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On November 8th Oklahomans will be staring

at several important decisions to make in the form
of six stare questions, all of which will change our
way of life. Several weeks ago we looked at three
of these issues, and today I want to look at all six,
because I think we should vote no on each of
them.
The biggest one that worries me is State Question 777, the so-called constitutional amendment
that would give Oklahoma residents the right to
engage in farming and ranching practices and agricultural technology.
At first glance through a smoke screen it looks
like a good thing for our small family farmers; it however anything but good for the small family farmer.
Up front what this amendment does is give major
advantages to the industrial factory farms, many of
which are owned and operated by foreign corporations, at the expense of the small farmer.
The way the amendment is written at this point, it
as well gives a great advantage to puppy mills and
cock fighting. It is an amendment that takes away
the power of the legislature and municipal governments to regulate any agricultural practices, and it
takes away the power of the Oklahoma voters to
vote on any changes.
Regulations to protect all of us from the Industrial Farming Operations use of Chemical additives
to feed, growth hormones and genetic modifications
will be impossible to put in place.
I will vote no on State Question 777, it is very
poorly worded and leaves the barn door open to big
problems. Remember too, our farmers already have
the right to farm.
State Question 790 the so-called Ten Commandments measure. It is designed to remove Article 2,
Second 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution. Article
2, Section 5 says, No public money or property
shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or
used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or
support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other
religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution
as such.
Folks if we pass this measure it is still possible
if not likely that the United States Supreme Court
will rule that some Ten Commandment displays or
monuments violate the First Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution. If we remove Article 2 Section 5 we
will have removed the very restrictions that currently
keep or legislature in check, as to religious matters.
Ill vote No!
State Question 792 is an amendment to the
Oklahoma constitution to allow grocery and convenience stores to sell wine and high point beer.
The amendment would as well open the door for
Oklahoma liquor stores to sell refrigerated beer and
alcohol accessories.
There are other parts to this measure and it would
take effect on October 1, 2018. For thirty-five years
I lived in a state that had liquor by the drink and just
about every food establishment took advantage of
the law. In the state every grocery store, Honk and
Holler, and neighborhood pharmacy sold refrigerated beer in addition to wine and liquor.
For several years my part time off-season job
was as a grocery store front-end manager. It was
a minute-by-minute battle to keep the underage
checkers from letting friends break the laws, and
the state using undercover officers caught many of
the checkers breaking the law.
We had to police the drunks staggering into the
store and the methods used to shoplift were creative to say the least. In the end we employed off
duty police officers to work with store security. The
drunken driver numbers increased as did the robberies. Ill vote No on SQ 792.
State Question 779 is designed to create a limited purpose fund to improve public education and
levies one-cent sales and use tax to provide revenue for the fund. It allocates funds for specific institutions and purposes related to the improvement of
public education. 69.50% will go for common school
districts, 19.25% for the Oklahoma State Regents
for Higher Education, 3.25% for the Oklahoma
Department of Career and Technology Education,
and 8% for the State Department of Education.
It sort of requires teacher salary increases
funded by the measure to raise teacher salaries
by at least $5,000. This one you need to read real
closely, because teacher raises do not show up until
the fall of 2017, and there is nothing written in the bill
that keeps the Legislature from taking a like amount
of revenue from the bottom of the ledger after these
funds are added to the top. Ill vote NO!
State Question 780 changes the classification
of simple drug possession crimes from a felony
to a misdemeanor. There are several other parts,
which Ill not cover. NO it will not help the situation. I
have a family member, here in Oklahoma, who was
tagged with a felony conviction for selling drugs, lost
his drivers licenses, served his time and now rides
his bicycle around town selling drugs. A small slap
on his hand would have done nothing, or slowed
him down. Ill vote no!!
State Question 776 is an amendment that affirms
the state of Oklahomas right to perform executions.
It gives the Legislature the power to designate any
method of execution, it prohibits the reduction of a
death sentence due to an invalid method of execution, and prohibits the death penalty from being
ruled cruel and unusual punishment or unconstitutional according to the Oklahoma Constitution. I
mentioned several weeks back that if you check the
State of Oklahoma has the ability on the book to use
a firing squad if they so choose.
The problem with this is that the state is going
to spend millions in court costs trying to make this
measure valid and in the end the U.S. Supreme
Court is going to have the last say. Ill vote no!
When you couple these issues with the federal
election this is going to be a real interesting General
Election. What I want to do is encourage, or beg
you to read about the issues on your own, and vote
accordingly, dont sit at home this election is too
important.
The Country Connection News
ews, Inc., October 18, 2016, Page 3

Oct
18
Seven State Questions
2016
By State Representative David Perryman
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On November 8 every Oklahomans election ballot will include seven state questions. Four of the
state questions have been placed on the ballot by the Oklahoma legislature (Legislative Referendum)
and three are there because of petitions that were signed by tens of thousands of Oklahomans (Initiative Petition).
Because of the length of this years ballot, voters may find it helpful to review a list of the questions
as it gets closer to time to vote. While I would be happy to discuss these state questions with you in
depth, the following list is provided so that you can sort through which number relates to which
subject:
State Question 776 was placed on the ballot by the legislature to allow the state to continue to
execute condemned persons even if the law changes the method of execution. A YES vote will allow the
legislature to choose an alternative method of execution and a NO vote will leave the law unchanged.
State Question 777 was placed on the ballot by the legislature to prevent new laws and regulations
from being placed on the agriculture industry unless the state can show that the law is necessary to
protect Oklahoma. A YES vote will require the state to prove that any new law dealing with agriculture is
necessary to prevent harm to Oklahoma before it can be enforced and a NO vote will leave the law
unchanged.
State Question 779 was placed on the ballot by the people of Oklahoma for a new one penny sales
tax to supplement Oklahomas education budget. A YES vote will raise Oklahomas sales tax by one cent
and a NO vote will leave Oklahomas sales tax rate unchanged.
State Question 780 was placed on the ballot by the people of Oklahoma to change certain offenses
from felonies to misdemeanors. A YES vote will make simple drug possession cases misdemeanors and
will raise the threshold of a felony theft from $500 to $1000. A NO vote will make these crimes continue
to be classified as felonies.
State Question 781 was placed on the ballot by the people of Oklahoma so that IF the state saves
money by not sending so many people to prison, the savings would be used to fund local drug
treatment and counseling services. Even if this State Question passes, it will not become effective
unless both 780 and it pass. A YES vote will use any savings from 780 for local drug treatment services
and a NO vote would allow any savings to be appropriated by the legislature for any purpose.
State Question 790 was placed on the ballot by the legislature to repeal a section from Oklahomas
Bill of Rights that prevents public money and property from being used for religious purposes. A YES
vote will allow public money and public property to be used by religions and religious organizations. A
NO vote will leave Oklahomas Constitutional separation of church and state unchanged.
State Question 792 was placed on the ballot by the legislature to change the places where beer and
wine could be sold. A YES vote will change the law to allow grocery stores and convenience stores to
sell wine and stronger beer. A NO vote will leave Oklahomas liquor laws as they currently exist.
Instead of standing in line to vote, you may order an ABSENTEE BALLOT between now and Wednesday, November 2.
Thank you for allowing me to serve Oklahoma. For questions or comments call me at 405-557-7401 or
email me at David.Perryman@okhouse.gov.
ck
The Ellis County Capital
PAGE 4
THE ELLIS COUNTY CAPITAL
OCTOBER 20, 2016
Criminal Rehabilitation
STATEQUESTION
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STATE QUESTION NO. 781

INITIATIVE PETITION NO. 405
SUMMARY OF
STATEQUESTIONS
Seven state questions will appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.
Legislative Referendums are placed on the ballot by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Initiative Petitions are placed on the ballot by gathering signatures from citizens.
Each question is reprinted here as it will appear on the ballot followed by a
brief summary.
Death Penalty
STATEQUESTION
LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 367

This measure adds a new section to the Oklahoma Constitution, Section

9A of Article 2. The new Section deals with the death penalty. The Section
establishes State constitutional mandates relating to the death penalty and
methods of execution. Under these constitutional requirements:
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execution not prohibited by the United States Constitution.
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is ruled to be invalid.
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imposed shall remain in force until it can be carried out using any valid
execution method, and
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constitute the infliction of cruel or unusual punishment under Oklahomas
Constitution, nor to contravene any provision of the Oklahoma Constitution.
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SUMMARY: State Question 776 does two things: it addresses
the method of execution for an inmate on death row, and it

states that the death penalty shall not be deemed cruel and
unusual punishment. If the proposal is approved, a new
section would be added to the Oklahoma Constitution that
allows the state to continue to impose the death penalty, even
if a specific method of execution becomes unavailable. Death
sentences would remain in effect until they can be carried out
by any method not prohibited by the US Constitution.
If approved, the constitutional amendment would apply
to the state constitution but not the federal constitution or
courts applying federal law.
The Oklahoma death penalty law, enacted in 1976, has
been consistently applied by Oklahoma elected officials:
the state executed 191 men and three women between
1915 and 2014 at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary (82 by
electrocution, one by hanging, and 111 by lethal injection).
Statutes specifically allow gas inhalation, electrocution, and
firing squad as backups to the primary form of execution by
lethal injection.
In October 2015, Oklahoma suspended executions for a
review of lethal injection protocols. One of the drugs most
commonly used for lethal injection is sodium thiopental,
which is no longer manufactured in the United States. In
2011, the European Commission imposed restrictions on
the export of certain drugs used for lethal injections in the
United States.
As a result, many states no longer have the drugs used
to carry out lethal injection. Oklahoma has turned to other
drugs as a substitute for sodium thiopental. However,
recent instances of executions around the country in which
alternative drugs were used may have produced adverse
outcomes.
The death penalty is legal in thirty-one states, and illegal
in nineteen.
Agriculture
STATEQUESTION

This measure adds Section 38 to Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution.

