Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act rejects federal controls
State Sen. Randy Brogdon has won Senate approval for the Oklahoma Firearms Freedom Act. The measure passed with overwhelming bipartisan support - a vote Brogdon says mirrors the values of most Oklahomans.
The Senate approved Senate Bill 1685 on a vote of 39 to 3.
“As a private citizen and as a state senator, I believe it is important that we guard against the continued erosion of the Bill of Rights, including the right to protect ourselves and our families,” said Brogdon, R-Owasso. “This legislation reaffirms our Second Amendment rights.”
Under the provisions of Senate Bill 1685, no firearms or ammunition manufactured in Oklahoma and remaining in the state could be subject to any federal regulations, including federal registration requirements.
“The benefits of this measure are actually two-fold. The first goal is protection of our constitutional rights, but the second is to give further incentive to firearm manufacturers to consider Oklahoma for their operations,” Brogdon said.
Gun Owners of America announced their endorsement of Brogdon in his bid for governor.
Gun Owners of America, a Washington, D.C.-based firearm advocacy organization, is widely recognized as one of the most conservative advocates for the rights of gun owners.
In their letter of endorsement vice-chairman Tim Macey said “State Senator Brogdon is a leader in protecting Second Amendment rights and in the battle against federal intrusion in Oklahoma.”
Brogdon said that he is very honored and appreciates this move by the GOA. “I am deeply appreciative to Gun Owners of America for their endorsement, I am honored that they have taken note of my efforts here in Oklahoma to defend and strengthen the 2nd Amendment rights of Oklahomans.”
Study claims DT housing preferred
The City of Tulsa and members of the Economic Development Commission, on the basis of the Downtown Tulsa Housing Demand Study, think more Tulsans want to live Downtown.
Tulsa has never conducted a comprehensive study to determine demand for housing within the Inner Dispersal Loop and feeder neighborhoods. The main objective of the market study is to provide a analysis of market demand for residential development.
“We know there is an unmet demand for housing downtown,” said Mayor Dewey Bartlett. “This study will not only give investors and developers a tool to use for lending purposes, but provide us with a guideline of recommendations to implement a successful housing strategy.”
The Economic Development Commission paid consultants from the CDS/Spillette Company to conduct an eight-week, housing demand study based on site visits and telephone and internet surveys. The consultants also compared Tulsa to six similar cities to understand each city’s experience, lessons learned and their applicability to Tulsa. One conclusion from the market study showed a projected demand for 325-475 units per year for the next five years, then 175-275 thereafter. At present, downtown Tulsa has 900 units. The largest percentage of respondents stated they preferred a loft home or townhouse.
The study can be found at the city website, www.cityoftulsa.org.
Virtual education bill task force
Senate Bill 2129 by Senator Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, received overwhelming bipartisan approval from the Senate, advancing legislation that would create Oklahoma’s Statewide Virtual School Task Force.
Stanislawski’s task force will explore the establishment of a statewide virtual school in Oklahoma, by conducting research on a virtual school’s enrollment process, types of courses to be taught, services to be provided, location of operations and funding.
“This legislation will give Oklahomans the opportunity to prepare our students to compete globally,” said Stanislawski. “Senate Bill 2129 has received a groundswell of support outside the Senate, because people see the benefit of the enhanced course offerings virtual schools bring to our students. Time and time again we see evidence that our students learn in different ways and in different environments. Virtual schools provide a unique avenue for students to learn in what may be their best learning style.”
Research shows that states with virtual schools see great progress in their students and education test scores.
Enid educator to run for state post
Longtime educator Shawn Hime is running for state superintendent of schools, saying the state needs experienced leadership to successfully move Oklahoma schools forward, despite the looming budget crisis.
“In this difficult budget climate, Oklahoma schools need a conservative with the experience and ability to make tough decisions.
Hime’s current steering committee members include the following: Dr. Kirby Lehman, Jenks; Dr. Joe Siano, Norman; Kathryn Turner, Fletcher; Dr. Ruth Ann Carr, Ardmore; Dr. Ann Caine, Stillwater; Dr. Keith Ballard, Tulsa; Dr. John Cox, Peggs; Rocky Burchfield, Fairview; Dr. Jim Strate, Autry Technology Center; Steve Shiever, Crescent; Harold Hamm; Chad Dillingham; Dr. Kevin Wells; Bob Bramlett; Wes and Lou Watkins; and Stan Brownlee, treasurer.
