 US SENATE CANDIDATE NATHAN DAHM ANNOUNCES HE WILL BE RUNNING IN OKLAHOMA'S SPECIAL ELECTION FOR US SENATE FOLLOWING SENATOR JIM INHOFE'S RETIREMENT Oklahoma (February 28, 2022) - Oklahoma Senator and US Senate candidate Nathan Dahm announces he will be running for United States Senate in the upcoming special election resulting from Senator Jim Inhofe's early retirement. Nathan Dahm released the following statement: "I am officially running for the US Senate in the special election to be the Proven Republican Fighter to replace Senator Inhofe. We will win this seat and we will put America First again. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 28, 2022 at 08:23PM |
 Dahm makes it official: switching to special election for U.S. Senate Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Monday, February 28, 2022
Dahm makes it official: switching to special election for U.S. Senate
Homeschool dad: Public funding of private education is harmful to freedom
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[For more articles and perspectives on SB 1647 and school choice
this legislative session, click here] One of the big legislative issues this year is SB 1647, a landmark school choice bill filed by Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat and heavily promoted by several state and national free-market and school choice organizations (including OCPA, who is currently advertising here on my blog).
Seemingly unexpectedly by Treat and allies, the Oklahoma homeschool community is heavily against the measure, arguing that it will lead to future infringements on the unparalled freedom to home educate that we enjoy here in the state of Oklahoma. This opposition could easily have been foreseen, as the homeschool community in Oklahoma has more often had to fight "friendly" legislation aiming to help them than they have had to defend against unfriendly bills.
Here is another op-ed by a homeschool parent giving the homeschool perspective on SB 1647 and similar efforts:
 Read more » by Jamison Faught - February 28, 2022 at 11:00AM |
Homeschool dad: Public funding of private education is harmful to freedom Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Urgent action needed today in support of Abortion Abolition bill
 From FreeTheStates: This week, our State Legislature will have the opportunity to pass a bill that would abolish abortion in Oklahoma. However, the Speaker of the House and the Rules Committee Chairman are not committed to ensuring the bill receives a vote. It is assigned to the House Rules Committee and their final meeting at which this bill can be heard is this Tuesday. It is imperative that we call and email them to encourage them to bring this bill before the committee for a vote. The bill is HB4111 authored by Representative Vancuren. Please take a moment to call AND email Speaker McCall, Chairman Osburn, and the members of the committee, to ask them to make sure HB4111 receives a vote this week and to vote yes on the bill. Calls need to be made and emails sent today. Below and in the comments we have included a sample message that you can simply copy and paste. Finally, join us today, Monday the 28th at 12:15pm on the 4th floor of the Capitol to lobby in support of HB4111. Abortion must be abolished, to the glory of God and the joy of our preborn neighbors. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 28, 2022 at 10:42AM |
Urgent action needed today in support of Abortion Abolition bill Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Nathan Dahm switches over to open Senate race, Lahmeyer sticks with Lankford challenge
 Dahm and Lahmeyer have taken divering paths, with Dahm opting for the open Senate race (joining U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin and Inhofe staffer Luke Holland), while Lahmeyer is sticking with challenging Lankford.
Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 28, 2022 at 08:24AM |
Nathan Dahm switches over to open Senate race, Lahmeyer sticks with Lankford challenge Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Sunday, February 27, 2022
Hern: Biden's rubber-stamp SCOTUS pick undermines Constitution and American values
 Hern statement on Biden’s nominee for the Supreme Court TULSA, OK (Feb. 25th) – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after this morning’s announcement of Ketanji Brown Jackson as Biden’s nominee to the Supreme Court of the United States. “Our nation is on the precipice of disaster,” said Rep. Hern. “It has never been more important to empower the checks and balances on the federal government. Our Supreme Court is meant to uphold our Constitution and preserve the values our founding fathers fought to instill in our nation. Ketanji Brown Jackson undermines that directive. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 27, 2022 at 02:11PM |
Hern: Biden's rubber-stamp SCOTUS pick undermines Constitution and American values Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Saturday, February 26, 2022
T.W. Shannon seems to be considering another Senate bid following Inhofe's retirement
 The latest potential candidate to be publicly considered his options in the wake of U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe's retirement, here is a statement from former State House Speaker T.W. Shannon: Jim Inhofe’s expected retirement announcement today after an almost 40 year career in DC mark’s an end of an era in Oklahoma politics. I am grateful for his support of the American military, his fight against radical environmental extremism and for those times when he did stand for the America First Agenda.Here's his Instagram post the announcement was taken from: by Jamison Faught - February 26, 2022 at 02:30PM |
T.W. Shannon seems to be considering another Senate bid following Inhofe's retirement Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Report: U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe to announce retirement on Monday
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It is being widely reported this evening that U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe is planning on announcing his retirement from the Senate on Monday (Politico, New York Times). Inhofe (elected to the U.S. House in 1986 and then the U.S. Senate in 1994) turned 87 in November, and his wife Kay has, evidently, been in poor health in recent years. Back in December 2019, my Muskogee Politico Insiders Panel discussed the then-uncertainty over Inhofe's 2020 reelection plans. I asked the panelists who they thought would jump into the Senate race should Inhofe retire, and here are some of the names they tossed out back in 2019: Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 24, 2022 at 09:30PM |
Report: U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe to announce retirement on Monday Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
OK County Sheriff Tommie Johnson endorses Kevin Calvey for District Attorney
 SHERIFF TOMMIE JOHNSON ENDORSES KEVIN CALVEY FOR D.A.
“Oklahoma County deserves a battle-tested conservative who will prioritize public safety.”
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (February 22, 2022) -- Oklahoma County Sheriff, Tommie Johnson III, is endorsing Kevin Calvey for the upcoming Republican primary for Oklahoma County District Attorney. Johnson is encouraging fellow conservatives to join him in voting for Calvey on June 28th. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 22, 2022 at 09:25PM |
OK County Sheriff Tommie Johnson endorses Kevin Calvey for District Attorney Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Monday, February 21, 2022
Op-ed: Homeschooling community does not want “Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts”
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As promised, I'm publishing another op-ed on SB 1647, this time coming from a homeschool perspective.
SB 1647, the "school choice" bill authored by Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-OKC), would give parents who choose to not utilize the public school system a portion of their childrens' education dollars (around $3,600 per child) toward educating them by other private means, be that private, parochial, or home schools.
You can read more posts about the measure here, ranging from press releases from Treat and supporting organizations to other, more critical perspectives.
Since this is shaping up to be one of the more heated issues of the 2022 legislative session, I'll have much more to post on this topic from both sides as the legislative session progresses. If you have an op-ed you'd like to submit on this subject, you can contact me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com.
Read more »Many thanks to Jonathan Bartlett for submitting the following piece to add to the conversation:  The Homeschooling Community Does Not Want “Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts” by Jonathan Bartlett -- Vice President, Homeschool Oklahoma
Currently under consideration in the Oklahoma legislature is SB-1647, which creates “Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts” to allow parents who do not utilize the public school system to have access to some of the money that would otherwise have been used for their education in the public school system. While this may sound like a great deal for parents, experience has taught us in the homeschooling movement to be wary of government offers of its money. Homeschool Oklahoma (formerly called OCHEC) is the primary state organization for homeschooling in Oklahoma. Every year we organize a Capitol Day event, where we go to the state capitol, bring cookies for every legislator, and say, “please, please, please don’t give us anything.” That may seem strange—why would an advocacy group not want anything? Because we really want the freedom to educate our kids in the way that makes the most sense for our families. Every government favor eventually comes with strings. In fact, government favors should come with strings. Spending other people’s money means that you ought to be accountable to them for how the money is spent. Whether or not there are strings attached now, be certain