The new Section creates state constitutional rights. It creates the following
guaranteed rights to engage in farming and ranching:
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These constitutional rights receive extra protection under this measure
that not all constitutional rights receive. This extra protection is a limit on
lawmakers ability to interfere with the exercise of these rights. Under this
extra protection, no law can interfere with these rights, unless the law is
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of the highest order. Additionally, the law must be necessary to serve that
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SUMMARY:
If the proposal is approved, the measure

would prevent lawmakers from passing legislation to regulate
agriculture unless there is a compelling state interest. The
proposal would forbid the state of Oklahoma from regulating
the use of agricultural technology, livestock procedures,
and ranching practices. The standard of compelling state
interest is a key component to the question because it sets a
very high standard for a law to be judged.
If passed, the proposal would apply to any democratically
elected body that can trace its creation to the state legislature,
including county and city governments, but not school boards.
Federal laws would not be impacted; current state laws about
farming and ranching would be grandfathered in, and would
not be repealed by this amendment. Grandfathered laws
could be amended or repealed in the future.
Similar proposals have been presented to voters in other
states, first in North Dakota. A similar amendment passed
in Missouri in 2014; another amendment was considered in
Nebraska earlier this year but was not approved by legislators
for a vote of the people. Oklahomas State Question 777 is
inspired in part by opponents of Proposition 2 in California.
Proposition 2 required certain farm animals to be able to lie
down, stand up, fully extend limbs, and turn around freely.
SQ 777 is unique in that it added the compelling state
interest clause.
Oklahomas top agricultural products in revenue are cattle,
hogs, poultry, wheat, and dairy. Agriculture is the states
fourteenth highest economic sector, accounting for less than
2 percent of GDP, (higher than agricultures national rate). For
decades, as technology and yields have advanced, the number
of agricultural jobs and farms has declined. Nine in ten
Oklahoma crop and animal operations are owned by private
citizens, many of whom contract with larger corporations.
Education Funding Tax
STATEQUESTION

This measure adds a new Article to the Oklahoma Constitution. The article
creates a limited purpose fund to increase funding for public education.
It increases State sales and use taxes by one cent per dollar to provide
revenue for the fund. The revenue to be used for public education shall be
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under the authority of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education,

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over the salaries paid in the year prior to adoption of this measure. It
requires an annual audit of school districts use of monies. It prohibits
school districts use of these funds for increasing superintendents salaries
or adding superintendent positions. It requires that monies from the fund
not supplant or replace other educational funding. If the Oklahoma Board
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may not make any appropriations until the amount of replaced funding is
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SUMMARY:
If this proposal is approved, Article 8-C

would be added to the Oklahoma Constitution creating a
limited purpose fundthe Education Improvement Fund.
An increase of the sales and use tax by one cent on
the dollar would provide revenue for the fund. School
districts that benefit from the fund would be subject to an
annual audit. Funds generated by the tax cannot be used to
replace other state funding of common, higher, career and
technology, and early childhood education.
The provisions of the new article require a minimum
$5,000 salary increase for teachers over the salaries paid in
the year prior to adoption. The funds generated would not
be used to increase the salaries of school superintendents or
to add superintendent positions.
Oklahomas average compensation for teachers, including
salary and benefits, is $44,921. According to the National
Education Association, Oklahoma ranks 49th in the nation
in teacher pay.
A section within the new article to the state constitution
establishes that monies collected would be distributed as
follows:
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> 86.33 percent of common education funding would
be used to provide teachers with a minimum $5,000 raise
and otherwise address or prevent teacher and certified
instruction staff shortages.
> 13.67 percent of common education funding would
be used to adopt or expand, but not maintain, programs,
opportunities or reforms for improving reading in early
grades, improving high school graduation rates, and
increasing college and career readiness.
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Law Enforcement
STATEQUESTION

This measure amends existing Oklahoma laws and would change the
classification of certain drug possession and property crimes from felony
to misdemeanor. It would make possession of a limited quantity of drugs
a misdemeanor. The amendment also changes the classification of
certain drug possession crimes which are currently considered felonies
and cases where the defendant has a prior drug possession conviction.
The proposed amendment would reclassify these drug possession
cases as misdemeanors. The amendment would increase the threshold
dollar amount used for determining whether certain property crimes are
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by this change include; false declaration of a pawn ticket, embezzlement,
larceny, grand larceny, theft, receiving or concealing stolen property, taking
domesticated fish or game, fraud, forgery, counterfeiting, or issuing bogus
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SUMMARY: If the measure is approved, State Question 780
would reclassify certain offenses, such as simple drug possession and property crimes, as misdemeanors rather than
felonies. The reclassification of the drug possession offense
is intended to be applied to persons who use the drugs, not to
those who are selling or manufacturing the drugs. The measure also would change the dollar amount threshold for property crimes charged as felonies from $500 to $1,000.
The goal of this measure is to reduce the size of the states
prison population and to reduce the amount of state funds
being spent on prisons. SQ 780 proposes to change Oklahoma statutes, not the constitution.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice in 2014, Oklahoma
had the second highest incarceration rate in the nation at 700
inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents. Oklahoma also had the
highest incarceration rate for women that year. The total correctional population of a state includes people incarcerated
and on probation or parole.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections indicated in
August 2016 that the prison system was at 104 percent of
its capacity with 27,097 inmates being held. Drug offenders
comprise 26.3 percent of inmates. Another 23.3 percent of inmates are imprisoned for other nonviolent crimes. According
to the Oklahoma DOC 2015 annual report, the Oklahoma
prison population has increased by 22.6 percent since 2006.
In fiscal year 2016, the Oklahoma legislature appropriated
$485 million to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
If the measure is approved, the changes proposed would
not be retroactive. Sentences for current inmates would not
change.

This measure creates the County Community Safety Investment Fund, only
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Act. This measure would create a fund, consisting of any calculated
savings or averted costs that accrued to the State from the implementation
of the Oklahoma Smart Justice Reform Act in reclassifying certain property
crimes and drug possession as misdemeanors. The measure requires the
Office of Management and Enterprise Services to use either actual data
or its best estimate to determine how much money was saved on a yearly
basis. The amount determined to be saved must be deposited into the
Fund and distributed to counties in proportion to their population to provide
community rehabilitative programs, such as mental health and substance
abuse services. This measure will not become effective if State Question
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its passage.
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SUMMARY: The implementation of State Question 781 is
contingent on the passage of State Question 780. If SQ 781

is approved by voters, but SQ 780 is not, none of the changes
described in SQ 781 will be enacted.
If both measures are approved, SQ 781 would create the
County Community Safety Investment Fund. That fund would
hold any cost savings achieved by reducing numbers of people
incarcerateda decrease resulting from reclassifying certain
property crimes and drug possession as misdemeanors. The
new Investment Fund would be a revolving fund not subject
to fiscal year limitations. Any savings or averted costs would
be calculated by the Office of Management and Enterprise
Services.
If savings are determined, the legislature would be
required to appropriate that amount from the general fund
to the County Community Safety Investment Fund.
The money must be used for county rehabilitative programs,
including those that address mental health and substance
abuse, or provide job training or education. The money would
be distributed to Oklahoma counties in proportion to their
population.
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services will
use actual data or make its best estimate when calculating
cost savings per year. Its calculation would be final and
would not be adjusted because of subsequent changes in
underlying data.
The intent of SQ 781 is to focus on root causes of criminal
behavior such as addiction and mental health problems, as
opposed to placing more people charged with lower-level
offenses behind bars.
Religion & the State
STATEQUESTION

This measure would remove Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma

Constitution, which prohibits the government from using public money
or property for the direct or indirect benefit of any religion or religious
institution. Article 2, Section 5 has been interpreted by the Oklahoma
courts as requiring the removal of a Ten Commandments monument
from the grounds of the State Capitol. If this measure repealing Article
2, Section 5 is passed, the government would still be required to comply
with the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution, which
is a similar constitutional provision that prevents the government from
endorsing a religion or becoming overly involved with religion.
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SUMMARY: State Question 790 addresses public funding
and property use regarding the separation of church and state.

