OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry will sign a measure designed to stabilize the struggling Teacher Retirement System, his spokesman said late Friday.
Paul Sund, Henry's communication director, confirmed the governor would put his signature on Senate Bill 357 at a Monday afternoon signing ceremony.
"We are doing a signing ceremony Monday," Sund said in an e-mailed statement.
Designed to pump more than $200 million over the next five years into TRS, the proposal requires school districts to increase the amount of retirment contributions they make to TRS, provided the Legislature supplies the additional funding.
The bill, lawmakers said, also ensures the system's dedicated revenue sources -- such as personal, corporate, income, sales tax and use tax -- are not reduced regardless of economic downturns or tax cuts.
Currently the Teacher Retirement System is underfunded by more than $7 billion.
Henry said he would sign the bill because fixing TRS was one of his "top priorities."
"Addressing the unfunded liability of the Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System was one of my top priorities this legislative session, and I look forward to signing the legislation into law," he said Friday afternoon. "Our teachers perform an invaluable service for the state, and the least we can do is provide them with a stable pension system."
The measure also was supported by Henry's chief budget negotiator, State Treasurer Scott Meacham. Meacham said SB 357 would "go a long way toward fixing the huge unfunded liability" of the system.
However, area school officials, speaking Wednesday, were more cautious.
"We kinda like it,' said Moore Superintendent Deborah Arato, "as long as it's funded in the way lawmakers say."
While Arato said she believed the measure would help the system, she said she was concerned about the funding source.
"We just feel, we want to make sure there is a revenue source. We'd like to know the plan for the revenue source that will be used to compensate the schools."
When fully implemented in 2010, SB 357 will earmark about $60 million a year into the TRS.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
Sparks opposed to jail bill
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A state Senate bill that would prevent a county detention center from being built along Franklin Road is nothing more than and attempt "to micromanage the business of Cleveland County," an area lawmaker said Monday.
State Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman, said Senate Bill 896 was a bad idea and would cause problems for taxpayers.
"It is not the role of the Oklahoma State Senate to micromanage the affairs of Cleveland County," Sparks said earlier this week. "The Oklahoma Legislature is charged with the responsibility of crafting laws and policy for the entire state."
The bill, by state Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, and state Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, would prevent commissioners from building a new jail facility along Franklin Road and, instead, force the commission to either expand the current facility or build a new jail within one mile of the old one, in downtown Norman. The Cleveland County Detention Center is in Sparks' Senate District 16.
"Let me be clear," Sparks said. "I am opposed to SB 896, and I am urging Senator Nichols and Representative Terrill to withdraw the legislation."
If the bill remained alive, Sparks said he would urge senators to vote "no."
"Several individuals have contacted me regarding SB 896 and its effect on Cleveland County's efforts to construct a new jail," he said. "Many have mistaken my silence on the issue for support of SB 896. In fact, the practical result in our county would be counter-productive to the bill's authors' stated purpose regarding the safety and security of the citizens of Cleveland County. The passage of this bill would also create an undue burden on the taxpayers."
Local issues, Sparks said, should be resolved locally.
"They (county commissioners) were elected to make this and other decisions regarding the business of Cleveland County," he said. "Cleveland County commissioners don't have to get my, or any other Senate or House member's, permission regarding the way they are doing their jobs. If certain individuals -- including House and Senate members -- don't approve of the job the commissioners are doing, they are free to run for the office of county commissioner."
Sparks also scolded Terrill and Nichols for complaining that they "were not included in the discussion" about the new jail.
"It has been suggested the county commissioners should have contacted the Senate and House members representing Cleveland County not only to obtain their input on the issue, but to be the final word on the decision," Sparks said. "While I may have an opinion regarding the location of the new jail, I was not elected to make this decision. I have not worked on this issue, and I do not have the information to make such a decision."
Despite repeated attempts, Nichols could not be reached for comment Monday.
Should the bill become law, Sparks said it would cause problems for area taxpayers.
"The passage of SB 896 also would increase the likelihood that the jail would be built close to the current Cleveland County courthouse in downtown Norman."
If that occurred, Sparks said, there would be six public schools within a mile of the proposed downtown jail site. "In fact, about 85 percent of Norman Public Schools students will attend school within two miles of the proposed downtown site," he said.
Sparks said the bill also would force Cleveland County "to build an expensive multi-story designed jail due to exorbitant land cost" and unnecessarily hit the wallet of every taxpayer. "The old, outdated, multi-story design requires extra staff and money to monitor each floor. We have all seen the problems such a facility has caused Oklahoma County."
