Oklahoma Threatened by Feds Over State Ballot Initiative
The battle over federalism begins on a new front as US Attorney General Eric Holder fired a shot across the bow of the great State of Oklahoma by threatening the loss of federal tax dollars over the State constitutional amendment initiative of an English-only requirement slated to appear on the 2010 ballot (via PatriotsForAmerica):
For Immediate Release: Contact: Jared Young (202) 224-5762
July 28, 2009 Jared_Young@inhofe.senate.gov
Don Tatro – Coburn – (202) 224-5754
Link to Press Release Leslie Shedd – Lucas – (202) 225-5565
Link to letter from DOJ Kathryn Bruns – Fallin – (202) 225-2132
Link to letter to DOJ Cole Perryman – Boren – (202) 225-2701
Liz Eddy – Cole – (202) 225-6165
(OKLA) DELEGATION QUESTIONS JUSTICE DEPARTMENT’S THREAT TO CUT
FEDERAL FUNDING
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation today sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder seeking justification and clarification for a letter the Department of Justice (DOJ) sent to Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson threatening Oklahoma with a loss of federal funding if the state passed a constitutional amendment making English the official language of the state.
The original DOJ letter, characterized by delegation members as dubiously timed at the peak of legislative debate, advises the state that “implementation of this [English-only] amendment may conflict with Oklahoma’s obligations to protect the civil rights of limited English proficient (LEP) persons.”
Dated April 14, 2009 from Acting Assistant Attorney General Loretta King, the DOJ letter states, “As you know, recipients of federal financial assistance must comply with various civil rights statutes, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964…which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin.” The letter continues, “State agencies and other entities in Oklahoma that receive federal financial assistance thus would be precluded by federal law from abiding by an English-only requirement where it conflicts with their obligations under Title VI.”
The Oklahoma Congressional Delegation’s letter to Holder points out that several other states have passed similar legislation and asks if they too have been “accused by the Department of Justice to be in violation with Title VI, or formally threatened with funding termination.” The delegation letter asks for an explanation for what prompted the DOJ to write the state of Oklahoma on this issue and seeks explanation for what funds would be eliminated should Oklahomans pass the English only amendment.
U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe stated, “This nation’s cultural diversity is one that contributes to the greatness of our country. I support the state’s effort to pass a constitutional amendment making English the official language of the state because it ultimately facilitates better communication across the many lines of diversity within our state. The state legislature has overwhelmingly passed this amendment, and now it is up to the voters of Oklahoma to decide if they wish to accept it. It is entirely unacceptable for the federal government to try to strong arm the state by threatening to remove federal funding. I look forward to hearing the Justice Department’s explanation for such behavior.”
Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. said, “Secretary Holder owes the residents of Oklahoma an explanation as to why this thinly veiled threat was issued to Oklahoma on a state matter. The last thing Oklahoma needs is a bureaucrat in Washington dictating more of what we can and cannot do. Officials at the Department of Justice should focus on more pressing matters under their jurisdiction before issuing statements about a state issue that has yet to become law.”
Rep. Dan Boren said, “The state of Oklahoma deserves a clear explanation of why it seems the Department of Justice has singled out the state and threatened funding retribution over a State Legislature initiative that has been approved in other states already. I join my colleagues in urging the Department to give us a full account of their actions on this issue.”
Rep. John Sullivan said, “It is inappropriate for the United States Department of Justice to interfere in what is ultimately a state matter. In 2010, voters in Oklahoma will decide if the state constitution will be amended to make English the official language of the state and I proudly stand with the rest of the state delegation in supporting Oklahoma’s right to decide this issue.”
Rep. Frank Lucas added, “Our country benefits from the diversity of our people,” stated Lucas. “However, throughout our history, it has been our common language that binds us as one nation. In order for new immigrants to our country to be successful and realize the American Dream, they must be able to speak the English language. Punishing the state of Oklahoma for encouraging that is unnecessary.”
Rep. Mary Fallin said, “This incident should send shock waves through every state in the union. The letter from DOJ is an affront to Oklahoma’s tenth amendment rights under the Constitution. We should be allowed to pursue this policy without facing preemptive manipulation from the federal government.” [emphases original]
The LibertarianRepublican blog included the following:
For more information on the movement for English Only in Oklahoma Immigration Reform for Oklahoma Now (IRON)
ADDITIONAL REFERENCE
Article: “The threat of Secession looms ever nearer” by Webster’s Blogspot, July 26, examines Oklahoma’s increasing opposition to federally mandated health care coverage and the States’ potential reaction, if it is enacted. State Rep. Charles Key (Dist. 90 Oklahoma City), recently stated that if the health care legislation is forced upon the states, “Secession may be an option.”
May the citizens of the great State of Oklahoma take note to support their State and federal delegations; may the rest of the American people take note and consider the route of maintaining federalism as a reasonable dissenting alternative to a grossly overweight (by the measurements of both money and power) federal government.
-Phil
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Photo courtesy arts.ok.gov
AnotherReader,
I’ll have to look into a WordPress plug-in for that.
In the meantime, there’s always the Preview function.
-Phil
keokuk,
Good catch. I type these notes in quickly most of the time and often make typos.
Phil,
It would be great if there were an option to allow people to edit their own posts. I could clean up some of the typos when I re-read the posts later.
