The Tulsa City Council has extended the mask mandate ordinance through April 30 in an attempt to slow down the Chinese coronavirus pandemic within the city limits. The ordinance was supposed to end on January 31. It mandates that anyone age 10 or older must wear a mask over their mouth and nose while in…
Gov. Kevin Stitt issued his ninth amended executive order to extending the State of Emergency related to the pandemic. The order has been in place since March 15, 2020. The amended order removes the requirement for bars and restaurants to close in person service at 11 p.m., a provision originally issued under the seventh Amended…
State Sen. George Burns, R-Pollard, has filed a measure that would modify the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act to ensure government entities cannot close churches, religious institutions or houses of worship. The measure is a response to the closure of churches and houses of worship across the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 216 would…
OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the House Republican Caucus issued a statement in support of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call for students to return to in-person learning in schools amid updated safety protocols. “The majority of Oklahoma parents and guardians have chosen in-person learning as the best option for their child, and many have told us…
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced that Oklahoma schools following safety protocols, including mask-wearing and social distancing, will be permitted to forgo the mandatory two-week quarantine period for potential COVID-19 exposures. Stitt and Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye emphasized the new Oklahoma State Department of Health policy is intended to keep students and teachers safe in…
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom filed Senate Bill 331 which would protect female athletes from competing against males who identify as females in school-sponsored athletic events. Also known as the Save Women’s Sports Act, the measure expressly designates that athletic teams sponsored by a public or private school would be based on biological…
Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, and Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, are inviting citizens to attend an upcoming town hall meeting on redistricting. The town hall will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 28, at the Tulsa Technology Center’s Sycamore Room, 10800 North 140 East Avenue in Owasso. Every ten years, following completion of the U.S….
OKLAHOMA CITY – In an effort to increase transparency when state agencies receive federal dollars, state Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, has filed a measure requiring the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to make a “Coercive Federal Funds Report” available online. Senate Bill 296 would require the report to include a detailed description of…
OKLAHOMA CITY – In an effort to promote the creation of small businesses across the state, Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, filed the Oklahoma Home-Based Business Fairness Act. Senate Bill 316 would ensure that no municipality could prohibit a home-based business to apply, register or obtain a permit, license, variance or other type of prior approval…
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has filed legislation aimed at providing greater educational choice for families dealing with bullying and health issues, particularly during the pandemic. “The physical and mental health of Oklahoma students is the focus of each of these bills. We should always put children, their futures, and what their…