Grassroots Effort Helps Citizens Speak With State Legislators (News9)
February 15th, 2017
By Aaron Brilbeck
OKLAHOMA CITY - Most days the halls of the state Capitol are filled with legislators and lobbyists, but that's starting to change with a grassroots effort to get Oklahomans more involved.
Going to a place like the Capitol and talking with lawmakers can be downright intimidating. That's where the group Let's Fix This comes into play.
The group works with individuals, often through social media, to take the fear out of meeting with lawmakers.
The group is non-partisan, doesn't promote individual legislation, and they said their goal is to educate the electorate while pushing for open and transparent government.
"What we want to do is not just rally, make noise. It's not really my thing. We want you to meet your legislators and for them to meet you," said Andy Moore of Let's Fix This.
"You're here because our state matters to you, and today is your day to be lobbyists. You're lobbying for everyday Oklahomans, whatever your issue is," state Rep. Jason Dunnington, D-District 88, said.
Wednesday, folks working with Let's Fix This met with lawmakers about everything from taxes and education to jobs and business growth.
If you'd like to learn more, you can check out their website, letsfixthisok.org.
http://www.news9.com/story/34514065/grassroots-effort-helps-citizens-speak-with-state-legislators
Press Release: Let’s Fix This Kicks Off Series of Capitol Events for Everyday Folks, Legislators
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Andy@letsfixthisok.org
405-361-2027
Let’s Fix This Kicks Off Series of Capitol Events for Everyday Folks, Legislators
Non-partisan group helps Oklahomans navigate the hallways of the Capitol
OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 14, 2017) — Tomorrow morning dozens of Oklahomans will step foot in their state’s capitol, many for the first time ever. That’s thanks to Let’s Fix This, a non-partisan group that encourages everyday Oklahomans to reach out to their legislators and get involved in what’s happening at Capitol.
The next Capitol Day begins Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 9 a.m. in room 412A at the Oklahoma State Capitol. People from all political parties – or no political affiliation - are welcome to attend.
Andy Moore, executive director of Let’s Fix This, hopes to encourage all Oklahomans to begin a conversation with their legislators about issues that matter to them.
“Oklahoma politics is more unpredictable than ever, which makes it more important for all citizens to voice their concerns to their legislators,” Moore said. “Our events are non-partisan – we’re not here to support certain issues – we’re just helping folks find their way around the Capitol and encouraging them to let their representatives and senators know what matters to them.”
For those who can’t meet at the capitol during the work day, a Capitol Crawl is planned from 5-9 p.m. at several pubs and restaurants on Uptown 23rd. Citizens can come meet with legislators in a more relaxed setting.
The Let’s Fix This organization began last legislative session with a simple idea from Moore that if enough people felt encouraged to visit with their legislators, some positive changes could occur. After creating a Facebook event one evening and inviting his friends, Moore witnessed interest in the event skyrocket to nearly 600 people.
“We’re looking forward to encouraging more engagement from the public in what happens at the Capitol,” Moore said. “Everyday citizens can make a difference, just by contacting their legislators and voicing their opinions about the issues.”
For more information on this and other Let’s Fix This events: https://www.facebook.com/LetsFixThisOK/
To learn more about Let’s Fix It, check out the website at https://www.letsfixthisok.org/
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State tax/revenue options being thrown around to help with budget shortfall (OKC Fox25)
January 3, 2017
By Jordann Lucero
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — In just about one month, lawmakers will convene at the Oklahoma State Capitol to start a new legislative session.
With the state budget looking to be about $868 million short, state leaders have said we need to find new ways to bring in money including new taxes on things from cigarettes to sodas.
"I think it is important for everyone to realize we are not cutting our way out of this budget hole," Oklahoma Secretary of Finance Preston Doerflinger said.
Some lawmakers have said they will seriously look at increasing Oklahoma's motor fuel tax this session.
It has now been 30 years since the tax on fuel has increased. In 1987, tax on regular gas was set at 17 cents a gallon and diesel at 14 cents a gallon.
Another option being tosses around, a tax on sugary drinks like soda.