The proposed new downtown jail would be only 40 feet from a 100-year-old neighborhood, Sparks said.
"These are just a few of the many issues the county commissioners must consider while making their decision regarding the location of the new jail. When it comes to the new jail, I am confident our county commissioners can, and will, make the best decision for all of us in Cleveland County."
State Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman, said Senate Bill 896 was a bad idea and would cause problems for taxpayers.
"It is not the role of the Oklahoma State Senate to micromanage the affairs of Cleveland County," Sparks said earlier this week. "The Oklahoma Legislature is charged with the responsibility of crafting laws and policy for the entire state."
The bill, by state Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, and state Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, would prevent commissioners from building a new jail facility along Franklin Road and, instead, force the commission to either expand the current facility or build a new jail within one mile of the old one, in downtown Norman. The Cleveland County Detention Center is in Sparks' Senate District 16.
"Let me be clear," Sparks said. "I am opposed to SB 896, and I am urging Senator Nichols and Representative Terrill to withdraw the legislation."
If the bill remained alive, Sparks said he would urge senators to vote "no."
"Several individuals have contacted me regarding SB 896 and its effect on Cleveland County's efforts to construct a new jail," he said. "Many have mistaken my silence on the issue for support of SB 896. In fact, the practical result in our county would be counter-productive to the bill's authors' stated purpose regarding the safety and security of the citizens of Cleveland County. The passage of this bill would also create an undue burden on the taxpayers."
Local issues, Sparks said, should be resolved locally.
"They (county commissioners) were elected to make this and other decisions regarding the business of Cleveland County," he said. "Cleveland County commissioners don't have to get my, or any other Senate or House member's, permission regarding the way they are doing their jobs. If certain individuals -- including House and Senate members -- don't approve of the job the commissioners are doing, they are free to run for the office of county commissioner."
Sparks also scolded Terrill and Nichols for complaining that they "were not included in the discussion" about the new jail.
"It has been suggested the county commissioners should have contacted the Senate and House members representing Cleveland County not only to obtain their input on the issue, but to be the final word on the decision," Sparks said. "While I may have an opinion regarding the location of the new jail, I was not elected to make this decision. I have not worked on this issue, and I do not have the information to make such a decision."
Despite repeated attempts, Nichols could not be reached for comment Monday.
Should the bill become law, Sparks said it would cause problems for area taxpayers.
"The passage of SB 896 also would increase the likelihood that the jail would be built close to the current Cleveland County courthouse in downtown Norman."
If that occurred, Sparks said, there would be six public schools within a mile of the proposed downtown jail site. "In fact, about 85 percent of Norman Public Schools students will attend school within two miles of the proposed downtown site," he said.
Sparks said the bill also would force Cleveland County "to build an expensive multi-story designed jail due to exorbitant land cost" and unnecessarily hit the wallet of every taxpayer. "The old, outdated, multi-story design requires extra staff and money to monitor each floor. We have all seen the problems such a facility has caused Oklahoma County."
The proposed new downtown jail would be only 40 feet from a 100-year-old neighborhood, Sparks said.
"These are just a few of the many issues the county commissioners must consider while making their decision regarding the location of the new jail. When it comes to the new jail, I am confident our county commissioners can, and will, make the best decision for all of us in Cleveland County."
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Wesselhoft wants public vote on dangerous dogs
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Despite two previous legislative defeats, state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft said Monday he would continue his fight to outlaw dangerous dogs, specifically pit bulls.
And this time, he's going directly to the public.
"As I have continued to say over and over again, legislators need to step up to the plate and do something about these dangerous dogs before another Oklahoman falls prey to them," he said. "It's time they stop ignoring the proof right in front of them."
To do that, Wesselhoft said he would file a resolution next year to place his dangerous dogs proposal directly before the public. That resolution, he said, would allow voters "to decide if cities should have the authority to restrict what types of dogs" may live in an area.
"The citizens of Oklahoma should decide whether these dangerous dogs live in their areas," he said. "Some legislative issues are so sensitive that members of the Legislature say, 'Let the people decide this thing.'"
The resolution is necessary, he said, because "sometimes members of the Legislature are chicken."
"And this bill is a good example of that," he said.
Twice this year Wesselhoft tried to pass House Bill 1082, which would have "returned the right to outlaw certain dogs" to cities and towns.
That bill never made it out of House committee.
"It (the bill) would have also given county governments the authority to approve ordinances regulating dangerous dogs considered a public health risk," he said. "The bill never made it to the House floor."
