Yearly Archives: 2009

Tulsa to bid for 2020 Olympics?

Rich Lohman

alt Last week, a group of Tulsa business leaders made a presentation to Tulsa City Councilors with the hopes of obtaining their blessings to move forward on a bid for Tulsa to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.  Making frequent references to Atlanta’s 1996 games, they insist the idea isn’t as farfetched as it may sound.

In 1990, when Atlanta won the right to host the Games, they were considered a long shot among the heavy hitters in the bidding war.  Indeed, the sentimental favorite to host the games in 1996, which would mark the Centennial Olympic Games, was Athens in Greece, the first city to host the modern games back in 1896.  The other cities bidding were Toronto, Belgrade, Manchester and Melbourne. 

Atlanta won out and though considered to be an over-commercialized spectacle that cost around $1.8 billion dollars, the games in 1996 managed to turn a $10 million profit and have proven to be a catalyst in the modernization of the northwest Georgia city. 

In their pitch to the International Olympic Committee, the organizers in Tulsa plan to rely heavily on the model used by the Atlanta organizers, which also mirrored that used in 1984 when Los Angeles hosted the games.  Therein private funding will be heavily used to construct necessary venues like an Olympic Stadium and Swimming Center, and certain events like soccer will be “farmed out” to Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater and to OU’s Memorial Stadium in Norman.  The U.S. Olympic Committee is already planning a training center along the Oklahoma River in OKC, so that could be a viable venue for rowing and kayaking.  Grand Lake and others in northeastern Oklahoma could be used for the other boating and yachting events as well.

Those are but a few of the challenges facing the Tulsa organizers.  Lodging for the sea of Olympic fans and the international media is a big concern in a town not well known for its vast hotel space, but in addition to new construction, the idea of docking shallow draft cruise ships in the McClellan-Kerr Navigation Channel at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa is being tossed around, as well as utilizing hotel space in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City, just an hours drive from Tulsa.

Several cities worldwide compete for the right to host the Olympics every four years.  Tulsa is one of four American cities that are either seriously bidding for or are considering the idea of bidding to host the XXXII Olympiad.  The others are Boston, Detroit,and Minneapolis-St. Paul.  The USOC will only support one of those four and Tulsa is a long shot there first.  Detroit has bid for the games a record 7 times dating back to 1944, (Los Angeles tops them with 9 bids, but has hosted twice), and it’s easy to see why they’d be the sentimental favorite.

Oklahoma “Revenue Failure” Declared, Tight Spending Projected

Pat McGuigan

For the first time in years, the December Board of Equalization meeting in the governor’s conference room on the second floor at the state Capitol could scarcely be described as routine.

At the Dec. 22 session, with Gov. Brad Henry presiding, the board took five formal votes, each unanimous. Members certified the 2010 revenue report, declared revenues had not grown sufficiently to trigger income tax cuts, found $57 million is needed to fund Oklahoma’s Promise (OHLAP) scholarships, certified tight revenues for Fiscal Year 2011, and declared a “revenue failure” for FY 2010.

Only the OHLAP vote provoked lengthy discussion. Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett noted the OHLAP projection is required, while she said spending for national board certified teachers is coming in nearly $4.7 million below anticipated costs. (See CapitolBeatOK’s separate story on this issue.)

The “failure” declaration, reached for the first time since voters approved a process for such conclusions, could theoretically allow access to the entire Constitutional Reserve (better known as the Rainy Day Fund) balance of $596.6 million. However, leaders in both political parties and in both chambers of the Legislature have said they believe some money should remain in the fund to deal with anticipated lower revenues in FY 2011.

The FY 2010 “revenue failure” was determined by the difference between the general revenue (GR) projection of $4,414,975,742 and the appropriated “GR” of $5,144,371,712. The 2010 “failure for 2010 is thus projected at $729,395,970.

The next stage for income tax reductions was not achieved, but final determination will not come until February. A 4% increase in growth would have been required to “trigger” a rate drop from 5.5% to 5.25%.

