State of Oklahoma
House of Representatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2010
Representative Joe Dorman
House District 65
State Capitol Building
2300 North Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 325
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
joedorman@okhouse.gov
Contact: Valorie Rodgers
405-962-7604
Dorman Seeks to Shine Light on Conference Committee Process
OKLAHOMA C IT Y (July 16, 2010) One state lawmaker plans to present changes for both Senate and House rules for the coming legislative session to address much of the chaos inherent in the conference committee process, therefore opening the legislation up to more public access.
“I want to bring more clarity and transparency to the process with my suggestions, which I hope will be well-taken given the growing consensus that the current procedure in place has created an environment of secrecy, which is the last thing anyone wants when making laws,” said Rep. Joe Dorman , D-Rush Springs. "Ultimately, it is time the legislators quit talking about transparency in government and put up or shut up."
Representative Dorman serves on the House of Representatives Rules Committee and the Administrative Rules and Agency Oversight Committee, and has a wealth of experience dating back to his almost seven years as a staff member for the Oklahoma House of Representatives prior to being elected.
“I think that if both the House and the Senate embrace a few modifications in either the joint rules which govern proceedings, or in the individual rules of both bodies, we can do a better job as legislators by having the ability to make well-informed decisions on legislation when it hits the chamber floor,” said Dorman. "This has been a problem which has gone on for decades and it is time both sides of the legislative branch and both parties allow openness in the process.”
Rep. Dorman states he plans to propose that all bills sent to conference committee should be returned to their respective committee of origin, or the first committee to hear the bill in the legislative body, in which an actual meeting must occur with attendance of the sitting members. Currently, bills in conference committee are not assigned to committees but to conferees, a majority of which must sign off on the changes in order for the bill to be considered “out” of committee from each body.
"Often times, these conferees are the friends of the author that will be too trusting of the language and sign off on the sheet," said Dorman. "This is when the sweetheart deals are inserted in the process and often have a negative effect on the state."
With Rep. Dorman’s recommendations, a meeting must be held in both the Senate and House to adopt proposed changes. He is also seeking to require at least a 24-hour notice of these committee meetings with the planned agenda in order to allow the public to attend.
"Often times, the public, including the press, has no idea when a bill is being signed out with a conference sheet and they see the bill at the same time as legislators, which in instances in the recent past, has been twenty minutes before a bill will be voted upon by the members, if it is in the waning hours of session," said Dorman. "Each of the candidates for leadership positions has promised transparency and if they don't accept my suggestions, I hope they will present something equal, if not more open."
He is also hoping for rule changes to give committee members the opportunity to amend legislation in committee if significant changes are made from the previous version of the bill, rather than a simple acceptance or rejection of the version presented. As both bodies have to agree on final language, this could slow down the process and prevent procrastination and attempts to pass language members have not previously seen.
“Everyone knows the current process is complicated, and in my opinion, unnecessarily difficult. We can open up the process, provide more transparency and accountability in lawmaking, and do a better job for those who elected us to office if we adopt changes to shine some light on the conference committee process,” said Dorman.
Dorman recently served as an advisor for Oklahoma at the Conference on National Affairs, a program sponsored by the YMCA to encourage high school students to present proposals on how to change national policy for the better. Over 600 students nationwide attended nationwide and several proposals addressed Congressional accountability, including proper understanding of the bills passed by the legislators.
"It is a little generational, and would probably apply to Bob Dylan for my age group, but one delegate summed it up perfectly on this issue to allow time to read and understand Congressional bills and their consequences: 'Legislation is like a Lady GaGa song: No one understands the lyrics, but everyone is expected to dance along,” said Dorman. “It is time we provide that openness and understanding on legislation at the Oklahoma State Capitol."