Following that defeat, in early spring, Wesselhoft told The American he would request an opinion from Attorney General Drew Edmondson about the constitutionality of the current state law which prohibits municipal governments from regulating the pit bulls -- despite an earlier opinion issued by Edmondson which said breed-specific language was unconstitutional.
Then, in late March, the two-term Moore Republican encouraged municipalities to go ahead and enact breed-specific ordinances -- even though those ordinances are not permitted under current state law.
"This way, cities can bring a lawsuit against the state," Wesselhoft said. "I think state law is unconstitutional regarding dangerous dogs. Cities should decide what dogs they let reside in their area. I want to see this go to the state Supreme Court -- a city needs to challenge the state. It is unconstitutional for the state to be able to restrict the cities from protecting residents."
Wesselhoft's current bill followed HB 2658 -- filed in 2006 -- which would have banned pit bulldogs from the state and placed additional legal requirements on their owners.
This week, citing another pit bull attack, Wesselhoft said he would continued his fight.
"Three-year-old Larry Williams' face is now covered with bruising and stitches after he was attacked over the weekend by a neighbor's pit bull while playing outside," he said. "Something must be done. Lawmakers should want to keep the citizens' safety as number one priority."
Wesselhoft said he's continued attempts to outlaw dangerous dogs because of "an increasing number" of attacks.
"Eventually every state representative is going to have a pit bull attack in their district," he said. "It's not outside the realm of imagination that there will be an attack in every district."
Should his resolution fail next year, Wesselhoft said he has "one more way" to address the issue.
"My only other alternative is an initiative petition," he said. "And to do that I need about 58,000 signatures. That's why I'm hoping I can get this resolution through the Legislature."
The goal, he said, is to protect Oklahomans.
"The people need to have a voice in this decision -- it's their loved ones being harmed. I hope my fellow members support this effort. This is not banning any type of dog but allowing the people to make the decision on what is in their best interest."
And this time, he's going directly to the public.
"As I have continued to say over and over again, legislators need to step up to the plate and do something about these dangerous dogs before another Oklahoman falls prey to them," he said. "It's time they stop ignoring the proof right in front of them."
To do that, Wesselhoft said he would file a resolution next year to place his dangerous dogs proposal directly before the public. That resolution, he said, would allow voters "to decide if cities should have the authority to restrict what types of dogs" may live in an area.
"The citizens of Oklahoma should decide whether these dangerous dogs live in their areas," he said. "Some legislative issues are so sensitive that members of the Legislature say, 'Let the people decide this thing.'"
The resolution is necessary, he said, because "sometimes members of the Legislature are chicken."
"And this bill is a good example of that," he said.
Twice this year Wesselhoft tried to pass House Bill 1082, which would have "returned the right to outlaw certain dogs" to cities and towns.
That bill never made it out of House committee.
"It (the bill) would have also given county governments the authority to approve ordinances regulating dangerous dogs considered a public health risk," he said. "The bill never made it to the House floor."
Following that defeat, in early spring, Wesselhoft told The American he would request an opinion from Attorney General Drew Edmondson about the constitutionality of the current state law which prohibits municipal governments from regulating the pit bulls -- despite an earlier opinion issued by Edmondson which said breed-specific language was unconstitutional.
Then, in late March, the two-term Moore Republican encouraged municipalities to go ahead and enact breed-specific ordinances -- even though those ordinances are not permitted under current state law.
"This way, cities can bring a lawsuit against the state," Wesselhoft said. "I think state law is unconstitutional regarding dangerous dogs. Cities should decide what dogs they let reside in their area. I want to see this go to the state Supreme Court -- a city needs to challenge the state. It is unconstitutional for the state to be able to restrict the cities from protecting residents."
Wesselhoft's current bill followed HB 2658 -- filed in 2006 -- which would have banned pit bulldogs from the state and placed additional legal requirements on their owners.
This week, citing another pit bull attack, Wesselhoft said he would continued his fight.
"Three-year-old Larry Williams' face is now covered with bruising and stitches after he was attacked over the weekend by a neighbor's pit bull while playing outside," he said. "Something must be done. Lawmakers should want to keep the citizens' safety as number one priority."
Wesselhoft said he's continued attempts to outlaw dangerous dogs because of "an increasing number" of attacks.
"Eventually every state representative is going to have a pit bull attack in their district," he said. "It's not outside the realm of imagination that there will be an attack in every district."
Should his resolution fail next year, Wesselhoft said he has "one more way" to address the issue.
"My only other alternative is an initiative petition," he said. "And to do that I need about 58,000 signatures. That's why I'm hoping I can get this resolution through the Legislature."
The goal, he said, is to protect Oklahomans.
