Oklahoma

Why the debate over Cabinet appointments between Gov. Stitt and AG Drummond? | Analysis

Published

4 months ago

March 17, 2024

Why the debate over Cabinet appointments between Gov. Stitt and AG Drummond? | Analysis

For the past couple of weeks, Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond have waged a battle of rhetoric.

The governor has complained that Drummond “weaponized” the AG’s office after he issued an opinion that Stitt saw as an attack on his ability to choose who he wants to serve on his Cabinet. Drummond countered the governor doesn’t understand the issue and that he is only enforcing existing law.

While the debate has continued, Stitt lost two Cabinet secretaries, vetoed a bill that would have protected two more and filed a lawsuit in Oklahoma County District Court for “clarification.”

So what, exactly, going on?

From the 30,000-foot level, the answer is simple: The governor is pushing back against limits on his power while the AG looks to his political future and Cleveland County residents and their state senator were unhappy with a turnpike plan.

What’s behind the debate between the governor and the attorney general?

A few years back, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers granted the governor extraordinary authority that previous Oklahoma governors didn’t have. Keep in mind the Oklahoma Constitution is, at its heart, a populist document that makes the 149-member Legislature the most powerful branch of state government.

During the pandemic, some of that power was shifted to Stitt. However, as concern over the pandemic faded, lawmakers took some of that power back.

At the same time, a controversy involving a turnpike expansion plan exploded. With Drummond watching from the sidelines — and planning his political future — Sen. Mary Boren, a Democrat from Norman, raised questions about the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s ACCESS plan on behalf of her constituents.

More: War of words: Stitt and Drummond at odds over state officials holding dual positions

The turnpike authority played political hardball so Boren availed herself to a rule that allows lawmakers to request opinions from the attorney general. Boren requested an opinion from Drummond about Tim Gatz’s role as the head of the turnpike authority, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and a member of the governor’s Cabinet.

Remember: In Oklahoma, the law states that public officials are required to act in accordance with an attorney general’s opinion unless or until the opinion is set aside by a court. In addition, AG opinions that address the constitutionality of a statute are considered advisory. So Drummond’s official opinion could have punch.

It did.

During a news conference, Stitt attempted to question Boren’s reasoning for seeking an attorney general’s opinion, implying that Boren was attacking Gatz, now at ground zero of the controversy. The governor’s question also criticized Boren’s vote against confirming Gatz: “The only person that voted against him was a lady named Mary Boren and apparently, she supposedly requested this opinion, so maybe she has an ax to grind, I don’t know,” the governor said.

What the governor didn’t say, though, was Boren was well within her rights as a state lawmaker to request an AG’s opinion. Members of the Legislature regularly request opinions from the AG’s office. In addition, Boren has, for more than a year, raised questions about the ACCESS Oklahoma turnpike expansion plan and its effect on residents in her district. The issue wasn’t necessarily an ax to grind, it was a lawmaker responding to her constituents.

Still, if the objective was to remove Gatz as head of the turnpike authority, that goal was successful. Gatz stepped down from that post but remains as the head of the Transportation Department and as an adviser to the governor.

Opinions, rhetoric and ‘unnecessary’ legislation

With the attorney general and the governor now deep in a war of words, state lawmakers attempted to solve the problem by passing Senate Bill 1196, which would have carved out two more exemptions for members of the governor’s Cabinet. That measure, which carried House Majority Leader Jon Echols’ name, passed both the House and Senate by large margins this week.

But the governor vetoed the bill late Tuesday, issuing a media statement that called the measure “unnecessary.”

And, to be fair, the governor may have a point. All governors seek advice. And each governor should have wide latitude in who he or she can get that advice from. Since Oklahoma law allows the governor to name Cabinet secretaries — which can be paid or unpaid advisers — Stitt has the authority to name who he wants to his Cabinet, with the “advice and consent” of the state Senate. The salaries for those advisers are part of the governor’s budget.

Stitt is also correct in pointing out that other Oklahoma governors have had Cabinet secretaries who also headed state agencies. During the term of then-Gov. Henry Bellmon, Sandy Garrett, who also held the elected post of state schools superintendent, was Bellmon’s Cabinet secretary for education. Garrett was a Democrat; Bellmon was a Republican.

