Oklahoma Political News Service

• The OKPNS Press Bailout Offer: Tuesday Only!

  You know for years we’ve enjoyed tweaking the capitol press corps, which is simply the worst group of reporters in the free world. But we’re here to help our sleepy friends break a big story BEFORE the next legislative session. Sen. ‘Smokin’ Glenn Coffee is slated to be the guest speaker [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 1:22pm EST
  by Editor

• Burned Cup of Coffee?

  Sources tell OKPNS that the race to succeed Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee has turned ugly. The upcoming 2010 session will be Sen. Coffee’s last year as senate leader, and insiders say four incumbent Republican senators are vying to be the Pro Tem for the 2011 legislature: Cliff Aldridge, [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 10:59am EST
  by Editor

• Video: Rep. Richard Morrissette Goes Off!

  Number of comments: 1
  It was the best political TV of the weekend: Rep. Richard Morrissette going off on Oklahoma's Republican congressional delegation for doing nothing about the Obama Administration's anti-veteran sacking of the new hospital in Southeast Oklahoma County, which will cost the Oklahoma City area 500 jobs and deny veterans and military [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 8:56am EST
  by Editor

• Video: Looky There! (Temporary) Stimulus Jobs!

  Federal Recovery Act funds are helping to bring a fresh water source to a small town in Southeastern Oklahoma. Hat tip:OklahomaHorizonTV [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 11:09am EST
  by Editor

• This One’s For You Mike!

  Number of comments: 2
  From The McCarville Report Online: “As I ponder this obsession on my part, I note that many of those who operate in the Oklahoma blogosphere are not so inclined; the posts, opinion or story, come days (or weeks) apart. Some have faded into nothingness as the writers obviously have become bored, [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 10:50am EST
  by Editor

• Al Gore Profits Big on ‘Smart Grid’ Technology

  Number of comments: 1
  EXAMINER.COM: Last week, we told you about how Oklahoma Gas & Electric received $130 million dollars in “stimulus” funds to install new “smart grid” electricity meters. (We have yet to figure out how this saves or creates a job yet!) But thanks to the New York Times (of all places!) we [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 9:50am EST
  by Editor

• Welfare = Cellphones?

  (Associated Press) Photos of a man taking a cell phone photo of Michelle Obama while she served food at a soup kitchen. Oklahoma City (October 30, 2009) – Republican Congressional candidate Kevin Calvey today denounced a new federal program to provide cellular phones and airtime to welfare recipients. “Taxpayers are hurting during [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 9:36am EST
  by Kirk Shelley

• Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Rep. Dorman Headed to Germany

  State Rep. Joe Dorman will join two other American state lawmakers and one Canadian federal lawmaker on the Friedrich Naumann Foundation’s Transatlantic Dialogue Program Study and Information Tour of Germany. “I am honored to serve on the tour, representing Oklahoma in a visit to Germany , where they’ve just underwent federal [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 11:12am EDT
  by Editor

• Oklahoma Ranked 4th in Corruption

  But, take heed, there is somewhat of a silver lining. Oklahoma is ranked 27th in "officials convicted in federal corruption cases over the last 10 years" and 25th in "number of guilty officials per capita." [...]
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  Posted: October 29, 2009, 10:29am EDT
  by Editor

• What Can Trick or Treaters Teach You About Tactics?

  Your Political Guru: Some kids think their goal is to amuse others, or have fun, but one of my son Joe knows that the whole purpose is to get the most candy you can in three hours. Last year he showed up as an Obama supporter.  He had the whole uniform, including [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 1:48pm EDT
  by Editor

• ODOT Paid THIS Guy $7,500???

  “In fact, when I was 17, I was thinking one day about what the name of a company one day. So I have the Internet, and I think it was the Internet … I think it was Netscape, then, and I went to a Latin / English dictionary and I [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 1:13pm EDT
  by Editor

• Video: Inhofe Point by Point Rebuttal to Senator Kerry 30 Minute Filibuster

  In reading through the document, one will see that Sen. Kerry is badly misinformed about many of the key details and issues surrounding the climate change policy debate." Sen Inhofe " [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 12:44pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• State’s “Dumbest” Utility Secures Stimulus Money for “Smart Grid Technology”

  Number of comments: 1
  We've had our fair share of fun over the years calling OG&E (Oklahoma Gas & Electric) the state's "dumbest utility company." How else do you explain a company using it's competitor's (Chesapeake Energy) advertising agency when they were trying to get a coal fired plant approved a few years ago. [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 11:44am EDT
  by Editor

• Video: Sen. Coburn; “88 New Bureaucracies Created in Health Care Bill

  “Nobody knows what’s in the bill. The bill came out of help committee and created 88 new programs. If you think the federal government isn’t going to be involved in your health care with 88 new bureaucracies you’ve got another thought coming because this is a government centric run at [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 2:34pm EDT
  by Editor

• Video: Rep. Morrissette Says We Must Do Something About Food Deserts

  Hat tip: OklahomaHorizonTV [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 2:14pm EDT
  by Editor

• OK Legislators’ Blog: “The Struggle for Children with Autism”

  Town Hall Meeting Update This week I will be hosting the third of four Town Hall meetings which are scheduled in House District 31 during this year’s legislative interim. At each of these Town Hall meetings, it has been my goal to bring together state and local officials to provide [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 1:44pm EDT
  by Editor

• Video: Corp. Commissioner Jeff Cloud; He’s Baaaaaack!

