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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Legislative Update

Tulsa area Reps respond to delay of TPS audit release

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, and Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, commented on the recent delay in releasing the state audit of Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) and its management of federal relief funds, calling for greater transparency. “I find it unfortunate and deeply frustrating that Tulsa Public Schools delayed the audit findings,”…

Senior Day at the Capital to be held March 3

Tulsa Beacon

(Oklahoma City) – Oklahoma senior citizens, caregivers, and those interested in matters affecting aging Oklahomans are invited to the State Capitol for Senior Day on Monday, March 3. Attendees will have the opportunity to share ideas, needs and concerns with their state lawmakers, visit with organizations and state agencies to learn about services for older…

BAPS going to new hybrid school calendar

Tulsa Beacon

After months of research and community engagement, Broken Arrow Public Schools approved a hybrid instructional calendar that maintains a five-day school week, rather than transitioning to a four-day week for the 25-26 school year. The proposed calendar was voted on  and approved at their Feb. 10 meeting. Seeking possible solutions for the worsening teaching shortage,…

House committee passes “Bell to Bell” No Cell legislation

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Education Oversight Committee today passed legislation that prohibits the use of cell phones by students during the school day. The legislation is the first bill to be heard and considered in the House’s new two-tiered committee structure and is expected to be heard on the floor later this week. Chairman…

Tax Credit for Pregnancy Resource Center Donations Advances

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, on Tuesday advanced legislation that would allow a 70% tax credit for any taxpayer contributing to a pregnancy resource center beginning in tax year 2026. House Bill 1201 would cap credits at $50,000 for individuals and $5 million in total for the state annually, but excess could be…

Lauria and Ashley’s Law Passes First Committee

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, today secured committee passage of a bill that would add accessory to murder in the first or second degree to the list of crimes that would require an offender to serve 85% of their prison sentence before being eligible for consideration for parole. Those convicted also would not…

Feb. 11 area School Board elections and Bond Propositions

Tulsa Beacon

Jenks and Owasso will have bond issues to vote on, while School Board Elections will be held for Broken Arrow Public School Zone 5 and District 3 in Tulsa Public Schools. The Jenks School system says that this bond issue will not raise the millage. It would be replacing bonds that are phasing out.  However…

Election day reminders & tips

Tulsa Beacon

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, for the Board of Education Primary for ISD-1 Tulsa Public Schools Board Member Office Number 3, ISD-3 Broken Arrow Public Schools Board Member Office Number 5; as well as the City of Owasso Council Member Ward 5 and Special Bond Proposition Elections…

Deadline to request absentee ballot for March 4 election approaches

Tulsa Beacon

Voters in Tulsa County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the March 4, Special Bond Proposition Elections for ISD-13 Glenpool Public Schools and ISD-14 Liberty Public Schools should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman said today. Absentee ballots are available to any registered voter, provided they are eligible to vote in…

SJR10, the Honoring Our Heroes Ballot Initiative to Exempt Oklahoma Veterans from Property Taxes

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, has introduced Senate Joint Resolution 10, the Honoring Our Heroes ballot initiative, a constitutional amendment proposal that would exempt all honorably discharged veterans from property taxes in Oklahoma. If approved by the Legislature, this measure will be placed on the ballot. “My goal is to make Oklahoma the…