Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray

By Shannon Shaw
Osage News

A campaign fundraiser for Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray in Oklahoma City tonight has surprised some Osages since Gray has not officially announced his bid for re-election in June.

The fundraiser, hosted by Yancey Red Corn, a principal in the Norman-based firm Red Eagle Feather, LLC, said in a prepared release that he is hosting the fundraiser in hopes that Gray will run for re-election.

“I am volunteering my time for this fundraiser so that Chief Gray can gauge the support he has to again run for Chief of the Osage Nation in 2010,” Red Corn said in the release. “As an Osage member, I plan to assist Chief Gray as much as possible and donate my time to his campaign because his re-election is in the best interest of the Osage Nation.”

The invitation for the fundraiser invites people to either be a Gold Sponsor for $2,500, a Silver Sponsor for $1,000 or a Bronze Sponsor for $500. The flier also notes that credit card contributions can be taken online beginning March 15, 2010 at JimGray2010.com. Gray, who has taken some heat from other Osage principal chief candidates for hosting a series of Town Hall meetings to inform Osages around the country about the progress in the Nation’s 25-year Strategic Plan, has maintained that he was not campaigning but doing his job as principal chief.

Currently the Osage Nation Election Board has not had their election rules and regulations passed by the Congress. Restrictions on campaign donations are currently in the draft form of the rules but until Congress passes it, they are not law.

A footnote on the flier states “there are no limitations as to the amount of contribution nor are their [sic] restrictions regarding contributions from corporations or other entities.” This has raised concern with Osage Nation Congressman Raymond Red Corn who published in his e-mail newsletter Tuesday that he found the footnote troubling. Congressman Red Corn is second cousins with Yancey Red Corn and expressly stated that he has no affiliation with the fundraiser.

“The Congress failed to pass a campaign finance law (it was withdrawn by its sponsor [Congresswoman Faren Anderson] just prior to final vote), and while there are donation limits in the draft rules, they will have no effect until approved via congressional resolution,” Red Corn wrote in his e-mail newsletter. “While the footnote is a factual statement, it is troubling that any candidate or campaign organization would emphasize the fact so boldly, especially when it is abundantly clear that campaign donations made on the date of the event (3/10/10) will not be reportable, as the Osage Constitution prohibits ex post facto legislation.”

The Osage News spoke with Gray in a phone interview Tuesday evening and asked him whether he was running for re-election.

“I haven’t declared yet and until the filing period begins [March 15] it would be inappropriate for me to do so at this time,” Gray said. “[Red Corn] is not the only Osage that has expressed interest to support candidates of their choosing to run candidate’s campaigns. You’re talking about a campaign that’s going to take a significant amount of funds….these are very expensive to run and you need financial assistance to run them.”

Assistant Principal Chief John Red Eagle, who is running for principal chief and a Gray critic, said he doesn’t know why Gray is waiting to announce his candidacy.

“If he’s going to raise funds for a campaign he needs to announce,” Red Eagle said. “He shouldn’t go on the premise that ‘I’m going to collect money’ and not [announce] . . . if they’re going to raise money for him then he needs to announce, that’s just my thoughts on it.”

Organizer of the fundraiser, Yancey Red Corn, said he didn’t see anything wrong with hosting a fundraiser for Gray and that it was his constitutional right.

“My hope is that he will run because I think that the tribe needs his Executive Leadership, Vision and Experience,” Red Corn said. “Since he has been in office, our industry, health care, education and services have expanded ten-fold. He also vigilantly protects our tribe and has garnered respect for our Nation nationally and internationally.”

Candidate fundraisers and dinners will be the norm after the filing date of March 15. Candidates who have already scheduled or had dinners are Assistant Chief Red Eagle, Myron Red Eagle and Geoffrey Standing Bear.

The fundraiser for Gray is being held at the Colcord Hotel in the XO Lounge, 15 N. Robinson in Oklahoma City. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.

For a full list of candidates visit osagenews.org and type in the search engine “Official Candidate Listing.”

To view a copy of Yancey Red Corn’s release, click here:
Yancey Red Corn Release

By Shannon Shaw
Osage News

Congressman Mark Freeman, who introduced four completely new bills before Christmas that contain the 2010 Osage budgets, could be up for vote tomorrow morning with all budgets moving to engrossment today.

The bills total $23.9 million, $1.1 million below the $25 million spending cap set by the majority in Congress, cutting some budgets by more than $100,000 despite having gone through numerous committee meetings.

“The only thing that can stop a final vote on the budget tomorrow is eight members voting to delay it or move backward in the process,” said Congressman Red Corn in an e-mail newsletter sent today. “Three members of the minority are willing to forego long-held positions and vote for it in order to end this embarrassing chapter in our young government’s history.”

Congressman Eddy Red Eagle cautioned those members present not to act too fast on the bills, hinting to new information about salary increases in the budgets that he felt could be detrimental to the Nation’s spending. Congress members Doug Revard and Mark Simms have said in recent sessions that he would like to halt all raises and new positions but allow step increases to 2009 level salaries. But no amendments were made today.

