Print News for the Heart of our City. Volume 56, Issue 3 March 2018 Read us daily at www.city-sentinel.com Ten Cents Page 4 Page 7 STV Dance & Singing Camp set for March, 5K Run in June Return to “Greater Tuna” with CityRep COMMENTARY Will the state government of Oklahoma really forego hundreds of millions in annual revenues in return for a few million? casinos were put into trust for 1988 casino sites pursuant to non-gaming purposes with no 25 USC 2719 as state approved. federal review. Now the valid- While the Step Up plan’s first ity of those deeds/casino eligi- steps were not approved in a bility are at issue in the Tenth state House vote on Feb. 12, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals proposals to enact a “land fix” case of Comanche Nation v Zin- in return for a small boost in ke. state government revenues Against this backdrop the should be avoided. Step Up tax plan, with dice and If passed at the state Capitol, roulette expansion included, and once published in the Fed- had a provision in it, to act as a eral Register, it would be feder- Proceeds from 2018 Chef’s Feast will benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Food for Kids Programs. Photo provided. vehicle to allow for a compact ally approved and would elim- amendment to approve these inate the State of Oklahoma’s Chef’s Feast 2018 set to benefit four to five dozen suspect post- continued on page 4 By Patrick B. McGuigan hungry kids in Oklahoma Editor By Darla Shelden Bank’s Food for Kids Programs. ativity in a setting that sup- Absent state approval for off- City Sentinel Reporter Co-chairing this year’s soiree ports a cause we as Oklaho- reservation gaming and a cou- are Chef Rob Johnson from US mans should support. The fact ple of exceptions which don’t The Regional Food Bank Foods and Chef Don Thiery this event generates support to apply to Oklahoma, the In- of Oklahoma will host its 31st from Guckenheimer Café Par- feed children in need of food dian Gaming Regulatory Act annual Chefs’ Feast on Tues- ticipating restaurants and chefs across the state is not only (IGRA) prohibited gaming on day, April 10 from 6:30 - 9 p.m. include: Chef Michael Paske, humbling, but life changing.” post-1988 acquired Indian trust at the National Cowboy & Café 7; Chef Rob Farris, Gages The evening will feature a land unless it was on a reser- Western Heritage Museum in Steakhouse; Chef Aaron Miles, raffle, wine pull and silent auc- vation (tribal jurisdiction) – or Oklahoma City. That evening Park Avenue Grill; The Drake; tion. The auction includes trips in Oklahoma, where no reser- guests will enjoy complimenta- Chef Eddie Hartwick, SONIC to New York, Tuscany, Costa vation existed, a former reser- ry beverages and food prepared Drive-In Culinary Innovations Rica, Ireland, Hawaii, Florida, vation which again required by some of the metro area’s fin- and Whole Foods. Greece; an Alaskan cruise; and tribal jurisdiction because both est chefs and restaurants. Chef Johnson said, “Chefs’ a James Bond European experi- categories were to be treated Proceeds from this derby- Feast is an amazing event be- ence, including stops in Swit- the same. themed, food tasting event cause it gives me the opportu- zerland, France and Italy. Over the next two decades, will benefit the Regional Food nity to share my culinary cre- continued on page 6 four to five dozen Oklahoma Diversity Center brings organizations together to aid LGBTQ community By Darla Shelden City Sentinel Reporter Oklahoma City’s first non- profit agency to provide Gen- der Diverse/LGBTQ health services opened its doors on Feb. 12. About 60 people at- tended an open house event at the Diversity Center of Okla- homa’s new location at 2242 N.W. 39 St. Visitors toured the From left, Democratic Reps. Mickey Dollens and Collin Walke of Oklahoma City, and Republican Auditor/Inspector Gary facility, enjoyed refreshments, Jones. Photo provided. and heard comments from a number of the Diversity Cen- ter staff, support personnel and House Democrats partner with Rev. Neil Coffman enters the new Diversity Center of Oklahoma located at 2242 patrons. N.W. 39 St., directly across the street from Expressions Church where he is pastor. Attendees included friends Photo by Darla Shelden. Republican Auditor & Inspector on and supporters of the Center as well as the many organization- M.D., Vice President Nathan ties from putting in floors to bipartisan revenue package al members that are occupying Watson, Treasurer; Cori Taber; painting walls. CapitolBeatOK table donations ($106 million). District.” Young said the north- neighboring office space in the Sue C. Jacobs PhD; Andrew “The community has really Staff Report Total Revenue: $554 million east side of Oklahoma City, “was 5,400 square foot facility. Moore LPC; Philip Rightout; supported us in every effort,” “This is a plan, that if backed the worst impacted” by EITC The Diversity Center is made Dezea De’Alessandro; and Rus- said Blair. “We want this to be Oklahoma House Democrats by Republican leadership, elimination in prior budget cy- up of LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, sell Rooms. a real community center. We have partnered with state Audi- we feel can pass through the cle. Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Kelley Blair, the Diversity want people to feel safe and tor and Inspector Gary Jones to House,” said Rep. Emily Virgin, In addition to Rep. Young, Intersex, and Asexual) profes- Center’s CEO and executive comfortable coming here and create a revenue package to help D-Norman. “It fairly spreads Oklahoma City members of the sionals and their supporters. director said that prior to the know that they have ownership end the state’s current budget the tax burden across multiple House Democratic Caucus in- The Center’s board mem- Center’s opening, individuals here.” crisis and provide teachers and socioeconomic groups, and it clude Mickey Dollens, Collin bers include: Jordan Haygood, frequently dropped by and of- A special ribbon cutting cer- state employees with a pay raise. funds government without more Walke, Cyndi Munson, Jason acting President: Ruth Seaman fered to help with various du- continued on page 6 “One of the primary issues dangerous budget cuts.” Lowe, Jason Dunnington, For- we had with the Step Up Okla- The House Democratic rest Bennett, and Scott Inman homa plan was that the primary plan includes restoration of (Del City), all of whom support source of its funding came from the Earned Income Tax Credit the proposal. A note to advertisers and regressive taxes,” said House (EITC) for low-income Oklaho- Auditor and Inspector Jones, Minority Leader Steve Kouplen, mans. State Rep. George Young, a Republican, issued a sepa- potential advertisers D-Beggs. “This plan raises a D-Oklahoma City, said in an rate press release which did Here is The City Sentinel print edition production schedule similar amount of revenue, but it email note to The City Sentinel, not stress the fourth item in for next 4 months. does so in a way that is equita- “I do continue to push for rein- the House minority caucus re- ble for both high- and low-wage statement of EITC because of lease (the cap on itemized de- April 2018 edition earners.” what it means directly to my ductions). In his release, Jones Ad space reservation: Tuesday, March 20 The plan’s details (revenue commented, “Instead of the one- Ad content deadline: Thursday, March 22 for Fiscal Year 2019): size fits all, sweeping revenue May 2018 edition 1 An increase of the first 36 bill that failed ..., I’m proposing Ad space reservation: Tuesday, April 24 months of gross production tax a simpler measure that I hope Ad content deadline: Thursday, April 26 on oil and gas from 2 percent to 5 both sides can agree to.” percent ($200 million). Jones said that measure could June 2018 edition 2 A 75-cent tax on cigarettes “generate approximately $448 Ad space reservation: Tuesday, May 22 and little cigars ($135 million). million in revenue and is suffi- Ad content deadline: Thursday, May 24 3 A 3-cent per gallon tax in- cient to fund a $5,000 pay raise July 2018 edition crease on gasoline and 6-cent for teachers and raises for state Ad space reservation: Tuesday, June 19 per gallon tax on diesel ($113 mil- employees. To make this hap- Ad content deadline: Thursday, June 21 lion). pen, both sides are being asked 4 Implementing a cap on to give a little.” itemized deductions at $17,000 NOTE: Editor Pat McGuigan per household excluding chari- Rep. George Young contributed to this report. Page 2 www.city-sentinel.com March 2018 NEWS See us online, and on Facebook and Twitter Free speech Chronology: UCO keeps contract with Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis By Patrick B. McGuigan Gayly reporter, quoted Prof. Editor Churchill saying, “We don’t want someone who is not ‘re- Ken Ham of Answers in search’ based and also says Genesis (AiG) was invited, discriminatory things about then disinvited, then invited the LGBTQ community to again to speak on March 5 at come on campus without UCO the University of Central Okla- students knowing that their homa (UCO) in Edmond. The student fees went to this or at raging controversy that un- least provides a counter point folded over several weeks early to debate him.” Before freedom this semester got massive at- of speech prevailed, Rachel tention. Watson of the Student Alliance After copies of contracts for Equality (SAFE) said that made it clear UCO was “on the her members were not part of hook” when the speech was the dis-invite.