  From Examiner.com: It’s not even been one year since Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud asked the voters for a new six year term, but he’s thrown his hat into the ring for yet another race: this time the 5th District Congressional seat being vacated by Congresswoman Mary Fallin. Cloud’s candidacy is already [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 1:31pm EDT
  by Editor

• Picture of the Day: “We the Sheeple”

  Number of comments: 3
  Photo credit: Calvin Rees What’s really sad about this picture (besides this woman being a mindless sheeple!) is the fact that if Obamacare was ever inacted into law, this elderly woman would most likey be a cost cutting casualty of one of the President’s death panels if she ever became seriously [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2009, 1:31pm EDT
  by Editor

• Quote of the Day: “Wonder if AT&T is a Client of Ackerman-McQueen?”

  Number of comments: 2
  AT&T Strengthens 3G Wireless Coverage in Oklahoma City “This is a significant investment and shows that even in a slow economy, cell phone competition is alive and well, especially in Oklahoma City,” said Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett. “New wireless technology benefits our business community, our local economy and our overall [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2009, 12:49pm EDT
  by Editor

• Video: “Health Czar Interrupted”

  The Sam Adams Alliance initiative, Health Administration Bureau , offers another glimpse into what government-controlled medicine will look like in the new video, “Health Czar, Interrupted,” featuring talk-radio host and National Review Online contributor, Guy Benson. HAB continues its efforts to educate America on what the future of health care [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2009, 12:03pm EDT
  by Editor

• OK Legislators Blog: “Learning From the Failures of Other States”

  I’m sorry I missed last week’s column. It was a busy week and I did not have the chance to sit down and reflect on all which occurred. I’ll try to get everyone caught up to date. My family lost my grandmother, Jackie Henderson, to cancer this past Friday. She lived [...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 2:30pm EDT
  by Editor

• Left Claims Insurance Companies Consider Domestic Violence “Pre Existing Condition”

  The Obama Administration and the Service Employees International Union (yes, the union that beats up Obamacare protesters)  must be really getting desperate to make this claim! From the SEIU’s blog: In DC and nine other states, including Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Wyoming, insurance [...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 1:53pm EDT
  by Editor

• Poster Child Ad Agency for Conflict of Interest Hires New Employee: OKC Mayor Mick Cornett

  Mayor Mick Cornett is widely respected for integrity. His new employer is not. OKPNS was the only media outlet to report about the agency’s jaw-dropping conflict of interest in the coal-fired plant battle back in 2007. Sure, OG&E’s executives were morons, but nonetheless the agency took advantage of the clueless electric [...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 12:51pm EDT
  by Editor

• Whisper Campaign for OK State Superintendent in Full Swing

  From Examiner.com: Though the race to replace Sandy Garrett as State Superintendent has barely begun, the whisper campaign is already in full swing. Supporters of Republican candidate Janet Barresi, an Edmond dentist, are suggesting that Republican candidate Shawn Hime, Superintendent of Enid Schools, is too closely linked to Sandy Garrett. Hime, who [...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 12:26pm EDT
  by Editor

• Night of the Living Brain Dead Reporters

  Examiner.com: Here’s an AP story on the latest developments surrounding the controversial Magna Corporation bankruptcy fire sale, which basically tells us nothing. Despite the financial furor and allegations of fraud that have erupted nationally, and whispers of unusual developments surrounding the bankruptcy auction of the Oklahoma City Magna property, Oklahoma press stays [...]
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  Posted: August 26, 2009, 3:55pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• OK Legislators’ Blog: Senator Gumm: “September Special Session Likely”

  Local Officials Standing Up to the Legislature By Rep. Jason Murphey Legislators should certainly have the ability to expend funds in order to secure the proper support for the responsibilities of the Legislature such as hiring staff etc. They should not however be able to direct appropriated funds once those funds have [...]
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  Posted: August 25, 2009, 12:15pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil

  Seriously, it just makes you wonder why the Oklahoma media market continues to play to the stereotype as the worst in the nation. Last week, we were the first in Oklahoma to tell about this story about hi-jinks in the Magna bankruptcy, and Oklahoma press outlets, and even blogs, remained quiet [...]
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  Posted: August 25, 2009, 12:03pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Whoa Horse! Could Fraud Allegations/Vegas Judge’s Ruling Stop Remington Park Sale?

