The Health Care Debate
Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee and House Speaker Chris Benge, joined by dozens of lawmakers, have urged Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson to file a lawsuit against the federal government, challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care legislation. The federal bill will impose half a trillion dollars in new taxes on American families. It will cost Oklahoma one billion dollars over the next 10 years in new unfunded mandates. In their letter to Attorney General Drew Edmondson, Coffee and Benge wrote, "if the measure becomes law, it will wreck Oklahoma’s already fragile state budget and place undue economic hardships on the people, especially our seniors, and businesses of our great state," the letter states.” President Obama’s health care reform will raid 52 billion dollars from Social Security; cut nearly 500 billion dollars from Medicare (not counting the hundreds of billions needed to compensate doctors who treat elderly patients); takeover the student loan industry, using the profits to pay for the bill; and add millions of people to Medicaid, a failing program in which many doctors and pharmacists refuse to participate. 38 states have rallied together in resistance to this bill, by filing or announcing legislation that protects their states from “Obama Care”. Federal health care legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama places an enormous unfunded mandate on Oklahoma, the chairman of the House Human Services Committee said this week.
Even before the national recession, states, including Oklahoma, were having a difficult time keeping up with the Federal demand for matching funds related to Medicaid. Since the recession, with tax revenues down, funding Medicaid—even before the expansion called for in this new health legislation—was going to be difficult. This task will become exponentially harder in December of 2012 when the federal stimulus funds that have been used to help states weather the recession are no longer available. In Oklahoma, the health care stimulus dollars will have to be replaced beginning in FY12 or risk having a substantially smaller program that either serves fewer persons or rations coverage. If the state replaces the entire federal stimulus funds used related to health and human services, this would total over a billion dollars and this is before the expansion of coverage mandated in the new federal health care legislation. As a result, State Representative Ron Peters said that paying for the unfunded Medicaid mandate may not be possible without either cutting services or raising taxes.
Under the federal health bill, Oklahoma will be required to provide Medicaid coverage to a much larger group of persons than now beginning in 2014, though this will initially be paid using federal funds. This will change in 2016 when the state will have come up with the state match of 10 percent on these new federal Medicaid funds and any more federal funds that the new requirement obligates the states to match as more persons become eligible for coverage in the future.
Recent occurrences point out the problem with such a policy. First, the state in FY-10 had to consider reducing doctor and provider reimbursement rates because of the state budget shortfall. This possibility still exists as lawmakers put together the FY-11 budget. Second, as the state grapples with the financial problems of the recession and begins to struggle with filling the current federal Medicaid stimulus funds hole, the likely targets for replacing such funds will have to be areas with significant funding like education, roads, and corrections.
A bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers voted overwhelmingly this week to allow Oklahoma voters the chance to opt-out of the new federal health care system. Senate Joint Resolution 59 would allow citizens to vote to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to “preserve the freedom of Oklahomans to provide for their health care.” Under the proposed constitutional amendment, no law or rule could force any citizen, employer or health care provider to participate in any federal health care system.. In addition, the amendment would prevent Oklahomans from being financially penalized if they choose not to purchase insurance mandated by the federal health care plan and doctors would still be allowed to accept direct payment for services without fear of financial penalty.
Senate Joint Resolution 59 passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on a bipartisan 82-18 vote. It is expected to go to a conference committee where the final details will be hammered out.
If you would like to contact me while I am at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to call
1-800-522-8502 or send an e-mail to donarmes@okhouse.gov.
And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“It’s every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” –Albert Einstein
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Oklahoma in the Top 5
Oklahoma in the Top 5
So many times Oklahoma ranks low on a lot of peoples’ lists. But I am a believer in spreading good news when you can. Oklahoma has a very high ranking this year in its ability in reducing pollution in streams and rivers. According to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) analysis of nutrient and sediment reduction, Oklahoma accounted for more than 10 percent of all reduction of nitrogen from waterways nationwide in 2009. The report also showed that 16 percent of national reductions of phosphorus in water occurred in Oklahoma. That success proves the wisdom of using voluntary programs that allow the state to partner with Oklahoma farmers and ranchers instead of having a top-down mandate from bureaucrats.
