Legislative Update

Education Department Proposes statewide American Flag Policy

January 2, 2025 Jennifer Palmer

School districts could soon be required to create new policies ensuring students can fly the American flag on school grounds, according to proposed rules published Monday by the Oklahoma Department of Education. The proposal comes three months after Superintendent of Schools Ryan Walters said his agency was investigating Edmond Public Schools’ flag protocols after a…

Bill filed to eliminate Income Tax by 2035

December 24, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, today filed legislation to phase out Oklahoma’s personal and corporate income taxes over a decade, with the goal of eliminating the tax entirely by 2035. House Bill 1009 would reduce the personal income tax rate by 0.00475% annually and the corporate income tax rate by 0.004% annually over…

House announces New Government Efficiency Portal

December 24, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today added to its transparency portal a government efficiency survey intended to root out duplication of services, waste and inefficiencies in state government. This initiative piggybacks on the federal effort to eliminate government waste through the newly-created federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). “We will work hand-in-hand…

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus issues statement regarding recent proposed partnership with Denmark

December 24, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus today issued the following statements regarding the announced proposed partnership between Oklahoma and Denmark. “God has blessed Oklahoma with rich abundant petroleum resources,” said Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, who chairs the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus. “Oklahoma’s oil and gas is all-natural, locally-sourced and we must reject the unscientific climate…

Senate Committee Chairs, Vice Chairs for Upcoming Legislative Session

December 24, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – Pro Tem-Elect Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, today announced the appointments of chairs and vice chairs of Senate committees for the upcoming Legislative Session. “We have put together a strong group of Senators who will collectively help move our state forward,” Pro Tem-Elect Paxton said. “Each individual members have subject matter expertise in these…

Law introduced to prohibit FEMA political discrimination

November 28, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation in federal disaster relief. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Gary Peters (D-MI) cosponsored this legislation….

State House members take oaths of office

November 28, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – Ninety-nine members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives took their oaths of office Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the House Chamber. The oath was administered by the Honorable Dustin P. Rowe, vice chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. One member took the oath of office Monday and a second member will take…

House Republicans Elect New Caucus Leadership

November 28, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Republicans this week elected their new caucus leadership for the upcoming 60th Legislature. The 81 Republicans maintain their supermajority in the House. Newly elected caucus leadership includes: Rep. Stan May, R-Broken Arrow, as Caucus Chair Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, as Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, as Caucus…

House Republicans Elect Hilbert Speaker-Elect

November 28, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House Republican caucus today elected Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, as Speaker-Elect of the House for the 60th Legislature. Speaker-Elect Hilbert has served as Speaker Pro Tempore for the House since 2022. He is set to become the 45th Speaker of the House and the ninth Republican speaker. “I am deeply…

Pro Tem Designee Paxton Names Key Leadership Positions

November 21, 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Designee Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, today has named key members of his leadership team after being tapped as the Senate’s next leader. Pro Tem Designee Paxton has appointed Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, as the Senate Majority Floor Leader, Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, as Appropriations Chairman and Sen. John Haste, R-Broken…