A motion to vote all budgets to second reading, which would prevent last-minute floor amendments and require Congress to vote for or against the budgets tomorrow, failed. Red Eagle spoke against the motion saying that “this gives [Congress] 24 hours . . . to fully understand more details we are still receiving on this budget.”

Red Corn said that the Congress has had two weeks to review Freeman’s bills.

Up for amendments or vote tomorrow are ONCA 10-22, a bill that would amend the budget for the legislature and the Office of Fiscal Performance Review; ONCA 10-23, the budget for the Office of the Chiefs; ONCA 10-24, an act to modify the appropriations for Grayhorse and Hominy Indian Villages, the Gaming Commission, the Health and Wellness Board and the Gaming Board and ONCA 10-25, the budgets for the majority of programs for the Nation.

The bills were drafted by the acting budget analyst Kelly Corbin and congressional counsel, Loyed “Trey” Gill, according to Congressman Red Corn’s e-mail newsletter. All bills were drafted to keep all salaries and positions, including new positions approved in congressional committees over the past three months, reduce all line items that could be reduced by 19 percent, leave all line items intact even if it meant only leaving $1 and to make no reduction to a program’s budget that would go below 110 percent of the 2009 fiscal year spending levels, Red Corn said.

If Freeman’s bills stay intact, Freeman said he would help to vote it through, and Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray said he will sign it.

Freeman said that if specific people’s salaries are targeted by last-minute floor amendments tomorrow, or certain programs have services cut, he would not vote for his own bill.

The Rules and Ethics committee meets tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. and Congress goes into session at 10 a.m.

Raymond Red Corn. Courtesy Photo/Raymond Red Corn

By Raymond Red Corn, Candidate for Osage Nation Congress

If you pay much attention to politics, you’ve heard the term “vision” used frequently. Here? Not lately. Strategic thinking has taken a back seat.

That’s unfortunate, for few tribal nations advance themselves without a vision. No tribal nation becomes successful by accident, although some may experience short-term success by windfall or luck. When tribal legislatures concern themselves with the smallest aspects of tribal governance, strategic thinking goes to the back burner.

This nation’s legislature should be focused on the future. Instead, our focus is often directed to the smallest of budgetary details, or to finding fault with other branches. This approach to governing may make us appear busy, or score a political point now and then, but will it make us great? Will it diversify our business interests beyond gaming? Will it ensure the sustainability of the benefits we already distribute? These questions are seldom asked, much less answered.

In the coming election some candidates will focus on personalities, while others focus on possibilities. I’m looking for candidates who believe, as I do, that there are no limits to what the Osage Nation can achieve with proper leadership and a common purpose.
Let’s identify those candidates, and give them our support.

www.raymondredcorn.com

Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray speaks during the 22nd Special Session of Congress on Nov. 30. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

By Benny Polacca
Osage News

The Osage Nation Congress has passed another emergency appropriation bill to keep the Nation’s government operating until Jan. 30 or if a 2010 fiscal year budget is decided before then. It’s a bill Principal Chief Jim Gray said Monday he intends to sign, amid its one-twelfth monthly spending restriction which he says has affected some government operations.

“The Executive Branch cannot function properly and provide government services until you fulfill your constitutional duty to pass an annual appropriation of operating funds,” Gray told Congress when it reconvened for its 22nd Special Session on Monday morning. “Continuing to function at 2009 funding levels is not sufficient for programs such as Social Services, WIC or for the scholarship program,” he added.

“We’re going to have to make a decision – a decision that will have a bearing on our people, our family members… all of those who work here at the Osage Nation that provide services,” Speaker Archie Mason told his congressional colleagues during Monday’s session. “They are your day-to-day employees. This is Christmas, this is December and I know each and every one of you, like me, do not want them to be in a position of doubt, regards to their job, security, those kinds of things that affect you.”

Congress passed ONCA 10-17, sponsored by Mason, with a unanimous 11-0 vote following discussion, debate and an amendment to the bill’s deadline on Monday afternoon. It will act as another “Band-aid” or “temporary solution” – as several government officials have called it – to keep the Executive Branch and its tribal departments operating as Gray and Mason’s branches focus on reaching a solution to the FY 2010 budget impasse before the Jan. 30 deadline.

Two congressional Special Sessions have passed since the 2009 Tzi-Zho Session in which congressional members set the next fiscal year’s budget. But the executive and legislative branches have been at odds over several concerns such as late-arriving budget items; requests for more information on selected budget lines; and the Nation’s projected 2010 revenue which impacts the amount Congress appropriates for budgetary spending.

In a Nov. 23 online statement, Gray said he pocket vetoed two “flawed” emergency appropriation bills passed by Congress before the 21st Special Session ended Nov. 17. At issue in these prior emergency appropriation bills is the restriction mandating tribal departments to continue operating with a monthly one-twelfth spending cap.

Although Mason’s bill calls for emergency appropriations to continue with the one-twelfth spending restriction until Jan. 30, Gray said he would sign it amid his concerns with it hampering some government operations with expenditures surpassing the one-twelfth limit.