State conservation leaders announced at a press conference at the capitol that the EPA has removed four Oklahoma streams from its impaired water list, also known as the 303(d) list. Efforts by farmers, ranchers and other land owners in cooperation with the Oklahoma Conservation Partnership to address non-point source pollution through voluntary, locally led means has resulted in the streams being removed from the federal list of impaired water bodies and in even more streams never even being placed on the list. Streams typically are put on the 303(d) list when they don’t meet water quality standards usually because they have too much soil, nutrients or bacteria in the water. Approximately 500 streams statewide are monitored on a rotating basis by the conservation commission. Recent monitoring in four of these streams, including Little Elk Creek in Southwest Oklahoma, has shown that because of the work done by the land owners in these water sheds, sections of these streams can be removed from the 303(d) list.
Now, let’s boil this down into layman’s terms. Basically what happens is these streams run off of agricultural land and the sediment, which may be soil or possibly fertilizer and in some cases even other pollutants, flow into the water unchecked. Through efforts by land owners and cost share programs through the Conservation Commission, farmers are encouraged to plant grass strips along these streams to help hold the soil and filter the runoff. Non-point source pollution is simply pollution, whether it is chemical or simply soil, that does not come from one spot like a factory that might discharge pollution into one stream through a pipe. In the old days that was fairly common as America became industrialized. In Northeastern Oklahoma, there has been a lawsuit in recent months claiming that poultry production was the reason for heavy phosphorus loads in many streams that flowed into Tulsa’s drinking water. It was heavily disputed by the poultry industry saying that there were many other culprits from development and many other non-point sources.
The bottom line is that phosphorus attaches to soil particles and if you can stop the movement of soil by planting grass along waterways, you can stop the flow of almost anything into a watershed. Grass is a great filter and simply speaking, that is really what this high-ranking by the EPA is saying. Oklahoma is one of the most improved states in the nation at reducing the flow of soil into waterways.
So, we may not be high on very many lists but we are high on the EPA’s list, which is a really good thing. I have always believed that land owners, especially farmers and ranchers, were the best stewards of land. It sounds like this EPA report bears that out. Good job Oklahoma Conservation Commission and Oklahoma farmers and ranchers.
If you would like to contact me while I am at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to call 1-800-522-8502 or send an e-mail to donarmes@okhouse.gov
And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“All the water that will ever be is right now.” -National Geographic
So many times Oklahoma ranks low on a lot of peoples’ lists. But I am a believer in spreading good news when you can. Oklahoma has a very high ranking this year in its ability in reducing pollution in streams and rivers. According to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) analysis of nutrient and sediment reduction, Oklahoma accounted for more than 10 percent of all reduction of nitrogen from waterways nationwide in 2009. The report also showed that 16 percent of national reductions of phosphorus in water occurred in Oklahoma. That success proves the wisdom of using voluntary programs that allow the state to partner with Oklahoma farmers and ranchers instead of having a top-down mandate from bureaucrats.
State conservation leaders announced at a press conference at the capitol that the EPA has removed four Oklahoma streams from its impaired water list, also known as the 303(d) list. Efforts by farmers, ranchers and other land owners in cooperation with the Oklahoma Conservation Partnership to address non-point source pollution through voluntary, locally led means has resulted in the streams being removed from the federal list of impaired water bodies and in even more streams never even being placed on the list. Streams typically are put on the 303(d) list when they don’t meet water quality standards usually because they have too much soil, nutrients or bacteria in the water. Approximately 500 streams statewide are monitored on a rotating basis by the conservation commission. Recent monitoring in four of these streams, including Little Elk Creek in Southwest Oklahoma, has shown that because of the work done by the land owners in these water sheds, sections of these streams can be removed from the 303(d) list.