The board certified FY 2009 GR receipts of $5,544.7 million, or 93.2% of the estimate. The comparatively tight budget did not allow any deposit into the constitutional reserve. Actual revenues (total collections to all certified funds) came in at $5,636,572,491.

The revenue gap – about 18.5%, or more than $1 billion for FY 2010 — could improve in the next six months after absorbing agency cuts already ordered. Five percent monthly allocation reductions had been in place “across-the-board” for all agencies. In December, Treasurer Scott Meacham ordered 10% reductions for December and January.

Although some analysts have expressed hopes the allocation cuts could drop back to 5% in February, state officials have not ruled out sustaining the higher level until legislators and the governor negotiate targeted cuts. While a special session remains possible, many leaders hope to avoid that expenditure. The regular session begins on Feb. 1.

The gap between FY 2010 and FY 2011 revenue estimates is $966.8 million, a 17.9% difference. The total proposed expenditure authority for FY 2011 is projected at $5.295 billion, a $1.322 billion, or 20%, drop.

For FY 2010, Treasurer Meacham pointed to revenue shortfalls in every tax category except one. The tax categories and (in parenthesis) the amount below prior estimates are: Individual income (-$391.5 million, 19.2%); Motor vehicle (-$16.5 million, 11.7%); Estate (-$2.4 million, 6.7%); Corporate income (-$134.9 million, 43.9%); Sales (-$242.1 million, 13.8%), Gross Production Gas (-$232.3 million, 54.3%), and Use (-$36.7 million, 23.1%). Only the gross production tax on Oil was up, at $87.7 million.

The board consists of six officials holding statewide elected positions and one appointee. Besides the governor and Superintendent Garrett, members are Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Auditor and Inspector Steve Burrage, Attorney General Drew Edmondson, Treasurer Meacham and Terry L. Peach, the secretary of agriculture (the appointed post).  All members of the panel are Democrats.

In a Monday, Dec. 21 briefing for journalists, Treasurer Meacham took issue with an analysis by the National Conference of State Legislatures which said the Oklahoma revenue crunch was the nation’s worst. Meacham said the analysis was wrong in not accounting for Oklahoma’s reserves, requirements to restore funds taken from agency reserves and other provisions.

This month, the House Appropriations and Budget Committee for two weeks held daily hearings during which agency budgets were scrutinized. Directors and administrators from various agencies appeared before the panel to report on cuts already made, and what the effect of further budget reductions might be.

As reported in the daily “blog” of Oklahomans for Responsible Government (OFRG), at one of the House committee sessions Department of Human Services (DHS) director Howard Hendrick observed: “$100K cut from Higher Ed might cost two jobs, cutting $100K from [DHS] might cost nine jobs.  Can you find nickels and dimes?  Sure. But in the big picture, are there low hanging fruit? Probably not. There has to be a substantial decision: either cut education and spend in DHS, or decide we’re not going to cover these people. We’re either going to pull this out with sacrifices from other places or we’re not going to help people.”

In a statement after completing the two weeks of House hearings, Appropriations and Budget chairman Ken Miller said, “We have to encourage agencies to think outside the box when it comes to finding efficiencies and savings as we seek to balance our budget this year and beyond.”

Miller, a Republican from Edmond, said, “During these meetings, many agencies unveiled proactive cost-savings ideas, but this is only the beginning as we navigate the effects of the ongoing global recession.”
A House legislative release issued just before Christmas noted, “Oklahoma has a variety of tools to help state agencies get through the budget downturn, including sustained or additional funding cuts, additional use of federal stimulus dollars and use of the Constitutional Reserve ‘Rainy Day’ Fund.”

NOTE: CapitolBeatOK is an online news service in Oklahoma City, beginning full-time operations in the New Year. Editor Pat McGuigan is also Capitol Editor for Tulsa Today. 

Whatever Happened To……Civil Service

Ernie Osborn

You don’t have to look very far these days and you will see it.  A complete and total lack of those who are willing to serve for no self gain what-so-ever.  Don’t get me wrong, some completely selfless acts do still exist, but is it as common as it once was?

