Whatzup Politics (1090)
Written by David Deaton
Historic Arkansas River Flood of 2019 the focus of Sims' Study Request
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Lonnie Sims (R-Jenks) requested an interim study to conduct a state-level review of the actions taken leading up to and in response to the historic Arkansas River Flood of 2019.
“We experienced the second most significant flood event along the Arkansas River since 1986,” Sims said. “The flooding spared no community along its banks as it traversed through Northeastern Oklahoma, nor the cities and towns inundated by the overflows of lesser-known creeks and streams that feed into it.”
Sims seeks to facilitate an after-action study with key federal, state and local governmental agencies as well as public and private stakeholders that were negatively impacted up and down the river.
“How did we forecast, plan and ultimately respond to protect the people, property, wildlife and environmental treasures of this state?” Sims asked. “We owe it to all who have suffered greatly to gain every lesson possible to better respond and, if at all possible, prevent the next one.”
“There will be considerable interest to participate,” said Terry Simonson, director of Tulsa County Governmental Affairs. “From what we have learned, there may be some legislative action needed that could be helpful. Counties need to have a way, like cities do, to proactively fund the flood control and storm water infrastructure improvements needed, especially in the unincorporated areas where many live in a flood zone. We hope that in addition to the scope of the inquiry looking back, we can look forward as well on how counties develop a fundable floodwater plan.”
Sims emphasized this event is far from over, especially for those Oklahoma families who have lost everything.
“I’m extremely grateful for the disaster declarations of Governor Stitt and President Trump to ensure these Oklahoma families have access to every state and federal resource available,” Sims said.
Representatives may request interim studies to examine a policy issue in depth, but ultimately, the decision on whether the studies are approved resides with the Speaker of the House.
Decisions on which interim studies requests are approved will come from the Speaker’s office by July 19.
Rep. Lonnie Sims, a Republican, serves District 68 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Creek and Tulsa Counties.
Written by David Deaton
Interim Study on Traumatic Brain Injury Requested By Ranson
Press release
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater) has requested an interim study to better understand best practices for treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury and how to maximize federal funds for services and resources for TBI survivors.
“The purpose of this study isn’t to eliminate or solve for traumatic brain injuries,” Ranson said. “There is new scientific information on treating these injuries, and we want to use this study to better equip our state’s response and aftercare of these events and better inform the public on how to take measures to advocate for themselves or a loved one.”
Currently, no state agency is tasked with studying TBI. This study hopes to accomplish the following six objectives:
1. Define condition and identify key characteristics of the diagnosis.
2. Review state history, federal funding for TBI, and advances made in other states.
3. Clarify needs and best-practice approaches for treatment and rehabilitation, as well as identifying gaps in services.
4. Determine the governing agency.
5. Determine the fiscal impact and discover funding sources (state, non-profit, federal, etc.) for services.
6. Create a strategic plan to help us qualify for funding.
“As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to our constituents to ensure that our agencies are prepared and fully resourced to respond to the needs of the community,” Ranson said. “Traumatic Brain Injuries happen, and if the symptoms are ignored, the injury can cause unnecessary hardships. I appreciate the Speaker’s consideration for this study.”
Representatives are allowed to request interim studies, but ultimately, the decision on whether the studies are approved resides with the Speaker of the House. All studies will be approved or disapproved by July 19, according to the Speaker’s office.
Written by David Deaton
Provenzano Requests Three Education-Related Interim Studies
Press release
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Melissa Provenzano (D-Tulsa), a former teacher and public school administrator, has requested three different interim studies that focus on public education policy.
“My constituents elected me because of my education background,” Provenzano said. “Those constituents feel like I do that Oklahoma needs to recommit itself to education not only through funding but also through smart, data-driven policy. These studies are meant to provide a better understanding of the topic and to provide lawmakers, both republicans and democrats, with the data necessary to make wise and informed decisions regarding public education.”
The topics of the studies requested are as follows:
1. Creating the Workforce Oklahoma Businesses Need
This study would examine avenues to improve the relationship of public schools with Oklahoma businesses and increase the scale of collaboration to create workforce-ready individuals for the industries that are here and can’t find the workers they need to fill the jobs they have.
