News

Bill to safeguard privacy

January 28, 2021

Legislation to address concerns over data privacy and data manipulation was filed for the 58th Legislative Session. The Oklahoma Computer Data Privacy Act, House Bill 1602, would require internet technology companies to obtain explicit permission to collect and sell personal data. The legislation has bipartisan support and is authored by Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, and…

ACT/SAT remediation bill

January 28, 2021

With the goal of increasing student outcomes, State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, filed Senate Bill 437, which would require each school district to provide remediation courses for high school students who score below the benchmark on specific subject areas of the ACT or SAT college entrance exams. “At present, schools have the option to provide…

Help for retired military

January 28, 2021

While Oklahoma has one of the highest active and retired military populations in the nation, it has been ranked as one of the least tax-friendly states for military retirees. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, believes one way to help make Oklahoma more attractive to military veterans is to eliminate the income tax on their retirement. With…

New taxes for electric cars

January 28, 2021

State Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, has filed House Bill 2234, The DRIVE Act, to ensure all vehicles utilizing our state highways are contributing to the cost of maintaining this system in a fair and equitable manner. Joining as co-authors of the legislation in the Oklahoma House are State Reps. Brian Hill, R-Mustang; Dustin Roberts, R-Durant;…

State asset protection bill is filed

January 28, 2021

State Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, filed legislation to create accountability and transparency regarding the movement of state assets. Martinez’s House proposal will directly specify that no state asset is to be moved farther than 10 miles from wherever it was located on July 1, 2020, without the approval of the Oklahoma State Legislature. Martinez said…

Bill vs. transplant discrimination

January 28, 2021

Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation to prohibit discrimination against a potential organ transplant recipient based solely on the person’s physical or mental disability. Rosino said Senate Bill 378, creating Everett’s Law, was requested by Edmond parents Rhys and Neely Gay. Their middle child, Everett, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome shortly after he…

Getting a diploma doesn’t prove students really learned

January 28, 2021 Ray Carter

In a court filing, an Oklahoma school district has declared the issuance of either a passing grade or a high school diploma is not—“and never has been”—an indicator that a student mastered state-mandated core courses. Lone Grove Public Schools also stated that any court order tethering a high-school diploma to mastery of high-school core course…

‘Stay in School’ helps students

January 28, 2021

The Stay in School Fund tuition assistance program, launched by Gov. Kevin Stitt in July of 2020, has exceeded expectations in ensuring low-income families who suffered a COVID-19-related job loss or demonstrated financial challenges could maintain consistency in their child’s learning environment. “Our Stay in School program has successfully supported more low-income children and their…

Broken Arrow Council rejects mandatory mask ordinance

January 28, 2021

The Broken Arrow City Council turned back another proposal for an ordinance that would force residents to wear face masks due to the Chinese coronavirus. The same ordinance had previously been voted down despite the public criticism from Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and others. The proposed Broken Arrow ordinance was similar to the one the…

2.2 million registered voters in OK

January 28, 2021

The Oklahoma State Election Board annual voter registration statistics show 2,272,252 Oklahomans are registered to vote. Oklahoma’s official voter registration statistics are counted every year on January 15. According to Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax, the largest number of Oklahoma’s voters are Republicans, who make up 50.1% of registered voters. Democrats are the…