President should have ‘public option’ health care coverage
U.S. Senators Tom Coburn, R-Okla.; Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa,;Richard Burr, R-N.C. and David Vitter, R-La., filed an amendment to the Senate majority leader’s health care bill that would enroll the president, White House staff, all administration political staff, members of Congress and all congressional [political] staff in the government-run public option.
The amendment also fixes a carve-out to reflect the original intent of a Grassley amendment that made sure leadership and committee staff also would be subject to the proposed reforms.
“The president, members of Congress and others in our government can demonstrate leadership and confidence in the public option by enrolling themselves in the program,” said Coburn, a physician. “While I oppose the public option, Republicans and Democrats can agree that we should live under the laws we pass. I can also think of no better way to ensure that the public option is responsive to our citizens than by having the politicians in charge of the system enrolled in the same program. If a low-income, single mom has to wait in line for a life saving treatment, so should our national leaders and their families. Enrolling national leaders in the public option may be the best way to prevent the government from rationing care.”
“The White House and cabinet secretaries are working very hard for this massive overhaul of America’s health care system,” Grassley said. “It’s only fair that if this bill becomes law, these individuals should themselves be subject to the reforms. The same is true for congressional staff. Quietly carving out leadership staff and committee staff behind closed doors is unacceptable. If the reforms are as good as their supporters say, the reforms should be good enough for everybody.”
“Many of my constituents have asked me whether politicians would be willing to put themselves and their families in a government-run health care plan if Congress approves this bill. While I do not support the creation of a new government-run plan, I do believe that the President, his Cabinet, and Members of Congress should have to live under such a plan if one is created,” Burr said. “If this bill is good enough for the American people, it is good enough for Congress and the White House.”
“If we’re going to move forward with this massive government-run health care program, then we need to ensure that members of Congress cannot exempt themselves and keep their current benefit package. Politicians should not be mandating that other Americans join a government health care program that they have no intention of joining themselves,” said Vitter.
Coburn and Grassley joined forces in the floor debate after having won approval of amendments in their respective committees to apply the new health reforms to members of Congress and staff. Coburn’s amendment in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed with some Democratic support, and Grassley’s amendment in the Finance Committee [each] received unanimous approval.
Grassley learned that staff members of Senate leadership offices and committees are exempted from the requirement that members of Congress and congressional staff get their employer-based health insurance through the same system that would apply to the rest of the country under the Senate majority leader’s health care legislation. Staff for the majority leader and Democratic committee chairmen wrote the bill behind closed doors. The carve-out came to light after Grassley asked the non-partisan Congressional Research Service to analyze the bill, and experts confirmed the carve-out.
The amendment filed combines the Coburn and Grassley amendments, putting all members of the House and Senate and their staff in the public option in states that have one and in the exchange in states that opt out of the public option. The amendment fixes the majority leader’s omission of leadership and committee staffs. It also enrolls the president, the vice president, White House staff and all administration political staff in the public option or exchange (depending on their state).
Coburn, Grassley, Burr and Vitter urged all senators to join them as cosponsors of their amendment and encouraged Majority Leader Reid to schedule a debate and vote on the amendment at his earliest convenience.
Pro-life rally set for January 22
A peaceful pro-life march and rally will start at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Cathedral of the Holy Family, 8th Street and Boulder Avenue and end at Centennial Green.
Thousands of Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Lutherans, Baptists and other Evangelicals across the nation will participate.
For information, go to www.tulsamarchforlife.wordpress.com.
Homicides up, violent crimes down
Tulsa has had an increase in the homicide rate, a significant decrease of 11.9 percent in violent crimes overall happened in 2009. Violent crimes include homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
Throughout 2009, the Tulsa Police Department has tracked crime and crime trends through its COMPSTAT program that began in January of this year.
As 2009 nears an end, TPD has observed a downward trend in overall crime for a second straight year. This year alone, overall crime has decreased in Tulsa by 1.4 percent.
Overall Part I crimes include: homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft.
Currently, property crimes are slightly up by 0.9 percent; however, there is a significant decrease of 10.9 percent in auto thefts and a 2.1 percent decrease in burglaries. Property crimes include burglary, larceny and auto theft.
A spokesman said Tulsa Police will continue to focus on the reduction of violent crimes through technology and effective use of our most valuable resource - the officers.
Crime numbers are from the FBI’s Uniform Crime report and reflect year-to-date statistics through October. Complete 2009 crime statistics will available mid-January 2010.
Ultimate Gift movie on Dec. 20-21
The Ultimate Gift movie, based on a best-selling book by Tulsa author Jim Stovall, will be presented on the Hallmark Channel December 20 at 3 p.m. and December 21st at 1 p.m.
