News

Changes planned for SoonerCare

January 30, 2020

Two new Oklahoma Health Care Authority policies will increase SoonerCare members’ access to care and lower OHCA costs. The new policies include adding diabetes self-management training as a SoonerCare benefit and establishing registered behavior technicians as SoonerCare providers. The policies were enacted by emergency rules that Gov. Kevin Stitt signed earlier this month. “Our core…

Renaming the Chamberlain Center

January 30, 2020

The Tulsa Parks and Recreation Dept. will hold a building dedication and reopening celebration at Chamberlain Park, 4940 N. Frankfort Ave. on Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. to formally rename Chamberlain Recreation Center to the Jane A. Malone Center in Chamberlain Park. The city decided to reopen the Recreation Center in Chamberlain after being closed…

Stitt make administrative changes

January 30, 2020

Governor Kevin Stitt made two changes to his leadership team. John Budd, who has been serving in the dual roles of state chief operating officer (COO) and director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), will now be solely focused on his role as state COO. Steven Harpe, who currently serves as deputy…

Sanctuary cities banned under proposed state bill

January 23, 2020

Sen. Nathan Dahm wants to crack down on the state’s sanctuary city policies. Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed Senate Bill 1459, which prohibits any municipality in Oklahoma to adopt a sanctuary policy. Under the bill, any city or town that enacts such a policy would be ineligible for state funding through agencies and grants. “In the…

‘Year of the Bible’ proposal gains lawmaker, businessmen support

January 23, 2020

Legislation filed by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, would declare 2020 the “Year of the Bible.” Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 would recognize the unique contribution the Bible has made in shaping the United States, including that biblical teachings inspired civil government concepts found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The resolution also recognizes…

Make America Great and Keep America Great state license plates

January 23, 2020

Make America Great Again” and “Keep America Great” license plates may soon be cruising by in a lane near you. Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed Senate Bill 1384, which would create special “Make America Great Again” and “Keep America Great” Oklahoma license plates. Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore, is co-author of the bill. “With…

Bill to ban traffic citation quotas

January 23, 2020

Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed a bill prohibiting law enforcement entities from enacting policies that require officers, justices or judges to meet traffic citation quotas. “It’s no secret that some jurisdictions may emphasize writing tickets at different times to try and generate more revenue,” Dahm said. “Our peace officers shouldn’t be pushed by their…

Gov. Stitt sets new record with pardons

January 23, 2020

Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed 62 commutations, 93 pardons and 23 paroles, bringing the total signed during his first year to 774 commutations, 290 pardons and 101 paroles. “This has been a historic year for criminal justice reform in Oklahoma,” said Stitt. “Under new leadership in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and at the Pardon and Parole…

End Death Penalty bill

January 23, 2020

State Rep. Jason Dunnington, D-Oklahoma City, filed House Bill 2876 which would remove the death penalty from among the options in Oklahoma for sentencing in capital cases. “I’m proud to be a part of the important progress we’ve made toward criminal justice reform,” Dunnington said. “Oklahomans are becoming more aware of the wasted costs of…

Reduce sentencing bill

January 23, 2020

Legislation providing juvenile offenders a second chance by preventing harsh sentencing was recently filed by Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City. Senate Bill 1189 not only prohibits life without parole sentences for juveniles, but also prohibits a mandatory minimum sentence that exceeds 20 years for any offender under the age of 18. The bill would also…