Political Pulse

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) - Democratic state Rep. Terry Harrison of
McAlester says he plans to run for district attorney and won’t seek
re-election to his state House seat.
Harrison says he will run for the District 18 district attorney
post that covers Pittsburg and Haskell counties. Current District
Attorney Jim Bob Miller agreed not to run for another term as part
of a deferred prosecution agreement with the state attorney
general’s office.
Miller came under scrutiny for attempting to subpoena records
from the operator of a Web site that frequently criticized his
office.
Harrison says he plans to finish his fourth term in office.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin has married Oklahoma
City attorney Wade Christensen.
The Oklahoman newspaper reports the couple married Saturday at
an Oklahoma City church in a ceremony attended only by family.
Fallin’s office announced her engagement last month. Fallin has
said Christensen surprised her by flying to Washington and meeting
her at the Lincoln Memorial, where he proposed.
The 53-year-old Fallin and 54-year-old Christensen were
acquaintances from Oklahoma State University. Both have been
married previously.
Fallin is a Republican candidate for Oklahoma governor in 2010.
The couple plan a short honeymoon in Florida. They will live in
Edmond.

Everything from schools to senior nutrition programs have been affected by the revenue shortfall which has forced budget cuts to state agencies. Now, leaders are considering a special session in January to address those issues arising from the cuts.

Governor Brad Henry, House Speaker Chris Benge and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee have been working together to address the budget shortfall which could total at least $1Billion out of a $7 Billion budget. Hearings will be held so that agency heads can tell lawmakers and the public how cuts have affected their services and how further reductions would be handled. Leaders also want more information about the revenue picture in December.

In the meantime, several calls for a Special Session have come from lawmakers. House Democratic Leader Representative Danny Morgan says, “I am very supportive of our Governor’s plan of action. I believe as he does that this is a very serious situation that requires our immediate attention - we cannot simply while away the hours until session starts.”

In a statement Senate Democratic Senator Leader Charlie Laster says, “It is prudent we keep a level head and work together, leaving our political differences at the door as we proceed with any decision to come back for a special session.”

House Democratic Floor Leader Representative Mike Brown says, “I implore all our legislators to do all you can to help your constituents back in your district, and the state as a whole. We cannot wait - this situation becomes more fire each day. I’m willing to come back in a special session, without pay, so we can roll up our sleeves and take care of this crisis.”

Senator Dan Newberry is quoted by the Jenks Journal as saying, “It is imperative we get back to the capitol and talk about the budget shortfall.”

Senator Kenneth Corn has been circulating a petition to call a Special Session. He believes a Special Session in January might be too little, too late. “It is unacceptable to wait another 30 to 45 days to restore $7.4 million in cuts to the state’s senior nutrition programs. Those programs provide meals daily to the elderly at scores of sites across the state.”

We talked with Governor Brad Henry and Speaker Chris Benge about the “game plan” to address the budget cuts. You can see that story tonight(11/18/2009) on the Oklahoma News Report at 6:30.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma City attorney Jim Priest is the
latest candidate to announce his plans to seek the attorney general
post in 2010.
The 54-year-old Democrat plans to announce his candidacy at a
series of press conferences across the state on Wednesday and
Thursday.
Priest is the first Democratic candidate to seek the job being
vacated by current Democratic Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who
is running for governor.
Priest is the former president of the board for the Regional
Food Bank of Oklahoma and a board member for Habitat for Humanity.
Republican Oklahoma City attorney Ryan Leonard announced last
month that he also is a candidate.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Democratic state Sen. Tom Adelson has
conceded the Tulsa mayor’s race to Republican oilman Dewey Bartlett
Jr.
With all 215 precincts reporting, unofficial election results
showed Bartlett receiving 29,948 votes (44.95 percent) to 24,211
(36.34 percent) for Adelson.
Independents Mark Perkins and Lawrence Kirkpatrick lagged far
behind, picking up 11,913 (17.88 percent) and 560 (0.84 percent)
votes, respectively.
Messages left for comment from both men weren’t immediately
returned Tuesday night.
Bartlett told a cheering crowd at his victory party that many
challenges lie ahead for Tulsa, which has been grappling with
budget problems because of the economic downturn.
Adelson told those gathered at his watch party that the campaign
was “spirited,” and he urged unity among city residents.
Bartlett will succeed Mayor Kathy Taylor, who opted not to run
again.