State Rep. Johnny Tadlock announced he is changing his political party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. “This to me is not at all about party affiliation,” said Tadlock, from Idabel. “This is about representing the people who live in my district to the best of my ability and making sure their voice is heard at…
Governor-elect Kevin Stitt has nominated Blayne Arthur as the next Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, a position that will require State Senate confirmation. “Blayne Arthur is a deeply respected leader in Oklahoma agriculture, known for her excellence in public service, her entrepreneurial spirit, and her passion mentoring youth,” said Stitt. “As Secretary of Agriculture, Blayne will…
Sen. John Haste has been chosen to serve on several key committees in the Oklahoma State Senate. Senate President Pro Tempore-designate Greg Treat announced the appointments. The freshman Republican will serve on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services as well as the Retirement and Insurance, Education, and Veterans and Military Affairs Committees. “I’m…
Oklahoma has a ban on tobacco products for public and private school buildings and vehicles. After conducting an interim study this fall, state Sen. J.J. Dossett has filed legislation for the 2019 session that would extend that ban to vaping. “If you look at the studies coming out from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and…
Record-setting tax revenue for November, 12 months Lawmakers who want to raise taxes will have a weaker argument when the legislative session begins in February thanks to record-setting revenues pouring into state coffers. State Treasurer Ken Miller’s report on November tax receipts showed an increase of nearly 16 percent from November of 2017. The November…
Ten candidates have filed for the District 1 seat on the Tulsa Public School Board. Board member Gary Perceful is not seeking re-election, so that is an open seat. The candidates who filed from December 3-5 were: Stacey Woolley, Kyle R. Wagner, DeAnna Cooper, Niki Grauberger, Nicholas Cains, Brenda Barre, Chris Freedom, Scott Carter, Nicole…
Governor-elect Kevin Stitt has appointed Kenneth Wagner as the next Secretary of Energy and Environment. “Wagner is well respected among environment leaders, energy industry experts, and state regulators in neighboring states,” Stitt said. “He will play a critical role in advising my administration on policy that encourages robust and responsible development of our natural resources,…
State Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has been named chairman of the Oklahoma Senate’s Government Committee for the upcoming legislative session beginning in February. Pro Tem-designate Senate Greg Treat, R-Edmond, names chairs, vice chairs for Senate standing committees. Sen. Gary Stanislawsi, R-Tulsa, has been named chairman of the Senate Education Committee and Sen. Joe Newhouse,…
Attorney General Mike Hunter said 266 Oklahomans, who were victims of Midland Funding, LLC.’s debt-buying scheme, will receive $327,437 in credit as part of a nationwide settlement. The announcement is the result of a 2012 multistate investigation into Encore Capital Group, Inc., one of the nation’s largest debt collection companies, and its subsidiaries, Midland Credit…
U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, D-Oklahoma, has hired Cameron Foster as his chief of staff. Foster is a former congressional staffer who served on Ben Carson’s presidential campaign, and recently consulted on Hern’s campaign as an advisor with Axiom Strategies. Other hires in the Congressman’s Washington, D.C., office are Miranda Dabney, Chrissy Liotta, and Karen Schmitt….