The Senate gave unanimous approval to Senate Bill 1547, which would make virtual public meetings a permanent fixture. The bill, authored by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, would modify the Open Meetings Act to require public bodies such as school boards, local municipalities, and state agencies to stream and post all public meetings online if they…
Senate Education Committee chairman Adam Pugh wants Oklahoma to think outside the box when it comes to students earning credits for graduation. The Edmond Republican wrote Senate Bill 1623, the Learn Everywhere Act, to make public school students eligible for extended learning opportunities outside the classroom. “There are a number of opportunities outside of the…
The Senate approved to a bill to modernize and standardize services receive at local tag agencies. Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, is the author of Senate Bill 1605. “The pandemic, along with software issues and other challenges implementing the issuance of REAL IDs, underscored the need to modernize and standardize how we deliver services to citizens,”…
Oklahoma could soon join the other 33 states that honor America’s military by not taxing their retirement pay, following the Senate’s unanimous approval of Senate Bill 401. The measure is authored by Air Force veteran Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, and Sen. Brenda Stanley, vice chair of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. Currently, Oklahoma’s…
February tax receipts to the Oklahoma Treasury show Oklahoma’s economy continues to expand, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine raises many concerns including inflationary pressure, State Treasurer Randy McDaniel said. February gross receipts of $1.06 billion are up by almost 12% compared to the same month of last year. That is a record high for…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Compared to the beginning of 2021, more U.S. Protestant churches are gathering in person and more churchgoers are filling the pews. The return to pre-pandemic attendance levels has stalled, however, in recent months. The Latest Lifeway Research study found, despite a new variant wave of COVID-19, 97% of U.S. Protestant churches met…
With inflation remaining at a 40-year high, House Republicans advanced five new options the Legislature can choose from to provide tax relief to Oklahomans this session. House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said, “With President Biden’s policies driving inflation up and more states cutting taxes – especially income taxes – last year than any year since…
The Oklahoma Senate approved a resolution affirming the historical ties between the state and the people of Ukraine and supporting their fight against the violent and illegal Russian invasion. “We stand with the people of Ukraine and call on the citizens of Oklahoma to join us in praying for their safety and freedom. We have…
To keep punishment decisions for the most heinous crimes out of the hands of political appointees and with courts and juries, where they belong, Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, advanced legislation restricting the Pardon and Parole Board from exceeding its jurisdiction on death penalty and life without parole cases. “The Pardon and Parole Board’s controversial, unprecedented…
Legislation creating a fund to help counties and municipalities impacted by natural disasters passed its House committee. House Bill 3819, authored by Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, would create the Oklahoma Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Matching Fund. This fund would be appropriated $5 million to aid counties and communities impacted by natural disasters or at risk…