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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Legislative Update

Don’t ban 4-day weeks in schools

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, is calling on the State Department of Education to cancel and resubmit its proposed rules on waivers from new school year calendar requirements limiting four-day school weeks that are favored by many rural districts. Last year, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 441, which requires school districts to…

Oklahoma’s beef industry in trouble

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane,  met with Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter regarding his request of an investigation into the Oklahoma beef industry. He sent a follow-up letter expressing appreciation for Hunter’s quick response to his initial request and commending Hunter’s staff for how quickly they addressed his concerns. Humphrey said Hunter’s…

Sen. David;’s lunchtime vote derails abortion bill

Tulsa Beacon

When supporters of Senate Bill 13 went to lunch on March 10, Sen. Kim David, R-Wagoner, hurried up a vote to keep the bill from advancing in the Legislature. SB13, authored by Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, is the Abolition of Abortion in Oklahoma Act. Forty state senators – mostly Republicans – voted to stop…

Unborn Person Wrongful Death Act

Tulsa Beacon

The Oklahoma Senate approved the “Unborn Person Wrongful Death Act” to address the pain and suffering of family members of babies whose lives are ended through abortion.  Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 1728, which modifies provisions relating to awarding damages resulting from wrongful death in cases of abortions performed under…

Guns for city workers

Tulsa Beacon

A bill that would allow city employees to carry firearms for protection at work passed out of the House of Representatives this week. House Bill 2547, by state Rep. Sean Roberts, would allow municipalities to pass ordinances that authorize all or certain municipal employees to carry concealed firearms. The bill would require those employees to…

No traffic ticket quota

Tulsa Beacon

The Senate has passed a measure that would prohibit law enforcement entities from requiring officers, justices or judges to meet traffic citation quotas. Authored by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, Senate Bill 1264 would prohibit any political subdivision or agency of the state to maintain, require or suggest that employee evaluations, promotions, compensation or discipline…

Raises for OK retirees

Tulsa Beacon

The House of Representatives passed legislation to grant cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirees in six Oklahoma pension plans, including teachers, firefighters, police, public employees and justices and judges. House Bill 3350 passed with a unanimous bipartisan vote of 99-0. “Our state retirees have not had a cost-of-living adjustment for 12 years, even as their health…

Deadline for absentee ballots

Tulsa Beacon

Anyone who wants an absentee ballot for the April 7 elections should apply now, according to Tulsa County Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman. Freeman urged voters to apply now even though the Election Board can accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. April 1. The ballot on April will have: Tulsa Public School Board,…

Israel is important to OK

Tulsa Beacon

State Rep. Mark McBride. R-Moore, won passage of legislation that recognizes Israel as one of Oklahoma’s top trade partners and the nation’s greatest ally in the Middle East. House Bill 3967 specifies that unless exempted by the secretary of state, the state of Oklahoma will not enter into contracts with companies that advocate boycotts, divestments…

R41 Convention of States

Tulsa Beacon

State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, honored the legacy of former United States Sen. Tom Coburn with the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 41, which calls for an Article V Convention of States to amend the U.S. Constitution. Coburn is a staunch advocate for a convention and has said it is the only way to halt…