  Magna Entertainment Corporation (MEC), the Canadian company that owns Oklahoma City’s Remington Park race track was stunned today by a Las Vegas bankruptcy judge’s ruling, who ordered that a bombshell lawsuit by MEC’s creditors may proceed. The ruling likely guarantees a financial press/media feeding frenzy, as the nation’s top money reporters, [...]
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  Posted: August 19, 2009, 1:57pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Soap Opera Brewing at 23rd & Lincoln. Why is the Oklahoma Press Silent?

  Number of comments: 1
  We’ve heard it.  If you are a political junkie in Oklahoma you’ve most likely heard it, and there is no doubt that the folks in the media rooms out at 23rd and Lincoln have heard it. ‘It’ is the story of one of Oklahoma’s most influential elected officials being caught in [...]
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  Posted: August 12, 2009, 3:27pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Miller Pulls Plug, Steele to be Next Speaker

  Number of comments: 1
  From: Ken Miller Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 9:49 AM To: Republican Legislators Subject: Members, After much thought and positive conversations with Kris over the weekend, I have decided to not seek the position of speaker-designate and support Kris in his efforts to become the next Speaker of the House. Later today, he and I [...]
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  Posted: August 10, 2009, 10:08am EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Kris Steele: The Next Oklahoma House Speaker?

  Number of comments: 5
  As Republicans struggle all over America to reclaim their identity, Oklahoma House Republicans face a tough decision this fall as they face an election for the next Speaker of the House. [...]
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  Posted: August 05, 2009, 11:18am EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Will Cameras Be Allowed in OKC Pharmacy Murder Trial?

  Number of comments: 2
  According to reports, both District Attorney David Prater and Defense Counsel Irvin Box have given the thumbs-up to cameras. [...]
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  Posted: July 30, 2009, 6:41pm EDT
  by Editor

• Chris Wilson: “2010 Shaping Up to be a Year Where the Political Winds Will Favor Republicans”

  Number of comments: 3
  Wilson Research Strategies founder and CEO Chris Wilson gives his assessment on the upcoming midterm elections: “President Obama’s job approval ratings have already fallen below the 60% approval mark that has generally protected the sitting President’s party in Congress. Based on current trends, Obama is likely to have approval ratings in [...]
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  Posted: July 06, 2009, 7:03pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• OK Legislators’ Blog: Town Halls, Best Wishes & Interim Studies

  By Rep. Jason Murphey I will be hosting a series of Town Hall Meetings across House District 31 this week. During the last mid-term interim, I conducted a series of these meetings in order to provide updates about both state and local government events and to provide an opportunity for questions and [...]
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  Posted: July 06, 2009, 6:37pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Organization Says State Stimulus Spending Not Transparent

  Oklahomans for Responsible Government are doing their best to track the millions of borrowed and printed “stimulus” dollars headed for Oklahoma. From their newsletter: “The state does have a website devoted to stimulus dollars and it has a section on transparency but frankly, the actual transparency is lacking.  At this moment, it [...]
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  Posted: July 06, 2009, 5:53pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Video: Sooner Tea Party @ State Capitol

  Five thousand Oklahomans brandish signs around the State Capitol’s south steps to protest government spending and bailouts. http://soonerteaparty.org Hat tip: magstertv [...]
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  Posted: July 06, 2009, 5:18pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• OK Legislators’ Blog: No Property Tax Reform This Year

  Tags:  jason murphey  

  Number of comments: 3
  By Rep. Jason Murphey One of the bills that was lost late in the session this year was property tax reform in the form of SJR-5. This was probably the single most disappointing occurrence of the session. Last April, chances are that you received your property tax assessment. I would also guess [...]
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  Posted: June 09, 2009, 4:00pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Quote of the Day: “60% Approval and She’s Stepping Down?

  We received this last Friday morning. A reader speculates on why Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor decided against running for re-election. “60% approval and she’s stepping down?  Does her husband no longer need special favors?  (he runs Alamo/Thrifty rental cars who got a lot of money to open call center in Tulsa). [...]
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  Posted: June 09, 2009, 3:39pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• “Ghost Commissioner” Jeff Cloud Discusses Energy Issues

  Tags:  ghost jeff cloud  

  Number of comments: 2
  Corporate Commission “Ghost Commissioner” Jeff Cloud on an Aspen Institute junket in Egypt. Ghost commissioner Jeff Cloud was in Norman last week discussing energy issues. Here’s a synopsis from The Red Dirt Report: “Obama’s energy plans, Cloud said, “would devastate the energy industry,” particularly the oil and natural gas industry that [...]
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  Posted: June 09, 2009, 3:12pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• OFRG: “Why is the State Spending Nearly Seven-Million Dollars to Help Balance the Budgets of Other States?”

