Lankford brings government waste report to the Senate floor

Lankford Brings Government Waste Report to the Senate Floor Lankford: “At some point this body will be serious about dealing with debt and deficit, but apparently we're not yet.”  WASHINGTON, DC (April 27th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today brought this week’s release of volume 6 of his government waste report, Federal Fumbles: Ways the government dropped the ball, to those who need to hear about it most: the US Senate. Lankford spoke about specific examples of waste from the report and about his frustration that some in Congress talk about debt and some of the big decisions we face for long-term solvency of several major federal programs, but most are not willing to actually address it. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 30, 2022 at 07:00PM

Lankford brings government waste report to the Senate floor Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

House passes bill requiring OTA studies, report on proposed Norman turnpike

Sterling Passes Legislation Requiring OTA Studies, Report on Proposed Norman Turnpike Bill would also give Legislature authority to modify location of turnpike OKLAHOMA CITY (April 27th) – Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, secured passage Wednesday of legislation requiring the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) to provide a detailed report on the planned turnpike through eastern Norman and give the Legislature authority to modify the authorization for construction or location of the turnpike. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 29, 2022 at 12:13PM

House passes bill requiring OTA studies, report on proposed Norman turnpike Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Senate approves bill creating tax credit for adoption expenses

Senate approves bill creating tax credit for adoption expenses OKLAHOMA CITY (April 27th) – The full Senate has given approval to a bill creating an income tax credit to help defray some of the costs associated with adoptions.  Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, is the principal Senate author of House Bill 3088.  Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, is principal House author of the measure. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 29, 2022 at 07:55AM

Senate approves bill creating tax credit for adoption expenses Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Oklahoma AG to State Rep: pass legislation to prohibit Stillwater transgender bathroom policy

For more on the controversy over Stillwater Public Schools allowing boys to use the girls' bathrooms, click this link. Here's the latest, with Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor responding to a letter from State Rep. Anthony Moore requesting the AG's office take action: Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office Sends Letter to Rep. Moore to Encourage Passage of Legislation to Protect Oklahoma Students OKLAHOMA CITY (April 27th) - Today, the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General sent a letter to Oklahoma State Representative Anthony Moore encouraging him to pass legislation making clear that school restrooms should be designated based on biological sex for privacy and safety purposes. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 28, 2022 at 05:32PM

Oklahoma AG to State Rep: pass legislation to prohibit Stillwater transgender bathroom policy Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

OSU leaders duck question on 'Drag Queen Story Hour' aimed at TWO-YEAR OLDS

COLLEGE LEADERS DUCK QUESTION ON OSU ‘DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR’ by Ray Carter, Director, Center for Independent Journalism The Oklahoma State University Office of Multicultural Affairs recently announced it was hosting a “Drag Queen Story Hour” that was “geared towards ages 2-8.” Critics said the event amounted to “ideological grooming” of children. Do officials with oversight of state colleges believe the event was a proper use of taxpayer facilities and aligned with OSU’s mission? And if not, what action do they plan to take? For the most part, those officials have adopted a “duck and cover” policy in response. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 28, 2022 at 07:57AM

OSU leaders duck question on 'Drag Queen Story Hour' aimed at TWO-YEAR OLDS Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Sen. Jett: disturbing how the world has been asked to pretend that genitals are a “social construct”

This: What is most astounding is that this was ever in question. The disturbing story is how the world has been asked to pretend that genitals are a “social construct”. https://t.co/T5pL1Sawyk — Shane David Jett (@shanejett) April 27, 2022 Some folks just can’t deal with the fact that no matter how they try to spin it, they can’t alter reality nor the XX and XY chromosomes. — Samuel Ketcher (@samuel_ketcher) April 27, 2022 What a strange, lunatic world we live in... by Jamison Faught - April 27, 2022 at 01:30PM

Sen. Jett: disturbing how the world has been asked to pretend that genitals are a “social construct” Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Legislature passes bill to restrict telemarketing calls

Sounds nice, and also totally unenforceable. 🤷‍♂️ Senate votes to hang up on annoying solicitation calls; sends bill to governor OKLAHOMA CITY (April 26th) – Oklahomans could be getting fewer irritating solicitation calls thanks to legislation unanimously approved Tuesday by the Senate. House Bill 3168, by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, creates the Telephone Solicitation Act of 2022, which would prohibit numerous types of marketing calls and set strict parameters on when others can be made. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 26, 2022 at 08:43PM

