House Speaker-designate elected

Rep. T.W. Shannon has been elected House Speaker-designate for the 54th Oklahoma Legislature.

The House Republican Caucus elected Shannon, R-Lawton, as Speaker-designate during a caucus meeting Monday morning at the Capitol.

Should Republicans maintain their majority in the House following next year’s election cycle, Shannon will be next in line to serve as Speaker of the House beginning in November 2012, when current House Speaker Kris Steele leaves office due to term limits.

“The House will be in good hands under Representative Shannon’s leadership,” said Steele, R-Shawnee. “T.W. is a dynamic and capable leader who will continue to work hard for the state of Oklahoma. I look forward to begin working with him to ensure a smooth leadership transition next year.”

Shannon and Reps. Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview, and Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, were the candidates for Speaker-designate.

“The three candidates who made themselves available to fill this position are fine public servants and are to be commended for their enthusiastic desire to be leaders in Oklahoma’s effort to grow as a state,” Steele said.

Shannon, 33, said he looks forward to working with Steele and the rest of the House in the coming months.

“I was extremely humbled by the support shown by my colleagues today,” Shannon said. “I am excited and ready to stand behind Speaker Steele to help grow our majority in the coming election and assist in advancing a conservative agenda that will make Oklahoma a destination to live, work and raise a family.”

Shannon, an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, is a sixth generation Oklahoman and third generation Lawtonian. He has served in the Legislature since 2006, representing House District 62. Shannon previously served as a congressional staffer for U.S. Reps. J.C. Watts and Tom Cole.

Shannon and his wife, Devon, also a Lawton native, are the parents of a daughter, Audrey Grace, and a son, Tahrohon Wayne II.

Shannon holds a bachelor of arts in communications from Cameron University and a juris doctorate from Oklahoma City University.

Constituents Request Protections for Emergency Responders

At the request of several constituents, I am planning to file legislation in the 2012 legislative session that would protect emergency first responders at their alternate places of employment. These constituents and I both feel that individuals who are willing to lay their lives on the line every day for us deserve a safety net.

Not only do I think first responders deserve our special consideration, but I also think it is prudent to encourage individuals to serve as first responders in rural Oklahoma. We do not want there to be a shortage in this critical area of public safety.

My bill would require employers to allow employees who also work as emergency first responders to take emergency calls without any threat of termination. This would address concerns that first responders could lose their jobs because of employers who didn’t like them leaving on an emergency call and firing them.

I am hoping to get input from various groups leading up to the legislative session, which begins in February 2012. For those wanting to weigh in on this or any other issue, please contact my office at (405) 557-7349 or by e-mail at https://webmail.okhouse.gov/owa/redir.aspx?C=0b75c6c282fe4da187508f12a22e1f3a&URL=mailto%3ajosh.cockroft%40okhouse.gov.

Back to School = Back to Work

It’s time for school again! Over the last couple of weeks it has been great to see all the kids heading towards school as I head towards work. It reminds me of a time not that long ago when I was anticipating that first day as well. This time of year is filled with so many emotions and new things for each student, but it also includes many things for the teachers and administrators of each school.
During my first session in the legislature I gained a new appreciation and admiration for these individuals who pour so many hours into our student’s lives. I have spent many hours talking with these teachers and administrators and have seen their heart. They are amazing people who long to see our children succeed in life and I am extremely grateful for them.
I am committed to making sure our educators have the tools that they need to successfully guide our children. I am a huge advocate of local control in our school systems and believe that our parents and teachers know what is best for our students. I became frustrated during the legislative session with the legislature, other State leaders, and members of my own party, as they tried to impose reform on our rural schools when it wasn’t in our best interest. While I believe that many of these reform issues would work for larger urban school districts, I couldn’t see them improving our rural schools. In talking with our teachers and administrators I found that they feel the same.
Like I have said before, I believe my job as a Representative is to be accessible and accountable to my constituents. I plan on meeting again with each of the schools and their administrators and teachers this fall. My hope is that these meetings will bring ideas and solutions to improving education in our area.
If you, an individual or a teacher, have ideas or would like to meet with me for any reason, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would love to talk with you! That’s what I’m here for!
Call my office at: 405-557-7349, email me at: josh.cockroft@okhouse.gov, and follow me on Twitter: VoteCockroft27 and Facebook. Follow my blog at: repjoshcockroft.blogspot.com

