Kiss and Make Up?
Is it time to revisit term limits to give representatives more time to develop long-term, comprehensive plans?
Admit it -- it felt good to stick it to The Man. Sure, it was almost two decades ago that Oklahomans vented frustration with politics-as-usual and became the first state to slap term limits on a Legislature widely regarded as overpaid, under-worked and loutish.
By Arnold Hamilton |
November 18, 2009
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Where's the Watchdog?
If you need mainstream media, you better have assault rifles, an American Idol, or two-headed triplets
It's come to this: Two state senators camped near the Capitol steps on a crisp November night, hoping to shame the governor, the House Speaker, the Senate president -- anyone -- into coughing up enough money to keep providing Oklahoma seniors at least one hot meal a day. A publicity stunt?
By Arnold Hamilton |
November 11, 2009
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No Senior Left Behind?
Hot meals for elderly likely to feel sting of budget cuts
So it turns out Marie Antoinette probably never did utter the infamously dismissive, "let them eat cake." Neither, so far as we know, did Oklahoma's top elected officials -- but they might as well have.
By Arnold Hamilton |
November 4, 2009
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End Around
Legislature uses extraordinary means for mundane lawmaking. What happened to the sausage grinder?
Maybe it's time to disband the Oklahoma Legislature. No, I haven't embraced the wacky tea baggers who regard government as the enemy.
By Arnold Hamilton |
October 28, 2009
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No More Kris Kringles
Passing a "no gifts list" possibly ends legislators' perks package
Years ago, when I covered the Texas Legislature, a senator's aide delighted in passing around cigars in a wrapper bearing the motto: Money talks, bulls--- walks. It was meant to be a joke, but the message was clear: You'd best spread a little love -- aka campaign contributions -- if you wanted lawmakers to seriously consider your issues.
By Arnold Hamilton |
October 21, 2009
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Of Red Herrings and Pink Elephants
Hoping against HOPE, state GOP sit quiet on insurance coverage for autistic children
The Chicken Littles were out in force recently at the state Capitol. One after another, they traipsed before a House committee to warn of cataclysmic consequences if voters approve SQ 744, the Oklahoma Education Association-sponsored initiative that would require lawmakers to fund public schools at the regional average.
By Arnold Hamilton |
October 14, 2009
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Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
Former senator's death strikes a chord about the outlook on the state
Henry Bellmon's death last week wasn't just a moment to mourn the loss of an Oklahoma giant, a two-term U.S. senator and governor with a rare combination of common sense and uncommon courage. It also was a sobering reminder of where Oklahoma stands today -- both in terms of challenges and political leadership.
By Arnold Hamilton |
October 7, 2009
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Truth and Politics
How is truth faring in Washington in 2009
Many of us are cynical about promises made by politicians. "Campaign promises are made to be broken" is a venerable truism of American politics.
September 23, 2009
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Can We Afford Education?
More than 50 million children across America returned to school this fall, a good thing, so now is a good time to consider how much we spend on public education and whether we're getting good value for that money. This big-picture view is disheartening.
By Dan Lips |
November 15, 2006
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Brand X?
Tulsa is what it is, no matter how we package it.
A bad habit of a lot of city sprucing efforts is a tendency to deny who we are and have been.
August 9, 2006
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