Reps. Gann, Kevin West ask OK Supreme Court to end 'muzzling' of customers opposing $29M ONG rate hike

Gann, Kevin West ask OK Supreme Court to End ‘Muzzling’ of Utility Customers opposing $29M ONG Rate Increase

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 19, 2026) – Just a day after winning reelection to his House seat, Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, filed an appeal of another ruling of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He was joined by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore.

A June 11 OCC ruling denied the intervention of customers trying to participate in the latest rate case for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company (ONG). The utility is seeking a $29 million rate increase. If approved, it would mark the fourth rate hike the OCC has approved for ONG in the last four years, increasing customer bills by more than $128 million.

Often joined by Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, Gann, West and West now have eleven OCC utility appeals pending before the state’s highest court. This latest appeal, filed June 17, brings the total amount of ONG, OG&E and PSO customer payments the representatives have challenged to $500 million in rate increases, $3.2 billion in 2021 Winter Storm bonds, $11 billion in fuel charges, and $1.3 billion in new capacity preapprovals. Six of those appeals are now fully briefed and under consideration by the Supreme Court.

2026 Primary Election Day: Links and Resources

Tomorrow (Tuesday, June 16th) is the Oklahoma Primary Election. If you haven't voted yet either by absentee or early in-person, you will have from 7:00am to 7:00pm to cast your ballots. If you don't know where to vote, or want to see your sample ballot, use this helpful link from the Oklahoma State Election Board to find out.

Below is a brief summary of my picks on various Republican primary races, as well as some links to additional resources about the election and GOP candidates that you may find helpful.

Barton: SQ 832 has Big City costs for Small Town budgets

SQ 832: Big City Costs, Small Town Budgets

by Brian Barton, Oilton City Council, Ward 4

What works in New York and Los Angeles does not always work in Oilton, Drumright, or Mannford, Oklahoma. But what does it mean for small towns across our state?

There will be a lot of discussion about State Question 832 and raising the minimum wage. The idea behind it is simple. People want hardworking Oklahomans to earn a better living. That is a goal most of us share. But the real question is how statewide policies affect small town budgets and the services our communities depend on every day.

One part of the proposal ties future wage increases to a national urban inflation index. In simple terms, that means wages would continue rising automatically every year.

Small towns run on local dollars. Our budgets come from local sales taxes, utility payments, and the limited revenue streams that keep a community running.

This is not unique to Oilton. The same reality applies to small towns across Oklahoma. Whether it is a town of 500 or 5,000, the math does not change. Limited revenue, essential services, and tight budgets are the norm, not the exception.

A modest raise sounds good to everyone at first. But it does not stop at $15 or even $20 an hour. The increases continue every year forever, and over time they can quickly become unsustainable for small businesses and small town budgets.

Small: Where do businesses get their money?

Where do businesses get their money?

By Jonathan Small

Under State Question 832, the minimum wage in Oklahoma will more than double from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour by 2029 and then continue rising at a rapid pace every year based on the cost of living in the nation’s largest urban centers.

Even supporters of SQ 832 concede it will increase Oklahoma employers’ labor costs by $783 million annually. They tout this as a good thing, but ignore a fundamental question: Where do businesses get their money? The answer: from their customers.

Ultimately, every dollar an employer receives comes from a customer. Money doesn’t grow on trees, as your dad probably told you. This economic reality escapes the supporters of SQ 832.

VP Vance, DHS Secretary Mullin endorse TW Shannon for Lt. Governor

Having received President Trump's endorsement back in March, T.W. Shannon wrapped up the major Trump administration endorsements this week from Vice President JD Vance and Oklahoma's own former U.S. Senator and Congressman, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin:

(image cropped from a Shannon campaign post)

VICE PRESIDENT J.D. VANCE ENDORSES T.W. SHANNON FOR OKLAHOMA LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (June 12th) — Vice President J.D. Vance announced his endorsement of T.W. Shannon today, saying the former Speaker of the House has the right values and best experience to serve as Oklahoma’s next Lieutenant Governor. 

