April 23, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 10

Page Text

Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 More politics than safety Stillwater NewsPress, Okla. The public school classroom is no place to carry out a political statement. That’s really what House Bill 2336 amounts to -- a bill that lowers training requirements for school personnel to carry a firearm. It has moved through Senate Committee after passing the House last month. According to the language of HB 2336, “The board of edu- cation of a school district may adopta policy to authorize OK cabinet member in the carrying ofa handgun onto school property by school personnel specifically designated by the board of education provided such personnel; possess a valid handgun license a hurry to bring change issued pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma Self- Defense Act and meet other requirements authorized by the board of education.” With that one requirement, other training requirements are made null. The problems that could arise from this are the same The Oklahoman, Oklahoma prising, or shouldn’t be. Gov- it’s legal, give it tome ona Oklahoma a top-10 state, we have with permitless carry, or the kind of carry laws City ernments of all sizes -- local, napkin. I don’t need a year’s something the governor has state, federal - become en- worth of work for us to make designed to allow county officials to carry -- when you carry One of the more interesting trenched in a “We've always adecision.” preached. Potential solutions a weapon, wherever you are, you have introduced a weapon storylines to follow during done it this way” mindset Denwalt noted that Ostrowe must be scalable, intuitive, Gov. Kevin Stitt’s first term that can seem impossible to and John Budd, director of forward-facing and pay for into that environment. What is the harm in having a degree will be that of David Ostrowe, upend. This helps explain, for the Office of Management themselves. of training that makes certain a person carrying a gun is not who serves as secretary of example, why state agencies and Enterprise Services, have a danger to others, or themselves? digital transformation and in Oklahoma don’t all use the cut the length of time it takes In an interview soon after administration. In short: Can same computer programs for agencies to receive anew starting the job in January, Shouldn’t people have a knowledge of how to keep from he succeed, in a short amount (in some departments, these computer -- they can now buy oftime, in bringing private- programs are decades old and Ostrowe noted the slower being disarmed? We're fine with armed personnel being on their own instead of having to sector ideas to state govern- still in use). order one through OMES. pace of government com- school grounds in worst-case scenarios. Those scenarios, ment? You want inertia? Govern- Ostrowe has lined up a con- pared with the private sector, thankfully, are few and far between and up until now many The Oklahoman’s Dale ment is what you're looking tract to beta-test digital driv- and said the fact most agen- have had law enforcement or even military backgrounds, or Denwalt wrote recently about for. er’s licenses. His to-do list Ostrowe’s efforts to make Ostrowe, however, is also includes such things as cies work for commissions at least a modicum of training. the government more user charged with moving that digital car titles, establishing instead of the governor can We even understandif less-funded districts who cannot friendly for taxpayers. One boulder and the sooner, the credit card payments at state be frustrating. In some cases, afford a full-time School Resource Officer would like to comment from Ostrowe stuck better. The president of O&M parks, mobile time clocks for out. Restaurant Group in Okla- mobile state employees, cre- the law can get in the way ofa have someone on campus armed. Why not make sure that “What surprises me is the homa City, which includes ating an app-based portal for potential change. person has adequate training? level oftalent, high level fast-food franchises such as state services such as getting But Ostrowe seems com- This bill doesn’t actually seem to have school safety in of talent that’s been beaten Burger King, he signed on to ahunting permit, and crafting down over the years and the cabinet position for just an improved website that mitted to effecting real mind as much as it was created to be irksome to the other been told, ‘No, no, no, no, no, two years. tracks how taxpayer dollars change. He described his side ofthe aisle. We hope our local school boards keep this you cannot, you shall not,” “The last thing I need is a are spent. approach this way: “Let’s run in mind if they ever have the option of arming untrained Ostrowe said. “We're telling commission. That’s a two- Ostrowe says projects the opposite.” year delay,” Ostrowe said. aren’t considered if they don’t fast and not break any laws.” personnel. The observation isn’t sur- For niche projects, “... if have the potential to make We wish him good luck. Oklahoma ScissorTales: Taking aim at youth vaping The Oklahoman, Oklahoma cigarettes on at least 20 ofthe with its funds and assets go- as concerned,” Young said. loaded with unfair right-wing ceptions about vaccinations,” City preceding 30 days. ing to anew nonprofit called Two observations: No regent talking points. After all, the ‘The Wall Street Journal Officials say the growth Friends of OETA. Now OETA is responsible for actions of eventual nominee is not going wrote. Parents, take note: The The state House gave final of e-cigarette use is