Eric Holder is a criminal thug who was put in by an illegal foreign usurper and he is committing extortion. It’s not his call where the money of the taxpayers goes. They act like they own the money that we all work for to pay to the beast of a bogus govt.
Succeed from the union???
Vincet,
Here is the current list of states that ALREADY have English only laws on the books.
Maybe you would like to see of them succeed from union as well? Where are the threatening letters for those states ???
* Alabama (1990)
* Alaska (1998)[20]
* Arizona (2006)[21]
* Arkansas (1987)
* California (1986)
* Colorado (1988)
* Florida (1988)
* Georgia (1986, 1996)
* Idaho (2007)
* Illinois (1969)[22]
* Indiana (1984)
* Iowa (2002)
* Kansas (2007)[23]
* Kentucky (1984)
* Massachusetts (1975)[24]
* Mississippi (1987)
* Missouri (1998)
* Montana (1995)
* Nebraska (1920)
* New Hampshire (1995)
* North Carolina (1987)
* North Dakota (1987)
* South Carolina (1987)
* South Dakota (1987)
* Tennessee (1984)
* Utah (2000)
* Virginia (1981, 1996)
* Wyoming (1996)
Vincet,
I sincerely doubt they would miss you either.
[...] The Right Side of Life » Oklahoma Threatened by Feds Over State …The battle over federalism begins on a new front as US Attorney General Eric Holder fired a shot across the bow of the great State of Oklahoma by threatening the loss of federal tax dollars over the State constitutional amendment initiative of an English-only requirement slated to appear on the … Officials at the Department of Justice should focus on more pressing matters under their jurisdiction before issuing statements about a state issue that has yet to become law. … [...]
You go boys, don’t let obambos b.s. run your state, I’m pulling for ya and you can bet there are a lot more who wish you the best.
This is excellent news. Cut off the feds COMPLETELY. What a relief, like burning off a giant planters wart from the foot. And who does Holder think he is???
Now Oklahoma, Montana and other states will finally be able to break free from the tyranny. Excellent work patriots!!!
Vincet OmniaVeritas,
I don’t think I’d be wishing that on any State at this point. The concept was tried once before, and fortunately the country came back together before there were disastrous and irreversible results.
Then again, since I know you’re part of the opposition to most things on my site, I suppose I shouldn’t be expecting you to respect the Tenth Amendment and the concept of federalism, now, should I?
-Phil
Good. The red states are notorious for being on the federal dole and sucking down more federal dollars than they pay in taxes. It is about time the adults taught them a lesson. If Oklahoma seceded it might take a year or two for the rest of us to miss them. We would only figure it out when we had an unexplained surplus.
‘bama and odinga are desperately trying to take over the united states and the world all based on “racism” whatever that means. Oh you want me to describe racism to you that is when african americans don’t get government handouts and remember nobody within earshot of this message knows the color of my skin.
It will be a huge surprise if this measure does not pass by an overwhelming majority.
holder as part of an illegit tryannical group of thugs in DC
has no say in the matter
he is void and null
OK doesn’t have to listen to a puppet with his strings cut
Thanks for posting that, Phil! I’m proud of my state and its legislators for enacting their 10th Amendment resolution, especially after it was vetoed the first time around by Obama’s admirer Gov. Henry. I hope Oklahoma stands its ground against Holder’s attempt at bullying us. Even though Drew Edmondson is another Obama-ite, it’s my guess that with him running for governor, he’ll at least make an appearance of standing up for the vast majority of the people of Oklahoma.
Sure we owe a lot to diversity in this nation. But this is not the United States of Mexico, or the United States of Asia, or the United States of Italy, or the United States of any other ethnic or linguistic group. English is the “universal language” of trade and commerce in this country. If people don’t feel like learning English, let them leave.
And if Mao-bama and Holder want to withhold federal funding? Whoopty-doo and yippee skip! We don’t need it! NO state really needs to suckle at the government teat. If push comes to shove, Americans can do whatever they need to do THEMSELVES. I applaud Texas, Montana, Tennessee, Utah, and all other states that are standing up for their rights. So the Fed is giving us the finger? Give them the finger back!
Great article Phil!! Good job by my neighbors to the north. Texas should follow suit.
Not to worry folks the Kenyan BC has been found, after the legal wranglings we can get these unamerican idealists out of office
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=105764
Great work, TRSoL.
Go, Boomers and Sooners!
Holder/DOJ is trying the same thing with Montana & Tennessee and firearms licensing. Here is link to website and Holder’s letter to Tennessee.
http://links.chango.com/links/redirector?siteID=1QUegjYUNgnHNN36Y1bQ8K7jh&brandingFrame=true&linkUID=13357a88-b9cd-4760-b1aa-012f88b78468&short=tinyurl.com&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2Flfmxbk
This is outrageous! A clear violation of states rights under the Tenth Amendment. I hope Oklahoma voters pass the measure with 100% of the vote.
Oklahoma’s a sovereign state. If the Fed says they’ll stop federal tax dollars, then don’t transfer federal tax dollars to them! Should even out. If the aliens can’t get translators, they’ll soon go elsewhere (please don’t let them cross the northern border into Kansas). All those that came through Ellis Island made a concerted effort to learn and speak English only, especially in public.