Oklahoma Democrats point to a Harvard study that calculated just in Oklahoma City, taxing soda at a penny per ounce would generate $26 million a year.
Governor Mary Fallin has suggested increasing taxes on cigarettes, which was voted down last year and taxing 150 services and things currently exempt from sales tax like, car washes.
Andy Moore started the group "Let's Fix This", a grassroots group that helps you get in touch with your lawmaker to ask for change and voice your opinions.
"I think lawmakers need to know what people want, the community. If we don't talk with them, then they can't really represent us. And so the biggest thing we can do is show up," Moore said.
He says you should review the tax options and say which you like or don't or share your ideas.
Civic engagement groups prepare for the next legislative session (Oklahoma Gazette)
December 28, 2016
By Laura Eastes
Last week, when Oklahoma’s chief budget negotiator divulged that the state was short $868 million in revenue for the coming year, it reinforced concerns that once again lawmakers would have another difficult budget to balance and citizens would bear the brunt with cuts to state services.
As this is the third straight budget shortfall, Oklahoma is no stranger to the aftermath of a cash-strapped coffer. In 2016, two revenue failures led to across-the-board budget cuts of 7 percent, shrinking state agency budgets and impacting a gamut of governmental services.
Unless lawmakers come up with new revenues, state agencies will likely see another round of cuts. The State Board of Equalization, chaired by the governor, certified $6 billion for available spending, which will be determined by lawmakers during the legislative session.
State leaders, including Finance Secretary Preston Doerflinger, promise to float revenue-raising proposals when session begins Feb. 6. However, last session, Gov. Mary Fallin called for expansion of the sales tax base and an increase of the cigarette tax to no avail.
Given the state numbers, along with the detrimental impact of this year’s state budget cuts on education, human services, health and public safety, 2017 will undoubtedly bring new challenges and opportunities for action.
Oklahomans engaged in Together Oklahoma and Let’s Fix This stand ready to advocate.
Together Oklahoma
Oklahomans are known throughout the United States for their compassion and commitment to the Oklahoma Standard, which encompasses the spirit of resilience in the face of adversity. Time and time again, Oklahomans are quick to respond to calls for aiding tornado victims or pledge funds for worthy causes assisting people in need.
When it comes to the crisis at the state Capitol, there is no clear course of action, which can discourage citizens from getting involved, explained Kara Joy McKee, outreach and advocacy coordinator at Oklahoma Policy Institute.
With a desire to connect the state’s values to the state’s budget priorities, Oklahoma Policy Institute developed Together Oklahoma. In communities like Oklahoma City and Norman, ordinary Oklahomans are becoming involved, learning about state policies, engaging with state government and advocating their interests.
Oklahomans from a multitude of different backgrounds and spanning generations are joining Together Oklahoma chapter meetings and hearing how state polices and budget decisions have impacted each other’s lives. At each meeting, group members strategize about how to bring change and reverse the trends of bleak budgets.
“No matter what you do or who you are, it’s obvious that our state has been weakened by this budget shortfall,” said McKee, who oversees Together Oklahoma. “We have to come together to share our resources [and] ideas and invest in what we care about, like teachers and schools, roads and bridges, health and mental health care and safe communities.”
In the days and weeks that followed Election Day, phone calls and emails flooded the Together Oklahoma office. Attendance counts from recent meetings in Oklahoma City, Norman and Tulsa are doubled when compared to a year ago. Interest continues to grow in Together Oklahoma as communities like Shawnee, Edmond and Stillwater push to establish their own chapters.
“I absolutely believe we can do better,” McKee said. “I believe Oklahomans care. I believe we are stronger together. I believe we can be a great state, not just OK.”
Let’s Fix This
At each Let’s Fix This event, founder and executive director Andy Moore stands up to introduce himself as a “regular guy” to the crowd.
To understand the mission of Let’s Fix This — and why the grassroots effort turned nonprofit has become hugely successful in the metro — you have to know the organization’s backstory. A regular guy frustrated with the state’s financial mess planned a visit to the state Capitol to talk with lawmakers about the budget hole and funding issues. Moore invited his friends and family, created a Facebook event and watched as people just like him went to the Capitol. With little experience — but with advice from some lawmakers — the bipartisan group took seats in the House and Senate galleries and went door to door through the Capitol offices.
