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Pursuit announces 3rd annual scholarship competition; video or essay on debt accountabilty issues

5/31/2020

Founded by the late Dr. Tom Coburn, Pursuit is a non-partisan organization aimed at making government transparent, exposing wasteful spending, and inspiring future generations to get involved. They recently announced their third annual scholarship competition. Read below for details:

3RD ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION
[OurPursuit.com]

There is a lot at stake for the future of young Americans. Even prior to the response to the crisis we are currently facing, both political parties had already placed our nation on an unsustainable fiscal course. In the absence of decisive action from our leaders, one generation of Americans is about to leave the next generations with an unbearable financial burden.

The national debt is more than $25 trillion, soon to exceed the size of our entire economy. There is another $100 trillion in unpaid for promises coming down the pike. Report after report warns of wasteful spending and unsustainable deficits, yet year after year nothing is done by our elected leaders to address them.

If this continues, millennials and generation Z will spend their peak earning years paying for the excesses and promises they had no knowledge of or say in. However, this is not an unsolvable problem. It’s a grand opportunity. But young Americans must start speaking up now.

Pursuit will award four scholarships to incoming Freshmen, Sophomores, or Juniors enrolled in an American university or community college who produce a video (maximum 5 minutes) or write an essay (maximum 2500 words) on one or a combination of the following topics:
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by Muskogee Politico - May 31, 2020 at 03:30PM

Pursuit announces 3rd annual scholarship competition; video or essay on debt, accountabilty issues
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Attorney General Hunter: unmarked stimulus debit cards not always a scam

5/30/2020

Attorney General Hunter: Unmarked Stimulus Debit Cards Not Always a Scam

OKLAHOMA CITY – In response to reports that some Americans are mistakenly discarding stimulus debit cards, Attorney General Mike Hunter today urged Oklahomans to not assume the unmarked envelopes containing cards are junk mail.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced last week the agencies had begun the process of sending nearly 4 million Visa debit cards loaded with the $1,200 stimulus payments to Americans.

The debit cards are arriving at households in plain envelopes, leading to confusion and individuals mistaking it for junk mail or fraudulent activity.

Attorney General Hunter is encouraging Oklahomans to open such correspondence and ensure they are not accidentally throwing away their stimulus payments.
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by Muskogee Politico - May 30, 2020 at 02:42PM

Attorney General Hunter: unmarked stimulus debit cards not always a scam
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

1889 Institute: excessive credentialing wastes talent limits opportunity

5/30/2020

Excessive Credentialing Wastes Talent, Limits Opportunity

By Byron Schlomach

We, as a society, think university-granted degrees are more valuable than they actually are. Consequently, college degrees are often demanded to qualify for a job when degrees are not necessary. A degree might even cause us to think someone is qualified when they are anything but.

While I was in graduate school, two tenured economics professors vehemently argued to me that United States silver coins had never actually consisted of the element, silver. Actually, prior to 1965, they were 90 percent silver. I’d already had doubts about the true value of an advanced degree, but that discussion put my doubts into overdrive.

Many state jobs require a college degree for one to be hired, but could be filled by individuals with relevant experience but who have no degree. The 1889 Institute identified several state agency openings that unnecessarily required college degrees. Organizational skills can be obtained in a number of ways without college. Many state information technology positions require college degrees, but IT experience and certifications produce well-qualified candidates.
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by Muskogee Politico - May 30, 2020 at 11:33AM

1889 Institute: excessive credentialing wastes talent, limits opportunity
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Oklahoma to begin Phase 3 of reopen plan on June 1st

5/29/2020

OKLAHOMA TO BEGIN PHASE 3 OF OPEN UP AND RECOVER SAFELY PLAN ON JUNE 1

Additional guidance issued for individuals and businesses

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 29, 2020) – Oklahoma will proceed to Phase 3 of the Open Up and Recover Safely plan Monday, June 1, Governor Kevin Stitt announced Friday.

Oklahoma currently has just 708 active COVID-19 cases out of nearly 4 million residents and 5,236 people have already recovered.

Active cases in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, the state’s two largest, make up less than 0.03% of the population in their respective counties.