-30-
NOTICE: The information in this email is confidential, legally privileged, and exempt from disclosure under law. It is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this email by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and unlawful. The Oklahoma House of Reps does not warrant any e-mail transmission received as being virus free, and disclaims any liability for losses or damages arising from the use of this e-mail or its attachments. Recipients of e-mail assume the risk of possible computer virus exposure by opening or utilizing the e-mail and its attachments, and waive any right or recourse against the House by doing so.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Driving Down Health Care Costs Through the Implementation of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
I was privileged to serve on the legislative task force charged with designing this year’s omnibus state employee health care insurance reform plan (Senate Bill 2052). In creating this plan we attempted to draw heavily on best practices which are stabilizing health care costs for other organizations.
One of those best practices is the plan used by the State of Indiana to incentivize the wise use of its state employee health insurance plan through the implementation of Health Savings Accounts.
The Indiana plan was developed by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels in an effort to provide a consumer directed health care option to state employees.
In the Indiana's HSA, the state deposits an amount of money into an account which is controlled by the state employee, from which the employee pays all his or her health bills. This amount of money can be used to pay co-pays and deductibles and unused money can roll over from year to year. The idea is that plan participants will become more cost-conscious, have a sense of ownership over the money and thus be more careful about over-utilization of health care services or overpayment related to health care charges.
The plan has proven to be popular in Indiana as 70% of its state employees have chosen to use this plan compared to just 2% of public sector employees across the nation. Savings have also been significant as participants in the plan save more than 8 million dollars per year when compared to participants in traditional health care plans. Indiana HSA plan participants spent just 65 dollars for every 100 dollars expended by those taking part in the traditional health care plan.
It is this cost savings that we attempted to achieve in Senate Bill 2052. Working with the organizations representing public employees we sought to guarantee that future state employee health insurance benefit increases would be rolled into funding this plan.
Common sense suggests that when an employee is given the opportunity to have direct ownership over his or her health care dollars, they will make choices to protect that balance from unnecessary expenditures. However, if we continue to utilize a traditional one-size-fits-all health care insurance funding option then it is to be expected that costs will continue to increase. Governor Daniels summed it up this way, “What seems free will always be overconsumed, compared to the choices a normal consumer would make.”
I was very disappointed that our Governor chose to veto Senate Bill 2052. I look forward to once again passing this reform and the health and wellness reform which I wrote about last week. I believe we will have this opportunity when the new Governor takes office next year.
One of those best practices is the plan used by the State of Indiana to incentivize the wise use of its state employee health insurance plan through the implementation of Health Savings Accounts.
The Indiana plan was developed by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels in an effort to provide a consumer directed health care option to state employees.
In the Indiana's HSA, the state deposits an amount of money into an account which is controlled by the state employee, from which the employee pays all his or her health bills. This amount of money can be used to pay co-pays and deductibles and unused money can roll over from year to year. The idea is that plan participants will become more cost-conscious, have a sense of ownership over the money and thus be more careful about over-utilization of health care services or overpayment related to health care charges.
The plan has proven to be popular in Indiana as 70% of its state employees have chosen to use this plan compared to just 2% of public sector employees across the nation. Savings have also been significant as participants in the plan save more than 8 million dollars per year when compared to participants in traditional health care plans. Indiana HSA plan participants spent just 65 dollars for every 100 dollars expended by those taking part in the traditional health care plan.
It is this cost savings that we attempted to achieve in Senate Bill 2052. Working with the organizations representing public employees we sought to guarantee that future state employee health insurance benefit increases would be rolled into funding this plan.
Common sense suggests that when an employee is given the opportunity to have direct ownership over his or her health care dollars, they will make choices to protect that balance from unnecessary expenditures. However, if we continue to utilize a traditional one-size-fits-all health care insurance funding option then it is to be expected that costs will continue to increase. Governor Daniels summed it up this way, “What seems free will always be overconsumed, compared to the choices a normal consumer would make.”
I was very disappointed that our Governor chose to veto Senate Bill 2052. I look forward to once again passing this reform and the health and wellness reform which I wrote about last week. I believe we will have this opportunity when the new Governor takes office next year.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Using Market-Based Health Care Principles to Save Taxpayer Dollars
Last week I wrote an update in which I opined the necessity for state leaders to closely observe the ways free market organizations are using best practices to drive down health care costs. Like all state government spending, it is extremely important for us to work hard to maximize taxpayer dollars through the application of market-based solutions, and pass on as much savings as possible. It is also important for these solutions to be utilized to stop the increase in health care costs and thus take away the primary argument for those who wish to expand the role of the federal government in health care.
