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Legislative Update

Sen. Guthrie Gains Committee Approval for Four Key Bills

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, received committee approval for four key pieces of legislation this week. With the passage of Senate Bills 1092, 653, 547, and 945, the freshman lawmaker has now advanced a total of six bills through Senate Committees. Senate Bill 1092 was unanimously approved by the Senate Business and Insurance…

Schreiber moves healthcare reform legislation out of committee

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Bill 1853 introduced by Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, and co-authored by Sen. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, would expand deductibles to include cash payments for out-of-pocket medical services. The bill passed unanimously out of the Insurance Committee. “It’s common sense that any medical service payment – no matter the payment type – should…

Voter registration deadline approaches

Tulsa Beacon

Friday, March 7, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the April 1, Board of Education General Elections for ISD-1 Tulsa Public Schools District 3, Tulsa Technology Center Office 2, ISD-3 Broken Arrow Public Schools Office 5 and Municipal General Elections for the City of…

No, tax cuts didn’t cause Oklahoma budget deficits

Tulsa Beacon

Did recent income-tax cuts result in a deficit for Oklahoma’s state government? Let’s look at the evidence. Over the last 20 years, Oklahoma state government revenue has grown by 51 percent when accounting for population growth and inflation. At the same time, the state reduced its income tax by 32 percent, from a top rate…

Tulsa area Reps respond to delay of TPS audit release

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, and Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, commented on the recent delay in releasing the state audit of Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) and its management of federal relief funds, calling for greater transparency. “I find it unfortunate and deeply frustrating that Tulsa Public Schools delayed the audit findings,”…

Senior Day at the Capital to be held March 3

Tulsa Beacon

(Oklahoma City) – Oklahoma senior citizens, caregivers, and those interested in matters affecting aging Oklahomans are invited to the State Capitol for Senior Day on Monday, March 3. Attendees will have the opportunity to share ideas, needs and concerns with their state lawmakers, visit with organizations and state agencies to learn about services for older…

BAPS going to new hybrid school calendar

Tulsa Beacon

After months of research and community engagement, Broken Arrow Public Schools approved a hybrid instructional calendar that maintains a five-day school week, rather than transitioning to a four-day week for the 25-26 school year. The proposed calendar was voted on  and approved at their Feb. 10 meeting. Seeking possible solutions for the worsening teaching shortage,…

House committee passes “Bell to Bell” No Cell legislation

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Education Oversight Committee today passed legislation that prohibits the use of cell phones by students during the school day. The legislation is the first bill to be heard and considered in the House’s new two-tiered committee structure and is expected to be heard on the floor later this week. Chairman…

Tax Credit for Pregnancy Resource Center Donations Advances

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, on Tuesday advanced legislation that would allow a 70% tax credit for any taxpayer contributing to a pregnancy resource center beginning in tax year 2026. House Bill 1201 would cap credits at $50,000 for individuals and $5 million in total for the state annually, but excess could be…

Lauria and Ashley’s Law Passes First Committee

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, today secured committee passage of a bill that would add accessory to murder in the first or second degree to the list of crimes that would require an offender to serve 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for consideration for parole. Those convicted also would not…