Senate Pro Tem Treat names members of Economic Development Select Committee

Senate Pro Tem Treat Names Members of Economic Development Select Committee, Announces First Meeting Date OKLAHOMA CITY (March 25th) – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today named the members of his previously announced senate economic development select committee and announced the first meeting date. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 26, 2023 at 01:35PM

Senate Pro Tem Treat names members of Economic Development Select Committee Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Bill protecting PreK-5 students from sexual content passes State House

Bill Protecting PreK-5 Students from Sexual Content Passes House OKLAHOMA CITY (March 21st) – Rep. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa, today passed a bill in the House that would prohibit any classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades preK-5. Any classroom instruction on these topics in grades 6-12 must be age appropriate for students. "Conversations about a young child's sexual orientation or gender are best addressed between the child and their parents," O'Donnell said. "This measure is intended to protect a parent's fundamental right of being in charge of the narrative and dialogue on these topics and frankly over everything their child is learning in school."    O'Donnell said a parent could still choose to involve an educator in these discussions, but the measure would preclude broader classroom instruction on these matters. House Bill 2546 specifies that classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity shall not occur in pre-kindergarten through grade five or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students. O'Donnell said the bill is similar to Florida's Parental Rights Act passed last year. He said other states also are pursuing similar legislation and it has the support of parents. His bill does not prohibit sex education courses in older grades, but parents do have the option of opting out their child from such instruction. HB 2546 now moves to the state Senate where it is authored by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville. Terry O'Donnell serves District 23 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes parts of Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner counties. OCPA praises House lawmakers for defending parents’ rights OKLAHOMA CITY (March  23, 2023)— Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small today praised members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for voting to prevent school officials from discussing sexual issues with young children. Earlier this week, House lawmakers approved House Bill 2546, by state Rep. Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa. The bill simply states, “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity shall not occur in kindergarten through grade five or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.” “Passage of this bill is a win for parents’ rights,” Small said. “Parents should have the right to determine the time, place and manner that issues like sexual orientation and gender identity will be discussed with their children. And most Oklahomans agree such discussions are inappropriate for the youngest children, such as those in kindergarten.” The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs is a free-market think tank that works to advance principles and policies that support free enterprise, limited government, individual initiative and personal responsibility. by Jamison Faught - March 26, 2023 at 07:25AM

Bill protecting PreK-5 students from sexual content passes State House Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

House, Senate pass multiple bills to reform and tighten marijuana laws

This past week was a busy one in the Legislature as it relates to approving legislation addressing marijuana reforms. Since the recreational marijuana state question went down in flames, legislators have made it clear that they interpret the results as voters indicating that medical program is in need of reining in. I've bundled several press releases on related legislation into this post. Read on down to get the following: Senate approves bill (SB 808) to allow OMMA director to shut down marijuana operations causing environmental damage Attorney General Drummond lauds passage of bills (HB 2095, SBs 806 and 913) targeting illegal marijuana grow operations Municipalities to gain greater control over marijuana business zoning under bill (SB 801) passed by Senate Senate passes marijuana reforms to better protect youth and patients (SBs 437, 440, 439, 264, 645, 813) Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 25, 2023 at 11:15PM

House, Senate pass multiple bills to reform and tighten marijuana laws Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

State Senate votes to codify birth control access

It really is Orwellian 'newspeak' to call drugs and treatments that are oftentimes abortifacient (destroying life after fertilization) "pro-family". Senate Republican women push protections for birth control access OKLAHOMA CITY (March 23rd) – The Senate overwhelmingly passed a pro-family measure Wednesday that protects women’s freedom to access birth control. Senate Bill 368, by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, includes protections for contraceptive drugs, surgeries such as tubal ligation, and other treatments provided by authorized healthcare providers. It passed in the Senate with a 40-7 vote and now goes to the Oklahoma House of Representatives for consideration. All five Republican women in the Senate voted in favor of the bill.   Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 24, 2023 at 05:34PM

State Senate votes to codify birth control access Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

State Rep. Hasenbeck's 'Women's Bill of Rights' passes State House

Hasenbeck Passes Women's Bill of Rights OKLAHOMA CITY (March 23rd) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved the Women's Bill of Rights, preserving biological sex as a distinct legal category. Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, authored House Bill 1449, which clarifies how people of both biological sexes are treated under state law by defining 'sex' as a person's biological sex, whether male or female, at birth. It also forbids unfair sex discrimination but allows for recognition of the differences between sex on issues related to biology, privacy, safety or fairness. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 24, 2023 at 03:57PM

