Property rights change could impact tax vote

By David Arnett, Publisher

TulsaSkyline3Analysis:  The Tulsa World is reporting today (Monday, Sept. 9) that city officials have drafted an ordinance amendment that would restrict rights of property owners within the core business district.

The story by Kevin Canfield notes, “Under the proposal, a property owner wishing to turn land within the IDL (Intercity Dispersal Loop) into a surface parking lot would need approval from the Board of Adjustment.”  Click here to read the Tulsa World story.

This proposal, which must be approved by the City Council, enforces a trendy notion that private ownership and development must increasingly come under the authority of public officials.  The loss of individual property rights is justified by officials who note there are existing property restrictions and this is just a “reasonable” addition.
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Assad begins media campaign as Kerry dances

By David Arnett, Publisher

Bashar Assad of Syria

Bashar Assad of Syria

Analysis: Syria’s President Bashar Assad spoke with Charlie Rose over the weekend – his first television interview since President Obama asked Congress to approve a military strike against Syria.  The interview was promoted on CBS This Morning.

In fast moving if not dueling press manipulations, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s apparently “off-hand” remark was accepted as serious (which it did seem to be at the time) by Russia’s foreign minister.  Did Kerry bluff and get called or did he joke about death and destruction with no regard – whatever is best for the administration must be what he meant.

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Speaker T.W. Shannon featured

By David Arnett, Publisher

Oklahoma Speaker of the House, Rep. T. W. Shannon

Oklahoma Speaker of the House, T. W. Shannon

Appearing on the Glenn Beck television program Thursday, Oklahoma Speaker of the House T. W. Shannon participated in a panel of conservatives to discuss remedies to the challenges facing the black community.

Syndicated columnist and political commentator Star Parker moderated as guest host and was joined by Marc Little, a lawyer and the author of The Prodigal Republican, Scott Turner, a state representative from Texas, Katrina Pierson of the Dallas Tea Party, and Rep. Shannon.

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TU Football opens at home Saturday

TUfootball1The Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team opens the 2013 home season at H.A. Chapman Stadium Saturday night against the Colorado State Rams of the Mountain West Conference.  The game kicks off at 6:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TulsaHurricane.com, in person at the TU Athletic Ticket Office or by calling 918.631.GoTU (4688).

This is the eighth meeting between the two teams, but the first since1998, when the two teams were members of the Western Athletic Conference. Tulsa leads the series 4-3, having posted a 3-0 home record, but the Rams have won the previous two meetings overall.  Both the Hurricane and Rams will be looking for their first win after dropping their season openers last week.

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Lawsuit reform must be addressed now

By Governor Mary Fallin

MaryFallinWelcomeBeginning this week, I have asked legislators to return to the state Capitol to address an issue of great importance to the state, our medical community and our prospects for economic growth and job creation. That issue is lawsuit reform.

My goal during this special session is to work with lawmakers, as quickly and efficiently as possible, to restore the protections against frivolous lawsuits that have served small businesses and doctors well for the past four years.
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