New Job, New Town

I'm putting more energy into this blog after a change of scenery and employment.

After years as the news director at a public radio station serving the Oklahoma City metro, my wife's job took us to south Tulsa. We now live in Bixby, Okla., but are still keeping our downtown Oklahoma City condo.

Bixby is an interesting community. I've learned to tell Tulsa people we live "south" of the river; that seems to make immediate sense. My commute to my job with the Eastern Oklahoma Region of the American Red Cross is almost identical in length to the commute I had before moving.

The housing addition where we live has a wheat field across from it. The drive home not only takes me over the Arkansas River, but also has me passing by sod farms and acres of corn. Driving over the river each day and seeing the sun glimmering off the east or west revives my spirit, encouraging me for the day.

Anyway, the "bloglahoma" blog will be taking on more of a northeast Oklahoma flair, and serve as an outlet for some thoughts and observations that come from change.

Thanks for reading.

The New Speaker

State Rep. T.W. Shannon leaves behind one of the top leadership posts in Oklahoma politics to seek his political future in Washington, D.C. Last legislative session, the speaker was somewhat popular among right-wing Republicans nationally, traveling to talk and having some visits of officials here.

But who is next to have the corner office with the conference room on the east side of the state capitol? Three names are floated among the House membership: Jeff Hickman, Mike Jackson and Jason Nelson. I'm thinking Nelson is a long shot, though he has a reputation as a very hard worker and open access to the media. I've called his office at odd times through the year and almost always find him at work.

I don't know Hickman and Jackson as well, but I find Hickman's approach to policy debates in the more reasoned realm in House. Jackson is now acting as speaker in Shannon's absence because he is the Speaker Pro Tempore. Maybe he can pull together enough votes in the Republican caucus to become the newest leader of the chamber.

Jackson's performance before reporters at last week's Associated Press legislative forum was less than stellar, but he was also put on that stage because Shannon picked that same day to formally announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Tom Coburn.

So, if I were a betting person, which I'm not (that includes the state lottery; a tax for people who can't do math), my money would be on Jackson, but don't count out Hickman.

Amnesia or Ignorance, Gov. Mary Fallin Denies Knowing Costs of Corrections Reform

I haven't posted in some time, but with the legislative session coming soon, I'm back.

Late Friday afternoon, I attended a media availability with Gov. Mary Fallin to talk about corrections. I think she lied to Oklahomans.

After questioning by one reporter and a direct follow up by me, Gov. Fallin said no one knew the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, a major reform of the state's criminal justice system, would cost money. That is either a lie or an amazing level of ignorance.

Then-House Speaker Kris Steele repeatedly told the Capitol press corps, sitting in his conference office, that the plan would cost money up front, for a return in the future. We asked him where the funds would come from? He would respond that it was possible.

I attended a luncheon, hosted by Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb outlining the entire process of the JRI. There was widespread support for the initiative, from the Oklahoma City police department up, it was viewed as a way for Oklahoma to be "smart" on crime.

Gov. Fallin's response to the questions Friday were interspersed with her assurance that she made the decisions in her administration, not her staff.

I'm not so sure, and my trust in Oklahoma's chief executive is greatly reduced.