It is a proposal to repeal a section of the states constitution. If
the measure is approved, Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma
Constitution would be repealed. By removing this section,
public expenditure or property use for religious purposes
would not be explicitly prohibited.
Under the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution, congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof.
Under the Oklahoma Constitutions Article 2, Section 5,
state money or property cannot be used directly or indirectly
to support a church, sect, denomination, or system of religion.
This state question is a response to recent controversy
over display of the Ten Commandments monument on the
grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol. In 2009, the Ten
Commandments Monument Display Act was passed by the
state legislature and, three years later, a privately donated Ten
Commandments monument was erected on the grounds of
the State Capitol. Lawsuits followed, and by June 2015, the
Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the monuments placement
on state property was unconstitutional, ordering that it be
removed. The basis for the courts decision was Article 2,
Section 5 of the Oklahoma State Constitution. In October
2015, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin called on the
legislature to repeal that section of the state constitution in
order to allow the monument at the State Capitol.
Alcohol
STATEQUESTION

This measure repeals Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and

restructures the laws governing alcoholic beverages through a new Article
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new Article 28A provides that with exceptions, a person or company can
have an ownership interest in only one area of the alcoholic beverage
business-manufacturing, wholesaling, or retailing. Some restrictions apply
to the sales of manufacturers, brewers, winemakers, and wholesalers.
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consumers of wine. Retail locations like grocery stores may sell wine and
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5262=.-*68>7=<&1..02<5*=>;.6><=,;.*=.52,.7<.</8;;.=*2558,*=287<
liquor stores, and places serving alcoholic beverages and may create other
licenses. Certain licensees must meet residency requirements. Felons
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when alcoholic beverages may be sold and may impose taxes on sales.
Municipalities may levy an occupation tax. If authorized, a state lodge may
sell individual alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption but no
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SUMMARY: If the proposal is approved, it would repeal
Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and replace it with

Article 28A, which restructures the laws governing alcohol.
If approved, the measure will go into effect on October 1,
2018.
Currently, under Oklahoma law, liquor stores can sell
full-strength, unrefrigerated beer but cannot sell cold beer
or chilled wine. Liquor stores can sell wine and spirits but
no other items. Grocery and convenience stores can sell cold
low-point beer (3.2 percent alcohol by weight) but not spirits,
wine, or high-point beer.
State Question 792 would change the current alcohol laws
to allow grocery, convenience, and drug stores to sell cold,
high-point beer (up to 8.99 percent alcohol by volume) and
wine (up to 15 percent alcohol by volume). Liquor stores
would be allowed to sell cold beer and any item that also
may be purchased in a grocery store or convenience store
except motor fuelin limited amounts. Liquor or spirits will
still only be available for purchase from licensed retail liquor
stores.
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Hugo News
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HUGO State Sen. Joseph Silk was joined by

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb in Hugo Monday for a town hall
meeting and an opportunity to brief area residents on
activities at the state capital that affect all Oklahomans.
Sen. Silk and his wife Kimberlee, are the parents of
six children. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a
Rescue and Survival Petty Officer.
At the Oklahoma capital, Silk stated that dealing
with a $1.3 billion dollar budget shortfall was the
biggest issue of the year, and said he supported the removal of more than $250 million in needless corporate
tax credits.
Silk said that with the Department of Education getting 51% of the states $8.3 billion dollar budget, there
should be enough reform opportunities to increase
teacher pay, which he strongly supported.
Asked about State Question 777, the right to farm
question, Silk said he supported it largely because of
the support it received from unpopular animal rights
groups.
Lt. Gov. Silk said it was important that southeastern
Oklahoma residents support Silk and return him to the
state capitol.
Hes your only chance to send someone to the
capitol who will be in the room where decisions will be
made, Lamb stated, referring to the fact that Silk is a
member of the party that presently controlls Oklahoma
government and legislation.
Every vote he casts impacts my family, Lamb

added, and I hope you will support him.
Political Candidates
Choctaw County Sheriff

Terry Park
(D)
State Senate, Dist. 5
Stacey Allen Ebert
(D)
State Representative, Dist. 19
James Albert Campbell (D)
Pd. Pol. Adv.
General Election: Nov. 8
JAMES ALBERT CAMPBELL

for State Representative
House District 19
Common Sense Conservative
Ranch Raised and University Educated
Fighting for OUR schools, roads, working class, water,
and way of life.
Ada News
Oct
19
2016
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State Chamber
representative to speak
on ballot questions
Submitted Story
Mike Jackson, a
representative from
the State Chamber
of Oklahoma, will be
joining the Ada Area
Chamber of Commerce
for the Power Lunch
Hour on Oct. 28 to
discuss the Oklahoma
state questions that
will be appearing on
the November ballot.
The state questions
are SQ776 (death penalty,) SQ777 (agriculture,) SQ779 (education funding tax,)
SQ780 (law enforcement,) SQ781 (criminal rehabilitation,)
SQ790 (religion and
the state) and SQ792
(alcohol).
The purpose of this
event is to inform
and encourage voters
before Election Day,
which will take place
on Nov. 8. Jackson
will be reviewing the
ballot questions for
the voting community
to get a better understanding of what they
will be voting on. He
Mike Jackson
will review both the
supporting and opposing sides of the questions, so voters will be
equipped to make an
informed decision on
Election Day.
This Power Lunch
Hour will begin at
11:45 a.m. and end at
1 p.m. The location of
the event is the Pontotoc Technology Center,
Building F-Industrial
Training Center. The
cost to attend is $10
per person. For more
information on how to
register, please contact
the Ada Area Chamber
of Commerce at (580)
332-2506.
Oct 2016 Page

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Ada News
Candidates: State needs more revenue, better leadership

By JOY HAMPTON
The Norman Transcript
NORMAN State
budget woes and funding for education and
mental health services
were among the key
topics under discussion
at the League of Women
Voters Candidate forum
on Monday.
Five candidates runQLQJIRUVWDWHRFHRQ
the Nov. 8 ballot were in
attendance:
House District 20
challenger, Democrat
Matt Failing. Incumbent
Bobby Cleveland, RSlaughterville, was not
in attendance.
House District 45
incumbent Claudia
*ULWK'1RUPDQ
Republican challenger
Marc Etters was not in
attendance.
House District 46
Democratic Challenger
Jacob Rosecrants and
incumbent Scott Martin,
R-Norman, were both in
attendance.
Senate District 15
Independent challenger
Shawn Sheehan. Incumbent Rob Standridge,
R-Norman, was not in
attendance.
Following are a few
highlights from the
evening which was
hosted at the Norman
High School Conference
Center with the help
of several female high
school students.
7KHUVWTXHVWLRQ
came from the League of
Women Voters and ad-
Joy Hampton / The Norman Transcript

Candidate Shawn Sheehan introduces himself at the League of Women
Voters Candidate Forum Monday at NHS.
dressed the state budget
shortfall.
We have to generate
revenue, Failing said,
adding that the automatic tax cuts need to
end and that constitutional amendments
like 1992s State Question 640 which requires
a two-thirds majority of
the legislature for a tax
increase need to be
repealed.
:HKDYHLQHHFWLYH
tax policies, Sheehan
VDLG(YHU\RQHVJKWing over a slice of the
pie and the pie isnt big
enough.
Ive been looking at
GLHUHQWWD[VWUXFWXUHV
and we need to improve
our combined tax strucWXUHV*ULWKVDLG
Rosecrants said his
tax plan is based on
reality, and the problem will not be easily
remedied.
Martin said there are
are too many sales tax
exemptions and those
need to be evaluated. He
said the state needs to
diversify and broaden
[its] revenue steam.

Asked about Borens
sales tax proposal, most
said they grudgingly
support it.
I think this is the best
of the worst options that
we have, Martin said.
We owe teachers a
decent raise and fully
funded schools, Failing said, but added that
while SQ 779 addresses
teacher raises and gives
money to higher ed,
it doesnt fully fund
schools.
On mental health issues: We need to move
away from criminalizing insanity and move
toward common sense
reform to help people
with medication and science, Failing said.
Sheehan said its imSRUWDQWWRQGFDQGLdates that understand
the issues and needs in
mental health.My sister
had bipolar disorder so I
understand exactly what
that looks like, he said.
On Medicaid expansion: Im opposed to
full-blown Medicaid
Joy Hampton / The Norman Transcrip