Last year I sent out an update stating that I would be involved in a legislative working group charged with analyzing the government’s employee insurance program. A constituent recipient of the update encouraged me to look at the program used by the Safeway Corporation to stabilize their health insurance cost. This concept would become one of the most important components of the state employee health insurance reform proposal (SB 2052) passed by the Legislature but vetoed by the Governor.
The Safeway plan is completely voluntary and drives down costs by incentivizing wellness and prevention by rewarding plan participant through lower health insurance premium costs.
The Safeway plan focuses on two base prevention concepts. The company ascertained that 70% of health care costs are the result of the lifestyle choices and 74% of all health care costs are related to the following four chronic conditions: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer. They believe that 80% of cardiovascular disease and diabetes are preventable, 60% of cancers are preventable, and at least 90% of obesity cases can be prevented.
The company observed that these conditions could be prevented by incentivizing employees to voluntarily address the issues of tobacco usage, healthy weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The results have been dramatic. Since the program was started in 2005, Safeway has kept their per capita health care cost stable at a time when most companies’ costs went up by 38%. Their obesity and smoking rates are roughly 70% of the national average. 78% of employees rated the plan positively and many employees lost weight and lowered blood-pressure and cholesterol levels.
In my view, it is our job as Oklahoma legislators to implement a similar program and pass on the savings not only to state government entities, but also to county and school board governing entities which use the state employee insurance programs.
Incorporating a localized version of this program in Senate Bill 2052 was something which the entire legislative working group insisted on. Our version of this approach was designed to save taxpayer funds and to allow employees to lower their deductible and co-pay costs. I believe we are still committed to securing legislative approval for the concept in the next legislative session.
Most importantly, this approach addresses the right way to achieve health care reform because it will encourage employers working with their employees to drive down the cost, instead of the federal government getting involved with various mandates.
Next week I will write about another of the market-based concepts incorporated into Senate Bill 2052.
Last year I sent out an update stating that I would be involved in a legislative working group charged with analyzing the government’s employee insurance program. A constituent recipient of the update encouraged me to look at the program used by the Safeway Corporation to stabilize their health insurance cost. This concept would become one of the most important components of the state employee health insurance reform proposal (SB 2052) passed by the Legislature but vetoed by the Governor.
The Safeway plan is completely voluntary and drives down costs by incentivizing wellness and prevention by rewarding plan participant through lower health insurance premium costs.
The Safeway plan focuses on two base prevention concepts. The company ascertained that 70% of health care costs are the result of the lifestyle choices and 74% of all health care costs are related to the following four chronic conditions: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer. They believe that 80% of cardiovascular disease and diabetes are preventable, 60% of cancers are preventable, and at least 90% of obesity cases can be prevented.
The company observed that these conditions could be prevented by incentivizing employees to voluntarily address the issues of tobacco usage, healthy weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The results have been dramatic. Since the program was started in 2005, Safeway has kept their per capita health care cost stable at a time when most companies’ costs went up by 38%. Their obesity and smoking rates are roughly 70% of the national average. 78% of employees rated the plan positively and many employees lost weight and lowered blood-pressure and cholesterol levels.
In my view, it is our job as Oklahoma legislators to implement a similar program and pass on the savings not only to state government entities, but also to county and school board governing entities which use the state employee insurance programs.
Incorporating a localized version of this program in Senate Bill 2052 was something which the entire legislative working group insisted on. Our version of this approach was designed to save taxpayer funds and to allow employees to lower their deductible and co-pay costs. I believe we are still committed to securing legislative approval for the concept in the next legislative session.
Most importantly, this approach addresses the right way to achieve health care reform because it will encourage employers working with their employees to drive down the cost, instead of the federal government getting involved with various mandates.
