Last Week to File Bills: Fallin in the Bahamas and State House Working Part Time

Release from the OK Democratic Party - photo found on DemoOkie

While hardworking Oklahomans put in long hours to provide for their families, Governor Fallin is taking an exotic vacation to the Bahamas and GOP leaders in the House and Senate are vowing to take it easy.

According to the Tulsa World, Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz said the governor left Saturday afternoon for the Bahamas with her husband and three of their children. Meanwhile, the state of Oklahoma is burning and House Republicans are spiraling out of control.  Just this week, Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore) has been reprimanded by the House of Representatives for violently threatening to break the Speaker of the House’s leg and referring to him as a mentally handicapped person. Fallin is expected to return to the state Thursday afternoon or evening.

This vacation is taking place during bill deadline week -- a time during legislative session where traditionally, all hands are on deck to get all bills filed. Instead, the state Senate has elected to adjourn Wednesday and the state house is choosing to meet from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday. In previous years, House and Senate members have worked until midnight during deadline week. House Floor Leader Daniel Sullivan (R-Tulsa) said, "I don't plan to stay late. If bills are not heard within the time allowed, they will not be heard”.

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Todd Goodman was appalled by the Republican party’s behavior.  “While most Oklahomans rise early and work hard everyday to put a roof over their family’s heads and food on the table, the GOP leadership sees fit to kick up their heels and throw up their hands. These are not the values Oklahomans expect from their elected officials. We have a budget crisis to solve and all state agencies are having to make tough financial decisions.”

Goodman also added, “The Governor taking an exotic vacation, less than three months after she took the oath of office, during filing week and during a state of emergency is downright irresponsible.”

Oklahoma's Economic Crisis Spurs Gov's VayKay

ala NewsOK

"Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb is serving as the state's chief executive. Gov. Mary Fallin and her family are taking a vacation. She will be back in the office Thursday, a spokesman said."

When the going gets tough... the tough go on vacation.  Stand strong, Governor Fallin, don't let Governor Todd feel too much at home.  We're hearing he's VERY ambitious and thinks you're unfit.

Cuts Just Don't Cut It

If you're reading any sort of news lately then you've probably heard of the deep and serious cuts that Republicans not just Governor Mary Fallin, but everyone across the country wants.  Government is bad... we should cut it...

Despite Fallin's acceptance of lots and lots and lots of federal money she's still carrying the banner of cutting government.  Well - in a new Washington Post op-ed you can see that cuts.... just ain't gonna cut it.

"Independent economic analysts, including from the investment firm Goldman Sachs - hardly known for liberal or bleeding-heart tendencies - have concluded that the $61 billion in current-year budget cuts being demanded by House Republicans will shave up to two percentage points off the nation's growth rate and cause the loss of more than half a million jobs."

Hurm.... maybe it's time to start thinking about cutting something that makes a little more sense.  Just sayin...

According to the piece:

"After slamming Democrats for not focusing on "jobs, jobs, jobs," Republicans have decided to ignore their own winning message in favor of "cuts, cuts, cuts." This is bad economics - and bad politics. . ."

This is because it turns out that

"When asked whether government, in general, is trying to do too much or not doing enough, 51 percent said government should do more. That's not exactly a mandate for slashing federal, state and municipal programs and trying to turn public employees into a caste of untouchables. . .

"A pretty impressive 40 percent said that "the deficit and government spending" should be considered the federal government's No. 1 or No. 2 task. But a far more impressive 56 percent said that "job creation and economic growth" should be given first or second priority. "

But leaders like Governor Mary Fallin aren't listening to the people whether Americans or Oklahomans, she's listening to a small subset of her party that just happens to be the loudest.  Instead Mary talks about "creating jobs" and then in the same breath talks about consolidation (which cuts jobs), cutting spending (more jobs), cutting the income tax which cuts funding for... you guessed it... people's jobs, and bringing more business to Oklahoma (bringing more out of state workers for Oklahoma jobs).  You go girl!  Create those jobs!  How many net jobs has Governor Mary Fallin created so far?  Anyone got a tally?

While normal everyday Oklahomans who are lucky enough to go to work each morning, drive on pathetic roads, pay for overpriced gasoline while subsidizing oil companies, scrimp for food grown in other countries, and pay for pathetic systems of education while their children are squeezed into classrooms like sardines in a can.

When you cross that state line imagine hearing our new motto coming from the Oklahoma Capitol with every vote that is passed:  Welcome to Oklahoma.... F*ck You.

