Latest news with #SenateBill523
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III wanted his own lobbyist. Here's why he got one
Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III says he needs a lobbyist, so the Board of County Commissioners got him one: Edwards Capitol Partners, in Tulsa. Steve Edwards, chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party from 1999 to 2001 and former chief of staff for the late former U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, is president of Edwards Capitol Partners. The commissioners didn't hire Edwards, but approved a professional services contract, which they could do without taking bids from other potential lobbying firms. And, they're paying for it — $4,000 per month through May — from a county account of service fees, not the general fund, which comes from property taxes, because that would be illegal. Those issues among others were hashed out at a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting before the board voted 2-0 to approve the contract. District 2 Commissioner Brian Maughan abstained because he said he and Edwards are close friends. But why does the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office need its own lobbyist? The Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association, which describes itself as "the united voice and support network for the sheriffs of Oklahoma," already represents all the state's 77 sheriffs at the state Legislature. That includes "legislative advocacy to enhance law enforcement effectiveness across our 77 counties," the group says online. Cody Compton, general counsel for the sheriff's office, asked for the contract on Johnson's behalf "so we can have some representation to help the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office as it relates to some legislative needs that are kind of unique specific to some of the larger counties." District 3 Commissioner Myles Davidson, chairman of the board, wondered if Johnson's office benefited from lobbying already contracted by the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office or the state association. "They may have different ideas of what they want," Compton said, and the state group represents "77 different sheriffs (and) 75 of them have very different needs than the unique needs of Oklahoma County and Tulsa County." Edwards could not be reached for comment. The sheriff said urban Oklahoma County's expansion gives his office a need for a steady advocate before lawmakers. 'Oklahoma County is growing and it's important that legislators are properly educated on issues that directly impact law enforcement in our community," Johnson said. "We aren't able to go to the Capitol every day during session, so we have hired a firm to lobby on our behalf." The state sheriffs' association does a good job lobbying, he said, "but the needs of the residents of Oklahoma County are different than the needs of our neighbors in more rural counties." For example, the firm will lobby in favor of Senate Bill 523, which would expand Johnson's ability to bring in deputies from other counties to help with security during the 2028 Summer Olympics. Oklahoma City will play host to softball and canoe slalom events. In addition, the sheriff said, Edwards will push for Senate Bill 974, which would allow for online auctions for sheriff's sales. "This week, we had to cancel our sheriff's sale because of the weather," he said. "Opening those auctions to an online audience not only would ensure those sales go on regardless of the weather, it would also increase participation, leading to higher bids. "For people facing foreclosure, that is an important financial lifeline. It's important to note, the monthly fee for the service would be paid for through service fees, not taxpayer dollars.' Johnson tried online auctions in 2023, but stopped after their legality was questioned. The contract spells out Edwards' work: "Consultant agrees to perform, in a competent manner, consulting services in his areas of expertise for Client. Such services will include, but are not limited to, lobbying and government affairs to advance the objectives of Client. Consulting services will be provided in Oklahoma at the state, county and local levels. Consultant agrees to not represent other entities which would create conflicts with Client during the term of this Agreement. Consultant will concentrate on legislation at the Oklahoma state legislatureinvolving issues directly affecting client." Staff writer Richard Mize covers Oklahoma County government and the city of Edmond. He previously covered housing, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and starting in 1999. Contact him at rmize@ This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III gets his own lobbying firm
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Indiana lawmakers revive bill to allow public schools to hire chaplains as councilors
An effort to allow Indiana's public schools to hire religious chaplains is back at the General Assembly, reigniting rigorous debate over the separation of church and state. Logansport Republican Sen. Stacey Donato is reviving her bill from last year that died in the House, this time in the form of Senate Bill 523, which the Senate education committee approved by a partisan 9-4 vote Wednesday. She sees chaplains as a potential extra counseling resource for schools struggling with high counselor-to-student ratios and ever-increasing student mental health needs. Indiana's ratio was 519 to one during the 2022-23 school year, according to the American School Counselor Association, which recommends a ratio of half that. The bill gives school districts the option to employ or bring in volunteer chaplains, who can provide either secular advice or religious advice ― the latter, only if the students and parents consent. "Chaplains are not a new concept," Donato said, referencing their presence in legislative chambers, the military, police and fire departments, even in school sports. "The purpose is not to convert people to a different religion. They are there to support people regardless of their faith." Also not new: The debate around this bill, virtually mirroring the discussion last year ― down to many of the testifiers themselves. The ACLU of Indiana's Chris Daley brought up the constitutional concern about the separation of church and state. Similarly, Democratic Sen. Andrea Hunley said her main issue with the bill is the use of taxpayer dollars toward hiring these chaplains. Several people, including religious leaders themselves, said they're concerned that chaplains are not trained in areas that school counselors are trained in, such as CPR and the academic and developmental needs of young people. The requirements in the bill stipulate that the chaplains must pass a criminal background check and have a bachelor's or masters degree in divinity, theology, religious studies or a related field, as well as some years of counseling experience. "Nothing in their training gives them the skills to be a school counselor," Rabbi Aaron Spiegel said. "I recognize the problem … but chaplains are not the answer here." Sign up for our politics newsletter Gray Lesesne, a pastor at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, also brought up a potential power imbalance: even if he were to offer secular advice to a student, he would fear that his advice could be interpreted as religious counseling. "Wearing a collar makes a difference, and projection happens," he said. "This blurring of lines is inappropriate in a public school setting." The Indiana School Counselor Association expressed support for the bill last year, given Indiana's above-average counselor-to-student ratio. But this year, the association said it does not support the bill due to concerns about training and the potential that limited school resources would be used to hire chaplains instead of counselors. "We're unable to embrace legislation that could possibly divert funds away from school counselors," said Scott Carr, a representative for the association. But the Indiana School Boards Association and the superintendents association maintained their support of the concept, citing the counselor shortage. Representatives for both organizations pointed to the local control within the bill, which simply gives schools the option. Robert Thatcher, an Elkhart real estate broker who is also on the board for the National School Chaplain Association, said chaplains are already serving 30 million people in 33,000 schools, and that they help enhance graduation rates and prevent teen suicides. Sen. J.D. Ford, D-Indianapolis, pressed for a more specific definition of "chaplain" to be included in the bill. Sen. Jeff Raatz, the chair of the committee, suggested that perhaps everyone is overthinking it. "I see no harm whatsoever in a chaplain, whether they have the credits or not, as an adult with a clean heart, be able to spend time with you and just simply care," he said. "That's the simplicity of this concept. ... What better way to help a teenager in crisis than to just have an ear to share?" Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@ or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana bill allowing public schools to hire chaplains is back
