Muskogee Politico

'Parent Voice Oklahoma' launches at state capitol protest over school closures

11/24/2020

'Parent Voice Oklahoma' Launches in Wake of School Closures

OKLAHOMA CITY – Parents from across the state today held a rally to protest school closures and a lack of parent involvement in education decisions. Now, many of those parents have organized to launch a new group: Parent Voice Oklahoma. The group exists to elevate the role of parents in regard to educational decisions at the school, district and state level.

Parent Voice Oklahoma starts with chapters in Owasso, Deer Creek, and Stillwater. Parents from Heritage Academy, a new Epic Charter School program that emphasizes bilingual learning and Hispanic culture and heritage, have also launched a chapter.

Dana Walsh, who attended today’s rally at the State Capitol, said she got involved with Parent Voice Oklahoma because she feels parents are being ignored by local school districts.

“We are tired of not being listened to,” said Walsh, an Owasso parent. “Our school boards are making decisions that impact the health and wellbeing of our kids as well as our ability as parents to work. It is clear they are listening to unions, to politicians, and to the media, but they aren’t listening to parents. Enough is enough.”

One of the initiatives being pushed by Parent Voice Oklahoma is a petition to create a recall process for school board members who fail in their duty to represent the interests of students and parents.

“I signed the petition because the bars are open in my town, the restaurants are open, but the schools are closed,” said Derek Lereviere from Deer Creek. “What does that say about our priorities? We have to put kids and families first."

Robert Ruiz is the executive director of ChoiceMatters, an Oklahoma City-based non-profit that helps parents organize and advocate for their interests. He said that, while school closures are a catalyst for parent action, the real problem is the top-down nature of the public school system bureaucracy.

“We currently have a public school system where a few voices at the very top are making decisions about everything from curricula to personnel to school closures,” said Ruiz. “It’s very hard for parents to get inside that bubble and to impact policy. We need to turn that system on its head, so parents are the guiding force when we develop our education priorities. The system is funded with their tax dollars and exists to educate their kids. It makes no sense to exclude them from governance. That’s what Parent Voice Oklahoma is all about.”

For more information on Parent Voice Oklahoma, go to parentvoiceok.org.

by Muskogee Politico - November 24, 2020 at 07:40AM

'Parent Voice Oklahoma' launches at state capitol protest over school closures
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House Dems rebuke GOP legislators for "trying to overturn another states election"

11/23/2020

Democrats Respond to OK Republicans Attempt to Influence AZ Election

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus members released the following statements in response to seventy Oklahoma Republican legislators attempting to persuade the Arizona Legislature to appoint electors to vote against the state’s official vote count winner.

“Oklahoma Republicans continue to support a Governor who hides behind the term ‘local control’ when refusing to protect Oklahomans during this pandemic,” said House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman. “Now, proving that ‘local control’ is just a talking point to use only when it suits them, Oklahoma Republicans are trying to overturn another state’s election - a state 1,000 miles away. Meanwhile, they remain silent on the real issues facing our state and cannot be bothered to speak up about record-high COVID cases, deaths, and hospitalizations. Oklahomans deserve better.”

by Muskogee Politico - November 23, 2020 at 07:47PM

House Dems rebuke GOP legislators for "trying to overturn another state’s election"
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Oklahoma GOP legislators ask battleground legislatures to verify legitimacy of their elections

11/23/2020

OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS APPEAL TO BATTLEGROUND STATES

[November 21, 2020] State Senator Rob Standridge (R-Norman) is leading a nationwide charge to maintain the integrity of Presidential elections in battleground states. Republican members of the Oklahoma Senate and House have signed letters imploring State Legislatures to fulfill their Constitutional responsibility to verify the legitimacy of their elections.

"We are asking for a fair process to make sure there is no voting fraud,” Sen. Rob Standridge says. “The US Constitution clearly spells out the role of State Legislatures in a Presidential election. State lawmakers are the most direct representation of the people and, if the will of the people is not reflected in a Presidential election, legislatures have an obligation to intervene and investigate on behalf of their constituents. We are not making accusations. We are asking for an impartial investigation to ensure their results are accurate."

Oklahoma House members, led by Rep. Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City), sent a similar letter to the same battleground states: Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona.

by Muskogee Politico - November 23, 2020 at 07:38PM

Oklahoma GOP legislators ask battleground legislatures to verify legitimacy of their elections
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OK State Department of Education hides memo warning of illegal activity

11/20/2020

Agency hides memo warning of illegal activity

by Ray Carter -- Director, Center for Independent Journalism

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has stripped its website of a memo issued by the state attorney general, which warns that the agency has acted illegally in its administration of a state program for children with special needs.