2. Virtual School Attendance Policies
The Virtual School Attendance Policies Study looks to better understand the possible disconnect between attendance rate and student performance in the virtual charter school system, and propose possible legislation to support increased graduation rates for virtual charter schools that more closely mimics brick and mortar schools success rates with regard to attendance and test scores.
3. Student Loan Debt Examination in Oklahoma – Borrowers Bill of Rights
Working with local agencies, the Student Loan Debt Examination Study would examine the student loan debt crisis in Oklahoma and work to propose possible legislation that will lead to fewer Oklahoma students with extreme student loan debt. The study would also examine what other states have done to ease this burden, and possibly explore a “Borrower’s Bill of Rights” that looks similar to the documentation provided when applying for a credit card or securing a home loan.
“These studies address top concerns among business leaders, education leaders and thousands of Oklahomans managing their way through student loan debt,” Provenzano said. “I requested these studies because I want lawmakers to have this information when we talk about education policy during the 2020 session.”
Representatives are allowed to request interim studies, but ultimately, the decision on whether the studies are approved resides with the Speaker of the House. All studies will be approved or disapproved by July 19, according to the Speaker’s office.
Written by David Deaton
Iran’s Culture of Chaos
By Congressman Markwayne Mullin
Iran has a long history of creating chaos in the Middle East with no regard for the consequences. The United States first imposed sanctions on them in 1979 as a result of the Iran Hostage Crisis, where they held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days. Since that incident, we have repeatedly used sanctions on Iran to deter them from developing nuclear weapons, dissuade other countries from economically enriching their leaders, and prevent the spread of their negative influence throughout the region.
In 2015, former President Obama put the United States into the Iran Nuclear Deal, which required Iran to halt their nuclear weapons program. In exchange, all international sanctions against them were lifted. This was a bad deal for America and our allies because it only emboldened the Iranian regime to secretly continue down the path it was already headed: the development of nuclear weapons and state-sponsored terrorism across the globe.
President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran Nuclear Deal last year and reinstated sanctions against them. These sanctions were directed at Iran’s energy, petrochemical, and financial industries, which are critical to Iran’s economy.
President Trump’s maximum pressure tactics have had a clear impact on Iran’s economy and reduced its influence throughout the region. Since reinstating the sanctions, key countries such as India, Greece, Italy, Taiwan, and Turkey have stopped importing Iranian oil. Iran is feeling the pressure and we cannot let up.
Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terror. The nation thrives on chaos and its recent actions are a clear attempt to inject confusion and destabilize the region.
We must make it clear to Iran that they cannot attack the U.S. or our allies without immediate and powerful consequences. The safety and security of the United States should always come first and I applaud President Trump for standing up to the Iranian regime.
Written by David Deaton
Democrats Attempt to Silence Mullin During Hearing on Title X
Press release
WASHINGTON— Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) defended his questioning at a hearing last week on the Title X Protecting Life Rule.
Democrats argued that the new rule will prohibit health care professionals from providing information on abortion to patients, although the rule would allow providers to counsel patients on abortion in a neutral way.
“This is about information,” Mullin said during the hearing. “If we’re going to have these options out to the public, then they also have to know what their choices are. You want to provide your patient with the best information possible and you’re saying that under the new Title X rule that will be prohibited.”
“You want to provide information to the patient, but you’re not wanting to talk about the abortion and what procedures take place,” Mullin continued.
After asking a question on information provided to a patient about an abortion procedure, Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee attempted to stop Mullin from continuing his questioning, saying the topic of abortion was not relevant to the hearing.
“Abortion has been brought up multiple times in this hearing,” Mullin stated. “It’s not outside the purview because you guys don’t want to talk about. Yet anyone else on that [Democratic] side can bring up whatever they want to and they can talk about whatever they want to.”
Democrats brought up abortion at least 15 times throughout the hearing without being challenged.
Written by David Deaton
Kiger Announces Heavener Town Hall Water Meeting
By State Rep. Lundy Kiger
State Rep. Lundy Kiger invites residents, business owners and industry leaders in Heavener to attend a town hall meeting Thursday, June 27, 2019, tentatively at the Heavener City Library, located on East C Avenue one block east of downtown. The time and location will be announced on Facebook and in other ways when they are confirmed.
This meeting is to review the specific issues that poor water quality is causing everyone in the city and to take written comments for a data base. Kiger will lay out a plan in working with the city to make needed improvements. Everyone concerned is invited to attend.
