Tulsa County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to call an April 1 special election on two sales tax proposals to enlarge the Tulsa Jail and to build a new juvenile justice center. Why they would select April Fools Day to vote is still an open question.
The ballot resolutions ask voters to consider a 15-year, 0.041 percent sales tax to fund the juvenile justice center and a 15-year, 0.026 percent sales tax to fund the construction of additional pods at the Tulsa Jail.
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Sen. Roger Ballenger
Sen. Roger Ballenger announced Wednesday he will not seek another term in the Oklahoma State Senate. Although the Okmulgee Democrat would not have been term limited until 2018, Ballenger said at this point in his life, he has decided to devote his time and attention to his family, his ranch, and his local community.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve my friends and neighbors in Okmulgee, McIntosh, Muskogee and Okfuskee Counties as their State Senator,” Ballenger said. “The past eight years have been full of successes and challenges. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with many wonderful Oklahomans, both constituents and colleagues alike. My decision to not run for a third term as Senator was not an easy one. But the time is right for me to come home to Okmulgee.”
In what members of the Legislature describe as a “defensive effort,” a measure is being filed today to defend the traditional holiday seasons of Christmas and Hanukkah.
Reps. Bob Cleveland, R-Slaughterville, and Ken Walker, R-Tulsa, are filing a bill for the upcoming session. House Bill 2317 would call for more protections to go into place regarding Christmas and how it is celebrated in schools.
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Frank X. “Frazier” Henke IV
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today announced the appointment of Frank X. “Frazier” Henke IV to serve on the state Board of Corrections.
Henke, president and chief executive officer of American Bank and Trust Co. in Tulsa, will serve with full membership powers on an interim basis pending state Senate confirmation. He was named to fill an unexpired term that ends March 15, 2019.
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A manager has pleaded guilty to wire fraud involving the embezzlement of $693,300 and for tax crimes, announced United States Attorney Danny C. Williams, Sr. for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
James Rhea Cooley, 45, of Tulsa, was charged with one count of wire fraud and three counts of willfully making and subscribing a false federal income tax return. Cooley worked as the Regional Human Resources Manager at Newfield Exploration Mid-Continent Inc. where he was authorized to approve invoices for services provided to the company.
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