As of May 28, 188,665 tests have been performed with just 3.77% coming back positive. Since Phase 2 of the OURS plan was initiated May 15, 69,914 tests have been performed and just 2.1% have been positive.

“We are making responsible decisions based on the data in our state,” said Gov. Stitt. “While cases continue to decline 36 days into our reopening, it is important Oklahomans remember COVID-19 is still in the United States and we must continue to be diligent about washing our hands frequently, maintaining physical distance and protecting our most vulnerable populations.”

Under Phase 3, businesses may resume unrestricted staffing at their worksites by observing proper CDC-recommended social distancing protocols and are recommended to continue increased cleaning and disinfecting practices.
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by Muskogee Politico - May 29, 2020 at 10:58PM

Oklahoma to begin Phase 3 of reopen plan on June 1st
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

OKGOP clarifies: no primary endorsements from the State Party

5/29/2020

It seems that some candidate(s) is insinuating an endorsement by the Oklahoma Republican Party, prompting the following statement by leadership of the OKGOP:

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON PRIMARY RACES

Be it known, to all registered Republicans, that the Oklahoma Republican Party does not endorse any candidate running in a Republican primary.

Any candidate running in a primary and implies or states they have the endorsement of the Oklahoma Republican Party is not being truthful and is intentionally misleading voters.
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by Muskogee Politico - May 29, 2020 at 03:43PM

OKGOP clarifies: no primary endorsements from the State Party
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

AG Hunter: Long-term care facitilies can't garnish Medicaid recipients' stimulus funds

5/29/2020

Attorney General Hunter Advises Long-Term Care Facilities that Stimulus Funds Cannot Be Taken from Medicaid Recipients

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 27, 2020) – Attorney General Mike Hunter today sent a letter to nursing homes and assisted living facilities statewide to inform administrators that taking Medicaid recipients’ COVID-19 stimulus funds is illegal.

According to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the economic impact payments are considered a tax credit, therefore exempt from federal benefits programs such as Medicaid.

Signed by Pres. Donald Trump in March, the CARES Act included $2.2 trillion for emergency assistance to Americans and businesses financially struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Attorney General Hunter said his office is monitoring the situation and will take action if necessary.
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by Muskogee Politico - May 29, 2020 at 10:17AM

AG Hunter: Long-term care facitilies can't garnish Medicaid recipients' stimulus funds
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

COVID-19: Oklahoma Exceeds 90000 Testing Goal for May

5/28/2020

Oklahoma Exceeds 90,000 Testing Goal for May

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 28, 2020) - The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) announced today the State has surpassed its goal to collect and test more than 90,000 specimens in the month of May. As of Wednesday, May 27, OSDH had processed 113,264 specimens collected for COVID-19 testing since the first of the month, with a total of 183,632 tests conducted since COVID-19 was first detected in early March.

OSDH published the latest numbers yesterday in its Executive Order COVID-19 Report to Governor Kevin Stitt and demonstrated that as COVID-19 testing increased over the month of May, the percentage of positive cases dropped to a record low of 3.8% in Oklahoma.

“Testing is paramount to controlling the spread of COVID-19,” Interim Health Commissioner Lance Frye, MD said. “Reaching this goal is only a starting point in the strategy for Oklahoma. In order to increase progress on minimizing the spread of COVID-19, we will continue to expand testing accessibility, increase contact tracing efforts and encourage Oklahomans to remain steadfast by continuing to follow State and CDC guidelines.”

The State of Oklahoma was able to achieve its testing goal due to more than 80 OSDH county health departments' testing locations, alongside Oklahoma City-County Health Department and Tulsa Health Department, as well as the State’s testing strategy with long-term care facilities as well as state prisons. This led to an average of 4,324 tests conducted daily.
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by Muskogee Politico - May 28, 2020 at 09:15PM

COVID-19: Oklahoma Exceeds 90,000 Testing Goal for May
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Lucas introduces legislation to protect U.S. mineral supply chains

5/28/2020

Lucas Introduces Legislation to Protect U.S. Mineral Supply Chains

Cheyenne, OK – Today, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) joined Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-04) and Rep. Michael Waltz (FL-06) in introducing the American Critical Mineral Exploration and Innovation Act of 2020. They were joined by House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Republican Rob Bishop (UT-01), and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23).

