Saturday, June 7, 2008
Governor Keating Host Fund Raiser For Joe Lester
Joe Lester gets the endorsement of Governor Keating. Saturday June 14th at 9 am at the Trails Golf Club. Governor Frank Keating will be hosting a fund raiser for Joe candidate for Cleveland County Sheriff. Everyone invited
Wise Words From Bob
I only wish I had stated this. It does sound like something I would say. Lincoln just beat me to it.
Very Wise Words
During this political season lets be reminded of these wise words:
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
--Abraham Lincoln
Very Wise Words
During this political season lets be reminded of these wise words:
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
--Abraham Lincoln
Is Governor Henry really Corrupt
Oklahoma State Senate
Co-President Pro Tempore
Senator Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City
State Capitol Room 418
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
(405) 521-5636
June 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paul Ziriax, Leadership Assistant
Office of the Co-President Pro Tempore
State Capitol: (405) 596-3874
ziriax@oksenate.gov
Henry Says No to Accountability and Innovation in Government
State Capitol, Oklahoma City – A lot of good ol' boys at the State Capitol oppose the Senate Republicans' efforts to make state government more open, more efficient, more accountable, and more innovative.
Gov. Brad Henry is apparently one of them.
Friday Henry vetoed Senate Bill 1865, by Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, that would have created an Office of Accountability and Innovation at the Legislative Service Bureau.
The office was to conduct regular performance audits of agencies, recommend best practices to improve efficiency in government, review tax policy, and suggest new innovations to make government more accountable and effective for taxpayers.
“Gov. Henry’s veto is a big victory for the good ol' boys don't want us to succeed in making state government more open, more accountable, more efficient, and more innovative,” stated Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.
“There are a lot of people who would prefer that the Legislature didn't try to weed out political corruption or ask questions about why taxpayer dollars are spent on projects such as McAlester dog food plants. These people are very happy that Gov. Henry vetoed this bill,” Coffee said.
“Our proposal for a new Office of Accountability and Innovation is similar in concept to the U.S. Congress's Government Accountability Office. This bill represented an effort to make government better, so I am shocked and disappointed the governor said no to SB 1865.
“Gov. Henry’s veto is not the end of this story, though, because Senate Republicans will be back again next year fighting to change state government for the better by making it more efficient and more accountable to the people of Oklahoma,” he said.
Oklahoma State Senate
Co-President Pro Tempore
Senator Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City
State Capitol Room 418
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
(405) 521-5636
June 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paul Ziriax, Leadership Assistant
Office of the Co-President Pro Tempore
State Capitol: (405) 521-5654
ziriax@oksenate.gov
Henry Chooses Trial Lawyers over Teachers, Vetoes School Protection Act
State Capitol, Oklahoma City – When it comes to choosing trial lawyers or teachers, Oklahomans now know where Gov. Brad Henry’s loyalties lie: The trial lawyers.
Friday Henry vetoed a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill that would have curbed lawsuit abuse against teachers and school administrators who enforce discipline in the classroom. The veto is a major blow to teachers and schools, but it protects Henry’s allies in the trial lawyer industry.
The School Protection Act, Senate Bill 1024, is authored by State Senate Co-Floor Leader Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, and State Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa. The bill was supported by the Oklahoma Education Association.
“It’s ironic that the self-described ‘education governor’ has put the interests of the ‘Big Trial Lawyers’ industry ahead of the interests of teachers and schoolchildren. It is very discouraging to see the lengths this governor will go to stop even the most modest of lawsuit reform proposals from becoming law in Oklahoma,” said Laughlin.
“Once again Governor Henry has vetoed a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill, and once again he has refused to tell the Legislature which reforms – if any – he is actually willing to support,” stated Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “It’s becoming painfully clear there is no lawsuit reform proposal this governor will sign. We may have to go to a vote of the people if we ever want to accomplish meaningful lawsuit reform for Oklahoma.”
Editors’ note: Here are Highlights of The School Protection Act :
• Would have provided liability protection for actions taken in good faith by a school district for the out-of-school suspension of a dangerous or disruptive student pursuant to applicable Oklahoma Statutes.
• Would have provided liability protection for losses or claims resulting from the use of “necessary and reasonable force” by a school district employee to control and discipline a student during the time the student is in attendance or in transit to and from the school, or at a school function.
