Connie Johnson in Survey of 2014 Senate campaign websites
On Abortion:
Don't incarcerate women for biological functions with ova
Connie finds troubling recent legislative efforts that focus solely on the female's role in the reproductive process. Sen. Johnson's action in 2012 to amend the so-called "Personhood" bill-- SB 1433, authored by State Sen. Brian Crain (R-Tulsa)--
represents the culmination of hers and many Oklahomans' frustration regarding the ridiculousness of our reproductive policy initiatives in Oklahoma. Connie's amendment seeks to draw attention to the absurdity, duplicity and lack of balance inherent
in the policies of this state surround reproductive health. Oklahoma already incarcerates more women than any other place in the world. Under the Personhood bill, a woman in Oklahoma would face additional criminal charges and potential incarceration
for biological functions that produce or, in some cases, destroy eggs or embryos, such as a miscarriage. Connie's amendment sought to draw humorous attention to the hypocrisy and inconsistency of this proposal.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Civil Rights:
Women deserve equal pay for equal work
As our U.S. Senator, Connie will work to close the wage gap between women and men in our state and nation. She'll fight to ensure equal pay for equal work.
Since 2001, the wage gap in Oklahoma between women and men has closed. Unfortunately, that gap closed, not only because of modest, increased wages for women, but because of wage losses for men.
Today, while women are 50.5% of Oklahoma's population, they still only make 77 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts.
Many Oklahoma families, in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crash, rely on women as the primary caregiver and the sole income earner. Connie believes Oklahoma's women deserve equal pay for equal work. In the U.S. Senate, she'll fight for nothing less.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Civil Rights:
Job protection & housing rights for LGBT citizens
Tens of thousands of LGBT citizens call Oklahoma "home." Connie will fight to support all hardworking Oklahomans, making sure no employer can fire employees and no landlord can deny housing on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The City of OKC and several local municipalities offer employment protection for LGBT employees, as do many universities, private employers, and businesses. But work still remains when it comes to non-discrimination laws.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Crime:
Moratorium on Oklahoma executions & three-strikes
As an Oklahoma State Senator, Connie introduced a variety of sentencing reform measures, including eliminating three-strikes-you're out sentencing for non-violent offenses and establishing post-incarceration grace periods for court fees and restitution.
An active member of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, and as a family member of a murdered child, Connie ardently advocates abolishing the death penalty. Connie recently introduced a resolution calling for a moratorium on
Oklahoma executions, pending establishment and findings of an independent, out-of-state investigation. The resolution also calls for a study to examine the cost of the death penalty versus life without parole.
In 2010, Connie suggested investigating
the connection between for-profit prisons and mass incarceration in Oklahoma. A Senate commission would provide the first comprehensive report since 1965 on the state of criminal justice in America.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Drugs:
End the War on Drugs and its mandatory minimums
Oklahoma ranks number one in the world in female incarceration, and fourth in incarceration of men. These numbers are the result of the War on Drugs and its "tough on crime" and "mandatory minimums" legislation that is separating families and destroying
neighborhoods and communities across Oklahoma and the country.Low-level drug offenders, primarily poor people and people of color, face wildly disproportionate prison sentences, at a cost to Oklahoma taxpayers of over $500 million per year.
As an Oklahoma State Senator, Connie introduced a variety of sentencing reform measures, including eliminating "life without parole" as a possible punishment for drug offenses; eliminating three-strikes-you're out sentencing for non-violent offenses;
creating structured sentencing guidelines; decriminalizing marijuana; legalizing medical marijuana; and, establishing post-incarceration grace periods for court fees and restitution.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Education:
Strengthen our public schools
At a young age, Connie learned from her parents, both public school teachers, the value of hard work and the responsibility of public service. As your U.S. Senator, Connie commits to strengthening our public schools. In order to strengthen Oklahoma
families, we must invest in Oklahoma students by strengthening our public school system. Right now, we aren't. Connie believes every Oklahoma K-12 student, regardless of zip code, deserves access to quality public education, well-paid, quality teachers,
quality textbooks to take home at night, and adequate supports that ensure success.Education is the road out of poverty. Connie understands the role a properly funded public education system plays in ensuring that all students have
the opportunity to rise to her or his individual potential. Oklahoma's students deserve more than standardized tests and haphazard "grading systems."
