News

School Board election timing

March 9, 2023 Ray Carter

In an effort to significantly increase voter turnout and input into local schools, lawmakers have advanced two bills that would shift school-board elections to a November general-election ballot. “I believe we need to increase voter turnout in school-board elections,” said state Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore. “And we all in our communities recently—two weeks ago—had those…

Fetal Images are Obscene?

March 9, 2023 Ray Carter

During discussion of legislation that would bar performing lewd or obscene acts in the presence of children, one Democratic lawmaker suggested public display of fetal images violates existing state obscenity laws. Senate Bill 503, by state Sen. David Bullard, would make it illegal for any political subdivision to “allow or permit a public display of…

Historic February Tornado Outbreak Strikes Oklahoma; drought lessening

March 9, 2023 Gary McManus

A potent storm system—labeled by forecasters as “historic” and “unprecedented” for February — struck Oklahoma on Feb. 26 with the full fury and power of a classic springtime severe weather outbreak. At least 10 tornadoes were confirmed during the event, with that total almost guaranteed to creep higher with further investigation by National Weather Service…

Senate approves measure to stop non-citizens from voting in Oklahoma elections

March 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate approved legislation Wednesday to help county election boards remove noncitizens from the state’s voter registration rolls. Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, authored Senate Bill 377 at the request of the Secretary of the State Election Board. “Voting is our greatest freedom as U.S. citizens, and we must ensure that our elections…

House Prohibits Gender Transition Services for Minors

March 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation prohibiting gender transition services for minors was approved Tuesday by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 2177, authored by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, prohibits health care professionals from providing, attempting to provide or providing a referral for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender reassignment surgeries…

Appropriations committee passes bill to help towns increase law enforcement

March 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure to improve public safety in small Oklahoma towns passed unanimously out of the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday. Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, authored Senate Bill 1095 to allow retired law enforcement members to be employed full-time in small towns. “Just as the business community is struggling to maintain their workforce, smaller…

OK House Committee Passes Resolution to Term Limit U.S. Congress

March 9, 2023

Oklahoma City, OK — Today, the Oklahoma House Rules committee passed HJR1032 by a vote of 8-2. HJR1032, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Echols, puts Congress on notice that Oklahoma wants to join other states in calling for a convention to propose a congressional term limits amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The effort is being spearheaded…

Student and school safety measure moves through Senate

March 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma public and private schools, along with careertechs, would become more secure under legislation approved Tuesday by the Senate. Retired educator, Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, authored Senate Bill 100 to require each school district to undergo a risk and vulnerability assessment by the Oklahoma School Security Institute (OSSI) by July 1, 2026….

Bill to increase pay for jury duty sent to House

March 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate approved legislation Tuesday to increase compensation for citizens serving jury duty. Senate Bill 713, by Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, would increase pay for jurors in non-federal courts from $20 to $30 per day. “Serving as a juror is a civic duty we’re all called upon to do at…

Senate approves bill to ‘lock the clock’ on Daylight Saving Time

March 9, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate approved Senate Bill 7 Tuesday. The measure, by Sen. Blake Cowboy Stephens, R-Tahlequah, would stop Oklahoma from changing the clock twice a year and lock in Daylight Saving Time (DST) year round. “Oklahoma needs to be on the right side of this issue,” Stephens said. “Locking the clock in…