Still, while Stitt has some valid arguments, so does Drummond. The attorney general focused on the statute that limits dual service, particularly with Gatz, who served not only in the governor’s Cabinet but also as head of both the Transportation Department and the turnpike authority. Since there wasn’t a specific exemption for Gatz, Drummond’s opinion stood and Gatz was forced to resign.

So what happens next?

For his part, the governor has turned to Oklahoma County District Court, asking the court to “clarify” his appointment authority. Drummond, a skilled attorney, replied that he looks forward to making his case in court.

In the meantime, lawmakers could attempt to override the governor’s veto of SB 1196 (remember it passed by large margins in both houses), but it’s also March, and the Legislature’s priority isn’t a fight between the governor and the attorney general. The Legislature’s priority is to craft a budget and get it done before the May 31 deadline.

As for Stitt and Drummond, it looks like their fight won’t be decided by media statements but could, instead, be decided by District Court Judge Richard Ogden — at least for now.

Source link

Click to comment

Oklahoma

What is Oklahoma State’s Toughest Road Game in 2024?

Published

7 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

What is Oklahoma State’s Toughest Road Game in 2024?

Oklahoma State has been one of the best home teams in the nation in recent years, but some road games have been a cause for concern.

Over the past three seasons, OSU has lost only two games at Boone Pickens Stadium, boasting multiple 10-win seasons and trips to the Big 12 Championship. Despite the team’s overall success, winning away from Stillwater has proved challenging at times for the Cowboys.

Coming off one of those 10-win campaigns, OSU is looking to compete for a Big 12 title and make the College Football Playoff for the first time. Of course, to achieve those goals, the Cowboys will need to play well away from home.

Winning on the road is typically not easy, but the Cowboys’ first matchup away from Stillwater is in Tulsa, so it will still feel a bit like a home game. Considering the Golden Hurricane’s struggles recently, the opponent will not do much to make the game interesting.

While the Cowboys will make a couple of trips to Texas next season to face Baylor and TCU, there are three road games that stand out as the most difficult.

3. BYU

A Friday night under the lights in Provo will be a challenge for OSU. After needing an 18-point comeback to win in double overtime against the Cougars in Stillwater last season, the Cowboys can’t afford to take this matchup lightly. With the Cowboys’ potential to come in as a top 15 team, it could be the rowdiest environment OSU faces all season.

2. Colorado

OSU will get an early kickoff on Black Friday in Boulder. With a short week after a potentially intense matchup with Texas Tech, the Cowboys could experience some hangover in this matchup.

While Colorado’s season could go a few different directions, if it enters the game with a bowl game still in reach, OSU could face a desperate team. Plus, OSU’s past three regular-season finales have all been one-possession games.

1. Kansas State

OSU will open conference play by hosting Utah, but the schedule does not let up after that, as the Cowboys will head to Kansas State a week later. Last season, OSU’s matchup against Kansas State sparked a five-game winning streak and helped turn the season around.

As both teams enter next season as Big 12 contenders, this is projected to be one of the most important conference matchups. Manhattan has also been a tough place for OSU to win, as the Cowboys lost 48-0 in their most recent trip in 2022.

READ MORE: Oklahoma State Set to Host 3-star In-State RB Kenny Golston

Want to join the discussion? Like AllPokes on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.

Source link

Oklahoma

Why Vernon Turner’s journey to 2024 Paris Olympics ‘means a lot to everyone’ in Oklahoma

Published

14 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

Why Vernon Turner’s journey to 2024 Paris Olympics ‘means a lot to everyone’ in Oklahoma

When he leapt 7 feet and 6 inches into the air, breaking the NFHS high jump record as a senior at Yukon High School, Vernon Turner first began to think the Olympics could be in his future.

He had already earned an invitation to his first Olympic trials. But it rained. And while he executed perfect jumps during warmups, he had a poor showing and ultimately didn’t qualify.

Turner’s mother, Melonie Carpenter, knowing he was disappointed with how he performed, remembers the advice she offered at that moment.

“I’ve always told him,” Carpenter said, “‘Professionals are dedicated, and they put everything into whatever it is that they’re doing. And the ones that don’t put 100% in, or 150%, they don’t get to be in that little, small percentage.’”

When the Olympic flame is lit during the opening ceremony Friday, Turner will be the lone U.S. Olympian out of 592 athletes to represent Oklahoma. The former OU track and field standout who was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but raised in Yukon, is one of the youngest high jumpers in the field.