Now, let’s boil this down into layman’s terms. Basically what happens is these streams run off of agricultural land and the sediment, which may be soil or possibly fertilizer and in some cases even other pollutants, flow into the water unchecked. Through efforts by land owners and cost share programs through the Conservation Commission, farmers are encouraged to plant grass strips along these streams to help hold the soil and filter the runoff. Non-point source pollution is simply pollution, whether it is chemical or simply soil, that does not come from one spot like a factory that might discharge pollution into one stream through a pipe. In the old days that was fairly common as America became industrialized. In Northeastern Oklahoma, there has been a lawsuit in recent months claiming that poultry production was the reason for heavy phosphorus loads in many streams that flowed into Tulsa’s drinking water. It was heavily disputed by the poultry industry saying that there were many other culprits from development and many other non-point sources.
The bottom line is that phosphorus attaches to soil particles and if you can stop the movement of soil by planting grass along waterways, you can stop the flow of almost anything into a watershed. Grass is a great filter and simply speaking, that is really what this high-ranking by the EPA is saying. Oklahoma is one of the most improved states in the nation at reducing the flow of soil into waterways.
So, we may not be high on very many lists but we are high on the EPA’s list, which is a really good thing. I have always believed that land owners, especially farmers and ranchers, were the best stewards of land. It sounds like this EPA report bears that out. Good job Oklahoma Conservation Commission and Oklahoma farmers and ranchers.
If you would like to contact me while I am at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to call 1-800-522-8502 or send an e-mail to donarmes@okhouse.gov
And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“All the water that will ever be is right now.” -National Geographic
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tough Choices
Tough Choices
This last week was deadline week at the capitol. It was the last week for House bills to be heard in the House and Senate bills in the Senate. There are usually a greater number of House Bills due to the shear number of House members. Typically, on the House side, deadline weeks are pretty brutal. For one, the number of bills. Second, there are twice as many House members wanting to be heard, so debates take longer and makes the House a more rough and tumble place. We started at nine every morning and Monday through Wednesday, we were on the floor until well past 10 every night. So, when you add together all the dynamics as well as tired House members, it really makes for some very rough sessions.
That alone should be enough but the toughest part, for me, were some of the tough choices we had to make. The kind of votes that put you between a rock and a hard place. One example was HB3250 by Representative Sue Tibbs, who I have known my entire political career and think the world of. She won her battle with cancer last year while at the same time winning re-election. She is kind of like everyone’s grandmother in the House, a very tough but very caring woman. Her bill would ban texting while driving. Now, as the father of a soon-to-be 16-year-old driver, kids texting and driving worries me to death. I will never forget a cold, windy November night several years ago when Katy, my oldest, flipped her car into a muddy wheat field. She was not texting, but did not know how to handle a wash board road, and judging by where the car ended up, was going too fast. So, I have a problem with kids texting and driving but I have a bigger problem with the government telling us what to do. I do not know if that bill will be back around or not, but I voted a very reluctant yes, and if I see it again, I could be a no. That is the kind of bill that tears you in half.
Another example is HB2634 by Representative Mark McCullough, which would require counseling before marriage. It is described as pro-marriage, a very conservative view point. Again, it is too much government in our lives. So, in a situation like that, which conservative direction do you go, pro-family or pro-freedom?
Another example of a tough spot is a bill that was run by Representative Charles Key, HB2814, which would require the Constitution to be taught in social studies core curriculum. Common sense would say that those things would probably already happen but Representative Key wants to ensure that they do. I am for the Constitution and what it says but there again, how much government are we willing to take? How much do we need the government in our lives? Some would argue that it is public education and should be guided by the legislature but I can tell you, as a former teacher, if we had to change curriculum every time the legislature had a whim, we would be re-writing text books every year. One of the things we hear consistently from educators is “please do not send us any unfunded mandates”. I am sure that teaching the Constitution would not cost more money but at the same time you struggle with that when you vote for a bill like 2814. As I said earlier, it probably should be happening anyway, but apparently there are places where it is not, hence the need for Representative Key to make that stance. I am sure that it will not be the last of the tough votes but it sure made for a rough week.
