Andy’s Blog
The Teacher Exodus
This year Exodus is more than just a book in the Bible. Fox 25 Television reporter, Wendy Suarez, has a report today about the difficulties Oklahoma public schools are having in attracting and retaining teachers. The problem has been growing for several years. This year is by far the worst it has been. Just last night I watched as the Board for the Mid-Del Public Schools agonized over this issue. There are currently 39 open teaching spots in Mid-Del. That's 39 - AFTER reworking schedules to consolidate classrooms (read: larger class sizes).
How not to treat a Veteran - Round 2
Once again Governor Stitt has shown his complete lack of respect for those who serve the rest of us by summarily dismissing Larry Van Schuyver and Paul Costilow from the Oklahoma Veterans Commission. Their crime? They wouldn’t fire an honorable man. Why does Stitt continue to treat our military veterans so poorly?
A right way — and a wrong way
Yesterday, the Tulsa World broke the news that a second whistleblower has come forward to allege wrongdoing at Oklahoma’s Commission of the Land Office (a.k.a., the CLO).
It’s interesting to compare the approach to this news by Governor Stitt and Superintendent Hofmeister…
Huge Savings!
Don’t hold your breath over the huge tax cut you’re being promised. (Hint: It’s just as big as the one you got this year. What! You didn’t know you already got a tax cut?)
Unchallenged Incumbents
What happens when an incumbent legislator runs for office and does not draw an opponent? In Oklahoma, they win their election automatically. Regardless of whether their constituents want the legislator, they are stuck with them.
Doesn't seem right, does it?
How not to treat a Veteran
My thoughts on the disrespectful way Governor Kevin Stitt dismissed Oklahoma Adjutant General Mike Thompson.
$6,000 for a COVID Test?
Many of you have emailed me with concerns about outrageous COVID test charges.
Unfortunately, it's true.
Some testing facilities in Oklahoma charge crazy stupid amounts for routine COVID tests. The amounts are as high as they are in some states like Texas. But it’s still ridiculous. And right now it’s legal…
An opportunity for rural Oklahoma
The Rural Oklahoma Small Business Competitive Wage Tax Credit is a lifeboat for Oklahoma small business owners and their employees.
Budget negotiations are underway at the Capitol, where there are two competing ideas between the House and the Senate. Federal CARES Act dollars kept Oklahoma’s economy above water the past year and has positioned Oklahoma to…
Legislation to Overhaul Rainy Day Calculation Filed
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, filed legislation for the upcoming 58th Legislative Session to change the way Oklahoma calculates how much money the state government saves in the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
Ballotpedia Responses
Here are links to my Ballotpedia Candidate Connection questionnaire responses.
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…