Majority of Oklahoma House Prepared to Ratify Balanced Budget Agreement

OKLAHOMA CITY – A majority of the members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have declared their intent to make Oklahoma one of the first states to ratify a federal Balanced Budget Amendment.
Last week, 42 Oklahoma legislators signed a letter in support of a proposed federal Balanced Budget Amendment. The letter expresses the legislators’ support of the amendment and declares the legislators’ intent to work for ratification of the proposal in Oklahoma.
This week, an additional 22 legislators signed the letter, bringing the total number of signers to 64. On Thursday, the letter containing additional signatures was sent to Oklahoma’s congressional delegation and the congressional sponsors of the amendment.
“If the Balanced Budget Amendment is approved by Congress, we are committed to supporting and working for ratification in Oklahoma,” the letter states. “We are confident that if given the opportunity, Oklahoma will be one of the first states to ratify the Balanced Budget Amendment.”
Signers of the letter include much of House leadership, including House Speaker Kris Steele, Speaker Pro Tem Jeff Hickman, Majority Floor Leader Dan Sullivan, Appropriations and Budget Chairman Earl Sears and Majority Caucus Chairman Weldon Watson. House Rules Committee Chairman Gary Banz also signed the letter. Banz’s committee would likely oversee the development and advancement of the ratification resolution.
Other signers include state Reps. Don Armes, John Bennett, Gus Blackwell, David Brumbaugh, Dennis Casey, Josh Cockroft, Ann Coody, Marian Cooksey, David Dank, Lee Denney, David Derby, George Faught, Elise Hall, Tommy Hardin, Corey Holland, Randy Grau, Dennis Johnson, Charlie Joyner, Dan Kirby, Sally Kern, Charles Key, Guy Liebmann, James Lockhart, Scott Martin, Steve Martin, Mark McCullough, Randy McDaniel, Lewis Moore, Glen Mulready, Jason Murphey, Jason Nelson, Tom Newell, Jadine Nollan, Leslie Osborn, Pat Ownbey, Ron Peters, Pam Peterson, Phil Richardson, R.C. Pruett, Sean Roberts, Mike Sanders, Colby Schwartz, Seneca Scott, T.W. Shannon, Randy Terrill, Todd Thomsen, Steve Vaughn, Paul Wesselhoft and Harold Wright.
The letter was also signed by state Sens. Mark Allen, Josh Brecheen, Bill Brown, Greg Treat, Jim Halligan, David Holt, Clark Jolley, Steve Russell and Gary Stanislawski.

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Oklahoma Legislators Prepared to Ratify Balanced Budget Amendment

A group of 42 Oklahoma legislators have signed on in support of a proposed federal Balanced Budget Amendment. On Tuesday, the group sent a letter to the U.S. congressional sponsors of the proposal and Oklahoma’s congressional delegation. The letter expresses the legislators’ support of the Balanced Budget Amendment and declares the legislators’ intent to work for ratification of the proposal in Oklahoma.
            “If the Balanced Budget Amendment is approved by Congress, we are committed to supporting and working for ratification in Oklahoma,” the letter states. “We are confident that if given the opportunity, Oklahoma will be one of the first states to ratify the Balanced Budget Amendment.”
            Signers of the letter include several members of House leadership, including House Speaker Kris Steele, Speaker Pro Tem Jeff Hickman and Majority Floor Leader Dan Sullivan. House Rules Committee Chairman Gary Banz also signed the letter. Banz’s committee would likely oversee the development and advancement of the ratification resolution.
            Other signers include state Reps. John Bennett, David Brumbaugh, Dennis Casey, Josh Cockroft, Marian Cooksey, David Derby, George Faught, Randy Grau, Sally Kern, Charles Key, Scott Martin, Steve Martin, Mark McCullough, Randy McDaniel, Lewis Moore, Glen Mulready, Jason Murphey, Jason Nelson, Tom Newell, Pat Ownbey, Ron Peters, Phil Richardson, Mike Sanders, Colby Schwartz, Seneca Scott, T.W. Shannon, Randy Terrill, Todd Thomsen, Steve Vaughn, Paul Wesselhoft and Harold Wright.
            The letter was also signed by state Sens. Josh Brecheen, Bill Brown, Greg Treat, Jim Halligan, David Holt, Clark Jolley and Steve Russell.

The Importance of Buying Local

Rep. Josh Cockroft

Oklahoma City - With so much going on at the national and state level right now, we sometimes forget about the importance of our local economy and local government entities. Local sales taxes support municipal public safety, roads, schools and drainage and sewer systems. Even if your state and federal representatives are doing everything right, your life will be drastically affected by how your immediate neighborhood and town are functioning.

Although schools receive state funding, much of their key infrastructure revenue comes from local sales and property taxes. Small school districts are especially vulnerable to a decrease in revenue. Outdated drainage and sewer systems can lead to backups, flooding and other problems that can destroy homes. Even if your community is relatively safe, good municipal public safety forces reduce insurance rates.

We have all grown up around friends and neighbors who are part of the local economy. When we spend money in their shops or at their places of employment, we are contributing to their well-being. We are also helping to develop a robust economy that will provide local jobs for our children as they grow up.

One way to help boost your local community is to buy local. Even small towns with just one gas station will see a great difference in local revenue if you support that gas station rather than one in the next town over. Some of us live near a bigger city. We may at times spend money there for convenience. Especially in these hard economic times though, we should consider what our local community offers and whether or not our money would be better spent there.


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The $70 Man - Rep. Rusty Farley

An excellent article by GOP Chairman Matt Pinnell about our great friend and colleague, Rep. Rusty Farley.

    As most of you have heard by now, Republican State Representative Rusty Farley passed away on the Fourth of July. The day after the 4th he was set to leave on a missions trip with his church.

This 18-year member of the Haworth school board is probably the best example we have that an honest, solid conservative can win anywhere in Oklahoma. House District 1 is McCurtain County, in far southeastern Oklahoma. Only 11.8% of voters are registered Republicans, and 5.2% are Independents, Farley got 50.83% of the vote last year. Impressive no matter what the circumstances.

Did I mention that his opponent spent over $20,000 on his reelection bid, while Farley spent $70? Yep, Farley spent $70 and won the race. Now that's one heck of a conservative when you can stretch $70 that far!
Rep. Farley didn't need to prove his worth to his constituents- he knew who he was and so did District 1 voters. And so, this past legislative session Rep. Farley didn't write a ton of legislation. Nope, in fact Rep. Farley authored just one bill.
He must have read Goldwater's "Conscience of a Conservative," in which he so eloquently states:
"I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution or that have failed their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is "needed" before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents "interests," I shall reply that I was informed that their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can."
Yes, you did the very best you could, Rep. Farley, and may it be an example to all of us.