News

Direct aid for war-torn Ukrainians

March 10, 2022

Shofar International Foundation, a Christian group based in Tulsa, is collecting funds to help the people of Ukraine as they are being attacked by the Russian military. Shofar International Foundation has contacts in Poland, Romania and Israel. The needs include beds, food, shelter, refrigerators, microwaves, and clothing for all the children, etc. To donate, send…

Stitt promotes $5 billion highway plan

March 3, 2022

Gov. Kevin Stitt and Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz presented ACCESS Oklahoma, a $5 billion, 15-year long-range plan, to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Board of Directors during its February meeting. ACCESS Oklahoma, which stands for Advancing and Connecting Communities and Economies Safely Statewide, is a long-range planning process that looks at ongoing highway infrastructure needs….

Bills to slow abortion advance

March 3, 2022

The Health and Human Services Committee advanced four pro-life bills from Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat. Senate Bill 1552 allows the Oklahoma State Department of Health to contract directly with private organizations who provide services related to the Choosing Childbirth Act. “Allowing the health department to contract directly with private organizations that support women…

LOFT seems to be work

March 3, 2022

The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) is reshaping state policymaking with improvements in legislative research, data and state agency accountability efforts. “Legislative scrutiny of tax dollars has never been higher, thanks to LOFT,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. “LOFT’s accountability efforts are already producing strong bills and a more informed legislative body.” LOFT’s…

High-speed Internet

March 3, 2022

House Republican legislation to bring high-speed internet to 95% of Oklahomans in five years was scheduled to be heard in committee this month. The creation of an Oklahoma Broadband Office via House Bill 3363 represents Oklahoma’s biggest step in broadband expansion, which has been a House Republican priority for three years. “With all the funds…

Spending the surplus

March 3, 2022

The Oklahoma State Board of Equalization (BOE) met to certify revenues available for appropriation for the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The amount initially certified by the board in December was $10.3 billion. The amount certified Tuesday was $10.49 billion. “The revenue figures show Oklahoma’s economy is still strong, but I emphatically believe it is in…

Military child care

March 3, 2022

A Senate bill aimed at giving military and civilian families working at Oklahoma military facilities greater access to childcare has been approved by the full Senate. Senate Bill 1286, by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, won overwhelming bipartisan approval. Stanley, who serves as vice chair of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, said SB…

Inhofe: Punish Putin, Russia

March 3, 2022

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, want more military aid to Ukraine and tougher economic sanctions on Russia in light of Russia’s invasion on February 23. “My prayers are with the brave men, women, and children of Ukraine, who are suffering an unprecedented, unwarranted and unprovoked attack ordered…

Sen. Jim Inhofe, 87, will retire from the Senate on Jan. 3

March 3, 2022

Eighty-seven-year-old U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, is retiring from the Senate, effective January 3, 2023. Inhofe sent an official to Oklahoma Secretary of State Brian Bingman. “It is bittersweet, but with a clear heart, that Kay and I announce that at the end of the year, I will retire from the United States Senate,” said…

School board candidates will speak

March 3, 2022

School board candidates Tim Harris, Shelly Gwartney, Mark Griffin, Ashley Cross, Maranda Trimble and E’Lena Ashley are scheduled to speak at the March 8 luncheon of the Tulsa Republican Women’s Club at the Tulsa Country Club at 11:30 a.m. Reservations are due by March 4 to rwctulsa@gmail.com.