  Number of comments: 5
  Here’s an inaugural article from Oklahomans for Responsible Government’s new newsletter called The Rotunda: “In a year when Oklahoma dealt with a $900-million shortfall in the state budget, why is the state spending nearly seven-million dollars to help balance the budgets of other states? Oklahomans for Responsible Government recently searched through the [...]
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  Posted: June 09, 2009, 2:36pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Boren Sponsors “Native American Apology Resolution”

  From Indian Country Today: “The U.S. government broke hundreds of treaties it made with Indian nations; these were government-to-government treaties ratified by the U.S. Senate,” Boren said. “The impact of many U.S. policies is the source of many of the social and economic disparities that tribes face today. It is time [...]
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  Posted: May 11, 2009, 12:51pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• OK Legislators’ Blog: “Taking Another Stand for States’ Rights”

  Taking Another Stand for States’ Rights By Rep. Jason Murphey This week, the Oklahoma House of Representatives once again voted to support a House Resolution authored by State Representative Charles Key which sends a message to the federal government regarding states’ rights. This is Key’s second proposal which has been necessitated by [...]
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  Posted: May 11, 2009, 12:07pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Video: Sen. Randy Brogdon on Alex Jones TV Discussing State Rights

  Sen. Randy Brogdon on Alex Jones Tv with Jason Bermas (HD) FUploaded by alexjonesnowondailymotion - Up-to-the minute news videos. [...]
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  Posted: May 11, 2009, 11:31am EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• A Familiar Pattern Emerging Here?

  Number of comments: 2
  Oklahoma “legend” Mike McCarville hosting his now defunct talk show We’ve got one question for one of our fellow bloggers. How can you claim to “merit the respect of political, governmental and business opinion leaders” when you are obviously in the tank for the campaigns that must be paying you and [...]
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  Posted: May 11, 2009, 11:14am EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Video: Fmr. Cong. Istook Discusses Dangers of Marijuana Legalization

  Number of comments: 2
  Hat tip: TheFoundryBlog  [...]
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  Posted: April 30, 2009, 5:12pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Watts Directs Media Inquiries to “Longtime Friend and Associate”

  Number of comments: 2
  Is J. C. getting closer to making a decision or is he simply tired of getting media inquiries at his office? We received this press release late this afternoon: MEDIA ALERT To: Political Reporters, Editors & Producers Re: J.C. Watts, Jr. Contact Information Former Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr., requests all media seeking comments concerning [...]
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  Posted: April 30, 2009, 5:07pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Video: KOCO Flashback - Mick Cornett Calls Game Winning Home Run

  Is that a rug Mick is wearing? Hat tip: kocotv “During a live shot in 1992, Mick Cornett is calling the game and ends up on the field high fiving Keith Miller on the 3rd base line. The 89ers ended up winning the pennant later that week.” [...]
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  Posted: April 30, 2009, 4:54pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Adair County Blues Update

  Red Dirt Report: OKLAHOMA CITY — It appears that things have settled down somewhat in Adair County following three installments of Red Dirt Report’s Adair County Blues series as well as a report on comments from State Rep. John Auffet, D-Stilwell. Adair County Board of Commissioner’s Chairman Russell Turner told Red Dirt [...]
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  Posted: April 30, 2009, 4:46pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• “Don’t Cry For Me Oklahoma!”

  Number of comments: 1
  Aubrey McClendon’s compensation package, one of the largest for any corporate executive last year, included a one-time $75 million bonus, a $975,000 base salary, and $32.7 million in stock. We’ve taken some flack over the years for our criticism of Chesapeake CEO and founder Aubrey McClendon on the way he and [...]
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  Posted: April 28, 2009, 4:11pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• OK Legislator’s Blog: Snakes & Official English

  By Rep. Joe Dorman I had the opportunity to visit with the folks over in Apache on Friday at the Rattlesnake Festival. I had the opportunity to film a portion of the activities for Wild Oklahoma, a local wildlife show that is broadcast on Sunday mornings. If you get the [...]
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  Posted: April 28, 2009, 3:23pm EDT
  by Editor

• Ed Kelley’s “Flaming Lips” Supports the Hammer & Sickle

  Number of comments: 3
  From Examiner.com: By Dr. Goose: If you are a political junkie, you have to love the Flaming Lips controversy, but you got to love the moonbat reactions even more. You know the short story: rockers The Flaming Lips go to the Capitol. One member shows up wearing a commie t-shirt and House members [...]
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  Posted: April 28, 2009, 2:25pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• “Fool Me Once…”

  Number of comments: 2
  To all the aspiring bloggers out there, this is what can happen to you when you over rely on press releases for content for your blog. To restore you’re credibility, you’ll eventually have to resort to posting a lengthy diatribe on “playing with fire,” One would think that a veteran journalist [...]
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  Posted: April 23, 2009, 1:46pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Rep. Peterson Outs Another ‘Abort Reform’ Group.

