State House passes bill prohibiting “Critical Race Theory” curriculum in public education systems

Critical Race Theory (here's a brief primer on it from Pulpit & Pen, plus some more videos and podcasts on it from Todd Friel and Wretched) is going to destroy American society unless leaders rise up and speak out against this Marxist ideology that is sweeping through the education and entertainment industries.  Kudos to the Oklahoma Legislature for taking a stab at this issue. In this post: press release from the authors of the measure, press release from House Democrats who are just appalled at it [insert shocked face], and supportive comments from OCPA President Jonathan Small. Bill Prohibiting “Critical Race Theory” Curriculum Passes House OKLAHOMA CITY – A House bill, amended in the state Senate, that will prohibit Oklahoma public schools, colleges and universities from incorporating certain messages about sex and race into any course instruction earned final passage in the House today. The bill also will prohibit requiring mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling in the schools. House Bill 1775 is authored by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 30, 2021 at 08:36AM

State House passes bill prohibiting “Critical Race Theory” curriculum in public education systems Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Memorial service for Tom Coburn to be held Saturday

March 28th marked a full year since the passing of former U.S. Senator and longtime Muskogee family physician Dr. Tom Coburn. The family has announced a public memorial service to be held this Saturday morning in Tulsa.Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 29, 2021 at 04:26PM

Memorial service for Tom Coburn to be held Saturday Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Governor Stitt signs pro-life 'Heartbeat Bill'

Governor Stitt continues to tout his willingness to sign any pro-life bill that makes it to his desk. I'm more convinced than ever that the truly consistent and committed pro-life position should be to abolish abortion now and end the incremental/regulation strategy that has dominated the pro-life effort for the last five decades. If we're willing to fight for a heartbeat bill, or requiring abortionists to be OB-GYNs, or whatever other bill fits the description of "pro-life" these days, let's [figuratively] fight for real and go for full-blown abolition. Governor Signs Heartbeat Bill OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Stitt this week signed a bill that will stop abortions from being performed once an unborn child is determined to have a detectable heartbeat. House Bill 2441 by Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, would allow for abortion only if a medical emergency exists that threatens the life of the mother. “All life is precious and deserves to be safeguarded,” Russ said. “This law will decrease the number of abortions performed in our state and protect the lives of innocent unborn babies. I’m thankful to all who helped accomplish this.” Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, the Senate author of the legislation, secured passage of the bill in that chamber. "I believe life begins at conception, but with the detection of a fetal heartbeat no one can doubt that the baby in the womb is alive and must be protected.  HB 2441 will do just that,” Daniels said.  “I am grateful to the members of both chambers and to Governor Stitt for supporting this legislation.” Minister, Paul Abner, president of the group Oklahoma Faith Leaders, was a significant advocate and voice for the faith community of Oklahoma, expressing support of this measure at the state Capitol. "If we've learned anything during this past year, it is the value of human life. We've seen an incredible movement across the United States and the world to protect it,” Abner said. Still we continue to neglect those who have no voice - the unborn. But yesterday, Oklahoma took a huge leap toward defending the sanctity of life, as Governor Kevin Stitt signed HB 2441 into law. Thankfully, Rep. Todd Russ had the courage to introduce this legislation, commonly known as the heartbeat bill. The faith leaders whom I represent boldly supported this legislation and worked diligently to get it passed. We are incredibly grateful to all of our state legislators who helped vote this important legislation into law and stood up for life in Oklahoma.” HB 2441 requires reasonable medical judgment to determine that a mother has a condition that so complicates her medical condition that it necessitates the abortion of her pregnancy to avert her death or serious or irreparable physical harm to her. Todd Russ represents District 55 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes Roger Mills and Washita counties and parts of Beckham Greer and Kiowa counties. by Jamison Faught - April 28, 2021 at 08:22AM

Governor Stitt signs pro-life 'Heartbeat Bill' Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Such a priority: Oklahoma now has rescue animals as the state pet