State Rep. Hasenbeck's 'Women's Bill of Rights' passes State House Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Drooling over more tax revenue, House passes bill to legalize sports betting

As I've said before (sarcastically, of course)... if there's just one thing Oklahoma needs more of, it's gambling. 🙄 House Approves Sports Betting OKLAHOMA CITY (March 21st) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives gave the stamp of approval Tuesday to legislation to legalize sports betting and potentially bring in over $9 million a year to the state budget. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 21, 2023 at 09:38PM

Drooling over more tax revenue, House passes bill to legalize sports betting Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Bill protecting state pensions from ESG policies passes State House

Bill Protecting State Pensions from ESG Policies Passes House OKLAHOMA CITY (March 20th) – Rep. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa, today passed a bill in the House designed to continue protections of state pension funds from strategies that would be harmful to the state's energy industry. House Bill 2547 would prevent any state-run pension fund from delegating its votes by proxy to entities that do not subscribe to Oklahoma's investment strategy as outlined in the measure. The bill is a follow-up to legislation co-authored by O'Donnell last year that restricts the investment of Oklahoma pension funds by firms that adopt strategies akin to Environmental Social Governance (ESG). Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 21, 2023 at 01:53PM

Bill protecting state pensions from ESG policies passes State House Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Congressman Brecheen speaks on House floor about the gravity of our national debt

Congressman Josh Brecheen Speaks on the Gravity of our National Debt During First House Floor Speech This text has been adapted from Congressman Josh Brecheen’s first House floor speech. You can watch the full speech here, or below. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 21, 2023 at 08:30AM

Congressman Brecheen speaks on House floor about the gravity of our national debt Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Rep. Olsen: Fallacies abound in Pro-Abortion Bill – Senate Bill 834

Fallacies abound in Pro-Abortion Bill – Senate Bill 834 By State Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) Senate Bill 834 is the pro-abortion bill that Oklahomans For Life Chairman Tony Lauinger is pushing hard for, but is probably dead for this session.  There are numerous fallacies associated with this bill.  Here are just a few. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 20, 2023 at 11:04AM

Rep. Olsen: Fallacies abound in Pro-Abortion Bill – Senate Bill 834 Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Donald Trump coming to Tulsa this evening for NCAA Wrestling Championships

Former President Donald Trump will be in Tulsa this evening as a personal guest of U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin at the NCAA Wrestling Championships at the BOK Center. Mullin endorsed Trump's 2024 presidential campaign early last month, becoming the fifth sitting Senator to do so. The Tulsa County GOP is organizing a welcome party: Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 18, 2023 at 11:38AM

Donald Trump coming to Tulsa this evening for NCAA Wrestling Championships Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

House sends bill requiring school districts approve intra-district transfers to Senate

House Republicans Send Intra-District Transfer Policy to Senate OKLAHOMA CITY (March 14th) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today gave approval to legislation that would make Oklahoma the first state to implement all five recommended open enrollment best practices for public K-12 schools. House Bill 1936, authored by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, requires school districts to approve all intra-district transfers unless the grade level of the receiving school is at capacity. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 17, 2023 at 04:44PM

House sends bill requiring school districts approve intra-district transfers to Senate Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Pugh's education reform bills pass Senate by overwhelming margins

Pugh’s education reforms pass Senate overwhelmingly OKLAHOMA CITY (March 14th) – The Senate overwhelmingly gave its bipartisan support Tuesday to the first round of major education reforms that will be moving through the process this session. Senate Education Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee chairman Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, authored the bills after months of meetings with educators, parents and other stakeholders about how to best improve Oklahoma’s education system. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 17, 2023 at 11:53AM

Pugh's education reform bills pass Senate by overwhelming margins Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Hamilton's bill to raise pay for election day poll workers passes Senate

Senate approves pay increase for election day poll workers OKLAHOMA CITY (March 14th) – The full Senate approved Sen. Warren Hamilton’s bill to increase compensation for poll workers in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 290 would increase pay for election inspectors from $110 to $225 and pay for judges and clerks would double from $100 to $200. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 17, 2023 at 08:49AM