If you would like to contact me, while I’m at the Capitol, please don’t hesitate to call
1-800-522-8502 or send an email to donarmes@okhouse.gov
And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” – President Ronald Reagan
This last week was deadline week at the capitol. It was the last week for House bills to be heard in the House and Senate bills in the Senate. There are usually a greater number of House Bills due to the shear number of House members. Typically, on the House side, deadline weeks are pretty brutal. For one, the number of bills. Second, there are twice as many House members wanting to be heard, so debates take longer and makes the House a more rough and tumble place. We started at nine every morning and Monday through Wednesday, we were on the floor until well past 10 every night. So, when you add together all the dynamics as well as tired House members, it really makes for some very rough sessions.
That alone should be enough but the toughest part, for me, were some of the tough choices we had to make. The kind of votes that put you between a rock and a hard place. One example was HB3250 by Representative Sue Tibbs, who I have known my entire political career and think the world of. She won her battle with cancer last year while at the same time winning re-election. She is kind of like everyone’s grandmother in the House, a very tough but very caring woman. Her bill would ban texting while driving. Now, as the father of a soon-to-be 16-year-old driver, kids texting and driving worries me to death. I will never forget a cold, windy November night several years ago when Katy, my oldest, flipped her car into a muddy wheat field. She was not texting, but did not know how to handle a wash board road, and judging by where the car ended up, was going too fast. So, I have a problem with kids texting and driving but I have a bigger problem with the government telling us what to do. I do not know if that bill will be back around or not, but I voted a very reluctant yes, and if I see it again, I could be a no. That is the kind of bill that tears you in half.
Another example is HB2634 by Representative Mark McCullough, which would require counseling before marriage. It is described as pro-marriage, a very conservative view point. Again, it is too much government in our lives. So, in a situation like that, which conservative direction do you go, pro-family or pro-freedom?
Another example of a tough spot is a bill that was run by Representative Charles Key, HB2814, which would require the Constitution to be taught in social studies core curriculum. Common sense would say that those things would probably already happen but Representative Key wants to ensure that they do. I am for the Constitution and what it says but there again, how much government are we willing to take? How much do we need the government in our lives? Some would argue that it is public education and should be guided by the legislature but I can tell you, as a former teacher, if we had to change curriculum every time the legislature had a whim, we would be re-writing text books every year. One of the things we hear consistently from educators is “please do not send us any unfunded mandates”. I am sure that teaching the Constitution would not cost more money but at the same time you struggle with that when you vote for a bill like 2814. As I said earlier, it probably should be happening anyway, but apparently there are places where it is not, hence the need for Representative Key to make that stance. I am sure that it will not be the last of the tough votes but it sure made for a rough week.
If you would like to contact me, while I’m at the Capitol, please don’t hesitate to call
1-800-522-8502 or send an email to donarmes@okhouse.gov
And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” – President Ronald Reagan
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Vote For America's Coolest Small Town
Vote For America’s Coolest Small Town
When you are an elected official, the towns in your district are kind of like your kids. You love them all but when one of them has something really neat happen, you cannot help but beam. One of my “kids” that has had something really cool happen last week is Medicine Park. Now, before I launch into this, it does not mean that I am not equally as proud of all my towns. But, last week, a really neat thing happened in a National publication to allow people to vote for Medicine Park to give it the chance to become one of the “coolest towns in America”. In this month’s Budget Travel magazine, there is an article about the coolest towns in America. We are extremely honored to have Medicine Park mentioned in that article. If you would like to go online and vote, just go to: www.medicinepark.com and click on the link provided.
