While Oklahoma has one of the highest active and retired military populations in the nation, it has been ranked as one of the least tax-friendly states for military retirees. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, believes one way to help make Oklahoma more attractive to military veterans is to eliminate the income tax on their retirement. With…
State Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, has filed House Bill 2234, The DRIVE Act, to ensure all vehicles utilizing our state highways are contributing to the cost of maintaining this system in a fair and equitable manner. Joining as co-authors of the legislation in the Oklahoma House are State Reps. Brian Hill, R-Mustang; Dustin Roberts, R-Durant;…
State Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, filed legislation to create accountability and transparency regarding the movement of state assets. Martinez’s House proposal will directly specify that no state asset is to be moved farther than 10 miles from wherever it was located on July 1, 2020, without the approval of the Oklahoma State Legislature. Martinez said…
Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation to prohibit discrimination against a potential organ transplant recipient based solely on the person’s physical or mental disability. Rosino said Senate Bill 378, creating Everett’s Law, was requested by Edmond parents Rhys and Neely Gay. Their middle child, Everett, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome shortly after he…
In a court filing, an Oklahoma school district has declared the issuance of either a passing grade or a high school diploma is not—“and never has been”—an indicator that a student mastered state-mandated core courses. Lone Grove Public Schools also stated that any court order tethering a high-school diploma to mastery of high-school core course…
The Stay in School Fund tuition assistance program, launched by Gov. Kevin Stitt in July of 2020, has exceeded expectations in ensuring low-income families who suffered a COVID-19-related job loss or demonstrated financial challenges could maintain consistency in their child’s learning environment. “Our Stay in School program has successfully supported more low-income children and their…
OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the House Republican Caucus issued a statement in support of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call for students to return to in-person learning in schools amid updated safety protocols. “The majority of Oklahoma parents and guardians have chosen in-person learning as the best option for their child, and many have told us…
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced that Oklahoma schools following safety protocols, including mask-wearing and social distancing, will be permitted to forgo the mandatory two-week quarantine period for potential COVID-19 exposures. Stitt and Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye emphasized the new Oklahoma State Department of Health policy is intended to keep students and teachers safe in…
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom filed Senate Bill 331 which would protect female athletes from competing against males who identify as females in school-sponsored athletic events. Also known as the Save Women’s Sports Act, the measure expressly designates that athletic teams sponsored by a public or private school would be based on biological…
Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, and Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, are inviting citizens to attend an upcoming town hall meeting on redistricting. The town hall will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 28, at the Tulsa Technology Center’s Sycamore Room, 10800 North 140 East Avenue in Owasso. Every ten years, following completion of the U.S….