“When that continuing resolution comes over here, I will sign it because right now that needs to happen,” Gray said during an all-employees meeting held after Congress approved Mason’s bill. “I’m still going to be out there publicly demanding that they come back to work and finish their job because the continuing resolution is only a Band-aid.”

Congressman Raymond Red Corn noted construction/ maintenance spending as an example of one item impacted by the one-twelfth spending restriction in a November electronic newsletter.

“Any construction contracts, such as those improving Senior Housing, will be put on hold unless the contract equals one-twelfth of the line item for that improvement,” Red Corn wrote. In the proposed 2010 budget, the housing department is requesting a total of $87,500 to replace carpeting and tubs/showers in the Senior Housing units.

Congressman Doug Revard, who supports the one-twelfth spending restriction, has said it is being used to keep the Executive Branch in contact with Congress to continue reaching a solution to the budget debate.

Also at issue in the budget impasse is the Nation’s projected revenue which is $27 million – an amount that is $6 million higher than the previous budget which has been reduced from $33 million. According to the Osage Nation Constitution, the Congress cannot appropriate more than the next year’s projected revenue.

Gray and Executive Branch officials have trimmed $3 million from the budget, so it now sits at $30 million and is up for consideration next week. “I am confident that by working together we can resolve any outstanding differences and get the budget passed in the timeframe allowed for this Special Session,” Gray said.

The Congressional Education Committee meets immediately following the Dec. 7 Congressional session and the Government Operations Committee meets at 1 p.m. Dec. 8 with the budgets on both meeting agendas.

Congressman Mark Simms and Congressman William Kugee Supernaw look over documents during the 22nd Special Session of Congress on Nov. 30. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Osage Nation government employess attend a Nov. 30th meeting and listen to Principal Chief Jim Gray speak. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

Osage Nation Congress on the last day of the 21st Special Session. Photo by Shannon Shaw/Osage News

By Benny Polacca
Osage News

With forty-eight days passed since the Osage Nation’s 2010 fiscal year started without a finalized government operations budget, the Osage Nation Congress voted Tuesday to continue funding Executive Branch operations – with spending restrictions – by extending the life of an emergency appropriations bill while the budget-setting process continues.

Congressional members voted 8-4 in passing ONCA 10-16, sponsored by Faren Revard Anderson, which amends an earlier emergency appropriations bill she sponsored, allowing governmental operations to continue with a one-twelfth spending restriction on each line item listed in the Nation’s FY 2009 budget until April 15, 2010 or if a 2010 budget is set before then. This bill exempts employee Christmas bonuses, payroll salaries and wages and several education-related expenses including higher education scholarships from the one-twelfth spending restriction.

Several congressional members have described the emergency appropriations bill as a “Band-Aid” and “temporary fix” to keep funding the government while congressional and Executive Branch officials work toward an agreement on the 2010 budget. But some officials from both government branches are concerned the one-twelfth spending restriction will still hurt the Nation’s operations if certain programs and projects are hampered because they cost more than the restricted monthly spending amount.

“I know there are people out there today who do not like (ONCA 10-16 and three similar emergency appropriation bills considered), but at some point we have to come together to identify that at the end of the month, if we do not pass something then the departments do not have a budget,” Anderson said during Tuesday’s session.

Congressman Raymond Red Corn sponsored ONCA 10-14 which is also an emergency appropriations bill without the one-twelfth restriction on spending. He withdrew the bill Tuesday after Anderson proposed amendments to his bill so it would mirror hers which was later passed in the session.

“It guts the entire purpose of the bill,” Red Corn said objecting to Anderson’s amendments to his bill which included the one-twelfth spending restriction. “I believe that all programs that benefit Osages throughout the Osage Nation should be allowed to function normally while Congress and the Executive Branch work out their budgetary differences.”

Congress members Mark Simms, Doug Revard, William “Kugee” Supernaw and Anderson all gave testimonies during the session in favor of an emergency appropriations bill with restricted spending saying that the temporary fix was only because Chief Gray would not work with them to lower the budget amounts in his budget and the Executive Branch budgets.

“My thinking is of course we’re just trying to put a Band-Aid on the situation and that we’ve been trying to work out between the executive and legislature (branches) for going on three to four months now,” Revard said. “If we do not put this amendment in here, then there is no incentive whatsoever for the executive (branch) to continue to work to find an answer to this situation and narrow the budget,” he said of the one-twelfth spending restriction.

In addition to the employee Christmas bonuses and wages and salaries, ONCA 10-16 exempts the following education-related expenses from the one-twelfth spending restriction: higher education scholarships; tuition, fees, and room and board; adult training tuition fees; Summer Youth Employment Program”; Summer Youth Intern Program; and Grade Incentive/ Chief Leadership Awards.

Congressional members approved Anderson’s ONCA 10-16 on the last day of its second consecutive Special Session held in an effort to set the FY 2010 budget, which was not completed during the Tzi-Zho Session. Voting against Anderson’s bill were Red Corn, Congresswomen Shannon Edwards and Debbie Atterberry and Congressman Mark Freeman.

