tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601Fri, 23 Jan 2026 08:48:30 +0000jason murpheyRep. Jason Murpheyoklahoma politicsoklahoma governmentSenator Randy Brogdenoklahoma term limitsSen. Gummcharles keyGumm Oklahoma Legislature 2008 SessionSenatechris bengeethics reformproperty tax reformpublic educationsenator anthony sykessenator glenn coffeestates' rightsterm limits10th amendmentChance to Save LivesGovernor Brad HenryKIPPLegislatureLouisiana legislature payOTRSOklahoma electionsRep. Joe DormanRepresentative Paul WesselhoftSarah PalinSpring Breakabortionautism Gumm Senate "Nick's Law"budgetcharter schoolchipcioconsolidationcorporate welfaredebtenglishfamiliesfrank keatinggotchagovernment technologygovernment modernizationgovernment open meetinggovernment open recordgovernment technologyhardball politicshb 1413hb 1423hb1032hjr 1001hjr 1003hjr 1089immigration reforminsuranceitjohn raleyjohn woodkris steelelanguaugemedicademodernizationoklahoma budgetoklahoma hb 1032oklahoma hb 1170oklahoma income taxoklahoma official englishpartisanshippicketerspro liferandy terrillreligionrep. david dankretirementsb 139sb 163sb1schipschoolssenator clark jollysjr12stimulusteacherstenth amendmenttrebor worthenveteranswomenworkinghttp://oklegblog.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Arps)Blogger488125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-6019191916209953297Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:46:00 +00002012-09-24T13:47:16.414-06:00Back in February I wrote an article describing the influence of certain lobbyists over the legislative process. I wrote that lobbyists, " . . . are professional relationship manipulation experts and expert strategists, and they know the pressure points to push to get a key lawmaker’s vote. Their attempts to kill a good bill appear to be rather like a game to them. A team of lobbyists can point tohttp://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/shaking-down-lobbyists.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-5390445820969382967Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:00:00 +00002012-09-05T15:00:35.940-06:00I believe our nation's founding fathers designed Congress to be made up of citizens from varied professions and occupations. This concept was applied to the legislatures of the several states including Oklahoma. Legislators naturally tend to gravitate to the area of policy to which they are familiar and I enjoy watching the contributions made from those with expertise in a given subject matter. http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/disqualifying-candidates-based-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-5731421967533514145Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:53:00 +00002012-09-05T14:53:49.522-06:00Imagine the challenge faced by the citizen who feels the call to become civically involved and hold government accountable only to be denied access to transparency records to which he is legally entitled. Or put yourself in the place of the conscientious journalist who has been trained to do the necessary research to present a story in its full context only to hit a stone wall when asking for http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/when-government-refuses-to-follow-law.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-1110781975285061723Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:07:00 +00002012-09-05T14:07:41.397-06:00Oklahoma taxpayers are set to save 40 million dollars during the current state budget year and each year thereafter according to a recent report. The Information Services Division of the state's Office of Finance released its fiscal year end report detailing the savings from the recently enacted plan to consolidate state government information technology processes. The report shows savings http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/taxpayers-to-save-40-million-dollars.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-8455340140882716954Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:03:00 +00002012-09-05T14:03:52.477-06:00The issue of pork earmarks or legislative pass-throughs has received a bit of public scrutiny within the past few weeks after the Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs, an Oklahoma City television station, and one of the state's largest newspapers investigated and criticized the ongoing practice. The Oklahoma Constitution prevents the Oklahoma Legislature from appropriating money directly to http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/it-is-time-to-end-pork-earmarks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-3949787015154706698Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:57:00 +00002011-12-05T12:03:56.512-06:00Last year, I filed Legislation that would apply Oklahoma’s open meetings and records laws to the Legislature. As you are probably aware, these are the important laws designed to ensure that transparency follows the taxpayer dollar. Whenever the government spends your money, these laws are supposed to provide you with access to the documents and meetings affecting the decision to spend your money.http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/open-government-laws-should-apply-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-8037543568612499109Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:33:00 +00002011-10-31T09:35:13.873-06:00If you have read very many of these updates in the past, you are familiar with the savings to taxpayers due to the modernization of state government processes. However, it is important to note that the commitment of the Legislature and Governor to make state government processes more efficient does not just result in savings in state government. Because of these reforms, the taxpayers are http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/city-and-county-realizing-savings-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-5919031838494712167Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:48:00 +00002011-10-17T10:52:35.790-06:00The Legislature has greatly benefited this year from the influx of a large number of freshmen members elected during the 2010 election cycle. Because they are a product of this important election cycle, they know firsthand how important it is for Oklahoma’s policy makers to cut government spending. Here is one example:For years, various attempts have been made in the Legislature to bring some http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/positive-impact-of-new-legislators.