If you live around here and have been here for very long, you know the history of Medicine Park all the way back to the Roaring ‘20s. When I was young, in the ‘70s, Medicine Park was almost scary because it had gotten to be kind of a rough place to be. The shine had worn off its charm. Much of the historic cobblestone community had fallen into disrepair. I remember when I was in junior high, skating in the old skating rink which is now the Medicine Park Music Hall. The foot bridge was in bad shape and there was no real community pride. It was as if the heart of that community was barely beating. Fast forward into the ‘90s when David and Candace McCoy took up the torch to start the revitalization of Medicine Park by raising money to refurbish the old suspension bridge. It was the catalyst for the rebirth of what has become a great tourist spot.
Nestled near the gate of the historic Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, it has drawn many artists and other very creative souls who have chosen Medicine Park as the place they want to be. One of the artists whose signature is all over the “reborn” community was Robert Dean, who could do more with a pile of scrap metal than almost anyone you have ever seen. We know that just a couple of short weeks ago we lost Robert. He epitomized the spirit of Medicine Park and it became his pallet as he sought to add his creative touch. Robert’s artwork will live on in the historic rebirth of this great community.
There are several great venues for events in Medicine Park. In fact, the last two weekends I have been there to help raise money for organizations. There has been a great deal of investment and the heart of Medicine Park is now beating and is as strong as ever. As each project is undertaken, it adds to the charm. It is a great place to go spend a weekend to be close to nature. My favorite term is that it is a great place to “decompress”.
So, if you would like to help by getting on the website that I mentioned earlier and voting in the online pole for what we think is the coolest small town in America, I am sure that the folks down there would really appreciate it. If you have yet to experience the renewed heartbeat, just make a day trip. Or, better yet, go rent a cabin for the weekend and just spend some time feeling the spirit of Medicine Park.
If you would like to contact me while I am at the capitol, please do not hesitate to send an email to donarmes@house.gov or call me at 1-800-522-8502.
And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“A great city is not to be confounded with a populous one.” -Aristotle
When you are an elected official, the towns in your district are kind of like your kids. You love them all but when one of them has something really neat happen, you cannot help but beam. One of my “kids” that has had something really cool happen last week is Medicine Park. Now, before I launch into this, it does not mean that I am not equally as proud of all my towns. But, last week, a really neat thing happened in a National publication to allow people to vote for Medicine Park to give it the chance to become one of the “coolest towns in America”. In this month’s Budget Travel magazine, there is an article about the coolest towns in America. We are extremely honored to have Medicine Park mentioned in that article. If you would like to go online and vote, just go to: www.medicinepark.com and click on the link provided.
If you live around here and have been here for very long, you know the history of Medicine Park all the way back to the Roaring ‘20s. When I was young, in the ‘70s, Medicine Park was almost scary because it had gotten to be kind of a rough place to be. The shine had worn off its charm. Much of the historic cobblestone community had fallen into disrepair. I remember when I was in junior high, skating in the old skating rink which is now the Medicine Park Music Hall. The foot bridge was in bad shape and there was no real community pride. It was as if the heart of that community was barely beating. Fast forward into the ‘90s when David and Candace McCoy took up the torch to start the revitalization of Medicine Park by raising money to refurbish the old suspension bridge. It was the catalyst for the rebirth of what has become a great tourist spot.
Nestled near the gate of the historic Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, it has drawn many artists and other very creative souls who have chosen Medicine Park as the place they want to be. One of the artists whose signature is all over the “reborn” community was Robert Dean, who could do more with a pile of scrap metal than almost anyone you have ever seen. We know that just a couple of short weeks ago we lost Robert. He epitomized the spirit of Medicine Park and it became his pallet as he sought to add his creative touch. Robert’s artwork will live on in the historic rebirth of this great community.
There are several great venues for events in Medicine Park. In fact, the last two weekends I have been there to help raise money for organizations. There has been a great deal of investment and the heart of Medicine Park is now beating and is as strong as ever. As each project is undertaken, it adds to the charm. It is a great place to go spend a weekend to be close to nature. My favorite term is that it is a great place to “decompress”.