that any money that you receive from the government will have strings attached in the future. Take, for instance, The Little Light House, a private Christian tuition-free special needs preschool. When the state first required public schools to provide preschooling services for kids with special needs many years ago, the schools were not equipped to handle it. So, they turned to The Little Light House for help. The Little Light House said that they would be willing, but that they were unwilling to compromise anything about their program to do so. The government agreed, and The Little Light House expanded their operation. However, soon, people started to complain about The Little Light House. It was too Christian. It wasn’t structured the way some parents wanted. So, while the money was originally string-free, the government soon clamped down and made demands. To its credit, The Little Light House rejected both the strings and the money, but, because they had expanded their staff and building to meet the need, they faced budget shortfalls and nearly lost their institution over it. by Jamison Faught - February 21, 2022 at 09:00AM |
Op-ed: Homeschooling community does not want “Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts” Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Sunday, February 20, 2022
Carter: Oklahoma open-transfer law benefiting few students
 OKLAHOMA OPEN-TRANSFER LAW BENEFITING FEW STUDENTS
by Ray Carter, Center for Independent Journalism
A new open-transfer law that allows students to shift from one public school to another has been touted as a significant expansion of opportunity for Oklahoma children. But a review of public data, conducted by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), shows a significant share of the slots available through open transfer are in two of the state’s most troubled and academically struggling districts—Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Otherwise, should students want better options, they are often blocked from transferring, particularly to suburban districts touted as public-school successes. Those findings come as leadership in the Oklahoma House of Representatives has cited the open-transfer law as justification for not enacting more significant school-choice legislation this year. “We did a lot of work last year on open transfer and collaborated with everybody on that,” House Speaker Charles McCall said recently. “I personally believe that is the best policy for the state because it works in all four corners of the state.” McCall made those comments as he announced he would not allow a House hearing on Senate Bill 1647, by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, which would create the Oklahoma Empowerment Account (OEA) Program. Under the proposed program, any student eligible to enroll in a public school would be eligible for an OEA, which could be used to pay for a range of education services, including private-school tuition. Money deposited into the account comes from the per-pupil allotment of state funding already dedicated for education of a child. The state’s new open-transfer law, approved by legislators in 2021, allows for transfer of students between public school districts throughout the year. Previously, such transfers were mostly limited to a short period of time. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 20, 2022 at 02:09PM |
Carter: Oklahoma open-transfer law benefiting few students Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Lankford: "clear that DOD leaders are ignoring sincerely-held religious beliefs of service members" in vax mandate
 Lankford Calls for Audit of Defense Department’s Failure to Provide Religious Accommodations for the COVID-19 Vaccine OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) sent a letter to the Acting Department of Defense (DOD) Inspector General Sean O’Donnell to ask him to audit DOD’s process for reviewing religious accommodation requests for the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Lankford previously sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin demanding to know why, despite 19,979 known requests for religious accommodations from the COVID-19 vaccine, the Department has granted nearly zero requests for religious accommodations among the service branches. The letter requested a response by February 1, and to date, his office has not received a response. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 19, 2022 at 11:09PM |
Lankford: "clear that DOD leaders are ignoring sincerely-held religious beliefs of service members" in vax mandate Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Friday, February 18, 2022
Lankford: Putin is "trying to... recreate the USSR" with aggression toward Ukraine
 Lankford Warns Russian Aggression an Attempt to Start New USSR Lankford: “Let’s pray for the people of Ukraine who, right now, who hear the guns practicing on the other side of their border. Let’s pray for peace.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today warned that Russian aggression on the border with Ukraine and military posturing in general should be taken seriously. He shared his support for helping the Ukrainian people defend themselves amid an escalating situation developing on their border that Russia is trying to pretend is nothing. Lankford has consistently called out President Biden’s failed foreign policy, especially against Russia, as Biden has refused to sanction Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Europe, which threatens energy security. Lankford introduced the Never Yielding Europe’s Territory (NYET) Act to provide the critical support Ukraine needs to defend itself and deter Russian aggression today, while imposing real costs on the Kremlin for its ongoing and potential future aggression against Ukraine. Lankford introduced the Belarus Aggression Accountability Act to deter Belarus from allowing Russia to use its territory to invade Ukraine. Lankford’s bill would sanction Belarus or any country that aids Russia’s ongoing, unprovoked aggression toward the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Lankford supported legislation to impose US sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany running through the Baltic Sea. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 18, 2022 at 11:00AM |
Lankford: Putin is "trying to... recreate the USSR" with aggression toward Ukraine Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
House subcommittee approves additional $30M for county roads, bridges
 House Subcommittee Approves Additional $30M for Roads, Bridges
OKLAHOMA CITY – A House subcommittee has given the first approval to a bill that would increase the amount of appropriations the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Fund may receive by $30 million. House Bill 3318 raises the maximum amount that can be apportioned to the County Improvements for Roads and Bridges Fund from motor vehicle revenue from $120 million to $150 million. The bill received a hearing before the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Transportation on Monday afternoon. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 18, 2022 at 10:35AM |
House subcommittee approves additional $30M for county roads, bridges Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Three Charter School reform bills pass State House committee
 Dills' Charter School Bills Pass Committee OKLAHOMA CITY (February 15th) – Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, today won unanimous passage of a trio of bills in the House Common Education Committee that focus on modifying various aspects of the Oklahoma charter school law. House Bill 3643 would update requirements for virtual charter school governing boards that contract with educational management organizations (EMOs), creating greater transparency for state funds. In addition, the State Board of Education would be authorized to demand repayment of any monies illegally expended by an EMO and to withhold any unreturned amount from state funding allocations. House Bill 3644 would update oversight requirements for charter school sponsors and governing boards. House Bill 3645 would update virtual charter school attendance and truancy policies. "Charter schools – both brick-and-mortar and virtual – have a role in our public school offerings to expand choice and to meet the individual needs of students and their parents," Dills said. "Unfortunately, however, we've had instances of outright fraud or abuse of taxpayer dollars when it comes to organizations that manage the administrative functions of these schools. These bills seek to tighten our laws, protecting public funds and increasing transparency over how they are expended. We also have a duty to ensure our students are receiving the public education promised them in our state Constitution." Dills held several studies during the interim that helped guide the legislation. It's part of her ongoing effort to improve charter school law. Public charter schools operate with greater flexibility than traditional schools under state law in exchange for greater accountability requirements. It's these requirements that Dills has been intent on clarifying since taking public office. She's been particularly focused on reform involving for-profit EMOS. In 2019, she secured passage of House Bill 1395, which created greater oversight and increased transparency of the amount of taxpayer funding going to an EMO. The law change required the amounts being paid as well as a breakdown of all expenditures through the Oklahoma Cost Accounting System (OCAS). The owners of EMOs also now must make certain disclosures in public meetings. The measures passed in committee today are now eligible to be considered by the full House. Sheila Dills, a Republican, serves District 69 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her district includes Jenks, South Tulsa and Bixby in Tulsa County. by Jamison Faught - February 18, 2022 at 07:42AM |
Three Charter School reform bills pass State House committee Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Thursday, February 17, 2022
House Democrats announce 2022 legislative priorities
 Democrats Announce 2022 Legislative Priorities OKLAHOMA CITY -- The House Democratic Caucus on Wednesday presented their legislative priorities for the 2022 Legislative Session. The Democratic Caucus highlighted policy initiatives in five primary areas: transparency and accountability, health care, criminal justice, education, and the state economy. House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, spoke to the intent of Democratic policies and reiterated the caucus’ recent success to elevate ideas focused on Oklahomans. Virgin named the EITC, protecting education funding, and eliminating the state grocery tax as examples. “Our goal for the 2022 Session is to provide and support compassionate, common-sense ideas focused on the needs of Oklahomans,” Virgin said. “What you won't find in our priorities are tax credits or cuts to large corporations, legislation that restricts voting rights, or attacks on tribal sovereignty.” The Democratic Caucus recognized the current lack of transparency in the Capitol and highlighted the caucus’ desire to require the House of Representatives to follow the Open Meetings Act. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 17, 2022 at 07:57PM |
House Democrats announce 2022 legislative priorities Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Senate committee approves bill to add voter ID to OK Constitution
 Senate committee approves bill to add voter ID requirements to state Constitution OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved President Pro Tempore Greg Treat’s bill to add voter identification requirements to the state Constitution. Treat’s Senate Joint Resolution 48 would send to a vote of the people a legislative referendum that would add the voter identification requirement currently in state statute to the Oklahoma Constitution. The measure maintains the Legislature’s ability to enact bills to specify the requirements for proof of identity for voting. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 17, 2022 at 05:57PM |
Senate committee approves bill to add voter ID to OK Constitution Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Prominent Oklahoma homeschool organizations oppose Treat's voucher bill
 Constitutional Home Educators Alliance is an organization 'comprised of veteran Oklahoma home educating families' whose 'primary mission is to educate legislators on issues concerning parental rights and constitutional home education'.