  Examiner.com: Like a snowball rolling down hill, the advocates of abortion that are tied to Sen. Coffee’s lawsuit reform bill have unwittingly “outed” themselves less than 24 hours after a Oklahoma Political News Service report tied pro-abortion doctors to the process. State Rep. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa, is blasting Oklahoma’s three largest [...]
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  Posted: April 21, 2009, 2:06pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Coffee Schedules Press Conference. Will Press “Show Up?”

  According to a press release sent out this morning, Sen. Coffee will be appearing at a news conference this afternoon to tout a worthwhile pro-life piece of legislation. Perhaps the capitol press corps will ask him why abortion advocates are so hot to trot for his bill that is so admired [...]
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  Posted: April 21, 2009, 1:47pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Picture of the Day: “John Gotti (Teflon Don) of Oklahoma Politics”

  Number of comments: 4
   RonBlackRadio.com: “And lest we forget, there are no real leaders in the GOP in either Oklahoma or nationally. There is no figurehead to which we can turn and wrap our hearts and minds around at present. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee finds himself in a world of political hurt and [...]
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  Posted: April 21, 2009, 11:13am EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Video: European Wind Energy Could Impact Oklahoma

  Looks like Dave McClendon and Oklahoma Horizon received the Bode talking points! Be sure and click the related story to read the truth about European wind energy. From Oklahoma Horizon’s YouTube page: “State leaders believe Oklahoma can lead the way in both research and the production of wind generating equipment [...]
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  Posted: April 21, 2009, 9:46am EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Red Dirt Report: Adair County Blues Pt. 3

  The latest installment of the excellent Adair County Blues series - Part 3. By Andrew W. Griffin Red Dirt Report, editor OKLAHOMA CITY – Questions raised by Adair County Board of Commissioners Chairman Russell Turner, regarding a request to pave roads at several housing additions in Adair County, were addressed – to a [...]
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  Posted: April 21, 2009, 9:31am EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• OK Legislators’ Blog: “The Tea Party and Term Limits”

  By Rep. Jason Murphey Another exciting event last week was the final passage of Senate Joint Resolution 12, a resolution for term limits for all statewide elected officials. The passage of the resolution will allow the people to vote on the proposed policy at the next general election. More than 15 [...]
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  Posted: April 21, 2009, 9:13am EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Abort or Tort Reform?

  Number of comments: 1
  From Examiner.com: A curious reader inquired whether or not we were aware that a connection existed between abortion activists and proponents of so-called “tort reform” in Oklahoma A quick look at the record seems to indicate that there is a connection, but nobody up until now bothered to connect the dots. It’s well [...]
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  Posted: April 20, 2009, 3:05pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Any Resemblance to Ex-Presidents - Living or Dead - is Just a Coincidence

  Examiner.com: Like the spiraling Watergate scandal of the 70’s, the bumbling stumbling incompetence that surrounds the private prison controversy just got worse today. Insiders say Sen. Coffee’s prison troubles are a result of his “own contrivance.” They say he frankly needs to just gather himself and stop what appears to be a [...]
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  Posted: April 16, 2009, 1:08pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Abortion Advocates Driving Lawsuit Reform?

  Number of comments: 2
  OKPNS readers alerted us today that the KOKC version of  “Your Vote Counts” this morning featured an exchange between “Sunrise News” Host Randy Renner, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore and Rep. Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City regarding problems with the shrinking capitol press corps. Listeners say Terrill complained the press has thus far [...]
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  Posted: April 16, 2009, 12:48pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Grindstone Journal: “Hey, Politicians, Leave Our Schools Alone!

  Number of comments: 2
  “SB 834 is a devolution of the public school system from the Oklahoma State Board of Education into many individual school systems run by the local school boards.” Huh???  Doesn’t government closest to the people work best? Grindstone Journal: Regressive Republicans can’t get rid of public schools wholesale, of course, but they [...]
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  Posted: April 16, 2009, 12:23pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Video: Oklahoma City Tea Party

  Number of comments: 1
  Hat tip: randy946 Related: Red Dirt Report: Tea’d off about taxes at Oklahoma State Capitol Batesline: Tea Party notes Fried Green Onions: We did not lay that trash on Oklahoma at the tax day Tea Party Green Country Values: Tax Day Tea Parties - Updated with Photos, Plus, What now? Peace Arena: Tulsa Tea Party [...]
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  Posted: April 16, 2009, 11:59am EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Bonus Quote of the Day: “Goodbye, Glenn. Politics is Like Swimming; When You Have Too Much Baggage You Sink”

  “Goodbye, Glenn. Politics is like swimming; when you have too much baggage you sink. Plus, you appear a little too big for your britches and your a** is showing. The last thing the GOP needs is another moron in a position of authority acting like he’s special. You seem to have [...]
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  Posted: April 15, 2009, 12:25pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Quote of the Day: “Chris Arps You Dumb Coon!! That’s All I Have to Comment….I Know You Read This BOY!”

