Two bills aimed at making it easier for Oklahomans with occupational licenses to work passed in the House of Representatives last week. House Bill 2477, by House Speaker Charles McCall, would amend current law to require the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) garnish wages of a non-compliant taxpayer rather than revoke or not renew the taxpayer’s…
Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter, along with a bi-partisan coalition of 30 other attorneys general, has sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) urging changes to strengthen current identity theft rules to better protect consumers. The letter is in response to the FTC’s December request for comment on whether modifications should be made…
Twins N Needles will host the “Vintage Sewing Adventure” from April 6-7 at the Terrace Room of the Mayo Hotel, 115 W. 5th. This is the first event for Lara Neel and Lisa Neel, who started their company, Twins N Needles, to offer craft educational events. The weekend will offer more than 40 hours of…
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $8,546,252 to support homeless programs across Oklahoma. Last month, HUD announced nearly $2 billion in grants to renew funding to thousands of local homeless assistance programs throughout the United States. Combined with new grants, this funding represents a record investment to support state and local efforts…
Mayor G. T. Bynum has ordered the City of Tulsa to accept proposals to develop a comprehensive housing market demand study and recommend a strategy to spend more money downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. It will update the 2010 Downtown Housing Study. Bynum, city councilors and the chamber are actively promoting housing in Downtown. In the…
Dr. Joe Ligon was approved to serve as Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) senior associate executive director, with a unanimous vote by the BGCO board at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City on Feb. 5. Ligon, who has served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Marlow, Oklahoma, since 1999, will begin his tenure…
Tulsa school board District 2 incumbent Jania Wester won re-election February 12 and Nicole Nixon and Stacey Woolley will advance to a runoff election April 2 for the open seat in District 1. Wester got 280 votes (75 percent) over Gary Cooper. Wester was appointed to the District 2 seat in October following the resignation…
Using historical educational and population data, market trends and demand-supply projections, the 2018 Oklahoma Educator Supply and Demand Report shows the percentage of educators leaving the profession has increased over the past six years, representing more than 5,000 per year or a total of approximately 30,000. This is average of 10 percent of Oklahoma’s teacher…
Oklahomans who are not felons or have mental illness may soon be able to carry a firearm with without a state permit. House Bill 2597, by Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, was approved by a 9-2 vote in the House Public Safety Committee. Roberts said the bill promotes constitutional carry for citizens who are not felons,…
Senate Democrat Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, and House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, introduced a plan they have labeled a “Brand New State.” It promotes expansion in state government in public education, healthcare and other areas. “The agenda we introduced today is a collaboration between House and Senate Democrats,” Floyd said. Democrats have filed…