Meadows publishes his 'Charlie's Picks' for 2026 primary

Historically one of the highly anticipated "picks" of each election cycle by grassroots conservatives, former Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee chairman (and recent Logan County Commissioner) Charlie Meadows has posted his thoughts on the 2026 primary election. Meadows, who long opined on Oklahoma politics when he was chairman of OCPAC in his famous email newsletters, now has a new podcast, The ABCs of Politics and Culture. Without further ado, here are Charlie's Picks:

CHARLIE’S PICKS 2026 PRIMARY ELECTION

Based on my research as well as information from other trusted sources I have come up with the candidates that I believe should win. Folks reading this may have information about a particular candidate of which I am unaware and therefore have a different opinion which is understandable. Please feel free to share this with others. To contact me my email is charliemeadows7@gmail.com. If you aren't sure which State Senate or House district you live in or Congressional district, that information is on the bottom of your voter ID card sent to you from your county election board.

Barton: Insurance Commissioner race matters more than most realize

Oklahoma’s Insurance Commissioner Matters More Than Most Realize

June 8th, by Brian Barton

During part of Marty Quinn’s time in the Oklahoma Senate, I worked in and around the Oklahoma Legislature and had the opportunity to observe his work firsthand. These are my personal observations about a man I respect.

Politics often focuses on speeches, advertisements, and campaign promises. My perspective is a little different. I had the opportunity to watch Marty work, interact with people, and serve in public office. What stood out to me wasn’t one particular moment. It was the consistency.

Whether working with constituents, fellow lawmakers, agency officials, or community leaders, Marty developed a reputation for being prepared, thoughtful, and willing to do the work required to solve problems. In my experience, consistency is one of the most underrated qualities in public service.

For those reasons, I believe Marty Quinn is the right person for the job.

Former AG O'Connor endorses Jeff Starling for Attorney General

Former Attorney General John O'Connor Endorses Jeff Starling

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 12th) — Former Attorney General and conservative champion John O’Connor endorsed Jeff Starling for Attorney General.

“I am honored to endorse my friend Jeff Starling for the very important office of Oklahoma Attorney General. As a former Attorney General, I know the experience and skills we need from our Attorney General.

We need an experienced attorney, not a career politician!

Jeff Starling is the person who is best qualified to serve Oklahoma in this office. He is a smart, gifted Attorney. He has the heart of a warrior and will stand firm for our rights. At the same time, he has the heart of a public servant. He is running for the right reason — to serve you and me.

Small: What causes inflation? Government.

What causes inflation? Government.

By Jonathan Small

The financial pinch families feel from rising prices is undeniable. Yet too few understand that government is responsible for soaring prices.

Consider college costs. The massive government subsidies provided to colleges, through free-flowing student loans, billions in state and local tax dollars, government’s cultural overemphasis on a college degree, and the complicit “paper ceiling” at many businesses, make students much less price sensitive. Colleges have responded by hiking tuition.

According to JP Morgan, the cost of clothing has increased 35 percent since 1983 while gas increased 182 percent. But college tuition has soared 914 percent.

Mazzei's Millions: nears $11M in personal campaign loans

Prepare to be flabbergasted. We have a new state record for most personal money loaned by a candidate to his own political campaign:

Mike Mazzei has loaned his campaign nearly 11 million dollars.

$11,000,000.00.

Eleven million dollars.

That is more any candidate has ever personally loaned his campaign during one election cycle in Oklahoma history. Governor Kevin Stitt loaned his 2018 campaign ~$5M, and another ~$2M in 2022, for a cumulative total of $7M. That seems to be the previous record. Combined with his 2018 loans, Stitt raised another $5M+ for a full total of $10.8M, another record at the time. Mazzei smashed both in just a few months with his personal bankrolling.

McCall's $5.6M loan is nothing to sneeze at, also one of the top in history, but Mazzei's millions blow that away.

Wow.

Early voting begins Thursday for June 16th election

Early Voting Begins Thursday for June 16 Election

(Limited-Edition “I Voted” Sticker Available) 

(June 8th, Oklahoma City) – In-person absentee voting (also known as “early voting”) for the June 16 Election begins Thursday across the state. Early voting locations will be open Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday, June 13 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.).

State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced that, “In honor of America’s 250th birthday, limited-edition ‘I Voted’ stickers will be available at early voting locations and polling place locations across the state, while supplies last.” There are two different designs. A preview of the designs can be found on the State Election Board website.

Tonight: Muskogee's Symphony in the Park

This evening is one of my favorite community events of the year in Muskogee, the 36th annual Symphony in the Park. Featuring the excellent musicians of the Muskogee Community Band, a fireworks finale to Stars and Stripes Forever, concessions, and an art auction, this family-friendly event at Honor Heights Park is well worth attending. They have a special patriotic program planned for America's 250th birthday, and you won't want to miss it!

The weather last weekend forced a postponement, but things look great for this evening.