallin said. “These principles will serve as a guide as we work with the federal government to improve the delivery of Medicaid.”

The seven principles are:

1.         States and territories are best able to make decisions about the design of their healthcare systems based on the respective needs, culture and values of each state.

2.         States and territories should also have the opportunity to innovate by using flexible, accountable financing mechanisms that are transparent and that hold states accountable for efficiency and quality healthcare.  Such mechanisms may include a block grant, a capped allotment outside of a waiver, or other accountable and transparent financing approaches.

3.         Medicaid should be focused on quality, value-based and patient-centered programs that work in concert to improve the health of our states’ citizens and drive value over volume, quality over quantity, at the same time containing costs. 

4.         States and territories must be able to streamline and simplify the eligibility process to ensure coverage for those most in need, and states must be able to enforce reasonable cost sharing for those able to pay.

5.         States and territories can provide Medicaid recipients a choice in their healthcare coverage plans, just as many have in the private market, if they are able to leverage the existing insurance marketplace through innovative support mechanisms.   

6.         Territories must be ensured full integration into the federal healthcare system so they can provide healthcare coverage to those in need with the flexibility afforded to the states.

7.         States must have greater flexibility in eligibility, financing and service delivery in order to provide long-term services and support that keep pace with the people Medicaid serves. New federal requirements threaten to stifle state innovation and investment.  In addition, since dual eligibles now constitute 39 percent of Medicaid spending, Medicare policies that shift costs to the states must be reversed and the innovative power of states should be rewarded by a shared-savings program that allows full flexibility to target and deliver services, which are cost-effective for both state and federal taxpayers.


From the letter:

"The first step for a successful Medicaid transformation is the full repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act...."

"...we have witnessed over the years as federal funding has expanded, so has federal control."

"...states have been caught in more intensive federal constraints that add little to the value or quality of services being delivered...."

"...states have proven themselves to be the real innovators in health care delivery while the federal government has operated Medicaid in a very prescriptive manner."

"States should not have to seek waivers to manage their unique programs."

"Even prior to the PPACA, Medicaid had become one of the most challenging components of the budget puzzle, consuming between 15 to 25 percent of most state spending."

"This consumption of state resources is crowding out other essential services such as education, public safety and even public health. This is not sustainable."

Updated: Civil Rights Leader Clara Luper to Lay in Repose

Civil rights activist Clara Luper will lay in repose on the first floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol on Thursday June 16, 2011 from noon till 4 p.m. The capitol is a public building and Oklahomans and well-wishers are invited to visit and pay their respects.

Governor Fallin released the following statement:

“Clara Luper was an Oklahoma hero and I am pleased we are able to honor her here at the capitol building. Her leadership and commitment to equality and justice will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with her family as we remember her life and her many accomplishments.”

Speaker Announces Pension Committee

As part of continued work to reform Oklahoma’s pension system, House Speaker Kris Steele has ordered the formation of a select House oversight committee on pensions. 

The committee will hear all House interim studies approved on pension matters. Among the issues up for review are how pension system investments have been handled, the way assets have been allocated from the pension systems and pension funding formulas.

“While this year has been a positive, defining one for pension reform, we know we must do more,” said Steele, R-Shawnee. “We have reason to believe past pension system investments and other financial policies may have further imperiled an already strained pension system in ways that warrant serious attention. This committee will determine precisely what problems exist and how Oklahoma can continue improving its pension system.”

Rep. Randy McDaniel, R-Oklahoma City, will serve as chairman of the bipartisan committee. Other committee members and details will be announced later this month.

KWTV Story: Paralympic Athletes Compete At UCO This Weekend

KFOR News Story About Newest School Choice Option in Oklahoma

 

Link Between Taxpayer Spending On Higher Ed And Economic Growth Challenged

CapitolBeatOK Staff Report - Published: 10-Jun-2011


Despite years of claims to the contrary, a new study by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity has found that increased investment in higher education does not yield economic growth.


The report, “Oklahoma Higher Education: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom,” dispels the notion that more funding for public colleges and universities is necessary to spur economic development, for a variety of reasons.