So, if you would like to help by getting on the website that I mentioned earlier and voting in the online pole for what we think is the coolest small town in America, I am sure that the folks down there would really appreciate it. If you have yet to experience the renewed heartbeat, just make a day trip. Or, better yet, go rent a cabin for the weekend and just spend some time feeling the spirit of Medicine Park.
If you would like to contact me while I am at the capitol, please do not hesitate to send an email to donarmes@house.gov or call me at 1-800-522-8502.
And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“A great city is not to be confounded with a populous one.” -Aristotle
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The Ugly Side
The Ugly Side
Sometimes in politics, as in life, we pick our battles. And, other times, our battles pick us. I know of no one on the planet any more tired of the equine dentistry issue than yours truly. So, I thought after the letter that came out in the Lawton Constitution from Dr. Charles Freeman that I probably needed to at least somewhat defend my position. This is by no means the only shot that anybody has tried to take at us. There have been many across the state. So, let me start with the fact that I am in no way, shape or form against our veterinarians. In fact, I have many veterinarians who are good friends and very competent healers. This issue started over two years ago with an amendment to a bill that really had nothing to do with horses. A member of the Oklahoma House, who is also a veterinarian, amended a bill that actually addressed people who make dentures. It made it a felony for anyone to violate any part of the vet practice act. None of the ag groups who watch legislation that would affect agriculture even caught that little amendment that started this snowball. Keep in mind, a felony is a very serious charge. It is a big hammer and that hammer was wielded with a lot of malice.
The first target was a company called REI (Reproductive Enterprises Inc.) out of Stillwater, a 30-year old company that has been one of the leading firms in the state, helping cattle producers with embryo transfer and very high-tech breeding transfers. Their success rate is very high and a great number of pure bred producers relied heavily on their expertise. When the first cease and desist order was issued to REI over a year ago, the cattle industry was shocked and angered by the fact that the vet board decided that after 30 years, it should be illegal for a very successful company to continue to operate. Those of us in agricultural leadership roles in the state began to receive numerous calls. After a tremendous amount of displeasure from the livestock community, myself and some other rural legislators had a meeting with the vet board to express our displeasure in the handling of the reproduction company. The vet board’s response was “we were within the law” but they seemed willing to work with the Legislature, who with by the way is where laws are changed, to find a workable solution to keep this entity in place. After what we thought was a fairly good discussion and somewhat of an understanding, we believed we were on the right track and that the cease and desist orders would be put on a hold until we could find a solution. Boy, were we wrong.
Fast forward a few months and the next incident was the sting and ultimate arrest and felony charge of four-time NFR Saddle Bronc Rider and very competent equine dentist, Bobby Griswold. Not a bank robber, not a serial killer, but a father of three who worked very hard to become proficient in maintaining the oral health of horses. So, the next meeting occurred at the capitol with the vet board as once again, those of us in ag leadership roles, called what we considered this rogue agency back again to find out where the breakdown in communication occurred. Once again, we were met with a complete lack of respect for the solutions we were trying to find and a total disregard for the authority of the Legislature. And that, sports fans, is really where the fight started.
We had numerous meetings to try to discuss the issue only to be met with an agency unwilling to admit that they were heavy handed. I think that they fully expected to be able to wield a sledge hammer and reek havoc on anybody who didn’t do exactly what they wanted with no pushback from the ag community. At that point, we had very little choice but to try to fix the situation with a legislative solution. The first order of business was to reduce the size of their hammer. That was achieved by reducing the felony aspect of the Vet Practice Act back to a misdemeanor. To try to keep a father of three little girls from going to prison, which we thought was an absolute travesty when we have so much crime and bad people on the street. Remember, these guys who take care of horses are not outlaws. They are good, hard-working people. In my opinion, the government was overstepping its bounds just because it could, which was totally unacceptable.
