"We have the money we need. We have a leadership problem. We have a lot of funds just getting syphoned away in tax credits to corporations." About the new Speaker, Proctor says; " I am very optimistic about Charles McCall. He is a good man. That is something I cannot say about every speaker. He has all the character and integrity in the world and hopefully he will lead with a servant's heart." Dorman also adds; "Charles McCall has an opportunity to be a phenominal speaker." Proctor is not so positive about Gov. Mary Fallin. "She's nickel and diming the working families to death. Raising fees on everything under the sun. There is a lot of money to be saved in tax credits. Oil needs to be indexed to the price, so that when oil is not taxed when prices are low. But when it hits $100 a barrel, the tax reflects that." |
On the Oklahoma Democrats difficulty... "We have to be an upward lifting force. Democrats lost nationally because Hillary had not done the things we Democrats are supposed to do for working families." Joe Dorman said he lost because the national party identity does not identify with Oklahomans. "White working class voters were hearing Trump speak to them in the way Democrats used to. Trade & job issues are a key part of that." Proctor heartily concurred. On Joy Hofmeister's scandal, Proctor does not believe she can continue to effectively do her job while fighting to stay out of prison. The school consolidation issue gets a bit trickier. Dorman says that selling the idea to rural Oklahoma will be difficult. The transportation issue impacts the actual cost savings, and parents don't want their kids sitting on a bus for hours. |
Eric believes Todd Lamb will have a hard time separating himself from Mary Fallin. They see Bob Mills as a possibility. Mills joined the Trump campaign. Bridenstine could also be drafted. Proctor says that he will be supporting Scott Inman if he should run. But of the Republicans rumored to be contenders, he said;
"There is no finer man than Jim Bridenstine, in the Oklahoma Delegation." Any time I had called about a constituent who needed help with veterans affairs or senior on social security, they were spot on and took care of it." Eric Proctor highly regards JJ Dosset; the Democrat state senator from Owasso. "Senator Dosset could be a Democrat candidate for the congressional race in the 2018 1st district." On Dan Kirby and other sex scandals at the capitol.. "Kirby deserves the opportunity to defend his position. I will hold off judgment. Speaker Hickman's appropriation of $44,000, needs an investigation." Joe Dorman then described the "spring break" atmosphere at the capitol. He likened it to a "frat house" |
"There is no accountability.... There are couches in the lounge that I would not sit on" Dorman said. Joe served as a staffer for several years, prior to being elected as a member. Listen to the full inteview at the Pat Campbell podcast page. |