tied to can, as its attorney said, “con- other individuals. And, no to run in a vacuum.” Scher is childhood MMR vaccine is legislative approval this week an increase in the use of any tinue its obligation to provide doubt every member of the right. Kudos to Sanders for highly effective at preventing to a bill that adds e-cigarettes tobacco product among high quality public television to board is concerned about being willing to walk into the measles, mumps and rubella, to Oklahoma's Tobacco-free schoolers -- from 19.6 percent the citizens of the nation and these incidents and is inter- lion’s den. The program airs and it does not cause autism. Schools Act. The targeting of in 2017 to 27.1 percentin the state of Oklahoma.” That’s ested in potential improve- at 5:30 p.m. Gambler’s gamble proved vaping by youths is worth- 2018. the most important thing for ment. Continuing concerns about well worth it while. Senate Bill 33, by Sen. the network’s loyal viewers. Sanders willing to defend measles in U.S. James Holzhauer did E-cigarettes have the J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, and Placing too much blame on his positions Measles, declared elimi- what comes naturally to set potential to help adults who Rep. Mark Vancuren, R- regents Democratic presidential the single-game record for nated in the United States in are trying to quit smoking. Tulsa, bans vapor products in Only one member of the hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders 2000, is back with a ven- winnings on the game show However, as the Centers for schools, school vehicles or at state Senate voted not to is scheduled to appear on a geance. The Centers for Dis- “Jeopardy!” He gambled. Disease Control and Preven- any school-sanctioned event. confirm Eric Stevenson as a Fox News town hall Mon- ease Control and Prevention Holzhauer, 34, makes his liv- tion notes, these devices, It was approved 91-0 in the member of the University of day, a decision that’s been said Monday that 465 cases of ing as a professional gambler some of which contain large House. It had passed the Sen- Oklahoma Board of Regents. criticized by some on the left. measles had been confirmed in Las Vegas. During Tues- amounts of nicotine, “are not ate 45-1. Sen. George Young, D-Okla- The communications director since the start of the year. day’s episode of “Jeopardy!” safe for youth, young adults, Glad to have bitter OETA homa City, said he knew Ste- for Daily Kos, for example, ‘That total was an increase he won $110,914, eclipsing pregnant women or adults dispute resolved venson would win approval wondered why Sanders would of 78 over the previous week the one-game record of who do not currently use ‘A legal fight between and that his vote Tuesday was “lend his considerable pres- -- the largest one-week jump $77,000 set by a contestant tobacco products.” the Oklahoma Educational a protest. Young said he and ence to a network that rou- of 2019. This year’s total also in 2010. Holzhauer told Yet e-cigarette use among Television Authority and its members of the Legislative tinely pushes sexist and racist is the second-highest since youths has grown tremen- foundation was settled this Black Caucus are concerned tropes about progressives and 2000. The cases have been USBets.com that he had “no dously during the past several week. Much of the dispute that Stevenson lives in Ohio his supporters.” We say, good found in 19 states (Oklahoma hesitation betting big when years. In 2018, according to involved money. In January, and thus won’t be as plugged for Bernie! Instead of shun- is not one of them, thank Ineeded to -- and I felt no a survey by the CDC and the the OETA’s board voted to in as needed to life on the ning Fox, as the Democratic goodness), although most are extra pressure knowing how Food and Drug Administra sever ties with the foundation, Norman campus, which has National Committee has done, tied to an outbreak among much was at stake -- because tion, 20.8 percent of U.S. high which has supported OETA seen some racially tinged Democrats should take their Orthodox Jews in New York I gamble all the time.” He schoolers and 4.9 percent of since 1982. The attorney incidents in the recent past. message to Fox viewers. Bill state. Health officials say the successfully risked $14,600 middle schoolers reported general later asked a judge He also said he’s concerned Scher, a contributing editor surge this year has stemmed and $25,000 on daily doubles using e-cigarettes. to appoint a receiver to take there's an effort to have one to Politico magazine, makes from exposures overseas that during the Double Jeopardy The survey found more control of the foundation, black regent (Stevenson) ad- this point: “Democratic have then been transmitted round Tuesday, leaving him than 3.6 million high school and more recently asked that dress the problems. The other primary voters should get the among groups that reject with $72,600 entering Final and middle school students restraints be put on how the regents “are just as respon- opportunity to see how their childhood vaccinations. Jeopardy. His correct answer use e-cigarettes. About one- foundation spent donations. sible for the events that have candidates deal with ques- “Health authorities are now in that round left him with fourth of those are frequent The settlement will see the taken place on the campus of tions from a conservative trying both to halt the virus's a total that translated to his users, reporting using e- OETA Foundation dissolve, OU and they ought to be just perspective, even if they are spread and correct miscon- daughter's birthday