We were successful, after a great deal of gnashing of teeth and political fisticuffs, to remove the felony provision, which was step one in correcting what we saw as a tremendous injustice to rural Oklahoma livestock producers and horsemen. It got bad enough that Farm Bureau, Oklahoma’s largest grass roots farm organization, concurred that correcting this injustice would become their number one legislative priority for the 2010 session. Now, according to Dr. Freeman in his inaccurate assessment of this situation, I was able to misguide Farm Bureau. Nothing could be further from the truth. Farm Bureau takes marching orders from their board, the people in the country who make their living in the agriculture, not from the legislature. Farm Bureau sees it clearly as a property rights issue. They feel like their livestock and horses are their property and that they should have the right to choose who maintains that property. If they have a comfort level with a skilled lay man, they should have the right to choose that course of action. Again, that was their decision, not the decision of me or any other legislator. In fact, I have been accused of many things that were grossly untrue. One of the most offensive was that somehow because of our legislative action, reproductive drugs that are commonly used in heat synchronization would somehow be misused. In fact, I think the exact statement that a vet used in a press release last year was that “Representative Armes wants to create rural abortion clinics”. If you have known me very long, you know that I have two daughters, taught agriculture for 13 years and have fought for kids my entire life. So, once again, I turned the other cheek at these horrible accusations and pressed on.
This year, the bills (HB3202, SB1999) are aimed at one thing, to move some very basic agricultural practices like equine dentistry and some reproductive practices from the Vet Practice Act and make them acts of animal husbandry. Does that mean that a vet cannot do these? Absolutely not. But, as long as there is a shortage of large animal practitioners, it allows some people who are highly skilled and trained in these areas to provide some of these services to livestock owners. My contention has always been that if a veterinarian wanted to specialize in these areas and really get good at them, they would have all the business they want. But, in areas of a shortage, there can be other people who can fill theses needs. So, you are going to hear a lot of things that are not true. One of the reasons I ran for office was to defend agriculture and if a group attacks our way of life, I am going to stand up. That is what I am doing. I feel like we are justified and I do not plan on backing down. We are in negotiations with representatives from the Vet Association and feel like we are close to a workable solution. Without drawing a line in the sand, it would never have occurred. I am sure that I will take more punches and that is fine. But, I feel like we are right.
If you would like to contact me while I am at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to call
1-800-522-8502 or send an e-mail to donarmes@okhouse.gov.
And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“You have got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” – song by Aaron Tippin
Sometimes in politics, as in life, we pick our battles. And, other times, our battles pick us. I know of no one on the planet any more tired of the equine dentistry issue than yours truly. So, I thought after the letter that came out in the Lawton Constitution from Dr. Charles Freeman that I probably needed to at least somewhat defend my position. This is by no means the only shot that anybody has tried to take at us. There have been many across the state. So, let me start with the fact that I am in no way, shape or form against our veterinarians. In fact, I have many veterinarians who are good friends and very competent healers. This issue started over two years ago with an amendment to a bill that really had nothing to do with horses. A member of the Oklahoma House, who is also a veterinarian, amended a bill that actually addressed people who make dentures. It made it a felony for anyone to violate any part of the vet practice act. None of the ag groups who watch legislation that would affect agriculture even caught that little amendment that started this snowball. Keep in mind, a felony is a very serious charge. It is a big hammer and that hammer was wielded with a lot of malice.
The first target was a company called REI (Reproductive Enterprises Inc.) out of Stillwater, a 30-year old company that has been one of the leading firms in the state, helping cattle producers with embryo transfer and very high-tech breeding transfers. Their success rate is very high and a great number of pure bred producers relied heavily on their expertise. When the first cease and desist order was issued to REI over a year ago, the cattle industry was shocked and angered by the fact that the vet board decided that after 30 years, it should be illegal for a very successful company to continue to operate. Those of us in agricultural leadership roles in the state began to receive numerous calls. After a tremendous amount of displeasure from the livestock community, myself and some other rural legislators had a meeting with the vet board to express our displeasure in the handling of the reproduction company. The vet board’s response was “we were within the law” but they seemed willing to work with the Legislature, who with by the way is where laws are changed, to find a workable solution to keep this entity in place. After what we thought was a fairly good discussion and somewhat of an understanding, we believed we were on the right track and that the cease and desist orders would be put on a hold until we could find a solution. Boy, were we wrong.
