Andy’s Blog
Opportunity
Each year the United States spends approximately $20 Billion to provide rental assistance to low-income families through Housing Choice Vouchers.
What? You’ve never heard of Housing Choice Vouchers? Perhaps you know them by the more common name…
Confusion
Yesterday, I posted about the request my colleagues and I have made for an official Attorney General’s opinion on the Governor’s allocation of GEER funds. The Governor’s spokesman, Charlie Hannema has gone on the record as saying this “have[sic] no merit whatsoever.”
I’m not an attorney and I don’t know if Mr. Hannema is one either. But our opinions are less important in this than Attorney General Mike Hunter. It’s his job to help our state sort through the legal intricacies involved and that’s why we requested his opinion.
Unlawful Spending
Recently, two separate federal courts ruled against the US Education Department’s efforts to redirect CARES Act money to private schools. The courts said the CARES Act language was very explicit in how the money was to be spent and Secretary Devos’ “scheme” was completely unlawful. After the second court ruling, Secretary Devos changed course.
It’s time for Oklahoma to do the same. That’s why my colleagues and I requested a formal Attorney General’s opinion regarding our Governor’s allocation to private schools of …
When voters can’t vote
There are times when Oklahoma voters are denied the right to decide who will represent them. This is a simple idea to change the rules to allow all registered voters to participate in the selection process.
Legislative Update 2020
An important part of my job is helping constituents with government issues. I love it when we make government work for you! Recently I have focused on unemployment and health concerns. While it certainly feels good to help people, things shouldn’t be this way. Government should work for EVERYONE, not only those who are wealthy, powerful, or connected. You shouldn’t have to “know someone.” I firmly believe it's our responsibility as elected leaders to make it work. Period. I'm frustrated when it doesn't…
It’s finally here.
Tomorrow we go to the polls to cast our ballots. I’m told that as a candidate I’m supposed to be rushing around frantically. I'm supposed to be second guessing everything and worrying.
Well, in my 30 years of leading and planning large technology projects, I've learned it isn't necessary…
Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
It is time to move beyond “waste, fraud, and abuse” as an election year talking point. We’ve had a decade of this rallying cry. Let’s set the record straight.
Partisanship
Today’s environment at our state capitol is unlike anything I’ve seen in the 33 years I’ve watched our legislature. Our elected officials no longer listen to each other, and it’s no longer just about political parties. Today a single party controls all facets of state government. But it's clear the Governor, the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tem of the Senate are not talking to each other. Instead, we have shouting, finger pointing, and game playing. The people of Oklahoma deserve better.
Here’s what we can do…