Leads me to ask the question, "Whatever happened to……Civil Service?"

You know what I mean, public officials serving for the simple act of serving.  Not for political gain, or to pad their  pockets with lobbyist monies.  I think that the farther we move away from the "Boomer" generation the worse it seems to get.  I can’t help but look back at those in service in the latter days of World War II and see how not only our voted officials operated, but how there was much more a sense of caring for those around you.

In my opinion ,the more patriotic the country is, the more you see people doing for others and the more you see bi-partisan politics happening.  Now that being said, and no disrespect to the families and victims of 9/11, but we have not seen a real outpouring of patriotism since the second plane hit tower two on that fateful and horrific day.  In the days that followed, when people didn’t know whether to bend over and kiss it goodbye or hold on to each other, most chose the latter.  Remember seeing our politicians leave the Capital building and sing together on the steps. Why didn’t we get anything going then?  We were all getting along like a group of three-year-olds in a sandbox.  Why didn’t we roll up our sleeves, scrap the political parties and work together for a "more perfect union?"  Why not? 

Am I calling for a tragedy to befall the country in order to generate patriotism?  By all means no!

What I am doing is pointing out an observation.  Back before I was born, during JFK’s Inaugural address, he made a statement that will forever live on, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country?"  What the heck happened to that?  Was that just a statement aimed at Mr. and Mrs. John Q Public, or was this statement meant for all of us that live under the Constitution of the USA.  I have to say that we have (and if I am the only one who sees this, we are screwed) managed to carve a very poor sect of life in our country.  Gone, it would seem, are the days when those that we placed in public office served as our voice.  Is the country really being run "by the people, for the people" or is it just everyman in office for themselves? 

Do you even stop to think about it anymore or just turn a deaf ear thinking that, what is done is done and there is nothing that can be done to fix it?  Remember quite possibly the greatest tool we, the average Joes, have is our ability to cast a ballot.  For our voices to be heard and to send a person to office who has our, yours and my, best interest in mind and report back to us what is really happening and what they are doing about.  Oh and by the way, find out if it is really what we want.  Did we completely lose that part of it?  When is the last time that you were contacted to get your opinion on any leader’s approval rating?  I for one have never been contacted.  At what point does one transcend from being a citizen to being a super-citizen who no longer requires accountability?

Now I don’t want to get preachy here but…….

We all know full well that politicians, in most cases, have very good intentions when they begin to run.  I believe that Obama really thought he could go and make "change" happen.  The problem is that once he got there he ran into the same old crap that has been going on for years.  The frozen chosen that have been in office way too long and have gotten comfortable in their lifestyle, that have lost sight of what America and Americans are really all about.  I am not about to try and wrap my brain around why this continues to happen.  I am also not fool enough to not know that absolute power corrupts absolutely.  I guess my question is, "Why is it that we limit the President, the "highest office in the land" to 8 years of service and yet we allow of State and Federal Representatives to fossilize in office?  Doesn’t it seem right that at some point you give someone else a shot to see if they can maybe right the ship or at least get it out of dry dock?  I say this, you get 10 years to make a difference, if in that time the people you represent can say you have done a great job, (and I mean normal people) then you get 4 years to train up the next batch. 

We the people deserve better and more than what is going on in our country, states, and cities currently.  Like the old saying goes, lead, follow or get out of the way.  Stop getting rich in office and start putting the plans of the people back into play.  We put you there and we can take you out.  It is time to stop believing you are anointed and realize that all you were was appointed to a job and it is a temp job at that.

 

About the author:  Ernie Osborn is just a regular joe that sees life around him a little differently.  He is a former youth leader that believes that life should be lived to the fullest.  His views and opinions may or may not reflect those of Tulsa Today.  Ernie serves as Concert Editor for Tulsa Today.  (In other words, if his writing strikes you and makes you think great, or if it just makes you laugh and scratch your head that is fine too)

 

Whatever Happened To……Civil Service

Ernie Osborn

You don’t have to look very far these days and you will see it.  A complete and total lack of those who are willing to serve for no self gain what-so-ever.  Don’t get me wrong, some completely selfless acts do still exist, but is it as common as it once was?