In a statement sent to CapitolBeatOK on Friday (June 10), co-author Matthew Denhart said, “Oklahoma’s colleges and universities are not starving for funds. Rather than asking taxpayers to continually foot larger and larger bills for higher education, it’s time for the state’s colleges and universities to reevaluate their priorities and invest their resources more strategically.”


The study found that while revenues and expenditures have grown rapidly at Oklahoma’s universities during the last decade, expenditures are highly inefficient and contribute little to educational attainment, graduation rates remain embarrassingly low and out-migration of the students who do graduate remains alarmingly high.


According to the report, only 40 percent of total revenues at four-year public universities in the state are spent on areas related to student instruction. Instead, revenues are directed toward administration, research and “public service,” areas that have little direct impact on student achievement.


The authors conclude that not only are expenditures highly inefficient, but the lack of a rigorous curriculum and engagement among college students nationwide leads to high dropout rates.

Ritze Questions City Restrictions on Allergy Medicines

State Rep. Mike Ritze plans to request the Office of the Attorney General to determine the legality of new restrictions on the sale of allergy medicines imposed by city governments.

Recently, the cities of Wagner and Holdenville have passed ordinances that prevent citizens from purchasing over-the-counter allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine without a prescription.

Similar legislation failed to become law this year at the Legislature.

Supporters allege the regulations will interfere with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Ritze, a physician and surgeon with a Master's Degree in Forensic Science, questions that assumption.

“Like all Oklahomans, I recognize the problem created by meth production in our state,” said Ritze, a Broken Arrow Republican who is vice-chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety. “However laws to require a prescription of Sudafed-type products would not only create a potential huge cost to patients, but may also add to the already overburdened healthcare system. These restrictions will force the thousands of allergy sufferers in Oklahoma to clog doctors’ offices or, even worse, drive them to the emergency room for basic care.”

Ritze noted the state already tracks pseudoephedrine sales in real time and that the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) has a computer system that keeps a record of every sale. That system is used to prosecute criminals who buy and re-sell pseudoephedrine to make meth.

Ritze said one possible solution is to restrict the production of pseudoephedrine in a format that reduces it to an inert compound that can be crushed and used for meth production, or lawmakers could disallow the sale of tablet forms of the drugs and only allow the sale of liquid forms.

“Requiring prescriptions for pseudoephedrine will not solve our meth problems,” Ritze continued. “Rather, we need to use the available tracking information to identify and find those who are consistently buying the limit to stop meth production.”

In his request to the Office of the Attorney General, Ritze will ask the following three questions:

Do municipalities, towns or cities have the authority under state law to adopt such an ordinance?
Do municipalities, towns or cities have the authority to enforce such ordinance?
Do municipalities, towns or cities have the authority to pass an ordinance to allow a particular drug that is presently prescription only no longer require a prescription?

Oklahoma Department of Education Renews Exchange Partnership with Académie d’Amiens in France

State Superintendent Janet Barresi interacted with French education officials via a live video feed yesterday to mark the renewal of a cultural exchange project with the Académie d’Amiens, a regional education agency located in northern France.

On Friday, June 10 at 9 a.m. in the State Board of Education boardroom, Superintendent Barresi held a video conference with Amiens officials. Both parties signed a new memorandum of understanding to renew the partnership.

Superintendent Barresi and her counterpart, the Rector of the Académie, also exchanged remarks about the partnership. Académies are the French equivalents of state departments of education in the United States. The Académie d’Amiens includes three smaller divisions in the region of Picardy.

Ownbey Requests Study of Tornado Shelter Need and Available Incentives

State Rep. Pat Ownbey has requested a legislative study to determine how the state can better incentivize greater access to storm shelters during severe weather.

“Oklahoma is tornado central; we just saw another set of devastating tornadoes hit the center of the state recently,” Ownbey (R-Ardmore) said. “I think it is important to see what the best options we have to address tornado deaths, to see if there isn’t something we can do to better protect Oklahomans.”

Multiple tornadoes touched down on May 24, damaging the Chickasha, Canton Lake and Piedmont communities and resulting in several deaths. However, it was the Lone Grove tornado that brought the issue to Ownbey’s attention, he said.

“The Lone Grove tornado took the lives of several Oklahomans,” Ownbey said. “Lives could have been saved if there had been greater access to tornado shelters.”