• Would have awarded attorneys’ fees and court costs to school districts that successfully defend a lawsuit against the district or an education employee.
• Would have made it a crime for students to falsely accuse education employees of criminal activity.
Co-President Pro Tempore
Senator Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City
State Capitol Room 418
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
(405) 521-5636
June 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paul Ziriax, Leadership Assistant
Office of the Co-President Pro Tempore
State Capitol: (405) 596-3874
ziriax@oksenate.gov
Henry Says No to Accountability and Innovation in Government
State Capitol, Oklahoma City – A lot of good ol' boys at the State Capitol oppose the Senate Republicans' efforts to make state government more open, more efficient, more accountable, and more innovative.
Gov. Brad Henry is apparently one of them.
Friday Henry vetoed Senate Bill 1865, by Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, that would have created an Office of Accountability and Innovation at the Legislative Service Bureau.
The office was to conduct regular performance audits of agencies, recommend best practices to improve efficiency in government, review tax policy, and suggest new innovations to make government more accountable and effective for taxpayers.
“Gov. Henry’s veto is a big victory for the good ol' boys don't want us to succeed in making state government more open, more accountable, more efficient, and more innovative,” stated Coffee, R-Oklahoma City.
“There are a lot of people who would prefer that the Legislature didn't try to weed out political corruption or ask questions about why taxpayer dollars are spent on projects such as McAlester dog food plants. These people are very happy that Gov. Henry vetoed this bill,” Coffee said.
“Our proposal for a new Office of Accountability and Innovation is similar in concept to the U.S. Congress's Government Accountability Office. This bill represented an effort to make government better, so I am shocked and disappointed the governor said no to SB 1865.
“Gov. Henry’s veto is not the end of this story, though, because Senate Republicans will be back again next year fighting to change state government for the better by making it more efficient and more accountable to the people of Oklahoma,” he said.
Oklahoma State Senate
Co-President Pro Tempore
Senator Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City
State Capitol Room 418
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
(405) 521-5636
June 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Paul Ziriax, Leadership Assistant
Office of the Co-President Pro Tempore
State Capitol: (405) 521-5654
ziriax@oksenate.gov
Henry Chooses Trial Lawyers over Teachers, Vetoes School Protection Act
State Capitol, Oklahoma City – When it comes to choosing trial lawyers or teachers, Oklahomans now know where Gov. Brad Henry’s loyalties lie: The trial lawyers.
Friday Henry vetoed a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill that would have curbed lawsuit abuse against teachers and school administrators who enforce discipline in the classroom. The veto is a major blow to teachers and schools, but it protects Henry’s allies in the trial lawyer industry.
The School Protection Act, Senate Bill 1024, is authored by State Senate Co-Floor Leader Owen Laughlin, R-Woodward, and State Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa. The bill was supported by the Oklahoma Education Association.
“It’s ironic that the self-described ‘education governor’ has put the interests of the ‘Big Trial Lawyers’ industry ahead of the interests of teachers and schoolchildren. It is very discouraging to see the lengths this governor will go to stop even the most modest of lawsuit reform proposals from becoming law in Oklahoma,” said Laughlin.
“Once again Governor Henry has vetoed a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill, and once again he has refused to tell the Legislature which reforms – if any – he is actually willing to support,” stated Coffee, R-Oklahoma City. “It’s becoming painfully clear there is no lawsuit reform proposal this governor will sign. We may have to go to a vote of the people if we ever want to accomplish meaningful lawsuit reform for Oklahoma.”
Editors’ note: Here are Highlights of The School Protection Act :
• Would have provided liability protection for actions taken in good faith by a school district for the out-of-school suspension of a dangerous or disruptive student pursuant to applicable Oklahoma Statutes.
• Would have provided liability protection for losses or claims resulting from the use of “necessary and reasonable force” by a school district employee to control and discipline a student during the time the student is in attendance or in transit to and from the school, or at a school function.
• Would have awarded attorneys’ fees and court costs to school districts that successfully defend a lawsuit against the district or an education employee.
• Would have made it a crime for students to falsely accuse education employees of criminal activity.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Oklahoma Senate moving forward with Conservative Bills Pushed by Republicans
We should all be very proud of our State Senators and the job they did for all Oklahoman’s this past sessions. They deserve a big congratulation. Here are a few bills that our State Senators worked diligently to get passed this last session. Now let’s get behind our Senators and take full control of the Senate this November.