Kiger plans to invite or include state and federal agencies over the next two weeks, including officials from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, the Oklahoma Insurance Commission, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the Oklahoma Department of Health, the Attorney General’s Office, as well as people from the offices of Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma U.S. Sens. James Lankford and Jim Inhofe, and other state or federal agencies that may have an interest or direct oversight of municipal water quality for citizens.
Kiger said that for the past two weeks he’s received multiple calls from members of the public, business owners and industry leaders on the poor water quality, or no water at times for the residents of Heavener.
These collective comments received by his office tell a story of unnecessary and undue hardship on the people of Heavener, who are still paying a premium for their water, regardless if they can use it or not.
“When you hear and see the complete story from people it’s unimaginable that any community could allow their water infrastructure to remain so far below acceptable standards, and then not doing anything about it over past decades of complaints,” Kiger said.
Kiger announced in a newspaper column sent last Friday that for him, “Time’s Up for Heavener’s Water Improvements” and now it’s time for action and for city leaders to invest in a plan to address their water infrastructure system.
Even though this is a municipal issue that should be handled by the city, Kiger said he is taking these steps because it’s the right thing to do, as he represents all of the people, business owners and industries of Heavener as a part of Oklahoma House District 3.
“Heavener is a beautiful city with many great and wonderful assets, and if city leaders don’t take action they risk the reputation of Heavener’s business friendly attitude,” Kiger said. “This will very well spill over to the entire county and region, and people who are considering moving, not to mention businesses staying or looking to locate there will reconsider.”
Kiger said his hope is that city leaders listens to what he is hearing and make the decision to do the right thing and lay out an immediate plan to secure funding to replace their piping and any water treatment equipment needed to meet state and federal regulations.
He said that rom the comments he’s received, it appears there may be multiple violations not only to the public, but he has strong concerns that the city water system overall may not even be meeting all regulations that allows the city to actually operate their water treatment plant and pump stations.
Kiger said, “I have pictures that show how degraded this piping system is, and if something doesn’t get done this time, it never will until the entire piping infrastructure system shuts down beyond repair.”
Over the years, Kiger said he’s seen multiple stories in newspapers and on the news of brown to black water.
“This causes many hard-working individuals to loose days of working and making enough money to pay their bills, and it also causes many businesses to lose profitability on the days the water system is out of service,” Kiger said. “This is ridiculous that a city would put their people and working population who have invested in the city through this.”
If the water quality is bad enough that people can’t use the water, then they’re told to flush out their lines at their cost to fix the city’s problems, Kiger said. With the poor quality of water, it’s ruining plumbing fixtures, hot water tanks and dishwashers, not to mention the cost of people on fixed incomes having to replace their appliances.
There are many more issues Kiger said he wants to discuss with the public that he sees are critical concerns and why the city needs to act right now on a plan to fix this problem once and for all.
Kiger said he will wait until the town hall on Thursday to lay out “most” of the plan that he believes will get the attention of city leaders to start hearing the voices of the citizens they represent.
“If city leaders don’t hear the voices of their citizens, then I believe everything is on the table to pressure the city to take action,” Kiger said. “I will use everything at my disposal as a state representative to make something happen for these people.”
Kiger said this isn’t what he wants to see happen, but he believes it’s what it will take for the city to get moving and for people living in that community to get what they are paying for in receiving clean water.
Kiger went on to say, “Until the city sees they are at possible significant financial risk from the different state and federal agencies, I don’t believe anything will ever change in the city making the needed investments and improvements because it hasn’t over the many decades of their citizens complaining.”
“With these groups represented and hearing the complaints and concerns of so many people and businesses, it has to help in resolving this terrible situation for this community,” Kiger said.
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Written by David Deaton
Kiger Announces Heavener Town Hall Water Meeting
By State Rep. Lundy Kiger
Meeting has been set for 11am at the Heavener Library
State Rep. Lundy Kiger invites residents, business owners and industry leaders in Heavener to attend a town hall meeting Thursday, June 27, 2019, tentatively at the Heavener City Library, located on East C Avenue one block east of downtown. The time and location will be announced on Facebook and in other ways when they are confirmed.