In 1999, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began the Oklahoma Residential Shelter Initiative. The rebate program was funded with $12 million in federal hazard mitigation funds. It resulted in the creation of 6,016 safe room shelters throughout Oklahoma.

In 2003, Oklahoma authorized Operation Safe Room, which was a similar rebate program giving more than $3 million in rebates by paying 75 percent of the cost of a storm shelter, up to a $2,000 maximum. Residents were given 30 days to register with the program and had to complete construction within 14 months.

That same year, the Tornado Shelters Act authorized the use of community development block grant funds for the creation of tornado shelters in manufactured home parks.

Storm shelter registries exist in many Oklahoma cities and counties, but there is no single statewide point of contact. These registries are voluntary and are designed to assist emergency workers find people who have survived severe weather in their storm shelter but may be trapped by debris and unable to leave.

“These are just some of the programs and issues we will examine in the study,” Ownbey said. “I think there may already be some opportunities to increase the number of shelters in Oklahoma.”

State Superintendent Janet Barresi Announces IT Restructuring Plan

More than $4 Million in Savings Projected

State Superintendent Janet Barresi this week unveiled a comprehensive information technology restructuring plan in concert with the Office of State Finance projected to save the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) more than $4 million over the next six years and nearly $650,000 in fiscal year 2012.

“In this tight budget environment, we owe it to Oklahoma’s children and the state’s taxpayers to make every penny count,” said Superintendent Barresi. “Earlier this year, I unveiled a comprehensive policy platform to transform education in our state. The 3R Agenda will rethink, restructure and reform Oklahoma’s education system. Today’s announcement on our technology plan is a major part of the second ‘R,’ restructuring. We’re achieving cost savings right away, and operating this agency in the most efficient and effective manner possible.”

“As I’ve said before, much of our state government operates on eight-track technology in an iPod world,” said Governor Mary Fallin. “Our proposal to consolidate IT resources will lead to significant savings for Oklahoma taxpayers while allowing agencies to maintain and even improve the quality of services they provide to taxpayers. This is a great step forward as we work to make government more efficient and effective, and I commend Superintendent Barresi and the Department of Education for taking the lead in this effort.”

Attorney General and State Auditor Release Investigative Audit of Broken Arrow Public Schools

Audit reveals possible criminal violations

Attorney General Scott Pruitt

Attorney General Scott Pruitt and State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones today released an investigatory audit of Broken Arrow Public Schools. The audit, which was requested by the Attorney General’s Office in late 2010, outlines several allegations of competitive bidding act violations and malfeasance by public officials.

The audit is the second review of Broken Arrow Public Schools by the state auditor and was requested by the Attorney General’s Office after an initial audit was deemed unsatisfactory.

The investigative audit covers multiple areas of interest between July 1, 2006 and March 31, 2009. Following a thorough review, the Attorney General’s Office found possible criminal violations in at least two areas – open records and special favoritism for vendors. The AG’s Office will continue a criminal investigation in these areas, and pursue those criminally responsible, if warranted.

The 84-page audit is the result of months of work by investigative auditors from the state auditor’s office.

“We’ve been working diligently to complete this audit since taking office on Jan. 10,” Jones said. “A report of this type seeks to answer numerous questions. Auditors identify possible violations of policy or statute, and offer recommendations to assist the public entity in improving its internal practices to better safeguard public assets. I am confident in our findings.”

An investigatory audit or “18f” is requested of the state auditor by the attorney general to assist the attorney general in an investigation. Unlike regular or other financial audits,
18f audits are part of the investigation and litigation files of the Attorney General’s Office and are kept confidential to preserve the integrity of the investigation until it’s complete or criminal charges are filed.

In the audit of Broken Arrow Public Schools, two objectives have been temporarily redacted. Once the AG’s office has completed its independent criminal investigation into these specific matters and a conclusion has been reached, those portions of the investigatory audit will be made public.

“In the interest of transparency and for the sake of those who were falsely accused, we felt it important to release the vast majority of the audit prior to our completed investigation,” Pruitt said. “My office will continue to review allegations of wrongdoing in the remainder of the audit and seek prosecution of individuals who are criminally responsible.”