  Number of comments: 2
  Hmmm, our amateur detective sense tells us that someone is not happy with the recent posts we’ve done on Mr. Cloud and Mr. Coffee. This comment was left on the Cloud post: “Chris Arps, you meddling dumbass, leave Oklahoma alone and take care of Missouri. Nobody gives a crap what you [...]
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  Posted: April 15, 2009, 12:07pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• NEW Top Ten Coffee Enemies List; Rep. Terrill Added

  Number of comments: 2
  From Examiner.com: It’s the political perfect storm: the battle over official English, lawsuit reform and private prisons will determine whether Senate Leader Glenn Coffee stays or is ousted this legislative session. And as a result, there’s been a change at the top of the standings of the Coffee Enemies List! State [...]
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  Posted: April 14, 2009, 3:39pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• What is the Oklahoma Tax Commission Really Up To?‏

  Number of comments: 1
  Another fine example of outstanding citizen journalism from The Red Dirt Report: By Nick Baker The Oklahoma Tax Commission issued 24 determination letters for investment schemes to receive tax credits under the 2006 Grandfather clause. At least ten of the plans were the same as the Scissortail scheme that was allowed [...]
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  Posted: April 14, 2009, 12:19pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Israel Consulate Official Speaks at Capitol

  State Rep. Mike Ritze joined other legislators in welcoming an official of the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest recently. Ben Stinsman, a native Texan and the cultural affairs officer at the Israeli consulate, spoke in the House Chamber Thursday, April 9. Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, said he was pleased to welcome [...]
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  Posted: April 14, 2009, 12:05pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• OK Legislators’ Blog: April 13, 2009

  I want to start off this week by reminding everyone of the Apache Rattlesnake Hunt April 16 -19th. I hope you will have the chance to attend. I will be there and look forward to having some fun as this is a great annual festival that is very family-friendly. I [...]
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  Posted: April 13, 2009, 5:24pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Does Obama Deserve Praise from Conservatives?

  From Examiner.com: Conservative talk show giants Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity had different approaches today to commenting on last weekend’s successful hostage standoff off the coast of Somalia. Limbaugh praised the president - with tongue firmly planted in cheek - while Hannity flat out refused to offer any praise. Admittedly, [...]
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  Posted: April 13, 2009, 4:47pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Picture of the Day: Congresswoman visits Altus

  Number of comments: 1
  Congresswoman Mary Fallin sits in a C-17 Globemaster III cockpit during an April 9 tour of Altus Air Force Base, Okla. She visited Altus AFB as part of her assessment on the state’s military readiness level. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kenneth A. Scarle) [...]
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  Posted: April 13, 2009, 2:53pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Top Ten Coffee Enemies List

  Number of comments: 1
  OKPNS was the first to float the idea last week that an “enemies list” was being assembled by those surrounding State Sen. Glenn Coffee, the Senate leader, who is awash in controversy. Whoops! Maybe we hit the nail on the head. An editorial on this weekend’s Tulsa World, which we admit [...]
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  Posted: April 13, 2009, 12:54pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Video: Brogdon Wants To Give Taxpayers Stimulus Money

  Number of comments: 3
  Hat tip: RandyBrogdon [...]
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  Posted: April 10, 2009, 2:22pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Edmondson Agrees to Drop Pope Case

  “I wanted you to know that I go to court next Thursday to end this senseless prosecution. Edmondson agreed to drop the case if I plead guilty to a misdemeanor and pay a $500 fine. Isn’t that something - I lost my job, my house, my reputation, I am facing tens [...]
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  Posted: April 10, 2009, 12:05pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Shades of Nixon?

  Is Department of Corrections Chief Justin Jones the first confirmed member of Glenn Coffee’s enemies list? “He wouldn’t lie to cover-up Coffee’s trail, and now he’s being punished,” one capitol insider tells OKPNS. The Dave Jordan series of stories about the corrections controversy began last Friday. We’ve linked to all of Jordan’s [...]
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  Posted: April 08, 2009, 7:49pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Media Attention Ratchets Up on Sen. Coffee

  Examiner.com: Prisons Controversy: “That’s not a request by my office. That’s Justin Jones’ characterization of what he thinks I asked him to do.” Huh? While the capitol press corps attention on Sen. Coffee continues to be on technical ‘wonkish’ stories about political forms and reports, the electronic media is subtly shifting [...]
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  Posted: April 08, 2009, 1:00pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• In Case You Missed This One…

  From Examiner.com: Insiders say Corporate Commissioner Jeff Cloud is still talking about running for the 5th District Congressional seat being vacated by Congresswoman Mary Fallin, who has announced she’ll be running for governor. Reheated Coffee: Dirty Harry to the Republican Rescue? Read more… [...]
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  Posted: April 07, 2009, 3:36pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Mr. Lazy and the Crazies?