Bill facilitates removal of judges
State Reps Mike Reynolds and Mike Ritze announced they plan on filing legislation to help facilitate removal of judges who give child rapists and murderers “slap on the hand” sentences.
Representative Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, said “After Oklahoma made national headlines with the sentence of child rapist David Earls by District Judge Tom Bartheld, you would have thought other Oklahoma judges would have begun to understand that the public will not put up with their bleeding hearts.”
“It seems Judge Kellough must live in a different world,” added Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City. “When a jury recommends Life in prison and the judge gives a sentence of only12 years, there doesn’t seem to even be a reason to have juries.”
Tulsa County Judge William Kellough reduced the jury’s recommended sentence of child murderer Larry Neeley. Neeley caused 20-month-old Jason Joseph to die from blunt force trauma and a lacerated liver after being thrown into a dresser drawer while the child’s mother was away from home.
The two lawmakers were appalled to find out the lengthy process to remove judges when they misuse their judicial powers. Under current statutes, the only authority over these judges the Legislature has is the ability to “ask” the Council on Judicial Complaints to investigate these judges. Additionally, the Legislature is not even privy to the results of the investigation.
“These judges have abused and exploited their judicial powers to the point that they are no longer fit to serve Oklahoma as a judge,” said Ritze. “We must still ensure that people like David Earls and Larry Neeley never again are given the opportunity to escape justice because of weak prosecutors and judges.”
In an effort to overcome the massive campaign contributions that these judges receive from criminal defense lawyers, Reynolds and Ritze have also committed to forming a watchdog organization that will target judges during election cycles so that voters can be informed of their disturbing records.
Energy Advocates select Bonner
The Energy Advocates has announced the election of Tina Bonner, Duncan, Okla., as chairman of the board of directors.
Bonner was elected at the annual membership meeting. She will assume the responsibilities on January 1. Bonner will also act as the CEO/president of the organization.
“I am very excited about the election and look forward to what the next year holds for The Energy Advocates.” said Bonner. “Energy continues to be at the forefront of debate. Our organization will contribute energy education as an important part of the solution.”
Also, added to the board was David Smith, vice president of Farmers National Company, Tulsa. For more information about the Energy Advocates, visit www.energyadvocates.org
Kirk of the Hills to add location
The leadership of Kirk of the Hills Church, 4102 E. 61st St., presented details to the Jenks city council about plans for a new church campus near Highway 75.
This new second location for the church in the growing Jenks community will be known as Kirk Crossing.
“The master plan for developing the property at Kirk Crossing includes a church that will support the families in the immediate area, along with retail complexes, which will add to the revenues of the city of Jenks,” said the Rev. Wayne Hardy, co-pastor at the Kirk. “We recently held two events out on the property, and had a wonderful turn-out from the residents in that area. They are as excited as we are to provide them a place where they can get to know their neighbors, and most importantly, hear the word of God on a regular basis.”
In October, organizers held a “Trunk and Treat” family event near the property.
Stacy Johnson, an attendee, said, “Thank you so much for inviting our neighbors to your event. We look forward to you being in the community.”
D.J. Ponville, a co-business owner in Bixby and the deacon for Kirk Crossing, heads up the planning and creation of the congregation on the property. “The people in this South Jenks and Glenpool area are enthusiastic about having a church in their neighborhood that offers sound Biblical preaching and fellowship with other believers.”
Leadership at the Kirk is hopeful that construction can begin in 2010, with a fundraising effort taking place in the next few months.
“Many people would question why we should spend money developing a new congregation in South Tulsa in difficult economic times,” said Hardy. “All we can say in response is that as believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to spread the word throughout the world and even here in our own backyard. After much prayer and consideration, this is the direction we feel God is directing us to go. There is never an ‘ideal’ time to build a new congregation, and we are called to make sacrifices and give back to God as He directs and encourages us to.”
Services are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2010 in a temporary location.
Don’t use stimulus funds, rainy day money for deficits
State Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, called for the governor and state leaders to exercise fiscal responsibility and common sense when dealing with the state’s budget woes.
Brogdon also cautioned using stimulus funds and raiding the Rainy Day Fund to fill the budget holes.
“There’s no such thing as free money,” Brogdon said. “These stimulus dollars have strings attached and the noose is tightening around the future generations - our children and grandchildren.”
Brogdon cited recent actions by Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D., R-Okla., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in the United States Senate pointing out waste in stimulus projects.