House District 20 challenger, Democrat Matt Failing smf House District 45 incumbent Claudia Griffith, D-Norman,
listen to a question being posed at the League of Women Voters Candidate Forum on Monday.
expansion, Martin
said, adding that these
programs shackle our
children with a lifetime
of debt.
There are responsible
ways to provide health
care to people, he said.
On whether the state
should allow cities to
regulate oil and gas
operations within city
limits: I think it was
state overreach in that
LVVXH*ULWKVDLGRID
state law that curtailed
what environmental
protections Norman
could enact if it limited
the ability for oil and gas
operators to drill in an
area.
,WDHFWVWKHHQYLURQment, Rosecrants said.
It should be up to the
municipalities because it
DHFWVWKHFLWLHV
On education vouchers: Any time we start
moving toward privatization of our education

system, Im hesitant,
Failing said.
Sheehan said he is opposed to school vouchers.
School choice makes
for a great talking point
and it sounds good on
paper, but it doesnt
actually work, he said.
Its a complete drain on
public school systems.
Vouchers take money
away from public
VFKRROV*ULWKVDLG
On womens reproductive rights: No state
government has the
right to decide what I do
with my body, period,
*ULWKVDLG
On the other side,
Martin said were called
on to protect life.
On SQ 777, the right
to farm bill: I think
inherently, we want to
support agriculture in
this state, Martin said.
Whether it passes or
doesnt pass, I dont
think things are going to
change.
I come from a long
history of farming in
my family. Im all about
pro-farming measures.
This isnt a pro-farming
measure, Failing said.
Its a strong no for
me.
Its de-regulation,
Sheehan said. I would
be really really worried
about the way its written.
I voted against it,
*ULWKVDLG7KHUHVD
clause in there that says
this law can never be
changed.
Its about corporatizing our land at the
cost of everything else,
Rosecrants said.
Joy Hampton
Broken Arrow Ledger
2016
Oct
19
State Questions
2016
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Your guide on Oklahoma State Questions | November 8, 2016

OKLAHOMA
SQ 776
Death Penalty
Was designed to assert

that all methods of
execution shall be
constitutionally allowed,
unless prohibited by
the United States
Constitution, and
designated statutorily
by the legislature
/#1!#-3$.1(-23(343(.-24-"#13'#
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
/#1!#-3$.13'#*+'.,#/13,#-3
of Career and Technology Education
/#1!#-3$.13'#33##/13,#-3.$
Education
Question 779 would also require an increase
(-3#!'#12+1(#2.$3+#23'#
measure would mandate an annual audits of
school districts use of the revenue.
Sales tax in Oklahoma
*+'.,22+#237(-(2/#1!#-3
Question 779 would increase the state sales
373./#1!#-3.!+(3(#2(-*+'.,
add an additional sales tax as well. The high#23+.!+2+#237(-(2/#1!#-3
OKLAHOMA
State Question No. 776

State Question 776 was designed to put
the following provisions into the Oklahoma
Constitutions bill of rights:
(5#23'#+#%(2+341#13'#13'-3'#)4"(cial or executive branches of government,
the authority to provide for any method of
administering the death penalty not prohibited by the U.S. Constitution
1#5#-3-8"#3'2#-3#-!#2+1#"8
passed down from being prevented due to
successful legal challenges to or changes in
the method used by the state for execution, requiring death sentences to remain in
force until a legal method for execution is
determined
#!+1#3'33'#"#3'/#-+38224!'
cannot be established as cruel and unusual
punishment, independent from any rulings
about specific methods of execution.
Oklahomas previously overturned death
penalty law and its current death penalty law
were designed to provide specific methods
$.1#7#!43(.-#+#!31.!43(.--"+#3'+(-)#!tion, respectively. State Question 776 was
designed to establish the death penalty as
legal and as a right of state residents independent from the method used.
SQ 780
Law Enforcement
Was designed to
reclassify certain
property offenses
and simple drug
possession
misdemeanor
crimes
State Question NO. 780 and 181

33#4#23(.-33#62"#2(%-#"3.
reduce change certain non-violent drug- and
theft-related crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, which come with a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of $1,000,
thereby reducing the number and duration
of state prison sentences for those crimes.
33#4#23(.--"33#4#23(.-
1#!.--#!3#"1#+(#2.-4#2-
The prison cost savings brought about by

33#4#23(.-6.4+" #++.!3#"
according to the companion initiative, State
4#23(.-33#4#23(.-62
designed to allocate the funds made available by the prison cost savings to counties
in proportion to their population and could
be claimed by privately-run rehabilitative
organizations that provide drug and mental
'#+3'31#3,#-3). 31(-(-%-"#"4!3(.-
programs.
OKLAHOMA
SQ 790
OKLAHOMA
SQ 792
Alcohol
Was designed to allow grocery

stores and convenience stores to
sell full-strength beer and wine
State Question NO. 792
Religion
Was designed to
1#/#+#!3(.-
of Article 2 of the
Oklahoma
Constitution, which
prohibits
public money
from being spent
for religious
purposes
State Question NO. 790

4#23(.-6.4+"1#/#+#!3(.-.$
Article 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution,
which prohibits public money from being
spent for religious purposes.
22%#.$3'#,#241#6.4+"++.63'##-
Commandments monument to be returned
to the State Capitol.
#!3(.-.$13(!+#.$3'#*+'.,
Constitution is known as a Blaine
Amendment
'(2,#241##-!3213(!+#-"1#/#+2
13(!+#.$3'#*+'.,.-23(343(.-
Beverages that contain alcohol are governed by
the new Article and other laws. It requires the
Legislature to enact laws to regulate alcoholic
beverages. Common ownership between tiers
of the alcoholic beverage business is prohibited, with some exceptions. Some restrictions
apply to manufacturers, brewers, winemakers
and wholesalers. Direct shipments to consumers are prohibited unless direct shipments of
6(-#1#43'.1(9#" 8+624 )#!33.+(,(3tions. Licenses to sell wine, beer and spirits at
retail locations are required. The Legislature
could prescribe other licenses. Sales of wine
and beer are permitted at certain licensed retail
locations. Licensees may sell refrigerated or
non-refrigerated products, and Retail Spirits Licensees may sell products other than alcoholic
beverages in a limited amount. Certain persons
are prohibited from being licensed. Certain
acts are made unlawful. The Legislature could
by law, designate days and hours during which
alcoholic beverages could be sold, and impose
taxes on sales. Certain restrictions relating to
the involvement of the state and political subdivisions and public employees are specified.
Municipalities could also levy an occupation
tax. The amendment will be effective October
6(3'.-#/1.5(2(.- #!.,(-%##!3(5#
upon passage
SOURCE: https://ballotpedia.org/
Oklahoma_2016_ballot_measures
OKLAHOMA
SQ 777
Agriculture
Was designed to establish a

constitutional guarantee for farmers and
ranchers to engage in farming and ranching practices

State Question 777, which was placed on the
ballot by the state legislature, was designed
to require courts to rule on any law regulating farming and agriculture passed after
December 31, 2014, by employing strict
scrutiny. This means that courts would have
to overturn any challenged agricultural or
livestock regulations that are not necessary
for protecting a compelling state interest. This would make any law restricting or
regulating the farming industry in the state
more vulnerable to lawsuits, which would
likely result in fewer government regulations
over the industry.
In other words, State Question 777 was
designed to require the courts to apply the
same standards to lawsuits concerning agriculture and livestock as in cases concerning
free speech, gun ownership, and religious
freedom
OKLAHOMA
SQ 779
Taxes
Was designed to increase the state

sales tax by one percent to generate
revenue for education funding.

Revenue from the one percentage point
increase in the sales tax would be distributed
as follows:
/#1!#-3$.1!.,,.-2!'..+"(231(!32
OKLAHOMA
SQ 781
Law Enforcement
Was designed to use money saved

by reclassifying certain property
and drug crimes as misdemeanors
.43+(-#"(-33#4#23(.-3.
fund rehabilitative programs
AD 100296079-01
3(.-(-!#33#4#23(.-6.4+"
reclassify certain crimes as misdemeanors it
would save the state prison system money
by reducing the number and duration of
(-!1!#13(.-24#23(.-62"#2(%-#"3.
redistribute the money saved by the reduced
prison costs to counties to fund rehabilitation
.$!1(,(-+233#4#23(.-6261(33#-
3..-+8%.(-3.##!3($33#4#23(.-(2
also approved since without State Ques3(.-3'#/1(2.-!.232++.!3#" 833#
4#23(.-6.4+"-.3#7(23
What crimes would become misdemeanors?
Currently, possession of illegal drugs is a felony according to state law. State Question
6.4+",*#"14%/.22#22(.-,(2"#meanor. Drug manufacturing, trafficking,
and selling would still be felony offenses.
Currently, a theft or forgery of property
6.13'.5#1".++12(2!.-2("#1#"
felony offense by state law. State Question
6.4+"1(2#3'33'1#2'.+"3.
dollars. State legislation passed in 2016
enacted reforms that included many of the
!'-%#2/1./.2#" 833#4#23(.-3.
laws governing property crime.
Where would the money go?
The Carnegie Herald
FOR THE COMMON GOOD
Seven State
Questions
Oct
19
2016
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By State Rep.
David Perryman
On November 8 every
Oklahomans election ballot will include seven state
questions. Four of the state
questions have been placed
on the ballot by the Oklahoma legislature (Legislative Referendum) and
three are there because of
petitions that were signed
by tens of thousands of
Oklahomans (Initiative
Petition).
Because of the length of
this years ballot, voters may nd it helpful to
review a list of the questions as it gets closer to
time to vote. While I would
be happy to discuss these
state questions with you
in depth, the following list
is provided so that you
can sort through which
number relates to which
subject:
State Question 776 was
placed on the ballot by the
legislature to allow the
state to continue to execute condemned persons
even if the law changes
the method of execution.
A YES vote will allow the
legislature to choose an
alternative method of execution and a NO vote will
leave the law unchanged.
legislature to prevent new
laws and regulations from
being placed on the agri-
culture industry unless the