Both HSOK and CHEA have issued statements of concern and opposition to State Sen. Greg Treat's Oklahoma Empowerment Accounts voucher bill (SB 1647) that would give parents who choose to not utilize the public school system a portion of their childrens' education dollars (around $3,600 per child) toward educating them by other private means, be that private, parochial, or home schools.
Here is the legislative alert from HSOK regarding SB 1647:
Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 17, 2022 at 04:49PM |
Prominent Oklahoma homeschool organizations oppose Treat's voucher bill Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Lankford opposes Biden's controversial, pro-abortion FDA nominee
 Lankford Opposes Controversial, Pro-Abortion FDA Nominee WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today opposed the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf to serve as the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Califf previously held the position under President Obama. “I am deeply concerned about President Biden’s decision to once again place someone in a health care-related role who openly pushes for more abortion, including mail-order chemical abortions,” said Lankford. “Since Biden is obsessed with abortion, he continues to recycle Obama-era nominees or employees that promote abortion rather than health care. Dr. Califf wants to make dangerous, chemical abortion easier to access, not save lives of moms and babies. He’s not who we need in charge of medication and health safety.” When Dr. Califf served previously as FDA Commissioner, Lankford led a letter to him to express concern and request information about the agency’s decision at the time to change policies regarding the abortion drug mifepristone. Dr. Califf did not respond to the letter. Lankford has been the leading voice in Congress for the protection of life. Lankford pushed back on the Biden Administration’s rule to allow taxpayer-funded abortions. He successfully secured language in the Democrats partisan $3.5 trillion Fiscal Year 2022 budget resolution to save the long-standing Hyde and Weldon Amendments, which prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to fund abortions and abortion-related discrimination against health care workers, including insurers. He is also an original cosponsor of the SAVE Moms and Babies Act, which would stop the FDA from approving more chemical abortion drugs. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 16, 2022 at 11:25AM |
Lankford opposes Biden's controversial, pro-abortion FDA nominee Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Senate passes bill adding ministers to approved visitor list during health emergencies
 Bergstrom additions to ‘No Patient Left Alone Act’ passes Senate OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate gave approval to Senate Bill 1096 on Tuesday to add pastors, ministers, spiritual advisors and other religious leaders to the approved list of visitors for patients hospitalized during a declared health emergency. The measure modifies House Bill 2687, also known as the No Patient Left Alone Act, which was signed into law last spring and allows patients to designate a guest to have unrestricted visitation regardless of an emergency declaration by the governor or Legislature. The measure was a response to the strict medical facility lockdowns during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when positive patients were unable to have a support person advocate for them during their stay. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 16, 2022 at 08:24AM |
Senate passes bill adding ministers to approved visitor list during health emergencies Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Treat's school choice bill advances from Senate Education Committee
 Pro Tem Greg Treat’s school choice bill advances from Senate Education Committee OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday approved President Pro Tempore Greg Treat’s school choice bill that empowers parents with more control over their child’s education. The committee approved Senate Bill 1647, also known as the Oklahoma Empowerment Act, which would allow parents to use their child’s state education dollars to pursue a variety of schooling options to secure the best education possible for their children. “The Oklahoma Empowerment Act gives parents more control over their child’s schooling by empowering them with the resources to find the right fit for their child’s education. Children from working families shouldn’t be relegated to a failing school simply because of where they live. Education is key to bringing generational change, and Senate Bill 1647 will empower all parents to find the best educational option for their child to succeed,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 16, 2022 at 08:20AM |
Treat's school choice bill advances from Senate Education Committee Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Lankford pushes for sanctions on Belarus to stop Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine
 Lankford Pushes for Sanctions on Belarus to Stop Russia’s Aggression Toward Ukraine OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Belarus Aggression Accountability Act to deter Belarus from allowing Russia to use its territory to invade Ukraine. Lankford’s bill would sanction Belarus or any country that aids Russia’s ongoing, unprovoked aggression toward the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Russia has stationed nearly 30,000 troops near the Belarus/Ukraine border, its largest deployment to Belarus since the Cold War. Additionally, Russia has positioned 130,000 troops on the Russia/Ukraine border and deployed six additional naval vessels to the Black Sea. “Belarus is allowing thousands of Russian troops into their country to line the border with Ukraine. The US should make it clear that strong economic and diplomatic sanctions will be applied to any country that supports Russia’s attempts to invade Ukraine,” said Lankford. “It is easier to stop a war that has never started than it is to end a war in process. This is a strong stance America can take to counter Russia and Belarus as they continue to threaten Ukraine’s independence.” Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 15, 2022 at 07:41PM |
Lankford pushes for sanctions on Belarus to stop Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Gov. Stitt appoints Sarah Lepak to State Board of Education
 GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS SARAH LEPAK TO STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 14, 2022) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced he has appointed Sarah Lepak to the State Board of Education, filling the vacant seat for Congressional District 2 created by the resignation of Bill Flanagan. Lepak’s appointment requires confirmation by the Oklahoma State Senate. “I am pleased to nominate Sarah Lepak to serve on the State Board of Education,” said Governor Stitt. “I am confident that she will put the needs of students first and strive to make Oklahoma Top Ten in education.” Lepak currently is a Senior Environmental Project Manager at QuikTrip Corp. in Tulsa, where she leads the company’s compliance department and manages all aspects of environmental regulatory compliance and due diligence for QuikTrip stores. “I’m honored to be nominated and look forward to serving on the Board,” said Lepak. “I am happy to give of my time and experience to help ensure Oklahoma kids are well-prepared for the future.” Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 15, 2022 at 04:22PM |
Gov. Stitt appoints Sarah Lepak to State Board of Education Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
Rep. Russ files bill to protect schoolchildren from inappropriate material
 Russ Files Bill to Protect Schoolchildren from Inappropriate Material OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, has filed legislation that seeks to protect school-aged children from inappropriate material in school and public libraries. House Bill 3702 would require any Oklahoma school district, charter or virtual charter school, state agency, public library, or university that offers digital or online library database resources to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade to do so only if the vendor, person, or entity providing the resources verifies that all the resources comply with the provisions of the new law. "The protection of our children is of the utmost importance," Russ said. "Unfortunately, even though we have current state laws that define inappropriate material, we are still finding examples of this in our public school classrooms and libraries throughout the state on a regular basis. We must do a better job of safeguarding young minds from obscene material." Under the proposed new law, public schools, agencies, libraries and universities would be required to have safety policies and technology protections in place for K-12 students. A user would be prohibited and prevented from sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading materials that are child pornography or obscene materials, as defined in current state statutes, or materials that depict child sexual exploitation as defined in current state statute. Filters or blocks to such materials are easily available and would be required. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 15, 2022 at 12:42PM |
Rep. Russ files bill to protect schoolchildren from inappropriate material Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
OCPA column: Stitt stands with parents, not bureaucrats
 Stitt stands with parents, not bureaucrats By Jonathan Small
In his State of the State address, Gov. Kevin Stitt made clear he stands with parents before bureaucrats. That was a shock for status-quo defenders but welcome news to families. Stitt endorsed robust, statewide school choice, saying funding should follow a child instead of being tied to buildings or systems. The governor vowed to “support any legislation that gives parents more school choice” and specifically pointed to Senate Bill 1647, by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat. That legislation would allow state funding to follow a child to any school, including private schools, giving parents the financial ability to choose a wider array of education options and increasing the likelihood their children will be taught and excel academically in an environment that best serves them. “In Oklahoma, we listen to parents, because we know God gave kids to parents – not to the government,” Stitt said. Read more »by Jamison Faught - February 15, 2022 at 09:42AM |
OCPA column: Stitt stands with parents, not bureaucrats Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
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