"The people need to have a voice in this decision -- it's their loved ones being harmed. I hope my fellow members support this effort. This is not banning any type of dog but allowing the people to make the decision on what is in their best interest."
Commissioners, state legislators clash over jail
Despite the threat of state legislation designed to derail the proposal, Cleveland County commissioners will hold a special meeting today to purchase about 30 acres of "unimproved real estate" in Norman.
That land, commission chair George Skinner confirmed, is located at Franklin Road and 24th Avenue NW, near the Moore-Norman Technology Center and is the principal location currently being considered by commissioners for a new county detention facility.
The land proposal is the only issue on the agenda.
"Discussion, consideration and/or action upon a resolution authorizing the purchase of...approximately 28.92 acres...of unimproved real estate located in Norman," the agenda says, "...for the purchase price of $1.3 million and authorizing the execution by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board for a Real Estate Purchase Contract by and between the Board of County Commissioners of Cleveland County and Johnson Constrols, Inc., a Wisconsion Corporation as successor in interest to York International Corporation."
While Skinner would confirm that the site is still among three being cosidered for a new county detention facility, he said no decision about the jail's location has been made.
"We're not sure where, exactly, we'll build the jail," he said. "We are still looking at several locations," he said.
If successful, the county's action would appear to trump a state Senate bill -- currently working its way back through the legislature -- which would force commissioners to choose a different location for the jail.
Senate Bill 896, by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, and Randy Terrill, R-Moore, would prevent three counties -- Oklahoma, Tulsa and Cleveland -- from building a jail "within a two-mile radius of any elementary or secondary school or technology center site."
That bill, called the Jail-Free School Zone Act, would prevent commissioners from building a new jail facility on the Franklin Road site.
The measure also would force the commission to either expand the current facility or build a new jail within one mile of the old one -- in downtown Norman.
The bill recently passed the House of Representatives and is headed back the state Senate.
Skinner said the land's $1.3 million purchase price was "a heck of a deal" and would save county taxpayers millions compaired to building a jail facility in downtown.
"It would take about $2.5 million just to buy out five businesses," Skinner said last week. "And another $500,000 to tear down the old buildings."
The purchase could also prevent the state health department from taking action against the county.
Twice last year, state jail inspectors warned commissioners about the jail's inmate population. Last year Don Garrison, the state health department's jail inspector, gave the county 45 days to develop a plan to solve the overcrowding problem.
If the inmate population wasn't reduced, Garrison said, the county could be hit with fines of up to $10,000 per day for noncompliance with health and safety standards -- or state officials could ask the attorney general to close the facility.
Since then, the facility has continued to exceed inmate population limits and the state has continued its scrutiny. "We're watching closely," said Ted Evans, the state health department's chief of consumer health. "But if they (the county) hit a big roadblock, we'll probably step in and take some type of action."
That land, commission chair George Skinner confirmed, is located at Franklin Road and 24th Avenue NW, near the Moore-Norman Technology Center and is the principal location currently being considered by commissioners for a new county detention facility.
The land proposal is the only issue on the agenda.
"Discussion, consideration and/or action upon a resolution authorizing the purchase of...approximately 28.92 acres...of unimproved real estate located in Norman," the agenda says, "...for the purchase price of $1.3 million and authorizing the execution by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board for a Real Estate Purchase Contract by and between the Board of County Commissioners of Cleveland County and Johnson Constrols, Inc., a Wisconsion Corporation as successor in interest to York International Corporation."
While Skinner would confirm that the site is still among three being cosidered for a new county detention facility, he said no decision about the jail's location has been made.
"We're not sure where, exactly, we'll build the jail," he said. "We are still looking at several locations," he said.
If successful, the county's action would appear to trump a state Senate bill -- currently working its way back through the legislature -- which would force commissioners to choose a different location for the jail.
Senate Bill 896, by Sen. Jonathan Nichols, R-Norman, and Randy Terrill, R-Moore, would prevent three counties -- Oklahoma, Tulsa and Cleveland -- from building a jail "within a two-mile radius of any elementary or secondary school or technology center site."
That bill, called the Jail-Free School Zone Act, would prevent commissioners from building a new jail facility on the Franklin Road site.
The measure also would force the commission to either expand the current facility or build a new jail within one mile of the old one -- in downtown Norman.
The bill recently passed the House of Representatives and is headed back the state Senate.
Skinner said the land's $1.3 million purchase price was "a heck of a deal" and would save county taxpayers millions compaired to building a jail facility in downtown.
