Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
House Adopts Historic Rules Reform to Increase Transparency
This week marked the beginning of Oklahoma’s 53rd Legislature and already historic strides have taken place. In addition to hearing the State of the State delivered by our state’s first female Governor, House lawmakers voted to dramatically reform the chamber’s rules of operation by increasing openness and public oversight.
The newly adopted rules represent a major shift in the way business is conducted at the state Capitol. While tremendous progress toward increased transparency has occurred in recent years, the rule changes recently adopted dramatically increase the opportunity for public scrutiny of legislative actions. The new rules also better equip members to make informed decisions, and provide better safeguards against last-minute changes escaping thorough review.
The reforms produce a more transparent process. Ordinarily, when the House and Senate vote in favor of different versions of the same bill, the legislation is often sent to a joint conference committee where a final version is negotiated. Previously, those conference committees did not convene in any actual meeting of the members and no votes were cast in public.
Under the reforms adopted this week, standing conference committees will be established to handle measures assigned to conference. These committees will now hold public meetings and all votes will be recorded. In addition, a detailed listing of bills on the agenda for each conference committee meeting will be publicly posted in advance.
The reforms include a steadfast 24-hour rule requiring conference committee reports to be filed and posted online for a full day before they are eligible to be considered on the House floor.
In addition, the House and Senate are in the process of proposing joint rules to eliminate “shell” appropriation bills. In past sessions, shell bills were measures that did not contain actual dollar amounts. After these bills passed through both chambers, in the final weeks of session, a conference committee was formed to reach a budget agreement.
The new joint rules will eliminate the time previously wasted on shell bills by removing them from the legislative process. Instead, all appropriation measures will be sent directly to a new joint House/Senate committee on appropriations and budget, thus allowing work on the budget to proceed in a more timely and efficient manner.
Public scrutiny and oversight are vital to a healthy democracy. The rule changes recently enacted are bold reforms that set the right tone for the start of this legislative session.
An excellent article submitted by Speaker Steele on the House rules that were adopted this week!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Weekly NewsPaper Column
Governor Mary Fallin spoke eloquently in her first State of the State address and touched on the concern of most Oklahomans, that state government has grown too big. I could not be more proud to serve alongside the state's first female governor, especially one who so represents the conservative values of average Oklahomans.
The governor affirmed what I believe to be true - state agencies can continue to operate effectively with less money. Her proposed budget would reduce education funding by 2.9 percent and generally cut agencies by 3 to 5 percent. In her speech, she stated her goals of creating greater efficiency through a statewide transition to paperless billing and payments, a consolidation of IT and personnel services and a uniform financial system to be used by all state agencies. With these cost-savings measures and agency budget cuts, the overall state budget would be reduced by 5.4 percent.
I support the idea of spreading the cuts out in a way so that no agency is given too drastic a budget reduction. Priority state services should receive smaller cuts than agencies that do not provide core services. It was also notable that transportation funding was increased so as to continue the repair and replacement of the state's roads and bridges.
Governor Fallin stated her commitment to addressing the $16 billion in unfunded liability in the state's pension systems and her support of education reform. I could not agree more that it is past time to ensure Oklahoma students receive a quality education and to fix our pension system so that we are able to meet the obligations we have set forth.
The governor's address confirmed that she and lawmakers have the same goals and a similar plan of action. I am looking forward to the Legislature's collaboration with her in moving our state forward.
The governor affirmed what I believe to be true - state agencies can continue to operate effectively with less money. Her proposed budget would reduce education funding by 2.9 percent and generally cut agencies by 3 to 5 percent. In her speech, she stated her goals of creating greater efficiency through a statewide transition to paperless billing and payments, a consolidation of IT and personnel services and a uniform financial system to be used by all state agencies. With these cost-savings measures and agency budget cuts, the overall state budget would be reduced by 5.4 percent.
I support the idea of spreading the cuts out in a way so that no agency is given too drastic a budget reduction. Priority state services should receive smaller cuts than agencies that do not provide core services. It was also notable that transportation funding was increased so as to continue the repair and replacement of the state's roads and bridges.
Governor Fallin stated her commitment to addressing the $16 billion in unfunded liability in the state's pension systems and her support of education reform. I could not agree more that it is past time to ensure Oklahoma students receive a quality education and to fix our pension system so that we are able to meet the obligations we have set forth.
The governor's address confirmed that she and lawmakers have the same goals and a similar plan of action. I am looking forward to the Legislature's collaboration with her in moving our state forward.