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-8302700818117899474Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:38:00 +00002011-10-10T08:56:19.747-06:00I wanted to write just one more article describing some of the reform in this year’s successful Government Modernization legislation. These reforms put into place a comprehensive framework to increase the transparency of state government process, lower the cost of government to the taxpayer, and significantly enhance the ability of the citizen to access government documents and records.Reducing http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/more-about-2011-modernization-reforms.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-7668311272613694094Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:58:00 +00002011-10-03T09:01:03.456-06:00Last week I wrote about the large number of modernization initiatives that were approved this year by members of the Government Modernization Committee, the Legislature and Governor. In that article I described a small sampling of these initiatives. These efforts were designed to result in cost savings and greater transparency. In this week’s update I have described House Bill 2140 and House Billhttp://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/consolidating-state-agencies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-5902643408206841967Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:29:00 +00002011-09-26T10:40:24.852-06:00This year was by far the most successful year for legislative state government modernization reform proposals. In all, 23 significant government modernization initiatives have been identified. Each of this initiatives was considered by either the House Government Modernization standing or conference committee and all were approved by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. These http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/23-modernization-initiatives-going-into.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-1711889340161719240Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:44:00 +00002011-09-19T08:52:19.148-06:00Later this month, State Representatives Corey Holland, Leslie Osborn and I, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs (OCPA), will conduct a study of the state’s higher education system. During the past few weeks, OCPA (OCPAThink.com), OklahomaWatchdog.com and CapitolBeatOK.com have written a series of articles detailing the spending practices of Oklahoma’s higher education http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/too-many-tuition-increases.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-4318220047723828234Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:18:00 +00002011-08-29T08:27:30.352-06:00There is no question that when properly used, technology provides the public with insight into government as never before. All too often, people will express dissatisfaction with the size of government and state their belief that there is too much waste in government, but fail to provide a concrete example of substantive government waste. Technology changes this. In my view, new technologies http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-many-state-employees-are-paid-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-4384479627147787916Mon, 22 Aug 2011 03:43:00 +00002011-08-22T08:30:43.463-06:00Earlier this year, I wrote about my decision to help bring attention to the need for a federal balanced budget amendment. I enjoyed the opportunity to document the significant amount of support in the Oklahoma Legislature for ratifying the amendment if Congress would just give us the opportunity to do so. I also mentioned my hesitance to take on new tasks. Over the past few years I have become http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/staying-focused.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-3938349558979543292Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:05:00 +00002011-08-08T09:15:26.960-06:00In last week’s article, I articulated my support for the proposal to change House rules so that all bills receive a hearing in committee. I strongly believe in the principle that each proposal should receive an on-the-record vote so the constituents of each Representative will know where their legislator stands on each issue. It has been my challenge to reconcile this belief with the fact that http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/consideration-of-bills-in-committee.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-1218009795065850334Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:35:00 +00002011-07-18T08:37:16.209-06:00During the past three weeks I have used this medium to describe the role Oklahoma’s newly elected officials have played in working toward smaller state government.I initially envisioned that I would write about this in just one article. However, I have observed so many different attempts by these officials to eliminate wasteful spending, that one article has grown into four. I enjoyed the http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/state-officials-making-difference.