A group of lawmakers today sent a letter to Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, in his role as Acting Governor of Oklahoma, requesting executive action to prohibit vaccine mandates for Oklahoma healthcare workers. This letter is a follow up to one sent to Governor Kevin Stitt on July 15, 2021. Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, spearheaded the…
In response to the recent rallies for freedom taking place in Cuba, Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, and Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, have filed two resolutions to support the people of Cuba in their desire to throw off communism and restore their liberties. “The founding principles of our republic: ‘that all men are created equal,’…
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) and Saint Francis Health System have reached a new contract agreement – good news for the thousands of BCBSOK members who depend on Saint Francis facilities and providers across Oklahoma. The three-year agreement means BCBSOK members using the Blue PreferredSM, Blue Advantage PPOSM, BlueLincs HMO, Blue Choice…
OKLAHOMA CITY — At its July 21 meeting, the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency Board of Trustees voted to award additional Affordable Housing Tax Credits to previously funded developments. Each development previously received funding in 2019 or 2020. “Industry-wide cost increases have placed a burden on 21 developments previously awarded with Affordable Housing Tax Credits,” said…
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) is inviting schools and communities to apply for a grant program. TSET has released new grant deadlines for their Healthy Incentive Grants, available to schools and communities across the state who meet criteria. TSET Healthy Incentive Grants promote tobacco-free environments, good nutrition, active lifestyles and employee wellness. Previous awards…
In a Wallethub survey of 2021’s States with the Best and Worst School System, Oklahoma ranked 46th as one of the worst states. Oklahoma has the 49th lowest median SAT score. Only West Virginia and the District of Columbia are worse. Oklahoma is tied with Tennessee for the 40th lowest median ACT score. WalletHub compared…
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are investing $12.6 million in the growth of engineering. Engineering is vital to Oklahoma’s success, with more than 64,000 engineering and engineering management jobs in the state. It is a field that is producing billions of dollars a year. Because of its importance, the regents have decided to…
Civil Air Patrol’s Col. Aaron Oliver took command of the Oklahoma Wing in July. “One hundred orientation flights in 100 days,” Oliver said at the wing’s annual conference. “It won’t be easy, but I believe our passion for this program will bring us to do great things.” Civil Air Patrol’s orientation flight program is a…
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma Water Resources Center has contracted with the Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit to participate in a five-year research grant to update tools and guidelines regarding flood control structures. The project is in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. The HERU, a one-of-a-kind research laboratory under the USDA’s…
Taxpayers will get their annual break during Oklahoma’s 2021 sales tax holiday will August 6, 7 and 8. Under the special holiday law, if an item is tax exempt, anyone may make the purchase tax-free. Retailers may not charge tax on items that are tax-exempt during the sales tax holiday weekend. That includes city, county…