Cockroft Describes First Days Of Session
Dist. 27 Rep. Josh Cockroft reported late Tuesday that the first two days of the Oklahoma Legislature were interesting and exciting.
Calling The Countywide & Sun on his way home to Tecumseh from the Capitol, Cockroft said he was “very encouraged” by Gov. Mary Fallin’s State of the State address Monday, “especially from the standpoint of the economy and looking ahead to this next year. We have to have responsible government. I believe we can do it.
“When you hear your governor talking about cuts across the board – well, I was very pleased to hear everything. Especially near and dear to my heart was her plan for reducing and eventually cutting the income tax.” Cockroft is sponsoring a bill on that issue and said he is “excited to be working with her (Fallin) on it.”
Cockroft, who grew up in the McLoud area, moved to Tecumseh after his marriage last month.
For more on Cockroft’s impression of the first two days of the legislative session, see this week’s print edition of The Countywide & Sun.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Legislation Would Phase Out Income Taxes
Legislation Would Phase Out Income Tax
Direct Link to This Story
Contact: State Rep. Josh Cockroft
Capitol: (405) 557-7349
OKLAHOMA CITY (February 8, 2011) – Legislation authored by state Rep. Josh Cockroft would further lower the state income tax to 5 percent in 2011 and phase it out by 2016.
House Bill 1543 would reduce the income tax by 1 percent each year, down to 0 percent in 2016.
“I think that Oklahomans no longer support the state income tax and would like lawmakers to come up with a new way to fund state government,” Cockroft, R-Tecumseh, said. “Texas gets by without a state income tax and I think that Oklahoma can as well.”
Cockroft said that in addition to changing the source of revenue, the Legislature would focus on reducing state spending.
“The state needs to eliminate wasteful spending and join the 21st century as an affordable and efficient form of government,” Cockroft said. “I think that there are many places where reform and common sense will result in effective government services for less.”
Direct Link to This Story
Contact: State Rep. Josh Cockroft
Capitol: (405) 557-7349
OKLAHOMA CITY (February 8, 2011) – Legislation authored by state Rep. Josh Cockroft would further lower the state income tax to 5 percent in 2011 and phase it out by 2016.
House Bill 1543 would reduce the income tax by 1 percent each year, down to 0 percent in 2016.
“I think that Oklahomans no longer support the state income tax and would like lawmakers to come up with a new way to fund state government,” Cockroft, R-Tecumseh, said. “Texas gets by without a state income tax and I think that Oklahoma can as well.”
Cockroft said that in addition to changing the source of revenue, the Legislature would focus on reducing state spending.
“The state needs to eliminate wasteful spending and join the 21st century as an affordable and efficient form of government,” Cockroft said. “I think that there are many places where reform and common sense will result in effective government services for less.”
Monday, February 7, 2011
Josh Cockroft Begins Political Career
SHAWNEE, Okla. —
(by Robby Short, Shawnee News Star)
Rep. Josh Cockroft, who at 21 is one of the three youngest members serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in the session which begins Monday, is author of seven bills.
Cockroft is one of eight children. All eight were home schooled by both parents. Cockroft also attended online classes at Calvary Chapel Bible College in California for two semesters.
“I was really blessed to be in the situation that I was in, having my parents teach me,” Cockroft said. “My mom majored in journalism in college and my dad majored in math. I was extremely fortunate to receive a high quality education. Given the chance to do it again, I would in a heartbeat.”
Cockroft said he will continue working as an apprentice for Efficient Heating and Cooling in Moore following the legislative session.
“I am taking time off for the legislative session, but will return to work for the company in June,” Cockroft said. “I will obtain my journeyman license in early summer and will be a certified technician at that point. I’ve worked with this company for about eight months, and will probably be working with them for some time to come.”
Cockroft is author of H.B. 1543, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2011, which would set a five year phase-out of the state income tax.
“This will allow taxpayers to retain more of their hard earned money which will in turn, stimulate our economy,” Cockroft said. “It is best when the government takes a step back and allows individuals to live their lives freely.
Three of Cockroft seven bills deal with education.
H.B. 1544 would change school board election dates to match state, county, and local election cycles. H.B. 1546 would give students elective credit for administration-approved volunteer community service. And H.B. 1545 would give all military personnel in-state status, which would wave out-of-state tuition for service members living and attending college in the state.
“We must find out how we can help our students gain the highest quality of education they can. We need to look at how technology can help us in the classroom,” Cockroft said. “We must look at getting out of the, ‘we’ve done it this way for years’ mentality, and look for new innovative ways to help our students.”