“We’re giving hard-earned tax dollars to universities to study the hierarchy of ants in a colony. Also tax dollars are given to beauty colleges, dry cleaners, liquor stores, coffee shops, welding schools and horse riding academies,” said Brogdon. “That sort of reckless spending is what got our country into the position we are currently in.”
Brogdon, who is running for governor in 2010, said he was “glad to be fighting government waste” along with Coburn.
Brogdon reminded legislators they are spending money that really belongs in the pocketbooks of taxpayers, including the economically disadvantaged.
“The government tells us they are looking out for the little guy when, in fact, it is the little guy from whom they are stealing,” said Brogdon. “They’re spending the money seniors could be using for medicine and money that families should be using to buy food and school supplies.
“This is money Oklahomans should be using to pay their heating bills this winter,” he added.
Addressing the impending special session, Brogdon is calling on the governor to avoid political expediency and, instead, address the real issue facing the legislature, budget cuts.
“Our state leaders are looking to dip into the state’s savings account in order to offset budget cuts they know are coming anyways,” he said. “During my service in the State Senate, I have consistently fought for fiscal responsibility and this is not fiscally responsible.”
Brogdon said spending the state’s Rainy Day Fund, and piling on more stimulus credit rather than facing the reality of budget cuts, would further impair the state.
“We’re looking at a billion dollar budget hole,” he said. “No amount of wishful thinking should keep us from making hard decisions to cut the budget”
OCPA sponsors essay contest
The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) is encouraging all Oklahoma high school seniors to display their writing abilities for a chance to win $12,000 in scholarship prizes.
The eleventh annual OCPA Citizenship Essay Contest asks students to write about entrepreneurship. The deadline for entry is February 8, 2010.
College bound students from across the state will address the following: “Why is entreprenuership a foundation of our freedom?”
“Entreprenuership is all about the freedom to take risks and the opportunity to create the wealth that leaves the world a better place,” said Dr. J. Rufus Fears, scholar and perennial essay contest judge. “The Founders of our country were the greatest entreprenuers in history and took the biggest risk that changed history forever.”
Since the contest began, OCPA has awarded nearly $90,000 in tuition scholarship prizes to Oklahoma high school seniors seeking a higher education. This year, eleven colleges and universities in Oklahoma have agreed to match all or a portion of OCPA’s scholarships. They include: Bacone College, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City University’s Meinders School of Business, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Rose State College, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Christian University, Southern Nazarene University, and University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
The Citizenship Essay Contest is open to all Oklahoma high school seniors in public, private and home schools. OCPA will present the top five finalists with scholarship prizes at the 2010 Citizenship Dinner on March 31 in Oklahoma City. The judging panel is comprised of five of Oklahoma’s distinguished professors, elected officials, and community leaders. For more information visit ocpathink.org.
Homebuyers tax credit extended
The federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers has been extended.
Eileen St. Pierre, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension personal finance specialist, said the extension is part of a $24 billion economic stimulus bill that will extend the $8,000 tax credit from Nov. 30, 2009, to April 30, 2010, for homebuyers who are purchasing their first home. The program is also expanding to offer a $6,500 credit to homeowners who have lived in their current home for at least five years and are seeking to relocate.
“The period for eligibility for the tax credit is for a home purchased after Nov. 6 of this year and before May 1, 2010,” St. Pierre said. “Home purchases that have a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010 will qualify if the closing occurs by June 30, 2010.”
Those who are eligible for the $8,000 tax credit include homebuyers who have not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase. Repeat buyers who have been residing in their principal residence for five consecutive years (out of the last eight) and are purchasing a home to be their principal residence may be eligible for up to a $6,500 tax credit. All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.
St. Pierre said all homes with a purchase price under $800,000 qualify, including townhomes and condominiums. Again, the home must be used as the principal residence. Rental homes and vacation property do not qualify.
“This is a refundable tax credit,” she said. “This means that if the amount of income taxes owed is less than the amount of the credit, the homeowners will get a check for the difference when they file their tax return. It also doesn’t have to be repaid unless the homeowners sell or stop using the home as their main residence within three years of purchase.”
Income limits do apply. For more detailed information, you can visit the website www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com or contact your local county Extension office.
Essay winners are announced
The Desk and Derrick Club of Tulsa has announced the winners of its thirteenth annual Energy Essay Contest for all middle school students in the Tulsa area.
The 2009 Energy Essay topic was, “My Three Favorite Energy-Related Careers.” The contest encourages students to develop writing and researching skills while learning about important energy-related topics. Over 700 students from six different middle schools participated in the contest.