  Number of comments: 6
  “In between naps, Cloud has let it be known that he is opposing Gary Jones, perhaps the hardest-working chairman the party has seen in recent years.” There are many informed observers who believe State GOP Chief Gary Jones has a real race on his hands for another term as chairman. [...]
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  Posted: April 07, 2009, 3:12pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Adair County Blues: Part 2 in a series

  By Andrew W. Griffin Red Dirt Report, editor Posted: April 6, 2009 Where does the long and winding road in Adair County lead Red Dirt Report??? STILWELL, Okla. – Constructing and maintaining roads and bridges is one of the main functions of a county commissioner’s office.  But when the line between private and state [...]
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  Posted: April 07, 2009, 2:52pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Quote of the Day: Bode: “Poster Child for Change”

  We couldn’t agree more! Related: Et Tu Bode? Are There Any “True Conservatives” Left? Denise Bode: “The True Conservative?” [...]
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  Posted: April 07, 2009, 2:44pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Video: Cong. Fallin Outlines GOP Budget Principles

  Number of comments: 1
  Hat tip: RepMaryFallin [...]
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  Posted: April 07, 2009, 2:30pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• “That Giant Sucking sound”

  “The county has enough money; we can afford the decrease” - Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan That “giant sucking sound” you hear, as Ross Perot used to say, is actually the daily OKC paper trying to mend fences with one of the state’s brightest new political stars, reform-minded District 2 Oklahoma [...]
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  Posted: April 03, 2009, 3:01pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Video: Capitol Debrief - Part 2 (Coffee Tax Scandal)

  Hat tip: NewsOK.com Related: “Oklahoma, We Have a Problem!”Tort Reform Bill Advances; Heat Still on Coffee Reader Vents Over Tort Reform Quote(s) of the Day: Sen. Coffee Tax Scandal Taxes, What Taxes? [...]
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  Posted: April 03, 2009, 2:11pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Video: What’s Being Done to Help Oklahoma’s Unemployed

  Hat tip:OklahomaHorizonTV Many Oklahomans have lost their jobs in recent months, with some companies taking a wait and see approach. But for workers who have lost their jobs already, they can’t afford to wait which is why Oklahoma has a rapid response team designed to help people facing layoffs.  [...]
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  Posted: April 03, 2009, 9:27am EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• “Your Vote Counts” Radio Edition 4/2/09

  Excerpts from this morning’s radio edition of “Your Vote Counts” on AM 1520: VOTER ID: “What is so wrong with proving who you are.” - Randy Renner “Solution looking for a problem. The voter system in Oklahoma is one of the best in the country.” - Rep. Morrissette “There’s the nonsense of this argument. [...]
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  Posted: April 02, 2009, 2:35pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Picture of the Day: PETA “Veggie Girls” in OKC?

  Did this event happen yesterday? Does anyone have pictures?  PETA press release: Bikinied Beauties Extend Special Invitations to Mayor, City Council After Town Is Named Second-Fattest City in U.S. For Immediate Release: March 31, 2009 Contact: Virginia Fort 757-622-7382 Oklahoma City, OK — Wearing nothing but bikinis made from strategically placed lettuce leaves and standing next to [...]
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  Posted: April 02, 2009, 2:04pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Quote of the Day: Bode: “The Booming U.S. Wind Industry Has Much to Learn From Our European Counterparts”

  “I just returned from some international wind meetings in Europe with a fresh perspective on how our industry is viewed overseas.” Read more… CNET News: Wind power outlook weak in Europe, report says “Rising materials costs, engineering challenges, and installation snags threaten European goals to dramatically expand wind power, according to a [...]
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  Posted: April 02, 2009, 1:49pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Reader Vents Over Tort Reform

  Number of comments: 2
  We received this email yesterday from a reader named “Leah Morse.” Ms. Morse describes herself as a “concerned and politically aware” Oklahoma mother of four who lives in central Oklahoma. She writes that the tort reform issue is very important to her because she has “elderly relatives with medical issues.” “Embattled [...]
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  Posted: April 02, 2009, 1:08pm EDT
  by C. W. McBlackville

• Furnishing Hope. . . One Home at a Time

  Samantha is a mom who loves her children dearly.  They don’t have to grow up like she did … she insists on it.  When Samantha was 7, she tried to take her life.  Fortunately, she didn’t succeed.  Fortunately, she was able to get rescued from her heavily drug addicted mom.   [...]
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  Posted: April 01, 2009, 11:10am EDT
  by Editor