Chief Gray trims Executive Branch budgets

In a Nov. 16 letter to Congress Speaker Archie Mason, Gray said he has instructed all Executive Branch directors “to thoroughly examine their department’s budgets and make cuts where possible with the caveat that cuts should not be made which result in diminished services to our people.” Gray also made assurances that no employee positions or salaries under his branch be cut.

“I believe strongly that our employees must be protected against any unjust or unwarranted cuts… I remain more than willing to meet with members of Congress to discuss this matter and my actions as principal chief in detail and am committed to seeking a reasonable resolution to the current impasse.”

Health benefit card program not affected by ONCA 10-11, Congress auditor says

One forthcoming program that will not be impacted by this amended emergency appropriations bill is the Nation’s health benefit card program – which is not part of the government operations funding, said Kelly Corbin, senior internal auditor for the Congressional Office of Fiscal and Performance Review. The program is slated to begin in January.

Congress passed the $5.1 million health benefit plan during the 2008 Tzi-Zho session. Those who apply will receive a coded debit card that allows payment for all items that the Internal Revenue Service considers tax-deductible medical expenses.

The $5.1 million reserved for the program has been placed into a special-use revolving fund in which “the money is reserved for that specific use and the balance is carried over from year to year until it is supplemented by more funds,” Corbin said. With this type of fund, it can be replenished with more money “to meet the needs of more people” when needed, he said.

Mutual Assurance Administrators, Inc. of Oklahoma City has been selected as the third-party administrator for the health benefit plan. The company will be responsible for handling the claims from medical vendors.

Red Corn identifies operations which could be affected by ONCA 10-16

In his Nov. 14 “Update” electronic newsletter, Red Corn listed some operations and projects which would be affected by a one-twelfth spending restriction.

“Any construction contracts, such as those improving Senior Housing, will be put on hold unless the contract equals one-twelfth of the line item for that improvement,” Red Corn wrote. In the proposed 2010 budget, the housing department is requesting a total of $87,500 to replace carpeting and tubs/showers in the Senior Housing units.

The Health and Social Services committee wants to match last year’s $200,000 appropriation to pay the backlog of health claims from the FY 2009 pilot program, Red Corn wrote. With a one-twelfth spending restriction, that means payments will be made at a rate of $16,600 per month or about two applications per work day.

Red Corn also questioned the effectiveness of the majority in Congress and its Speaker, Archie Mason.

“The Osage Nation Congress has complete control over the unfinished budgets,” wrote Red Corn in the Nov. 14 update. “The majority’s spokespersons claim there is $6.1 million in identified “fluff”, yet none of the majority that hold committee chairmanships (Anderson, Appropriations; Revard, Education; Branstetter, Government Operations; Anderson, Cultural; Simms, Commerce) have called meetings to propose reductions.”

Osage Nation Congress in session Nov. 16. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

By Shannon Shaw
Osage News

Osage Nation Congress members Doug Revard, William “Kugee” Supernaw and Jerri Jean Branstetter announced in three committee meetings today that the controversial meeting that took place on Oct. 26 behind locked doors in the congressional chambers was not a violation of the Open Meetings Law.

“I move to ratify and approve the unintended and alleged special meeting,” said Congressman Revard in a cultural committee meeting that lasted three minutes. “I would inform the committee that I have made that motion for the purpose of knowing that we did not feel that we were ever in any meeting; we were working as individuals together, as to things that were on the floor, nothing that was in committee.”

Revard then said that by ratifying the meeting it would put a stop to “wasting the Osage People’s money” because there were too many frivolous lawsuits already pending made by the chief.

Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray filed suit Nov. 6 against Congress members Revard, Supernaw, Branstetter, Anthony Shackelford, Faren Anderson and Eddy Red Eagle for discussing behind closed-doors ONCA 09-66, Government Operations Departments and Programs Appropriations Act and ONCA 09-63, the Office of the Chiefs Appropriation Act.

The Osage News reported later that Congressman Anthony Shackelford was not in the chambers at the time of the meeting.

The suit alleges that the six members of Congress met illegally when they formed quorums for five committees and barred any member of the public and the Osage News from listening and making a record of the discussion that resulted in 90 floor amendments in the form of cuts from the two budgets that totaled a little more than $3 million.

In the Open Meetings Law it states that a public body “may ratify an action taken in violation of this law at a public meeting” as long as it’s done within 30 days of the violation, making the meeting legal. The law also states that the meeting in question has to have been unintended in order for it to be ratified by the Open Meetings Law.

After Revard announced he wanted to ratify the Oct. 26 meeting, Congressman Supernaw and Congresswoman Branstetter did the same in an Education Committee meeting and an Appropriations Committee meeting today that both lasted under 4 minutes. Congresswoman Debbie Atterberry voted not to ratify the meeting and Congressman Raymond Red Corn abstained from voting for the ratification.

A prepared release from the Osage Nation Congress said that bills ONCA 09-66 and ONCA 09-63 were not the property of a committee or in its control so that if quorums for four committees (Appropriations, Cultural, Congressional Affairs and Rules and Ethics) were established it did not matter. “Both pieces of legislation were on General Order, which means they were the property of the entire body of Congress, not an individual committee.”

