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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Legislative Update

Biden pushes historic increase in the size of government

Tulsa Beacon

In the most unusual “state of the union” address in modern times, President Joe Biden drew Republican criticism as he spoke of plans to raise taxes and grow the federal government. Only about 200 members of the House and Senate attended because Biden’s administration is afraid of infection of the Chinese coronavirus. Biden wants to…

State movie subsidies are a net drain on Oklahoma’s revenues

Tulsa Beacon

Oklahoma lawmakers are considering a dramatic increase in state film subsidies, potentially funneling as much as $50 million a year to filmmakers, and have even proclaimed the subsidy program a “magical” economic-development tool. But a recent independent review of the program, by the state’s Incentive Evaluation Commission, shows the film-subsidy program is a net drain…

Bills deter but don’t abolish abortion

Tulsa Beacon

Gov. Kevin Stitt signed three bills to restrict abortion in Oklahoma but nothing that would abolish the killing of unborn babies in Oklahoma. The Senate passed House Bill 1904 by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, which would allow abortions to continue but only by certified obstetricians and gynecologists. “Under current law, any licensed physician can perform…

Save Women’s Sports

Tulsa Beacon

The “Save Women’s Sports Act” was approved by the Oklahoma House. Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, is the House author of the measure which would require certain athletic teams to be designated based on an athletes’ biological sex. “However, the bodies of biological men have a competitive advantage over the bodies of biological women,” said Hasenbeck….

Ban on paper straws

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – In honor of Earth Day, Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed Senate Bill 1065 to ban paper straws in the state. “You have states, like California, where the leftist loons have banned plastic straws because they saw a video on social media about a sea turtle that was harmed by ingesting a…

Stop federal overreach

Tulsa Beacon

A bill establishing an intra-branch legal process to guard against federal overreach in Oklahoma passed the House. House Bill 1237, by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, establishes a constitutional process to exercise Oklahoma’s authorities as a state under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by reviewing federal actions for…

Religious freedoms

Tulsa Beacon

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…

Police funding law

Tulsa Beacon

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…

Complying with ICE

Tulsa Beacon

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…

Expanding OHLAP

Tulsa Beacon

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…