August 20, 2019 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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Page 4 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Tuesday, August 20, 2019 Opinion Page ihe “ElkCituNews Whi ch ENDANGERED Serving Western Oklahoma since 1901 Lawmakers urge collaboration in gaming compact negotiations SPECIES 1S THREATENED By Carmen Forman, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City MOST BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ? Oklahoma legislators have been hesitant to wade into the the debate over the state’s tribal gaming compacts, which has Gov. Kevin Stitt at odds with many of the state’s Na- tive American tribes. But some of the state’s Native American legislators chimed in recently, disputing Stitt’s assertion the com- pacts don’t automatically renew and criticizing the gover- nor’s handling of the situation. For the most part, Native American legislators that spoke to The Oklahoman said there was no harm in trying to renegotiate the compacts during the six-month window before they expire. Rep. Collin Walke, D-Oklahoma City, said there are two aspects to the issue -- how Stitt approached the re- negotiation and whether there is room to renegotiate the compacts. Stitt calling for renegotiating the compacts in a news- paper opinion piece caught the tribes off guard and didn’t show tribal leaders the respect they deserve, said Walke, who is Cherokee. “Gov. Stitt has approached this in completely the wrong way,” he said. “He’s acting as though these are not sover- eign nations and are rather simply employees of his com- pany. I think that’s the wrong way to go about doing this.” Ina recent interview on local NPR affiliate KGOU, Stitt said he called leaders of the Five Civilized Tribes days be- fore his editorial was published and before his office sent a letter to 35 tribes asking them to come to the table for negotiations. He did not detail what was said on the calls. In place for nearly 15 years, the compacts can be rene- Corrections must cultivate work- gotiated through the end of the year. Stitt has previously said he’s committed to open discussions with the tribes to create more funding for public education and grow oppor- place that values employees tunities for the tribes. Walke said he fully supports the idea of negotiations be- Muskogee Phoenix, Okla. officer to $15.74 an hour. the past six years -- does agency needs to change its tween the state and the tribes so long as they are mutually It appears extreme mea- While increased pay prob- little to provide stability culture and show some ap- beneficial. sures will be required if the ably lured a few more ap- throughout the ranks below. preciation for its employees As for renegotiating the compacts in order to boost state Oklahoma Department of plicants through the doors, All of this, when combined revenue, Walke said other options, like reinstating higher Corrections is ever going to those who are more familiar with an environment created -- we agree. income tax rates on the state’s top earners, would be far attract those who are look- with the peculiarities of cor- by an overcrowded prison If the state has a policy more effective. ing for jobs -- a $2 an hour rections work say there are population, it is not hard to that deprives people of their “There are more beneficial ways of going about and increase in the starting pay more factors at play than see why a prospect might seeking revenue for the state of Oklahoma than looking didn’t do the trick. money alone. Prisons are not rank corrections among liberty interests after being toward the tribes,” he said. “Certainly, that is an avenue With a statewide vacancy dangerous places, and those the top of his or her career convicted of certain crimes, and I think that we should look at all possible avenues for rate of almost 45 percent, dangers are exacerbated by choices. the implementation of that increasing funding here in the state of Oklahoma. Period. the beleaguered state agency staffing shortages that re- Bobby Cleveland, execu- End of story.” reported this week it would quire employees to work tive director of Oklahoma policy must be efficient, pro- Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, said in his seven years at have to hire more than 600 longer hours each day and Corrections Professionals, fessional and just. Cultivat- the state Capitol there always have been rumblings from people to fill every position. more days each week. said people “working behind ing a workplace culture that lawmakers wanting to alter the terms of the compacts. The news comes after a leg- Frequent turnover among bars” are “getting preyed “T can see wanting to look at the compacts and explore islative initiative boosted those at the top of the agen- on every day.” In addition values employees is critical the possibility of raising them, but I just don’t agree with wages for a new correctional cy -- three directors during to paying better wages, the to carrying out that mission. the approach that was taken,” he said. New Oklahoma DHS McBride, who