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House Leadership Loses Key Vote  On New Taxes, In JCAB

10/27/2017

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For the 2nd time, The House Speaker was met with defeat. This time it happened in the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget.
A Tobacco tax vote became deadlocked at 11-11. Other votes also took place.
This is breaking and we will have a fuller report, soon.

HB1058 Health Appropriations  PASSED
HB1057 Earned Income Credit  PASSED
HB1056 State Agency Pay  PASSED
HB1055 Teacher Pay  PASSED
HB1054 Tobacco Tax FAILED
UPDATE:
  Two members of the Budget leadership, Wallace & Kannady; consult before deciding not to vote on the deadlocked bill.
  Platform Caucus member, Jason Murphey, shows a glimmer of pleasure in the demise of a defeat of the biggest tax package in decades.
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Degrees Of Slavery Are Determined By Income Tax Rates

10/27/2017

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Rummaging through the closets, we found this gem, from Alan Keyes in 2000.  He explains that the concept of income tax is a slavery by degrees.
We included his presentation, in the 2000 presidential primary debate.
​Keyes explained;

"  If I had a deal with you that I was going to give you a preemptive claim to a certain percentage of my income, determined by you, how much of my money would you control? All of it. You're right. That's the principle of the income tax. Now, when I work or you work and somebody else controls 100 percent of the fruits of our labor, what do we call that? Slavery.
  The simple logic of the income tax is that it's a slave tax. These gentlemen argue about whether the chains should be lighter, whether they should be heavier. I think it's time that, as a tax- enslaved people, we rise up and make it clear we want the chains off. Abolish the income tax and return to our original Constitution of liberty.
  I think that as you listen to all these folks, you need to get a little aggravated with the fact that they're all going to give you something. And if you stand back and realize what it is, you'll realize that it's your own money. (Laughter.) And at some point, you need to start asking yourself, "I don't want you to give me this and give me that." Why won't they give you back control over your own money?
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When the master wants more, the slaves's needs are secondary.

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Who Owns Your Politicians?

10/27/2017

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  As we prepare for the most impacting votes of the year, many of our citizens are wondering what happened to the fella or lady that knocked their door and stood to chat with them on the front lawn, just a year ago?
  While it was our constituent votes which put them in office, many of them sold their souls to high bidders when they held campaign fundraisers out of the public eye.
  We looked at one prime example, namely Kevin McDugle. He was trusted by the Republican grass roots of Wagoner County, mostly because he was a friend of Congressman Jim Bridenstine.
   But he signed a deal with one of the less-conservative consulting firms; AH Strategies. 
  During the summer & fall McDugle took in tens of thousands of dollars from several members of the House leadership, and PACs.  McCall, Echols, Osborn...; they're all listed in the ethics reports. So when McDugle went to OKC, he voted with the leadership ever since. McDugle works for the machine. His constituents and the Wagoner County Republicans are overwelmingly disgusted with how McDugle turned his back on the pledges and people.
  His marriage is now in divorce court, and his new hottie now accompanies him openly, to political & social events.
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In Bed With The Enemy

10/27/2017

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Why are Republican leaders more willing to accommodate the Democrats, than the Platform Caucus?

The Oklahoma House leadership is trying to strike a deal with those who want to throw them out of office. The Democrats are holding out for a better mix of "rich taxes" to go with the "poor taxes". Big Oil is a target of the Democrat party. Smokers and commuters are a target of the Republican leadership.

  But whatever happened to The Great Compromise Jon Echols spoke of just 2 weeks ago?  He said then; 
"It's becoming clear that those who want Cuts are going to have to accept some revenue;
and those who want revenue are going to have to accept some cuts.".
The 17 Republicans who voted against the Fallin package on Wednesday, wants wasteful and frivolous programs cut FIRST, then revenues to be considered. But McCall and his allies have refused to go there. It seems McCall wants to be in agreement with the Democrats.... even more than he wants to unify his own Republican caucus.
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​Oklahoma Legislature Moves To Fill Mental Health Funding With Existing Funds

10/26/2017

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Breaking:
   The House Joint Committee on Appropriations & Budget (JCAB) today, moved on a special funding package which authorizes the transfer of existing state money to fill a few months of current services for the Dept. of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). 
  While not a full fix, it does allow the important operations to continue through the winter, until the 2018 Regular Session can apply a more permanent solution. The funds total about $25 million.
 