An OSDE spokesperson said the document is shielded from public view by attorney-client privilege.
The Lindsey Nicole Henry (LNH) Scholarships for Students with Disabilities program provides scholarships to students with special needs and foster children, allowing them to attend private schools. The LNH law requires that participating private schools comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of a section of federal law that bars discrimination “on the ground of race, color, or national origin.” Those are the only three categories listed.

However, under the leadership of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister, the OSDE drafted new regulations in 2019 that expanded that list to cover nine categories, including “religion” and “sexual orientation.” The additions were made nine years after the program was created.

As a result of those additions, the State Board of Education has not approved the application of Christian Heritage Academy to serve LNH students with one board member explicitly saying a private school cannot require its staff to be “mature Christian teachers” and still participate in the LNH program under the agency’s new regulations.

by Muskogee Politico - November 20, 2020 at 03:21PM

OK State Department of Education hides memo warning of illegal activity
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School Closure Protest: Parents to Rally on Monday at State Capitol

11/20/2020

Monday, 11/23: Parents to Rally at the Capitol to Protest School Closures

Concerned Oklahoma parents of public-school students will be rallying at the State Capitol on Monday, November 23, to demand a greater voice and role in education, especially as it relates to decisions involving school closures and virtual learning. The rally will begin on the South steps of the Capitol at 11AM and include several speakers. Parents will then meet with legislators as well as representatives from the governor’s office.

Oklahoma teachers’ unions and many education officials have been pushing for indefinite, perhaps year-long school closures and a shift to virtual learning. Many parents say they feel left out of these decisions and placed in an impossible position.

by Muskogee Politico - November 20, 2020 at 11:15AM

School Closure Protest: Parents to Rally on Monday at State Capitol
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1889 Institute: Americans have right to assume risk even in pandemic

11/20/2020

THINK TANK SAYS AMERICANS HAVE RIGHT TO ASSUME RISK, EVEN IN A PANDEMIC

Progress requires risk-taking, and Americans knowledgeable of risk can choose to take it.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (November 18, 2020) – The 1889 Institute’s Research Fellow, Mike Davis, who is also an attorney, has written “America’s Legal Tradition of Allowing Risk-Taking, Even in a Pandemic,” which argues that American common law allows informed risk taking. As long as people are well-informed, they should therefore have the dignity for themselves to decide how much risk to take. In the case of the current COVID-19 pandemic, individuals in a free society like America’s should have the freedom to choose whether to wear masks and/or isolate themselves as part of social distancing.

“Masks, actually N95 respirators, are truly most effective for individuals who are at high risk from COVID-19 and have not contracted the disease. These include the aged, and others who have other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity,” said Davis. “The young and healthy, who are at less risk from COVID-19 than the seasonal flu, should have the same freedom from masks and social distancing as we give them from flu shots. We do not force anyone to take flu shots every year,” he said.

Davis’s paper explains the long legal tradition of assumed risk. He argues that sound information surrounding COVID-19 is readily available and that people can be just as trusted to evaluate and assume risk surrounding social distancing and mask wearing as they can be with deciding whether to ride in a car.

“If nothing else, unless someone has been living under a rock, we all know about COVID-19 and that it’s dangerous. Speaking as someone who’s had the disease, if anything, the danger posed by COVID-19 for most people is exaggerated,” said Davis.

Davis’s paper concludes that many local governments in Oklahoma have over-reacted with social distancing and mask mandates that have bankrupted businesses and disrupted everybody’s lives for the sake of the very most risk-averse among us. “It’s as if those most fearful of flying forced the grounding of all aircraft,” he said.

About the 1889 Institute

The 1889 Institute is an Oklahoma think tank committed to independent, principled state policy fostering limited and responsible government, free enterprise and a robust civil society. The publication, “America’s Legal Tradition of Allowing Risk-Taking, Even in a Pandemic” and other reports can be found on the nonprofit’s website at www.1889institute.org.

by Muskogee Politico - November 20, 2020 at 07:51AM

1889 Institute: Americans have right to assume risk, even in pandemic
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State Rep. Pfeiffer to revive bill directing law enforcement to work with ICE

11/17/2020

Pfeiffer to Revive Legislation on ICE

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, today said he intends to refile legislation that would require Oklahoma law enforcement to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests.

During the 2020 legislative session, Pfeiffer authored House Bill 3195, which directed all sheriffs, jailers and deputies to comply with any request made in an immigration retainer request provided by the federal government, and would have required the person identified in the detainer to be informed they were being held pursuant to the request. Compliance would not be required if the person has provided proof of American citizenship.

by Muskogee Politico - November 17, 2020 at 11:01PM

State Rep. Pfeiffer to revive bill directing law enforcement to work with ICE
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State House and Senate to observe Gov. Stitt's mask policy

11/17/2020

House will observe governor's mask policy for state government, resumes virtual work schedule

OKLAHOMA CITY – Starting Tuesday, House of Representatives space in the Capitol will have a mask policy consistent with Gov. Kevin Stitt’s executive order concerning masks for state buildings and employees.

