Quotes of the Day

“It’s bittersweet seeing other states make advances while we are still sitting back with our hands tied. But really, what we hope will change here is the state and federal government living up to their end of the treaties and honoring those treaties. (Medicaid) expansion will remove the financial burden from the tribes to the proper place — the federal government.”

– Tyler Dougherty, a program coordinator for the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board, which helps advocate for Native American tribes. [The Oklahoman]

“It’s really, what does the governor want to do? I think he’s really the one that we’re waiting to see what his plan is going to be and if that’s going to include Medicaid expansion in some way, shape or form.”

-Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, discussing Gov. Stitt’s forthcoming health care proposal.  [The Oklahoman]

“Anytime you can prove to me that charter schools are doing a better job than traditional public schools, I’d be supportive. There’s just no indication I have seen that confirms that.” 

-State Sen. Ron Sharp (R-Shawnee), a retired schoolteacher who taught in Shawnee Public Schools for 38 years. [Journal Record ????]

“When you bring in these federal dollars into the state, by spending one dollar of state money, you bring nine more federal dollars in, suddenly these people who couldn’t afford to pay for their coverage are able to pay for that, and that benefits other parts of the state budget.” 

– Adam Searing, Associate Professor at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy’s Center for Children and Families speaking about leveraging federal Medicaid dollars at the state level. [StateImpact Oklahoma]

“It’s important that we pay legislators enough to be able to do their jobs, and we want public office to be open to all Oklahomans — not only the rich. Just like teaching isn’t a seasonal job, neither is the work of our legislators…All public servants must be able to afford to do their jobs.”

– Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association, on the recently announced pay raise for state legislators [NonDoc]

“The walkout was never about a raise, it was about respect for education and that’s why the educator legislators are going have to fight to keep education at the forefront of the debate.”

– Rep. John Waldron (D-Tulsa), a former teacher at Booker T. Washington High School [NewsOn6]

“If you don’t address the harm that was done early in people’s lives, where one wants to continue to numb that emotional pain, you can’t find recovery. And I don’t think you can do it alone.”

– Mimi Tarrasch, Women in Recovery’s chief program officer, on the key to the effectiveness of the program [Tulsa World]

“We can’t afford to just squeak by. We need to deliver a message that will resonate across the state later this month when we turn in these signatures.”

– Amber England, manager of the Yes on 802 campaign, on why they will continue to collect signatures up until the October 28th deadline [The Oklahoman]

“SQ 780 retroactivity is going to be life-changing for tens of thousands of Oklahomans, their families and communities. Unfortunately for me and many others who are getting our lives back together, the expungement fee (minimum of $1,000) is just too high.”

– Kayla Jeffries, who recently received commutation  and was released from prison [NonDoc]

“The effort has been very effective, and as of Nov. 1, hundreds of Oklahomans incarcerated for offenses that are misdemeanors will be eligible to return home to their families. These changes are a first step in meeting the governor’s commitment to make Oklahoma a Top 10 state. Recognizing that this is just the beginning of needed changes in the criminal justice system, it is a major step forward.”

– Gene Rainbolt, board member of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, on last session’s legislation to make State Question 780 retroactive [The Oklahoman]