Personal Note:
   On Tuesday, I visited with several members of the House leadership, urging them to get this transfer on the House Calendar. Eventually I was able to spend a few moments with Majority Floor Leader, Jon Echols.  
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  Jon has been incredibly receptive and accomodating to me  told me that the Gov. insisted that her tax package be the only legislation on the House calendar. He was highly doubtful of the package getting a  necessary 75% support.
  But Echols gave me his assurance that when the Fallin plan fails, that He will work with the Speaker to get the funding bill on the calendar and voted on within the week. Minutes ago he fulfilled that promise.
  There are larger issues, and long term problems to fix. But at least the disruption is hopefully avoided.  We will continue to advocate for the important role of public health & safety in our state govt. We all believe there are less expensive and more humane solutions than the jail cells that too many of our suffering fellow citizens are being abused in.

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Calvey Exposes Corruption At OU: Our Taxes Diverted To Foreign Aid

10/26/2017

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Rep. Kevin Calvey (R-OKC) has exposed a massive diversion of state tax dollars to foreign aid. Under the program, French, Pennsylvanian, Japanese, and other long-distance students are getting aid packages from the university, at the expense of the working people of our state.
  Our constitution mandated the support of our state-owned universities, so that our own people would have the means of attaining higher education without leaving the state. That model has turned into a corrupted, bloated, and outdated mode of repression. It pillages our state to the tune of 14% of our state budget. It undermines the dozens of private universities in our state whose faculty is forced to subsidize their competition.
  On Tuesday I visited with Rep. Calvey at his capitol office. He wanted to be sure that his research got published. I committed to him that I would assist in that effort. KOCO-5 did publish his research. Here's some of their reporting.
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OKLAHOMA CITY --
A state representative is taking a closer look at scholarships from Oklahoma universities, saying he believes all academic scholarships should go to Oklahomans.

Rep. Kevin Calvey, R-Edmond, said he wants to make some changes that will reflect positively on Oklahomans who need scholarships for students in their home state. He said Oklahoma students should always come first.

“Why should taxpayers have to subsidize students that aren’t even Oklahomans to go to school here? That doesn’t seem to make sense,” Calvey said. “It should be solely going to students who are from Oklahoma and should be for those who stay in Oklahoma. That way we make sure the taxpayers are getting a good return on their investment.”

According to Calvey’s research, that isn’t happening. He started requesting information from universities when the topic of academic scholarships was brought to his attention.

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Dan Fisher: 'Excessive Taxing Is Legalizing Robbery'

10/26/2017

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  Former representative, and now gubernatorial candidate; Dan Fisher; chimed in on the House leadership's decision to grab more consumer taxes by duplicating our tax on motor fuels. He starts off with a quote from Calvin Coolidge. Here's his take...
​  I reject the idea that government has some “divine” claim on your money.
  I’m familiar with the saying “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.” I’m also familiar with the concept that our government derives its power from the consent of the governed. If the latter is true, why is everyone complaining about paying taxes and feeling overtaxed?
Because we are overtaxed!
  According to the Tax Foundation, Oklahoma is ranked 6th highest in combined sales tax. Add to that: income tax, gross production tax, gas tax, turnpike tolls, and a myriad of other forms of confiscation of our wages. Then we are told that we don’t pay enough taxes!
  Government keeps getting bigger and more expensive. If we are to ever control the size of government, we cannot allow it to grow faster than the economy that supports it. Yet, Oklahoma government routinely grows two to three times faster than our economy.
  As your governor, I will work with like-minded legislators to create a government that lives within its means.
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Dan Fisher contemplates the errors of the leadership and provides his own insights.
"Collecting more taxes than is absolutely
necessary, is legalized robbery. "

                                           - Calvin Coolidge
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McCall's Next Bill Could Raise Fuel Prices  20 Cents Per Gallon

10/25/2017

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  Budget Committee Chairs are now writing the next round of confiscatory tax legislation which will impose a sales tax on motor fuels, as well as the existing state fuel excise tax.

  This is their easiest way to get new state funds from Oklahomans without honoring the constitutional requirement of a vote of the people. 