The audit was estimated to cost the district about $40,000. Broken Arrow Public Schools was billed and has paid $39,868.17 as of Jan. 10 when Auditor Jones took office. A decision was made by the State Auditor’s Office to stop all additional billing as of that date and complete the report with no additional costs to the school district.

Link to audit: http://db.tt/rLRsLDS

UPDATED: Oklahoma Tornado Recovery Continues

White House approves Gov. Fallin’s request for Tornado assistance

More counties may be added to the declaration as additional damage, unmet financial needs identified 

Oklahoma City – The White House yesterday approved Gov. Mary Fallin’s request for federal disaster assistance related to the May 22-25 tornadoes. Ten people were killed and more than 1,000 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed in the violent storms.

The announcement means individuals and business owners in Canadian, Delaware, Grady, Kingfisher, Logan and McClain counties who were impacted by the tornadoes may now qualify for disaster aid.  More counties may be added to the declaration as additional damage and unmet financial needs are identified.

The assistance may include help with housing repairs or temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

To apply for disaster assistance, individuals and business owners may call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go online at www.disasterassistance.gov

Emergency management officials continue to gather information to request public assistance for infrastructure repairs and response costs in areas impacted by the storms.

A Meeting for Those Waiting for Developmental Disability Services Scheduled Thursday

The next quarterly Waiting List Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 9 from 2 - 4 p.m. in the Sequoyah Building basement meeting room C-47. The Sequoyah Building is located immediately northeast of the State Capitol Building.

The State of Oklahoma offers services to its citizens who have developmental disabilities. These services are designed to help improve their lives and allow them to live in their homes and communities.

Home and community based services are offered so that these individuals don't have to go into an institution. These are referred to as waivered services and are provided where the individual lives. The Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) of OKDHS administers the program services. 

Currently the program does not have the resources necessary to serve everyone that applies.   When a new person applies they are placed on the waiting list. There are now more people on the waiting list than are receiving waivered services - more than five thousand. The agency has not been able process a new application in more than five years. 

Several years ago the Waiting List Meetings were started through the encouragement of a family member whose child was waiting for waived services. The new director of OKDHS, Howard Hendrick, agreed and the meetings began.

The Waiting List Meetings are an opportunity for Director Hendrick, administrators of DDSD and other public and private program administrators to hear from individuals and family members stuck on the waiting list. 

Those seeking waivered services are given the opportunity to share the challenges they face due to the wait for services. Director Hendrick and program administrators use the opportunity to help find other services and supports to assist during the wait for waivered services. The meetings are an important time for administrators to hear first-hand about the impact the wait has on those seeking these important services.

The meetings are open to anyone and if you are affected by the delay in services you are encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like to ask a question please e-mail Wanda Felty, the waiting list facilitator, at wfelty@okphotopros.com.

Please visit the Waiting List website for more information. 

Multicounty Grand Jury Indicts Five Oklahomans

Indictments unsealed in Oklahoma, Harper, Pittsburg and Cleveland counties

Attorney General Scott Pruitt

Attorney General Scott Pruitt last week released the last of four sealed indictments in Cleveland County via the multicounty grand jury. The indictments were issued from the latest session of the grand jury, which ended May 22.

The indictments include counts related to gambling, embezzlement and pornography on a state computer.

“The multicounty grand jury is a critical tool that provides leadership and assistance to local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of a broad range of cases,” Pruitt said. “I commend the assistant attorneys general who are leading this effort and the grand jurors for their continued sacrifice and dedication to this public service.”

The four indictments are as follows:

Lawmaker Requests Temporary Licensing of Doctors Displaced by Joplin Tornado

Rep. Doug Cox
R-Grove

State Rep. Doug Cox called on Gov. Mary Fallin last week to issue a directive that would allow physicians displaced by the Joplin tornado to obtain temporary Oklahoma medical licenses free of charge so they can see and treat their patients in Northeast Oklahoma facilities.

Cox (R-Grove), who is an emergency room physician and the medical director at the Integris Grove hospital, said Missouri patients are coming to both the Integris Grove and Miami hospitals because they cannot get in to see their regular physician. The two hospitals took on numerous victims of the tornado, he said.