Currently the superintendent of Enid Public Schools, Hime’s previous experience includes serving as an assistant principal and assistant superintendent at Ardmore and working at the state Department of Education as director of student assessment and assistant state superintendent.
“There’s no question who the most experienced candidate in this race will be. I am the candidate who has been a school superintendent, managed a budget, and executed conservative reforms instead of just talked about reform,” Hime said.
Before teaching, Hime earned master of education and bachelor of science degrees from East Central University. Hime began his career teaching math and coaching football for Lexington and Ardmore schools. Hime is a Ph.D. candidate at The University of Oklahoma.
Wycliffe Associates lend disaster aid
Wycliffe Associates, the international organization that mobilizes volunteers and resources in support of Bible translation efforts, mobilized volunteers that were already on a construction assignment in Peru to help with clean-up efforts in the aftermath of the flooding of the Vilcanota River near Machu Picchu in late January.
In addition to stranding some 4,000 Machu Picchu tourists for as many as five days, the flooding destroyed thousands of villages, farms and homes surrounding Cusco and Abancay. Excess mud has contaminated Cusco’s water supply, preventing access to fresh water in the area.
Volunteers with Wycliffe Associates and ATEK, a national Christian organization based in Peru, have assisted with sandbagging and clean-up efforts in the villages.
Wycliffe Associates volunteers were in Peru to help ATEK with the construction of a literacy and scripture use training center in Cusco.
ATEK works among the people who speak Quechua of Cusco Calloa, spoken by 1.5 million people throughout the Andes. The organization is now realizing literacy programs for speakers of Quechua. Bruce Smith, president and CEO of Wycliffe Associates, says, “Evangelism is best done in the first language of a person, and it’s to that end we want to assist in the literacy and Scripture use of the Quechuan people.”
In 2007, Wycliffe Associates assisted another Peruvian partner organization, CILTA, with construction by adding a fourth floor to their Linguistic Training Center in Lima. Currently, AIDIA, another Peruvian partner organization, is working to translate the Bible into Apurimac Quechua as well as teach Quechua literacy and train church leaders in the region.
Eight teams of Wycliffe Associates volunteers are scheduled to travel periodically to Peru this year, where they not only will help ATEK and AIDIA complete the construction of their training centers. The volunteers will assist in other ways as well.
“During the time the teams are in Peru, the volunteers will also spend one or two nights in a village with the indigenous leadership, attending training seminars and other outreach ministries,” says Norm Every, the Americas area director for Wycliffe Associates.
Wycliffe Associates contributes over 560,000 volunteer hours of work per year to help Bible translation efforts. During 2009, some 4,347 Wycliffe Associates volunteers served as part of the worldwide Bible translation team. Wycliffe Associates has served in over 54 countries through volunteer and financial support. This year, Wycliffe Associates is planning to mobilize more than 5,600 volunteers to serve in 63 different countries to build and renovate facilities, construct roads and airstrips, teach Vacation Bible School, help with language development and office work, oversee projects, use their computer skills, and much more.
For more information, visit www.wycliffeassociates.org or call 1-800-THE WORD (1-800-843-9673).
New bill adds tornado protections
Legislation to protect Oklahomans from tornados was passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
House Bill 2835, by state Rep. Pat Ownbey, would require the owner of a mobile home park or RV park to provide tenants a shelter plan in case of a natural disaster such as a tornado, high winds or flooding.
The legislation requires the plan be developed with the assistance of the municipality or county where the mobile home or RV park is located or the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
“My legislation will help protect Oklahomans from tornados like the one that touched down in Lone Grove,” Ownbey, R-Ardmore said.
“All but one of the individuals who died in the Lone Grove tornado lived in a mobile home park. That is why I tailored my legislation to address the need for a shelter plan for mobile home and RV owners.”
Rees to run for county commission
Drew Rees, attorney for the Tulsa City Council, announced that he is running for the Republican nomination for the Tulsa County Commission District 3.
That seat is held by fellow Republican Commissioner Fred Perry.