“People really do want to be involved, and they want to have a voice,” Moore said. “They just don’t know how to do it. We realized there was a gap, and we created opportunities.”
Face-to-face meetings with lawmakers are the cornerstones of the Let’s Fix This movement. The opportunities to engage with lawmakers are expanding as Let’s Fix This leaders plan unconventional outings to shake hands and speak to elected officials.
Already, Let’s Fix This plans to gather at the Capitol at least once during the months of February, March, April and May. The outings are open to anyone with an interest in citizen advocacy or learning more about the ins and outs of state government. In the evenings on the days of the Capitol visits, Let’s Fix This participants will flock to restaurants and eateries for more causal encounters with lawmakers.
All Let’s Fix This events are grounded in the organization’s initial goal of proving citizen engagement matters and can make a difference.
“We really want to show people their voice matters,” Moore said.
http://okgazette.com/2016/12/28/civic-engagement-groups-prepare-for-the-next-legislative-session/
Oklahoma legislators take oath of office (NewsOK)
Members of the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives took their oath of office on Wednesday, promising to uphold the Constitution and not take any illegal compensation.
November 17, 2016
By Rick Green
Members of the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives took their oath of office on Wednesday, promising to uphold the Constitution and not take any illegal compensation.
Then they spent hours publicly introducing spouses, children, parents and others. Many prefaced their remarks by thanking God for the honor of being allowed to serve in the Legislature.
In some cases, the young children of lawmakers were allowed to say a few words or tell a joke like this one from Maguire Biggs, 6, daughter of Rep. Scott Biggs, R-Chickasha:
"What did the cookie say to the doctor?
"I feel crummy."
Some legislators were still familiarizing themselves with the public address system.
"Is this thing on? Is this on?" Rep.-elect Tess Teague asked after being introduced.
Teague, R-Choctaw, is one of 32 new members in the 101-person House. There are 13 new lawmakers in the 48-person Senate. The Republican Party dominates both chambers.
House Speaker-elect Charles A. McCall, R-Atoka, issued a statement noting the House "is the legislative body closest to the people."
"Now the hard work of governing begins," he said. "I am looking forward to working with members from both sides of the aisle to find common ground on the challenges facing our state so that our next 109 years will see Oklahoma as a competitive, prosperous place to live, work and raise a family."
Teacher pay raise
Senate President Pro Tem-nominee Mike Schulz, R-Altus, said there will be an attempt to raise public school teacher pay in the coming legislative session.
Oklahoma voters defeated State Question 779, which would have raised the state sales tax by one penny per dollar to fund increased education spending, including $5,000 teacher raises.
"First and foremost on a lot of people's minds is teacher pay," Schulz said. "The defeat of 779 — I do not believe — was pointed at teachers. I think it was more about Oklahomans feeling that was not quite the right way to do a pay raise.
"I do anticipate a lot of discussion continuing in our chamber, continuing in the House and in the governor's office on how we address this issue. I feel fairly positive we will discuss it and address it this session."
Rep.-elect Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, also views education as a priority.
"Me and everyone else and their dog are going to be working on education, hopefully, and trying to find the right kind of solution for the teacher shortage and the funding crisis."
Strong turnout
In addition to lawmakers, lobbyists, family and friends, members of a nonpartisan group calling itself Let's Fix This were also present.
"This is turnout like we've never seen on a swearing-in ceremony and I think that really speaks to the fact that the public really wants to be involved from the very beginning," said Andy Moore, executive director of the organization.
"Usually the public waits until late in session when the bad news has already started coming out and I think we would like to avoid some of the bad news and get in and interact with some of our lawmakers and say this is what is important and we want to be a part of the solution."
Gov. Mary Fallin observed that swearing-in day and Statehood Day coincided this year:
"On this 109th anniversary of Oklahoma's statehood, let us commit ourselves to focus on moving our state forward, keeping in mind our shared pioneer culture and a history that stretches back even further than statehood, beginning with the Native Americans who originally settled the Oklahoma Territory."