Small: If you hate the poor, raise the minimum wage

If you hate the poor, raise the minimum wage

By Jonathan Small

The gap between intentions and outcomes can be vast in politics, as the push to raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage demonstrates.

Proponents say they want to help struggling citizens at the bottom of the state’s economic ladder. But in practice, their wage-policy preference yanks that ladder out of the hands of those low-income workers, leaving them not only poor but also with far less opportunity for future advancement.

Why? Because the market still sets worker rates even when government planners pretend otherwise. If a minimum wage exceeds market value, it forces employers to simply reduce hiring, shift to automation, or move jobs to more business-friendly climates.

If you doubt it, look at California.

Cong. Brecheen announces 20 town halls across 2nd District

Congressman Brecheen Announces August In-Person Town Halls

Washington, D.C. (August 15th)– Congressman Josh Brecheen announced the following in-person town halls for the month of August. Constituents are invited to attend and share their thoughts and ask questions on policy issues impacting Washington, D.C. and Oklahoma.

Congressman Brecheen has so far held 106 in-person town halls since his first term in office, visiting every county in Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District. 

Speaker Hilbert: investigation into "bizarre accident" vindicates both Walters and board members

The latest turn of events in the the State Department of Education TV-Gate drama: House Speaker Kyle Hilbert thinks the bottom has been reached and the actual truth discovered, and it was all a bizarre accident.

House Speaker Comments on SDE Investigation

Oklahoma City (August 5th) - Statement from Speaker Kyle Hilbert Regarding Investigation into State Department of Education TV Incident:

"On Friday, July 25, two members of the State Board of Education made graphic allegations concerning what they say was visible on a television in the State Superintendent’s office during an executive session the previous day. Due to the serious and disturbing nature of these claims, I immediately called for an independent and transparent third-party review to determine exactly what occurred.

That weekend, I spoke directly with State Superintendent Ryan Walters. He assured me that he welcomed a thorough investigation and had requested the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to come onsite to investigate. OMES confirmed with me that they would begin their work on Monday, July 28, which they did.

Sen. Daniels applauds ruling upholding ban on transgender procedures under age 18

Daniels Applauds Tenth Circuit Ruling Upholding SB613

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 8th) – The Tenth Circuit has upheld Oklahoma’s law prohibiting gender transition procedures on children under the age of 18.

SB613, authored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and Representative Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, was enacted in 2023. It prohibits medications designed to delay or suppress puberty and surgical procedures that alter or remove physical or anatomical characteristics or features that are typical for the individual’s biological sex. 

House Speaker Hilbert launches “Capitol to Community” tour

House Speaker Kyle Hilbert Launches “Capitol to Community” Statewide Series

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 30th) – Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert has launched a new initiative titled "Capitol to Community", a series of events held across the state over the interim with the goal of strengthening connections between legislators and the Oklahomans they serve.

The format of Capitol to Community will vary depending on the community, but the goal remains consistent: a full day on the ground, engaging directly with local leaders, businesses, educators and residents.

Stitt issues executive order to end state contracts with providers connected to abortion

While we're at it, how about we just flat-out abolish abortion next legislative session?

Governor Stitt Issues Sweeping Order Directing Agencies to Enforce Pro-Life Standards Across State Government

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 31, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order strengthening Oklahoma's commitment to protecting unborn life by directing state agencies to cease all public funding for any individual or organization affiliated with abortion providers. The order follows the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which affirmed that states have the right to decide which providers can take part in their Medicaid programs, including the right to block providers connected to abortion.

Mazzei reports over half million raised for gubernatorial campaign

Mike Mazzei for Governor Campaign Reports Strong First Quarter Momentum

Tulsa, OK (August 1st) – Conservative Republican candidate and former State Senator Mike Mazzei announced today the successful completion of his campaign’s first fundraising quarter, reporting over half a million dollars raised.

“Our campaign is about bringing real conservative leadership back to the Governor’s office,” said Mazzei. “I’m grateful for the broad coalition of conservative patriots stepping up to support our message and help us take on the bloated bureaucracy that’s holding Oklahoma back.”

The bizarre case of the latest Walters drama - and why he's likely innocent here

As you might have heard in the news, some bizarre allegations surfaced after a State Board of Education meeting last week. Two recently appointed board members told members of the press that they saw "naked women" on a TV in State Superintendent Ryan Walters' office during an executive session last Thursday, reportedly interrupting the meeting to ask Walters to turn the TV off.

Sharp words and denials have flown back and forth, along with the commencement of investigations by OMES and the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. The more that comes out, however, the more unlikely the first report sounds, and the more it seems that this time, the drama around Walters is completely unfounded, an unfortunate and bizarre misunderstanding, and that Walters is innocent of any wrongdoing here. Let's look at what we know so far.

Small: On teacher pay, perception and reality often clash

On teacher pay, perception and reality often clash

By Jonathan Small

In a press release issued earlier this year, House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson of Oklahoma City declared that Oklahoma ranks “last in the region for teacher pay.”

That claim may align with longstanding stereotype, but not with reality. By any measure, Oklahoma teacher pay is not the last in the region nor anywhere near the bottom. And nationally, our average teacher pay is in the middle-tier of states.

It’s not “right wing” entities making that claim, but data from liberal entities including the National Education Association (NEA), a teachers’ union, and the Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA), a lobbying entity employed by public schools.

Bye-bye, penny? Cong. Lucas' bill to end penny production passes committee

Lucas' Penny Bill Passes out of Committee

Washington, DC (July 24th) – President Trump's call to eliminate production of the penny took a major step forward with the passage of Congressman Frank D. Lucas' legislation – the MINT Act – passing out of the Financial Services Committee. The legislation passed as part of the Common Cents Act authored by House Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-MI), whose bill text was replaced by the MINT Act.

The Modernize and Improve our National Tender (MINT) Act would cease the production of the penny while ensuring that every penny still in circulation remains as legal tender. It would also allow the Mint to produce the nickel with nickel-plated zinc, giving greater flexibility to producer cheaper coins.

Attorney General charges OKC man for damaging TV station's weather radar

Contrary to what the crazies out in Loony Land on the internet believe (and I've seen some stuff from them), weather radar is not creating, directing, or contributing to severe weather events.

Image source: News9

Drummond charges Oklahoma City man for damaging TV station's weather radar

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 19, 2025) – The office of Attorney General Gentner Drummond will prosecute an Oklahoma City man accused of damaging the weather radar of Oklahoma City TV station KWTV Channel 9.

Early this month, Anthony Tyler Mitchell, 39, allegedly vandalized the power supply of News 9’s NextGen live radar. He is charged with malicious injury or destruction of property, and damage to equipment in a critical infrastructure facility. Both are felonies. In addition, Mitchell faces a misdemeanor of entering with the intent to commit a felony.

Small: Court finds McGirt ruling has limits

Court finds McGirt ruling has limits

By Jonathan Small

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which held that the pre-statehood reservation of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation was never formally disestablished for purposes of federal criminal law, created vast uncertainty, particularly as other “reservations” were discovered.

The question facing Oklahomans: Would McGirt provide tribal governments with civil authority over the state and non-Indians?

Thankfully, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has now answered, “No.” Otherwise, McGirt would have created economic chaos and worse by cementing Oklahoma as place where there would be two sets of rules based on race, geography, demographic or political classification.