Turner’s family will make the over 4,800-mile journey to Paris to watch him live out his dreams. While excited, Carpenter said they’re nervous to travel outside the U.S. as they haven’t done so outside of cruises, and she’ll be on the edge of her seat watching her son compete.

More: 2024 Paris Olympics: A look at each competitor with Oklahoma ties

“I’m going to be a nervous wreck, I’ll tell you right now,” Carpenter said. “Vernon said he’s not nervous at all. He’s excited. So I’m glad to hear him say that.”

Turner was originally an avid basketball player who was dunking by his freshman year of high school before his coach forced him to go out for track and field.

Carpenter has seen firsthand how hard her son has worked to cement himself as one of the best in the world.

Turner’s work ethic was instilled in him by Carpenter, who worked night shifts mostly seven days a week throughout his childhood. Turner was forced to grow up fast and developed immense dedication for high jumping during his freshman year of high school.

Turner opened up to The Oklahoman earlier this month about the mental hurdles he faced after finishing dead last at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. For the past year, he’s buckled down and focused on getting himself ready for the leading international sporting event.

“The mental game is tough,” Turner said. “Throughout my whole career, it’s been up and down. … Learning the mental part of it is so huge. You have to mature and just be able to focus on one thing. You can’t let moments be bigger than you.”

More: Mussatto: Imagining Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams on Team USA in 2028 Olympics

The past few weeks before heading abroad, Turner has been entrenched in final preparations and has worked with the Sooners’ vertical jumps coach Jerel Langley in Oklahoma.

“He’s really been working,” Carpenter said. “He’s been doing some different calisthenic things to get his ups going.”

Fans can follow Turner’s Olympic journey on the RIZZ app where he’ll be answering questions and giving updates along the way.

Turner’s family is anxious to get overseas to not only watch him compete on the world stage, but to watch him represent home.

“He’s amazing, he’s worked hard,” Carpenter said. “It means a lot to everyone in Yukon, people that have watched him since he was little because he started here in grade school, he’s been here his whole life. They’ve all kept up with him, it’s amazing.”

2024 Paris Olympic Games

When: July 26 through August 11
Where: Paris, France
Track & field: Runs August 1-11 (men’s high jump begins Aug. 7)

Source link

Oklahoma

38 Prairie Dogs In Yukon Moved To Natural Habitat In Northwestern Oklahoma

Published

21 hours ago

July 25, 2024

Press Room

38 Prairie Dogs In Yukon Moved To Natural Habitat In Northwestern Oklahoma

The ultimate fate of a prairie dog colony in Yukon is now known.

These wild animals have been a hot topic for years as new developments kept forcing them to migrate to the Northwest near Route 66. Last week, many people noticed cages at the location off of Sara Road, wondering what was happening.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, some of them were relocated to a new home. “All right guys now don’t take off,” said Kathy Barrett, who feeds the prairie dogs every day. “Come on, we’re not going to bother you.”

Barrett says she loves animals but has developed a soft spot for an urban colony of black-tailed prairie dogs in Yukon.

“They are my babies, but everybody has a responsibility to wildlife,” said Barrett.

Last week, the ODWC says it worked with a research team from the University of Louisiana to capture 38 prairie dogs using baited traps.

“While the prairie dogs were under anesthesia, they drew blood samples and they took a small tissue sample for their data to look at genetics and disease resistance,” said Kurt Kuklinski, Wildlife Diversity and Research Supervisor for the ODWC.

Kuklinski said his team then took the animals in carriers to a former colony site in northwestern Oklahoma.

“It’s not good for the prairies to be missing such an awesome creature on the landscape,” said Kuklinski.

He says by putting them back in their natural habitat, the hope is they will thrive.

“Where they are right now in that urban environment, they’re not able to expand their colony beyond that single lot and they face threats from traffic and can’t move and do well as a colony there,” he said. “Where we’ve re-located them, they’ve got hundreds to thousands of acres to expand.”

As for the rest of them in Yukon, several hundred prairie dogs remain and will still pop up for visitors like Reina Flores.

“You see how they stand? And there’s some over,” Flores pointed out. “They look like they’re dogs, they stand up, they’re very cute,”

And as Barrett says, very resilient.

“They’re survivors, that’s for sure,” she said. “I want it to continue, I want people to have the joy of seeing wildlife and just getting back to nature.”

The Department of Wildlife says none of the prairie dogs were harmed during the move. They say it could take years to move the rest of them out of Yukon.

Photos courtesy of ODWC.

Source link