teacher temper TANTRUM?
John Michener
1. Fisher Campaign Makes National Headlines
2. Teacher Temper Tantrum
3. State Revenue Way Up
4. Stitt for Governor
5. OCPAC Programs
6. OCPAC Awards
7. Gubernatorial Candidate Forum
8. Christian Values Summit
1. Fisher Campaign Makes National Headlines. Last weekend, Dan Fisher’s Time for Justice Rally drew hundreds to hear the truth that the state of Oklahoma has the moral duty and the legal authority to abolish abortion. Click here for the last powerful hour of the rally. The rally raised almost $30,000 for his campaign and brought Fisher’s total number of donors to over one thousand. Fisher’s weekend events raised awareness of his campaign all over the state and even drew national attention when Fisher was interviewed on TheBlaze Radio Network.
Other national coverage came from Right Wing Watch, a radical Marxist group that tries to associate Christians who believe in traditional values with violent, hate-filled white supremists. If Dan Fisher’s campaign is making this group take note, he must be on the right track. The Marxists certainly have nothing to fear from Mick Cornett or Todd Lamb, neither of whom has promised to do anything to stop abortion, nor has either of them supported constitutional carry in Oklahoma. More favorable coverage came from ChristianNews.net.
2. Teacher Temper Tantrum. Oklahoma teachers are threatening to strike if they do not all receive an indiscriminate, unqualified raise. All parties involved seem to be going about things the wrong way. A teacher strike would violate Oklahoma law, and it just proves the union does not really care about the kids. Politicians are worried about reelection, so they scramble to meet demands, rather than fight the temper tantrum with facts and principle.
Even fiscally conservative groups like OCPA are starting to waffle and concede that maybe we need to raise the cigarette tax and gross production tax on new oil wells.
It is a fundamental principle that salary increases should never be given across the board without merit. According to SoonerPoll, the people of Oklahoma do not support massive new spending on education, which already consumes half the state budget. How much is enough? Sixty percent? Ninety-five percent? Where does this end? More money does not equal more intelligent teachers and better student outcomes. If we really cared about helping those teachers who deserve a raise, we would focus on reforming the state education system to eliminate bureaucracy. Decentralize power. Send salary and budget control down to the local districts. That would drive a certain level of competition, and make distribution of funds more fair and efficient.
3. State Revenue Way Up. According to the Oklahoma State Treasurer, February receipts to the treasury grew by over fifteen percent from one year ago. Monthly receipts have increased for thirteen out of the last fourteen months, and the monthly rate of growth has gone from one half of one percent in January 2017 to fifteen and one half percent this month. “The trend line shows increasing growth in Oklahoma gross collections,” said Treasurer Ken Miller. Perhaps this positive cash flow will lesson our legislators’ rush to raise taxes on everything this session.
4. Stitt for Governor. Who is Kevin Stitt, and why is he running for governor of Oklahoma? What does he propose to do about taxes, gun control, abortion, federal overreach, education, and economic development? Kevin Stitt explored these issues and more during his visit with the Oklahoma Conservative PAC. Here is the video of Kevin Stitt.
5. OCPAC Programs. On Wednesday, March 14, at noon at Mama Roja our speakers will be Steve Hawkins from the Oklahoma History Center, along with former Rep. Gary Banz. On March 21 our speaker will be former University of Oklahoma Wrestling Coach Jack Spates, talking about the growth of Christianity in Iran.
6. OCPAC Awards. On Tuesday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. OCPAC will present its annual legislative awards at the Capitol View Event Center, 5201 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City. There will be no dinner or banquet; only a modest and short presentation, followed by a gubernatorial candidate forum. The event is free and open to the public. Congratulations to our award winners: Senators Nathan Dahm, Josh Brecheen, and Anthony Sykes; Representatives David Brumbaugh (posthumously), Jason Murphey, Chuck Strohm, Tommy Hardin, Tom Gann, and Rick West.
7. Gubernatorial Candidate Forum. On Tuesday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. OCPAC will host a Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on the topic of abortion. The forum will begin immediately following a short awards presentation and will run for approximately one hour to ninety minutes, depending on candidate participation. Each candidate will have adequate time to explain his position on abortion and present any policy changes he would recommend or implement as governor. Then the candidates will be allowed to cross-examine each other and answer questions from the moderator and the audience. This event is free and open to the public. The location is the Capitol View Event Center, 5201 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City.
8. Christian Values Summit. On March 29 & 30, the Christian Values Summit in Tulsa, Oklahoma, promises to reaffirm the Christian values upon which our nation was founded and remind us of our Christian heritage and constitutional rights. The inspiring speakers will challenge you, encourage you, and remind you of our hope in God’s power to restore our nation. The summit is free, but you must register in advance.
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