Legislature passes bill to restrict telemarketing calls Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Revolt at OCPAC? An abrupt change of tune, apology, and invitation for State Auditor to speak

I posted previously about Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Commitee (OCPAC) President Bob Linn's odd obsession with attacking State Auditor Cindy Byrd. Today, there seems to have been an abrupt change of tune. But first, a little bit of background. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 26, 2022 at 04:00PM

Revolt at OCPAC? An abrupt change of tune, apology, and invitation for State Auditor to speak Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Senate sends three bills honoring Oklahoma’s military heroes to governor

Senate sends trio of bills honoring Oklahoma’s military heroes to governor OKLAHOMA CITY (April 25th) – The Senate approved a trio of bills Monday honoring the service and sacrifice of Oklahoma’s military and their families. Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee chair Frank Simpson, R-Springer, authored the bills to ensure veterans are provided a proper burial and to help Oklahoma’s heroes save money in various areas.    Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 26, 2022 at 11:45AM

Senate sends three bills honoring Oklahoma’s military heroes to governor Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Hofmeister requests Attorney General opinion on Stillwater schools' bathroom policy

When you unmoor reality from objective truth, anything goes. In a truth-anchored world, this would never have become an issue, but our postmodern society, having rejected Biblical truth, continues to plunge into insanity. When that happens, inevitably, history has proven that the first to suffer are women and children. Hofmeister seeks Attorney General opinion regarding Stillwater schools’ restroom policy OKLAHOMA CITY (April 23, 2022) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister has requested a formal binding opinion from the state Attorney General in the wake of questions surrounding the restroom policy at Stillwater Public Schools. That district’s school board has asked for clear legal guidance from the State of Oklahoma on whether the district may continue allowing transgender individuals to use the school restroom that corresponds to their gender identity. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 26, 2022 at 08:05AM

Hofmeister requests Attorney General opinion on Stillwater schools' bathroom policy Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Sen. Lankford releases newest government waste report

Continuing the late Dr. Tom Coburn's Wastebook legacy, U.S. Senator James Lankford is out with his sixth edition of Federal Fumbles, chronicling wasteful government spending. Lankford Releases Government Waste Report Click here to download a copy of Federal Fumbles, Vol. 6. WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced the sixth volume of his federal waste book, Federal Fumbles: Ways the government dropped the ball. The report highlights waste and inefficiency in the federal government and offers solutions and recommendations for long-term changes that need to begin immediately. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 25, 2022 at 07:30PM

Sen. Lankford releases newest government waste report Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Small: School-board election reform will empower parents

School-board election reform will empower parents By Jonathan Small Recently, the Stillwater Board of Education announced it will not change course on its policy of allowing boys to use the girls’ bathrooms unless given “no choice” by state officials. They took that stance despite countless requests to change course from Stillwater parents and the fact that the rare non-gender-conforming student can easily use a single-stall bathroom at the school. The Stillwater board stuck with recommendations from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister’s agency and ignored both parent wishes and actual legal requirements. For parents who wonder why local school boards—not just in Oklahoma, but nationwide—seem increasingly indifferent to the needs of student families, one answer can be found in the fact that most school-board elections are in the spring, which results in very low turnout. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 23, 2022 at 11:15AM

Small: School-board election reform will empower parents Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Legislature passes bill limiting birth certificates to biological fact of male or female

Truth prevails. Male, Female Birth Certificate Designation Passes House OKLAHOMA CITY (April 21st) – Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa, today secured passage of a bill that will limit the biological sex designation on an Oklahoma birth certificate to male or female. Senate Bill 1100 would prohibit the designation of nonbinary as an option on birth certificates issued in the state. "People are free to believe whatever they want about their identity, but science has determined people are either biologically male or female at birth," Dills said. "We want clarity and truth on official state documents. Information should be based on established medical fact and not an ever-changing social dialogue." Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 22, 2022 at 11:06AM

Legislature passes bill limiting birth certificates to biological fact of male or female Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