  A simple 51 votes in the House will result in a 4.5% state sales tax, but it will also allow municipalities and counties to follow suit and capture a windfall doubling of the tax. Most Oklahomans pay about 9% combined sales tax on consumer goods and many services.
  Tomorrow we will look at the actual language of the bill and several other dishonorable ways of "revenue raising" and constitution violating.
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Inman Resigning & Dropping Out Of Governor's Race

10/25/2017

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Rep Scott Inman (D-Del City) shocked the Oklahoma political circles when he announced his sudden departure from the Governor's race and announced his forthcoming resignation from the House, where he has been serving as the Minority Leader.
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​  For the last eleven years, it has been my honor and privilege to represent the people of my hometown of Del City at the State Capitol. For the last seven years it has been a true pleasure to lead the honorable women and men of the House Democratic Caucus as House Minority Leader. And for the last six months, it has been the dream of a lifetime to travel across this great state to visit with my fellow Oklahomans about the issues important to them in my campaign for Governor.
   Those roles and responsibilities, while at times enjoyable and rewarding, did not come without a price. Unfortunately, that price was paid by those nearest and dearest to me. The stresses and strains of my career, the time away from my family, and the choice to wrongly prioritize my life’s decisions have brought me to this moment. I can no longer ask my wife and children to sacrifice for me. It is time for me to re-prioritize what is important in this world.
  Therefore, I am announcing today, that I will be immediately ending my campaign for Governor of Oklahoma and will be stepping down from the legislature at the beginning of next year, leaving me time to complete the important work of the special session before us in the legislature.
  To those who believed and invested in me over the years, especially during these last six months, I am truly grateful for your support. To the kind-hearted citizens who called, emailed, and messaged me during the campaign to encourage my family and me along the journey, I offer a sincere thank you. To those who volunteered for my campaign, sacrificing their time and talent to aid in our run for Governor, I thank you as well. To the campaign team that helped make my dream a reality, I will never forget your devotion, drive, and passion to make a real change in this state. To the incredibly talented and thoughtful Representatives with whom I have served in the House Democratic Caucus, those who honored me by allowing me to serve as their leader, words cannot express the love and gratitude I have for you. To the citizens of House District 94, my hometown, serving you will always stand as one of the highest honors of my life. And to my family, both immediate and extended, what you have sacrificed for me will leave me forever indebted to you.
  This moment is certainly disappointing for me and I am certain it will come as a disappointment to those who believed in my campaign and our vision for Oklahoma’s future. To you, I would offer that my time in the legislature has taught me ideals and goals are much bigger than one person or one campaign. Those things we collectively fought for like better public schools for our children, access to quality health care for all of our citizens, a more fair and just criminal justice system, and a tax structure that fairly balances the burden of funding core services in this state are no less important or no less worthy today.
  I implore you to keep up the fight. Always hold those in power accountable for the decisions they make that have sweeping effects on the nearly four million people who call our state home. And never forget that those of us blessed to be called Representative, Senator, or Governor work for you.
  The next few days will be challenging for my friends and family. I ask for your understanding, your prayers, and privacy during this time. And I once again thank you for the allowing me to take part in this incredible journey. I have been abundantly blessed. I pray God will bless each of you.
Sincerely,
Scott

  Speculation will now commence, as to why this happened at this time?
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Speaker McCall Gets Into A 'Dust Up' In Pressbox

10/25/2017

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  A Hostile exchange of words took place in the House Press box during the vote for the biggest tax increase in 25 years.  As Speaker McCall left the House Voter Roll open to have his lieutenants work the room for more 'Yea' votes, he went to the press area of the Chamber and made statements to the media. 
  Rep Cory Williams challenged him, calling his words "political theater". To which McCall responded with sharp retorts.
​  A reporter posted this exchange to twitter. We've posted them here.

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Fallin's Big Tax Gets Shot Down In House

10/25/2017

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The roll is being held open, at this time, because Republican leaders did not exceed the 75% support of their own caucus, as they assured the Democrats, when they asked the Democrats to match their support for this measure. The vote is currently 54-43.
​  The totals have not changed for at least 15 minutes.

This was certified as a "Revenue Raising Measure" prior to the vote. The fact is, this is the highest tax increase in over 25 years, in Oklahoma. They are attempting to deny the citizens of a right to vote on it.

Speaker McCall is said to be in the Press box. Rep Cory Williams(Dem-Stillwater) just went over to listen... This is getting interesting...
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Hurting Citizens Locked Out Of Capitol - Vow To 'Throw The Rascals Out!'

