Some of Charley’s jokes from a previous column: An old man was a witness in a burglary case. The defense lawyer asked the old man, “Did you see my client commit this burglary?” “Yes,” said the old man. “I saw him plainly take the goods.” The lawyer asked, “This happened at night. Are you sure…
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Republicans on Thursday announced an education plan designed for every student, parent and teacher in the state. House Bill 2775, authored by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, includes a $500 million increase in funding for public schools throughout the state that will fund $2,500 pay raises for every teacher not…
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Public Safety Committee has given its approval to a measure to increase the penalties for firearm thefts in Oklahoma. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is the author of Senate Bill 859, which was approved by the panel on Thursday. Weaver is a former head of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and…
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday and unanimously passed Senate Bill 290, which would increase pay for election day poll workers. “This is a much needed and much deserved pay raise for our dedicated poll workers who often work over 13 hours on election day,” Hamilton said, “I am so appreciative…
OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has approved a measure prohibiting gender transition procedures for children under the age of 18. Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is the author of Senate Bill 613, which bans the use of any medications or surgical procedures for the purpose of gender transition. Behavioral and mental health counseling and medications…
OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Common Education Committee on Tuesday passed two bills that would change the composition of the State Board of Education. House Bill 2562 would increase the size of the board from 7 members to 11, authorizing the speaker of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate to appoint…
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, has won full Senate approval for his legislation to better protect child abuse victims. Senate Bill 291, approved on Monday, would enable children, with the help of an adult, to seek a victim protective order (VPO) against their abuser. “While adults can certainly file for a VPO to…
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation that would modify the formula for determining motor vehicle excise tax on vehicle purchases passed unanimously in the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee for Finance on Monday. House Bill 1389 is authored by Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, who ran similar legislation last session. “This is a pro-consumer bill that figures excise…
OKLAHOMA CITY – More Oklahoma students wanting to continue their education through the state’s Career Technology system could soon be eligible for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP) scholarship, also known as Oklahoma’s Promise, under legislation approved unanimously Wednesday by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, authored Senate Bill 27 to boost…
Oklahoma City, OK – Due to federal regulation passed in December, SoonerCare will soon restart the renewal process for members as the public health emergency continuous coverage ends. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) will begin the eligibility redetermination process in early March. In March 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily…