AFP-OK celebrates historic education tax credit

Oklahoma Celebrates Historic Education Tax Credit Oklahoma City, OK (May 19th) – Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma released the following statement following the final passage and procedural motions which sends HB 1934, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act to Governor Kevin Stitt.  AFP State Director John Tidwell commented: “Simply put, kids win. This truly historic education tax credit will change the lives of generations of Oklahoma kids. Families finally have real choice in the school that best meets their needs.  Read more » by Jamison Faught - May 23, 2023 at 09:48PM

AFP-OK celebrates historic education tax credit Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Rep. Olsen warns: pro-abortion bill makes late-session reappearance

Pro-Abortion Bill SB 834 transforms into Pro-Abortion SB 368 By State Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) Before the reversal of Roe v Wade, virtually every Republican voted for some kind of abortion limitations, and the argument was "If it saves even one baby, it's worth it."  Now, among a few of the more liberal Republicans , the refrain has changed to "If we sacrifice a few, we can save many." In Senate Bill 834, this session has seen a strong battle on whether we need to loosen up and compromise our abortion laws and allow the brutal murder of some portion of our babies.  Ostensibly, this would give us some protection against a state question that could legalize abortion on demand, wide open.  This line of thought advocates that if we allowed the slaughter of perhaps 200 babies per year, this would save the larger number that would be killed in wide open abortion on demand.  The extermination of the approximately 200 babies would have been allowed on the basis of the mother being a victim of rape or incest. As we have argued in the past, these terrible crimes are not the fault of the baby.  The baby's essential humanity and right to life is not contingent upon the quality of her parents.  The baby is not guilty of any crime meriting the death penalty. The baby has a right to life! Read more » by Jamison Faught - May 21, 2023 at 08:18AM

Rep. Olsen warns: pro-abortion bill makes late-session reappearance Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Small: OETA doesn’t need state subsidies

I've enjoyed a lot of OETA/PBS content over the years; nature programs, historical documentaries, chilren's shows, classic films on the OETA Movie Club. My wife and I really enjoy the geneological show Finding Your Roots. But here's the thing. Is it really the proper role of government to fund public broadcasting? I don't think it is. OETA, and PBS, and NPR - all of them can function apart from taxpayer funding. In the wake of Gov. Stitt's veto of OETA's reauthorization, a lot of media stations and personalities have decried the move. Perhaps they could step up to the plate and fund OETA/PBS much like C-SPAN is funded by the cable industry. Here's a column by OCPA President Jonathan Small on the matter: OETA doesn’t need state subsidies By Jonathan Small Gov. Kevin Stitt’s decision to veto reauthorization of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), the state’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) entity, has critics acting as though the sky is falling and that Big Bird is on his last legs. Neither view is true. Big Bird will still be around even without Oklahoma government funding, as proven by the fact that 14 other states do not provide direct state funding to PBS stations. There are no reports of children aimless wandering the streets of those states without access to any educational programming. Read more » by Jamison Faught - May 11, 2023 at 11:53AM

Small: OETA doesn’t need state subsidies Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Gov. Stitt signs executive orders aimed at shrinking government, improving efficiency

GOVERNOR STITT TAKES ACTION TO SHRINK GOVERNMENT, IMPROVE EFFICIENCY OKLAHOMA CITY (May 8, 2023) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt signed three executive orders aimed at creating a leaner, more effective state government that delivers better services to Oklahomans. "As a conservative, I believe in smaller government, so I am proud to sign these executive orders today to reduce the size of government and be better stewards of taxpayer dollars," said Governor Stitt. Read more » by Jamison Faught - May 11, 2023 at 08:53AM

Gov. Stitt signs executive orders aimed at shrinking government, improving efficiency Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Measure aimed at cutting red tape for family home child care facilities signed into law