10/25/2017

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A terrible narrative was allowed to fester in Oklahoma. The notion that 'the peoples' house' is inaccessible to those whose lives hang in the balance because of the mismanagement of the legislature. The crowd was terrifying to many of the politicians. Only a relative few elected officials ventured out into the rotunda, Tuesday morning.
  The only thing missing from this mass of humanity which marched on the capitol were torches, pitchforks, tar, & feathers. By mid morning, the state leaders shut the capitol doors and several hundred were locked out. 
  To be fair, this was the best-behaved protest that the Oklahoma Highway Patrol has ever seen at the capitol, thus dispelling the myth that the mentally ill generally are somehow too violent to be allowed in open society.
  I asked several of the troopers who were fully armed and wearing Kevlar vests, if there were any incidents? "Nope! Not even the mildest misbehavior."
  Even the legislators who became besieged in their own offices were generally impressed once they had some interaction. Several of those visiting the capitol on the Mental Health Rally day broke into tears as they told stories of crisis and recovery; and how they hope to continue to recover by staying committed to their treatment.
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This is just one of the photos of the Mental Health Advocates rallying at the capitol. Several hundreds more were locked out. The troopers cited 'full capacity' and fear of trampling deaths if an incident occurred.

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Democrats Call For State To Live Within It's Means, End the Empty Promises

10/24/2017

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  Rep Eric Proctor is a 6-term Democrat from Tulsa. His Conservative Index Score is higher than most of the Republican Caucus. Late Tuesday night he posted a principled message to his colleagues about making empty promises with empty bank accounts. He called the Republican plan an insult to the state's school teachers.  Here is his social media post...
​Eric Proctor
Friends,
I love Oklahoma and I know most of you do as well. It is my firm belief that there is a bipartisan solution that can be reached. A solution that doesn't require the burden to be solely placed on the backs of working men and women. Sadly, special interest groups have a stranglehold hold on many elected officials.
Tomorrow we will see a plan presented by the majority that they know will fail. They know 15-20 members of their party won't support tax increases and that democrats won't support a plan that shifts the tax burden while not requiring one dime in additional taxes from the wealthiest industry in the world.
As a former teacher I can tell you that promising teachers a raise funded by a plan that you know will fail is cruel and insulting.
Contact your legislators and tell them to stop the gimmicks and to support a bipartisan solution.


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Richardson & Sierra Club Win Supreme Court Battle Against McCall, Schultz, & Fallin

10/24/2017

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  In a 6-3 ruling, the Oklahoma Supreme Court once again found the Legislature and Governor to be in clear violation of the Oklahoma Constitution.
  Gary Richardson filed the first suit last summer to defend the Oklahoma consumers against an improperly legislated revenue increase on electric cars.  Richardson is a former member of the Reagan Justice Department as a federal prosecutor for Oklahoma.  The Sierra Club asked to join the Richardson case as a co-plaintiff, but ultimately presented their own suit.  That suit was finally ruled on, Tuesday.
  As a current candidate for the Republican nomination, Richardson says that the people of Oklahoma are very angry with the legislature a greatly disappointed in the current governor for failure to provide leadership for Oklahoma.
  Richardson is a strong advocate for exposing and cutting waste, and prosecuting corruption. His campaign platform includes a rigorous process of auditing the biggest state agencies before ever turning to the people for more tax money.
   It was Richardson and his chosen counsel which presented the courtroom arguments for the Oklahoma consumers, regarding electric & Hybrid cars..
In the majority opinion, Justice Watt said;


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House Leaders Prepare For Defeat Of Fallin's Funding Plan

10/24/2017

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Stop-gap Package Expected Within The Week

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  Several well-placed top House Republicans told mental health advocates that emergency funding legislation will be put on the calendar when the big tax & spending proposal meets an expected defeat.
​  We'll have a full and detailed report, tonight. I also shared this news with Dale Denwalt of the Oklahoman. He may be pursuing more details.
  The claims of Democrat support for the Fallin plan also have failed to materialize. 

​   The narrative of several 'rank & file' legislators is that this is an orchestrated crisis intended to manipulate the public into accepting massive new taxes on the common man, while continuing to protect wealthy special interests and higher education subsidies to the wealthier Oklahomans.
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    David Van Risseghem  is the Publisher of SoonerPolitics.org. The resource is committed to informing & mobilizing conservative Oklahomans for civic reform.  This endeavor seeks to utilize the efforts of all cooperative facets of the Conservative movement...

    ​"No politician 'checks off every box" in your list of issues. You have to prioritize and use personal discretion regarding every current and future issue that you can imagine. Then you have to also judge integrity & consistency. A candidate's openness to study the issues & courage to think for themselves. Then you need to review their honesty & work ethic.  I respect any voter's decision, when they've informed themselves and took voting seriously." - David Van Risseghem
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 SoonerPolitics.org is committed to informing & mobilizing conservative Oklahomans for civic reform & restored liberty. We seeks to utilize the efforts of all cooperative facets of the Conservative movement... Content of the diverse columns are solely at the discretion of the dozens of websites who create the content.   David Van Risseghem  is the founder of this platform.
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