Obscenely High Salaries Paid by Oklahoma Tax Payers

Bryn wrote on our facebook page but the emphasis is ours:

"1) The Governor of Oklahoma makes a salary of $140,000 annually.  While that's $25,000 a year lower than her congressional salary, it still ranks as the 16th highest salary of a governor in the U.S.  For a state with a population under four million people, that is consistently ranked in the bottom 10 of everything including education, why are we paying more for governors who haven't done a damn thing to put Oklahoma on the map for something GOOD except sports teams?!

2) Secondly, the OU Daily ran an article earlier this month about David Boren's salary and compensation as president of OU.  It tops the national average for college presidents.   

OU Daily (February 25, 2011) has an article "President David Boren’s total pay much higher than reported" to cover addition compensation Boren receives from serving on corporate boards, etc.  

Being the cost of education is out of control, and pursuing a college degree can mean years of debt to pay off loans, how do you justify such a salary?  Boren makes almost as much money as Harvard's president.  Harvard is a private university that has been at the top of everybody's 'best list' for about as long as it's been in existence.

Why does a man with no children, a free home and lots of money need to have his ego continually stroked by the hard earned dollars of Oklahoma's hoi polloi?

3) OU Football Coach Bob Stoops is the highest paid college football coach in America according to Education in Review.  After his 10 year anniversary as coach in 2008, he received a $3 million one-time payment.  

•Bob Stoops – University of Oklahoma $4,303,000
•Urban Meyer – University of Florida $4,000,000
•Nick Saban – University of Alabama $3,900,000
•Les Miles – Louisiana State University $3,751,000
•Jim Tressel – Ohio State University $3,722,000
•Mark Richt – University of Georgia $3,096,576
•Mack Brown – University of Texas $3,060,500
•Kirk Ferentz – University of Iowa $3,024,500
•Bobby Petrino – University of Arkansas $2,858,000
•Jeff Tedford – University of California $2,807,500

I rest my case.  There's a lot of fat in the Oklahoma budget that can be cut.  But we can't afford to take care of infrastructure, have quality schools, or provide healthcare while these people live like princes and princesses in a state with one of the Nation's lowest costs of living?"

Bryn makes a good point.  I love OU and I love football but everyone needs to make sacrifices in this troubling economy right?  Why is it we only ask the middle class to make "sacrifices" and not the rich.  I love David Boren - a hell of a lot more than Dan Boren by the way, but this is excessive.  Similarly Bob Stoops is Oklahoma's rock star but my tax dollars pay his salary and as long as I'm having to make sacrifices ... so can he.

Letter to Fallin from an Oklahoma

Posted on our Facebook Page:
An open letter to Gov. fallin:

To the Honorable Gov. Mary Fallin,

I read with interest your remarks regarding the move-up date for state healthcare plans. I would like to know what efforts you have made to ensure 'Oklahoma remains on the front edge when it comes to health care?'

What exactly is 'front edge' health policy for Oklahomans who rank highest in negative health behaviors according to the CDC?

Gov. Fallin with a shorter deadline to provide a plan that covers as many Oklahomans 'as affordability and comprehensively as the Affordable Care Act does, without increasing the deficit' and your vote of confidence that your efforts are front edge, could you please share your plan with me and my fellow Oklahomans?

Sincerely,
Denise Ashley

Posters: Do your civic duty and write a letter to the governor or contact her through her e mail on the government site. Fax. A phone call will more than likely net you the secretary who must relay your message. Do it!

BlueOK Takes Fallin to Task for being Dim Bulb

Ala BlueOklahoma

Last April, in the throes of her gubernatorial campaign, Gov. Mary Fallin made her opposition to the new health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act, a major part of her campaign.
In a press release, Fallin said then:

While Brad Henry sits on the sidelines, Drew Edmondson has now refused to join 19 other states in the bipartisan legal challenge to ObamaCare. His lack of leadership has actually forced the Oklahoma Legislature to hire an outside law firm to represent our state in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the bill.

Once governor, Fallin didn't hesitate to bring legal action against "ObamaCare." As she told a television interviewer in January:

The new federal health care bill is actually in violation of Oklahoma's constitution because Oklahoma's constitution now has an amendment through the health care freedom amendment that says that no law, no rule shall force Oklahomans, whether it's Oklahomans, businesses or health care providers, to join into a health care system, and that's in direct violation of the Oklahoma constitution. So we're going to challenge it on our own merits as Oklahoma.