1. Ethics Reform: In 2008 the Legislature passed Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee’s bill that bans lobbyist campaign contributions during legislative sessions.
2. Protecting the Unborn: In 2007 Senate Republicans successfully passed legislation that prohibits taxpayer funds to pay for abortions. In 2008 they built on this success by overriding Henry’s veto of SB 1878, which protects the right of healthcare workers who refuse to participate in abortions and provides mothers with an ultrasound of their unborn baby prior to an abortion being performed.
3. Fiscal Responsibility: Despite tight budget for the 2008 session, Senate Republicans helped secure an early agreement for a standstill budget that avoided cuts to agencies and did not raid the Rainy Day fund. They also closed a state pension loophole that allowed some politicians to make more money in retirement than they did while working.
4. Teacher Retirement System: The Teacher Retirement System was nearly in shambles because of years of neglect by Democrats. In 2007 Senate Republicans pushed through a permanent increase in funding that will make the system more solvent in the long-term.
5. Education: In 2008 Senate Republicans passed two bills to make Oklahoma schools safer and more secure: The School Protection Act (SB 1024) provides lawsuit protections for teachers and administrators who maintain order in the classroom, and the Security Act (SB 1941) makes schools safer by requiring lockdown practices twice and year and by cracking down on bullies.
6. Public Safety: In 2008 Senate Republicans enacted tougher penalties on child porn peddlers, and they made sure the Legislature followed an independent performance audit’s recommendation that the Department of Corrections be fully funded.
7. Stopping Bad Legislation: Senate Republicans stopped plenty of bad legislation, such as Gov. Henry’s plan to create a state kindergarten program for three-year-olds (2007) and a Senate Democrat bill that would have required insurance companies to raise premiums to pay for abortions, sex change operations, and other procedures (2008)
8. Still more to do: Senate Republicans successfully passed conservative legislation through the Senate to slow property tax growth, expand charter schools, and provide scholarships to low income students at at-risk schools. (Unfortunately these bills didn’t make it out of the House of Representatives). Senate Democrats blocked conservative proposals such as voter identification to protect the integrity of elections, term limits for statewide elected officials. Senate Republicans will lead the way next year to enact these important reforms. Now lets take control of the Senate this November for the first time in our states great history!
Bob
1. Ethics Reform: In 2008 the Legislature passed Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee’s bill that bans lobbyist campaign contributions during legislative sessions.
2. Protecting the Unborn: In 2007 Senate Republicans successfully passed legislation that prohibits taxpayer funds to pay for abortions. In 2008 they built on this success by overriding Henry’s veto of SB 1878, which protects the right of healthcare workers who refuse to participate in abortions and provides mothers with an ultrasound of their unborn baby prior to an abortion being performed.
3. Fiscal Responsibility: Despite tight budget for the 2008 session, Senate Republicans helped secure an early agreement for a standstill budget that avoided cuts to agencies and did not raid the Rainy Day fund. They also closed a state pension loophole that allowed some politicians to make more money in retirement than they did while working.
4. Teacher Retirement System: The Teacher Retirement System was nearly in shambles because of years of neglect by Democrats. In 2007 Senate Republicans pushed through a permanent increase in funding that will make the system more solvent in the long-term.
5. Education: In 2008 Senate Republicans passed two bills to make Oklahoma schools safer and more secure: The School Protection Act (SB 1024) provides lawsuit protections for teachers and administrators who maintain order in the classroom, and the Security Act (SB 1941) makes schools safer by requiring lockdown practices twice and year and by cracking down on bullies.
6. Public Safety: In 2008 Senate Republicans enacted tougher penalties on child porn peddlers, and they made sure the Legislature followed an independent performance audit’s recommendation that the Department of Corrections be fully funded.
7. Stopping Bad Legislation: Senate Republicans stopped plenty of bad legislation, such as Gov. Henry’s plan to create a state kindergarten program for three-year-olds (2007) and a Senate Democrat bill that would have required insurance companies to raise premiums to pay for abortions, sex change operations, and other procedures (2008)
8. Still more to do: Senate Republicans successfully passed conservative legislation through the Senate to slow property tax growth, expand charter schools, and provide scholarships to low income students at at-risk schools. (Unfortunately these bills didn’t make it out of the House of Representatives). Senate Democrats blocked conservative proposals such as voter identification to protect the integrity of elections, term limits for statewide elected officials. Senate Republicans will lead the way next year to enact these important reforms. Now lets take control of the Senate this November for the first time in our states great history!