state can show that the law
is necessary to protect Oklahoma. A YES vote will require the state to prove that
any new law dealing with
agriculture is necessary to
prevent harm to Oklahoma
before it can be enforced and
a NO vote will leave the law
unchanged.
people of Oklahoma for a
new one penny sales tax to
supplement Oklahomas education budget. A YES vote
will raise Oklahomas sales
tax by one cent and a NO
vote will leave Oklahomas
sales tax rate unchanged.
placed on the ballot by
the people of Oklahoma to
change certain offenses from
felonies to misdemeanors. A
YES vote will make simple
drug possession cases misdemeanors and will raise
the threshold of a felony
theft from $500 to $1000.
A NO vote will make these
crimes continue to be classied as felonies.
people of Oklahoma so that
IF the state saves money by
not sending so many people
to prison, the savings would
be used to fund local drug
treatment and counseling
services. Even if this State
Question passes, it will not
become effective unless both
780 and it pass. A YES vote

will use any savings from
780 for local drug treatment services and a NO vote
would allow any savings to
be appropriated by the legislature for any purpose.
legislature to repeal a section from Oklahomas Bill of
Rights that prevents public
money and property from
being used for religious
purposes. A YES vote will
allow public money and
public property to be used
by religions and religious organizations. A NO vote will
leave Oklahomas Constitutional separation of church
and state unchanged.
legislature to change the
places where beer and wine
could be sold. A YES vote
will change the law to allow
grocery stores and convenience stores to sell wine
and stronger beer. A NO
vote will leave Oklahomas
liquor laws as they currently exist.
Instead of standing in line
to vote, you may order an
ABSENTEE BALLOT between now and Wednesday,
November 2.
Thank you for allowing
me to serve Oklahoma. For
questions or comments call
me at 405-557-7401 or email
me at David.Perryman@
okhouse.gov.
Oct 2016 Page

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Catoosa Independent
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Announces Support For Right To Farm

OKLAHOMA Oklahoma
Farm Bureau Young Farmers &
Ranchers (YF&R) has officially
announced its support for State
Question 777, Oklahomas
Right to Farm, a proposed
amendment to the Oklahoma
Constitution that will protect
farming and ranching practices for Oklahoma farmers and
ranchers, both large and small.
SQ 777 will decide
the course of agriculture for
future Oklahomans, said
Josh Emerson, YF&R State
Chairman. As the states
younger generation of farmers
and ranchers, we believe these

decisions should be made by
the agriculturalists of the state,
not out-of-state special interest
groups. We support Right to
Farm and encourage our members and fellow Oklahomans
to vote yes on SQ 777 this
November.
For Farm Bureau members
ages 18 to 35, YF&R provides
leadership development, works
to preserve individual freedoms and to expand agricultural opportunities. Through
competitive events, agriculture
advocacy training and more,
YF&R aims to grow its members both professionally and

personally, demonstrating a
vested interest in the future of
Oklahomas farmers, ranchers
and agriculture.
The Oklahoma Farm
Bureau YF&R program provides an opportunity for young
farmers and ranchers to connect
with fellow passionate individuals with the same professional
challenges. Members are able
to not only develop agricultural
leadership and improve their
daily farm operations, but to
help promote modern agricul-
ture.
About Oklahoma Farm
Bureau Young Farmers &
Ranchers
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Young Farmers and Ranchers
program allows members of
Farm Bureau between the ages
of 18 and 35 to develop leadership skills, to be involved in their
local communities, to compete
in contests to win valuable prizes and to develop long-lasting
friendships with people from
across the state and country. For
more information, visit www.
OKFarmBureau.org/yfr.
The Davis News
SUMMARY OF
STATEQUESTIONS
Oct
19
2016
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Seven state questions will appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. Legislative
Referendums are placed on the ballot by the Oklahoma Legislature. Initiative
Petitions are placed on the ballot by gathering signatures from citizens. Each
question is reprinted here as it will appear on the ballot followed by a brief summary.
Death Penalty
STATEQUESTION

This measure adds a new section to the Oklahoma Constitution, Section 9A of Article 2.
The new Section deals with the death penalty. The Section establishes State constitutional
mandates relating to the death penalty and methods of execution. Under these
constitutional requirements:
The Legislature is expressly empowered to designate any method of execution not
prohibited by the United States Constitution.
Death sentences shall not be reduced because a method of execution is ruled to be
invalid.
When an execution method is declared invalid, the death penalty imposed shall remain
in force until it can be carried out using any valid execution method, and
The imposition of a death penalty under Oklahoma lawas distinguished from a
method of executionshall not be deemed to be or constitute the infliction of cruel or
unusual punishment under Oklahomas Constitution, nor to contravene any provision of the
Oklahoma Constitution.
FOR THE PROPOSAL YES
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL NO
SUMMARY: State Question 776 does two things: it addresses the
method of execution for an inmate on death row, and it states that the
death penalty shall not be deemed cruel and unusual punishment. If the
proposal is approved, a new section would be added to the Oklahoma
Constitution that allows the state to continue to impose the death
penalty, even if a specific method of execution becomes unavailable.
Death sentences would remain in effect until they can be carried out by
any method not prohibited by the US Constitution.
If approved, the constitutional amendment would apply to the state
constitution but not the federal constitution or courts applying federal
law.
The Oklahoma death penalty law, enacted in 1976, has been
consistently applied by Oklahoma elected officials: the state executed
191 men and three women between 1915 and 2014 at the Oklahoma
State Penitentiary (82 by electrocution, one by hanging, and 111 by
lethal injection). Statutes specifically allow gas inhalation, electrocution,
and firing squad as backups to the primary form of execution by lethal
injection.
In October 2015, Oklahoma suspended executions for a review of
lethal injection protocols. One of the drugs most commonly used for
lethal injection is sodium thiopental, which is no longer manufactured
in the United States. In 2011, the European Commission imposed
restrictions on the export of certain drugs used for lethal injections in
the United States.
As a result, many states no longer have the drugs used to carry out
lethal injection. Oklahoma has turned to other drugs as a substitute
for sodium thiopental. However, recent instances of executions around
the country in which alternative drugs were used may have produced
adverse outcomes.
The death penalty is legal in thirty-one states, and illegal in nineteen.
Agriculture
STATEQUESTION

This measure adds Section 38 to Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution. The new Section
creates state constitutional rights. It creates the following guaranteed rights to engage in
farming and ranching:
The right to make use of agricultural technology,
The right to make use of livestock procedures, and
The right to make use of ranching practices.
These constitutional rights receive extra protection under this measure that not all
constitutional rights receive. This extra protection is a limit on lawmakers ability to interfere
with the exercise of these rights. Under this extra protection, no law can interfere with
these rights, unless the law is justified by a compelling state interesta clearly identified
state interest of the highest order. Additionally, the law must be necessary to serve that
compelling state interest. The measureand the protections identified abovedo not apply
to and do not impact state laws related to:
Trespass,
Eminent domain,
Dominance of mineral interests,
Easements,
Right of way or other property rights, and
Any state statutes and political subdivision ordinances enacted before December 31,
2014.
SUMMARY: If the proposal is approved, the measure would prevent
lawmakers from passing legislation to regulate agriculture unless there

is a compelling state interest. The proposal would forbid the state of
Oklahoma from regulating the use of agricultural technology, livestock
procedures, and ranching practices. The standard of compelling state
interest is a key component to the question because it sets a very high
standard for a law to be judged.
If passed, the proposal would apply to any democratically elected
body that can trace its creation to the state legislature, including county
and city governments, but not school boards. Federal laws would not
be impacted; current state laws about farming and ranching would
be grandfathered in, and would not be repealed by this amendment.
Grandfathered laws could be amended or repealed in the future.
Similar proposals have been presented to voters in other states, first
in North Dakota. A similar amendment passed in Missouri in 2014;
another amendment was considered in Nebraska earlier this year but
was not approved by legislators for a vote of the people. Oklahomas
State Question 777 is inspired in part by opponents of Proposition 2 in
California. Proposition 2 required certain farm animals to be able to lie
down, stand up, fully extend limbs, and turn around freely. SQ 777 is
unique in that it added the compelling state interest clause.
Oklahomas top agricultural products in revenue are cattle, hogs,
poultry, wheat, and dairy. Agriculture is the states fourteenth highest
economic sector, accounting for less than 2 percent of GDP, (higher
than agricultures national rate). For decades, as technology and yields
have advanced, the number of agricultural jobs and farms has declined.
Nine in ten Oklahoma crop and animal operations are owned by private
citizens, many of whom contract with larger corporations.
Education Funding Tax
STATEQUESTION

