should the governor be MARRIED to the lt. governor?
John Michener
1. OCPAC Programs
2. The Time for Justice Rally
3. Tying the Governor & Lt. Governor Together?
1. OCPAC Programs. This Wednesday at noon at Mama Roja our speaker will be gubernatorial candidate Kevin Stitt. If you live in the metro area, this would be a good time to get a personal answer to the urgent question that you have wanted to ask the candidate.
On March 7 our speaker will be Catherine Connelly, a local expert on the Strong Cities Network, a globalist plan to take over law-enforcement in American cities with the stated goal of working toward an “an alliance of nations” that would aspire to be “a global community.” Here is a preview of some of the material.
On March 14 our speakers will be Steve Hawkins from the Oklahoma History Center, along with former Rep. Gary Banz.
2. The time for Justice Rally. People keep asking Dan Fisher how he is going to reassert state sovereignty and abolish abortion when he is governor. He is unveiling his plan at a Friday night rally on March 2 in Del City. The rally continues on Saturday March 3 with further education on state sovereignty, abolition, and the proper role of government. Hotel rooms are available for those coming from afar. Register here for the rally. Fisher has big ideas that none of the other candidates are even talking about, much less wanting to implement. This rally is a must for anyone who considers himself a grassroots activist or who wants to see America return to her founding principles of liberty and justice for all.
3. Tying the Governor & Lt. Governor Together? Representative Mark Lepak is carrying several reform bills aimed at making state government more effective, efficient, and accountable. House Bills 3208 and 3209 would consolidate authority in the governor to appoint and remove directors at most of the largest state agencies. Since it is the executive branch that carries out the designs of the legislature, these reforms make sense. The governor would function like a true head of state, enabled to provide leadership, oversight, and accountability, which should bring about less waste, fraud, and abuse.
Another proposed change being carried by Rep. Lepak is to do away with the state-wide race for lieutenant governor. House Joint Resolution 1047 would allow citizens to amend the state constitution to create a joint ticket system in which a gubernatorial candidate would select his running mate for lieutenant governor. We believe this is a bad idea for two main reasons.
The first reason combining the races is a bad idea is that it would create unfair advantages or disadvantages for those seeking the highest leadership positions in our state. At a time when the governor is very popular, it would give a distinct advantage to any lieutenant governor who decided to run for governor when the seat was open. It creates an heir-apparent, if you will. How does an outsider overcome a tremendous combined campaign war chest that has grown during an incumbent lieutenant governor’s term in office with a popular governor? On the flip side, a sitting lieutenant governor who might be a good person for the top job would be unfairly crippled by having been tied to a lame duck governor for four or more years. Just ask Todd Lamb how he feels about that situation right now. Of course, criticism of Lamb is well deserved based on his record and lack thereof, but Gov. Fallin has not done him any favors.
The second problem with tying the two offices together is that it violates the designed separation of powers, or checks and balances, in our system. If the governor always chooses his own lieutenant governor, then the lieutenant governor position is effectively eliminated and subsumed into the governor’s office. While the lieutenant governor does have an executive sounding title and would take over for the governor in his absence, the standing duties of the Lt. Gov. are more properly legislative, not executive. The lieutenant governor’s constitutional job, when not twiddling his thumbs waiting to be in charge, is to provide legislative leadership as the Senate President. Historically, our lieutenant governors have chosen not to fulfil that duty, but it is certainly a job they can and should be doing. Combining the offices together removes a vital legislative leader who could either enhance or hinder the agenda of the governor, depending on the needs and desires of the people.
The views expressed in this email are the personal opinion of John Michener and do not necessarily reflect the views of OCPAC, its leadership team, or its members…although they should. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. Authorized and paid for by Oklahoma Conservative PAC, PO Box 2021, Edmond, OK 73083.