Analysis: Bill Christensen announced his candidacy for mayor months ago and yesterday former-mayor Kathy Taylor (who declined to run after one term) announced she will campaign again. Most Tulsans expect Mayor Dewey Bartlett to fight to retain his office, but his answer at the moment is “don’t interrupt, I’m working.”
More important than who runs, if you don’t mind a huge lack of preference, is what are the issues of the Mayor’s race and how will each candidate define Tulsa’s future?
Former Pittsburg County Special Judge William Layden Jr. Thursday agreed to a deferred prosecution to avoid a trial for his part in a drug court embezzlement scheme, Attorney General Scott Pruitt said.
Layden, 62, was indicted in October 2011 by the Attorney General’s Multicounty Grand Jury on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the state, after he interfered with a joint investigation into the Pittsburg County Drug Court.
The drug court coordinator, Angela Marcum, was indicted in June 2011 on charges of embezzlement and destroying records. She is awaiting trial.
Ireland has what is likely the only place named Muckanaghederdauhaulia. The name reportedly means “pig marsh between saltwater firths.” I do not make this stuff up.
Researchers estimate that the average person will spend six years dreaming while asleep. Z-Z-Z-Z
House Republican Policy Committee Chairman James Lankford (R-OK) applauded the passage of H.R. 325, the “No Budget, No Pay” bill, in a vote of 285-144 today, January 23, 2013. Oklahoma’s First District Representative Jim Bridenstine voted against the bill and explains his reasons in detail.
In a statement, Lankford wrote, “The No Budget, No Pay bill is a simple solution to a systemic problem in Washington: almost four years without a budget.”
Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) today (January 23, 2013) announced his subcommittee assignments for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Natural Resources for the 113th Congress.
“I’m excited to have been selected to serve on these subcommittees,” Mullin said. “The assignments cover a broad range of issues so I will have the opportunity to contribute to the work being done in these areas”
Congressman Mullin’s subcommittee assignments are:
Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittees
• Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over water issues ranging from development, conservation and management, pollution control and water infrastructure. Agencies administering these programs include the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over many Department of Transportation (DOT) programs and is responsible for the development of national road transportation policy, construction and improvement of highway and transit facilities, implementation of safety and research programs as well as regulation of commercial motor vehicle operations.
• Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management
The Subcommittee oversees federal response to natural disasters and has oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security’s other disaster management responsibilities.
Natural Resources Subcommittees
• Subcommittee on Indian and Alaskan Native Affairs
The Subcommittee oversees all matters regarding Native Americans, including the 566 federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native Corporations, and nearly 1.9 million American Indians.
• Subcommittee on Water and Power
The Subcommittee is responsible for issues related to America’s water resources, federal irrigation projects, generating electric power from federal water projects and interstate water issues.
“The Subcommittee on Highways and Transit assignment is critical to Oklahoma and this district,” Mullin continued. “We are a major artery for transportation yet Oklahoma remains a donor state, meaning we contribute more to the Federal Highway Trust Fund that we get back to spend on transportation projects.”
“I’m also pleased to be on two subcommittees that deal with water. Water is one of our most vital natural resources in the 2nd District and I am committed to protecting that asset,” said Mullin.
“As one of only two Native Americans serving in Congress, I’m thrilled to be on the Subcommittee on Indian and Alaskan Affairs,” Mullin added. “Oklahoma’s 2nd District is blessed to be home to many tribes and I’m looking forward to working with them on issues important to the district. Not only will these subcommittee assignments will be a huge asset to Eastern Oklahoma, it will be helpful for the entire state.”