Well we all know what happened yesterday don't we?  

That's right... good old Mary took a big bailout from the feds to pay for the health care service that she said was unfunded.  So now that it's funded... it isn't clear if she'll be continuing the lawsuit.  Or what's up with that....  

Thing about Mary.... she use to say that she focused like a laser on these issues but it's kinda hard to do that when you're a dim bulb.  Just sayin....

Fallin Takes Health care Grant While Suing Feds for Health Care

So... Fallin is taking money from the federal government - which she pledge to fight as Governor - for health care - which she opposes - while suing the federal government for "unfair federal mandates" put in place by the HCR bill.  

Ala NewsOK:

Oklahoma will accept a $54.6 million federal grant to develop the information technology infrastructure to operate a health exchange even though the state has filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s health care law which authorized it, Gov. Mary Fallin said Friday. 

Fallin decided to accept the money after she worked with state agencies to ensure no unworkable federal mandates were included, according to a statement from the governor’s office. 

“After thoroughly reviewing the ‘early innovator’ grant, I am happy to say that the federal assistance we are being offered is consistent with our mission to design and implement an Oklahoma-based health insurance exchange,” Fallin said.

Just a reminder about what Mary said July 2009:

Let me refresh you "Mr. Speaker... I can only see major tax increases on families and businesses..."

Oh what a difference an election makes.  This is Mary today:

“That exchange will empower consumers and help individuals and small businesses to shop for and enroll in affordable, quality health insurance plans. This is a step in the right direction for Oklahoma and its citizens.” 

Oklahoma received notice earlier this month it was awarded the grant. 

Exchanges are state-regulated plans in which small businesses and individuals are to pool money to buy health insurance. 

The exchanges would offer the same kind of purchasing power that employees of big companies already benefit from.

NewsOK says that these "exchanges are a part of the federal health care law proposed by Democratic President Barack Obama and approved last year by a Democratic Congress."

Let me refresh you what Mary says about the new federal health care law proposed by Democratic President Barack Obama and approved last year by a Democratic Congress and against by then Rep. Mary Fallin.  She makes it easy - it's right on her website

"Unfortunately, Washington appears headed in the wrong direction. The Obama administrations's plan, specifically its inclusion of a public health care option, would be ripe with unintended consequences. . . 

Ultimately, the president’s plan is going to give us less for more: reduced quality at a higher price."

And here's what her website says under "issues" and "health care"

"One thing we won’t see, however, is socialized medicine. I’ve worked in Congress to fight “Obamacare” – an expensive, government-run health care plan that will deteriorate the quality of our medical services – and I’ll continue that fight as governor."

She's going to continue to fight that as governor by accepting a massive government grant.

One thing is for certain... she's consistent in her inconsistency.  I was really starting to think I couldn't be surprised anymore...

Mary Fallin's Enemies: Sidewalks and Americans with Disabilities

Posted on OKTalk Board back in 2006 but thought we'd repost it here as a reminder.  Really?  Disable people?  Pfff.. they don't vote anyway...

Both sides always have time to push their fringe's ideas, in spite of more important things, it would seem.

Biggest irony: the fact that our governor apparently wants to keep taking money out of the federal back pocket for roads, but doesn't want to actually have to answer to them about how she should build those roads.

I know when I look at OKC one thing I say to myself is that we have way too damn many sidewalks around here.

OKLAHOMA CITY—Oklahoma could dramatically increase the speed and efficiency of road and bridge projects across the state if not for cumbersome federal regulations like those that require environmental impact statements, Republican Gov. Mary Fallin and her transportation secretary told a panel of federal lawmakers Thursday.

Full Story:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...ulation_needs/

Mary Fallin Opposes Big Government By Asking for Federal Bailout

Classy……
Remember that one time we opposed the federal government because we needed them out of our lives?  Well Governor Mary Fallin was testifying to her flock just the other day that

“The backlog of transportation needs in Oklahoma is large and requires a consistent, long-term federal investment strategy,” Fallin told the committee in a meeting at the Oklahoma City Community College.

Gee maybe you weren’t giving hand outs to rich people we could afford to fix our own damn problems instead of relying on the federal government to come bail us out.