Hamilton's bill to raise pay for election day poll workers passes Senate Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

AG Drummond asks State Auditor to perform investigative audit of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

This should make Gary Richardson happy. Or, as I saw someone else say, the first step to Making Turnpikes Free Again? Drummond requests investigative audit of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority OKLAHOMA CITY (March 15, 2023) – Amid swirling allegations involving the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA), Attorney General Gentner Drummond today requested that state Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd conduct an investigative audit of the agency. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 16, 2023 at 08:32PM

AG Drummond asks State Auditor to perform investigative audit of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

OCPA supports drivers licenses for illegals because they're "already driving on our roads"

I admit to being somewhat baffled about the state of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs in recent years. I was troubled by the antagonism and outright hostility they displayed toward valid concerns by the homeschool community last year when OCPA was pushing a "school choice" bill by Sen. Greg Treat. This was followed by the stunning announcement that OCPA supports expanding the sales tax to include services in Oklahoma, a multi-billion dollar tax hike primarily on the backs of small businesses. Now? OCPA is seemingly abandoning all good sense and advocating in favor of giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants because... "these people are already driving on our roads" and pay taxes? There's been some serious compromise on their espoused conservative principles, and my bet is that it's likely driven by the folks with the purse strings that keep their lights on (for example, they've received millions over the years from groups like the Walton Family Foundation, which advocates liberal views of immigration). Tremendously disappointing. Read on for to see the serious disconnect in OCPA's logic for yourself: Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 15, 2023 at 07:32AM

OCPA supports drivers licenses for illegals because they're "already driving on our roads" Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

State Senate approves bill adding first responders to school security drills

Senate approves bill adding first responders to school security drills OKLAHOMA CITY (March 13th) – The Senate has vote unanimously for legislation to help improve the effectiveness of school security drills in Oklahoma.  Senate Bill 169, by Sen. Todd Gollihare, would require first responders to be on scene and directly involved in at least one security drill a year. Current state law requires all public schools to conduct at least four security drills each school year.  Additional drills may be conducted at the discretion of the district.  Gollihare, R-Kellyville, said involving the first responders, who would be part of an actual emergency, will help enhance the effectiveness of these drills. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 13, 2023 at 08:43PM

State Senate approves bill adding first responders to school security drills Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

State Senate approves bill to remove state park entry fees

Bill to remove state park entry fees approved by full Senate OKLAHOMA CITY (March 10th) – Senate Bill 637 was approved by the Senate on Wednesday. Burns’ bill eliminates state park entry fees with the exception of motor homes and travel trailers. The fees are not to exceed $8. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 12, 2023 at 02:13PM

State Senate approves bill to remove state park entry fees Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Rep. Olsen: The wrong kind of history is being made in the Pro-Life movement

The wrong kind of history is being made in the Pro-Life movement By State Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) Something unprecedented is happening in the Pro-Life movement. What do I mean?  Am I speaking of the overturning of Roe v. Wade last summer?  That was wonderful news, but no, that's not what I am referring to. I am actually speaking about some very bad news. First, let me give the background here.  Last year, the Oklahoma Legislature passed two outstanding bills to protect innocent, unborn life.  HB 4327 addressed civil law.  It was much like the Texas law on abortion that allowed civil lawsuits.  Our law was even better, because it went all the way back to conception, the beginning of life. The other bill we passed addressed criminal law.  SB 612 made abortion a felony, with punishments up to 10 years in prison, and a fine up to $100,000. These two bills combined make us the strongest state in the union to defend innocent, unborn life.  This is where we always wanted to be.  It is a dream come true! So, what is the bad news then?  The bad news is that there is an organization that wants to weaken, water down, and partially dismantle our strongly pro-life laws.  Senate Bill 834 is a pro-choice bill that would add several exceptions to our laws against abortion, repeal our law against self-induced abortion, and protect contraceptives that act as abortifacients.  This is a significant loosening of our current law. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 10, 2023 at 08:45PM

Rep. Olsen: The wrong kind of history is being made in the Pro-Life movement Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

State House passes bills to allow ACT retake and examine graduation requirements

House Passes Bills to Allow ACT Retake and Examine Graduation Requirements OKLAHOMA CITY (March 9th) – The House on Wednesday passed two bills to give high school seniors an additional opportunity to retake the ACT and to modernize state graduation requirements. House Bills 2673 and 2675 are authored by Rep. Rhonda Baker, chair of the House Common Education Committee. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 10, 2023 at 06:59PM