This measure adds a new Article to the Oklahoma Constitution. The article creates a limited
purpose fund to increase funding for public education. It increases State sales and use
taxes by one cent per dollar to provide revenue for the fund. The revenue to be used for
public education shall be allocated: 69.50% for common school districts, 19.25% for the
institutions under the authority of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 3.25%
for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, and 8% for the State
Department of Education. It requires teacher salary increases funded by this measure
raise teacher salaries by at least $5,000 over the salaries paid in the year prior to adoption
of this measure. It requires an annual audit of school districts use of monies. It prohibits
school districts use of these funds for increasing superintendents salaries or adding
superintendent positions. It requires that monies from the fund not supplant or replace other
educational funding. If the Oklahoma Board of Equalization determines funding has been
replaced, the Legislature may not make any appropriations until the amount of replaced
funding is returned to the fund. The article takes effect on July 1 after its passage.
SUMMARY: If this proposal is approved, Article 8-C would be
added to the Oklahoma Constitution creating a limited purpose

fundthe Education Improvement Fund.
An increase of the sales and use tax by one cent on the dollar
would provide revenue for the fund. School districts that benefit
from the fund would be subject to an annual audit. Funds
generated by the tax cannot be used to replace other state funding
of common, higher, career and technology, and early childhood
education.
The provisions of the new article require a minimum $5,000
salary increase for teachers over the salaries paid in the year prior
to adoption. The funds generated would not be used to increase
the salaries of school superintendents or to add superintendent
positions.
Oklahomas average compensation for teachers, including salary
and benefits, is $44,921. According to the National Education
Association, Oklahoma ranks 49th in the nation in teacher pay.
A section within the new article to the state constitution
establishes that monies collected would be distributed as follows:
69.5 percent to common education
> 86.33 percent of common education funding would be used
to provide teachers with a minimum $5,000 raise and otherwise
address or prevent teacher and certified instruction staff shortages.
> 13.67 percent of common education funding would be used
to adopt or expand, but not maintain, programs, opportunities
or reforms for improving reading in early grades, improving
high school graduation rates, and increasing college and career
readiness.
19.25 percent to higher education
3.25 percent to career and technology education
8 percent to early childhood education
Law Enforcement
STATEQUESTION

This measure amends existing Oklahoma laws and would change the classification of
certain drug possession and property crimes from felony to misdemeanor. It would make
possession of a limited quantity of drugs a misdemeanor. The amendment also changes
the classification of certain drug possession crimes which are currently considered
felonies and cases where the defendant has a prior drug possession conviction. The
proposed amendment would reclassify these drug possession cases as misdemeanors.
The amendment would increase the threshold dollar amount used for determining whether
certain property crimes are considered a felony or misdemeanor. Currently, the threshold
is $500. The amendment would increase the amount to $1000. Property crimes covered
by this change include; false declaration of a pawn ticket, embezzlement, larceny, grand
larceny, theft, receiving or concealing stolen property, taking domesticated fish or game,
fraud, forgery, counterfeiting, or issuing bogus checks. This measure would become
effective July 1, 2017.
SUMMARY: If the measure is approved, State Question 780 would re-
classify certain offenses, such as simple drug possession and property

crimes, as misdemeanors rather than felonies. The reclassification of
the drug possession offense is intended to be applied to persons who
use the drugs, not to those who are selling or manufacturing the drugs.
The measure also would change the dollar amount threshold for property crimes charged as felonies from $500 to $1,000.
The goal of this measure is to reduce the size of the states prison
population and to reduce the amount of state funds being spent on
prisons. SQ 780 proposes to change Oklahoma statutes, not the constitution.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice in 2014, Oklahoma had
the second highest incarceration rate in the nation at 700 inmates per
100,000 U.S. residents. Oklahoma also had the highest incarceration
rate for women that year. The total correctional population of a state
includes people incarcerated and on probation or parole.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections indicated in August
2016 that the prison system was at 104 percent of its capacity with
27,097 inmates being held. Drug offenders comprise 26.3 percent of inmates. Another 23.3 percent of inmates are imprisoned for other nonviolent crimes. According to the Oklahoma DOC 2015 annual report,
the Oklahoma prison population has increased by 22.6 percent since
2006. In fiscal year 2016, the Oklahoma legislature appropriated $485
million to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
If the measure is approved, the changes proposed would not be retroactive. Sentences for current inmates would not change.
For more information about State Questions, see the Oklahoma Secretary of State website at
www.sos.ok.gov/gov/state_questions.aspx
or the Oklahoma State Election Board website at
www.ok.gov/elections/Election_Info/State_Question_info.html.
Criminal Rehabilitation
STATEQUESTION

This measure creates the County Community Safety Investment Fund, only if voters
approve State Question 780, the Oklahoma Smart Justice Reform Act. This measure would
create a fund, consisting of any calculated savings or averted costs that accrued to the
State from the implementation of the Oklahoma Smart Justice Reform Act in reclassifying
certain property crimes and drug possession as misdemeanors. The measure requires the
Office of Management and Enterprise Services to use either actual data or its best estimate
to determine how much money was saved on a yearly basis. The amount determined
to be saved must be deposited into the Fund and distributed to counties in proportion to
their population to provide community rehabilitative programs, such as mental health and
substance abuse services. This measure will not become effective if State Question 780,
the Oklahoma Smart Justice Reform Act, is not approved by the people. The measure will
become effective on July 1 immediately following its passage.
SUMMARY: The implementation of State Question 781 is contingent
on the passage of State Question 780. If SQ 781 is approved by voters, but

SQ 780 is not, none of the changes described in SQ 781 will be enacted.
If both measures are approved, SQ 781 would create the County
Community Safety Investment Fund. That fund would hold any cost
savings achieved by reducing numbers of people incarcerateda
decrease resulting from reclassifying certain property crimes and drug
possession as misdemeanors. The new Investment Fund would be a
revolving fund not subject to fiscal year limitations. Any savings or
averted costs would be calculated by the Office of Management and
Enterprise Services.
If savings are determined, the legislature would be required
to appropriate that amount from the general fund to the County
Community Safety Investment Fund.
The money must be used for county rehabilitative programs, including
those that address mental health and substance abuse, or provide job
training or education. The money would be distributed to Oklahoma
counties in proportion to their population.
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services will use actual
data or make its best estimate when calculating cost savings per year.
Its calculation would be final and would not be adjusted because of
subsequent changes in underlying data.
The intent of SQ 781 is to focus on root causes of criminal behavior
such as addiction and mental health problems, as opposed to placing
more people charged with lower-level offenses behind bars.
Religion & the State
STATEQUESTION

This measure would remove Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, which
prohibits the government from using public money or property for the direct or indirect
benefit of any religion or religious institution. Article 2, Section 5 has been interpreted by the
Oklahoma courts as requiring the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from the
grounds of the State Capitol. If this measure repealing Article 2, Section 5 is passed, the
government would still be required to comply with the Establishment Clause of the United
States Constitution, which is a similar constitutional provision that prevents the government
from endorsing a religion or becoming overly involved with religion.
SUMMARY: State Question 790 addresses public funding and property
use regarding the separation of church and state. It is a proposal to

repeal a section of the states constitution. If the measure is approved,
Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution would be repealed.
By removing this section, public expenditure or property use for
religious purposes would not be explicitly prohibited.
Under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution,
congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
Under the Oklahoma Constitutions Article 2, Section 5, state money
or property cannot be used directly or indirectly to support a church,
sect, denomination, or system of religion.
This state question is a response to recent controversy over display
of the Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the
Oklahoma State Capitol. In 2009, the Ten Commandments Monument
Display Act was passed by the state legislature and, three years later, a
privately donated Ten Commandments monument was erected on the
grounds of the State Capitol. Lawsuits followed, and by June 2015, the
Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the monuments placement on state
property was unconstitutional, ordering that it be removed. The basis
for the courts decision was Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma State
Constitution. In October 2015, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin called
on the legislature to repeal that section of the state constitution in order
to allow the monument at the State Capitol.
Alcohol
STATEQUESTION

