OCPA column: State savings effort makes sense

Savings effort makes sense By Jonathan Small Even when making out a family budget, there’s a tension between the need to put money into savings and covering the cost of the necessities of life. But most families understand not everything one wants is automatically a necessity. That’s not so with government agencies. Oklahoma’s...

Clean Pro gives advice to flood victims, information on relief groups

Clean Pro, our Muskogee-based family carpet cleaning and water damage restoration company, posted some important information about flood recovery and disaster relief that is useful for those impacted by flood damage at their residence or business. If you know of anybody who was personally affected and sustained damage...

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers endorses Neese in 5th District primary

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) Endorses Terry Neese In Race For Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District Seat McMorris Rodgers: “I’m endorsing Terry because we need her conservative voice, experience, and leadership in this battle for freedom over socialism.” Oklahoma City, OK – Terry Neese, conservative Republican,...

End in sight? Arkansas River appears to have crested at Muskogee

As historic flooding continues to affect northeastern and east-central Oklahoma, the Army Corps of Engineers appears to be cautiously optimistic about the reduction in flooding in the Arkansas River at Muskogee. From the Tulsa World: “Right now, on our current path, we expect the river to be back within its banks at Muskogee...

Pres. Trump approves Oklahoma request for flood aid in hard-hit counties

WHITE HOUSE APPROVES REQUEST FOR FLOOD AID Governor Kevin Stitt announced today that President Donald Trump has approved the state’s request for an emergency declaration for 10 Oklahoma Counties. Gov. Stitt requested the first federal aid yesterday afternoon and the White House approved the request today less than 24...

Governor Stitt signs FY2020 state budget

GOVERNOR SIGNS GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR FY’20, $200 MILLION FOR STATE SAVINGS. OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (May, 24, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt, joined by House and Senate Republican leadership, today signed into law HB 2765, the general appropriations bill of $8.1 billion for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY’20), and SB 1076, legislation...

City of Muskogee, Corps of Engineers release new inundation map for Muskogee area

From the City of Muskogee: ** FLOODING ALONG ARKANSAS RIVER ** UPDATED 5/24/19 1230 The U.S Army Corps of Engineers released a new inundation map for Muskogee to city officials this morning. This map shows projected areas where floodwaters may reach, which is more extensive than originally anticipated. Please consult...

Optometric Physicians applaud passage of new optometry laws

Optometric Physicians Thank Governor, Legislature for Passage of New Optometry Laws OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma optometrists [Tuesday] thanked the Legislature and Governor Kevin Stitt for passing and signing legislation that will protect Oklahoma’s vision health standards while increasing convenience for consumers. Senate...

Legislature adjourns 'Sine Die'

"There is nothing that will upset a state economic condition like a legislature. It's better to have termites in your house than the legislature [in session]." - Will Rogers "The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets." - Will Rogers "Never blame a legislative...

Muskogee Arkansas River Flood: updated map and road situation

As severe flooding continues along almost the entire length of the Arkansas River in Oklahoma, the effects are widening in communities along the waterway. Here in the Muskogee area, the flooding is approaching an all-time high, with county officials saying that the latest forecasts calling for a crest near 45' (an elevation...

OCPA comments on 2019 legislative session

OCPA comments on 2019 legislative session OKLAHOMA CITY (May 23, 2019) – Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement today as the 2019 session of the Oklahoma Legislature wrapped up. “This year the Legislature advanced many important reforms that OCPA has endorsed...

House Passes Bill Creating Legislative Budget Office

House Passes Bill Creating Legislative Budget Office OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed a measure creating a legislative office to evaluate agency budgets and programs for lawmakers. Senate Bill 1, by House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, would create...

Senate sends workers’ comp bill to governor's desk

Senate gives final approval to workers’ comp bill Legislation strengthens landmark 2013 reforms OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to legislation that preserves and strengthens landmark workers’ compensation reforms adopted in 2013. House Bill 2367 passed unanimously and now goes to the...

Muskogee Arkansas River Flood: Areas to Watch

5/24/19 (Friday AM) UPDATE: click here to see the newest map and information on alternate routes between Muskogee and Fort Gibson. {Updates can be viewed toward the bottom. Combined Muskogee/Fort Gibson/Braggs map at this link, or at the bottom of the post} With all of the rain eastern and northern Oklahoma has received...

Senate passes bill to create Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency

Senate approves LOFT bill Office would provide data to lawmakers, public on agency budgets and performance OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday gave approval to legislation creating the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT), an office that would provide independent data to lawmakers and the public...

Senate passes $8.1B state budget

Senate approves state budget Budget includes huge investment in classrooms, teacher & state employee pay raises, and criminal justice reform funding OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday gave final approval to the state budget, which includes huge investments in public school classrooms, a teacher and state...

Senate passes bill on public school instruction time

Senate advances bill calling for increased classroom time for students OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Monday passed a bill that provides increased classroom time for students beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. Senate Bill 441 was one of four agenda items of Senate Republicans for the 2019 session. The...

Music Monday: Lonesome Road

This week's Music Monday is Lonesome Road, a 1920's folk song sung here on the Andy Griffith Show by actor Jack Prince as the character 'Rafe Hollister' (episode Rafe Hollister Sings, which aired tonight on MeTV). Enjoy! See below for all previous Music Monday posts. Do you have a song you'd like to suggest for a future Music Monday? Email me at JamisonFaught@MuskogeePolitico.com. April...