State Rep. Brian Hill announces candidacy for Lieutenant Governor

State Rep. Brian Hill (R-Mustang) is jumping into the race for Lieutenant Governor, joining other Republican candidates like State Auditor Cindy Byrd, State Rep. Justin Humphrey, and State Sen. Darrell Weaver.

Hill's announcement press release is below:

Brian Hill Announces Candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma

MUSTANG, Okla. (Sept. 2nd) – State Representative Brian Hill, a proven conservative leader, businessman, and Chairman of the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee, officially announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma.  

Shaw launches 'Save Oklahoma Plan', pledges $100k for grassroots agenda

Freshman State Rep. Jim Shaw (R-Chandler) is a conservative warrior, unafraid to stand up and fight against long odds. In his first term in the Legislature, he's been about government transparency and accountability, protecting the rights and freedoms of Oklahomans, and fearlessly opposing the powerful "green energy" industry, corporate welfare, and the incestuous web of well-connected lobbyists and consultants who influence and control many of Oklahoma's elected officials from behind the scenes.

Shaw is launching a new effort – the 'Save Oklahoma Plan' – to promote the same type of courageous grassroots conservatives running for office in 2026:

Jim Shaw Commits $100,000 to "Save Oklahoma Plan" to Advance Grassroots Agenda for Republicans in 2026

No more empty promises. No more selling out.

Chandler, OK (Tuesday, September 2, 2025) - State Representative Jim Shaw announced today the launch of the Save Oklahoma Plan, a grassroots-driven campaign to hold every Republican in the 2026 legislative session and the Oklahoma primaries accountable to the people. Under the Save Oklahoma Plan, funds will be distributed to conservative grassroots organizations committed to contacting voters about the plan's issues through texting campaigns, petition drives, door-to-door canvassing and digital marketing. These organizations have pledged they will not support or endorse any candidate who refuses to stand strong on all seven of the issues outlined in the plan, even if that candidate happens to disagree with them on just one.

Small: OSSAA abuses merit lawmakers’ response

OSSAA abuses merit lawmakers’ response

By Jonathan Small

Oklahoma law allows “open transfer,” meaning any student in Oklahoma can attend any public school with room. But the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) too often prevents transfer students from playing sports, effectively undermining the open-transfer law. OSSAA board members, who are mostly school superintendents, often see “recruiting” whenever a competitor school might get transfers.

The OSSAA recently barred four teenage boys from playing basketball for Glencoe, alleging recruitment because the boys have long known new Glencoe basketball coach Garrett Schubert and his son, Maddox.

The OSSAA’s Board of Directors voted 12–0 to declare the four boys ineligible. The boys’ families filed a lawsuit on Aug. 14.

Op-ed: Trump EPA’s fix for DEF guidelines will help ag community

EPA’s Fix for DEF guidelines Will Help Ag Community
by EPA Regional Administrator Scott Mason

As a native of Cordell, it’s an honor to serve the people of Oklahoma as the Regional Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 6 Dallas headquarters, which also covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Texas, and 66 federally recognized Tribes. I share President Trump and Administrator Lee Zeldin’s belief that EPA’s work should benefit all Americans without hindering our economy.

Nowhere is this goal illustrated more clearly than in the agricultural community. I’ve met with farmers and ranchers about how EPA can be a help to them, including at a roundtable I held in Burns Flat with Blayne Arthur of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry in May. Their message is clear and consistent: get rid of the unnecessary bureaucracy that makes their work more difficult and less efficient. I’ve shared these concerns with EPA’s senior leaders, and as shown by Administrator Zeldin’s recent announcement revising diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) requirements, EPA is listening and taking action.

Small: Protecting pension progress

Protecting pension progress

By Jonathan Small

Oklahoma was once ranked among the worst states in the nation when it came to the financial stability of our state pensions. That meant many state workers, including teachers, were at risk of reaching retirement without sufficient income to live out their golden years in comfort.

Fortunately, reforms that took full effect roughly a decade ago have now made Oklahoma a national model.

“What you did, starting in 2010 all the way to now, really is the gold standard for other states to look at,” said Caren Lock, a managing director with TIAA-CREF, a national financial services firm.

Mike Brittingham announces campaign for State House District 19

State House District 19 will be an open seat in the 2026 election due to incumbent Republican Rep. Justin Humphrey running for Lieutenant Governor. In addition to Mike Brittingham in the below press release, two other Republicans so far have also announced their candidacies: Derek Porter and Ruben Babcock.

Mike Brittingham Announces Candidacy for Oklahoma State Representative District 19

Antlers, OK (August 21st) – Mike Brittingham, a lifelong resident of Pushmataha County and dedicated public servant, has announced his candidacy for Oklahoma State Legislature, District 19. With a proven track record in business, community leadership, and county government, Brittingham is well-positioned to bring his conservative values and collaborative approach to the state level.

Gov. Stitt praises Medical Marijuana Authority, Bureau of Narcotics for enforcement efforts

Governor Stitt Commends Medical Marijuana Authority, Bureau of Narcotics for Enforcement Efforts

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 22, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt commended the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) on their successful ongoing efforts to reduce illegal marijuana grows and other criminal activity in the state.

“In 2022, I made it a top priority to crack down on our out-of-control medical marijuana industry,” said Governor Stitt. “Director Berry, Director Anderson, and our county sheriffs have worked tirelessly to accomplish that by removing illegal grows, addressing human trafficking, and protecting Oklahomans. They do so without seeking accolades or recognition. I am grateful for their service and their commitment to the safety and well-being of all four million Oklahomans."

Since 2022, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics has seized 1.7 million illegal marijuana plants, 181,000 pounds of processed marijuana, and made 302 arrests.

Rep. Gann challenges PSO’s 2021 winter storm bonds at OK Supreme Court

Gann Challenges PSO’s 2021 Winter Storm Bonds at OK Supreme Court

OKLAHOMA CITY – An appeal brief filed Thursday by Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, asks the Oklahoma Supreme Court to invalidate some $700 million in ratepayer-backed bonds issued to cover costs incurred by Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) during February 2021’s Winter Storm Uri. Payments for those bonds have been collected on the monthly bills of PSO’s customers since the bonds were issued in September 2022. They are scheduled to continue for another 17 years.

Gann’s brief tells the court that the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) failed to provide a required audit of the bonds in PSO’s most recent rate case. He also argues PSO’s original 2021 Uri costs that were securitized into the bonds were never audited either.  Gann asserts the audit failures are fatal in both cases, making the OCC’s orders void. 

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.