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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Judge strikes down photo ID requirement for Pa. voters

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A Pennsylvania judge on Friday struck down a requirement that nearly all of the states 8.2 million voters show photo identication at the polls, saying it imposes an unreasonable burden on the right to vote and that officials failed to demonstrate the need for it. Voting laws are designed to assure a free and fair election; the Voter ID Law does not further this goal, state Commonwealth Court Judge Bernard L. McGinley wrote in a decision that set the stage for a potential courtroom showdown before the states highest court. McGinley, a Democrat, said the law is unconstitutional because it does not require that a valid photo ID be convenient and available to voters. As a constitutional prerequisite, any voter ID law must contain a mechanism for ensuring liberal access to compliant photo IDs so that the requirement does not disenfranchise valid voters, McGinley wrote. Gov. Tom Corbett declined to comment, saying he had not reviewed the 103-page ruling. His lawyer, James Schultz, said they could seek a review by the full Commonwealth Court or appeal directly to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Attorney General Kathleen Kane, a Democrat who helped represent Corbett and other state defendants, said she was waiting for a signal from the governors office on a possible appeal. The law, one of the strictest in the nation, was approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by the Republican governor in March 2012 over the protests of every single Democratic lawmaker. Rep. Daryl D. Metcalfe, a Butler County Republican who sponsored the original, more stringent bill, called the decision an activist ruling by a partisan Democrat judge. The fact that the law may impose a burden on voters who need an ID doesnt give you a reason to (disregard) the voice of the people as expressed by the Legislature, he said. The photo ID requirement had been blocked from being enforced pending resolution of the constitutional challenge. Fridays ruling did not strike down the entire law, but it prohibits enforcement of the photo ID requirement.

AVALON
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PSO
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Recent AEP-PSO rate cases

Date Settled
Feb. 2, 2005 .............................$6.9 million base rate reduction Oct. 9, 2007.............................$9.8 million base rate increase Jan. 14, 2009 ...........................$81.4 million base rate increase Jan. 5, 2011 ...............................Zero revenue settlement

Result

utilities on behalf of Oklahoma ratepayers. AEP-PSO announced last year that it will replace all of its 520,000 meters statewide with smart meters by 2016. That will cost about $120 million, according to reports. The $45 million would be an annual increase in rate revenues. If the rate request is approved as led Friday, the average bill would rise $3.97 per month for customers using 1,000 kilowatts hours, AEP-PSO spokesman Stan Whiteford estimated.

Residential customer rates would be 8.84 cents per kilowatt hour, which Whiteford said is 26.91 percent lower than the national average. The overall price per kilowatt hour, including commercial and industrial customers, would be 7.18 cents, nearly 29 percent below the U.S. norm. Even with this modest price increase, amounting to

about one percent per year since our last base rate increase, PSOs rates remain among the lowest in the United States, Solomon said. AEP-PSO provides power to about 530,000 customers statewide, including Tulsa and much of eastern Oklahoma.
Rod Walton 918-581-8457
rod.walton@tulsaworld.com

Praise, prayers for Dr. No

In press statement after press statement Friday, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburns fellow elected officials and others praised his keen intellect and unwavering dedication to conservative values especially reducing spending by the federal government. Those of us who have had the privilege of serving with Tom Coburn will be sad to lose him as a colleague here in Washington. Tom and I entered the Senate at the same time, becoming friends after our wives struck up a conversation at an orientation dinner. And even though we havent always agreed politically, weve found ways to work together to make government more transparent, cut down on earmarks, and ght to reduce wasteful spending and make our tax system fairer. The people of Oklahoma have been well-served by this country doctor from Muskogee over the past nine years, and Im condent that Toms strength and optimism will carry him through the battles to come. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA I was honored to help recruit Tom in 1993 to run for the House of Representatives. I knew then that he was an intellectual and superb medical doctor. As we worked together, I came to learn he also had the skills that made him arguably the most sought after adviser in the Republican conference. In every policy decision, Tom has sought to be a faithful steward of the taxpayers money and a dedicated public servant to Oklahoma. He is a true brother in the Lord and my prayers are with him and his family in this time. OKLAHOMA U.S. SEN. JIM INHOFE No Oklahoman and few Americans have contributed more to our national dialogue over the course of the last two decades than Tom Coburn. A tireless leader and honest voice for Oklahoma, he is an unusual politician because he hates politics. But Tom loves our country and relishes the debate on the critical issues of our time ... I know Tom will make his remaining time in office count, and his legacy will continue to inspire leaders young and old. OKLAHOMA U.S. REP. TOM COLE He is a true hero of the American taxpayer and one of the most inuential voices in American politics today. Agree with him or not, there is never any doubt where Tom Coburn stands on the issues. He is as impressive a public servant as they come, and I am sure we have not heard the last from him. OKLAHOMA GOV. MARY FALLIN He is a genuine leader who is never afraid to tell you exactly where he stands. And unlike most in our nations capitol, Dr. Coburn is driven not by partisan politics or a desire to get re-elected, but rather by his commitment to secure a brighter future for the next generation of Americans. OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL SCOTT PRUITT He taught me, and I know many others, that debt and spending has crippled future generations and is the greatest moral crisis our country faces today. There is no other leader like Dr. No, a true God-fearing patriot. OKLAHOMA HOUSE SPEAKER T.W. SHANNON Courageous, honorable, statesman, straight-shooter, and a true Oklahoman. His presence in the U.S. Senate strengthens our country and uplifts our state. We will all miss his service, but we are forever grateful for his contribution and the legacy he will leave behind. TULSA MAYOR DEWEY BARTLETT I, along with so many Oklahoma Baptists, have greatly appreciated Sen. Coburns service to our state and country through the years. Brother Tom is not only a great patriot and leader, but a dedicated Baptist and family man, and we will pray to God for his full healing and for blessings on the Coburn family. ANTHONY JORDAN, executive director and treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Every senator, regardless of party, has found themselves inspired by Dr. Coburns principled leadership and tireless efforts on behalf of hard working taxpayers in Oklahoma and across the country. He continues to embody Oklahomas motto, Labor conquers all things, and we are fortunate to have one more year with his fearless voice in the Senate. KANSAS U.S. SEN. JERRY MORAN, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee While we may not agree on many of his policy positions, we respect Dr. Coburns service to the state of Oklahoma. It takes courage to run for public office, and we appreciate anyone willing to put themselves in front of the public eye. We wish Dr. Coburn and his family success and good health in the days ahead. WALLACE COLLINS, Oklahoma Democratic Party chairman