"It would take about $2.5 million just to buy out five businesses," Skinner said last week. "And another $500,000 to tear down the old buildings."
The purchase could also prevent the state health department from taking action against the county.
Twice last year, state jail inspectors warned commissioners about the jail's inmate population. Last year Don Garrison, the state health department's jail inspector, gave the county 45 days to develop a plan to solve the overcrowding problem.
If the inmate population wasn't reduced, Garrison said, the county could be hit with fines of up to $10,000 per day for noncompliance with health and safety standards -- or state officials could ask the attorney general to close the facility.
Since then, the facility has continued to exceed inmate population limits and the state has continued its scrutiny. "We're watching closely," said Ted Evans, the state health department's chief of consumer health. "But if they (the county) hit a big roadblock, we'll probably step in and take some type of action."
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Loveless announces candidacy
With the primary election still more than a year away, former Cleveland County GOP vice chair Kyle Loveless confirmed this week that he’ll run for the state Senate.
Loveless, 33, said he’s seeking the Senate’s District 45 post. That district includes south Oklahoma City, Moore and Mustang.
That seat is currently held by Kathleen Wilcoxson, R-Oklahoma City, who is being forced out next year due to term limits.
“Oklahoma is heading into a new century,” Loveless said. “And we need a new brand of conservative leadership that’s not afraid to take on tough issues. Our state government needs to make hard decisions. I’m the type of candidate who is not afraid to make the changes we need.”
A former political consultant, Loveless is the CEO of Phoenix Consulting, a corporate and political consulting firm in south Oklahoma City. His clients, he said, include former congressman Ernest Istook, small business “and large Fortune 500 companies.” In 2006 he served as vice chair of the Cleveland County GOP.
And it’s that experience, he said, that would make him an effective state Senator.
“I know the needs of small businesses,” he said. “My family runs a small business. Plus, I understand Oklahoma politics. I know that sometimes you must make sacrifices, you must compromise to get things done.”
Loveless also had harsh words for Senate Democrats.
“For too long, the Oklahoma State Senate has been in the back pocket of trial lawyers,” he said. “And the state has suffered because of it. We need entrepreneurs with the pioneering spirit that our state was founded upon, not relics of the past.”
Loveless said his campaign would focus on people.
“I’m going to go talk to people,” he said. “I’m going to campaign face-to-face. I plan on knocking on lots of doors.”
In addition, Loveless said his campaign would host a kickoff reception later this month. That event is set for 6 to 8 p.m. May 24 at his campaign headquarters, 4401 SW 21st St. in Oklahoma City.
A 1992 graduate of Westmoore High School, Loveless is a former aide to Istook. He attended the University of Oklahoma and later, received his bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Georgetown University in 2000.
He and his wife, Summer, live in Oklahoma City and are seeking to adopt a child.
Loveless, 33, said he’s seeking the Senate’s District 45 post. That district includes south Oklahoma City, Moore and Mustang.
That seat is currently held by Kathleen Wilcoxson, R-Oklahoma City, who is being forced out next year due to term limits.
“Oklahoma is heading into a new century,” Loveless said. “And we need a new brand of conservative leadership that’s not afraid to take on tough issues. Our state government needs to make hard decisions. I’m the type of candidate who is not afraid to make the changes we need.”
A former political consultant, Loveless is the CEO of Phoenix Consulting, a corporate and political consulting firm in south Oklahoma City. His clients, he said, include former congressman Ernest Istook, small business “and large Fortune 500 companies.” In 2006 he served as vice chair of the Cleveland County GOP.
And it’s that experience, he said, that would make him an effective state Senator.
“I know the needs of small businesses,” he said. “My family runs a small business. Plus, I understand Oklahoma politics. I know that sometimes you must make sacrifices, you must compromise to get things done.”
Loveless also had harsh words for Senate Democrats.
“For too long, the Oklahoma State Senate has been in the back pocket of trial lawyers,” he said. “And the state has suffered because of it. We need entrepreneurs with the pioneering spirit that our state was founded upon, not relics of the past.”
Loveless said his campaign would focus on people.
“I’m going to go talk to people,” he said. “I’m going to campaign face-to-face. I plan on knocking on lots of doors.”
In addition, Loveless said his campaign would host a kickoff reception later this month. That event is set for 6 to 8 p.m. May 24 at his campaign headquarters, 4401 SW 21st St. in Oklahoma City.
A 1992 graduate of Westmoore High School, Loveless is a former aide to Istook. He attended the University of Oklahoma and later, received his bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Georgetown University in 2000.
He and his wife, Summer, live in Oklahoma City and are seeking to adopt a child.
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