Those living in the HD75 east central portion of Tulsa County are going to the polls next Tuesday to select a new state representative. Dan Kirby resigned earlier this year, after an house investigation found his behavior worthy of a strict rebuke. Four residents of the district filed as candidates in the race. I had the opportunity to visit extensively with all of them. I can say that all of them are earnestly wanting to serve. Two of them are emerging as favorites. Both Nik Berg and Tressa Nunley have substantial backing and large groups of volunteers. They came to a forum I led at the Tulsa Area Republican Assembly, in March. Nik Berg emerged the winner of a straw poll that was held two weeks ago at the April meeting of TARA. Tressa Nunley was endorsed by a leading Oklahoma Conservative group, OCPAC. For both Nunley and Berg, this is their first run for elective govt. office. Nunley is a Realtor with a past background in corporate Tulsa. She has a degree from OU and had worked for Williams Communications. She is married to Marc Nunley and raise a 'mostly grown' family. She is backed by some well-known legislators including George Faught. George's wife, Becky Faught, is serving as her campaign manager. | For information on the candidates' responses to TARA, see the TARA website for the report. |
In reflection, it seems quite wise that the Cockroft Committee completed their work prior to the first day of regular session. With all the predictable budget drama, and the hallways packed with various interest groups, lobby groups, school tours, pages, and standing committees; holding sensitive and closed-door hearings during the quiet days of January were well chosen.
The leadership team of McCall's is younger and more energetic than most. The personalities in leadership are vastly more engaging and determined to find consensus, as opposed to many past decades. Democrats generally hold out hope that McCall will seek solutions that garner vast bipartisan majorities, rather than straight party-line divisions.
A Special Committee of the House of Representatives recommends Expulsion of Rep. Dan Kirby, of Tulsa. The decision was released This afternoon from the capitol. In addition, Rep Will Fourkiller is to be ordered into sensitivity training and barred from the legislative page program. No report was published regarding the conduct of former Speaker, Jeff Hickman, who knowingly hid the allegations of misconduct and the cash payments to those who filed complaints. Exposing Hickman would do 2 things:
After walking out of the organizational meeting of the House Rules Committee, Rep. David Perryman (D-Chickasha), responded formally to Chairman Josh Cockroft in an open letter. Here is the text of that protest letter and alternative proposal... Chairman Cockroft, I am extremely disappointed in decisions that you have made regarding the special investigation requested by Speaker Charles McCall. Speaker McCall has pledged transparency and accountability during his leadership. Likewise, you stated last week that you had “complete confidence in this committee and that truth, due process, and the integrity of this body will prevail.” Unfortunately, your actions over the past few days do not indicate sincerity in that regard. Rep. David Perryman You have informed committee members that they:
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