News

County purchasing reforms passed

May 12, 2022

Legislation modernizing county purchasing laws was signed into law by the Governor April 28. House Bill 3344, authored by Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, modifies the procedure for requisition and inventory tracking of equipment, as well as modifies bid solicitation requirements. “With increases in parts and labor to repair county highway district machinery and equipment, House…

Quarter Horse voted the state horse

May 12, 2022

The Senate gave full approval in a 43-3 vote to name the Quarter Horse as Oklahoma’s official state horse. Authored by Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens, House Bill 3261 adds to the list another icon to instill state pride and ownership in all Oklahomans, joining the state steak, state bird, and even the state monument –…

Dems back transgender students

May 12, 2022

Several House Democrats want “transgender” students to freely use any bathroom that they identify as, even if a boy wants to be a girl and a girl wants to be a boy. Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa, said, “We voted on and I supported a $700 million economic incentive to hopefully entice a Fortune 500 company…

Turnpike Authority accountability

May 12, 2022

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s (OTA) $200 million line of credit application that was filed last week with the Council of Bond Oversight. Attorneys for Norman homeowners and members of the nonprofit Pike Off OTA filed objections, which focused on the OTA’s lack of legal authority to build the turnpikes in Norman that could threaten the property…

Added time for adjunct teachers

May 12, 2022

Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed Senate Bill 1119 into law, by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. The bill will remove the 270-hour limit adjunct teachers work per semester in a classroom. Garvin said, “We’re working hard to figure out how to fill the teacher workforce pipeline, but those efforts are going…

Human trafficking bill is passed

May 12, 2022

A bill giving greater protection to victims of human trafficking and child abduction has been signed into law. Senate Bill 1569, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is also known as the “Address Confidentiality for Child Survivors and Their Families Act.” “SB 1569 simply gives victims of human trafficking and child abduction the ability to keep…

Power of Attorney reform issues

May 12, 2022

The governor has signed Senate Bill 1596, also known as the Oklahoma Health Care Agent Act, which establishes requirements for health care power of attorney and allows Oklahomans to make advanced decisions about their care in case they are temporarily or permanently incapacitated. The measure was authored by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus. “All citizens should…

2nd Distrist race draws a crowd

May 12, 2022

Oklahoma’s Second Congressional District has drawn the biggest field of aspiring GOP candidates this year. Fourteen Republicans – including a state senator and state representatives – will be on the June 28 primary ballot. Not surprisingly, only one Democrat and one Independent is running and therefore they both will advance to the November ballot. That…

April set new OK wind records

May 12, 2022

Oklahoma set a new record for wind in April. “There is one aspect of this April’s weather that would unite most Oklahomans — the wind,” said Gary McManus, associate state climatologist, Oklahoma Climatological Survey. “Already Oklahoma’s windiest calendar month climatologically, the seemingly unceasing gales howling day and night became a common point of exasperation.” Data…

Record high OK revenue in April

May 12, 2022

Oklahoma State revenues in April surged to a record high propelled by income tax payments, but other indicators point to caution, State Treasurer Randy McDaniel announced. This was true even though some categories dropped. But in April, Medical marijuana taxes generated $62.6 million, down by $2.2 million, or 3.4 percent. Motor vehicle taxes produced $72…