May 28, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 20

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Harroz a good pick for OU The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City Joeseph Harroz sought the job of University of Oklahoma president last year and would love to get after his 15 months as interim president expires. For now, though, he has work todo. Harroz, OU’s law school dean the past nine years, wants to address concerns that the Norman campus lacks diver- sity and tolerance, and he wants to continue efforts in place to strengthen OU in the long term. In an interview with The Oklahoman three days after being chosen by OU’s regents to succeed Jim Gallogly, who retired after just 10 months as president, Harroz acknowl- edged, “We absolutely had a rough year. We've been in the headlines on race way too much.” ‘The most-publicized incident was a video posted in Janu- ary of two female students in blackface. That prompted a “Rally to Stop Racism” and harsh criticism of Gallogy’s handling of the incident. Harroz, 52, said he believes what's happened at OU is A better review of DHS reflective of society, which seems as polarized as ever and The Oklahoman, Oklahoma cus and urgency ofthe state’s cared for by parents in trial Pinnacle Plan every year people with opposing views having little to no interest in efforts to ensure the safety reunifications. since then. listening to the other side. and well-being” of children. “In nearly all areas, DHS is A bump in the overall ap- During the six years that ‘That report drew a strong heading in the right direc- propriation to DHS last year Part ofa university’s role, as Harroz sees it, is to foster outside experts have moni- rebuttal from DHS Director tion,” the monitors said. They allowed Lake to increase an atmosphere where different viewpoints are thoughtfully tored the state’s efforts to Ed Lake, who said it con- said that was due to “strong salaries for child welfare spe- considered and respected, and where empathy is part of the improve Oklahoma’s child tained “a number of mislead- legislative support and invest- welfare system, there have ing comments” and “inconsis- ment in DHS, and implement- cialists to fulfil obligations equation. been more than a few mixed tencies with prior reports.” ing of core improvement of the Pinnacle Plan. Those “Right now, society is teaching us the opposite,” he said, and even poor reviews. The The news is much better strategies by DHS leadership were badly needed -- high de- “and part of our goal as a university is to help create toler- latest is a welcome change. this time around. and staff in many areas of mand leaves those specialists Areport filed last week is The co-neutrals said DHS child welfare practice.” fighting upstream constantly. ance -- which is not the same thing as not holding your own the most positive of the dozen has made good-faith efforts The co-neutrals did note Lake has touted the work of views.” that the monitors have issued tomake substantial and that Oklahoma is struggling to his agency throughout this since the Department of Hu- sustained progress in 29 of recruit and keep therapeutic process, and said the most Harroz listed four chief priorities he plans to focus on. man Services entered into an the 31 target areas. Those foster homes, which cater One is to continue to pursue efficiencies and improve OU’s agreement to settle a class- areas include such things as to children with behavioral recent report is anod to the financial standing, which were areas where Gallogly’s made action lawsuit over poor treat- reducing caseloads for child health needs. The number of child welfare division, provid- ment of kids in state care. welfare workers, reducing such homes has fallen 77% ers and partner agencies. significant, and necessary, strides. He noted that the univer- Just last August, the moni- how often children are moved since reforms began, the “(W)e are pleased the co- sity’s shareholders -- students and taxpayers -- deserve the tors, called “co-neutrals,” to different foster homes and monitors said, and will fall neutrals have recognized our most possible bang for their buck. said DHS had made “sus- increasing the number of further without “urgent, ag- efforts,” he said. tained progress” in some available foster homes. gressive action.” The change in tenor on both Another priority is to make diversity a strength of the areas but wasn’t even making DHS, the co-neutrals said, All the reforms are part of university. A third is to double the amount of research “good faith efforts” in sev- reported a “sharp decline what was dubbed the “Pin- sides is encouraging. Even in the incidence of abuse nacle Plan” after the court more encouraging would be conducted at OU. And, he wants to broaden digital offerings eral other areas. They said continued high incidence of and neglect in institutional settlement in 2012. The a significant reduction in the to expand opportunities and meet the continuing disruption maltreatment “raises serious settings” and did quite well Legislature has directed tens demand for DHS’s services in in education. concerns about the rigor, fo- protecting children being of millions of dollars to the this area. Harroz says he stresses three points to the many groups he has met with in recent days: OU cannot, and won't, ig- nore the problems it faces; people shouldn’t forget that OU is “a stunning university... a great public university,” and OTHER VIEWS: Congress needs to change there is much going on that will make the university better than ever. banking laws for legal medical marijuana The latter point is one reason why Harroz believes the re- gents were wise to seta 15-month minimum for his tenure. Muskogee Phoenix, Okla. that has implemented laws plumber who installs and re- enterprise, federal red tape “We have so many things that have to happen right now that and regulations that ensure pairs the bathroom or the wa- shouldn’t stop this agricul- Congress needs to change accountability in the marijua- ter supply; or the electrician we can’t lose time on,” he said. banking laws regarding legal na industry,” read the letter who examines the dispensary tural commerce. As for the full-time gig, Harroz said he wants what’s medical marijuana busi- from the National Association and makes certain its electric The new medical marijua- best for OU but hopes he gets the job “because I hope that nesses. of Attorneys General. “An system is up to speed -- all While marijuana remains effective safe harbor would are affected by the new law,” na laws in Oklahoma opened I'm making a difference, and I'm hoping that I enjoy it and illegal under federal law, bring billions of dollars into Beverage said. “That's where the door of opportunity to people recognize that I can help.” fledgling businesses are the banking sector, enabling we are today, and that’s nuts.” If first impressions mean anything, then the regents made forced to deal in cash only. law enforcement; federal, Dispensaries are cropping many entrepreneurs. In some astrong choice in naming the dynamic and optimistic Har- This is one ofseveral issues to state and local tax agencies; up around towns throughout ways, Oklahoma is an ideal arise after Oklahoma voters and cannabis regulators in 33 Oklahoma. These businesses roz to assume this important job. We wish him good luck. approved medical cannabis states and several territories shouldn’t be forced to carry location for these now-legal last June. to more effectively monitor large amounts of cash around businesses to flourish. On May 8, Oklahoma At- cannabis businesses and their in duffel bags because of However, archaic banking Have a letter to torney General Mike Hunter transactions. Compliance was among 33 bipartisan AGs with tax laws and require- federal banking laws. The current law means regulations are restraining the editor? Email urging Congress to open our ments would be simpler and banking system’s doors to the easier to enforce with the these business owners may become targets for robber- the growth of these legal legal marijuana industry. regulated tracking of funds in ies. We hope people who are businesses and putting people it to editor@ “To address these chal- the banking system, resulting engaged in a legal business in danger by causing these lenges, we request that in higher tax revenues.” ‘won’t get themselves into ecdailynews.com Congress advance the SAFE Banking Act or similar leg- In March, Oklahoma Bank- ers Association President and legal trouble trying to come up with creative ways to get people to carry around large or stop by 206 W. islation that would provide CEO Roger Beverage said around these federal banking amounts of cash. asafe harbor for depository ancillary businesses are all laws (i.e. money laundering). Federal banking laws need Broadway, Elk City. institutions that provide a financial product or service to affected. “The landlord where the Additionally, if our state’s farmers are approved to to be changed to keep up with acovered business in a state dispensary is located; the start a small commercial the changing times.