Archive for Cleveland County
Legislators Violate State Constitution
Posted by: | CommentsOpen letter to Speaker Benge/President Pro-Tempore Coffee:
I write to express my deep concern and disappointment in the Legislature’s action last session to direct $16 million dollars to OMRF and $1 Million to the Jim Thorpe Association.
As an active Republican (I currently am Chairman of the Cleveland County Republican Party), I am particularly disappointed that this multi-million dollar pass through was orchestrated by a Republican controlled Legislature.
Once upon a time, Republicans used to oppose such inappropriate and underhanded expenditures of taxpayers’ money. In fact, it wasn’t too long ago when you were in the minority that Republicans would vehemently oppose these pass through deals made by the Democrats. Like most Oklahomans, and certainly the majority of Republicans, I remember the dog food plant that the Democrat-controlled Legislature appropriated tax dollars for.
Art. 10, § 15(A) of the Okla. Const. says it very plainly:
“15. Pledge or loan of credit – Donation – Exceptions.
A. Except as provided by this section, the credit of the State shall not
be given, pledged, or loaned to any individual, company, corporation, or
association, municipality, or political subdivision of the State, nor
shall the State become an owner or stockholder in, nor make donation by
gift, subscription to stock, by tax, or otherwise, to any company,
association, or corporation.” (Emphasis added.)
See Op. Atty. Gen. No. 80-283, wherein appropriations to the Oklahoma
Historical Society were deemed in violation of the Constitution’s
Prohibition. You can get to the opinions of the Okla. A.G. from the
OSCN website.
Article 10, beginning with § 14 and including §§ 15, 16, 17 (local govt.) and 19. § 14 restricts the levy and collection of taxes to public purposes. § 15(A) prohibits the giving, pledging or
loaning the credit of the State (i.e. public funds) to any individual, company, association, municipality or political subdivision, except as provided in (B) thru (E).
Now that we are in the Majority – it looks like nothing has really changed. Sure, you don’t send the pass through to dog food plants -instead it’s going to medical research.
Republicans can and should support medical research. But the cause is not the issue here. Republicans must stand for accountability and transparency in government. The pass through scheme called for in Senate Bill 153 violates conservative principles and the Oklahoma Constitution, as our Republican leaders, you should know better than to keep on doing what the Democrats always did!
If you truly felt like spending $16 million for the OMRF and Jim Thorpe Foundation, then you should have done so in an open and honest manner. My understanding of the State Constitution is that it forbids such direct appropriations to private entities. Do you think that there is a good reason why there is such a prohibition in place?
While I am very disappointed in your leadership or lack thereof on this issue, I remain a devoted Republican. Please explain your position and offering reform minded solutions to how we can avoid this type of underhanded appropriation of taxpayers’ money.
Sincerely yours,
Robert L. Cleveland
Below is a short list of some of the companies that received state money.
1. Oklahoma quality awards program $75,000
2. Native American culture and education authority fund $7,079,742.00
3. Worldwide Creative Conference. $500,000
4. National Finals Rodeo ( Las Vegas) $200,000. This has nothing to do with Oklahoma
5. Indian Nations (Creek, Osage, and Tulsa Counties) $45,625
6. Jim Thorpe $1,000,000,00
7. OMRF $16,000,000,00 (private company that the Governors wife and another Henry are on the Board of Directors.
Here is a list of State Representatives that respects the Oklahoma Constitution and voted NO on the $16 million to OMRF and the $1 Million to Jim Thrope.
Banz, Cooksey, Dank, Derby, Faught, Johnson, Joyner, Kern, McCullough, McDaniel, RMoore, Murphey, Peterson, Reynolds, Ritze, Schwartz, Terrill, Thompson, Trebilcock, Wesselhoft, Wright.
In the Senate only one State Senator did not vote in favor of giving tax payers dollars to private companies. Senator Steve Russell.
The above elected officials are the only elected officials that voted to follow the Oklahoma Constitution. I, personally called numerous elected officials asking why they voted to violate the State Constitution, it’s clear they are more interested in being given a committee assignment (power) than doing what is best for the tax payers of Oklahoma. It is a total shame that we have elected Republicans that care more about following the orders of Speaker Benge and Senator Coffee than they do about the Oklahoma Constitution. Like one Legislator, stated to me, “If I had not followed Speaker Benge, directions, I would have lost my committee assignment”
Bobby Cleveland
AMR-7 Arthritis Pain Relief Gel – Great Success
Posted by: | CommentsJust wanted to give a little update on AMR-7 arthritis pain relief gel that Bob and Rod are launching nation wide. The Oklahoman, Norman Transcript and The Cleveland County Chronicles has written articles about it and its success. Many local pharmacies and Doctors have sold many hundreds of AMR-7. Take a look at this testimony from Kim Lock owner of Kendall’s Restaurant in Noble.
You can get it locally in Norman and Oklahoma City or on the web at www.getamr7.com.
Sarah Palin to Visit Norman on Her Book Tour
Posted by: | CommentsSarah is almost Here! Rules for this Thursday!
Gov. Palin is almost in the Sooner State, and I thought you all should be aware of how Hastings will be running things:
- All copies of Going Rogue are limited to Gov. Palin’s signature only.
- No personalization of the book.
- Limit two copies of Going Rogue per wristband.
- *First 1,000 wristbands guarantee signature.
(*Wristbands will be given at the beginning of the Hastings business day, 6:30am.)
- No memorabilia or additional items will be signed.
- Only attendees with purchased books will be permitted in the line.
- Only copies of Going Rogue that were purchased at Hastings will be signed. Receipt required.
- Cameras are allowed, but not in close proximity to the signing area. No photos while at signing table.
- No “carry items” other than copies of Going Rogue will be permitted in the signing area. Please leave any bags, purses, etc. in your car or be prepared to check them in the Hastings bag-check area inside the store.
- Gifts/Items: anyone wishing to leave gifts for Gov. Palin will be collected by the Hastings staff and delivered to Gov. Palin at the end of the event.
Last, it’s come to my attention that there is a possibility that there will be detractors picketing the event. It would be great if we made signs of support for Gov. Palin’s visit.
See you Thursday, don’t forget to come early and show Gov. Palin what a great state we live in!
Cleveland County Republican Party Reception – Tom Coburn – Tom Cole – Steve Russell
Posted by: | CommentsFriday night the Cleveland County County Republican Party had a reception with special guest attending and speaking – Senator Tom Coburn, Congressman Tom Cole and State Senator Steve Russell.






