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Legislative Update

Turnpike Authority accountability

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s (OTA) $200 million line of credit application that was filed last week with the Council of Bond Oversight. Attorneys for Norman homeowners and members of the nonprofit Pike Off OTA filed objections, which focused on the OTA’s lack of legal authority to build the turnpikes in Norman that could threaten the property…

Added time for adjunct teachers

Tulsa Beacon

Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed Senate Bill 1119 into law, by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. The bill will remove the 270-hour limit adjunct teachers work per semester in a classroom. Garvin said, “We’re working hard to figure out how to fill the teacher workforce pipeline, but those efforts are going…

Human trafficking bill is passed

Tulsa Beacon

A bill giving greater protection to victims of human trafficking and child abduction has been signed into law.  Senate Bill 1569, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is also known as the “Address Confidentiality for Child Survivors and Their Families Act.” “SB 1569 simply gives victims of human trafficking and child abduction the ability to keep…

Power of Attorney reform issues

Tulsa Beacon

The governor has signed Senate Bill 1596, also known as the Oklahoma Health Care Agent Act, which establishes requirements for health care power of attorney and allows Oklahomans to make advanced decisions about their care in case they are temporarily or permanently incapacitated. The measure was authored by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus. “All citizens should…

2nd Distrist race draws a crowd

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma’s Second Congressional District has drawn the biggest field of aspiring GOP candidates this year. Fourteen Republicans – including a state senator and  state representatives – will be on the June 28 primary ballot. Not surprisingly, only one Democrat and one Independent is running and therefore they both will advance to the November ballot.  That…

April set new OK wind records

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma set a new record for wind in April. “There is one aspect of this April’s weather that would unite most Oklahomans — the wind,” said Gary McManus, associate state climatologist, Oklahoma Climatological Survey. “Already Oklahoma’s windiest calendar month climatologically, the seemingly unceasing gales howling day and night became a common point of exasperation.” Data…

Record high OK revenue in April

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma State revenues in April surged to a record high propelled by income tax payments, but other indicators point to caution, State Treasurer Randy McDaniel announced. This was true even though some categories dropped. But in April, Medical marijuana taxes generated $62.6 million, down by $2.2 million, or 3.4 percent. Motor vehicle taxes produced $72…

SCOTUS to soon overturn Roe, making abortion illegal

Tulsa Beacon

Abortion may soon be illegal in Oklahoma. Very soon. Reports out of Washington, D.C. claimed that a leaked document shows that the U.S. Supreme Court is about to overturn Roe v. Wade, the controversial 1973 decision that legalized abortion without a vote of the people. Oklahoma has a “trigger” law that would immediately ban abortion…

Gender reassignment bill

Tulsa Beacon

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed two floor substitutes to protect Oklahoma children from sexualization and unnecessary “gender reassignment” surgeries. House Bill 1074 is modeled after Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to in the media as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. The legislation would prohibit school personnel for grades kindergarten through fifth…

Stillwater bathroom mess

Tulsa Beacon

Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, sent a letter to Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor on April 22 requesting that his office act regarding a resolution passed by the Stillwater Public Schools Board of Education expressing their intent to continue their controversial school restroom policy. The policy in question permits transgender students to use student restrooms that…