Now that the six members of Congress claim the Oct. 26 meeting has been made legal, the Osage News asked a congressional staff member if it could have the minutes of the meeting. The staff member replied that the congressional legal counsel, Loyed Gill, had advised her not to answer due to pending litigation. According to the Open Meetings Law, minutes from public meetings have to be approved within three days of the meeting, ready or not.

To view the congressional prepared release, click here:

congressional-release-11-16-09

To view the prepared release from Osage Nation Principal Chief, click here:

Osage Nation Principal Chief prepared release

Congressmen Eddy Red Eagle, Doug Revard, Raymond Red Corn and Anthony Shackelford during a congressional session. Osage News file photo/Chalene Toehay

[Editor's Note: This story was originally published Nov. 3 and was modified on Nov. 18 for the purpose of clarification.]

By Shannon Shaw
Osage News

The plan to cut more than $3 million by last-minute floor amendments from Osage Nation programs didn’t happen Monday as members of the Osage Nation Congress instead voted to send all budgets back to committee for another special session, this time to cut $6 million.

The majority view of Congress is that ONCA 09-63 the Office of the Chief Appropriation Act, ONCA 09-65 the Boards and Commissions Appropriation Act and ONCA 09-66 the Government Operations Departments and Programs Appropriations Act must be cut down from $33 million to $27 million, the FY 2010 projected revenue from the Nation’s gaming enterprise.

The Osage Nation Constitution states the Congress cannot appropriate more than the projected revenue.

Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray vetoed the resolution ONCR 09-15 that approved the gaming plan of operation Oct. 28 in the 20th Special Session of Congress, citing a letter from the chairman of the Gaming Enterprise Board, Tom Slamans, which said he did not foresee the budgeting “implications” to the Nation by setting the projected revenue at $27 million.

“We respectfully request that we be allowed to adjust our plan of operations so that it fits more appropriately with the needs of the Osage people,” wrote Slamans in the letter. Slamans sent the letter Oct. 16.

The gaming enterprise board never turned in an adjusted budget and Congress overrode Gray’s veto Monday.

According to Congressman Mark Simms, Slamans spoke with Simms personally and told Simms that the only reason why the gaming board was going to adjust their gaming plan of operation was because Chief Gray “had a problem with it.”

Not true, Gray said.

“The reason why [Tom Slamans] wanted to request a revision was based on his unexpected realization that Congress was going to take their [plan of operation] and subtract it from their projected revenues and use that to establish a cap on spending for the rest of the Nation,” Gray said. “When [Slamans] realized that was the case he wanted to redesign his plan because he didn’t want the tribe to suffer.”

Gaming Enterprise Board Chair Tom Slamans did not return phone calls before this story was published. Chief Gray did not return phone calls before this story was published.

“It is not any of our jobs to interfere with our business entity,” Simms said. He said the reason why the projected revenue amount is lower than last year’s was because the Nation’s gaming enterprise budgeted for a major project in 2010. The Osage News could not verify Simms’ comment because the gaming plan of operation is confidential. Simms also said that the Nation was appropriated $25 million last year and only spent $19 million. Last year’s projected revenue from the gaming enterprise board was around $47 million.

Constitutional override?

Three members of Congress argued the constitutionality of the override made to ONCR 09-15 Monday, due to the fact that the veto was made in a prior session. Congress members Raymond Red Corn, Shannon Edwards and Debbie Atterberry abstained from voting for the override, the only three that didn’t vote for it.

“There’s nothing that says we can’t,” Congressman Mark Simms said. Legislative council Trey Gill referenced Article VI, section 13 of the Constitution that addresses veto overrides and said he did not see a time limit for a congressional override and the Constitution did not stipulate if an override has to take place during the same session the veto was made.

Edwards argued what would stop Congress from going back to all the bills vetoed by Chief Gray and overriding them as well? Gill said that he was sure a time stipulation would be in effect to prevent Congress from doing that. The Osage News could not find a time limit on veto overrides in the Constitution.

Gill had no comment for this story.

Congressman Raymond Red Corn said there was an easier way of getting the resolution passed than taking the chance of getting involved in a lawsuit with the Chief. He said Congress could have let the override stand and then reintroduced a similar bill during the 21st Special Session, got it passed and if vetoed, overrode the veto during the same session.

“The majority in Congress has unnecessarily put us at risk of yet another lawsuit by the Executive Branch,” Red Corn wrote in his e-mail newsletter. “These lawsuits cost tens of thousands of dollars to prosecute and defend in the Osage courts.”

Congressmen defend violation of Open Meetings Law and Congressional Rules

Congressmen Doug Revard and Eddy Red Eagle defended the closed door meeting held Oct. 27 when Congresswoman Debbie Atterberry responded to Congressman Doug Revard’s statement during Monday’s session that the Nation needs to operate openly, with transparency and that the Congress needed to be provided with more information about each program in order for Congress to safeguard “the People’s money .”

“You [Revard] talk about transparency, but you’re having closed door meetings . . . and if you want transparency why don’t you have it across the board,” Atterberry said. “We’re here to appropriate, not to budget.”

