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In The Know is a daily synopsis of Oklahoma policy-related news and blogs. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
Today you should know that Attorney General Scott Pruitt responded to allegations that the Pardon and Parole Board was operating improperly. Gov. Fallin said there was no ill intent in the board’s actions, but thinks changes should be made to improve the transparency of the process. State Senator Simpson believes an audit into the Dept. of Veterans Affairs is appropriate, but that such a detailed audit request from the Governor will likely overlap with work already being done in a legislative interim study.
Representatives from 22 states and the big three automakers met to discuss plans to add natural gas-powered vehicles to state fleets, in the hopes that the public would ultimately follow suit. David Blatt writes in The Journal Record that Oklahoma should chart its own course to economic prosperity – instead of relying on someone else’s formula.
Creek County officials believe that the fire that sparked a destructive blaze west of Mannford was set intentionally but without malice, in violation of a statewide burn ban. Firefighters contained several small wildfires yesterday in Caddo, Creek, and Cleveland counties.
The Number of the Day is the number of jobs lost in state and local government in Oklahoma in June. In today’s Policy Note, the National Immigration Law Center explains the new deferred action relief process for eligible undocumented youth.
In The News
AG issues statement regarding allegations against the parole board
Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has issued this statement concerning allegations aimed at the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board by Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater. “Our office has been made aware of the allegations brought forward by Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater. Indeed, these allegations are of great concern because 85 percent crimes are some of the most heinous crimes committed against Oklahomans. The Legislature established a clear requirement so that victims and their families can be assured that an offender will serve no less than 85 percent of their sentence. Pruitt said.
Read more from The Daily Ardmoreite at http://www.ardmoreite.com/news/x1412424788/AG-issues-statement-regarding-allegations-against-the-parole-board
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin sees no malicious intent by Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board
Gov. Mary Fallin doesn’t believe members of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board acted maliciously, but her staff will be meeting next week with the agency’s officials to discuss a variety of ways to make their meetings and agendas more open, top aides said Thursday. “The implication is that it was secret because there was less information provided than should have been provided, according to D.A. (David) Prater,” said Denise Northrup, Fallin’s chief of staff. “There’s a distinct difference between someone ineligible for parole and what they’re doing, which is actually commuting a sentence.”
Read more from NewsOK at http://newsok.com/oklahoma-gov.-mary-fallin-sees-no-malicious-intent-by-oklahoma-pardon-and-parole-board/article/3699568#ixzz239Bea62g
Simpson ‘wasn’t surprised’ about audit
In Fallin’s letter to State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones, the governor referenced ODVA Director Martha Spear’s sudden retirement on Aug. 1 saying, “an orderly transition to new leadership requires a systematic and independent evaluation or organizational activities.” Simpson, who a member of the Senate group currently conducting a study into the ODVA and the multiple allegations of abuse and neglect at the state’s seven veterans centers said, “I wasn’t surprised by the audit request which is customary. However, it would appear, on the surface, it’s a more detailed request than is customarily done due to a resignation. It appears the audit is going to be looking at some of the issues we are reviewing in our senate study.”
Read more from the Daily Ardmoreite at http://www.ardmoreite.com/news/x1412424708/Simpson-wasn-t-surprised-about-audit?zc_p=1
Auto companies meet in OKC for natural gas plan
With nearly two dozen states looking to add natural gas-powered vehicles to their government fleets, it ultimately could push the public to follow suit in purchasing cars and trucks powered by cleaner, affordable and domestically produced fuel, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said Wednesday. Fallin spoke to a group of automobile manufacturers and dealers, and purchasing officials from more than a dozen states, following a discussion about an effort involving 22 states to solicit bids for the purchase of natural gas-powered vehicles for state fleets.
Read more from the Associated Press at http://enidnews.com/state/x1962245251/Auto-companies-meet-in-OKC-for-natural-gas-plan
Prosperity Policy: Charting our own course
But Fisher’s careful analysis found that states adhering to the ALEC-Laffer road map are not outpacing other states. In fact, by key measures, they’re lagging behind. Overall, the more a state followed the publication’s prescriptions, the lower its per capita income and median family income and the higher its poverty rate, Fisher found. Rather than being guided by a faulty map, Oklahomans should chart our own course. Our state can strike the right balance of being friendly to business and still making the critical investments in education, training, infrastructure, health and other crucial areas essential to making sure Oklahoma stays a great place to live and work.
Read more from The Journal Record at http://journalrecord.com/2012/08/08/prosperity-policy-charting-our-own-course-opinion/
Creek County fire officials think fire was set in violation of burn ban
Investigators with the Creek County Sheriff’s Office believe that a fire that destroyed hundreds of homes in a 58,000-acre area west of Mannford was set intentionally but likely without malice. It appears the fire was purposefully set in violation of a statewide burn ban, Sheriff Steve Toliver said Wednesday. Authorities are still looking into the specifics of the case, including the source of the fire.
Read more from the Tulsa World article http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=716&articleid=20120809_12_A1_CUTLIN822569&allcom=1
Oklahoma firefighters bring wildfires in Caddo, Creek, Cleveland counties under control
Oklahoma emergency management officials say firefighters battled wildfires in Caddo, Creek and Cleveland counties before bringing them under control. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management spokeswoman Keli Cain said it appeared the fires were under control early Thursday evening. Oklahoma Forestry Services spokeswoman Michelle Finch says that agency sent a helicopter Thursday afternoon to help fight a wildfire that burned about a half-square mile in Caddo County.
Read more from the Associated Press at http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/469097d3d5604b5f90d892baf7cb1302/OK–Oklahoma-Wildfires
Quote of the Day
Our state can strike the right balance of being friendly to business and still making the critical investments in education, training, infrastructure, health and other crucial areas essential to making sure Oklahoma stays a great place to live and work.
David Blatt, Director of Oklahoma Policy Institute
Number of the Day
900
Number of jobs lost in state and local government in Oklahoma in June, the largest job loss of any employment sector in the state.
Source: Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
See previous Numbers of the Day here.
Policy Note
Obama Administration’s Relief Process for Eligible Undocumented Youth
On June 15, 2012, President Barack Obama announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would not deport certain DREAM Act–eligible undocumented youth. Under a directive from the secretary of DHS, these youth will be given a type of temporary permission to stay in the U.S. called “deferred action.” Deferred action will be valid for two years and may be renewed at the end of the two years. Individuals who receive deferred action may apply for and may obtain employment authorization.
Read more from the National Immigration Law Center at http://www.nilc.org/FAQdeferredactionyouth.html
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