This meeting is to review the specific issues that poor water quality is causing everyone in the city and to take written comments for a data base. Kiger will lay out a plan in working with the city to make needed improvements. Everyone concerned is invited to attend.
Kiger plans to invite or include state and federal agencies over the next two weeks, including officials from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, the Oklahoma Insurance Commission, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the Oklahoma Department of Health, the Attorney General’s Office, as well as people from the offices of Oklahoma U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma U.S. Sens. James Lankford and Jim Inhofe, and other state or federal agencies that may have an interest or direct oversight of municipal water quality for citizens.
Kiger said that for the past two weeks he’s received multiple calls from members of the public, business owners and industry leaders on the poor water quality, or no water at times for the residents of Heavener.
These collective comments received by his office tell a story of unnecessary and undue hardship on the people of Heavener, who are still paying a premium for their water, regardless if they can use it or not.
“When you hear and see the complete story from people it’s unimaginable that any community could allow their water infrastructure to remain so far below acceptable standards, and then not doing anything about it over past decades of complaints,” Kiger said.
Kiger announced in a newspaper column sent last Friday that for him, “Time’s Up for Heavener’s Water Improvements” and now it’s time for action and for city leaders to invest in a plan to address their water infrastructure system.
Even though this is a municipal issue that should be handled by the city, Kiger said he is taking these steps because it’s the right thing to do, as he represents all of the people, business owners and industries of Heavener as a part of Oklahoma House District 3.
“Heavener is a beautiful city with many great and wonderful assets, and if city leaders don’t take action they risk the reputation of Heavener’s business friendly attitude,” Kiger said. “This will very well spill over to the entire county and region, and people who are considering moving, not to mention businesses staying or looking to locate there will reconsider.”
Kiger said his hope is that city leaders listens to what he is hearing and make the decision to do the right thing and lay out an immediate plan to secure funding to replace their piping and any water treatment equipment needed to meet state and federal regulations.
He said that rom the comments he’s received, it appears there may be multiple violations not only to the public, but he has strong concerns that the city water system overall may not even be meeting all regulations that allows the city to actually operate their water treatment plant and pump stations.
Kiger said, “I have pictures that show how degraded this piping system is, and if something doesn’t get done this time, it never will until the entire piping infrastructure system shuts down beyond repair.”
Over the years, Kiger said he’s seen multiple stories in newspapers and on the news of brown to black water.
“This causes many hard-working individuals to loose days of working and making enough money to pay their bills, and it also causes many businesses to lose profitability on the days the water system is out of service,” Kiger said. “This is ridiculous that a city would put their people and working population who have invested in the city through this.”
If the water quality is bad enough that people can’t use the water, then they’re told to flush out their lines at their cost to fix the city’s problems, Kiger said. With the poor quality of water, it’s ruining plumbing fixtures, hot water tanks and dishwashers, not to mention the cost of people on fixed incomes having to replace their appliances.
There are many more issues Kiger said he wants to discuss with the public that he sees are critical concerns and why the city needs to act right now on a plan to fix this problem once and for all.
Kiger said he will wait until the town hall on Thursday to lay out “most” of the plan that he believes will get the attention of city leaders to start hearing the voices of the citizens they represent.
“If city leaders don’t hear the voices of their citizens, then I believe everything is on the table to pressure the city to take action,” Kiger said. “I will use everything at my disposal as a state representative to make something happen for these people.”
Kiger said this isn’t what he wants to see happen, but he believes it’s what it will take for the city to get moving and for people living in that community to get what they are paying for in receiving clean water.
Kiger went on to say, “Until the city sees they are at possible significant financial risk from the different state and federal agencies, I don’t believe anything will ever change in the city making the needed investments and improvements because it hasn’t over the many decades of their citizens complaining.”
“With these groups represented and hearing the complaints and concerns of so many people and businesses, it has to help in resolving this terrible situation for this community,” Kiger said.
Written by David Deaton
Mullin Offers Amendments to Spending Bills to Defund Job-Killing Regulations
Press release
WASHINGTON— Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) offered three amendments to the spending bills the House of Representatives voted on this week, H.R. 2740 and H.R. 3055. All of the amendments, Amendment #89, Amendment #147 and Amendment #148, would prohibit funding for Obama-era, job-killing regulations.