Rees told a group of supporters he is running because, “The time has come when the county must take on a greater role in assisting all of its cities.
“My experience with local government will ensure we can work together in a more effective, efficient, open and professional manner.
“Tulsa County is at a crossroads. If trends hold, Tulsa County will soon cross the magic threshold of one million in population. Crossing that threshold will bring countless new opportunities and challenges.
“The population of the surrounding communities will soon be larger than the City of Tulsa. These communities are growing at tremendous rates and will need all of the assistance the County can provide.”
Owasso teacher Michael Masters, who lives in Bixby, has also announced his intention to run for the GOP nod.
Rees has 17 years of experience with the City of Tulsa, including 8 years advising the City Council.
Faught’s bill promotes music history
A new tourist attraction that will spread across the entire state promoting Oklahoma’s musical history may soon be a reality thanks, in part, to state Rep. George Faught.
House Bill 2649, by Faught, R-Muskogee, would create the Oklahoma Music Trail, which will consist of 100 specific, notable musical sites across the state in order to honor musicians with Oklahoma roots. The legislation also establishes a working group that will assist in the formation and development of the project.
“The creation of the Oklahoma Music Trail will convert the wonderful musical talent of Oklahoma into an economic driver that will bring more tourism dollars to communities all across our state,” said Faught. “This will showcase the enormous musical talent that has set Oklahoma apart from other states. The Oklahoma Music Trail will attract music lovers from all around the world and by doing so will provide an economic boon for these communities.”
The working group is charged with developing, promoting, and marketing the Trail. The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, the Tourism and Recreation Department, the Historical Society, the Film and Music Commission and the Department of Transportation will each have one member in the working group.
“The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, located in Muskogee, is designated to oversee the Music Trail. Final approval for specific sites on the Trail will be determined by the Hall of Fame. The OMHF has extensive work experience over the years promoting Oklahoma music,” said Faught. “This is a win for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame as well as the entire music industry in Oklahoma.”
The Oklahoma Music Trail, the brainchild of several board members of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, is patterned after the highly successful Mississippi Blues Trail. Faught added that the site markers, similar to historical markers, will be in the shape of musical notes and music fans will be able to follow the Trail across the state visiting birthplaces, museums, and important places of interest.
House Bill 2649 passed the full House of Representatives by 70-23 and now proceeds to the Senate for a hearing where it will be carried by state Sen. Earl Garrison (D-Muskogee).
Bill requires impounding cars sans insurance
Legislation that would allow uninsured drivers to have their cars impounded cleared the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
“This bill addresses one of the most consistent problems in Oklahoma today - getting uninsured motorists off of the roads,” said Steve Martin, R-Nowata, Washington, Osage counties. “I constantly hear from voters in my district who are fed up with this problem. Fortunately, new technology allows us to better enforce the law.’
House Bill 2331, by Martin, takes advantage of a recently activated instant verification system available to law enforcement officers. The system allows officers to determine within seconds if vehicles are covered by qualifying liability insurance.
“Law enforcement officers can now enter a license tag number into a data base and know within eight seconds if a car is insured,” Martin said.
Under House Bill 2331, if a car is uninsured, it could be seized immediately by the officer and towed to an impoundment lot until all of the requirements of the law are satisfied.
The instant verification system, ordered by an act of the state legislature in 2006, has been created through cooperation of the insurance industry and the State of Oklahoma. It is now fully operational and has been available to law enforcement for several months. Up to this time, however, law enforcement has had no power to seize an uninsured vehicle or to use results of the instant verification system as a primary cause to stop a vehicle. Law enforcement would have both of these tools available upon passage of House Bill 2331.
“It has been estimated that one in four cars on Oklahoma roads has no liability insurance in spite of our mandatory insurance law,” Martin said. “We have all heard the tragic stories of victims of uninsured motorists. It’s time to take action.”
House Bill 2331 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on an 87-8 vote.
An Oklahoma City legislator has concerns that a bill intended to increase compliance with Oklahoma’s auto insurance requirements may open the door to an increase in profiling by police.
“This measure gives police the authority to stop anyone when the state’s computer system doesn’t verify that they have insurance,” noted Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, following passage of HB2331 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives Monday.
