Update #133

The views, opinions and commentary in this update are those of Congressman Red Corn. They are his alone, and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Osage Nation Congress.

The fall session is nearly over, and unlike last year’s it did not go on forever.  There are several reasons.

First, the new Congress seems bent on productivity. No bills are being held up due to objections. Instead, there seems to be a distinct and purposeful cooperation to get legislation out; if there are objections, they are overcome through amendment or compromise – a nice change.

Second, the Congress and the Executive branch were close in goals and outlooks early on, with tacit agreement to hold the budget to around $26 million spent in tribal dollars.  This is comparable to last year’s budget, unless you include second-year funding of the Health benefit, which passed at $4 million.  This appropriation ensures the $500 debit card benefit is fully funded for the calendar year 2011.

Third, the Congress never relied on a “continuing resolution”, last year’s great point of contention.  It wasn’t the resolution that caused us grief, it was the conditions Congress placed upon the Executive in the meantime. This year the budgets arrived late – again – midway through the session and barely two weeks before spending authority lapsed, but we processed them in only 14 days and they are now awaiting Chief Red Eagle’s signature. Some budgets have already been signed by Assistant Principal Chief BigHorse.

Finally, the Congress agreed early on to provide only “step” increases to salaries, as the Merit bill had passed and near-term funding looks likely. This majority action gave guidance to the committees and kept everyone on a singular track toward passage.

The one serious point of contention was the Office of the Chief’s budget.  Arriving $200,000 over Chief Gray’s last budget, the Congress made serious cuts with the exception of the line item for (political) donations, which was increased. The most contentious cuts were to the Chief’s staff salaries. With three salaries at $70,000 or more and no position descriptions filed with Osage Nation Human Resources, the Congress cut each proposed salary  – eleven of them – by $5000/year.  No one seems happy on either side of the issue. It should be noted that amendments for much deeper cuts were put into motions, but withdrawn when the across-the-board cuts passed.  I supported the cuts and put forward additional cuts for the “Cultural Advisor/Minerals Liaison” from $45,000 to $30,000 on the premise that someone who reports on the MC’s actions shouldn’t be paid more than a member of the MC. The amendment was defeated.

Two families here have lost loved ones recently. Jerri Pledger, paternal grandmother of Congresswoman Alice Goodfox, recently passed away. Please keep Alice’s family in your prayers. Also keep the Oberly family in your prayers. Jon Oberly, 52, of Pawhuska passed away this weekend. He was long-time Pawhuskan and a friend to many.

As always, please share your opinions and thoughts with me at your convenience.

With respect,

Raymond Red Corn
Osage Nation Congress
918-287-7400
[email protected]