“Because executive orders do not apply to the legislative branch, the House will observe the same mask policy the governor set for the rest of government. It’s a reasonable precaution with case counts rising in Oklahoma County and statewide,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka.

In partnership with the State Department of Health, the House has been developing multiple health and safety protocols for the upcoming legislative session, which begins with Organizational Day on Jan. 5, followed by the beginning of session Feb. 1.

“The House has worked for weeks on plans to remain functional in session by putting proper precautions in place for everyone’s safety. Strong protocols that are based on the guidance of health professionals and scalable should pandemic conditions change will be announced before session,” McCall said.

Prior to the governor’s announcement Monday, the House had already planned on testing one of its contingency plans by resuming a rotating in-office and virtual work schedule for House staff. Starting Tuesday, each House department will have half its staff in the office and half working virtually on a rotating basis to ensure that should the need arise, the House will have full functionality.

“The House functioned quite well virtually, without closing, for seven weeks during the spring shelter at home period. The rotating schedule for staff is one protocol we are testing now in the event virtual work becomes necessary again next session,” McCall said. “As we did successfully in the spring, we will continue to partner closely with health professionals on all pandemic protocols.”

Since March, the House has had a testing and quarantine policy in place that has been regularly updated based on the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and State Department of Health. Generally, the policy requires testing, remote work and quarantine for symptomatic employees, asymptomatic employees contacted by official state contact tracers, and asymptomatic employees who believe they had close contact with people who have tested positive.

Further plans under development for session will address legislative proceedings, room access and capacity, social distancing and personal protective equipment guidelines, virtual protocols, and other items as determined by health professionals.

“The protocols we enact should also involve everyone having realistic expectations, given the nature of this pandemic. Because strong protocols will minimize but not entirely eliminate the risk, we all must demonstrate flexibility and responsibility in order to continue conducting the people’s business safely,” McCall said.

Senate will observe Governor's mask executive order

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, released the following statement regarding Governor Stitt's executive order concerning masks in state buildings and for state employees:

“Masks are an effective way to slow the transmission of COVID-19, and each of us should wear one when appropriate. I appreciate Governor Stitt for taking measures to protect public health. This is a serious disease. We should all take it seriously and take the necessary steps to protect our neighbors and ourselves. The Senate will observe the governor’s executive order in an effort to protect the health and safety of those who work in the Capitol and those who may visit the People’s House.”

by Muskogee Politico - November 17, 2020 at 01:20PM

State House and Senate to observe Gov. Stitt's mask policy
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1889 Institute: end social distancing mandates focus on vulnerable

11/17/2020

END SOCIAL DISTANCING MANDATES

Form policy according to rational risk assessment, says 1889 Institute.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (November 16, 2020) – In a paper published by the 1889 Institute, Steve Trost, Associate Director, Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise at Oklahoma State University, argues for an end to social distancing mandates amid the COVID-19 epidemic. He says that “The time has come for state and local government officials and governmental institution leaders to apply solid risk management principles to their policymaking.”

Trost’s proposal strikes a balance between liberty and safety and is similar to what the 1889 Institute has recommended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. If adopted, this policy would aggressively shield the vulnerable. Meanwhile, most of the population, which is far less vulnerable, would interact almost normally, socially and economically. Those that need, or merely want, protection would get it. Those that would like to get back to life as usual would be free to do so. Specifically, state, local and governmental-institution policy-makers should create a framework for focused protection by taking the following actions:

by Muskogee Politico - November 17, 2020 at 10:47AM

1889 Institute: end social distancing mandates, focus on vulnerable
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Stitt issues new COVID-19 order for restaurants state employees and agency buildings

11/17/2020

GOVERNOR STITT ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER, IMPLEMENTS ACTIONS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 16, 2020)— Governor Kevin Stitt today joined Commissioner of Health Lance Frye to announce Seventh Amended Executive Order 2020-20, which increases safety measures for restaurants, bars and state employees in Oklahoma to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"Throughout the entire battle against COVID-19, my first priority has been to protect the health and lives of Oklahomans," said Gov. Stitt. "Two other things are also very important to me. We’re going to keep businesses open safely and we're going to work to get all kids back in school safely by the end of Christmas Break. However, it’s going to take everyone working together to meet these goals."

The new action items under Seventh Amended EO 2020-20 include:

by Muskogee Politico - November 17, 2020 at 07:18AM

Stitt issues new COVID-19 order for restaurants, state employees and agency buildings
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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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