“The Obama Administration continuously used social cost of carbon models, which can easily be manipulated, in order to attempt to justify new job-killing regulations,” said Mullin, during debate on Amendment #89. “I believe in efficiently using our nation’s vast energy resources while protecting the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we live on. The House has made a clear, strong record in opposition to social cost of carbon, voting at least 12 times to block, defund or oppose the proposal.”
Amendment #89 to H.R. 2790 would prohibit funds from being used to implement the Obama Administration’s social cost of carbon mandate. The amendment failed by a vote of 186-248. Click here to view his remarks.
“This Congress always talks about job creation and creating job packages,” Mullin said during debate on Amendment #147. “This body doesn’t create jobs. We’re supposed to create an environment where job creators can create jobs and this regulation will kill jobs. So why would we support this?”
Amendment #147 to H.R. 3055 would prohibit funds from being used to enforce the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s methane rule. The amendment failed by a vote of 191-241. Click here to view Mullin’s remarks on the House Floor.
“The science isn’t there. We don’t have a good method to measure the social cost of carbon and that’s why it can easily be manipulated whatever model they choose,” Mullin stated during debate on Amendment #148. “This means the federal government chooses what kind of energy we produce and how we produce it, not the consumer. All we’re saying here is let’s not manipulate it and let the government to pick and choose. Let the consumer choose.”
Amendment #148 to H.R. 3055 would prohibit funds from being used to implement the Obama Administration’s social cost of carbon mandate. The amendment ultimately failed again by a vote of 189-243.
Written by David Deaton
INHOFE, LANKFORD, MULLIN, COLE WELCOME NAMING OF USNS CHEROKEE NATION
Press release
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Representative Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), citizen of Cherokee Nation, and Representative Tom Cole (OK-04), citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, made the following statement after Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer announced the newest Towing, Salvage and Rescue ship (T-ATS) would be named Cherokee Nation in honor of the service and contributions of the Cherokee people to the Navy and Marine Corps.
“I’m pleased that we’re recognizing the contributions Cherokee men and women have made to our Navy and Marine Corps today,” Inhofe said. “The USNS Cherokee Nation is a fitting tribute to the generations of Cherokee citizens who have served and sacrificed for our nation.”
“I am grateful that our nation will recognize the bravery and sacrifices the Cherokee women and men have made to the US armed forces,” said Lankford. “This honor from the Secretary of the Navy is an opportunity for our nation to pay tribute to the Cherokee citizens for their countless years of dedicated service to protect our freedoms.”
“As a proud member of Cherokee Nation, I am honored that the United States Navy is naming a new ship after our tribe,” Mullin said. “Cherokee men and women have served our country for generations and our nation would not be what it is today if it weren’t for the strength and resilience of so many Native American heroes. The USNS Cherokee Nation will serve as a reminder of their contributions and sacrifices for years to come.”
“Throughout our nation’s history, Native Americans have made enormous contributions to our military and demonstrated outstanding valor,” said Cole. “In the naming of this new ship, Secretary of the Navy Spencer is rightly recognizing the bravery and skill that has been displayed by those belonging to the Cherokee Nation. This is a prestigious honor for the Cherokee and a proud moment for the state of Oklahoma as well. Certainly, the new name this ship carries will inspire those aboard and supporting missions into the future.”
This is the fifth U.S. ship to be named in honor of the Cherokee people.
The T-ATS will serve as open ocean towing vessels and will additionally support salvage operations and submarine rescue missions.
The ship will be built at the Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, Louisiana, and is expected to be completed in July 2021.
Written by David Deaton
Mullin Statement on Legislation to Extend Funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
Press release
WASHINGTON— Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3253, the Empowering Beneficiaries, Ensuring Access, and Strengthening Accountability Act, which will extend funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) for two years. The CCBHC pilot program in Oklahoma has provided assistance for those battling mental illness and substance abuse disorders for the last two years and funding for the program currently expires on June 30, 2019.
“Despite the opioid crisis leading to the deaths of more than 70,000 Americans by drug overdoses, only one in ten Americans with an addiction receives treatment,” Mullin said. “CCBHCs have dramatically improved access to community-based opioid addiction care in Oklahoma and the seven other states with pilot programs. Extending funding for these programs will allow more people to get the help they need and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take up this legislation before funding runs out.”