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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Legislative Update

Trio of bills signed to further strengthen state elections

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation was signed into law this week to further secure Oklahoma elections and protect legitimate voters, including military personnel serving overseas. The three bills were authored by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, and Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee. “The Legislature passed these measures overwhelmingly to further strengthen our election and voting processes by providing…

Bill signed to crack down on illegal foreign ownership of land

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation was signed this week to stop the proliferation of illegal purchases of Oklahoma land by aliens and non-U.S. citizens since the legalization of medical marijuana. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, authored Senate Bill 212 to keep such individuals from directly or indirectly, through a business entity or trust, owning land in the…

Oklahoma Pop Museum a money pit?

Tulsa Beacon

Eight years after state lawmakers provided $25 million to build the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture in Tulsa, the facility has yet to serve patrons and its cost to state taxpayers is exploding. The concept for the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, also called OKPOP, was originally developed in 2008. By 2015, state lawmakers voted…

Gov. Stitt sending OK National Guard to secure Border

Tulsa Beacon

Governor Kevin Stitt commits to sending Oklahoma National Guard Troops to the Southern Border in the wake of President Biden’s failure to secure and protect our nation. The commitment comes in response to Governor Greg Abbott’s call for reinforcements as Texas responds to the ongoing crisis. “As Governor, the decision to deploy members of the…

OK State Sen. Prieto at June 9.12 meeting

Tulsa Beacon

Our guest speaker this month is Oklahoma State Sen. Dana Prieto who represents Senate District 34. The 9.12 June meeting will be at Spirit Life Church, 5345 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa, at 6:30 p.m. on June 8. As a freshman Senator, Prieto has a unique perspective on the State Legislature, and the Senate in particular….

Bill could mandate pursuit of Biden Federal School Grants

Tulsa Beacon

A provision snuck into legislation funding Oklahoma public schools could force the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) to apply for federal grants that were a priority of the prior Democratic state superintendent of public instruction. The mandate comes at a time when the Biden administration is openly trying to use federal funding to force…

Tax-cut discussion to continue?

Tulsa Beacon

Although lawmakers are expected to adjourn from the current budget-focused special session without passing a major tax cut, Gov. Kevin Stitt said he may continue to push for one in the coming weeks. “I’m considering calling people back for another special session to get a tax cut done,” Stitt said. “You know, when you think…

Lawmakers approve rules on School pornography and Parental Rights

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma State Department of Education regulations that ban pornographic materials in public-school libraries and spell out parental rights in schools have received approval from Oklahoma lawmakers. Lawmakers’ decision to approve the rules is a victory for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, who championed adoption of the new regulations. In March, at Walters’ urging,…

School Choice Education Bill Passes

Tulsa Beacon

After weeks of negotiations, Gov. Kevin Stitt and legislative leaders announced they have reached an agreement on a public-school funding plan that also clears the way for enactment of a major expansion of school choice in Oklahoma. “Right now, we’re not top 10 in education,” Stitt said. “And so that’s why I appreciate the House…

Senate and House call for transparent budget process

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – On the 92nd day of the 2023 Legislative session, with ten working days remaining, Democratic leaders in both chambers called for transparency and accountability in the state budget process. “Oklahomans deserve a say in how their tax dollars are spent. They don’t get that say when budgets are prepared behind closed doors…