Stitt signed a bill that passed through the Senate to better protect the religious freedoms of Oklahomans. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, carried the bill in the Senate protecting churches. “During the pandemic, churches were deemed nonessential, and closures were recommended,” Bullard said. “This bill will protect our houses of worship.” House Bill 2648 creates the…
The House passed a measure to assure when local residents vote to increase their taxes for specific purposes – such as police department budgets – those funds are spent as intended. If they are redirected or reduced, this bill will ensure the matter is taken back to a vote of the people. Senate Bill 825…
The Senate gave approval to legislation requiring Oklahoma law enforcement to comply with federal immigration officials. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, and Rep. John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, authored House Bill 2774 to assist the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with locating illegal immigrants who are detained. “This bill gives our law enforcement clear direction on how…
More of Oklahoma’s students will soon be able to take advantage of Oklahoma’s Promise, the state’s free tuition program, following the signing of Senate Bill 132. The bill’s author, Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, said it will provide students more time to decide whether they want to go to college or a career tech by allowing…
A bill to correct funding disparities for brick-and-mortar public schools in low property value areas while addressing charter school funding passed the House. Senate Bill 229 creates the Redbud School Funding Act, which proposes using medical marijuana taxes and the Common School Building Equalization Fund to provide annual per-student funding grants to eligible districts and…
A bill creating the “Second Amendment Sanctuary State Act” passed the House. Senate Bill 631, by Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, states that any federal, state, county or municipal act, law, executive order, administrative order, court order, rule, policy or regulation ordering the buy-back, confiscation or surrender of firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition from law-abiding citizens…
Legislation by Reps. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, and Brian Hill, R-Mustang, that will revolutionize the way Oklahomans re-enter the workforce after incarceration has been signed into law. House Bill 1679 would require the Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections (DOC) to identify inmates leaving custody within nine months of release and begin gathering certain documentation to help them…
A bipartisan solution to address the proliferation of cybercrime unanimously passed the Senate. House Bill 1759, authored by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater and Sen. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, updates language in the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act to better address computer security threats that continue to evolve. As technology advances and more commerce moves online, cybercrime is…
When it comes to gambling, Oklahoma has more casinos per capita than any other state and is No. 6 in terms of gambling addiction, according to a national study by WalletHub.com. Here is Oklahoma’s rank in these categories: 1st – Casinos per capita 2nd – Gambling machines per capita 9th – % of adults with…
Mayor G.T. Bynum’s proposed total 2021 fiscal year city budget is almost $800 million – with $262.9 million in the general fund. That’s about 5% less than the approved budget last year and virtually the same amount for the general budget. Tulsa was forced into cutbacks due to the Chinese coronavirus that began in 2020…