is a member of Citizen Potawatomi Na- tion, urged a more collaborative approach in which the parties involved get together to look at the costs and ben- efits involved in the current compacts and look at how re- director aiming high negotiated compacts may benefit both sides. He plans to discuss the compacts issue with Citizen Potawatomi Na- tion Chairman John “Rocky” Barrett. Stitt spokeswoman Donelle Harder said the governor has been traveling the state to meet tribal leaders on their turf. She called the conversations productive. The Oklahoman, Oklaho- lawsuit. Status reports by duties intersect with those “That’s an environment ma City three experts who are over- of DHS to work on ways to where you can be truly in- “We believe that negotiations should continue and that there’s ample things to discuss,” she said. Justin Brown brings youth seeing the reforms have run collaborate. novative,” he said. In the KGOU interview, Stitt also said he plans to hire a (he is 40) and an outsider’s hot and cold, although the On this point, Brown said DHS is so large because top mediator to talk to the tribes about the state’s position approach to the Department latest report was encourag- he has found -- no surprise and listen to their side. of Human Services, both of ing. here -- a territorial culture in the need for its services -- which may prove valuable Brown says DHS made state government that cre- food stamps, or foster care, Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Lawton, said the compacts are pretty clear cut in that that they automatically renew if the in directing “significant progress” under ates barriers. He hopes to or child abuse, the list goes Oklahoma’s parties can’t agree on new terms. largest and most consequen- former director Ed Lake, remove those and “really on -- is so great. However, Caldwell’s interpretation of the compacts align with that tial state agency. and that in his talks with the be intentional and thought- Brown says he believes of Oklahoma’s Native American tribes but differs from Brown, hired by Gov. experts, “the good is over- ful about how to create a set there are ways, working Stitt’s interpretation. Stitt has argued the compacts must Kevin Stitt in June, came to whelming compared to the of, almost, policies to where with partner groups, to “re- be renegotiated because they will not automatically renew DHS after running a compa- bad.” we can work well with one ny with seven assisted living Moving forward, Brown’s another.” ally promote the opportu- on Jan. 1, 2020. and memory care centers in goal is to improve Okla- Within DHS, he said, he nity for families to lift them- Caldwell, who is a member of Choctaw Nation, said he understands Stitt is trying to position the state to get the three states. Roughly one- homa’s national rankings plans to give the workforce selves out.” best deal possible. fourth of Oklahoma’s pop- in the areas DHS manages, of 5,700 -- “an incredible “There will always be a “Tm just taking a wait-and-see attitude toward it,” he ulation is served by DHS, something he says is es- group of people” -- a chance need for those programs,” said. “I think the tribes have solid legal standing when it running the gamut from pecially important given to provide their ideas for he said, “but I do think we comes to the current compacts, but I think like with every- child welfare to elder care. the agency’s scope. “That change, while — ensuring “It's a big ship, but it’s means we have to innovate,” that the customer is at the can make some impact on thing within state government, Kevin Stitt is doing a great job in reviewing things. also a big opportunity,” he said. “We cannot do the center of every decision. that, moving people from A handful of other Republican legislators who are Na- Brown said in an interview same things we’ve done Division heads have been people being consumers of tive American declined to comment, saying the Legisla- with The Oklahoman. forever. We have to do new charged with determining the state and being contribu- ture doesn’t get a say in renegotiating or approving the Much of the news about things.” that division’s four or five tors to the state.” compacts. The compacts are agreed upon by Oklahoma’s DHS has focused on child He is looking at practices most important programs, Unrealistic? Maybe. Then governor and tribal leaders before being submitted to the welfare, particularly the in other states to see if they and focusing on improving agency’s efforts since 2012 can be implemented here. again, you never know un- federal government for final approval. those. Brown also intends to Stitt’s office said the governor plans to keep the Legisla- to comply with the condi- Brown is hiring a chief inno- implement systems that pro- less you try. Brown, to his ture involved throughout the renegotiating process. tions outlined in the state’s vative officer. He is meeting vide for solid evaluation of credit, is intent on giving it “The governor will be engaged with the Legislature as settlement of a class-action with other agencies whose programs. ago.