• Lucas Sponsors “Bovine Flatulence” Legislation

  Number of comments: 1
  As the President prepares to push his massive energy tax on the American people in the form of “Cap & Trade”, several Republican lawmakers are sponsoring bills that regulate livestock flatulence as well. Although it seems silly, it highlights  to us the problems with “Cap & Trade” and how out [...]
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  Posted: April 01, 2009, 10:49am EDT
  by Editor

• Quote of the Day: Clay Bennett: “You Had a Pakistani, a Anerexoic (sic) Black Girl, and a Black Midget With a Pickle in Her Hand the Whole Time”

  Number of comments: 1
   Hat tips: The Lost Ogle,   The Sporting blog  Bend it Like Bennett  Excerpt from the Sporting Blog. All we can say is…..WOW! In fairness, I’d also be mortified if I saw a cheerleader that looked like Clay Bennett with a wig on. But to be so shocked a cheerleading squad might [...]
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  Posted: April 01, 2009, 10:08am EDT
  by Editor

• Shawnee Girl Lobbies Legislature to “Stop the R-Word”

  Number of comments: 1
  Alie Walsh, a senior at Shawnee High School, speaks to the members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives as Rep. Kris Steele looks on.  Shawnee High School Senior Alie Walsh lobbied state lawmakers yesterday, giving a speech on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives urging them to help prevent [...]
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  Posted: April 01, 2009, 9:35am EDT
  by Editor

• Tort Reform Bill Advances; Heat Still on Coffee

  From Examiner.com: The media is not letting up their focus on issues surrounding Sen. Coffee. Several Oklahoma doctors showed up at Capitol yesterday to try and refocus attention on their legislative agenda, but it won’t matter much on Wednesday. Political blood is in the water and the sharks are circling. One [...]
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  Posted: April 01, 2009, 9:03am EDT
  by Editor

• Video: OKGOP Chair Debate Part One

  Hat tip: MuskogeePolitico Related: OKPNS: (1/26/09) “We’re honestly confused as to the reason Ms. Williams feels a challenge to Jones’ leadership is necessary at this time. Didn’t John McCain when every county in Oklahoma last November? Aren’t Senate Republicans controlling that body for the first time - ever???? Mr. Jones deserves [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 9:34am EDT
  by Editor

• Chesapeake Board Member Burns Hargis Announces OSU’s Exclusive Use of CNG to Fuel Campus Vehicles

  “As a premier land-grant university, it is important that we are good stewards of the earth.” (And, I  fatten my wallet in the process!) - OSU President Burns Hargis.  Here is an excerpt from OSU’s press release: SEAL BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oklahoma State University [...] [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 9:21am EDT
  by Editor

• Quote of the Day: “The County Has Enough Money; We Can Afford the Decrease”

  Sen. Jim Reynolds speaks Wednesday about Senate Joint Resolution 5. ( photo by Julie Bisbee, the oklahoman) “The county has enough money; we can afford the decrease” - Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan Related: Examiner.com: Reporters Should Just Stick to Reporting the News! [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 8:52am EDT
  by Editor

• “Oklahoma, We Have a Problem!”

  The Oklahoma Political News Service is indeed a conservative blog, and that means we more often than not lean toward Republicans. But nothing gets our goat more than careless Republicans, and the scandal atmosphere that is beginning to take root around Senate President Pro tempore Glenn Coffee - partly the [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 8:17am EDT
  by Editor

• Red Dirt Report: Adair County Blues - Part 1

  Hat tip: Red Dirt Report Adair Co. Commissioner Russell Turner stands near the charred remains of his barn near Stilwell (Photo by Andrew W. Griffin) By Andrew W. Griffin STILWELL, Okla. – It was sometime after midnight on the morning of Jan. 11, 2009, when Russell Turner was awakened by a call from the [...]
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  Posted: March 30, 2009, 2:30pm EDT
  by Editor

• Way to Go W.A.D.! Labor Commissioner Candidate Comments On Tyson Plant Closing

  Oklahoma Labor Commissioner candidate Jason Reese expressed his concern for the families of those facing layoffs after Tyson’s decision to close its plant in Ponca City. Word came last week that Tyson is closing its doors in northern Oklahoma and moving jobs to New York, Iowa and Texas. “This shows, [...]
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  Posted: March 30, 2009, 2:19pm EDT
  by Editor

• OK Legislators’ Blog: Budget & Oversight

  Senator Gumm’s “Senate Minute” for March 27- April 2, 2009 Hello again, everyone! The session is half over and it appears some in the Legislature want to discuss anything except what should be our number one priority. The budget is the top job every year for my colleagues and me; this year [...]
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  Posted: March 30, 2009, 1:19pm EDT
  by Editor