TW Shannon signs Term Limits pledge

For years, Oklahoma's two U.S. Senators took diametrically opposed stances on term limits. Tom Coburn was the poster child for principled support of congressional term limits, going further than mere lip service and self-imposing them on himself. Jim Inhofe, however, much like with his vehement support of earmarks, disdained the idea of term limits. Markwayne Mullin infamously broke his own term limits pledge, and continues to stumble and bumble as he tries to explain away why he did so (see Mullin: my term limits pledge didn't matter because "my life experience changed"). One can only assume that Luke Holland, Inhofe's hand-picked successor, has similar views on term limits (and earmarks) to his boss. T.W. Shannon joins fellow Senate hopefuls Alex Gray and Nathan Dahm in signing the U.S. Term Limits Pledge, vowing to co-sponsor and vote for a term limits constitutional amendment. Should be an interesting showdown in the Senate primary. Shannon Signs Term Limits Pledge “We must fix the broken Beltway culture of entitlement created by entrenched incumbent privilege” Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 22, 2022 at 08:06AM

TW Shannon signs Term Limits pledge Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Bill to improve transparency of state contracts heads to governor

Bill to improve transparency of state contracts heads to governor OKLAHOMA CITY (April 19th) – The Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday to provide more transparency of state service contracts. Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, is the principal Senate author of House Bill 3484, which would require state agencies accepting a service contract, whether bid or no bid, to list the city, state, and country in which the services will be provided. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 20, 2022 at 02:33PM

Bill to improve transparency of state contracts heads to governor Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Gann: Is OK leadership willing to ignore liberty and capitalism to “Go Green”?

Oklahoma Going Green to Land a “Big Deal” by State Rep. Tom Gann Leadership in the State of Oklahoma has been on a fishing expedition to land a "Big One" to propel Oklahoma into a "diverse" energy economy. This effort has resulted in a proposal to include huge taxpayer dollar giveaways, but it could implement Biden's "Green New Deal."   Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 18, 2022 at 03:15PM

Gann: Is OK leadership willing to ignore liberty and capitalism to “Go Green”? Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

After case of bird flu in wild duck, Health Dep't shares safety tips on raising backyard poultry

OSDH Shares Biosecurity Tips on Safely Raising Backyard Poultry After First Case of Avian Influenza was Detected in a Wild Duck in Oklahoma OKLAHOMA CITY – Each year, as spring arrives, many people begin or continue raising backyard poultry flocks. These flocks have been gaining in popularity over the past several years and interest in them continues to grow.  “The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) wants to remind flock owners to learn about and practice essential prevention measures to minimize the risk of disease transmission, known as biosecurity,” said LeMac’ Morris, the State’s Public Health Veterinarian. “Biosecurity practices are vital in protecting not only your own birds, but neighboring flocks as well as our nation’s commercial poultry industry, from diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).” Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 18, 2022 at 11:37AM

After case of bird flu in wild duck, Health Dep't shares safety tips on raising backyard poultry Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Parents urge Stillwater School Board to change policy allowing male students to use girl's bathrooms

MOTHERS URGE CHANGE TO STILLWATER BATHROOM POLICY by Ray Carter, Center for Independent Journalism During the public-comment portion of the April 12 meeting of the Stillwater Board of Education, many parents urged the district to change its policy allowing transgender students—males who identify as female—to use the girls’ bathrooms. Several mothers noted their own experience as adolescents, stressing that girls face significant emotional challenges during puberty that will only be made worse if they are forced to share bathroom spaces with males. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 18, 2022 at 07:45AM

Parents urge Stillwater School Board to change policy allowing male students to use girl's bathrooms Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

"The Numbers Don't Lie": State Auditor to present audit facts at OK2A meeting

State Auditor Cindy Byrd has been the subject of a whisper campaign by OCPAC President Bob Linn, alleging misconduct in several audits in recent years by the State Auditor's office (namely, Epic Charter Schools and the Oklahoma State Department of Health). Cathy Costello recently weighed in on OCPAC's agitation against State Auditor Byrd, taking a sabbatical from her frequent invites to sing at OCPAC meetings over an encounter with a guest speaker who was brought in to attack Byrd. Linn has seemingly refused to have Byrd come to OCPAC to present her defense to his attacks, but the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association is evidently willing to hear her side. Byrd will be speaking at the OK2A meeting this Tuesday evening in Oklahoma City. Details below:   by Jamison Faught - April 17, 2022 at 08:30PM

"The Numbers Don't Lie": State Auditor to present audit facts at OK2A meeting Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