Next week I will write about another of the market-based concepts incorporated into Senate Bill 2052.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Free Market Solutions to Health Care Costs
I have always enjoyed the dialog I have with House District 31 residents following the release of my weekly update. Their responses to these updates provide the opportunity to have an ongoing conversation about the issues of importance and I absolutely benefit from that feedback.
I recently wrote an update about the effort to allow you to vote on opting-out of the federal health care proposal. You will have this opportunity in November. In response to that update one of the individuals who supports the federal health care proposal wrote in response stating that it is important for those of us in opposition to point to alternatives to the proposed federal government action. She is absolutely right to make this point. As I have observed the legislative process it seems to me that there is little more frustrating than dealing with a policy maker who says "no" to other people's ideas but does not come forward with ideas for providing another solution. I informed her that I would endeavor to write future updates about the possible solutions to health care cost issues which could be incorporated without government involvement. This is one of those articles.
In this case the problem is the rising cost of health care insurance. This rising cost has given liberal politicians all the ammunition they need in order to attempt to provide lower cost government solutions.
I am a big believer that given time the free market will provide these solutions. I was very much re-affirmed in that belief starting in the spring of 2009 when I was appointed to participate in a working group which was seeking to analyze some of the challenges faced by the state employee health insurance system. This working group evolved into a type of statutorily created task force whose suggestions were incorporated into legislation this past year. During that time I believe I invested more of my time into researching and advocating for reforms to the state employee health insurance system than to most other areas of policy.
As you might imagine, one of the largest costs to the State of Oklahoma is the insurance it provides to the thousands of state employees and their dependants as well as the employees of other government entities such as school districts and county governments.
As a working group one of our tasks was to look at free market solutions and seek to apply these solutions in order to realize cost savings to the taxpayers and the various government entities which must purchase this insurance.
Working with State Representative Lewis Moore and State Senators Cliff Aldrige and Bill Brown and House and Senate leadership we worked to create an initiative which included free market approaches to driving down health costs, secured the support of the state employee and teachers associations and won legislative approval before being unfortunately and somewhat unexpectedly vetoed by the Governor.
During next week's update I will write about these solutions and my vision for their possible inclusion in future legislation.
I recently wrote an update about the effort to allow you to vote on opting-out of the federal health care proposal. You will have this opportunity in November. In response to that update one of the individuals who supports the federal health care proposal wrote in response stating that it is important for those of us in opposition to point to alternatives to the proposed federal government action. She is absolutely right to make this point. As I have observed the legislative process it seems to me that there is little more frustrating than dealing with a policy maker who says "no" to other people's ideas but does not come forward with ideas for providing another solution. I informed her that I would endeavor to write future updates about the possible solutions to health care cost issues which could be incorporated without government involvement. This is one of those articles.
In this case the problem is the rising cost of health care insurance. This rising cost has given liberal politicians all the ammunition they need in order to attempt to provide lower cost government solutions.
I am a big believer that given time the free market will provide these solutions. I was very much re-affirmed in that belief starting in the spring of 2009 when I was appointed to participate in a working group which was seeking to analyze some of the challenges faced by the state employee health insurance system. This working group evolved into a type of statutorily created task force whose suggestions were incorporated into legislation this past year. During that time I believe I invested more of my time into researching and advocating for reforms to the state employee health insurance system than to most other areas of policy.
As you might imagine, one of the largest costs to the State of Oklahoma is the insurance it provides to the thousands of state employees and their dependants as well as the employees of other government entities such as school districts and county governments.
As a working group one of our tasks was to look at free market solutions and seek to apply these solutions in order to realize cost savings to the taxpayers and the various government entities which must purchase this insurance.
Working with State Representative Lewis Moore and State Senators Cliff Aldrige and Bill Brown and House and Senate leadership we worked to create an initiative which included free market approaches to driving down health costs, secured the support of the state employee and teachers associations and won legislative approval before being unfortunately and somewhat unexpectedly vetoed by the Governor.
During next week's update I will write about these solutions and my vision for their possible inclusion in future legislation.
