Legislative Update

Life and Death: Grassroots groups rally to support Sen. Silk’s SB13

January 17, 2019

Grassroots groups throughout Oklahoma will rally February 11-13 in Oklahoma City to support the abolishment of abortion in the state and support Senate Bill 13. Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, spoke at a rally Saturday in Edmond and was joined by leaders of the abolishment movement. Senate Bill prohibits the use of abortion under any…

McCall re-elected Speaker

January 17, 2019

The full House of Representatives officially elected state Rep. Charles McCall, R-Ada, to serve as Speaker of the House for the 57th Oklahoma Legislature during Organizational Day. Organizational Day is a constitutionally mandated day for the Legislature to convene and certify the election results from November, formally seat newly elected members and elect House leadership….

Bills target Health Dept.

January 17, 2019

Sen. Ron Sharp filed three bills in response to the multi-county grand jury’s findings in May concerning the State Department of Health’s financial deception in recent years. The grand jury’s six month investigation found that the agency had been withholding financial information, including a $30 million “slush” fund, from the legislature for several years. The…

Stitt appoints Kouplen

January 17, 2019

Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed Sean Kouplen as the next Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development, a cabinet position that will require Senate confirmation, and the hiring of Brent Kisling as the next executive director of the Department of Commerce. “Sean Kouplen is a proven business leader and entrepreneur, full of vision, energy and passion…

State tax revenue rose by $1,500,000,000 in 2018

January 17, 2019

Dec. up 13.4%, ‘18 up 13.2% State revenues increased by 13.2 percent – more than $1.5 billion – in 2018 compared to 2017, according to new State Treasurer Randy McDaniel. The state took in a little less than $13 billion in taxes in 2018, with $1.1 billion coming in December. December 2018 was $135 million…

Battle brewing over revenue surplus?

January 10, 2019

State revenues have been setting records every month for a year yet the State Board of Equalization has authorized a budget surplus of $612 million. Gov. Kevin Stitt wants to move slowly on allocating a surplus. Republican leaders urge caution because of the up-and-down nature of energy prices. And Democrats want a tax increase to…

No-cost medical care for illegals?

January 10, 2019

A bill has been filed Wednesday to eliminate a controversial program that provides free pregnancy-related care for illegal aliens. Sen. Paul Scott filed Senate Bill 40 hoping to stop state funds from providing healthcare to pregnant illegal immigrants under the Soon-to-be-Sooners Program (STBS). “I filed this bill to bring to light the fact that the…

Reform for state administrators?

January 10, 2019

Following public outcry about school funding and concern over high administrative salaries, Sen. Ron Sharp filed legislation to make superintendent salaries a completely local decision. Senate Bill 60 would require superintendent salaries and fringe benefits to be paid with only district (ad valorem dollars) and dedicated local funds. The bill would stop any state appropriated…

Gann chairman of Rules Comm.

January 10, 2019

House Speaker Charles McCall announced the chairs and vice chairs for the standing House committees and appropriation subcommittees of the 57th Oklahoma Legislature. State Rep. Tom Gann was named chair of the House Administrative Rules Committee by McCall. “I look forward to this assignment,” said Gann, R-Inola. “This committee can be very effective in making…

Virtual Charter School reforms

January 10, 2019

Sen. Ron Sharp filed legislation to modify several Virtual Charter School laws in Oklahoma. The 40-year retired educator said his bills are an effort to increase virtual charter school accountability and oversight. “There has been public outcry in recent years to improve public education and that includes virtual charter schools where millions of taxpayer dollars…