The Norman Transcript

Editorials

Discussion

February 27, 2013

State secondary offices should remain on ballot

The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — When Oklahoma was granted statehood in 1907, populism was a common theme among its residents. Many were from Kansas where populism had deep roots.

There was widespread distrust of big corporations, utilities and railroads. Centralized power was feared. A diffused government was best with various elected, rather than appointed, officeholders.

There are still many populists out there, only disguised with other stripes. That’s why a legislative plan to make three statewide officeholders as appointees of the governor, rather than elected by the people, seems to be on unstable grounds.

Senate Bill 598 would let the people vote on whether to give the governor power to appoint the labor commissioner, insurance commissioner and superintendent of public instruction. If voters approved, the appointments would begin in 2018.

It doesn’t seem to us like the best progression of state government to make state offices appointed. It’s a better check and balance and makes all officeholders accountable rather than just one person.

We hope lawmakers kill Senate Bill 598 or, if it comes to a vote of the people, that voters turn it down.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Editorials
  • Airline changes coming

    In the airlines business, time is money. American Airlines wants to try and speed up its boarding process. Passengers who travel with only a personal item such as a purse or a brief case can now get on first....

    May 19, 2013

  • SEC should act on conflicts

    Money talks. In the continuing dispute over the all-too-cozy relationship between the people who create and sell financial products and the people who rate their risk, the money says: Shut up and let us do what we want....

    May 19, 2013

  • We all deserve better

    The tough treatment of the Tea (Taxed Enough Already) party and other conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service is being assailed by leaders of both political parties....

    May 19, 2013

  • Tax plan gets projects going

    A deal to divert state use taxes to fund completion of the American Indian Cultural Center Museum in Oklahoma City and build the Museum of Popular Culture in Tulsa looks like a good way to get some momentum on both projects....

    May 18, 2013

  • Keeping the state’s promise

    A college education or professional certification will not guarantee a successful career, but the odds are much better when such accomplishment is achieved. Access to post-high school education is often problematic. Oklahoma’s Promise, ...

    May 18, 2013

  • National Bike to Work Day

    Norman visitors and new residents often comment on how flat it is around here. Indeed, Norman is at the crossroads of the flat western half of the state and the more hilly eastern half....

    May 17, 2013

  • Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press

    Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure that the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a ...

    May 17, 2013

  • The math doesn’t add up

    The $7.1 billion budget bill passed through both chambers of the state Legislature this week will have its critics. No one ever gets all they want. State Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman, raised the issue of $13 million in additional allocation ...

    May 16, 2013

  • Medicaid standoff a disservice

    Does anyone else see the massive irony in Gov. Mary Fallin’s latest attack on the Obama administration? She accused the president of not keeping his word and of “actively” seeking to toss 30,000 Oklahomans off a state-subsidized health ...

    May 16, 2013

  • County’s rapid growth requires more judges

    Cleveland County judges have been asking for some bench relief for about four decades. A former district judge, writing in a Transcript guest column this month, said he began asking for at least one, and maybe two more, district judges as ...

    May 16, 2013