“The Joplin tornado destroyed medical facilities and offices, making it impossible for patients to see their doctors,” Cox (R-Grove) said. “We’ve been seeing patients in our emergency room for everything from routine care to prescription refills. I think that it is imperative that we do what we can to help these displaced doctors and their patients. Arkansas and Kansas have already taken this step and I would like to see Oklahoma step up to the plate as well.”

Cox praised Fallin for issuing a state of emergency, which allowed pharmacies to refill non-narcotic prescriptions for 30 days without doctor authorization.

“I would like to thank Governor Fallin for the action she has already taken,” Cox said. “Integris Grove is standing by to help these doctors and patients in any way we can. I hope the governor will take this next step, so that we can do more to help out the people of Missouri in any way we can. I am sure they would do the same for us.”

Governor Fallin names education appointments

Patrick B. McGuigan at www.CapitolBeatOK.com (Published: 03-Jun-2011)

Governor Mary Fallin has appointed four members to the Teacher Leader and Effectiveness Commission. The nominations occurred on May 25, in the midst of a wave of May nominations. The re-formed commission takes the place of the “Race to the Top” Commission.

CapitolBeatOK learned about Fallin’s choices while examining a total of 120 executive appointments she made through May 31. Earlier in May, the governor formalized a handful of other education-related appointments.



The quartet named in late May includes Ginger Tinney, executive director of Professional Oklahoma Educators, the Sooner State’s non-union professional organization for public school classroom teachers.

In an interview with CapitolBeatOK today (Friday, June 3), Tinney said she appreciated the governor’s confidence and looked forward to the work. She commented, “The Teacher Leader and Effectiveness Commission is an extremely important commission and I look forward to representing the views of Oklahoma teachers.”

Tinney continued, “I’m grateful that Governor Fallin has asked me to serve and that she wants to have the views of teachers heard as the historic work of this commission will certainly affect all educators. I know that reforming education is a high priority for Governor Fallin. The Governor has communicated the vital importance a good education gives each and every student in Oklahoma.”

Tinney concluded, “Teachers know the important jobs they do every day in the classroom will determine the future of Oklahoma and our nation. I welcome this opportunity to be a part of this prestigious commission.”

According to Governor Fallin’s staff, Tinney was named to serve “at the pleasure of the Governor, filling a new position.” She “represents one of the three largest statewide organizations representing active public school teachers.”

Secretary of Education Phyllis A. Hudecki, a member of Governor Fallin’s cabinet, was also named to the panel on which Tinney will serve. Joining the two women on the commission are Robert J. “Bob” Ross, and Ben T. Robinson.

Ross is director of two well-known charitable organizations, the Inasmuch Foundation, and the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation. He fills a new position and will represent the educational philanthropic sector on the commission.

Robinson filled a new post, and represents educators in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). He serves as vice president for institutional advancement at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics in Oklahoma City. Robinson is also the owner of an aerospace industry consulting firm.

Twelve-Month Receipts Top $10 Billion

The State Treasurer’s May revenue report shows Oklahoma’s economy has made up more than one-third of the dollars lost during the Great Recession, State Treasurer Ken Miller said today.


Milestone Reached
Twelve-month receipts ending in May are $10.071 billion, marking the first time since August 2009 that the 12-month total has topped $10 billion.

Treasurer Ken Miller

“Oklahoma’s economy has made great strides in the past year,” Miller said. “We see improving health in virtually every economic sector measured by revenue collections. The latest report on unemployment also brings good news. With April’s preliminary rate set at 5.6 percent, the report shows that our private sector continues to add much needed jobs as we try to get back to full employment.”


The last time Oklahoma’s unemployment rate was lower was in February 2009, when it was 5.5 percent. The lowest unemployment rate for Oklahoma in the past 35 years is 2.8 percent recorded in December 2000.


Revenue collections peaked in December 2008 with a 12-month total of $11.283 billion. Totals dropped steeply during the next 13 months, bottoming out in February 2010 at $9.364 billion. Each month since then, receipts have increased at a slightly accelerating pace.

Broken Arrow PS Expresses Philosophical Concern About Individual Focus of Scholarship Program

The philosophical issues Broken Arrow Public Schools has with the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act are the focus of a Broken Arrow Ledger news story posted yesterday on BALedger.com.