Dorman to Hold Three Interim Studies on Health Care
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Media Division
June 28, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Joe Dorman
Capitol: (405) 557-7305
E-mail: joedorman@okhouse.gov
Dorman to Hold Three Interim Studies on Health Care
OKLAHOMA C IT Y – State Rep. Joe Dorman announced today that he will be conducting three interim studies examining health care issues.
“Two of the three studies are focused on health care issues affecting seniors, while one will look at online access to medical records,” Dorman said. “I have been reviewing these issues over the past several months and am pleased that I will be able to conduct in-depth studies of each. My hope is to come up with first rate legislation to address each issue in the upcoming session.”
Expanding the Advantage Plus program is the subject of the first study, Dorman said.
“We will be using this study to look for ways to help more seniors qualify for the program,” Dorman said. “Many Oklahomans are disqualified due to a savings account or some form of nominal income, but still fall well below the financial means they need for survival. I requested the study because I was contacted by a constituent who draws a monthly check for about $50 from outside resources, which makes her ineligible. It’s obvious that the current qualification guidelines are arbitrary and impractical.”
Dorman’s second study will focus on emergency generators and plans in assisted living facilities.
“After the ice storms earlier this year, emergency preparedness is a must for protecting aging Oklahomans who require daily or weekly assistance,” Dorman said. “We are going to figure out where we stand currently and then analyze potential resources to assist with the purchase of generators for those facilities that don’t have them.”
A third study will examine online access to medical records in an attempt to reduce patient costs and duplication of services.
“I want to find a way to allow individuals to select an option to have their medical records placed online and made accessible through a card to show health care providers what medical tests have been conducted,” Dorman said. “This was requested by a doctor as a way to reduce the amount of time spent on the phone with insurance companies to see which procedures will be covered by a patient’s insurance.”
Dorman said states must resolve local health care problems.
“With the concerns we see out of the federal health care program, now more than ever, states need to be ready to resolve potential problems and have the best system in place for Oklahomans through both private means and available public resources,” Dorman said.
-30-
Media Division
June 28, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Joe Dorman
Capitol: (405) 557-7305
E-mail: joedorman@okhouse.gov
Dorman to Hold Three Interim Studies on Health Care
OKLAHOMA C IT Y – State Rep. Joe Dorman announced today that he will be conducting three interim studies examining health care issues.
“Two of the three studies are focused on health care issues affecting seniors, while one will look at online access to medical records,” Dorman said. “I have been reviewing these issues over the past several months and am pleased that I will be able to conduct in-depth studies of each. My hope is to come up with first rate legislation to address each issue in the upcoming session.”
Expanding the Advantage Plus program is the subject of the first study, Dorman said.
“We will be using this study to look for ways to help more seniors qualify for the program,” Dorman said. “Many Oklahomans are disqualified due to a savings account or some form of nominal income, but still fall well below the financial means they need for survival. I requested the study because I was contacted by a constituent who draws a monthly check for about $50 from outside resources, which makes her ineligible. It’s obvious that the current qualification guidelines are arbitrary and impractical.”
Dorman’s second study will focus on emergency generators and plans in assisted living facilities.
“After the ice storms earlier this year, emergency preparedness is a must for protecting aging Oklahomans who require daily or weekly assistance,” Dorman said. “We are going to figure out where we stand currently and then analyze potential resources to assist with the purchase of generators for those facilities that don’t have them.”
A third study will examine online access to medical records in an attempt to reduce patient costs and duplication of services.
“I want to find a way to allow individuals to select an option to have their medical records placed online and made accessible through a card to show health care providers what medical tests have been conducted,” Dorman said. “This was requested by a doctor as a way to reduce the amount of time spent on the phone with insurance companies to see which procedures will be covered by a patient’s insurance.”
Dorman said states must resolve local health care problems.
“With the concerns we see out of the federal health care program, now more than ever, states need to be ready to resolve potential problems and have the best system in place for Oklahomans through both private means and available public resources,” Dorman said.
-30-
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Open Door Policy - June 22, 2010
I hope everyone had a great Father's Day! I had the pleasure of spending the day with some of my cousins and thinking about my own dad. Our church sermon was tied in with what did we most importantly learn from our fathers. I feel like one of the things my own dad taught me was the willingness to help others and to make personal sacrifices when you are able to help someone else in need. I miss my dad, but treasure the time I had with him and the lessons I learned to make me a better person.
