Speaker comments on passing Sen. David Myers

Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, passed away early Friday morning. House Speaker Kris Steele issued the following statement on his passing:

“We already miss Senator Myers at the Capitol and in life. He was a gentle giant, bringing infectious doses of sincerity and dedication to everything he did. I was always thoroughly impressed by the thoughtful, conscientious approach he took to his service in the Senate. There is no doubt Senator Myers will be remembered as a statesman, through and through. I am honored to have served with him. The thoughts and prayers of the entire House of Representatives are with his family, friends and colleagues during this time of loss.” – House Speaker Kris Steele, R-Shawnee

Study Examines Transparency in Legislative Process

OKLAHOMA CITY – New rules requiring Oklahoma House of Representatives conference committees to meet in public have significantly enhanced the ability of the public and the press to monitor legislative actions, according to testimony today before the House Government Modernization committee.

            Oklahoma.Watchdog.Org Editor Peter J. Rudy told committee members that 2011 transparency reforms enhanced his ability to report on legislative activity that would have occurred behind closed doors in the past. Before 2011, lawmakers frequently approved significant changes to legislation late in the session with little public scrutiny. This year’s new House rules required a public hearing on any late session changes to legislation.

            The committee also heard testimony regarding the benefits of proposed House Bill 1085, which would apply Oklahoma’s open meeting and open record laws to the Oklahoma Legislature.

            “This year’s transparency reforms were substantive and have made the Oklahoma House of Representatives much more transparent and accessible to the public,” said state Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, the committee’s chairman. “However, that should not stop us from doing the right thing and ensuring the Legislature abides by the same transparency laws that are applied to other governing entities in Oklahoma.”

            OSU Professor Joey Senat told committee members that other states have successfully applied open meeting and open record laws to state legislatures while balancing the privacy concerns of constituents. The Oklahoma Legislature is one of only three state legislatures explicitly exempted from open records law.

            Delaware State Sen. Karen Peterson detailed the positive outcomes of the application of transparency reform in her state. Peterson told the committee that concerns put forward by the opponents of change proved to be unfounded.

Speaker fills vacancies on committees working on water, DHS



Speaker Kris Steele



OKLAHOMA CITY – House Speaker Kris Steele on Wednesday named Rep. Lisa J. Billy as a future member of the Joint Water Committee and Rep. Richard Morrissette as vice-chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services.

Billy, R-Purcell, will fill the Water Committee position now held by Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa, who is leaving the Legislature later this month.

“As a distinguished member of the Chickasaw Nation, Representative Billy will be very effective in making sure tribal perspectives are heard in our water discussions. She’s a tenacious, dedicated legislator whose skills will be a big help as we work on the highly important and complex issue of water policy,” said Steele, R-Shawnee.

Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City, will fill the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services vice-chairman position formerly held by Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, who was asked to serve as chairman of the committee last week. The committee is responsible for budgeting for the Department of Human Services.

“Representatives Nelson and Morrissette may come from different political camps, but their shared desire to improve DHS transcends politics. They’ll be a dynamic team next session as they work to ensure that the dollars appropriated to DHS are used in the best possible ways,” Steele said. “I know Representative Morrissette won’t be shy about putting forth bold ideas. When it comes to DHS, that’s precisely what we need.”

Cockroft Column: Pushing for OJA Improvements

I have been recently meeting with local and state officials to address the issues that have arisen in connection to the Office of Juvenile Affairs. An increased interest in the agency grew out of the high-profile escape of three juveniles from the Tecumseh facility early this month.

Many constituents have shared their concern for the safety of the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center facility in Tecumseh and their desire for better management of the entire OJA system. I also have constituents who are employed at the facility.

I have met with Oklahoma House Speaker Kris Steele to express my concerns over the necessity of better accountability from the OJA board and better management at the state level. He has asked me to help lead the effort from a legislative standpoint.

It is unacceptable that we find ourselves in a position where juveniles have been moved from a high-security facility into a facility with lower security capabilities. It is unacceptable that the safety and well-being of our citizens is threatened. The Oklahoma Legislature needs to take the lead on this issue.

I have had many employees and former workers at several juvenile facilities express concerns over their safety every day. I want to make sure they are adequately protected and are appreciated for the work they do. Currently, they have hardly any assurance of bodily protection if a situation arises. I believe that’s wrong. These men and women play a vital role in our state.

I believe the first step is proper leadership, both at the local level at each facility and at the state level through tough legislation that provides this core function of state government in funding and resources. On the local side, I am pleased with the selection of Jerry Fry as the superintendent of the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center facility. I have had the pleasure of working and conversing with Jerry before and have complete confidence that he is the man for the job. He has a tough road ahead of him, but I look forward to working together.

I am committed to working with legislators, state officials and people across my district and the state to find solutions. Anyone with ideas, questions or concerns, please contact my office at (405) 557-7349 or by e-mail at josh.cockroft@okhouse.gov.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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