The American Critical Minerals Exploration and Innovation Act aims to reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals by supporting responsible domestic mineral development. Minerals, with applications including healthcare, defense systems, and renewable energy technology, are essential to our modern way of life. China has dominated the critical minerals market for years, controlling the vast majority of the global supply.

Currently, 14 of the 35 critical minerals identified by the U.S.G.S. are imported to the U.S. at a rate of 100%. Ensuring a stable supply of critical minerals for electric car batteries, smartphones, healthcare equipment, and a range of other technologies and products, begins with encouraging responsible critical minerals development, production, and innovation here at home.

“Critical minerals power technologies ranging from cell phones to medical equipment to renewable energy storage. China holds an overwhelming advantage in access to critical minerals and the COVID-19 pandemic has made it dangerously clear that we can’t take our supply for granted. We need to be forward-thinking about how we develop our resources and manage our access to critical minerals. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this bill which not only helps secure our supply of critical minerals, but also accelerates research into critical minerals development and technologies” said Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03).
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by Muskogee Politico - May 28, 2020 at 08:25PM

Lucas introduces legislation to protect U.S. mineral supply chains
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

1889 Institute argues that Oklahoma mayors acted unlawfully with COVID-19 orders

5/28/2020

OKLAHOMA MAYORS ACTED UNLAWFULLY WITH COVID-19 ORDERS

The mayors of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Norman lacked authority under state law to order shelter in place.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (May 27, 2020) – The 1889 Institute has published “An Argument that Oklahoma’s Mayors Acted Unlawfully During COVID-19.” The legal analysis is authored by the Institute’s Legal Fellow, Ben Lepak, a municipal law expert given his experience counseling 24 elected officials across three Oklahoma counties in a previous position. He makes the case that mayors improperly issued shelter in place orders under a state law intended to combat riots and looting, not pandemic. The study argues that city social distancing rules more restrictive than the state’s are invalid.

“The mayors of Oklahoma’s three largest cities took extreme measures limiting their citizens’ freedoms and harming them financially without proper legal authority,” said Lepak. “These mayors claimed legal authority under laws that simply were never intended for containing a pandemic,” he said.

In the study, Lepak examines city ordinances and state laws governing the mayors’ orders, and concludes that the mayors misapplied the Riot Control and Prevention Act of 1968 and local city ordinances based on that Act. These laws were passed in response to social unrest in the late 1960s due to racial tensions and opposition to the Vietnam War.
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by Muskogee Politico - May 28, 2020 at 08:44AM

1889 Institute argues that Oklahoma mayors acted unlawfully with COVID-19 orders
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Morton Blackwell's Conservative Leadership PAC endorses Hill for Congress

5/27/2020

Fresh on the heels of an endorsement by David Barton, 5th District GOP candidate David Hill has announced another endorsement by a respected conservative icon:

Conservative Leadership PAC Endorses David Hill for U.S. Congress

Conservative Icon Morton Blackwell describes Hill as “the conservative champion we need.”

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Conservative Leadership PAC announced its endorsement of David Hill in the Republican primary for Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District.

"David Hill’s real-world business experience and conservative values make him the right choice in this race," said Morton Blackwell, founder and Chairman of the Conservative Leadership PAC. "Today more than ever, we need true conservatives, not politicians who are conservative when standing for election but moderates or liberals when in office," Blackwell continued. "David Hill is the conservative champion we need on Capitol Hill. We are excited to support him."
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by Muskogee Politico - May 27, 2020 at 04:53PM

Morton Blackwell's Conservative Leadership PAC endorses Hill for Congress
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Muskogee Politico
Jamison Faught

MuskogeePolitico.com is operated by blogger Jamison Faught, and was started on July 31st 2008.
Faught is a lifelong Muskogee resident, and is a homeschool graduate. He and Kristen got married in September of 2012. They are the parents of a energetic daughter (2015) and son (2017).
On the political side, Faught has volunteered on numerous campaigns, served as the chairman and organizer of the Muskogee Tea Party, and has been involved in both the Muskogee County Republican Party and the Oklahoma Republican Party for almost a decade.
U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Muskogee) was the doctor who delivered him, and his father (George Faught) has served four terms as the first Republican state representative in House District 14.

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