I had the pleasure of attending some fantastic events this past weekend. On Friday, I was honored to represent the Comanche County House delegation in presenting to Great Plains Career Technology Center Superintendent Jim Nisbett a citation of appreciation for his service in education. Jim announced his retirement after 45 years of service to students in Oklahoma. As the event had humorous overtones, I gladly reminded him that was six years longer than I have been alive. He, along with the rest of the attendees, had a great evening and it has been a pleasure working with him over my term of service.
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend an event which was very emotional. Each year, the OKC YWCA holds the Purple Sash Gala, their annual fundraiser to support their domestic abuse shelter. I have toured this facility and heard stories from women who have received help from this effort. It was an amazing evening, both listening to the stories of those personally affected by this program and also to see the hundreds of donors show up and lend their support. I donated items to the auction to help with the efforts, one of which was lunch with myself and Lt. Governor Jari Askins. I was pleased to see all the auction items bring in thousands of dollars for this cause. I also intend to introduce a bill to create an income tax check-off so citizens can easily donate to this worthy effort.
If you are in immediate danger from abuse, dial 9-1-1; if not in immediate danger, call 2-1-1 or the following numbers for help:
Oklahoma Safeline - 1-800-522-7233 (SAFE);
Grady County - Chickasha - Women's Service & Family Resource Center - 800-734-4117 (in state only);
Caddo and Comanche County - Lawton - New Directions - Crisis: 580-357-2500; Shelter: 580-357-5441.
It is an honor to represent your views at the State Capitol. If you wish to contact me and discuss one of these or another issue, I can be reached at my office in Oklahoma City toll-free at 1-800-522-8502, or directly at 1-405-557-7305. My e-mail address is joedorman@okhouse.gov at work. My mailing address is PO Box 559 , Rush Springs , OK 73082 and my website is www.joedorman.com on the Internet. Thank you for taking time to read this column and I look forward to seeing you soon.
I had the pleasure of attending some fantastic events this past weekend. On Friday, I was honored to represent the Comanche County House delegation in presenting to Great Plains Career Technology Center Superintendent Jim Nisbett a citation of appreciation for his service in education. Jim announced his retirement after 45 years of service to students in Oklahoma. As the event had humorous overtones, I gladly reminded him that was six years longer than I have been alive. He, along with the rest of the attendees, had a great evening and it has been a pleasure working with him over my term of service.
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend an event which was very emotional. Each year, the OKC YWCA holds the Purple Sash Gala, their annual fundraiser to support their domestic abuse shelter. I have toured this facility and heard stories from women who have received help from this effort. It was an amazing evening, both listening to the stories of those personally affected by this program and also to see the hundreds of donors show up and lend their support. I donated items to the auction to help with the efforts, one of which was lunch with myself and Lt. Governor Jari Askins. I was pleased to see all the auction items bring in thousands of dollars for this cause. I also intend to introduce a bill to create an income tax check-off so citizens can easily donate to this worthy effort.
If you are in immediate danger from abuse, dial 9-1-1; if not in immediate danger, call 2-1-1 or the following numbers for help:
Oklahoma Safeline - 1-800-522-7233 (SAFE);
Grady County - Chickasha - Women's Service & Family Resource Center - 800-734-4117 (in state only);
Caddo and Comanche County - Lawton - New Directions - Crisis: 580-357-2500; Shelter: 580-357-5441.
It is an honor to represent your views at the State Capitol. If you wish to contact me and discuss one of these or another issue, I can be reached at my office in Oklahoma City toll-free at 1-800-522-8502, or directly at 1-405-557-7305. My e-mail address is joedorman@okhouse.gov at work. My mailing address is PO Box 559 , Rush Springs , OK 73082 and my website is www.joedorman.com on the Internet. Thank you for taking time to read this column and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Making Progress
A few weeks ago I wrote an update regarding the effort to ask the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to create a "No Gifts List" by which lawmakers who do not wish to receive personal gifts from lobbyists would have an official mechanism for making their intentions known.
