OkieBrent's Soapbox

Two new websites are now on the web.  They are both for Democratic women running for office (and I’m proud to call them both my friends!).

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State Senator Susan Paddack announced last month that she is a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.  To visit her new campaign website click the banner below.

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State Senator Debbe Leftwich is running for re-election to her Senate seat in District 44, which is south Oklahoma City.  To visit her new campaign website, click on the logo below.

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I hope all my family and good friends will support both of these Democratic women!

In today’s Oklahoman (11/25/2009) Michael McNutt reports that Republican State Representative Dennis Johnson of Duncan says that one of the first bills to be considered in the next legislative session will be one to increase penalties for gang-related activities.  Senate Bill 826 will make recruiting gang members a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Gangs are bad, but is this really what we need to focus on right now?  The State of Oklahoma is laying off teachers, starving seniors, furloughing employees, reducing the number of law enforcement officials – all because of a lack of MONEY.  Representative Johnson wants the state to spend more money we don’t have.

Keep in mind these numbers are from 2005, but according to the Department of Corrections Oklahoma spends more than $20,000 per year per prisoner.   Sixty percent of those prisoners are non-violent.

Oklahoma spends less than half that amount – only $7,615 – on each student per year.  I guess Oklahomans value prisoners more than they do educating our children.

Maybe if Oklahoma prioritized education and students above prisons and inmates, there would be fewer youth even considering joining a gang, fewer drop-outs, and less crime.

What is a better incentive to attract new businesses and jobs – lots of prisoners or a well educated population?  Of course for most businesses and industries a well educated work force is much more attractive, but maybe legislators like Rep. Johnson are only trying to attract more private prisons.

Lots of pain.  Here is a sampling of what the continuous mantra and action of “cut taxes, cut taxes, cut taxes” and the worst recession since the Great Depression has lead to:

• state Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services – board met last week and discussed plans to reduce its staff by 100 jobs and cut services and programs. The agency took action to cut $7.3 million from its budget in the wake of declining state revenues. Read the story here.

• Ethics Commmission – The state agency that is charged with policing political campaigns will be furloughing staff members right in the middle of the 2010 election cycle if current budget projections hold up.  Read the story here.  

• Career Tech – The Oklahoma Board of Career and Technology Education approved a voluntary buyout plan Thursday for its employees in the wake of declining state revenue – the board anticipates that 30 employees will take the buyout. Read the story here.  

• Public Schools – If funding cuts get any steeper, the Edmond School District will have to let go of teachers next year, Edmond school officials said this week.  Read the story here.

• Seniors – $7.4 million in funding cuts to senior nutrition programs – many may be forced into nursing homes, 97,744 meals not delivered in Tulsa County, 3 Oklahoma County sites closed, Canadian County $27,364 already cut with sites closing an extra day each week, Cleveland County $36,006 cut with one site closed and another serving meals only 3 days a week, etc. etc. etc.  Read the story here.

• Public Safety – Budget cuts are proving particularly troubling for prosecutors and others who enforce state laws. … Oklahomans also will see fewer Highway Patrol troopers and might have to wait longer to renew a driver’s license, said Kevin Ward, the commissioner for public safety. Read the story here.  

Countdown 11/12/09

The above video is from today’s Washington Post.  I admire and respect Tammy Duckworth who is an Iraq War Veteran.  I thank all those serving in our military today, and all those who have done so in the past.

To a standing room only crowd in Ada, Oklahoma, State Senator Susan Paddack announced she is a candidate for State Superintendent.  The campaign launch was at 10:00 a.m. today.

Paddack Announces Candidacy for State Superintendent

“Education has always been a passion.  I’m running for State Superintendent because I want all children in Oklahoma to have the education they need in order to achieve their goals in life.  Our children are the future and we must provide the highest quality of education for them to succeed and be our leaders of tomorrow,” said Susan Paddack.

“I’m excited to announce my candidacy today and would like to personally invite all Oklahomans to be a part of this journey to ensure that our children receive the best education we can possibly give them.”

Susan Paddack was elected to the State Senate in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.  She has served as Chair of the Senate Education Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee.  Prior to serving as Senator, she served as Director of Local Education Foundation Outreach for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.  She was a former junior high science teacher, an adjunct professor at East Central University, and a community volunteer.

“While we’ve made great strides in the past with our early childhood efforts, technical education and raising our curricular standards, we as citizens still have much work to do.  As a former teacher, an adjunct professor at my local university, as a mom, as an encourager of educational excellence, as a legislator serving on both education and education funding committees, I know we must pick up the pace on making education relevant in an ever changing world,” said Paddack.

“The very future of our state depends on how well we educate our children.  This is a task of which we must all be a part.  I invite every citizen to commit their energy and resources to achieving this goal.”

On Monday evening we will post a video of the campaign launch on our campaign’s YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/SusanPaddack).  We will also have a presence on Facebook, Twitter and coming soon will be the online Campaign Headquarters http://www.votepaddack.com

Monday night while interviewing United States Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jon Stewart threw out a dig at Oklahoma’s senior Senator James Inhofe. It comes right about 1:00 minute into the video.

America – the Wall

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In Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District, according to Roll Call, Democrats need not even put forward a candidate.  Of course that is based on past performance and the way things are right now.

Roll Call reports:

5th district
Open seat: Mary Fallin (R) is running for governor
Outlook: Safe Republican  

The 5th district is a conservative seat that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won by 18 points in last year’s presidential race, so the GOP primary will be the only contest that will matter when it comes to replacing Fallin.

There are at least six Republicans in the race as of today.

I think the right Democrat could make it a real race.  Jim Roth carried the 5th District last year in the Corporation Commission race.  Sheriff John Whetsel always carries Oklahoma County by larger margins than any other candidate (including G.W. Bush and John McCain). However, both Roth and Whetsel have ruled out a run for the 5th. 

Will a legitimate Democrat come forward?  If so, he or she should do so SOON!