Dear Friends,

I wanted to send you a short note just to let you know that my new website for the 2010 campaign just launched at www.danamurphy.com

When you have a chance, please take a look and let me know what you think. I hope you will listen in to the latest podcasts on the website and join as a friend on our social network sites.

Isn't the cliche, that time flies when you are having fun? I think it also applies to time flying by when one is challenged and passionately engaged in work, a situation that seems to apply to me. Just over a year ago, I was sworn into office and the issues that have come before me and my fellow Commissioners, Bob Anthony and Jeff Cloud, have been complex, challenging and as you might imagine, more than a little controversial. Moreover, these issues have come within the environment of one of the most challenging economic times for our State.

Oklahomans know how to deal with adversity. We overcame challenges on the Trail of Tears, during the Dust Bowl, through the Vietnamese refugee crisis, after the Murrah Building bombing, and in response to countless tornadoes.

Believe it or not, but I have now been on the job as your Corporation Commissioner for almost ten months, a job I was elected to just over a year ago. Football season is in full swing, the leaves on the trees have changed and Thanksgiving is just weeks away, certainly reminders to me of the days just prior to election night, November 4, 2008. I vividly remember that time last year and seemingly running full speed day and night, or maybe it was night and day, in the final weeks before the election. With my travels all over the state in the past months for speeches and events, I feel some similarity though maybe not quite the same intensity as last year!

What is it about government that seems to encourage inertia? In my nine months in office I've yet to find an answer to that question. Government is great at talking about issues and problems, but talk is like any other commodity—the more of it there is, the cheaper it gets. It's not a people problem. I see talent everywhere I look. Is there something about the institution of government that discourages the eagles from soaring? What I hear all too often is not what we can do, but rather what we can't do.

It's amazing what you hear when you really listen. I wrote in this space some 90 days ago about my ongoing efforts to meet with Oklahomans from all sectors to listen and learn about ways to work together to improve and increase the effectiveness of how government serves Oklahomans. Since taking office, I have logged more than five thousand miles at my own expense and participated in more than 90 meetings across the state, in addition to the regular daily public meetings the Commission holds. I consider it investing in good government.

It's not even August, but the dog days of summer already seem upon us! The heat is not just outside either as significant budget issues, filing of additional rate and other utility cases along with the serious impact of major federal energy and environmental proposals on our agency and many in the petroleum industry are just a few of the issues keeping things hot at the Commission!

For those of you who missed it, my recent op-ed piece on my first 90 days was published in the Oklahoman on April 15 - Fundamentals Make the Biggest Difference. I have included the link for those who would like to access it. http://www.newsok.com/fundamentals-make-biggest-difference/article/3361522

My first 90 days in office have deepened my belief in the importance of this fundamental advice. As a corporation commissioner, I'm now involved in critical areas affecting Oklahoma's economy, including regulating oil and gas drilling, production, and environmental protection, as well as utilities, and aspects of trucking, gasoline pumps, fuel storage tanks, pipelines and railroad-crossings. Many of these involve everyday, pocketbook issues of critical importance to Oklahomans.

Wow, it is hard to believe that I have been "on the job" for 6 weeks now. It has been quite the whirlwind already! In addition to performing my duties at the office, I am still on the go meeting with business leaders, ratepayers, oil and gas producers, truckers, petroleum marketers and many others impacted by Corporation Commission regulations.

Edmond’s Dana Murphy was sworn in to the office of state Corporation Commissioner Monday afternoon.

“Among the many emotions that fill my heart today beyond thankfulness are incredible gratitude, humility and honor for being here today and being able to serve the state and the people that I love,” Murphy said, after taking the oath from Oklahoma Supreme Court Vice-Chief Justice Steven W. Taylor.

Murphy thanked her supporters but especially her family for their blessings, encouragement, loyalty and inspiration during her political campaign.

Edmond voters played a significant role in November in electing their home-town Republican to the Corporation Commission.