Bob
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Republican Senator wins election
*** NEWS RELEASE ***
SENATOR LAMB RE-ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION
AFTER PRIMARY FILER WITHDRAWS CANDIDACY
Six GOP Senators Now Returning Without Opposition
OKLAHOMA CITY ? Isaac Samuel of Oklahoma City, who yesterday filed a candidacy for the State Senate as a Republican in Senate District 47, withdrew his candidacy today.
As a result, Senator Lamb is re-elected to represent his Oklahoma City/Edmond district without Democrat opposition. This increases the number of incumbent Republican senators returning to office upon filing to six. They include Lamb, Patrick Anderson (Enid), Brian Crain (Tulsa), John Ford (Bartlesville), Ron Justice (Chickasha) and Mike Mazzei (Tulsa).
Candidate filing period ended Wednesday afternoon with Senate Republicans in an unprecedented position to make history in 2008 and achieve the majority for the first time in Oklahoma history. With eight Senate seats uncontested by Democrats in 2008 and eleven carry-over Senators not on the ballot this year, Republicans go into Election Day with a 19-18 advantage.
Of the thirteen current Republican-held seats on the ballot in 2008, Democrats contested only five, or 38% of the seats.
SENATOR LAMB RE-ELECTED WITHOUT OPPOSITION
AFTER PRIMARY FILER WITHDRAWS CANDIDACY
Six GOP Senators Now Returning Without Opposition
OKLAHOMA CITY ? Isaac Samuel of Oklahoma City, who yesterday filed a candidacy for the State Senate as a Republican in Senate District 47, withdrew his candidacy today.
As a result, Senator Lamb is re-elected to represent his Oklahoma City/Edmond district without Democrat opposition. This increases the number of incumbent Republican senators returning to office upon filing to six. They include Lamb, Patrick Anderson (Enid), Brian Crain (Tulsa), John Ford (Bartlesville), Ron Justice (Chickasha) and Mike Mazzei (Tulsa).
Candidate filing period ended Wednesday afternoon with Senate Republicans in an unprecedented position to make history in 2008 and achieve the majority for the first time in Oklahoma history. With eight Senate seats uncontested by Democrats in 2008 and eleven carry-over Senators not on the ballot this year, Republicans go into Election Day with a 19-18 advantage.
Of the thirteen current Republican-held seats on the ballot in 2008, Democrats contested only five, or 38% of the seats.
Senate Press Release
*** NEWS RELEASE ***
SENATE REPUBLICANS CELEBRATE
SUCCESSFUL FILING WEEK
GOP Leads Senate Count 19-18 Going Into Campaign Season
OKLAHOMA CITY Candidate filing period ended Wednesday afternoon with Senate Republicans in an unprecedented position to make history in 2008 and achieve the majority for the first time in Oklahoma history. With eight Senate seats uncontested by Democrats in 2008 and eleven carry-over Senators not on the ballot this year, Republicans go into Election Day with a 19-18 advantage.
We dont claim for one minute that it will be easy, but we feel very good about our chances to be the majority party in the Senate following the November elections, said Senate Co-President Pre Tem Glenn Coffee. Our candidate recruitment efforts, headed by Senator Todd Lamb, were extremely successful.
Of the thirteen current Republican-held seats on the ballot in 2008, Democrats contested only five, or 38% of the seats.
When filing closed, Senators Patrick Anderson, Brian Crain, John Ford, Ron Justice and Mike Mazzei were automatically returned to office without opposition, Coffee said. In addition, three seats in Senate Districts 35 (Tulsa), 45 (Oklahoma/Cleveland/Canadian Counties) and 47 (OKC/Edmond) will be decided during the Primary election season, as no Democrats filed for those seats.
This is unprecedented success for Republicans in the Oklahoma Senate,Coffee continued. We also feel very strongly about our ability to retain all of the currently Republican-held seats, as well as picking up Democrat seats in Stillwater and Tulsa.
And, we think we will surprise people in at least one or more other seats,Coffee said. Were bullish on our prospects in 2008.
To break the current tie and attain a majority in the State Senate, Republicans must win six of the eleven contested seats, while Democrats must prevail in seven of the eleven contested seats.