Cash prizes totaling $2,100 will be awarded to the top ten essay authors and their sponsoring teachers. Judges for the contest were Gwen Humphrey, retired - Tulsa Public Schools; Kristie Luchtel Ferguson of Newfield Exploration Mid-Continent Inc; Brian Flynn of BRG Energy LLC and his wife Sarah Flynn of Questar Energy Corp.
Rachel McAllister, daughter of Douglas and Stacey McAllister of Broken Arrow is the first place winner. Rachel is a student at the Union Eighth Grade Center. Rachel will receive a check for $500 for her efforts and a $250 check for her sponsoring teacher, Linda Newkirk.
Newkirk, McAllister, her parents and brother, Marla Robinson (principal of the Union 8th Grade Center) and the contest judges were honored guests at a banquet December 9 at the Petroleum Club of Tulsa hosted by the Desk and Derrick Club of Tulsa.
Second place essay winner Leslie Atherton is an eighth grade student of language arts teacher, Jamie Causey, at Edison Preparatory Middle School. Katherine Meyer, a student of Lisa Malone at the Union 8th Grade Center authored the third place essay. The fourth place award went to Samuel Pangestu, another student of Linda Newkirk. Amaya Christon is the fifth place essayist and a student of Lisa Malone at Union.
The remaining cash prize winners are:
• 6th grade, Tristan Fitts; Linda Newkirk, teacher (Union 8th Grade Center)
• 7th grade, Alex Lopez; Lisa Malone, teacher (Union 8th Grade Center)
• 8th grade, Courtney Taylor; Linda Newkirk, teacher (Union 8th Grade Center)
• 9th grade, Erin Leverington; Linda Newkirk, teacher (Union 8th Grade Center)
• 10th grade, Farhan Javed; Lisa Malone, teacher (Union 8th Grade Center)
The six other finalists who achieved honorable mention status are: Emily Branz and Bradley Gleason (Malone), Aubry Thomas (Newkirk), Courtney Manly (Susan McMurchy), Jennifer Haley and Jibran Sharieff (Newkirk).
The Desk and Derrick Club is a nonprofit, energy educational group affiliated with the international Association of Desk and Derrick Clubs (ADDC). Its purpose is to promote the education and professional development of individuals employed in the petroleum, natural gas, energy and their related industries within the United States and Canada. The organization also reaches out to the community at large to provide educational opportunities concerning the energy industry through seminars, symposiums and the annual energy essay contest. For more information consult the website www.tulsadandd.net. The contest topic/rules are updated annually and posted on the website by August 15.
Be careful of
holiday poisoing
While the holiday season typically is a time for fun and creating happy family memories, it also brings the potential for accidental poisonings.
The holidays often find homes full of things that are not found every day, said Debbie Richardson, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension parenting assistant specialist.
“When the holidays roll around, homes begin to fill up with various plant materials such as poinsettias, mistletoe and holly,” Richardson said. “Holiday parties may include alcoholic beverages. If precautions aren’t taken, there could be serious consequences for children.”
Ethyl alcohol is a common and potentially toxic ingredient in holiday beverages. In addition, denatured alcohol is found in gifts such as perfumes and cologne. Many hospitals report an increase in cases of alcohol poisoning in children around the holiday season.
“This is due in part to adults leaving unfinished drinks after a party within reach of children,” she said. “Because of their small size, children are more likely to get alcohol poisoning than adults. Make sure all bottles of alcohol are put away and leftover beverages are poured down the drain before going to bed at night.”
Although legend has it that poinsettias are poisonous, they are not. Children who play with the leaves of this plant and then rub their eyes may experience redness and irritation. However, if pieces of the plants are swallowed, parents are encouraged to call the Oklahoma Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Most people enjoy a kiss under the mistletoe. Keep in mind that certain varieties of mistletoe contain substances that, in large quantities, can affect the nervous system, blood pressure and heart. The berries have the greatest potential for causing symptoms of poisoning.
Holly is another plant that often is used for decorating during the holiday season. The berries of a few of the more than 400 different varieties are reported to be poisonous and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a slowing down of breathing and heart rate if consumed.
Essential oils and flavors are also more abundant during the holidays. Some ingredients, such as salicylates in oil of wintergreen, menthol, camphor, eucalyptol and other oils and flavorings, can be extremely toxic if ingested. Some of these products also may have high alcohol content or the potential to cause severe problems if ingested.
“Anytime you think your child has ingested something that is potentially dangerous, call the OPCC. Anyone who has questions about other products in their home also may call the Oklahoma Poison Control Center 24 hours a day,” Richardson said. “Having a better understanding of how easily an accidental poisoning can occur is one way to make sure it doesn’t happen.”