This measure repeals Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and restructures the laws
governing alcoholic beverages through a new Article 28A and other laws the Legislature
will create if the measure passes. The new Article 28A provides that with exceptions,
a person or company can have an ownership interest in only one area of the alcoholic
beverage business-manufacturing, wholesaling, or retailing. Some restrictions apply to
the sales of manufacturers, brewers, winemakers, and wholesalers. Subject to limitations,
the Legislature may authorize direct shipments to consumers of wine. Retail locations like
grocery stores may sell wine and beer. Liquor stores may sell products other than alcoholic
beverages in limited amounts. The Legislature must create licenses for retail locations,
liquor stores, and places serving alcoholic beverages and may create other licenses.
Certain licensees must meet residency requirements. Felons cannot be licensees. The
Legislature must designate days and hours when alcoholic beverages may be sold and
may impose taxes on sales. Municipalities may levy an occupation tax. If authorized, a state
lodge may sell individual alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption but no other
state involvement in the alcoholic beverage business is allowed. With one exception, the
measure will take effect October 1, 2018.
SUMMARY: If the proposal is approved, it would repeal Article 28

of the Oklahoma Constitution and replace it with Article 28A, which
restructures the laws governing alcohol. If approved, the measure will
go into effect on October 1, 2018.
Currently, under Oklahoma law, liquor stores can sell full-strength,
unrefrigerated beer but cannot sell cold beer or chilled wine. Liquor
stores can sell wine and spirits but no other items. Grocery and
convenience stores can sell cold low-point beer (3.2 percent alcohol by
weight) but not spirits, wine, or high-point beer.
State Question 792 would change the current alcohol laws to allow
grocery, convenience, and drug stores to sell cold, high-point beer (up
to 8.99 percent alcohol by volume) and wine (up to 15 percent alcohol
by volume). Liquor stores would be allowed to sell cold beer and any
item that also may be purchased in a grocery store or convenience
storeexcept motor fuelin limited amounts. Liquor or spirits will
still only be available for purchase from licensed retail liquor stores.
The Davis News
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19
2016
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Voting info
at library
Pick up a free copy of the
2016 Voterguide at the Davis
Public Library or any other
Southern Oklahoma Library
System branch library and
get educated on the upcoming
election in November.
The guide provides information regarding the 2016
election including federal
elections, state elections and
state questions. The Oklahoma League of Women Voters
has made the guides available
to all libraries across the state
of Oklahoma.
In addition to the presidential election, several state
questions will be on the ballot
including: State Question 776
regarding the Death Penalty;
State Question 777 concerning
agriculture; State Question
779 for a proposed Education
Funding Tax; State Question
780 regarding law enforcement; State Question 781
concerning criminal rehabilitation; State Question 790
addressing religion and the
state; and State Question 792
which restructures the alcohol
law in Oklahoma.
For more information or to
pick up a guide visit a Southern Oklahoma Branch Library
including: Champion Public
Library, Ardmore; Johnston
County Library in Tishomingo, and Parker Memorial
Library in Sulphur.
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The Edmond Sun
Inhofe favors SQ 777 Right to Farm

BY JAMES COBURN
THE EDMOND SUN
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe

said he was surprised to
see numerous billboards
in Oklahoma opposing
Oklahoma State Question
777 (Right to Farm).
Registered voters will
have the opportunity to
decide the fate of SQ 777.
The thrust of SQ 777 is
listed on the ballot: This
extra protection is a limit
on lawmakers ability to
interfere with the exercise
of these rights. Under this
extra protection, no law
can interfere with these
rights, unless the law is
justified by a compelling
state interest a clearly
identified state interest of
the highest order.
As the Senate chairman
of the Environment and
Public Works Committee,
Inhofe said he is well
aware of the federal governments overreach into
the farming community
with regulations set by
the Environmental
Protection Agency.
Its the same thing I see
in Washington where you
have liberal groups coming in and saying what we
can do telling all the
farmers what they can
plant and what they cant
plant, Inhofe
told The
Edmond Sun.
Inhofe said
opposition to
SQ 777 is
spearheaded
by animal
Inhofe
rights activist
Wayne
Pacelle, CEO of the
Humane Society of the
United States.
Opponents of the proposed amendment argue
that Oklahomas waterways would be subject to
pollution, including that
of chicken waste.
The quantity and quality of Oklahomas water
are highly regulated by
the Oklahoma Water
Resources Board,
Department of
Environmental Quality,
Department of
Agriculture, the
Corporation Commission
and other entities, said
Oklahoma Farm Bureau
President Tom Buchanan,
who serves on the
Oklahoma Water
Resources Board.This
state question will not
impact that or change
that regulatory environment, said Buchanan,
who is also a Jackson
County farmer and
rancher from Altus.
Oklahoma Rising
Director Mickey
Thompson said that this
constitutional amendment is unnecessary,
according to KOCO.
Thompson said the control over large farming
factories in Oklahoma
that are globally owned
should remain under
future mandates set by
state lawmakers.
The Edmond City
Council in July adopted a
resolution opposing SQ
777.
The passage of this
question would change

the State Constitution
and that change would
supersede our Edmond
processes for land use
planning and zoning regulations, said Mayor
Charles Lamb. This
change would limit our
ability to fulfill our statutory obligation to preserve the health, safety
and welfare of our citizens.
The Humane Society of
the United States is doing
a good job of brainwashing the public against SQ
777, Inhofe continued.
I think that is an argument they can use, but I
dont agree with them,
Inhofe said. They have
gotten to the cities.
Inhofe said the issue is
similar to the cities wanting an Internet tax
because the Internet is
eating into their sales tax
revenues.
So I guess they are saying this will create a problem in their zoning laws,
Inhofe said. I dont
believe that. Were talking

about strictly agriculture.
Were talking about outsiders coming in.
Inhofe said SQ 777 was
overwhelmingly supported by the state Legislature
so the argument that
future lawmakers, while
representing the people,
would not be passing regulatory farming laws is an
argument that is already
shot down.
There is a costly movement to restrict production agriculture in the
United States, Buchanan
said. The consumer benefits the most by SQ-777,
he added.
SQ 777 adds a section to
the Oklahoma
Constitution to secure
that agriculture has the
right to use technology
and livestock procedure
practices as they become
available. The Right to
Farm provides extra protection to limit lawmakers ability to interfere
SEE INHOFE | A3
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The Edmond Sun
INHOFE: Animal rights activist opposes SQ 777

FROM PAGE A1
with these rights,

Buchanan said.
SQ 777 would amend
the Oklahoma
Constitution. The measure reads as follows:
The new section creates state constitutional
rights. It creates the following guaranteed rights
to engage in farming and
ranching: The right to
make use of agricultural
technology, The right to
make use of livestock
procedures, and The
right to make use of
ranching practices. These
constitutional rights
receive extra protection
under this measure that
not all constitutional

rights receive. This extra
protection is a limit on
lawmakers ability to
interfere with the exercise
of these rights. Under this
extra protection, no law
can interfere with these
rights, unless the law is
justified by a compelling
state interest a clearly
identified state interest of
the highest order.
Additionally, the law
must be necessary to
serve that compelling
state interest. The measure and the protections
identified above do not
apply to and do not
impact state laws related
to: Trespass, Eminent

domain, Easements,
Right of way or other
property rights, and Any
state statutes and political subdivision ordinances enacted before

Dec. 31, 2014.
Hannah M. Sizemore
Hannah M.
Sizemore, 85, of
Edmond, Okla., passed
away on October 17,
2016. She was born
in Pontotoc County,
Okla., on January 16,
1931 to George and
Arzela Brown.
Hannah was preceded in death by her
parents, George and
Arzela Brown; siblings, Aleen Mulligan,
Bob Brown, Noble
Brown Birdie Brown
She is survived by
her husband, Raymond
L. Sizemore; sons, Ron
Sizemore and John
Sizemore; daughter,
Diana Squires; sister,
Doris Randall; brother
Luther Brown; six
grandchildren and 10
great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m.
Friday, October 21,
at Matthews Funeral
Home Chapel with
burial to follow at
Oct 2016 Page

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Enid News & Eagle
Letters to the Editor

Follow your lead
Vote no on SQ 777
I commend the paper for taking unpopular, but largely correct,

stands on the several important
races and issues that will be coming up for vote in a few weeks.
Local newspapers provide a
vital function for communities,
not the least of which is to provide leadership opinions. Your
leadership on calling out Trump,
like many other conservative
newspapers in the South, is commendable.
Your positions against right
to farm, sales tax for teachers,
Ten Commandments amendment and right to execute
and are all spot on. Further, your
support 780 and 781, which will
stop our ridiculous pattern of
warehousing addicts at a tremendous cost to the state and society
and start providing actual help
for those with addictions, is not
only refreshing, but right for
Oklahoma.
I encourage readers of the
paper to follow your lead on these
great recommendations.
Robert R. Faulk
Enid
If State Question 777 passes on

Nov. 8, this Right to Farm and
Ranch Amendment will cement
future farm and ranching practices
into the Oklahoma Constitution, right
up there with free speech and religious liberty. Once this amendment
is added, its almost impossible to get
rid of it.
Dont be fooled by the warm
and fuzzy title, Right to Farm.
Oklahoma already has laws that protect farmers. SQ 777 grandfathers
agricultural legislation prior to Dec.
31, 2014. The question remains as to
what technologies and practices will
be wanted in the future.
No other industry in Oklahoma
has protection in the Oklahoma
Constitution. If we give preferential
treatment to agriculture, will other
industry want it, too?
Since democracy allows us to
elect citizens who represent us at the
Capitol, why would we vote for them
to shirk their responsibility once they
get there? If SQ 777 passes, the legislators will be powerless to implement
any agricultural laws on behalf of the
people who elected them because the
Constitution overrides any such laws.
In my opinion, SQ 777 is about

protecting corporate agriculture and
its passage could spell disaster for
future generations. The American
Legislative Exchange Council is a
group that brings together corporations and state lawmakers so it can
suggest model legislation. The ALEC
website includes a Right to Farm
Act. Did SQ 777 originate with
ALEC or a family farmer? Check it
out. You decide.
Maintain your voice at the
Oklahoma Capitol. On Nov. 8, please
vote no on SQ 777.
Paul Grimes
Garber
Truth isnt fully addressed

