News

More options for Obamacare in OK

October 14, 2021

The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) announced which health insurance companies will be offering plans in the Oklahoma Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) Marketplace for the year 2022. Two new insurers will be joining the Marketplace next year, giving Oklahoma consumers more health insurance options. Starting this year, consumers will also have an extra 30…

ODOT unveils $8 billion, 8-year plan

October 14, 2021

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission adopted an $8 billion Eight-Year Plan at an October 4 meeting. ODOT officials heard a report on federal funding measures considered in Washington, D.C. and the debut of a new public service announcement promoting seat belt use. Commissioners awarded contracts for several projects, including work on I-44 in Comanche County, city…

Sen. Nathan Dahm to challenge Sen. James Lankford

October 7, 2021

State Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in the 2022 election cycle. Dahm is challenging U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma. Tulsa Pastor Jackson Lahmeyer has also announced that he will run against Lankford in the GOP primary. Dahm has criticized Lankford for not doing more…

Indian Nation Turnpike

October 7, 2021

Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, wants more on- and off-ramps to the Indian Nation Turnpike in southeast Oklahoma. “This is a topic my constituents have asked me about since I first got elected three years ago,” Grego said. “My goal is to see how we can increase access for the folks living and working in southeast…

Division II Sports League

October 7, 2021

Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, has floated the idea of forming an Oklahoma-only Division II Sports Conference. It was discussed at an interim study held before the House Higher Education and Career Tech Committee. “I wanted to explore whether forming an Oklahoma Athletic Conference for our Division Two schools is something that would be beneficial to…

Space industry

October 7, 2021

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, wants to help Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) reach its full potential as a competitive industrial authority. The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) is a development authority created in 1999 to operate a 2,700 spaceport near Burns Flat. The Oklahoma Air & Space Port and Aerospace…

Civics education

October 7, 2021

Legislators took a deeper look at the standards and quality of Oklahoma’s civics education during a recent interim study. IS21-052, heard before the House Higher Education and Career Tech Committee, was requested and led by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton. “It’s important that Americans understand the fundamental concepts of our government, whether it’s the Constitution, the…

Mazzie drops out

October 7, 2021

Former State Sen. Mike Mazzei has withdrawn from the race for State Treasurer of Oklahoma. “I was running on the optimism and incredibly bright future of our state, Mazzei said.”I know that in Oklahoma, we lead the nation as fiscal conservatives, promoting traditional family values, and economic growth and development. While I am disappointed, I…

After a dip in 2020, 2021 Halloween plans are going up

October 7, 2021

Plans for Halloween are picking up speed as some surveys report that the holiday activities are almost returning to pre-pandemic levels. The National Retail Foundation website reports that consumer spending on Halloween-related items is expected to reach an all-time high of $10.14 billion, up from $8.05 billion in 2020, according an annual survey conducted by…

Inhofe and senators warn of Russian incursion in Asia

October 7, 2021

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a…