Leads me to ask the question, "Whatever happened to……Civil Service?"

You know what I mean, public officials serving for the simple act of serving.  Not for political gain, or to pad their  pockets with lobbyist monies.  I think that the farther we move away from the "Boomer" generation the worse it seems to get.  I can’t help but look back at those in service in the latter days of World War II and see how not only our voted officials operated, but how there was much more a sense of caring for those around you.

In my opinion ,the more patriotic the country is, the more you see people doing for others and the more you see bi-partisan politics happening.  Now that being said, and no disrespect to the families and victims of 9/11, but we have not seen a real outpouring of patriotism since the second plane hit tower two on that fateful and horrific day.  In the days that followed, when people didn’t know whether to bend over and kiss it goodbye or hold on to each other, most chose the latter.  Remember seeing our politicians leave the Capital building and sing together on the steps. Why didn’t we get anything going then?  We were all getting along like a group of three-year-olds in a sandbox.  Why didn’t we roll up our sleeves, scrap the political parties and work together for a "more perfect union?"  Why not? 

Am I calling for a tragedy to befall the country in order to generate patriotism?  By all means no!

What I am doing is pointing out an observation.  Back before I was born, during JFK’s Inaugural address, he made a statement that will forever live on, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country?"  What the heck happened to that?  Was that just a statement aimed at Mr. and Mrs. John Q Public, or was this statement meant for all of us that live under the Constitution of the USA.  I have to say that we have (and if I am the only one who sees this, we are screwed) managed to carve a very poor sect of life in our country.  Gone, it would seem, are the days when those that we placed in public office served as our voice.  Is the country really being run "by the people, for the people" or is it just everyman in office for themselves? 

Do you even stop to think about it anymore or just turn a deaf ear thinking that, what is done is done and there is nothing that can be done to fix it?  Remember quite possibly the greatest tool we, the average Joes, have is our ability to cast a ballot.  For our voices to be heard and to send a person to office who has our, yours and my, best interest in mind and report back to us what is really happening and what they are doing about.  Oh and by the way, find out if it is really what we want.  Did we completely lose that part of it?  When is the last time that you were contacted to get your opinion on any leader’s approval rating?  I for one have never been contacted.  At what point does one transcend from being a citizen to being a super-citizen who no longer requires accountability?

Now I don’t want to get preachy here but…….

We all know full well that politicians, in most cases, have very good intentions when they begin to run.  I believe that Obama really thought he could go and make "change" happen.  The problem is that once he got there he ran into the same old crap that has been going on for years.  The frozen chosen that have been in office way too long and have gotten comfortable in their lifestyle, that have lost sight of what America and Americans are really all about.  I am not about to try and wrap my brain around why this continues to happen.  I am also not fool enough to not know that absolute power corrupts absolutely.  I guess my question is, "Why is it that we limit the President, the "highest office in the land" to 8 years of service and yet we allow of State and Federal Representatives to fossilize in office?  Doesn’t it seem right that at some point you give someone else a shot to see if they can maybe right the ship or at least get it out of dry dock?  I say this, you get 10 years to make a difference, if in that time the people you represent can say you have done a great job, (and I mean normal people) then you get 4 years to train up the next batch. 

We the people deserve better and more than what is going on in our country, states, and cities currently.  Like the old saying goes, lead, follow or get out of the way.  Stop getting rich in office and start putting the plans of the people back into play.  We put you there and we can take you out.  It is time to stop believing you are anointed and realize that all you were was appointed to a job and it is a temp job at that.

 

About the author:  Ernie Osborn is just a regular joe that sees life around him a little differently.  He is a former youth leader that believes that life should be lived to the fullest.  His views and opinions may or may not reflect those of Tulsa Today.  Ernie serves as Concert Editor for Tulsa Today.  (In other words, if his writing strikes you and makes you think great, or if it just makes you laugh and scratch your head that is fine too)

 

Whatever Happened To……Civil Service

Ernie Osborn

You don’t have to look very far these days and you will see it.  A complete and total lack of those who are willing to serve for no self gain what-so-ever.  Don’t get me wrong, some completely selfless acts do still exist, but is it as common as it once was?

Leads me to ask the question, "Whatever happened to……Civil Service?"

You know what I mean, public officials serving for the simple act of serving.  Not for political gain, or to pad their  pockets with lobbyist monies.  I think that the farther we move away from the "Boomer" generation the worse it seems to get.  I can’t help but look back at those in service in the latter days of World War II and see how not only our voted officials operated, but how there was much more a sense of caring for those around you.

In my opinion ,the more patriotic the country is, the more you see people doing for others and the more you see bi-partisan politics happening.  Now that being said, and no disrespect to the families and victims of 9/11, but we have not seen a real outpouring of patriotism since the second plane hit tower two on that fateful and horrific day.  In the days that followed, when people didn’t know whether to bend over and kiss it goodbye or hold on to each other, most chose the latter.  Remember seeing our politicians leave the Capital building and sing together on the steps. Why didn’t we get anything going then?  We were all getting along like a group of three-year-olds in a sandbox.  Why didn’t we roll up our sleeves, scrap the political parties and work together for a "more perfect union?"  Why not? 

Am I calling for a tragedy to befall the country in order to generate patriotism?  By all means no!

What I am doing is pointing out an observation.  Back before I was born, during JFK’s Inaugural address, he made a statement that will forever live on, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country?"  What the heck happened to that?  Was that just a statement aimed at Mr. and Mrs. John Q Public, or was this statement meant for all of us that live under the Constitution of the USA.  I have to say that we have (and if I am the only one who sees this, we are screwed) managed to carve a very poor sect of life in our country.  Gone, it would seem, are the days when those that we placed in public office served as our voice.  Is the country really being run "by the people, for the people" or is it just everyman in office for themselves? 

Do you even stop to think about it anymore or just turn a deaf ear thinking that, what is done is done and there is nothing that can be done to fix it?  Remember quite possibly the greatest tool we, the average Joes, have is our ability to cast a ballot.  For our voices to be heard and to send a person to office who has our, yours and my, best interest in mind and report back to us what is really happening and what they are doing about.  Oh and by the way, find out if it is really what we want.  Did we completely lose that part of it?  When is the last time that you were contacted to get your opinion on any leader’s approval rating?  I for one have never been contacted.  At what point does one transcend from being a citizen to being a super-citizen who no longer requires accountability?

Now I don’t want to get preachy here but…….

We all know full well that politicians, in most cases, have very good intentions when they begin to run.  I believe that Obama really thought he could go and make "change" happen.  The problem is that once he got there he ran into the same old crap that has been going on for years.  The frozen chosen that have been in office way too long and have gotten comfortable in their lifestyle, that have lost sight of what America and Americans are really all about.  I am not about to try and wrap my brain around why this continues to happen.  I am also not fool enough to not know that absolute power corrupts absolutely.  I guess my question is, "Why is it that we limit the President, the "highest office in the land" to 8 years of service and yet we allow of State and Federal Representatives to fossilize in office?  Doesn’t it seem right that at some point you give someone else a shot to see if they can maybe right the ship or at least get it out of dry dock?  I say this, you get 10 years to make a difference, if in that time the people you represent can say you have done a great job, (and I mean normal people) then you get 4 years to train up the next batch. 

We the people deserve better and more than what is going on in our country, states, and cities currently.  Like the old saying goes, lead, follow or get out of the way.  Stop getting rich in office and start putting the plans of the people back into play.  We put you there and we can take you out.  It is time to stop believing you are anointed and realize that all you were was appointed to a job and it is a temp job at that.

 

About the author:  Ernie Osborn is just a regular joe that sees life around him a little differently.  He is a former youth leader that believes that life should be lived to the fullest.  His views and opinions may or may not reflect those of Tulsa Today.  Ernie serves as Concert Editor for Tulsa Today.  (In other words, if his writing strikes you and makes you think great, or if it just makes you laugh and scratch your head that is fine too)