Fast forward a few months and the next incident was the sting and ultimate arrest and felony charge of four-time NFR Saddle Bronc Rider and very competent equine dentist, Bobby Griswold. Not a bank robber, not a serial killer, but a father of three who worked very hard to become proficient in maintaining the oral health of horses. So, the next meeting occurred at the capitol with the vet board as once again, those of us in ag leadership roles, called what we considered this rogue agency back again to find out where the breakdown in communication occurred. Once again, we were met with a complete lack of respect for the solutions we were trying to find and a total disregard for the authority of the Legislature. And that, sports fans, is really where the fight started.
We had numerous meetings to try to discuss the issue only to be met with an agency unwilling to admit that they were heavy handed. I think that they fully expected to be able to wield a sledge hammer and reek havoc on anybody who didn’t do exactly what they wanted with no pushback from the ag community. At that point, we had very little choice but to try to fix the situation with a legislative solution. The first order of business was to reduce the size of their hammer. That was achieved by reducing the felony aspect of the Vet Practice Act back to a misdemeanor. To try to keep a father of three little girls from going to prison, which we thought was an absolute travesty when we have so much crime and bad people on the street. Remember, these guys who take care of horses are not outlaws. They are good, hard-working people. In my opinion, the government was overstepping its bounds just because it could, which was totally unacceptable.
We were successful, after a great deal of gnashing of teeth and political fisticuffs, to remove the felony provision, which was step one in correcting what we saw as a tremendous injustice to rural Oklahoma livestock producers and horsemen. It got bad enough that Farm Bureau, Oklahoma’s largest grass roots farm organization, concurred that correcting this injustice would become their number one legislative priority for the 2010 session. Now, according to Dr. Freeman in his inaccurate assessment of this situation, I was able to misguide Farm Bureau. Nothing could be further from the truth. Farm Bureau takes marching orders from their board, the people in the country who make their living in the agriculture, not from the legislature. Farm Bureau sees it clearly as a property rights issue. They feel like their livestock and horses are their property and that they should have the right to choose who maintains that property. If they have a comfort level with a skilled lay man, they should have the right to choose that course of action. Again, that was their decision, not the decision of me or any other legislator. In fact, I have been accused of many things that were grossly untrue. One of the most offensive was that somehow because of our legislative action, reproductive drugs that are commonly used in heat synchronization would somehow be misused. In fact, I think the exact statement that a vet used in a press release last year was that “Representative Armes wants to create rural abortion clinics”. If you have known me very long, you know that I have two daughters, taught agriculture for 13 years and have fought for kids my entire life. So, once again, I turned the other cheek at these horrible accusations and pressed on.
This year, the bills (HB3202, SB1999) are aimed at one thing, to move some very basic agricultural practices like equine dentistry and some reproductive practices from the Vet Practice Act and make them acts of animal husbandry. Does that mean that a vet cannot do these? Absolutely not. But, as long as there is a shortage of large animal practitioners, it allows some people who are highly skilled and trained in these areas to provide some of these services to livestock owners. My contention has always been that if a veterinarian wanted to specialize in these areas and really get good at them, they would have all the business they want. But, in areas of a shortage, there can be other people who can fill theses needs. So, you are going to hear a lot of things that are not true. One of the reasons I ran for office was to defend agriculture and if a group attacks our way of life, I am going to stand up. That is what I am doing. I feel like we are justified and I do not plan on backing down. We are in negotiations with representatives from the Vet Association and feel like we are close to a workable solution. Without drawing a line in the sand, it would never have occurred. I am sure that I will take more punches and that is fine. But, I feel like we are right.
If you would like to contact me while I am at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to call
1-800-522-8502 or send an e-mail to donarmes@okhouse.gov.
And here’s a little something to think about as you go down the road:
“You have got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” – song by Aaron Tippin
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