OCPA column: Statesmen show up at Capitol

Statesmen show up at Capitol By Jonathan Small They say a statesman thinks of the next generation, not the next election. Oklahoma citizens owe a debt of gratitude to those statesmen who still serve in the Legislature and just gutted a self-dealing bill that would have enriched politicians while saddling Oklahoma taxpayers with greater debt. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 17, 2022 at 02:29PM

OCPA column: Statesmen show up at Capitol Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Lankford, Cruz move to stop Biden ATF's anti-gun rules

Lankford, Cruz, Colleagues Move to Protect Americans’ Second Amendment Rights OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (April 14th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to announce they will introduce a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to prohibit President Biden’s Department of Justice from implementing a new rule to expand firearm definitions. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 16, 2022 at 04:15PM

Lankford, Cruz move to stop Biden ATF's anti-gun rules Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

TW Shannon reports raising $400K in first 3 weeks of Senate campaign

I'll get to the rest of the field later (13 Republicans filed for this race!), but former State House Speaker T.W. Shannon reports in the following press release that he raised almost $400k in his first few weeks of campaigning.  Shannon Raises Nearly $400K in First Three Weeks Oklahoma City – Former Oklahoma Speaker of the House and banking CEO T.W. Shannon today announced he raised nearly $400,000 in a three-week period following the official announcement of his Republican candidacy for the United States Senate. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 15, 2022 at 05:23PM

TW Shannon reports raising $400K in first 3 weeks of Senate campaign Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

U.S. Senate candidate Alex Gray announces campaign team

UNITED STATES SENATE CANDIDATE ALEX GRAY ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN TEAM Press release, Oklahoma City, OK (April 11th) – Today, former Trump national security official and U.S. Senate candidate Alex Gray has announced the additions of key members to his campaign team. Gray has brought on Chris Wilson of WPA Intelligence as Senior Advisor, Rory McShane of McShane LLC as General Consultant, Robert Aho of Brabendor Cox as Media Consultant, and Somerlyn Cothran as Finance Consultant. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 12, 2022 at 11:24AM

U.S. Senate candidate Alex Gray announces campaign team Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

OCPA praises Senators for rejecting scheme to boost politicians' retirement

I posted previously about the fiasco retirement bill passed by the House [Bad idea: State House votes to roll back pension reforms, return to same bad system that got into trouble]. OCPA slammed the measure late last week, saying “Oklahoma families face many real challenges today, but an insufficiently lavish retirement plan for politicians is not one of them.” The disastrous measure was authored by State Rep. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee), who also happens to be running for Congress. Frix has a history of pandering to government unions on this issue, and this vote coincides with the launch of his campaign for Congress.  State Sen. Marty Quinn (R-Claremore), also running for Congress, rightly opposed Frix's bill language in committee. Read more: OCPA praises Senators for rejecting retirement scheme OKLAHOMA CITY (April 11, 2022)—Members of the Senate took a strong stand against legislative self-dealing today by rejecting a House effort to quietly boost retirement benefits for state politicians, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small said today. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 12, 2022 at 08:24AM

OCPA praises Senators for rejecting scheme to boost politicians' retirement Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Sec. of Education Ryan Walters urges Stillwater School Board to end current (insane) bathroom policy

Oklahoma Secretary of Education Ryan Walters issued the following statement in relation to the stewing conflict over in Stillwater (and elsewhere) over the immoral insanity of allowing bathroom access based on "gender identity" rather than biology. The letters from Walters, and one from Attorney General John O'Connor rebuking State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister's interpretation, will be posted below the press release. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RYAN WALTERS SENDS LETTERS TO STILLWATER SCHOOL BOARD AND ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN O'CONNOR Secretary Ryan Walters sent two letters ahead of the Stillwater School Board's Tuesday meeting. One letter was sent to the Stillwater School Board and urged the board to take action and end its current bathroom policy that allows students to choose the bathroom that aligns with their self-proclaimed gender identity and not biology. A second letter was sent to Attorney General John O'Connor, asking the Attorney General's office to get involved and stop the board's current bathroom policy. Attorney General O'Connor did send a letter to Superintendent Washington outlining that there is no legal precedent that permits biological males into women's restrooms based on their gender identity and vice versa. A copy of all three letters can be found below. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 11, 2022 at 01:24PM

Sec. of Education Ryan Walters urges Stillwater School Board to end current (insane) bathroom policy Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico