The Finch Formerly Known As Gold

8 December 2005

What the Chamber has in mind

Last night, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet, and Chairman Fred Hall announced that one thing he wants for the new year is a new, or at least revised, county government.

After the abolition of the Oklahoma County Budget Board last January, a move widely viewed as payback for the county's addition of sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination rules, power in the county was essentially consolidated in a bloc of two Commissioners. Rep. Mike Shelton (D-OKC) subsequently offered a bill to let the state's two largest counties operate under home rule rather than under the state's county model; it didn't go anywhere. The Chamber, said Hall, will push for similar legislation in 2006.

Also on the agenda, initiatives more typical of a Chamber of Commerce: "branding" the city, expanding health-science and aerospace, tort reform, and elimination of the state income tax. (What would replace it? Who knows?)

Posted at 9:00 AM to City Scene


We could replace the income tax with mandatory Lotto ticket purchases.

Posted by: Dwayne "the canoe guy" at 9:13 AM on 8 December 2005

Well if FRED wants it we gotta do it ... meh ... Who/What made Fred king of the frickin hill besides his money? There needs to be some reform but it has to come from the folks who elocted those two dim bulbs that are the rubber stamp for obstructionism on the county level. The system was reasonably fair and equitable and had MAJOR consensus building and representative input with the Budget Board functioning as a sounding board. The "gang of 2" as I like to call them want their own little fiefdoms and won't tolerate those who stand in their way. Jim Roth is the most public service oriented fella up there and the other two can't stand him because he is ...GASP ... gay and isn't afraid to say it. He does'nt beat you over the head with it but he isn't afraid to acknowledge it. Such is politics but we the people have to put up with this crap. Consolidated government is a great cost saving measure but I truly question the intent of the folks pushing it sometimes ...

Posted by: Ron at 9:24 AM on 8 December 2005