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POLITICS: Jari Askins launches issues & endorsement website

From Jari Askins Campaign

(POL) Oklahoma Lt. Governor and candidate for Governor Jari Askins announced Tuesday a new satellite website OklahomansForJari.com. The site features several pages of information on Askins' experience, past legislation, history on specific issues, and videos from speeches and Governor's forums where she has spoken about topics.

"It was important to me that we go beyond the 30 second commercial or the five minute stump speech. The people of Oklahoma deserve to know specifics about my experience as well as where I stand on the issues," Askins said.

The site features tabs with information about issues such as jobs and the economy, education, the military and veterans, prison reform and crime, and children. It spotlights pieces of legislation Askins worked on while in the state legislature and videos of supporters discussing why they agree with Askins on the issues.

"The most important feature of OklahomansForJari.com are the endorsements we've received from people across the state," campaign manager Sid Hudson said. "Whether EMT's, teachers, veterans, small business owners, farmers, ranchers, newspaper publishers, or elected officials, Oklahomans from all walks of life are supporting our campaign."

"This campaign has always been about more than talking points," Askins said. "This is an opportunity for Oklahomans to learn more about me as well as gain a clear understanding of my views and goals."

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Askins vows war against child abuse

From Jari Askins Campaign

(POL) Lt. Governor Jari Askins said Monday if she is elected governor she will wage "an all-out war" against child abuse.

"It is an outrage that more children in Oklahoma die of child abuse per capita than in any other state and the toll appears to be growing," Askins said.

Citing a recent report from the Child Death Review Board, Askins noted that nearly twice as many children were murdered last year than in 2008.

"It is also disturbing to learn from the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth that many of these deaths might have been prevented if the agencies in charge had responded more quickly and strongly to complaints of abuse and neglect," Askins said.

The Commission on Children and Youth reported last week that DHS received 430 complaints of abuse prior to the deaths or near deaths of 82 Oklahoma children, an average of more than five complaints per child.

"This war on child abuse must focus on those charged with the responsibility of stopping child abuse before it becomes fatal. As governor, I will use every power I have to make sure DHS quickly and thoroughly investigates abuse reports and does whatever it takes to protect our children," Askins said.

"I will also fight to end the statute of limitations on crimes against children and push for life-time monitoring of child molesters," Askins added.

Askins also renewed her long-standing call for creation of a Children's Cabinet to coordinate the work of all state agencies charged with responsibility for protecting and improving the lives of Oklahoma's children.

"The Children's Cabinet is a money-saving and life-saving idea that has worked well in other states but our lawmakers have resisted it. On my first day in office, I will create the Children's Cabinet through executive order," Askins stated.

"Caring for children and protecting them is the responsibility of mothers and fathers but, as we've learned so painfully, those responsibilities are not met in far too many cases. When necessary the state must act quickly and forcefully using all the resources and dedicated employees it can muster," Askins said.

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POLITICS: Askins files for governor, calls for bipartisanship

By Bryan Smith

Senior Reporter

(OK) Lt. Gov. Jari Askins made her bid for governor official Monday, citing the need to begin work on the next fiscal year's budget immediately following the election.

Unlike the most recent budget for FY2011, Askins, a Democrat from Duncan, pointed out that the Legislature will not have the benefit of one-time monies that can be used to fill holes in the state budget. Given conditions for the FY2012 budget, Askins said it is vital that leaders begin working on a budget agreement as soon as the election is over in November.

"We don't have time to wait until May," she told reporters.

If elected, Askins said she would begin work immediately, finding ways to fill the budget gap and protect services that are vital to the people of Oklahoma.

"People tell me every day as I campaign across Oklahoma they are angry and frustrated with government," she said in a campaign news release. "Too many tax dollars are wasted because too little attention is paid to details of the state budget. I want to make government work for the people of Oklahoma."

Askins also noted that she intends to help the state move forward by leading the way on renewable energy, medical research, agriculture, aerospace and reform of state government.

"All we need is determined, bipartisan and tireless leadership," she said. "As governor, Oklahomans from all walks of life in all 77 counties of our great state will learn that I mean business in solving the serious problems confronting us."

Askins was the first female Democrat elected lieutenant governor in the state of Oklahoma and the first woman to be elected state representative in southwest Oklahoma. She served in the state Legislature and as a special district judge and as deputy general counsel in the governor's office. She has a journalism degree and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma.

If elected, Askins would be the first female governor of Oklahoma.

As of 5 p.m. Monday, four other candidates had filed for the office of governor, including Democrat Attorney General Drew Edmondson and Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, state Sen. Randy Brogdon and Roger Jackson.

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On January 15th 2009, Lt Governor Jari Askins became the first announced candidate for governor in 2010.

Jari has always been a trailblazer.

She was the first Democratic woman elected Lt. Governor, the first woman to become Democratic Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the first woman to be elected State Representative from Southwest Oklahoma and the first woman to chair The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.

With our help, Jari Askins will become the first woman elected Governor of Oklahoma. But, to Jari, her campaign for governor is not about adding another first to her list of accomplishments. It's about bringing all Oklahomans together to build for the future.

Jari Askins' roots run deep in Oklahoma. She was born and raised in Duncan where she learned the Oklahoma Values of family, faith, honesty, hard work and education.

Experience

Jari's experience is unmatched, her integrity and dedication unquestioned. In every office she has held, Jari has earned the respect and affection of Oklahomans in both parties. She has served Oklahoma in all three branches of government. Before Jari was elected Lt. Governor and a leader in the legislature, she served as a Special District Judge and as Deputy General Counsel in the Governor's Office. Just three weeks after her appointment to The Pardon and Parole Board, her fellow members elected her chairman.

Leadership

Most of all, Jari is a leader Oklahomans can count on. She often goes against the grain without regard to political parties. Jari has been a determined advocate for children and the elderly, for ending government waste and for helping education, health care, law enforcement and business. Setting partisan politics aside, she negotiated legislation that made workers compensation more reasonable while protecting the rights of injured workers.

Jari knows Oklahoma wins when both parties work together. That philosophy has guided her throughout her career in public service and will guide her as governor.

Service

As testimony to her thoughtful and fair leadership, Jari has been honored with outstanding service awards from dozens of organizations including: The National Association of Social Workers, Oklahoma Sheriff's Association, Oklahoma Main Street Program, Leadership Oklahoma, Girl Scouts Sooner Council, Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, Oklahoma Farmers Union, Oklahoma Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Oklahoma Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Oklahoma Chapter of the American Heart Association, Oklahoma Association of County Commissioners, Oklahoma County Clerks Association, Oklahoma Public Employees Association and the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association.

Jari was named a Henry Toll Fellow as one of 40 recipients nationwide recognized as emerging state government leaders. She is a recipient of the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation's President's Award and a Friend of Medicine Award from the Oklahoma State Medical Association. Jari has been inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame and the Duncan Public Schools Foundation Hall of Fame.

Jari earned journalism and law degrees from the University of Oklahoma. She's an active member of The First Christian Church of Duncan where she sings in the choir.