Congressman Revard fired back, “I don’t think I’ve ever been criticized for doing so much work!” Congressman Red Eagle said that the entire situation should be viewed as the Congress was just doing their job.

Election Board members Dr. Joe Conner, Chairwoman Sarah Oberly and Walter Hopper listen to Osage Nation Congressman Raymond Red Corn at one of the board's meetings. Osage News File Photo/Chalene Toehay

By Shannon Shaw
Osage News

The Election board is looking for a qualified election supervisor.

“We’ve done everything we can possibly do without a budget and now that we have one we’re ready to get to work and get the ball rolling,” said Election Board chairwoman Sarah Oberly on the fact that the Osage Nation Congress approved the board’s budget. “The board is getting ready to advertise for our election supervisor and once we get that person hired everything’s going to fall into place.”

The election supervisor, once hired, will be in charge of hiring the staff to run the June Osage 2010 elections. With seven months to go Oberly feels that everything is going smoothly.

The election board has secured an office space in downtown Pawhuska at 532 Kihekah Avenue and what is known to locals as the former location of 2001 Video. “The phones are ordered, equipment is ordered, lease agreement is waiting for our signature,” Oberly said.

The next meeting of the Election Board will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. The board will meeting in the Post 198 room in the Wahzhazhi Cultural Center. The board will be discussing various methods for tracking campaign finances of the candidates, something that was previously addressed in a bill that was withdrawn by Congresswoman Faren Anderson. Also proposed by Anderson was a bill calling for a primary election to be held in April but the bill was vetoed by Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray and did not have the votes for override.

“To be honest with you, we are pleased there isn’t going to be a primary because we did not have enough time to put one together,” Oberly said. “There was no debate whether or not it was a good idea or not, or a discussion of the merits of whether it was a good bill or not, I just panicked because we didn’t have enough time to organize and administer a primary.”

The election supervisor is now being advertised and the deadline for applications is Nov. 15 but that can be extended, Oberly said. Interested applicants can turn in their resumes to the Executive Branch office.

For more information contact the Executive Branch offices at (918) 287-5555.

Osage Nation Congresswoman Faren Anderson, Congressmen Doug Revard and Anthony Shackelford work in the Osage Nation congressional chambers. Photo by Chalene Toehay/Osage News

[Editor's Note: This story was originally published Oct. 30 and was modified on Nov. 18 for clarification on this issue.]

By Benny Polacca
Osage News

The Osage Nation Congress will consider 96 proposed amendments to the 2010 fiscal year budgets Monday, the majority of which are proposed cuts to the tribe’s government operations and Principal Chief Jim Gray’s office. The cuts include more than $3 million in spending.

Congress ended its 20th Special Session on Tuesday with seven congressmen and women reading the proposed amendments for the Executive Branch budgets into record before adjourning for the week. A copy of the proposed budget amendments, released Wednesday afternoon, detail the suggested reductions in Executive Branch spending. The cuts include salary reductions for 13 administrative positions; eliminating 10 jobs (vacant, proposed or filled); and cutting down on expenses such as shipping, transportation and contractual jobs in 15 departments (including Gray’s office).

Gray said, “I’m not happy about any of it,” on Thursday and called the proposed reductions, “harsh, harsh cuts to the operations of the Osage Nation. I’m hoping in the time we have between now and Monday that some Congress members will come to find out this isn’t the best way to be conducting business.”

The 96 amendments proposed Tuesday came from Congressmen Eddy Red Eagle, Mark Simms, Doug Revard and William “Kugee” Supernaw, as well as Congresswomen Faren Revard Anderson, Jerri Jean Branstetter and Shannon Edwards. Most of the proposed cuts come in the wake of a locked-door meeting Monday attended by these congresspersons, except Simms and Edwards, where many of these reductions are believed to have been discussed.

The Osage News reported the unannounced meeting on its Web site Tuesday – one day after receiving a tip about the impromptu gathering and unsuccessfully gaining access to the meeting in the congressional chambers. Edwards wrote a letter to Gray earlier that day, while she was in the office, saying she could hear the five congresspersons and Congressman Anthony Shackelford meeting in their office’s common area where “these members are going through (three budget) bills to determine what they want to propose as individual amendments tomorrow and how to vote as a block.”

“I think it’s dangerous and sends the wrong message,” Gray said of the unannounced congressional meeting Monday, which included quorums for four congressional subcommittees with those present. “I’ve never seen a state government do something like this.”

Congressman Supernaw defended the proposed cuts in a phone interview Wednesday with the Osage News stating that Congress must trim the FY 2010 budgets (originally totaling about $41 million) in order to keep the spending at the Nation’s 2010 projected revenue of $27 million. Also on Tuesday, Congress passed a resolution which approves the $27 million amount as the 2010 projected revenue figure.

Supernaw cited a section of the Nation’s Constitution which requires Congress to set the budgets for the three branches of government, but adds: “The annual budget shall not exceed projected revenues.” Gray has yet to sign or veto the 2010 revenue projection resolution.