“My concern is that some police officers will see this as a way to get around the requirement of probable cause for making a traffic stop. I think it is likely this bill will have a disproportionate negative impact on poor people and minorities,” said Rep. Shelton.
The bill passed by a vote of 87 to 8, with Rep. Shelton among seven Democrats voting in opposition.
It also authorizes police to impound a car if no valid insurance verification form can be produced by the driver.
“While I agree that it is desirable to reduce the number of uninsured drivers on our roads, I don’t think we should sacrifice the time-honored principle of probable cause on the altar of technology,” Rep. Shelton said. “We’ve all heard or experienced our own horror stories relating to computers, and I just think it is unreasonable to let police pull over anyone who doesn’t show up on a computer-generated list. There is just too much potential for abuse, whether by intent or computer error.”
Scholarships for special needs
Lawmakers voted to provide scholarships and increased educational opportunities to children with special needs.
“This legislation acknowledges the fact that children with special needs have unique challenges. If those needs are not properly addressed in their assigned local school, I believe we should give those families the opportunity to attend the school that provides the best learning environment for their children,” said state Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City.
House Bill 3393, by Nelson, creates the Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program.
Under the bill, students with disabilities (such as those with Downs syndrome or autism) who have an individualized education program (IEP) would qualify for a scholarship to attend any school (public or private) that meets the accreditation requirements of the State Board of Education.
The scholarship program would not require new spending during the downturn, but would merely redirect existing funds that are currently being spent on the student.
A group of parents and advocates for special-needs children were present for the House vote, including representatives from Trinity School, a private school that serves children with learning disabilities in the Oklahoma City area.
“At Trinity, we serve students with a wide range of disabilities - or learning ‘differences’ - that are often not sufficiently addressed in the public schools,” said Kelly Feroli, president of the Trinity School board. “Before coming to Trinity, many of our students were not receiving the services they needed or were ’stuck’ in the process. That’s why House Bill 3393 is so important. It is the first step to give parents a choice to get services for their child in a more efficient manner.”
“We need to find the right fit for each student to get the education that they need,” said Jennifer Vaught, an intervention specialist who is head of school for Trinity School. “We have seen students thrive when placed in the right learning environment. One of our students with severe dyslexia now makes a 4.0 in high school and scores above average on IQ tests. So we are talking about changing a person’s entire life and even saving their life in some instances. Giving these kids a quality education allows them to go on to college, to technical school and become a productive member of society. To me, that’s what this bill is about - changing the lives of students.”
Andrea Kersey, mother of a child with high-functioning autism and founder of Heartland Academy in Tulsa, has endorsed the legislation. Scheduled to open in 2010, the school will be dedicated to the education of students from 6th grade through 12th grade with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s syndrome.
State law currently allows school districts to transfer a student on an IEP, including tuition, to a different public school better suited to serve the special needs of the child. School districts may also partner with another public or private school to meet the requirements of a student’s IEP.
“It only makes sense to provide the same set of choices to the parents of these students that are currently provided to the school districts,” Nelson said.
House Bill 3393 also amends the Self-Directed Care Pilot Program administered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services by expanding the program statewide and making it permanent.
Under the program, individuals with developmental disabilities are given a budget allowance in which they direct services rather than a third party. This creates a saving that is shared by the individuals directing and receiving the service and with the Department of Human Services.
Money for the current program, the home- and community based services, is funneled through third-party provider agencies that direct the care, rather than the family. Because of the expense associated with third-party directed services, there is less money available to pay for those services. HB 3393 will allow the state to expand services to more people even in the middle of the state’s budget crisis.
Under House Bill 3393, families will be provided a monthly budget and allowed to directly hire care staff at market-based rates. Families can also use the program to get much needed respite care. Nelson said.
Bill seeks to limit video use
State Sen. Earl Garrison has won unanimous Senate approval for a bill to make it illegal to videotape assaults and post them on Internet sites such as YouTube.
Senate Bill 1981 is aimed at individuals who have prior knowledge that an attack is going to take place, then videotape the assault for the Internet.
“I was visiting with Muskogee County Sheriff Charles Pearson last fall and there had been a number of stories in the news about kids planning terrible attacks on unsuspecting victims, and videotaping the assault specifically to make some kind of claim to fame on the Internet,” said Garrison, D-Muskogee. “While this shocks anyone with any ounce of morals, it unfortunately has encouraged copy-cat attacks. We want to stop this in its tracks.”
