State Sen. Nathan Dahm wants Oklahoma law to conform to the 2nd Amendment rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. Dahn has introduced Senate Bill 12, which would amend state law to allow anyone 21 or older to carry a firearm, concealed or unconcealed, loaded or unloaded – with few exceptions. It doesn’t change the status…
Freshman legislator Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, has authored House Bill 1957 that would dramatically increase the minimum salaries for public school teachers in the state. Provenzano is a former administrator at Washington, Hale and Bixby high schools. If passed, the new pay minimums would take effect for the 2020-2021 school year for certified personnel (teachers…
Gov. Kevin Stitt has issued four new executive orders that focus on increasing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in state government. “My commitment is to get to the bottom of every dollar spent by state government and ensure every hard-earned tax dollar matches the mission and values of Oklahomans,” said Stitt. “These executive orders will help…
Following the discovery of a $30 million slush fund at the state Department of Health last year, a multi-county grand jury made 7 recommendations to prevent financial deceit by state agencies. Sen. Paul Scott has authored legislation to implement one of those recommendations by punishing state employees who hide public funds under their control. Senate…
Legislation has been filed to bring Oklahoma’s poultry laws in line with U.S. Department of Agriculture standards. Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, authored Senate Bill 995 to provide small farm exemptions from the Poultry Products Inspection Act, if the small farm abides by certain sanitary standards and only processes their own poultry. Sharp said if the…
Gov. Kevin Stitt has hired Mark Gower as the Director of the Department of Oklahoma Emergency Management (OEM). “Mark Gower has been dedicated to the safety and security of Oklahomans his entire career,” said Gov. Stitt. “His expertise is well suited to guide the Department of Emergency Management, and I look forward to working with…
Senate Republicans will attempt to increase accountability in state government by creating a legislative budget office and will protect the state’s $2.9 billion investment in education as part of their 2019 legislative session, according to a press release by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat and members of the GOP Caucus. “Our agenda is simple…
Statewide enrollment is up a bit; Tulsa enrollment keeps dropping Oklahoma’s public schools have a slightly increasing student population, according to numbers released by the State Department of Education. Tulsa Public Schools are losing students – 2,059 in the past five years with 540 in the past year. Broken Arrow stayed virtually the same (11…
Tulsa’s City Council has raised another tax – this time a 3 percent hike on room stays at the city’s largest hotels. Described as a “Tourism Improvement District,” the tax increase only applies to hotels with more than 110 rooms. City officials predict it will raise more than $2,400,000.00 in new revenues. The extra money…
The Oklahoma State Election Board is encouraging Oklahomans everywhere to make a resolution to get registered and vote. “Whether you just turned 18 or have been eligible to vote for years, now is the time to take an active role in electing our government representatives,” said Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the State Election Board. “2020…