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Frank Keating on Government Reform
Former Republican OK Governor
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Attract people to Oklahoma to regain Congressional seat
I would like to discuss the result and the challenges of the result of the loss of the congressional seat. In 1908, we had eight representatives, and then it was seven, and then it was six, and now it is five. People move to a place because they see it
as prosperity filled and business friendly. They move away from a state because they don’t see it as prosperity filled and business friendly. Or they don’t go to a state, in sufficient numbers, to permit us to be truly competitive with the states
around us. But this year, our agenda must be to get our congressman back. That is our agenda for the 2001 session. Today, we have one overriding goal: To make Oklahoma so prosperous, so attractive, so energetic,
so reform minded, so desirable for business location for people and companies and jobs, that we will reclaim our congressional seat in 2011 and add one more. That is our agenda for the year 2001. We are going to get our congressman back.
Source: State of the State address to Oklahoma legislature
Feb 5, 2001
Reforms must respect state's rights to select electors.
Keating adopted the National Governors Association position paper:
The Issue
In the wake of the United States presidential election in Florida, the Congress and the administration has expressed interest in federal standards for elections. Recognizing that Articles I and II of the United States Constitution grants states, not Congress, the authority to determine the manner of selecting presidential electors and conducting elections generally, most legislative proposals do not mandate federal standards. Rather, current proposals direct federal agencies or commissions to study and make recommendations concerning the election system. Nonetheless, the possibility of legislation in the 107th Congress requiring states to implement federal election standards remains. If enacted without adequate funding by the federal government, such legislation could also result in an unfunded mandate to the states.
NGA’s Position
Articles I and II of the United States Constitution grant states the authority to determine the manner of selecting presidential electors and provide that states are responsible for establishing election procedures generally. However, in the wake of the 2000 presidential election, the nation’s Governors recognize the need for election reform. NGA will continue to monitor federal legislation addressing this issue, but has not taken a position in support of or opposition to election reform efforts.
Source: National Governors Association "Issues / Positions" 01-NGA11 on Aug 1, 2001