Coffee cited strong top-of-ticket assistance from U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, the Oklahoma Congressional delegation, and Oklahoma voters preference for John McCain over Barack Obama to boost strong State Senate Candidates in rural areas of the state.
And finally, we have the issues and ideas on our side, Coffee said. Oklahoma voters are responding to our leadership on building and maintaining our states roads and bridges; tax relief; pro-family values issues; government accountability; education; and on ethics in government.
The race is on, and were ready to lead, Coffee concluded.
SENATE REPUBLICANS CELEBRATE
SUCCESSFUL FILING WEEK
GOP Leads Senate Count 19-18 Going Into Campaign Season
OKLAHOMA CITY Candidate filing period ended Wednesday afternoon with Senate Republicans in an unprecedented position to make history in 2008 and achieve the majority for the first time in Oklahoma history. With eight Senate seats uncontested by Democrats in 2008 and eleven carry-over Senators not on the ballot this year, Republicans go into Election Day with a 19-18 advantage.
We dont claim for one minute that it will be easy, but we feel very good about our chances to be the majority party in the Senate following the November elections, said Senate Co-President Pre Tem Glenn Coffee. Our candidate recruitment efforts, headed by Senator Todd Lamb, were extremely successful.
Of the thirteen current Republican-held seats on the ballot in 2008, Democrats contested only five, or 38% of the seats.
When filing closed, Senators Patrick Anderson, Brian Crain, John Ford, Ron Justice and Mike Mazzei were automatically returned to office without opposition, Coffee said. In addition, three seats in Senate Districts 35 (Tulsa), 45 (Oklahoma/Cleveland/Canadian Counties) and 47 (OKC/Edmond) will be decided during the Primary election season, as no Democrats filed for those seats.
This is unprecedented success for Republicans in the Oklahoma Senate,Coffee continued. We also feel very strongly about our ability to retain all of the currently Republican-held seats, as well as picking up Democrat seats in Stillwater and Tulsa.
And, we think we will surprise people in at least one or more other seats,Coffee said. Were bullish on our prospects in 2008.
To break the current tie and attain a majority in the State Senate, Republicans must win six of the eleven contested seats, while Democrats must prevail in seven of the eleven contested seats.
Coffee cited strong top-of-ticket assistance from U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, the Oklahoma Congressional delegation, and Oklahoma voters preference for John McCain over Barack Obama to boost strong State Senate Candidates in rural areas of the state.
And finally, we have the issues and ideas on our side, Coffee said. Oklahoma voters are responding to our leadership on building and maintaining our states roads and bridges; tax relief; pro-family values issues; government accountability; education; and on ethics in government.
The race is on, and were ready to lead, Coffee concluded.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Important Bills That Makes Me Proud To Be A Republican
Important Bills That Makes Me Proud To Be A Republican
A few Of Our Republican Legislative 2008 Accomplishments
1. Protecting life, SB1878 Comprehensive pro-life bill that requires posting of information to protect woman from being forced into having an abortion, protects health care professionals’ right to refuse to participate in medical procedures that involve the destruction of human life, and regulates use of the chemical abortion pill.
Our Baptist Governor vetoed this bill. For the first time in about 15 years a Governor’s veto was overridden! Way to go Republicans!!
2.SB 1641 Closes loophole in elected official’s retirement benefits to ensure that retirement income never exceeds salary earned.
3. SB 1383 accelerates the repeal of Oklahoma’s death tax, also known as the “estate tax” saving grieving families an estimated $30.2 million per year beginning Jan 1, 2009
4.SB 1149 Expands sales tax holiday to include tax-free purchases of school supplies and instructional materials.
5.HB 3325 Will save the state substantial time and money by modernizing the state’s invoicing process to allow for vendors to be paid electronically.
6. HB 2704 Keeps registered sex-offenders out of nursing home facilities by establishing a separate facility for these offenders.
7. HB 2469 Protects visitation rights of grandparents in the event of the death of a parent or in adoption proceedings.
8. HB 1600 Increases penalties for abuses against the elderly and incapacitated.
Bob
A few Of Our Republican Legislative 2008 Accomplishments
1. Protecting life, SB1878 Comprehensive pro-life bill that requires posting of information to protect woman from being forced into having an abortion, protects health care professionals’ right to refuse to participate in medical procedures that involve the destruction of human life, and regulates use of the chemical abortion pill.