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Energy & Oil:
Stop subsidizing dirty fossil fuels
Our country's energy independence is key to our national, economic, and security interests. Connie will fight to ensure we invest in a clean energy future for Oklahoma--for our grandchildren and their grandchildren--that is safe for
Oklahoma's families and that respects the environment. Connie believes we shouldn't use taxpayer dollars to only subsidize one of the most profitable industries in the world for the dirty fossil fuels of the past.
We should also utilize Oklahoma's clean energy resources--such as wind, hydropower, and solar--to transition our state and our country into an energy independent 21st century.
We must improve our buildings--i.e. our homes and businesses--
and make them more energy efficient. Right now, such buildings are among the biggest polluters in the world.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Health Care:
Improve ObamaCare and take advantage of its benefits
Even though Oklahoma is not participating in the Affordable Care Act--refusing to expand Medicaid or to create state health insurance exchanges--Oklahomans still benefit from key provisions in the ACA that Connie supports.- The ACA improves access
to insurance coverage and, therefore, care. Insurance companies can no longer deny coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Oklahomans will no longer lose coverage because of a catastrophic health event.
- The ACA promotes health and wellness through
free preventive screenings.
- The ACA means Oklahoma's young adults can stay on their parents' insurance plan until age 26.
Connie recognizes that the ACA does nothing to address rising health care costs. As our US Senator, she will work to improve
the ACA, by advocating for additional cost controls and provisions that address the unique needs of young adults and other specialized groups. Oklahomans deserve nothing less than access to affordable, quality health care.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Homeland Security:
The debt we owe our Veterans is non-negotiable
Our Veterans deserve a federal government that supports them and their families after that government sends those men and women to fight in war. Connie will work to make sure Veterans have access to endless, affordable health care--physical and mental
health services. She'll work to provide job training for all Veterans as well as integration programs for our Veterans returning from war. The debt we owe our Veterans is non-negotiable. It's our government's role, duty, and responsibility.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Immigration:
Let college grads stay after student visa expires
Immigrants in the U.S. have always encouraged innovation and helped spur economic growth. We are a nation of immigrants. Oklahoma is no exception. Our state's ancestry groups include everyone from Native American tribes to early African Americans.
As our U.S. Senator, Connie will work across party lines to honor our rich immigrant history. To do so, Connie supports immigration reform that paves the way for college graduates with international backgrounds to remain legally in our country after they
graduate. Right now, our broken immigration policy sends these college graduates back to their countries, instead of allowing these highly-skilled, international college grads to stay here to create jobs, reduce our deficit, and spur economic growth.
Connie believes any person who comes to America, adheres to the steps and procedures for becoming a citizen, and seeks to be law abiding should have a pathway to citizenship. Connie also supports the Dream Act.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Principles & Values:
Freedom to worship or not worship
A lifelong Christian, Connie knows the importance of protecting religious liberty in our state and nation. Around the world, people look to America as a place that welcomes, honors and respects those of every faith background.
Connie stands firmly behind each word in the Declaration of Independence, believing "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
That declaration means religious liberty for all Oklahomans--that means that every Oklahoman is free to worship or not worship,
and to define "Creator" however they may choose.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On Social Security:
Don't privatize our country's promises to our seniors
As our U.S. Senator, Connie will strengthen Social Security and Medicare by spending smarter and reducing waste, fraud, and abuse in the system. She'll work to improve coordination between patients, doctors, and hospitals, and she'll also work to allow
Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. We don't privatize our country's promises to our workers and our seniors. We must protect and preserve these pivotal programs for our children and grandchildren.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
On War & Peace:
Don't send kids unless absolutely necessary
Connie is dedicated to Oklahoma's 342,816 Veterans. We don't send our sons and daughters to war and into harm's way unless absolutely necessary and, when necessary, Oklahomans answer that call to service at levels that surpass most states.
After a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, with hundreds of thousands of wounded warriors returning home, Connie believes we must focus on the cost of war on our society and on our Veterans in particular.
Source: 2014 Okla. Senate campaign website, cj4ok.com
Jun 25, 2014
Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018