Another FallinFail: Tulsa World - Budget Hole Doesn't Prevent Income Tax Rate Cut

I think this title should be changed to Budget Hoe Doesn’t Prevent Income Tax Rate Cut… but that’s just me.
Told you so…. (emphasis below is mine)

“Gov. Mary Fallin, whose budget calls for agency cuts of up to 5 percent in fiscal 2012, argues that reduction of the tax rate yet again is a logical extension of the message taxpayers sent in the November election. She claims that the mandated reduction will stimulate the economy and make the state more business friendly and more competitive with other states. Will this income tax cut do something that the previous ones haven’t?

Come on.

Are businesses seriously going to look at this state and say, “Oklahoma, what an economic Garden of Eden?” and overlook the fact that the quality of life here is eroding by the day?

Oklahoma’s state services are woefully underfunded. The education system is being starved. Roads and infrastructure are mediocre and in many cases are crumbling. The health and welfare of Oklahoma’s citizens don’t appear to be a high priority for those holding the purse strings.

But, hey, never mind all that, the fatter cats get this great reduced tax rate of 5.25 percent. “

See… It’s what I’ve been saying.  The most important part of this piece is:

“The state has suffered enormous revenue losses and gone through a series of tax cuts over the past several years. It’s also gone through some staggering cutbacks in state services, and faces a yawning budget hole of at least $500 million in the next fiscal year.”

Dr Phil would say “If you always do what you’ve always done… you’ll always be where you always are….”  If the state has consistently cut taxes… and cut services and spending for things like education, roads, and other such things fall asunder our question must then be - at what point do you finally think about changing course?  Honestly, does Governor Fallin intend to run the state into the ground before she finally admits that her republican “Cut and Spend” policy is not only reckless and irresponsible failing to make Oklahoma the bastion of business that everyone claims it will be?

FallinFail Tip:  Cut and Spend doesn’t work.

Massive OK Budget Shortfall Triggers Tax Cuts

Nothing says “We have no money” like a good old fashioned tax cut!
Seems the great state of Oklahoma has a trigger for some income tax cuts for FY 2012.

A state board approved cutting the state’s income tax rate Tuesday after approving healthier tax collection estimates for the upcoming fiscal year.

The action reduces the state’s top individual income tax rate from 5.5 percent to 5.25. The lower rate takes effect Jan. 1.

Wow - what a genius idea!!  When we don’t have any money, and we’re cutting jobs and services by 3-5% statewide the best way to combat this $500 million short fall is to…. wait for it….. cut taxes.  This is exactly how we should solve our problems. 
Golly gee - I’m sure glad we elected someone as smart as Mary Fallin.  She sure is brilliant.

Mary Fallin Continues to have no plan for Immigration Reform

In Governor Fallin’s State of the State address much was discussed.  Budget, spending, values, education, public safety, and on and on and on.  One thing was missing, however.  No mention of how to stop illegal immigration in the state.  No mention at all of the unbelievable number of illegals costing our state billions in tax-payer funded hand outs.

Remember that one time Fallin’s own Republican Governors Association ran that ad attacking her opponent on illegal immigration?  What’s worse, I’m just curious.  Creating a sensible immigration policy similar to President Bush’s for the state of Oklahoma or… doing nothing?  How’s that working out for all you republicans?

Gov. Mary Fallin to Propose Cuts; Backdoor Spending

Cuts for us - spending for her.

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin said Friday a proposed state budget she will present to legislators next week will include budget cuts for every state agency.

At the same time a fund will be set up that Fallin or Lt. Governor Todd Lamb could use to woo businesses to Oklahoma.  This same fund was declared unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court to the previous Governor Brad Henry but Governor Mary Fallin doesn’t care she wants her money to play with!  And boy howdy she better get it otherwise Oklahoma will fall apart!  We need to be able to buy businesses stake dinners and hookers so they’ll relocate here.  Maybe if we also passed Right to Work businesses would come here too.  Oh…. wait….. how’d that work out again?

Gov. Mary Fallin Stands up to Obama By Asking for Money

OBAMA SUCKS!  Down with the federal government!  They are too involved in our lives and they need a strong governor who will stand up to them and tell them how it’s going to be.  HA!  Take THAT!  That’s why we elected Mary Fallin because

“I think voters want a governor who sees the world like they do and who will stand up to Washington. I am ready to be that governor.”
….
 ”I am the only candidate in this race who is fundamentally conservative and who is willing and able to stand up to the Obama Administration…”

Oh… wait…. before we do that could we maybe have some money, please?  Thanks!  That’s so nice of you… NOW GO TO HELL!!!

“OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin is asking the White House for an emergency disaster declaration for Oklahoma in the wake of a massive winter storm that dumped up to 20 inches of snow, ice and sleet on the state.

Fallin said Wednesday that she is asking for the disaster declaration for all 77 Oklahoma counties.”

Yeah, so maybe that evil federal government isn’t so bad after all, huh?

Ethics? HA! We don't need no stinkin ethics!

Oklahoma still has on its books laws that ban corporations and labor unions from spending from their treasury funds. The court opinion means a corporation and labor union can independently spend whatever it wants on a campaign as long as it doesn’t coordinate the expenditures with a candidate or the candidate’s campaign.

Ethics Commission members urged legislators to pass a bill that would put the state in compliance with the ruling; a measure passed the House of Representatives but the Senate narrowly defeated it.

Marilyn Hughes, Ethics Commission executive director, said lawsuits have been filed against 19 states that are not in compliance. She said legal costs to defend Oklahoma could run as high as $250,000.

And we gotta be spending that money on our health care law suit!

OK Weird Conservatives Driving Away Business

Sure is hard to bring business to Oklahoma when companies look at our state and go - THESE PEOPLE ARE NUTS!

During Monday’s inauguration, Governor Mary Fallin said her administration will be focused on creating jobs.

But could the stumbling block to this goal come from fellow Republicans?
….
Chamber President Roy Williams says businesses don’t want to risk angering their customers and employees by going to a hostile environment.

“Companies have told (Arizona business development officials) directly, they’ve canceled expansion plans of existing plans within Arizona,” Williams says. “We’ve also heard them tell us that site location consultants have been told by their clients to take Arizona off the list.”

Keep up the good work there Miss Mary.  We have faith you’ll figure it out some day.

Questionable Constitutionality of Fallin Appointee

She’s already hard at work OFFENDING the Constitution.  You go gurl.

“I think it’s wrong,” said Republican State Representative Mike Reynolds.

Reynolds also has concerns over the appointment of his fellow Republican.

He’s asked the state’s attorney general to look into the case.

“If someone offered me a job, I wouldn’t take it because I took an oath to defend the constitution,” said Reynolds. “In my reading of the constitution, it’s very plain language. You cannot take a job for two years after you leave office.”

The state constitution prohibits lawmakers from working for a state agency if their salary is authorized or appropriated by the state legislature.

Ok… so technically… she didn’t actually take the oath to defend the Constitution… Just sayin…

Mary Fallin to Offend the Constitution

Well if it’s not plagiarizing KOSU in your inaugural address - then it’s accidentally saying you plan to offend the Constitution rather than defend it. 

“Mary Fallin was sworn in Monday as Oklahoma’s first female governor, but in reciting the oath of office she really didn’t promise to “support, obey and defend the Constitution.”

At an outdoors ceremony in bone-chilling and teeth-chattering cold, Fallin told Oklahoma Chief Justice Steven W. Taylor that she would “support, obey and offend” the U.S. and state constitutions.

“She dropped the ‘d’,” Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz said Wednesday. “I was amazed that anyone was able to speak at all or get any of their lines right considering how cold it was outside.” It was 29 degrees and light snow was falling when Fallin recited her oath of office on the steps of the state Capitol.”

What exactly does the TeaParty think of a Governor who won’t defend their own constitution?  I mean come on… Also can I just say Alex’s excuse of “it was too cold to say the letter ‘d” is simply ridiculous.

Calling Dr. Freud… emergency .. come right away!

Mary Fallin Leaves Oklahomans out in the Cold

Happy Inauguration Day.  Stay warm.
… brings a whole new meaning to “snow job”

Fallin Daughter to Quit Lobbying Gig

Probably a good idea of the Gov’s daughter isn’t lobbying her mother for special projects.  Besides, I’m sure Huddleston was doing it to buy influence anyway.  Maybe he had to talk to Fallin Sr. because his father was haunting him, who knows…  I for one am sad about this - because contrary to everyone else I think Christina is kinda hot in that Suicide Girls kinda way and she made the capitol more enjoyable.  I’m rooting for that to be her new job.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma’s new Republican Gov. Mary Fallin says her daughter Christina will no longer work as a lobbyist at the state Capitol.
Fallin said Tuesday it was “not in the best interest” of her daughter or the governor’s office for her to continue her work as a lobbyist.