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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Legislative Update

Precinct Officials pay increase effective July 1

Tulsa Beacon

(Oklahoma City) – A bill passed in 2023 to increase precinct official pay went into effect July 1 – doubling the pay precinct officials receive for a workday. State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said he is confident the increase in pay will support recruitment efforts across the state. “Precinct officials are vital to the…

State Treasurer’s report

Tulsa Beacon

With the last month’s reporting increases, we see leveling across all tax divisions. May Gross Receipts reports an increase with totals equaling $1.3B, up $20.2M, or 1.6% when compared to May 2023. Receipts for the last 12 months through May total $16.93B, a decrease of $548.8M, or 3.1%, when comparing revenue from the previous year….

Voting Information

Tulsa Beacon

Early Voting: June 13 & 14 (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and June 15 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.) Early Voting for the Special Election will be at the Tulsa County Election Board at 555 North Denver and the Hardesty Regional Library at 8316 E 93rd Street. Any registered voter in Tulsa County eligible to…

Oklahoma Legislative Session ends with few Major Accomplishments

Tulsa Beacon

Members of the Oklahoma Legislature have adjourned this year’s session, ending the process after passing several lower-tier priorities but having fumbled major issues, which were left to future Legislatures to address. On two issues in particular, lawmakers failed to address major needs in Oklahoma: judicial-appointment reform and passage of pro-growth tax cuts. Lawmakers leave Democratic…

Women’s Bill of Rights Signed into Law

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation codifying the Women’s Bill of Rights, which preserves biological sex as a distinct legal category, has been signed into law. Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, authored House Bill 1449, which defines “sex” as a person’s biological sex at birth and clarifies how people of both biological sexes are treated under state law….

Bill to Protect Oklahomans’ Freedoms Passes

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Recently, Senate Bill 426 successfully passed through the Senate and House. The bill, authored by Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, aims to safeguard the liberties and rights of Oklahomans by prohibiting the state from enforcing any mandates or recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN), or the World…

‘Alyssa’s Law’ to Enhance School Security

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Legislature has taken a significant step toward ensuring the safety and security of students and staff in schools across the state with the passage of House Bill 4073, also known as “Alyssa’s Law.” This landmark legislation, authored by Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, and Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, implements a mobile…

House Approves $50 Million Funding to Repair Arkansas River Levees

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure dedicating $50 million toward modifications and upgrades along the Arkansas River passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives Tuesday. House Bill 2890 appropriates $50 million from the Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity (PREP) Fund to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The monies would be used for upgrades to the levees…

Bill to Combat Squatting Passes Senate

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Thursday, Senate Bill 1994, authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, was passed by the Senate. The measure seeks to strengthen laws against squatting. “In my district over the last year we have seen a home owner arrive home only to find a stranger in their shower, unwilling to leave until they…

Legislative Leaders Comment on Budget Agreement

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – State leaders released the following statements Wednesday, May 22,  after an agreement was reached on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. Senate Majority Leader Greg McCortney, R-Ada: “I’m appreciative of everyone who has provided input on this year’s budget as our cooperative efforts ensured the needs of Oklahomans have remained at the forefront…