Congressman Raymond Red Corn said Monday the Nation’s budgets have been trimmed to $33 million after cuts were made during earlier subcommittee meetings and also when other spending bills were tabled during the appropriations process. With Monday’s proposed cuts estimated around $3 million, that leaves another $3 million to be cut if Congress members plan to hold FY 2010 spending at the projected revenue amount of $27 million.

What’s on the table for possible budget cuts?

In ONCA 09-63, titled the “FY 2010 Office of the Chiefs Appropriation Act,” More than $830,000 in cuts are suggested for Gray’s office including salary reductions for nine employees and the elimination of two positions. The chief’s office is projecting to spend just over $2.5 million in FY 2010.

Projected cuts to Gray’s staff members’ salaries range from $583 to $22,832. Calls for position eliminations include cutting a legal analyst and a support staff position that’s yet to be filled.

Spending reduction amendments suggested for Gray’s office include: cutting more than $32,000 for lodging, $41,900 for transportation, and $140,000 for litigation matters.

“It would handicap the Executive Branch, as well as the Nation” if the cuts are approved, Gray said. Most of the suggested cuts were voiced by Congresswoman Anderson, who sponsored the appropriation bills for Gray’s office and for the government operations.

ONCA 09-66, the “FY 2010 Government Operations Departments and Programs Appropriation Act,” proposes about $3 million in proposed program spending reductions for 14 departments including the Osage News.

Congressman Red Eagle proposed an amendment to cut $117,500 from the Nation’s burial assistance fund which is used to help surviving tribal members offset funeral costs for their loved ones. The appropriated amount of $367,500 would be dropped to $250,000 if this amendment passes.

“That’s going to cut us back on serving about 70 (clients),” said Constituent Services Administrator Jacque Jones, adding this is the third year she’s requested $367,500 as the same amount for burial assistance. That figure serves 105 clients with the maximum amount of $3,500 distributed to each Osage client requesting assistance.

The demand for burial assistance has gone up in the past two years because of increased advertising of its availability, Jones said. She said her office has served 103 clients for burial assistance in FY 2009, meaning funding remained for two more clients.

Red Eagle also motioned to strike $386,393 from the Home Health budget.

Congressman Supernaw suggested more than $58,000 in cuts to the 2010 budget of the Osage News, including $15,000 that is budgeted for design and layout of the newspaper. The Osage News contracts with a Bartlesville, Okla.-based firm to conduct these duties so the monthly newspaper can be printed and mailed out to the Nation’s constituents.

If the design layout funding is cut from the newspaper’s budget, the Osage News will be unable to print starting in November, Interim Editor Shannon Shaw told Supernaw in the phone interview Wednesday. After further discussion, Supernaw told Shaw, “I’ll try to keep that in there,” by encouraging his congressional colleagues to vote against the amendment when they meet for the 21st Special Session to consider the budgets.

Supernaw also proposed the following cuts to the Osage News: $11,400 cut from transportation; $15,000 for a writing coach; $5,000 to pay freelance writers; and $6,000 cut for outside printing and art work for advertising purposes.

The Communications Department has an audio visual technician position slated to be cut as well as $145,000 for “Web maintenance updates.” Other department items targeted for cuts include a $250,000 public relations campaign and $10,000 for “graphics/ layout.”

Other suggested cuts include: eliminating one proposed assistant position and cutting $100,000 for the intern/ externship program in the Education Department; two positions in Strategic Planning and one in WIC; two assistant staffers at the Fitness Centers in Hominy and Fairfax; reducing the Museum fund for purchasing art/ artifacts from $13,000 to $5,000; and one vacant position, as well as cutting $54,840 for conferences and special events in the Language Department’s budget.

Also this week, Supernaw introduced a bill to trim the Legislative Branch’s FY 2010 budget, even though it’s already been passed. Under ONCA 10-09, Supernaw’s bill calls for reducing his branch’s $2 million budget by $200,000 after proposing to cut a line item for “equipment” and reducing the Office of Fiscal and Performance Review’s budget from over $417,833 to $285,354 with the elimination of two proposed auditor positions.

Congresswoman Edwards issued amendment proposals to both budgets which would allocate the original $2.5 million amount for the chief’s office and $27 million for the government operations budget. Under her amendments, Chief Gray would have authority in allocating the monies to all programs, departments and divisions “in accordance with all budgets and justifications approved” by him.

The 21st Special Session of Congress starts at 2 p.m. Monday in the congressional chambers on the Osage campus.

To view the proposed amendments from the 20th Special Session, click here:

20th Special Session Proposed Amendments

Osage Nation Congressman Raymond Red Corn, who is seeking re-election in June 2010, speaks to (L) C Ann Norris and Mary Davis at the United Osages of Southern California meeting on Oct. 3 in Oceanside. The candidates broke out into groups giving opportunity for tribal members to have one-on-one conversations with the candidates. Photo by Benny Polacca/Osage News

By Benny Polacca
Osage News

OCEANSIDE, Calif. - Discussions of Osage politics filled the atmosphere here at the South Oceanside Elementary School where United Osages of Southern California members met Oct. 3 for their fall gathering.

The Osage Nation’s 2010 election to be held in June is on the minds of many tribal members. The UOSC invited candidates for Congress, the Minerals Council and the principal chief’s office to speak at the meeting and to meet California’s Osage residents.