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-8358409287961116451Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:06:00 +00002011-07-11T10:16:10.939-06:00During the recently concluded legislative session, I enjoyed the opportunity to place transparency and openness proposals from newly-elected Oklahoma statewide elected officials into modernization legislation. Under the leadership of Superintendent Janet Barresi the Department of Education requested legislation to bring transparency to the department’s conference and training processes. In the http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/saving-money-and-informing-public.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-1128182292288684057Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:03:00 +00002011-07-04T09:04:26.167-06:00This year I enjoyed the opportunity to work with several of Oklahoma's new statewide elected officials in their efforts to modernize state government. I served as the House author for modernization legislation on behalf of State Treasurer Ken Miller, State Auditor Gary Jones, Attorney General Scott Pruitt and State Superintendent Janet Barresi. When State Treasurer Ken Miller took office, he http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/modernizing-state-treasurers-office.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-8587878960220527749Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:05:00 +00002011-06-27T08:06:46.118-06:00In past updates I have described how Governor Mary Fallin has played an important role in calling for and ensuring the passage of innovative proposals to cut the size of state government and make it more open and transparent.In addition to getting the word out about the Governor’s hard work for reform, I feel it is also important to mention the work of other newly elected and appointed statewide http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/refreshing-change-of-pace.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-2354341952458912235Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:05:00 +00002011-06-20T09:08:55.569-06:00The Oklahoma Constitution contains a clause that says that for any speech or debate in the Legislature, legislators shall not be questioned in any other place. In other words, the speech of Representatives while considering legislation is sacrosanct. The clause mirrors a provision in the US Constitution and places a priority on the ability of legislators without fear of retribution to expose any http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/year-of-reprimand.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-5699050962602521765Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:34:00 +00002011-06-06T09:43:48.353-06:00Three weeks ago I wrote an article in which I described how most our 2011 modernization initiatives were still pending in the legislative process. With only one week left in the session, it was our challenge to win approval for all these initiatives.I am happy to report that during the last week of session, each of these proposals were approved by the Legislature and all the legislation has been http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/modernization-efforts-approved.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-3263364252267832868Mon, 23 May 2011 14:02:00 +00002011-05-23T08:11:56.434-06:00Last week appears to have been the last time during which the Legislature will meet in 2011. While the Legislature could technically still return this week, it is unlikely we will do so. The last few days of this legislative year contrasted heavily from the last days of previous sessions. I think this is probably the first year where I did not feel like I had been run over by a truck during the http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/big-difference.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-968058755779173891Mon, 16 May 2011 15:40:00 +00002011-05-16T12:32:22.621-06:00Legislative leaders negotiated a budget agreement with the Governor last week and came to terms with proposals for redistricting the House and Senate. With these issues addressed, legislators have been encouraged to move their bills through the conference committee process with the expectation that the group could adjourn for the year as soon as this week. The House officially approved the http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/one-more-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-4114488157308121857Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:51:00 +00002011-04-11T07:01:04.300-06:00In last week’s update I wrote about a series of what I believe to be innovative transparency and accessibility enhancing reforms which are part of House Bill 1086 that I authored with state Senator Clark Jolley.In addition to the reforms that I wrote about in last week’s update, the bill also proposes to make state governance processes open to the public.For instance, all too often, governments http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/state-government-transparency-proposals.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6940134395183823601.post-724250442346447903Mon, 04 Apr 2011 03:45:00 +00002011-04-03T21:47:07.684-06:00During last year’s legislative session, I served as the House author for Senate Bill 1759 which was sponsored in the Senate by state Senator Anthony Sykes. Our goal was to codify what may be the first in the nation’s Government 2.0 legislation to be approved at the state level. The bill established the data.ok.gov web portal. This site is the framework through which all kinds of government data http://oklegblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/hb-1086-2011-government-20-proposal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0