The story by News Editor Nour Habib highlights the changes to the program passed this session in House Bill 1744.  It also discusses  Broken Arrow Public Schools' continued opposition to the special education scholarship program because of "philosophical issues." The program is designed to provide more options to parents of students who are on an Individualized Education Program through the school district.

"It seems the official with Broken Arrow schools doesn't support the program because the school will lose the funding for that student, " said State Rep. Jason Nelson (R-Oklahoma City). "Their rationale is a student that is not being adequately served must stay at the school so  the school can keep the funds regardless of what is best for that student. Stated another way, it’s acceptable for a few students to receive a less than adequate education as long as the school still gets the funding for those few students so  other students can benefit.”

Dwayne Thompson, Chief Financial Officer for BAPS, is quoted in the story as saying:

"Instead of being vague about public schools not doing their job and funneling away more of their resources, educators and legislators need to work to improve our public school system, rather than undermining it in the name of ‘equal opportunity.'"

"Every child having an 'equal opportunity' for a good education is clearly not their focus," Nelson responded.

"The program is not 'vague' about the expectations," Nelson continues. "If a child on an IEP is not being educated to his or her full potential the parents have the option, through the scholarship program, to send their child to a qualified private school they believe will do a better job. Those are the expectations of the program: Children deserve to be educated to their full potential." 

Thompson complains to Habib that the program has problems because public and private schools are not "on a level playing field." He continues to be quoted in the story: 

"If the private schools they go to are under the same regulations, the same requirements, the same testing, all the same things we're responsible to do as a public school, let's compete and see who does the best job."

Rep. Nelson supports competition. The story by Habib quotes Nelson as saying:

"I see us needing school choice, but at the same time we have got to free up public schools to be more creative and innovative in the way they provide education." 

Nelson is the principal author in the House of Representatives of Senate Bill 264. He amended the bill in April to give local school boards and administrators greater freedom from state regulations and mandates so school districts have flexibility to meet the unique needs of their students. 

"Opponents of SB 264 raised questions about whether local school boards and administrators would use the unprecedented ability to make decisions to benefit students or would they abuse the freedom in a way that harms children," Nelson said. "Because of these questions we ran out of time to get the bill passed in the House of Representatives before the session ended." 

"When the legislature returns next session SB 264 is only one step from being sent to the governor for signature," Nelson added. "I don't remember hearing from BAPS in support of SB 264. It makes me wonder if the 'equal playing field' argument is a real problem or just an excuse." 

Special Election Dates for Senate District 43 Set by Governor

By Patrick B. McGuigan at www.capitolbeatok.com (Published: 01-Jun-2011)

 

The process of replacing state Sen. Jim Reynolds in District 43 has begun, according to news from Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax. 

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin today (Wednesday, June 1) set the special primary election for August 9. 

The special general election will be October 11. Governor Fallin’s proclamation on matter is now posted online.

Candidate filing will be June 13, 14 and 15 in Room B-6 of the state Capitol Building. District 43 includes parts of Cleveland and Oklahoma Counties. 

Click here to read entire story at CapitolBeatOK

Stiles Bill Protects the Custody Rights of Deployed Military Personnel

Rep. Aaron Stiles
R-Norman

State Rep. Aaron Stiles praised Gov. Mary Fallin for signing legislation designed to ensure deployed parents will not lose the custody of their children while serving the country.

House Bill 1603, by Stiles (R-Norman), bans military deployment as a reason to modify custody, bans courts from entering final orders while the deployed parent is deployed, provides for remote electronic hearings and allows deployed personnel to designate a family member to exercise visitation and enforce custody.

“I’ve seen in my law practice where a service member will be deployed and will come home to find his son or daughter trained to call someone else his ‘new Daddy’,” Stiles said. “This is a sad occurrence. This bill will give the service members more power to stop this type of scenario from happening. The legislation ensures service members’ custody and visitation rights are protected while they are deployed.”

Stiles said that losing custody and visitation rights should not be one of the sacrifices service members have to make to serve the country.

“Our military men and women already sacrifice time with their families,” Stiles said. “They shouldn’t have to lose their rights to see their families when they are home because they were not present to defend those rights.”