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Bynum won’t fight the end of mask mandate

Tulsa Beacon

Mayor G.T. Bynum reluctantly supports an end to Tulsa’s mask mandate as scheduled at the end of April. Bynum heard recommendations from the Tulsa Health Department and the Mayor-Council COVID-19 Working Group. “… the City of Tulsa’s COVID working group met with public health leadership,” Bynum said. “According to the Tulsa Health Department, our trends…

Resolution strikes at Biden’s unconstitutional orders

Tulsa Beacon

House Concurrent Resolution 1004 sponsored by Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, in the House and Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, declares the Biden’s recent executive actions on gun violence are unconstitutional. “For the current administration to make the statement that POTUS ‘will not wait for Congress to act…’ is an insult to all Americans,” said Steagall….

Norman defunding denied

Tulsa Beacon

Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, praised the Oklahoma Supreme Court decision that upheld a lower court’s ruling that the city of Norman violated the state’s Open Meeting Act when it voted to cut the police budget by more than $865,000 last year.  The Court ruling said that the meeting notice, which did not specify cuts to…

‘Cocktails to Go’ advances

Tulsa Beacon

House Bill 2122, known as the Cocktails to Go Act, is one step closer to becoming law as the state continues to liberalize liquor laws. The bill is authored by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, and Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan. The bill would allow establishments holding a caterer’s or mixed beverage license to sell single-serve…

Everett’s Bill goes to Stitt

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation to prohibit discrimination against a potential organ transplant recipient based solely on the person’s physical or mental disability passed the House and moves to the governor to be signed into law. Senate Bill 378 by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma, is a request from Edmond parents Rhys and Neely Gay, whose middle child, Everett, age…

Speedier driver’s licenses

Tulsa Beacon

The Senate gave final approval to legislation that will help speed up the process of issuing and renewing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) in Oklahoma. Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, said House Bill 1059 addresses numerous problems that are bogging down tag agents and will bring the state in line with federal law.  “House Bill 1059 introduces…

Gann on agency reforms

Tulsa Beacon

Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, commented on legislation that creates the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules being signed into law by Gov. Stitt. Senate Bill 913 will ensure agency rules go through a more transparent and thorough process before being approved or repealed by the Legislature and ultimately the governor. “Senate Bill 913 fundamentally changes how…

Help for high utility bills

Tulsa Beacon

The Senate advanced measures aimed at helping ratepayers manage the significant financial burden stemming from those increased energy costs during the February winter storm. Senate Bill 1049 and Senate Bill 1050 create a framework for securitization of the approximately $4.5 billion in increased energy costs due to the February winter storm, said Sen. James Leewright,…

Meeting disruption bill

Tulsa Beacon

The House passed Senate Bill 403, a bill that will extend current statutes regarding the disruption of state meetings to cover school boards, county and municipal governments. The bill will make it unlawful to disrupt or interfere with the business of any political subdivision. “Because these boards, commissions and other entities are acting on behalf…

Guard deployment bill

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation passed off the Senate floor to protect members of the Oklahoma National Guard from employment discrimination. Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Chair Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, explained that the bill provides the same employment protections for Oklahoma National Guard members whether they are called to federal active duty by the president under Title…