HJR 1017 will redirect a percentage of new growth from property taxes toward county funds that are used to cover transportation costs for the state.
“Over the next year, I want to look at how we can redirect some of the taxes that are gained from diesel and gasoline, as well as tag and license fees, that are going to the general revenue right now, and place them in the transportation budget,” Cockroft explained. “This will allow more funds that were meant for transportation to be used in the construction and maintenance of roadways and bridges.”
The remaining bills authored by Cockroft are H.B. 1547 which would eliminate local fees for concealed carry permit applicants, and H.B. 1542 which he said would brand drivers’ licenses for DUI and DWI offenders.
“I don’t have any political aspirations at all right now. I don’t believe a statesman should ever plan his next step in politics, because when you plan it out, it becomes easier to compromise your beliefs to gain votes,” Cockroft said. “If God has bigger plans for me in politics, I don’t know. I’ll take that one step at a time. I want to focus on doing the best where I am now before worrying about my next move.”
Rep. Josh Cockroft, who at 21 is one of the three youngest members serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in the session which begins Monday, is author of seven bills.
Cockroft is one of eight children. All eight were home schooled by both parents. Cockroft also attended online classes at Calvary Chapel Bible College in California for two semesters.
“I was really blessed to be in the situation that I was in, having my parents teach me,” Cockroft said. “My mom majored in journalism in college and my dad majored in math. I was extremely fortunate to receive a high quality education. Given the chance to do it again, I would in a heartbeat.”
Cockroft said he will continue working as an apprentice for Efficient Heating and Cooling in Moore following the legislative session.
“I am taking time off for the legislative session, but will return to work for the company in June,” Cockroft said. “I will obtain my journeyman license in early summer and will be a certified technician at that point. I’ve worked with this company for about eight months, and will probably be working with them for some time to come.”
Cockroft is author of H.B. 1543, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2011, which would set a five year phase-out of the state income tax.
“This will allow taxpayers to retain more of their hard earned money which will in turn, stimulate our economy,” Cockroft said. “It is best when the government takes a step back and allows individuals to live their lives freely.
Three of Cockroft seven bills deal with education.
H.B. 1544 would change school board election dates to match state, county, and local election cycles. H.B. 1546 would give students elective credit for administration-approved volunteer community service. And H.B. 1545 would give all military personnel in-state status, which would wave out-of-state tuition for service members living and attending college in the state.
“We must find out how we can help our students gain the highest quality of education they can. We need to look at how technology can help us in the classroom,” Cockroft said. “We must look at getting out of the, ‘we’ve done it this way for years’ mentality, and look for new innovative ways to help our students.”
HJR 1017 will redirect a percentage of new growth from property taxes toward county funds that are used to cover transportation costs for the state.
“Over the next year, I want to look at how we can redirect some of the taxes that are gained from diesel and gasoline, as well as tag and license fees, that are going to the general revenue right now, and place them in the transportation budget,” Cockroft explained. “This will allow more funds that were meant for transportation to be used in the construction and maintenance of roadways and bridges.”
The remaining bills authored by Cockroft are H.B. 1547 which would eliminate local fees for concealed carry permit applicants, and H.B. 1542 which he said would brand drivers’ licenses for DUI and DWI offenders.
“I don’t have any political aspirations at all right now. I don’t believe a statesman should ever plan his next step in politics, because when you plan it out, it becomes easier to compromise your beliefs to gain votes,” Cockroft said. “If God has bigger plans for me in politics, I don’t know. I’ll take that one step at a time. I want to focus on doing the best where I am now before worrying about my next move.”
And so it begins...
It has been a while since my last post, but a lot has definitely happened. Over the last month I have gotten married, gone on a honeymoon, filed final legislation, and now today have started the legislative session. I am definitely ready to get to work!
This is an exciting time for our State! We must make sure that our State government is efficient and responsible, always doing what is best for the people of this great State. I will begin to update you in the following days and weeks about the legislation that is coming up on the floor and out of committees. I have several bills that I have authored and will be talking with you about. I look forward to the next several months as I get the priviledge to serve you!
God Bless,
Rep. Josh Cockroft
This is an exciting time for our State! We must make sure that our State government is efficient and responsible, always doing what is best for the people of this great State. I will begin to update you in the following days and weeks about the legislation that is coming up on the floor and out of committees. I have several bills that I have authored and will be talking with you about. I look forward to the next several months as I get the priviledge to serve you!
God Bless,
Rep. Josh Cockroft
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