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Legislative Update

Stitt launches new Office for Faith Based Initiatives

Tulsa Beacon

Governor Kevin Stitt announced the launch of the Oklahoma Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, a new division within state government aimed at strengthening partnerships with faith-based and nonprofit communities. The office will serve as a centralized resource for these organizations, helping them engage more directly and effectively with Oklahoma Human Services to address the…

GOP Easily Holds Legislative Majorities In Oklahoma

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma Republicans easily held onto their supermajorities in the state legislature during this week’s elections, emerging unscathed. Republicans went into the 2024 election cycle holding 81 seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives to the 20 districts held by Democrats, while in the Senate the GOP held 40 seats to the eight held by Democrats….

Oklahoma schools get $58.9 Million for Literacy Efforts

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma schools will receive $58.9 million in federal funding over the next five years to provide reading and literacy programs across Oklahoma, State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced today. “This grant will be a powerful supplement to the work we are already doing and offers us incredible resources to build upon the foundation we’ve built that…

In Arkansas, Conservative Supreme Court makes a significant difference

Tulsa Beacon

In July 2023, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Cody Hiland to serve as a justice on the Arkansas Supreme Court, replacing a justice who died in office. Because members of the Arkansas Supreme Court are typically selected through direct elections, the appointment was unusual for that reason alone. But Sanders noted at the time…

OK Gross Receipts shows a steady growth in tax revenue

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 6, 2024) – Oklahoma’s tax revenues have grown steadily over the last 12 months, reflecting a 0.12% increase, according to the latest Gross Receipts Report. This slight growth comes after a 0.30% rise in July and highlights the state’s continued economic resilience. In August alone, Oklahoma brought in $1.27 billion in tax…

Races on the ballot for Tulsa County in Nov.

Tulsa Beacon

This November 5th voters will find a wide assortment of political races to vote on.  Not all of these races will be on every ballot, i.e. only your house and senate district will appear on your district’s ballot, but these will all be on a ballot somewhere in Tulsa County. Statewide Races President of United…

Oklahoma business owners say Income-Tax cuts needed

Tulsa Beacon

During the 2024 legislative session, Gov. Kevin Stitt and House lawmakers supported cutting the state’s personal income tax and putting it on a gradual path to full repeal, but Senate leaders refused to grant that proposal a vote. Now a new poll shows Oklahoma business leaders view the Senate’s inaction as a missed opportunity for…

McCall issues statement on Impeachment request

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, issued the following statement regarding Superintendent Ryan Walters’ request for the Oklahoma House of Representatives to impeach him: “As Speaker of the House, I remain steadfast in my position: I will not overturn the will of the people, regardless of any demands made. While Superintendent Walters may desire…

Pro Tem Treat Comments on House LOFT Investigation

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today released the following statement after the Oklahoma House of Representatives announced a Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) investigation into spending at the State Department of Education. “Numerous Senators and I have been raising questions about spending and money not being allocated to specific…

Wallace announces LOFT investigation of OSDE

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, today announced that the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) would begin an investigation into spending concerns regarding the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). This investigation, approved by Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and spearheaded by Wallace in his capacity as Chairman of LOFT, will focus on issues…