Call me a killjoy, but I would much rather our State legislators spend their time on actual legislative work rather than frivolous things like this. Rather than naming a state pet, or some bridge, or filing joke bills to ban paper straws and get your name in the news again like some drug junkie out for another hit... how about the state legislature do some of the following: Abolish abortion, since we have a Governor who is touting his pledge to sign any pro-life measure sent to his desk Reduce the size of government Figure out the McGirt situation Quit sending money to Hollywood Consolidate some of the dozens (or hundreds) of agencies, boards, and commission that litter Oklahoma's governmental landscape. But by all means, go ahead and waste time and effort on pointless measures like the following... Gov. Signs Bill Naming Rescue Animals as State Pet OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Mark McBride’s dog Cali is ready for her moment as the spokesdog for the state after the governor signed a bill designating rescue animals the state pet. Cali, an 80-pound Catahoula mix McBride adopted from the Moore Animal Shelter, served as the inspiration for Cali’s Law, House Bill 1816. “I’d never let a dog in my house before I got Cali,” McBride said. “Now, my wife and I have a second rescue dog, and we just love them both. We’re hoping others will join us in adopting other rescue animals, which in turn will help our municipalities reduce the cost of running their shelters or building bigger ones for lost or abandoned pets. We’re counting on this legislation helping us spread the word.” Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 27, 2021 at 10:18PM

Such a priority: Oklahoma now has rescue animals as the state pet Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

Gov. Stitt signs bill to protect right to worship

Governor Signs OK Religious Freedom Act OKLAHOMA CITY – On Monday, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act to protect the constitutional right to worship. House Bill 2648 dictates that anything closing places of worship would be considered a substantial burden on people’s freedom of religion. The bill’s author, Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, filed the legislation after learning that many states’ governments had forced places of worship to close throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is of the upmost importance that we ensure our God-given right to worship is protected no matter the circumstances,” Hill said. “Our country was founded upon the promise of religious freedom for all, and we must preserve that right for generations to come. My faith, like many Oklahomans, is at the core of who I am, and I’m very grateful that my colleagues in the Legislature and Governor Stitt have stood up to protect of our First Amendment right to worship.” Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 27, 2021 at 09:29PM

Gov. Stitt signs bill to protect right to worship Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

1889 Institute: The Economic Fantasizing of the Green Advocates

The Economic Fantasizing of the Green Advocates By Byron Schlomach In a confirmation hearing for President Biden’s Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, Senator Ted Cruz complained about Biden killing the Keystone XL pipeline, eliminating 11,000 jobs. Buttigieg responded that “Biden’s climate agenda will create a net increase in jobs.” Buttigieg’s response, commonly given by climate activists when challenged on jobs, is pure, unmitigated, economic balderdash. New technology, from steam engines to robotics, has generally freed resources to expand opportunities and increase standards of living. Green advocates presume, therefore, that any new technology will do the same. But there is a key feature of innovations that expand opportunity and jobs. They make production cheaper. True growth-inducing innovations, like steam, the Bessemer process for producing steel, and refining and burning fossil fuels for energy are always a chance to lower costs. Consequently, they are adopted voluntarily. There is never any need for governments to force, bribe (through grants and subsidies), or tax advantage companies into adopting innovations that are truly beneficial – that is, that lower costs and produce a higher standard of living on top of more jobs for us all. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 24, 2021 at 10:19AM

1889 Institute: The Economic Fantasizing of the Green Advocates Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico

1889 Institute calls for end of aerospace engineer tax credits

1889 INSTITUTE: END AEROSPACE ENGINEER TAX CREDITS Market forces should drive labor markets, not government. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (April 21, 2021) – The 1889 Institute has published “Oklahoma’s Aerospace Industry Engineer Workforce Tax Credits,” the most recent of two installments in the Institute’s Corporate Welfare Directory. The paper makes it clear that the state’s tax rebate program for aerospace engineers is another corporate welfare scheme. Three programs effectively subsidize high-paying professional aerospace engineering jobs, providing tax breaks to companies who hire engineers or to the engineers themselves. “What’s particularly galling about these programs is that other Oklahoma businesses and everyday taxpayers with lower incomes and less in benefits have to fill in the tax holes created by these programs,” said Byron Schlomach, director of the 1889 Institute. “In a very real sense, these programs tax the poor in order to give to the rich,” he said. Read more » by Jamison Faught - April 23, 2021 at 02:19PM

1889 Institute calls for end of aerospace engineer tax credits Click the title to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico