An article in the Tulsa World - Lawmakers accuse Epic Charter Schools of trying to intimidate them, setting 'dangerous' precedent with defamation lawsuit against state senator, December 14 by Andrea Eger, describes how state lawmakers believe the lawsuit against State Senator Ron Sharp (R) is purely "intimidation". What Andrea didn't say is that Epic has tried to intimidate her by 'investigating her past'. One Republican Representative called the lawsuit against Senator Sharp "... an attempt to silence constituents whose concerns legislators are sworn to represent and an attempt to intimidate other lawmakers just before the deadline to file bills for the upcoming 2020 session." The quoted representative was probably correct in saying the 'Epic' lawsuit is "an attempt to silence constituents (You and I) whose concerns legislators are sworn to represent...", although I'll bet it won't silence many traditional public school folk.
Epic Public Schools (its preferred name) first warned Sharp in a "cease and desist" letter left at his front door "that he faced 'immediate legal action' if he didn't comply with the school's demand for a published retraction of his previous statements." Sharp evidently didn't retract his factual statements or questions, so the lawsuit was filed last week.
Another state representative commented about the lawsuit that "It's dirty; it's ugly; and we won't stand for it", indicating the House and Senate have big plans for Epic. Before those lawmakers who object to the lawsuit say 'we won't stand for it', they may consider another lawmaker's statement: "As elected officials, you are in the public eye and subject to that." The lawmaker evidently believes that legislators should expect to be sued when doing the right thing by speaking out against the theft of Oklahoma's tax dollars. Maybe so...
Other elected officials and lawmakers have received more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from Epic Public Schools in order to "look the other way" when considering Epic oversight legislation. It is doubtful these elected officials will speak out in opposition of anything Epic, so it may continue in creating an education 'dust bowl'. In the words of one senator "We might as well go home and let the special interest groups run our government totally," and that is exactly what Epic wants.
To be fair, only five lawmakers commented on the Epic Public Schools lawsuit - which leaves about 140 who have not weighed in on the subject. Those not allowed to voice their opinion at the Jenks Legislative Luncheon should certainly be allowed to weigh in on the lawsuit. I'll start by asking my Representative Cindy Roe (R) of Lindsay and Senator Paul Scott (R) of Duncan to please share your thoughts on the subject?
To be continued with their answers...
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