And so the fun begins...

Well its filing time which means two things. One, we find out who we get to vote for this year, and current state legislators will begin to do their jobs. Gov Fallin accidentally told the truth a few weeks ago. When asked about the budget process she mentioned that some legislators are probably waiting to see if they draw an opponent. See, if they don’t draw an opponent they don’t have to listen to their constituents. And they don’t. So some of the occupants of offices will probably find in in themselves to make a tough decision or two after seeing pictures like this

and stories like this.

It seems several someones have upset the applecart. I noticed a tweet earlier today that said today’s filings eclipsed the total day one filings by lunchtime...

Followed by this later in the day... 

This is good and this is how democracy works. And this is the only way democracy works. We are living the direct result of a disengaged population. I like that it's changing and people are getting involved. Win or lose, a difference has already been made.

I attended a state budget meeting prior to the beginning of session in which Rep. Scott Inman made a very valid observation. He stated in the several years the Republicans have had a majority they have never provided a bill to effectively raise teachers salaries. When times were good, they wanted tax cuts. Now that times are bad and we have no money, they see two democrats win special elections in traditionally republican districts and all of a sudden we had several Republican sponsored bills for teacher raises.

Our country is an experiment. It always has been one. Its an activity and inactivity doesn’t work. I’m glad several are stepping up and I wish them luck. And its a good thing too given this is a good account of what our current leadership sees as good ideas to fix the budget. We are better than this... and we have to work to show it. Let's lose this mindset.

We have to do better, and this is how its done better. There are two more days of filings. Then the work begins…

Here is what we started on Wednesday...

Troy Dyer,House District 3 Ag Educator

Collin Walke, House District 87, Former Educator, Pro Public Education

David Dickerson House District 82, Parent,Public Education advocate

Jim Beckham, House District 42, superintendent

Forrest Bennett, House District 92, public education advocate

James Albert Campbell, House District 19, public education advocate

John Croisant, House District 37, educator

Jacobi Crowley, House District 64, educator

Kelly Dodd, House District 82, parent and public education advocate

Mickey Dollens, House District 93, educator

Troy Dyer, House District 3, educator

Toni Hasenbeck, Senate District 31, educator

Judy Hopper, Senate District 47, retired educator

Brian Jackson, Senate District 37, education nonprofit employee and spouse of public school educator

Johnny Jump, House District 101, educator

Lisa Kramer, Senate District 25, local school board member

Chris Kidd, Senate District 31, former educator

Lee Ann Langston, House District 14, educator

Greg McCortney, Senate District 13, public school parent

Kelly Meredith, House District 87, public school parent and higher education educator

Matt Meredith, House District 4, local school board member

Darla Milligan, House District 12, educator

Monroe Nichols, House District 72, education nonprofit employee and Career Tech board member

Jean Oliver, Senate District 29, educator

Dewayne Pemberton, Senate District 9, educator

Roland Peterson, Senate District 19, educator

Jack Reavis, Senate District 9, educator

Jacob Rosecrants, House District 46, educator

Paul Scott, Senate District 43, spouse of educator

Shawn Sheehan, Senate District 15, educator

Paul Sullivan, House District 69, public education advocate

John Waldron, Senate District 39, educator

Tammy West, House District 84, local school board member

Rhonda Harlow, Senate District 19, Pro public education, reading specialist

Marilyn Rainwater, House District 28 Pro Public education advocate

Jeremy Wayde Coleman, House District 41 Pro Public Education Advocate

Joe Wilhelm, House District 5, Educator

Macy Gleason House District 29, future educator

This is a list as of earlier today. You can check updated filings here