EDMOND —
To the Editor:
In his article “Putting the Reins” on overzealous D.C. bureaucrats (OPINION, Tuesday March 13, 2012) Brian Bush promotes passage of a new law, the REINS Act, that is completely unnecessary and would only serve to impede the legislative process. He admits that it is unnecessary in his article but promotes it anyway. What we need from our legislators is solutions to problems, not impediments to the process.
Contrary to Bush’s statement that “agencies like EPA can pass regulations as they see fit,” there exists a process that must be followed before any new regulation can be promulgated. First, Congress must pass a law that makes the new regulation necessary. Agencies in the executive department enforce that law by designing and issuing regulations. The design process includes various studies of the economic, social and environmental impacts; consultations are held with affected constituencies; and only then are proposed regulations drafted.
Those proposed regulations are published in the Federal Register with a request for comments over a period of usually 90 days. In some cases a public hearing is held so that concerned people can present arguments in person. Those comments and arguments are considered and the proposed regulations altered accordingly. Only then are final regulations adopted and published in the Federal Register.
As Bush points out, Congress can act at any time, during the design process, or even after the new regulation is promulgated, to stop its implementation. There is no need for special cases, like a $100 million impact. There is ample opportunity for such consideration in the design and public review process.
Bush’s real beef seems to be his frustration with the EPA’s investigation of the hydraulic fracturing process, and the threat that some new requirement might be placed on the industry. The EPA is doing its job as mandated by Congress. The investigation is ongoing and no decision has been made regarding the extent of drinking water pollution. Surely it is in the best interests of the American people that the investigation be thorough.
I am suspicious of Bush’s statement that “our entrepreneurs and business owners should be free to pursue the best practices.” That depends on what their definition of “best” is. Is it best for their bottom line, or is it best for the American people? Sometimes both definitions may be true, but not always. That is why we have an EPA, a FDA, an OSHA and many other regulatory agencies. Without them we would revert to the days of robber barons, company towns, snake oil salesmen and acid rain that destroys our natural heritage.
Leaman D. Harris
Edmond
Letters to the Editor
Reader: REINS Act is unnecessary legislation
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Oklahoma cannot stand alone
o the Editors:
President Obama visited Oklahoma on Sunday. He assured us that Oklahoma would receive every support needed to rebuild after our devastating storm. Gov. Fallin told reporters that she would “hold his feet to the fire.” Ask the people of Missouri or in New Jersey if the president needs to have his feet held to the fire!
This was the second time for President Obama to visit Oklahoma. In March of 2012, no Oklahoma top official greeted our president. Choosing to snub our president, Gov. Mary Fallin left for a family vacation in Puerto Rico and Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb attended a conference in Washington. Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett did greet the president on his arrival at Tinker Air Force Base. Thank you, Mayor Cornett, for your respect and sense of protocol! - LETTER: Words of comfort for the many recent storm victims
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Senators give criminals a pass
Oklahoma’s U.S. Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe were among 45 senators who recently helped block a sensible measure to reduce gun violence. Specifically, they voted down a measure to expand background checks for gun buyers — a step favored by 86 percent of Americans, according to recent polls. Our senators were not even asked to vote for tougher measures like bans on military-type assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, also favored by 56 percent of Americans, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.
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LETTER: Senators give criminals a pass
To the Editor:
Oklahoma’s U.S. Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe were among 45 senators who recently helped block a sensible measure to reduce gun violence. Specifically, they voted down a measure to expand background checks for gun buyers — a step favored by 86 percent of Americans, according to recent polls. Our senators were not even asked to vote for tougher measures like bans on military-type assault weapons or high-capacity magazines, also favored by 56 percent of Americans, according to a Quinnipiac University poll.
By opposing background checks for gun buyers, Sens. Coburn and Inhofe voted in favor of allowing the mentally ill and criminals to buy guns! They call it “Second Amendment” rights. I call it cash for their campaigns from the gun lobby. -
LETTER: Postal carriers seek to ‘Stamp out Hunger’
To the Editor:
On Saturday, help your letter carrier “Stamp Out Hunger” by leaving canned food donations by your mailbox. In Edmond, donations benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s partner agencies HOPE Center of Edmond, Route 66 Project and Edmond Grace Fellowship. This effort is part of the 21st annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, which is the largest one-day food drive in America. -
LETTER: Unanswered prayer leads to lower taxes, honorable policy makers
To the Editor:
In a recent column, Oklahoma Rep. Jason Murphy (“How a no vote solved gas tax problem,” The Edmond Sun, April 30, 2013) commended the wise and educated voters of Oklahoma for seeing through the 2005 fuel tax increase and demanding more action of our state policy makers. With the recent work of our elected officials, along with the Department of Transportation, our roads and bridges have seen much improvement during the past couple of years. -
LETTER: Senate bills will help veterans living in centers
To the Editor:
I just viewed a short video done by Brig. Gen. Steve Ritchie who recounts the rescue of downed Vietnam pilot RogerLocher in April 1972. Ritchie said that Loche’s rescue was the farthest behind enemy lines and superceded all air operations that day. -
LETTER: President: OneNet saves UCO money
To the Editor:
Discussion continues in The Edmond Sun publications regarding upgrading and consolidating information technology resources in state government. While I respect the viewpoint that has been expressed so far, certain facts should be taken into consideration that directly affect the University of Central Oklahoma and the 17,000 students we serve. -
Bond debt not an unpardonable sin
Is Oklahoma bond indebtedness for Oklahoma infrastructure an unpardonable sin? No! Rep. Jason Murphey wrote a good op ed dealing with what he bemoans as oppressive state bond debt. He calculates each Oklahoman owes $649 in state debt. He and the rest of the ultra-fiscal conservatives can’t bring themselves to support bonds to pay for the state Capitol repairs, building a medical examiner’s office or other legitimate capital expenditures. So using his logic I decided to apply that thinking to my personal and business life.
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Senate bill potentially denies women’s rights
Once again, our state Legislature is moving toward passage of another bill that will not stand up to a court challenge because it is contrary to federal law. It also follows the pattern of many of these failed laws in that it attempts to limit the choices women have in our state.
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Oklahoma cannot stand alone
