State Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, has filed a measure that would modify the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act to ensure government entities cannot close churches, religious institutions or houses of worship. The measure is a response to the closure of churches and houses of worship across the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 216 would…
OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the House Republican Caucus issued a statement in support of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call for students to return to in-person learning in schools amid updated safety protocols. “The majority of Oklahoma parents and guardians have chosen in-person learning as the best option for their child, and many have told us…
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced that Oklahoma schools following safety protocols, including mask-wearing and social distancing, will be permitted to forgo the mandatory two-week quarantine period for potential COVID-19 exposures. Stitt and Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye emphasized the new Oklahoma State Department of Health policy is intended to keep students and teachers safe in…
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom filed Senate Bill 331 which would protect female athletes from competing against males who identify as females in school-sponsored athletic events. Also known as the Save Women’s Sports Act, the measure expressly designates that athletic teams sponsored by a public or private school would be based on biological…
Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, and Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, are inviting citizens to attend an upcoming town hall meeting on redistricting. The town hall will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 28, at the Tulsa Technology Center’s Sycamore Room, 10800 North 140 East Avenue in Owasso. Every ten years, following completion of the U.S….
OKLAHOMA CITY – In an effort to increase transparency when state agencies receive federal dollars, state Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, has filed a measure requiring the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to make a “Coercive Federal Funds Report” available online. Senate Bill 296 would require the report to include a detailed description of…
OKLAHOMA CITY – In an effort to promote the creation of small businesses across the state, Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, filed the Oklahoma Home-Based Business Fairness Act. Senate Bill 316 would ensure that no municipality could prohibit a home-based business to apply, register or obtain a permit, license, variance or other type of prior approval…
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has filed legislation aimed at providing greater educational choice for families dealing with bullying and health issues, particularly during the pandemic. “The physical and mental health of Oklahoma students is the focus of each of these bills. We should always put children, their futures, and what their…
Newly released enrollment figures for Oklahoma schools show districts may receive at least $195 million combined for 55,236 “ghost” students who do not attend classes in the district but are nonetheless included in enrollment counts used to determine state funding for each district. Under Oklahoma law, state funding for schools is distributed based on several…
A major construction project on the Turner Turnpike near the Creek Turnpike began January 11 to expand the Interstate from four lanes to six lanes. The expansion is part of the Driving Forward initiative announced in October of 2015. The project will expand the turnpike to six lanes from mile marker 218 to mile marker…