Under the provisions of Senate Bill 1981, it would be illegal for anyone to upload video or digital images to any website accessible on the Internet if the image recorded contains a prosecutable offense of assault and battery involving a minor.
“According to the language in my bill, a person with prior knowledge of a planned attack who videotapes and uploads the image could be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $750 for each offense,” Garrison said. “We need to send a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated.”
Garrison said his co-author for SB 1981 is Rep. Bud Smithson, D-Sallisaw, who is a retired Highway Patrolman.
“Representative Smithson is very enthusiastic about this bill. I’m hopeful he’ll be able to get this through the House as quickly as possible so we can send it to Governor Brad Henry to become law.”
Expanded days for state holidays
Under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the holidays would be a little jollier for state workers.
House Bill 3052, by state Rep. Dan Kirby, would add an extra day to the Christmas holiday for state workers.
“State workers haven’t received a pay raise in several years, and while we know they are overworked and underpaid, this revenue shortfall is of historical proportions,” Kirby, R-Tulsa, said. “Together with OPEA, we want to do something for our employees who have dedicated their careers to public service. This is a small way of saying ‘thank you’ for all you do, and that your work has not gone unnoticed, so ‘Happy Holidays’.”
Kirby said the state will see a benefit in the retention of quality employees.
“Not only does it give public employees a longer Christmas holiday, but it also helps the state make its positions more attractive, ensuring the hiring and retention of quality employees.”
Kirby said the legislation is written so that if Christmas falls on a Saturday, the Friday before will be a holiday and that if Christmas falls on a Sunday, the Monday after will be a holiday.
“In those cases where an employee would already be off on Christmas, we give them an additional day with their families,” Kirby said. “I think the legislation is pro-family and House staff have found no significant fiscal effect.”
Gothard Seminar at Will Rogers
Will Rogers United Methodist Church will host Bill Gothard Seminars’ Institute in Basic Life Principles Seminar March 22 through March 27.
Will Rogers United Methodist Church is at 1138 South Yale.
The seminar will include: Basic Seminar, Advanced Seminar, Anger Resolution Seminar, Financial Freedom Seminar and the Children’s Institute (which is for children ages 5 to 12).
For further information, call 396-9821 or go to www.IBLP.com
Tibbs, Morgan bill makes texting illegal in cars
Lawmakers voted last week to make it illegal to text while driving and also voted to ban cell phone use by teenage drivers with a learner’s permit.
House Bill 3250, by state Reps. Sue Tibbs and Danny Morgan, would penalize any person who is operating a motor vehicle on a street or highway while using a cellular telephone or electronic communication device to write, send or read a text-based communication while the motor vehicle is in motion. Violations could result in a fine of up to $1,000.
Tibbs said drivers need to stop texting and e-mailing while driving altogether.
“People know they shouldn’t text and drive, but do it anyway because there’s currently no big penalty when they get caught,” said Tibbs, R-Tulsa. “This legislation will give people reason to think twice about engaging in that dangerous practice. In the end, no one wants to cause an accident because they had to text something that could have waited 10 minutes,” said Tibbs, R-Tulsa. “This bill could save people from serious injuries or death.”
According to a Virginia Tech Transportation Institution study, for every six seconds of drive time, a driver sending or receiving a text message spends 4.6 of those seconds with their eyes off the road.
House Bill 3250 also prohibits any driver operating under a learner’s permit or an intermediate driver’s license (class D) from using a cell phone to talk or text when the car is in motion. In addition, learner’s permit holders would only be able to drive between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Violation of either provision would result in the suspension of the driver’s license, payment of court costs and ticket fees.
“Young drivers need to focus on driving and learning how to be a good driver instead of talking to their friends and potentially endangering their lives or the lives of others,” said Tibbs.
House Bill 3250 passed the full House on a 70-28 vote. It now proceeds to the Senate for a hearing.
“Considering the fact that we’re talking about 3,000 pounds of metal traveling at 40 to 75 miles per hour on autopilot, that’s what happens if you are texting while driving. You have then created a dangerous situation that could lead to tragedy,” said Tibbs.