State House passes bills to allow ACT retake and examine graduation requirements Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

State Senate votes to strengthen law against illegal foreign ownership of Oklahoma land

Senate votes to strengthen law against illegal foreign ownership of Oklahoma land OKLAHOMA CITY (March 8th) – A measure to stop the illegal purchase of Oklahoma land passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, worked with the attorney general’s office in crafting Senate Bill 212 to keep non-U.S. citizens from directly or indirectly, through a business entity or trust, owning land in the state unless otherwise authorized by law. “Oklahoma land is as rich for growing crops as it is with the heritage of hard-working people.  It is no wonder a lot of people want land here, including those from other countries,” Bullard said. “It is not an excuse to allow foreign nationals to buy up one of our most valuable resources, especially when they are cartels and from communist parties. We cannot continue to auction our state off to the highest criminal bidder.” Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 09, 2023 at 02:14PM

State Senate votes to strengthen law against illegal foreign ownership of Oklahoma land Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

In wake of recreational defeat, senators call for guardrails on medical marijuana program

Sen. Garvin calls for more guardrails on medical marijuana program after recreational defeat OKLAHOMA CITY (March 8th) - On the heels of Oklahomans’ overwhelming defeat of State Question 820 that would have legalized recreational marijuana, Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, Wednesday said the result of the recent election shows the state’s medical program needs reformed. With more than 61% of voters rejecting the state question, not a single county voted in favor of the measure. Opposition to the question included industry leaders, educators, law enforcement officials and community leaders. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 09, 2023 at 11:08AM

In wake of recreational defeat, senators call for guardrails on medical marijuana program Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Oklahomans vote down recreational marijuana as SQ 820 fails in dramatic fashion

Recreational marijuana went up in flames, as Oklahoma voters on Tuesday gave State Question 820 a smashing defeat. In stunning fashion, the measure failed to win a single county in the state, despite millions of dollars spent by the 'Yes' side. The final vote was 216,883 (38.32%) for the proposal, and 349,121 (61.68%) against the proposal. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 09, 2023 at 07:35AM

Oklahomans vote down recreational marijuana as SQ 820 fails in dramatic fashion Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

State House passes bill to allow vehicle registration every 2 years

House Passes Davis Bill to Allow Vehicle Registration Every Two Years OKLAHOMA CITY  (March 6th) – The House on Monday unanimously passed a bill that would allow personal vehicle owners the option of registering their personal vehicles every two years instead of just annually. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 08, 2023 at 11:39PM

State House passes bill to allow vehicle registration every 2 years Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

SQ 820: Early election returns show recreational marijuana falling well short of passage

The results are coming in, and the early trend leans toward State Question 820 (recreational marijuana legalization) falling short of passage. Let's compare absentee and early vote totals from tonight versus 2018's State Question 788 (medical marijuana legalization). Some caveats: SQ788 was a June primary in a gubernatorial election year, while SQ820 is a March primary as the lone ballot item statewide; turnout will be vastly different, but pay attention to the percentages. Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 07, 2023 at 07:59PM

SQ 820: Early election returns show recreational marijuana falling well short of passage Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

AG Drummond on marijuana: will we let this state be invaded by Mexican cartels, Chinese operatives?

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond had some sharp words to say about the crime invasion Oklahoma has been experiencing with the marijuana industry, which is sure to increase if State Question 820 passes today and brings full-on recreational marijuana to our state: Oklahoma’s new chief law enforcement officer says the state’s inundation with illegal marijuana production and distribution has unleashed significant new challenges to public safety and general law and order. Voters will decide Tuesday whether it should be legal to possess and grow marijuana for personal, recreational use in the state. In his first appearance at the Tulsa Press Club since being sworn into office, Attorney General Gentner Drummond said that for him, “The question is not shall we smoke or not smoke marijuana. The question is: Will we let this state be invaded by Mexican cartels, Central American cartels and Chinese operatives that are absolutely destroying our state?” Read more » by Jamison Faught - March 07, 2023 at 08:32AM

AG Drummond on marijuana: will we let this state be invaded by Mexican cartels, Chinese operatives? Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico