Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) will proceed with plans to repair or replace structurally deficient roads and bridges throughout the state. Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, chair of the House Appropriations & Budget Committee for Transportation, said transportation is receiving about $4 million additional for Fiscal Year 2021 than for FY20, once all bonding and debt…
Republican Legislative leaders filed an action with the Oklahoma Supreme Court in response to a recent federal court motion by Gov. Kevin Stitt concerning his renegotiation of tribal gambling compacts. In a May 28 filing in a federal court case concerning tribal gaming compacts, Stitt asked a federal judge to rule on the Oklahoma attorney…
State Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, commented on legislation that improves and revises the state textbook adoption process. West authored House Bill 3466, which was signed into law by the governor. Implementation of the changes begins in March 2021. “This law builds upon the team of experts providing detailed, expert analysis to state and local…
The coronavirus and energy prices continue to take a heavy toll on state revenues. State Treasurer Randy McDaniel showed a 14 percent drop in May revenue collections. Gross receipts for May total $923.1 million, down by $150.5 million from May of last year. “The Oklahoma economy, as reflected in state revenue collections, was significantly impacted…
Legislation was signed into law last week to hold physicians who perform fraudulent abortions solely liable for the wrongful death. Senate Bill 1728, by Sen. David Bullard, creates the Unborn Person Wrongful Death Act and modifies provisions related to awarding damages resulting from such wrongful deaths. The Durant Republican said that the new law will…
Gov. Stitt vetoed 18 of the 176 bills submitted to his office in the shortened legislative session in 2020. The latest vetoes were on House Bill 3228, Senate Bill 1046 and Senate Bill 1595. HB 3228 would have changed parts of the state’s medical marijuana law. Stitt said, “The language in the bill makes substantial…
Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed 19 bills in this session and the Legislature voted to override 10 of those vetoes. Senate Bill 1002, Senate Bill 4018, House Bill 2749, House Bill 2750, Senate Bill 1805, House Bill 3663, House Bill 3819, House Bill 3824, House Bill 4018 and House Bill 4049 were vetoed. HB2760 would have…
The nation’s first anti-red flag gun law is on the books in Oklahoma to strengthen and protect citizens’ Second Amendment rights. Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, authored the measure, which was signed into law by the governor Senate Bill 1081, also known as the Anti-Red Flag Act, prohibits the state or any city, county or…
Legislation requiring all Oklahoma public high schools to offer at least four Advanced Placement (AP) courses to students beginning in the 2024-25 school year was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt. House Bill 3400, authored by State Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, and State Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, allows schools to choose the type of…
A plan to help pay for Medicaid in Oklahoma passed off the Senate. Senate Joint Resolution 27, by Senate Majority Floor Leader Kim David, R-Porter, refers to Oklahoma voters a constitutional amendment to allow a larger portion of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund (TSET) annual settlement payments to go towards paying for either the…