Measure Aimed at Cutting Red Tape for Small Business Strengthens Child Care Access For Oklahoma Families Signed into Law  Bill Author Says the New Law  is a “Common Sense” Solution to Real Problems Families Face Navigating Overburdened Child Care System OKLAHOMA CITY (May 4th) – A bill by freshman Tulsa State Representative Suzanne Schreiber, aimed at cutting red tape for family home childcare and thereby easing the burden Oklahoma families face accessing child care in order to stay in the workforce.  The measure was signed  by Governor Kevin Stitt on Tuesday and is set to become law in November.  Read more » by Jamison Faught - May 05, 2023 at 04:59PM

Measure aimed at cutting red tape for family home child care facilities signed into law Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Bill aimed at getting to the root of catalytic converter theft set to become law in November

Bill Aimed at Getting to the Root of Catalytic Converter Theft Set to Become Law in November Bill Author Says the Measure is a “Common Sense” Solution to a Growing Crime Costing Oklahoma Families Thousands of Dollars and Creating Public Safety Risks OKLAHOMA CITY (May 3rd) – A bill authored by Tulsa freshman State Representative Suzanne Schreiber aimed at empowering law enforcement to enact forfeiture measures associated with the theft of catalytic converters and copper will become law in November after clearing all legislative hurdles. Schreiber said she was informed about the issue by her predecessor, former state representative Carol Bush, who had worked to combat catalytic converter theft during her time in office. Read more » by Jamison Faught - May 05, 2023 at 02:52PM

Bill aimed at getting to the root of catalytic converter theft set to become law in November Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

State Rep. Fetgatter to pursue better protection for sexual assault victims after Henryetta tragedy

Fetgatter to Initiate Protection Law after Henryetta Tragedy OKLAHOMA CITY (May 3rd) – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, in 2019 secured passage of a law to protect sexual assault victims from their predators. He's now pursuing legislation to better protect potential victims. House Bill 1881 was named Kaylee's Law after a constituent in Fetgatter's House District 16. It directs the courts to issue orders of no contact from people convicted of sexual abuse or exploitation crimes to their victims. It was named for a young woman who received a birthday card, pictures and newspaper clippings talking about how beautiful she'd grown up to be from the man accused of sexually assaulting her while he was serving time in prison. After this week's news of the horrific finding of seven bodies in Henryetta believed to be those of a convicted rapist, his wife and stepchildren and two unrelated teenage girls, Fetgatter said it is time he pursues a stronger law. This one must not only protect victims but potential victims as well, he said. "I've moved from the initial grief and overwhelming sorrow I felt on learning the news of this terrible crime," Fetgatter said. "Now I'm angry. I'm furious this man was ever let out of prison with his conviction of rape and new charges of sexually soliciting a minor while he was still in state custody." Read more » by Jamison Faught - May 04, 2023 at 09:15PM

State Rep. Fetgatter to pursue better protection for sexual assault victims after Henryetta tragedy Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Brecheen introduces the 'DRIVE Act' to protect ranchers, farmers, and truckers from Biden overreach

Congressman Josh Brecheen Introduces The DRIVE Act To Protect Ranchers, Farmers, and Truckers from Biden Overreach Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Josh Brecheen introduced the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act, which would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from implementing any rule or regulation requiring vehicles over 26,000 pounds that are engaged in interstate commerce to be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a maximum speed. The rule would negatively impact both the agricultural and trucking industries and include vehicles like semi-trucks, livestock trailer/truck combos, grain trucks, and other large commercial vehicles. See more examples of vehicles impacted here. Read more » by Jamison Faught - May 04, 2023 at 08:43PM

Brecheen introduces the 'DRIVE Act' to protect ranchers, farmers, and truckers from Biden overreach Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Small: Talking points against school choice don't hold up

Talking points don’t hold up By Jonathan Small In education, two talking points are constantly touted by status-quo defenders. First, if we spend more money on the state-run public-school system, our negative education outcomes will make a turnaround. Second, most families don’t need other choices because they are already “choosing” their local public school. Neither talking point holds up—as two status-quo defenders recently acknowledged (even if unintentionally). Read more » by Jamison Faught - May 02, 2023 at 03:40PM

Small: Talking points against school choice don't hold up Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico