Hobson official in lieutenant governor bid
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Capitol Spotlight for weeklies for week of June 4, 2006
By Jim Campbell
OPA Capitol News Bureau
Cal Hobson wasn't kidding when he teased the Senate in his farewell speech that he might run for lieutenant governor.
And in making his official announcement before a room packed with friends and media, the Lexington Democrat confronted up-front the alcoholism that led to his giving up the post of Senate president pro tempore.
"It's no secret that I've had my own challenge the last couple of years," said Hobson, a 28-year legislator forbidden by term limits from seeking another term.
He said he had sought and received help from his family, friends, his doctor and Alcoholics Anonymous.
Of AA, he said, "I'm not an anonymous member, I'm a proud member. I am healthy and strong and ready for the campaign."
Hobson had only good things to say about the other Democrats in the race -- House minority leader Jari Askins, D-Duncan, and Pete Regan of Afton, a former aide to former U.S. Sen. David Boren and U.S. Rep. Dan Boren who was endorsed by former Gov. George Nigh.
"They are wonderful people who will have my full and unqualified support if they win the nomination," he said.
But Hobson, 61, said he believed he could focus experience and commitment on education and health care issues. He also said 32 years of active, reserve and Air National Guard service in which he earned the rank of full colonel would be especially valuable.
Republicans seeking the post held by Republican Mary Fallin, now a candidate for Congress, are House Speaker Todd Hiett of Kellyville and Sens. Scott Pruitt of Broken Arrow and Nancy Riley of Tulsa. Elmer "E.Z." Million of Norman is an independent candidate.
Most of his Hobson's comments were directed at Hiett, saying his legislative record "is abysmal, and that's being kind," citing votes against projects Hobson fostered such as a Cancer Center, the Weather Center at Norman and the Sensor Center at Stillwater.
Hobson said he adamantly opposes TABOR, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, calling it "the worst public policy I've seen in 28 years," a measure that has caused Colorado to slide to the bottom in education funding.
He said he was proud to have been principal author of legislation creating the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, which provides tuition-free college; the law setting up the education lottery and legislation investing money from Indian casinos in public schools, teacher retirement and college scholarships.
"I am especially proud of the prominent roles I have fulfilled in education, kindergarten through graduate school, including CareerTech, and major initiatives in providing quality health care to all of our citizens," he said.
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Speaker Hiett says rural economic development legislation known as "REDI" that did not pass during the regular legislative session will be back during the upcoming special session.   
"We will continue to provide opportunity for rural families while getting government out of they way," Hiett said.
Four REDI bills to be reintroduced, he said, are identical to House Bill 2704 by Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Dacoma, helping new industries gain access to roads; HB 2763 by Rep. Curt Roggow, R-Hillsdale, targeting investments and value-added processing; HB 2812 by Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing, exempting continuum of care facilities from property taxes in rural areas and HB 2822 by Rep. Dale DeWittt, R-Braman, changing truck permit regulations.
Four other measures resulting from a REDI task forced had been signed by the governor by end of the regular session while several others had received final legislative approval.
Another, offering a five-year income tax exemption to families moving from out of state to rural areas that had lost population, had been killed.
The task force created by Hiett visited a dozen communities where members held hearings for businesses and community leaders.
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The Oklahoma Rifle Association, state affiliate of the National Rifle Association, has endorsed Democratic Gov. Brad Henry for re-election.
"It's a great honor to receive the endorsement of an important organization like the Oklahoma Rifle Association," Henry said. "As a lifelong Oklahoman, a longtime hunter and a family man, I know just how important Second Amendment rights are to the citizens of our state."
Henry, who recently signed the Stand Your Ground law, which allows use of deadly force outside the home by people who believe themselves threatened, said he had placed "the highest priority on the right to bear arms." He said he also had received an A-plus rating from the NRA.
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Wild Turkey is not just a pricey whiskey; it's the official game bird of Oklahoma.
Senate Bill 1613, sent to the governor, also rewards the persistence of Sen. Jeff Rabon, D-Hugo, in honoring a prehistoric creature unearthed in his district as the State Dinosaur of Oklahoma.
The Senate voted 45-0 for the bill by Sen. Charles Laster, D-Shawnee, and Rep. Guy Liebmann, R-Oklahoma City. The House, where "why not the Bob White quail?" was asked, approved it 71-23.