“I think it’s essential for our information gathering,” said Bill Myers who is chairman of the UOSC. “There’s nothing like face-to-face” contact in getting to know those seeking election, he said.

Seven tribal members who have publicly identified themselves as election candidates spoke at the meeting discussing why they should be elected.

Assistant Principal Chief John Red Eagle is seeking the office of the principal chief and told the 40-plus attendees “our government is transitioning from the old government to the new reformed government.” He is son of the late Assistant Chief Edward Red Eagle, Sr. and has been a member of the dance committee for the In-Lon-Schka dances for the Pawhuska District.

As part of his campaign platform, Red Eagle said he wants to bring more transparency and accountability to the Nation. “If I get elected, I’m going to do an outside audit.” He has established his own MySpace page and Web site at www.johnredeagle.com.

Red Eagle reported the economic impact to the Nation in 2007 was $222 million, which includes revenues from oil and gas, gaming, tobacco and taxation. He wants an audit conducted on all Nation government programs to determine their cost effectiveness and to issue annual reports to all constituents disclosing the status of the Nation’s resources.

Tim Tall Chief, deputy commissioner of administration at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, is also running for principal chief and plans to retire in February to concentrate on the campaign trail after 26 years of working in state government. Tall Chief, son of former Principal Chief George Tall Chief, said he would make sure tribal members have access to information they need including “every check copy available to see” if elected.

As part of his current post, Tall Chief is responsible for his department’s budgets, accounting, human resources, information technology and building management. He oversees an annual budget of $370 million for an agency of 2,300 employees with facilities in 70 Oklahoma counties and also teaches at the University of Oklahoma in its College of Liberal Studies Administrative Leadership program.

“Everything I’ve done up to this point has prepared me,” Tall Chief said of his first-time run for tribal office. He serves on the Nation’s Health and Wellness Advisory Board, other committees focusing on health and is also a committeeman for the Grayhorse District. His campaign Web site is www.timtallchief.com.

Roy St. John, who is retired following a career with IBM, is seeking the principal chief’s office and is running under the motto: “Putting People First.” He is the son of Ida May St. John who was a member of the UOSC in the 1970s.

“I have a lot of issues with the way our current government is running, I hope I have a plan and I have goal setting,” he told the attendees. “I will represent everyone,” St. John said if he is elected.

St. John said he promises to bring a more open and responsive government touting his experience with IBM’s company policies and management practices. Like Red Eagle, St. John says he would order an independent audit of the Nation’s finances so the constituents are informed of their status.

Raymond Red Corn is seeking a second term as congressman and told the attendees: “I’m interested in knowing what you are interested in.”

“We try to make change in the way we feel is necessary. In doing that, we really must listen to the majority of Osages and what they want from their government,” said Red Corn who is a committeeman for the Pawhuska In-Lon-Schka District.

Red Corn described being a congressman as a job “which is challenging. It is, without question, the most interesting job I’ve ever had.” As a congressman, Red Corn has written and sponsored legislation including a bill which established the Nation’s Limited Liability Company for handling economic development opportunities independent of gaming for the tribe and a whistleblower act to protect tribal employees for reporting illegal or unethical activities of fellow employees.

California-born Jake Heflin is also seeking a congressional seat. He is currently a firefighter/ paramedic for the city of Long Beach, Calif., and believes Osages residing beyond the reservation’s boundaries should also be represented.

“I think there is a genuine interest in the affairs of our own people across this nation, not just in Oklahoma, but basically Osages around the country,” he said. “And I want to be the voice to represent those people.”

Heflin believes the Nation should “look at where other tribes have invested their money” to create infrastructure. “That is how you bring people back,” he said of offering employment opportunities to educated and experienced Osages living away from the reservation.

Myron Red Eagle plans to run for a Minerals Council seat and said if he’s elected, he will “strongly uphold and preserve the Osage Minerals Estate.” His professional background includes manufacturing and working with public utilities including five years with the Public Service Company of Oklahoma in Tulsa.

“I believe the Minerals Council can be a much stronger unit if they could establish a working bond with the Osage Nation Congress not only for the sake of the… voters but for the welfare of our mineral shareholders as well,” Red Eagle said.

Red Eagle lives in Pawhuska and has participated in the In-Lon-Schka dances all his life mostly as a singer. His campaign Web site is www.myronredeagle.com.

Daniel Boone is making a second run for Congress. He is son of Minerals Councilwoman Cynthia Boone and Tom Boone from the Grayhorse District.

“No questions are off limits to me,” he told the attendees. “I look forward to hearing any and all questions you have and if I can’t give you the answer I will research the information and candidate and give you the information you’re looking for.”

This is Daniel Boone’s first trip to meet the California Osages as a candidate. He also sought a seat on the Nation’s 1st Congress in 2006. Cynthia Boone also attended the meeting to answer constituent inquiries but did not announce whether she’ll seek another term on the Minerals Council.

Myers said the next UOSC meeting is slated for April 24 with candidates invited to meet the residents again. He expects the upcoming meeting attendance to double, drawing about 100 people.