When I first entered the Legislature, I did so on a platform that I would not accept personal gifts or political contributions from lobbyists or groups which hire lobbyists and I have since indicated this desire by posting a sign on my office door to make it clear that these gifts should not be left at my office. I have often said that if just a few lawmakers will prove it is possible to hold office without taking from lobbyists then eventually Oklahomans in other districts will start to expect that their elected official will make this same commitment.
At the time of my first election, legislators collectively accepted tens of thousands of dollars of personal gifts. The majority of this gift giving was related to meals and entertainment. Paying for expensive meals has historically been the tool by which lobbyists built friendships with legislators, subsequently ensuring they have a pre-existing relationship with the policy makers who vote on legislation affecting their clients. The thought that the legislators could pick up their own tab has historically been rather alien in form.
Since that time, with the institution of new ethics rules, the amount of gift giving has dropped to just a fraction of what it used to be. Not only that, but a number of lawmakers are now willing to come forward and assert their desire to avoid receiving these gifts.
When I wrote the letter to the Ethics Commission I asked several of my colleagues if they would be willing to sign the letter along with me. I was very excited when six of these individuals expressed their willingness to sign the letter and support the "No Gifts List" proposal.
They were State Senators Bill Brown, Anthony Sykes and Randy Brogdon and State Representatives Charles Key, Mike Reynolds and Mike Ritze. In my view, signing the letter represented a very courageous effort by these individuals.
In addition Senators Anthony Sykes and Jim Halligan and Representative Mike Reynolds have also posted signs in their offices politely stating that they do not wish to receive lobbyist gifts.
In other words, the belief that it is inappropriate for legislators to receive personal gifts from the vested special interest is slowly becoming institutionalized. I believe we will see the day when legislators no longer live the high life on the lobbyist dime. I have a tremendous amount of respect for my colleagues who are pioneering this line of thought and in so doing are establishing a stronger ethical standard which I believe will be followed by Oklahoma's policy makers in the future.
When I first entered the Legislature, I did so on a platform that I would not accept personal gifts or political contributions from lobbyists or groups which hire lobbyists and I have since indicated this desire by posting a sign on my office door to make it clear that these gifts should not be left at my office. I have often said that if just a few lawmakers will prove it is possible to hold office without taking from lobbyists then eventually Oklahomans in other districts will start to expect that their elected official will make this same commitment.
At the time of my first election, legislators collectively accepted tens of thousands of dollars of personal gifts. The majority of this gift giving was related to meals and entertainment. Paying for expensive meals has historically been the tool by which lobbyists built friendships with legislators, subsequently ensuring they have a pre-existing relationship with the policy makers who vote on legislation affecting their clients. The thought that the legislators could pick up their own tab has historically been rather alien in form.
Since that time, with the institution of new ethics rules, the amount of gift giving has dropped to just a fraction of what it used to be. Not only that, but a number of lawmakers are now willing to come forward and assert their desire to avoid receiving these gifts.
When I wrote the letter to the Ethics Commission I asked several of my colleagues if they would be willing to sign the letter along with me. I was very excited when six of these individuals expressed their willingness to sign the letter and support the "No Gifts List" proposal.
They were State Senators Bill Brown, Anthony Sykes and Randy Brogdon and State Representatives Charles Key, Mike Reynolds and Mike Ritze. In my view, signing the letter represented a very courageous effort by these individuals.
In addition Senators Anthony Sykes and Jim Halligan and Representative Mike Reynolds have also posted signs in their offices politely stating that they do not wish to receive lobbyist gifts.
In other words, the belief that it is inappropriate for legislators to receive personal gifts from the vested special interest is slowly becoming institutionalized. I believe we will see the day when legislators no longer live the high life on the lobbyist dime. I have a tremendous amount of respect for my colleagues who are pioneering this line of thought and in so doing are establishing a stronger ethical standard which I believe will be followed by Oklahoma's policy makers in the future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)