Our Baptist Governor vetoed this bill. For the first time in about 15 years a Governor’s veto was overridden! Way to go Republicans!!
2.SB 1641 Closes loophole in elected official’s retirement benefits to ensure that retirement income never exceeds salary earned.
3. SB 1383 accelerates the repeal of Oklahoma’s death tax, also known as the “estate tax” saving grieving families an estimated $30.2 million per year beginning Jan 1, 2009
4.SB 1149 Expands sales tax holiday to include tax-free purchases of school supplies and instructional materials.
5.HB 3325 Will save the state substantial time and money by modernizing the state’s invoicing process to allow for vendors to be paid electronically.
6. HB 2704 Keeps registered sex-offenders out of nursing home facilities by establishing a separate facility for these offenders.
7. HB 2469 Protects visitation rights of grandparents in the event of the death of a parent or in adoption proceedings.
8. HB 1600 Increases penalties for abuses against the elderly and incapacitated.
Bob
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Maffucci Tries To Claim Collins Is Not A Liar
The Norman Transcript
Editor, The Transcript:
In a letter published in the May 25 edition of The Norman Transcript, Joseph Fairbanks alleged that Rep. Wallace Collins had falsely claimed he had not missed the vote to allow an amendment to HB-3358. Truth is, Fairbanks, not Collins has introduced false information to this inane barrage of misinformation to fool voters. Rep. Collins only claimed (in a previous reply to Bobby Cleveland's previous allegations--same subject) that he had not missed the vote on the bill.
I decided to look into these allegations and this is what I found:? Rep. Collins did miss one vote on March 12 -- which he never denied. It was a procedural vote; not a vote on any bill. The vote Collins missed made no difference, since it needed 68 votes to pass and only received 59.
As Fairbanks even admitted in his letter, Collins returned to vote "no" on HB-3358. Regarding the disgraceful implication that Collins is not "on the job" for his constituents, I would remind Fairbanks and the Transcript readers of Rep. Collins' 98 percent voting record.
Collins has assured me that he stands by his 2006 campaign pledge to responsibly eliminate grocery sales taxes.?Additionally, one can find in the legislative records that he voted to repeal the grocery sales tax on an amendment to HB-3103, but the Republican House majority killed that amendment. Furthermore, to honor his campaign pledge, Collins authored HB-1838 to eliminate the sales tax on both groceries and non-prescription medicines, using offsetting revenue by closing a tax loophole on advertising in order to make the bill revenue-neutral. His record has clearly shown that he prefers to cut taxes for hard-working, struggling Oklahoma families, for whom Fairbanks claims compassion. The Republican House leadership refused to allow even a hearing for Collins' bill.
BETTE W. MAFFUCCI
Editor, The Transcript:
In a letter published in the May 25 edition of The Norman Transcript, Joseph Fairbanks alleged that Rep. Wallace Collins had falsely claimed he had not missed the vote to allow an amendment to HB-3358. Truth is, Fairbanks, not Collins has introduced false information to this inane barrage of misinformation to fool voters. Rep. Collins only claimed (in a previous reply to Bobby Cleveland's previous allegations--same subject) that he had not missed the vote on the bill.
I decided to look into these allegations and this is what I found:? Rep. Collins did miss one vote on March 12 -- which he never denied. It was a procedural vote; not a vote on any bill. The vote Collins missed made no difference, since it needed 68 votes to pass and only received 59.
As Fairbanks even admitted in his letter, Collins returned to vote "no" on HB-3358. Regarding the disgraceful implication that Collins is not "on the job" for his constituents, I would remind Fairbanks and the Transcript readers of Rep. Collins' 98 percent voting record.
Collins has assured me that he stands by his 2006 campaign pledge to responsibly eliminate grocery sales taxes.?Additionally, one can find in the legislative records that he voted to repeal the grocery sales tax on an amendment to HB-3103, but the Republican House majority killed that amendment. Furthermore, to honor his campaign pledge, Collins authored HB-1838 to eliminate the sales tax on both groceries and non-prescription medicines, using offsetting revenue by closing a tax loophole on advertising in order to make the bill revenue-neutral. His record has clearly shown that he prefers to cut taxes for hard-working, struggling Oklahoma families, for whom Fairbanks claims compassion. The Republican House leadership refused to allow even a hearing for Collins' bill.
BETTE W. MAFFUCCI
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