Mutiny Over the Bounty

$2.50 25,000 Blue Chip Readers VOL. 43, NO. 14 An Independent Journal of Commentary AUGUST 10, 2011 State Braces For Water Wars Mutiny Over The Bounty By Arnold Hamilton In late July, as Oklahoma wilted and claw to ensure they have a say in in the searing heat and relentless Oklahoma’s water policies – because drought, state Rep. Brian Renegar the financial stakes are so high. and state Sen. Jerry Ellis traveled Selling water to North Texas [which to Clayton to see for themselves the needs new water sources by 2040 harsh weather’s impact on the scenic to ensure continued growth] could Kiamichi River. generate billions of dollars for … The night before, the area was someone. Ensuring Oklahoma City drenched with a 1 ¼-inch rain. Yet controls Sardis Lake could help guar- when the lawmakers arrived, they antee the capital’s unimpeded growth, found the riverbed mostly dry, a once generating huge profits for develop- dependable stream more closely re- ers. Tightening water quality stan- sembling a hiking trail. dards could significantly impact poul- “Normally,” said Renegar, a McAles- try operations, resort developments ter Democrat, “there’d be three feet of and tourism. moving water in it.” Other key players: agricultural and As a long-awaited comprehensive energy interests that rely on abun- statewide water plan nears comple- dant water supplies to grow crops and tion and a legislative committee be- extract oil and gas; the state’s tribal gins the task of turning the research governments, with historic claims to into public policy, Oklahoma faces a Oklahoma water; and rural interests, nightmare scenario: Not only is the worried that urban areas could domi- state enduring what may be the worst nate the decision-making. drought since the 1930s Dust Bowl, The state’s urban-rural split will be it also is learning its once-pristine especially obvious when lawmakers waters may no longer be so reliably consider what to do about the water clean. plan’s projection that it will cost $87 Earlier this summer, blue green al- billion over the next 60 years to re- gae attacked Grand Lake and other place the state’s antiquated drinking- reservoirs, leading officials to warn and waste-water infrastructure. The swimmers away. Last year, unaccept- sore point is this: Half the cost would ably high levels of mercury were found serve only 14% of the state’s popula- in some fish in 16 Oklahoma lakes, tion – those in rural areas, many with prompting warnings they shouldn’t declining population. be consumed, especially by children Already, the lawmakers on the joint and women of childbearing age. – Kiamichi River near Antlers in late July House-Senate committee are por- Concerns about the quantity and ing over thousands of pages of docu- quality of Oklahoma water underscore Texas? Do we have excess water to should – be done to share more plen- ments supplied by the Oklahoma Wa- the gravity of the task facing state sell? If we sell, who gets the money? tiful eastern Oklahoma water with ter Resources Board, which is putting lawmakers – protecting the state’s What are the social and economic im- parched western Oklahoma? the finishing touches on a roughly most important natural resource for plications of transferring more water Those questions, and many more, $15 million [state and federal dollars] future generations. from oft-struggling rural Oklahoma aren’t the esoteric stuff of navel-gaz- comprehensive statewide water plan. Among the questions to be an- to high-growth metro areas? Is the ing lab-coaters or pointy-headed aca- The plan already is a political hot swered: Grand Lake scare a portent of water demicians. These are questions that potato. Based on draft discussions Do we sell excess water to North quality issues to come? What can – or – when answered – will determine the and public meetings, critics contend world our children, grandchildren the study is woefully short on sci- and great-grandchildren inherit. ence and appallingly long on specu- In early August, eight senators and lation and political spin. Others sug- eight representatives embarked on a gest the critics are focused on narrow quest to answer those questions – a self-interest – keeping their water for multi-year process that, given the themselves – rather than on meeting state’s off-and-on feuding over water, statewide needs. is almost certain to be contentious. For the last decade or so, Tulsa ge- “If I do my job right,” said Sen. Bri- ologist Robert Jackman listened to an Crain, R-Tulsa, “I will have a great “experts” assert unequivocally that chance at getting everyone in the southeastern Oklahoma is replete state mad at me.” with surplus water that could be sold There are big players who’ll scratch See WATER Page 19 Observations Outrage! This is no prank – the Mid-Del Certificates Act” is a direct challenge Board of Education has to come up to the birthright clause of the 14th with $189,430 for a violent special Amendment. Several bills require education student shipped off to schools to identify undocumented Heartspring treatment center in Wich- students; one would allow school dis- ita. tricts to charge students not lawfully The State Board of Education is present in the country, while others coming with an equal amount, plus would prohibit them from resident tu- expenses, for monthly visits by his ition. family – transportation, lodging, With words echoing the Arizona meals, etc., at a cost of $8,000 for the immigration law enacted last year, next 12 months. one piece of legislation will allow law The state Education Department enforcement with “reasonable sus- came up with another $50,000 for picion that a person is an alien” to out-of-state teaching services for the “determine the person’s immigration student. status.” This outrage is possible because Is there no end to embarrassing federal law mandates special ed until Oklahoma nationally – even interna- the 22nd birthday. A plan for treat- tionally? ment is enforceable in any federal district court. We have nothing but sympathy for Use An Advocate the student and his family but you Warren to lead the new Consumer Fi- well versed in politics were asking me should know that Mid-Del spends an Don’t ever go to the hospital with- nancial Protection Bureau. about Congresswoman Bachmann average of $6,790 per student. out an advocate. The Veterans Ad- With her track record of standing and liking her politics,” Fallin said. The average stay at Heartspring is ministration is the latest example of up to Wall Street and fighting for con- “So I’m not surprised that she’s got three years. creating a surgery check list, reduc- sumers, Warren was the best quali- off to a good lead in popularity with ing deaths and serious mistakes at 74 fied for the job. Moreover, 350,000 the American public.” veterans hospitals by 18%. Americans voiced their support for And she ends the interview with Embarrassing Nearly 100,000 are killed each her. And nearly 100 members of Con- words of praise for Texas Gov. Rick year by hospital mistakes; 18,000 gress backed her selection. Perry. You remember him? At an Aus- Oklahoma’s Republican Legislature by medical personnel not washing The president, however, opted to tin Tea Party rally in 2009 his anti- is one of 15 legislatures trying to up- their hands. Make sure your advocate appoint one of her deputies, Rich Cor- federal government, states’ rights end the U.S. Constitution. challenges every procedure because dray. rhetoric ignited chants of “secede.” GOP Republican lawmakers in the chances are you will be drugged or America still needs Warren’s fierce Fallin said she isn’t ready to en- Sooner State proposed nearly 30 bills unconscious. advocacy for working families. Fortu- dorse in the presidential race, or even dealing with various aspects of im- Last year the VA hospitals reported nately, it’s reported that she’s consid- narrow her list of 2012 options, but migration. Two-thirds of them have 30 surgeries on the wrong patient ering a run for Ted Kennedy’s Senate she predicted that her wingnut neigh- come from the offices of state Rep. and 48 on the wrong body part. Some seat in her home state of Massachu- boring governor would be a “very Randy Terrill, a member of the hard- Oklahoma hospitals are now requir- setts. strong presidential candidate” if he line State Legislators for Legal Immi- ing a magic marker written on the Paul Wellstone used to say he could chooses to run. gration, and state Sen. Ralph Shortey, limb designated for surgery. use 10 more progressives in the Sen- We can only conclude that it takes a member of a newly created joint im- The Oklahoma Heart Hospital and ate – “or one Elizabeth Warren.” one to know one. migration reform committee. several others are requiring a check Like Wellstone, Warren is a bold The bills would crack down on un- list, with an aide trailing nurses progressive icon. It would be fitting documented residents of the state whether it’s starting an IV drip or if she were the one to win back Ken- Casting Stones in numerous ways, ranging from re- some other procedure. nedy’s seat from Republican Scott stricting property rights of nonciti- Brown in 2012. State Rep. Tom Newell said he’s dis- zens to requiring school officials to Sen. Warren? appointed in state Higher Education check the legal status of students. Regents for approving increases in tu- That makes no difference. The Con- It was terribly disappointing, but Takes One ition and mandatory fees.

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