Across the state, we liquor retailers are feeling apprehensive that our
voice, our opinion for this legislation,
cant be heard over the constant barrage of promotions that the corporate
backers of State Question 792 have
launched.
While this plan is promoted as a
modernization effort to do away
with 3.2 beers and allow grocery
stores to sell wine, that is merely half
the truth.
Every current holder of a 3.2 beer
license will be able to sell beer up to

three times that strength as well as
wine until 2 a.m., seven days a week,
using clerks as young as 18 years
of age to stock and sell these products without having anyone older to
supervise them. That means every
gas station, convenience store, corner
drug store or local bait shop could be
selling these products using teenagers
to do it.
Of course, when I point this out
I am accused of fear-mongering
because my business will be adversely affected. However, the truth is this
issue is not being fully addressed or
considered by voters.
If you have any questions regarding my letters or SQ 792, I would be
happy to discuss them with you. It is
a complicated issue due to the nature
of the way our liquor laws are structured.
I am not against fair competition,
but I certainly do not view this solution as being fair to local operators. It
grossly favors the entities that pushed
it through the Legislature and who
now are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to ensure its passage.
Vance Gregory
Edmond Wine Shop
Edmond
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Holdenville News
Oct
19
2016
Page
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s
s
d
o
w
e
e
e
s
n
g
l
l
d
e
n
f
w
e
e
,
d
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7:30 p.m.
~Photo courtesy Tom Turner
Hughes County Farm

Bureau annual dinner
Hughes County Farm
Bureau held their annual
meeting and dinner on
Thursday evening, October
13. Board Member Jack
Chapman welcomed the
members, explaining that
President Jack Sherry was
unable to attend. Chapman
also led the flag salute following an Invocation by
Harman Huffman.
Following a meal of
roast beef, baked potato,
green beans and roll, Jo
Cates paid tribute to the
Hughes County Farm
Bureau members that have
passed away during the
past year.
The guest speaker was
Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Field Representative Lane
Jeffrey, who discussed the
Right to Farm 2016 State
Question 777.
Following this discussion, Chapman reviewed
the resolutions that Hughes
County Farm Bureau members were proposing to
their legislators, and the
members
voted
their
approval. These included:
In Oklahoma, public
school systems should
reduce the number of
school
superintendents
from over 500 to one per
county saving the state
thousands of dollars.
School superintendents
should have no outside
business ventures to prevent conflicts of interest or
improprieties.
Oklahoma should put
more emphasis on recycling programs therefore
preventing our landfills
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Oklahoma Farm

Bureau Field Rep. Lane Jeffrey led a discussion on the Right to Farm 2016 State
Question during the October 13 Annual
Meeting and Dinner. The members also
approved a list of proposed resolutions that
will be sent to state legislators and voted on
Board members.
from filling up as quickly.
Email addresses and
phone numbers should not
be distributed to telemarketing companies.
It should be mandatory
for every person to stand
during the flag salute
unless they are handicapped.
The law should be easier
to enforce on the condemnation
of
abandoned
housed that have to be
taken over by the city or
county.
It should be mandatory
that abstracts should be

completed within 10 days
from the time they are
ordered.
The floor was opened to
nominations for County
Board members. Because
there were no nominations
for new Board members,
expiring directors Jack
Chapman, Murel Edwards
and Bill Cates were
approved to serve another
term.
The meeting concluded
with a drawing for a large
number of door prizes.
Oct 2016 Page

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The Kingfisher Times & Free Press
Yes on Right-to Farm, S.Q. 777
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Tahlequah Daily Press
SQ 777 may give

away the farm
Oct
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2016
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A few weeks ago, the Cherokee County Republican and Democratic Womens organizations jointly
signed a document opposing State Question 777, the
so-called Right to Farm. Long-time area residents
who keep up with current events cant remember a
time in recent history when both parties so avidly
and publicly opposed a piece of legislation.
One of the first groups out of the chute to decry SQ 777 was Save The Illinois River Inc. This organization traces its roots back several decades, with a
number of state dignitaries being part of its mission.
Though originally conceived to protect its namesake
scenic river, STIR has expanded its horizons to bring
all water and other environmental issues under its
umbrella.
Now, various cities have also gone on record as
opposing SQ 777. Monday night, the Tahlequah City
Council voted unanimously to denounce it. Whether one approves of a municipal bodys taking such
a position and several folks dont Mayor Jason
Nichols and the city councilors are correct in their
assessment. SQ 777, while masquerading as a way to
protect family farms, is only designed to benefit a select few. And some of those few might not even be
Americans.
As STIR President Denise Deason-Toyne has
pointed out, SQ 777s language that a compelling
state interest is needed to regulate agricultural
practices would have an enormous impact on our
water. Deason-Toyne said it would become impossible to limit nitrates in the watershed, and local officials would have to stand helplessly by if the water
supply became imperiled. Nichols pointed out the
Right to Farm language originates with the American
Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). That group
has already stretched its sinister arm into other states
like Missouri, where Chinese interests with no concern for environmental impact have been buying up
farmland. A few other states have seen through the
charade and rejected ALEC control.
Proponents of SQ 777 are touting the compelling
state interest clause as a safeguard. Gov. Mary Fallin,
just this past May, signed a declaration that water is
a compelling state interest of Oklahoma. But who
would be qualified to decide whether corporate agriculture operations are actually damaging the water?
The governor? The legislators, many of whom believe climate change is a hoax? Weve already seen
how elected officials care more about protecting
donors and cronies than they do this states natural
resources and its people. Why would we trust them
on this issue?
One impetus for Tahlequahs taking a stance was
frustration with the Legislature, which continues
passing mandates to control city business. Though
a valid argument exists to suggest raising the minimum wage would hurt small businesses, Fallins
declaration that no city can make that decision for
its own constituency is governmental interference
at its worst. If residents of a city vote to raise their
minimum wage, what gives her the right to stop
them? Fallin also told cities they cant ban fracking in
their own backyards a restriction one would think
a member of the party of less government would
find abhorrent.
While its true both sides of the issue have been
guilty of exaggerating the benefits and detriments
of SQ 777, the bottom line is, its unnecessary, because plenty of rules are already in place to protect
family farms. Seen from another perspective, it affords privilege to a single industry when proposed
regulations to aid others especially startups are
slammed as excessive government. Weve already
given away the farm to the energy industry. Where
do we draw the line?
Oklahoma voters shouldnt be fooled into thinking SQ 777 will, as the Tulsa World put it, protect the
lifestyles of grandpas farm. The biggest threat to
that idyllic homestead is a federal mandate, and SQ
777 does nothing to stop that. Instead, it would almost certainly give big ag carte blanche to steamroll grandpa and his friends.
Constitutional amendments, such as SQ 777 proposes, shouldnt be taken lightly, because once in
place, theyre hard to remove. SQ 777 belongs in the
compost pile, or in the pig slop with the corn cobs,
apple cores and other refuse.

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The Paper

The Cyril News

The Lindsay News

On November 8th Oklahomans will be staring

The Country Connection News

ews, Inc., October 18, 2016, Page 3

Seven State Questions

By State Representative David Perryman

The Ellis County Capital

THE ELLIS COUNTY CAPITAL

OCTOBER 20, 2016

STATE QUESTION NO. 781

This measure adds a new section to the Oklahoma Constitution, Section

SUMMARY: State Question 776 does two things: it addresses

the method of execution for an inmate on death row, and it

This measure adds Section 38 to Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution.

If the proposal is approved, the measure

Education Funding Tax

If this proposal is approved, Article 8-C

SUMMARY: If the measure is approved, State Question 780

SUMMARY: The implementation of State Question 781 is

contingent on the passage of State Question 780. If SQ 781

Religion & the State

This measure would remove Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma

SUMMARY: State Question 790 addresses public funding

and property use regarding the separation of church and state.

This measure repeals Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and

SUMMARY: If the proposal is approved, it would repeal

Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and replace it with

Oct 2016 Page

HUGO State Sen. Joseph Silk was joined by

Every vote he casts impacts my family, Lamb

Choctaw County Sheriff

JAMES ALBERT CAMPBELL

Oct 2016 Page

Candidates: State needs more revenue, better leadership

Joy Hampton / The Norman Transcript

[its] revenue steam.

Joy Hampton / The Norman Transcrip

moving toward privatization of our education

Broken Arrow Ledger

Your guide on Oklahoma State Questions | November 8, 2016

Was designed to assert

State Question No. 776

State Question NO. 780 and 181

The prison cost savings brought about by

Was designed to allow grocery

State Question NO. 792

State Question NO. 790

Was designed to establish a

State Question No. 777

Was designed to increase the state

State Question No. 779

Was designed to use money saved

The Carnegie Herald

FOR THE COMMON GOOD

culture industry unless the

780 and it pass. A YES vote

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