The facility has 390 beds for men and is in downtown Tulsa. Brian Costello, Avalon Correctional Services chief operating officer and president, spoke to the Board of Corrections and presented a plan for changes. Costello said the agencys decision to remove offenders from the facility came as a shock to his company. The company will replace the halfway house administrator, Donald Coffman, with Chris Villalobos, the companys vice president for operations, he said. Coffman has been placed on suspension with pay, Costello said. Villalobos will remain as administrator until a suitable replacement for Coffman is identied, he said. If DOC continues to use Avalons facility, the company also will pay for a fulltime DOC monitor to ensure offender safety and compliance until all the investigations are nished, Costello said. After the conclusion of the investigations and review of reports, we propose to work with the DOC at the direction of the board to determine what, if any, other changes are required to ensure the continued viability of this facility and the reintegration programs we provide there to offenders, Costello said. He said the plans adoption would keep approximately 100 offenders who have fulltime jobs employed. It would also allow another 40 offenders to continue to search for jobs and another 38 to remain employed with public works

Avalon Correctional Services President Brian Costello speaks Friday at an Oklahoma Board of Corrections meeting in Oklahoma City. Costello proposed that the facilitys administrator be removed and that the Department of Corrections post a full-time monitor at the facility while the department completes an investigation.SUE OGROCKI/Associated Press

crews in the Tulsa area. We truly understand the departments concerns, and we also believe this proposal effectively addresses those concerns, at least on an interim basis, Costello said. We urge the board to consider this proposal and reach agreement on its implementation with the Department of Corrections leadership. The Board of Corrections took no action Friday. Since this item is not on the agenda, we are not prepared to take any action here today, said Kevin Gross, Board of Corrections chairman. But we encourage you to continue to work with the

Department of Corrections leadership to resolve these issues. Gov. Mary Fallin weighed in on the issue during a press conference Friday to discuss the recent naming of a new Department of Corrections director, Robert Patton, currently the division director of operations for the Arizona Department of Corrections. What happened was wrong, and they (Avalon) need to x it, she said, adding that she was pleased that the company has made personnel changes.
Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com

DOC
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tough on crime and smart on crime. To say I have this grand scheme to come in here and x it all tomorrow, no, I dont, Patton said. It is my rst priority. Patton said he plans to visit correctional facilities in his rst few months on the job and to meet with employees. I want to see it, he said. I want to touch it. I want to feel it myself. I want to talk to the staff that are doing the job every day. Patton began his career in corrections as an officer in 1985 and worked his way up. I have been there at 2 in the morning, he said. I had to supervise 200 offenders by myself. I have been that sergeant on that shift. I have been that lieutenant and that

captain. That is who I want degree in public administration from Northern Arizona to hear from. Patton said he understands University in Flagstaff. low pay is a big issue for correctional employees. He said Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465 barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com he will do what he can to address the work environment for employees. Salaries are something I cant x overnight, but I will be an advocate for, Patton said. What I am interested in hearing is, what can I x for you right now? LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1982 Patton said he also plans to visit with lawmakers. It is all about relationships, being transparent, open and honest, Patton said. You cant run an agency this large without their HUGE SAVINGS! support because you need nancial support, but you must be able to explain what SEE TO you are going to do. BELIEVE! Patton holds a bachelors degree in correctional administration from Wayland 1080p HDTV Baptist University in PlainONLY $ view, Texas, and a masters

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COBURN
FROM A1

sons promising career in elective politics. Coburn made it clear before his re-election in 2010 that he would not serve another term, thus effectively raising the gate on the 2016 race. By leaving office two years early, Coburn threw countless well-laid plans into chaos. A 2016 campaign meant statewide officeholders like Attorney General Scott Pruitt and Treasurer Ken Miller could have run without giving up their incumbencies. Now they will have to choose. The earlier date may also make the decision more dif-

cult for rising stars such as Congressmen James Lankford and Jim Bridenstine and state House Speaker T.W. Shannon. No one, Republican or Democrat, was willing to announce his candidacy on Friday. All said they thought it would be disrespectful to discuss the matter so soon after Coburns resignation. There is no reason to rush this, said Bridenstine. Lankford, who spoke to the Tulsa Republican Club on Friday, said he would be making a decision at a later date. A spokesman for Gov. Mary Fallin, when asked, said Fallin is denitely not interested in the race. It is generally assumed Coburns successor will be

a Republican, but there are Democrats worth considering. Former Gov. Brad Henry and his wife Kim remain popular. Former Second District Congressman Dan Boren, who did not seek re-election in 2012, still has $500,000 in his federal campaign fund. Former state Sen. Kenneth Corn, former Attorney General Drew Edmondson and state House Minority Leader Scott Inman are also possibilities. Matt Silverstein, a Democrat who is challenging Oklahomas other U.S. senator, Jim Inhofe, said he will not switch to race for the open seat.
Randy Krehbiel 918-581-8365
randy.krehbiel@tulsaworld.com

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