News

Some April 7 elections put on hold

March 26, 2020

Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax declared an election emergency March 18 for local elections being held in 74 counties on April 7, 2020. The election emergency declaration will require County Election Boards to accept resolutions adopted by the governing bodies of school districts, municipalities, technology districts and counties to move their April 7…

Check state voter application forms

March 26, 2020

State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax cautioned Oklahomans today about unapproved voter registration applications generated from a website called Register2Vote.org, but said a solution is in the works. Under Oklahoma state law, only the official National Mail Voter Registration Application and the Oklahoma Voter Registration Application are accepted in this state. “I have spoken with…

Feds can garnish Social Security

March 26, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C., — The world of America’s senior citizens can be a scary place. Aside from the physical hardships that come from aging, there are the unexpected financial hardships. For example, finding out that Social Security may not be the bullet-proof income you thought it would be. Russell Gloor is a National Social Security Advisor…

Census forms are being distributed

March 26, 2020

Invitations to respond to the 2020 Census are being mailed to every household in the United States. Occurring once every 10 years, the Census counts every person in the United States and benefits not only those who live in Tulsa, but those who live in the region, state and nation. Its results provide funding support…

Livestreaming hasn’t been an option for some churches

March 26, 2020 Aaron Earls

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for groups during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak recommended no gatherings of more than 50 people for eight weeks. As churches scramble to make decisions on how to move forward, new research finds many congregations are not prepared to shift their services online….

Sen. David;’s lunchtime vote derails abortion bill

March 19, 2020

When supporters of Senate Bill 13 went to lunch on March 10, Sen. Kim David, R-Wagoner, hurried up a vote to keep the bill from advancing in the Legislature. SB13, authored by Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, is the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act. Forty state senators – mostly Republicans – voted to stop…

Unborn Person Wrongful Death Act

March 19, 2020

The Oklahoma Senate approved the “Unborn Person Wrongful Death Act” to address the pain and suffering of family members of babies whose lives are ended through abortion. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 1728, which modifies provisions relating to awarding damages resulting from wrongful death in cases of abortions performed under…

Guns for city workers

March 19, 2020

A bill that would allow city employees to carry firearms for protection at work passed out of the House of Representatives this week. House Bill 2547, by state Rep. Sean Roberts, would allow municipalities to pass ordinances that authorize all or certain municipal employees to carry concealed firearms. The bill would require those employees to…

No traffic ticket quota

March 19, 2020

The Senate has passed a measure that would prohibit law enforcement entities from requiring officers, justices or judges to meet traffic citation quotas. Authored by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, Senate Bill 1264 would prohibit any political subdivision or agency of the state to maintain, require or suggest that employee evaluations, promotions, compensation or discipline…

Raises for OK retirees

March 19, 2020

The House of Representatives passed legislation to grant cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirees in six Oklahoma pension plans, including teachers, firefighters, police, public employees and justices and judges. House Bill 3350 passed with a unanimous bipartisan vote of 99-0. “Our state retirees have not had a cost-of-living adjustment for 12 years, even as their health…