OCPA: House Dems’ request is an attack on needy children

 Lawmakers’ request is an attack on needy childrenBy Jonathan SmallState House Democrats have asked Attorney General Mike Hunter for an opinion on whether it is legal to use federal funds to help low-income (and often minority) students attend private schools. Yet that question has been asked and answered—in the affirmative—repeatedly.Earlier...

Oklahoma District Attorneys Association votes to oppose SQ 805

Oklahoma District Attorneys Association Votes Overwhelmingly to OPPOSE State Question 805Oklahoma City (September 24th) — The Oklahoma District Attorneys Association has voted to oppose State Question 805, stating that the measure is a danger to Oklahoma’s public safety.“State Question 805 is a misguided proposal which would...

Humphrey: House Dems' false accusations must stop

OPINION: False Accusations Must StopBy State Rep. Justin HumphreyIt is time for Americans to respond and stop allowing hostile antagonists to assert false political statements.House Democratic leadership and others have asserted claims of a COVID-19 state cover-up, alleging the governor withheld and misrepresented information...

State Senate study examines potential modernization of Open Meeting Act

Senate study examines potential modernization of Open Meeting ActOKLAHOMA CITY – An interim study held Wednesday in the Oklahoma Senate examined the potential to make permanent changes that the Oklahoma Legislature made earlier this year to the state’s open meeting law that allowed agencies, boards and commissions at the state...

1889 Institute: An Alliterative Appeal for Balanced Behavior and A Cease to COVID Craziness

An Alliterative Appeal for Balanced Behavior and A Cease to COVID CrazinessBy Mike DavisAllowing an admittedly adverse ailment to be inaccurately advertised as apocalyptic is abhorrent. An accurate assessment advises all to avoid alarmism and act appropriately. Anxieties are anticipated, but authentic appraisal admits an alternative:...

Anti-crime group launches campaign against State Question 805

Opponents Launch Campaign against State Question 805, Which Would Lessen Penalties for Repeat Offenders and Violent CriminalsOklahoma City - Today, “Oklahomans United against 805” launched their campaign against a state question which would lessen jail sentences for habitual offenders of very serious crimes like domestic violence...

OCPA column: A courageous leader in challenging times

 A courageous leader in challenging timesBy Jonathan SmallIn his remarkable tenure as president of the University of Oklahoma, James Gallogly focused the university on its core mission of providing a quality education to the average student, not catering to distractions, special interests and wasteful spending. His success...

Oklahoma unemployment rate drops further, now 10th lowest in nation

OKLAHOMA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IMPROVES,  STATE RANKS 10TH NATIONALLY  OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 18, 2020)-- Governor Kevin Stitt today announced the State of Oklahoma is now ranked 10th in the nation for lowest unemployment rate. New figures released by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and the U.S. Department...

State House brings in former Speaker T.W. Shannon to help with redistricting

House retains T.W. Shannon to assist with redistrictingOKLAHOMA CITY – To enhance its strong commitment to public input in the upcoming redistricting process, the House of Representatives has retained T.W. Shannon as a public liaison on redistricting matters.Shannon, Oklahoma’s 42nd speaker of the House and the first Black...

Rep. Moore: State budget deficit inspires millions in savings proposals

Budget Deficit Inspires Millions in Savings ProposalsOKLAHOMA CITY – The House Insurance Committee held a recent interim study to review ways to decrease the cost of health insurance, save money and improve health insurance efficiencies.Representatives of Strategic Cost Containment Concepts (SCCC), powered by AmWINS, presented...

1889 Institute: To save the Oklahoma judiciary, we must reform it

 To Save the Oklahoma Judiciary, We Must Reform ItThe Oklahoma Supreme Court too often acts as though it is a super legislature rather than the state’s highest court. It should be a neutral arbiter, applying the laws passed by the actual Legislature to cases that come before it. Instead, the Court appears to first determine...

OCPA: Democrats ignoring the law and courts to attack needy children

Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement Wednesday in response to House Democrats attacking a state program that serves the educational needs of low-income and minority children.“House Democrats claim Governor Kevin Stitt cannot use federal COVID funds to help low-income...

State Election Board officials caution voters about mailing from “OKVOTE” organization

State Election Board Officials Caution Voters About Mailing From “OKVOTE” Organization(Oklahoma City) – Officials with the Oklahoma State Election Board cautioned voters about a mailing from a Tulsa-based organization, “OKVOTE,” after state and county election offices received several complaints from voters this week.The mailing...

Hern joins GOP caucus in introducing "Commitment to America" platform

Hern joins Republican Conference to introduce “Commitment to America” platformWASHINGTON, DC – This morning, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) joined Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Republican Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01), and the rest of the House Republican Conference to formally announce the Commitment to America...

1889 Institute: About those roads in Texas...

About Those Roads in Texas By Ben Lepak Perhaps you have encountered a phenomenon most Oklahomans are familiar with: cruising south on I-35, as soon as you cross the Red River the road gets noticeably smoother. The painted lane stripes get a little brighter and the roadside “Welcome to Texas” visitors’ center gleams in...

Stitt praises DHS certification of Oklahoma's REAL-ID compliance

GOVERNOR STITT PRAISES DHS CERTIFICATION OF OKLAHOMA'S REAL ID COMPLIANCE      OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 15, 2020)—Governor Kevin Stitt today praised the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) announcement that the State of Oklahoma is in full compliance with the REALID Act and regulation.  This...

'Unite Norman' succeeds in getting councilmember recall certified

RECALL CERTIFIED! Unite Norman’s Recall Effort Certified for Council Member Petrone Mayor’s Recall Certification Will Not Be Announced Till Tomorrow — and Unite Norman Cautions about Legal Precedence Below; ALSO: Grassroots Groups Cautions against Council Member Bierman’s Planned Doxxing of List of Petition Signers...

Small: the Electoral College matters to minorities

The Electoral College matters to minorities By Jonathan Small Rather than have a nationwide popular vote, the United States chooses its president through the Electoral College with the outcome tied to multiple state-level elections. This system ensures voters in smaller states like Oklahoma are still prized by presidential...

Music Monday: God's Gonna Cut You Down

This week's Music Monday is God's Gonna Cut You Down, an American folk song posthumously released and sung in 2006 by Johnny Cash. 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. ...

OCPA column: Notable support for school choice

Notable support for school choiceBy Jonathan SmallIn politics, as in retail, consumer demand drives product selection, only politicians offer policies rather than baked goods. So it’s notable that multiple speakers strongly advocated for school choice policies every night of the recent Republican National Convention.That type...

Music Monday: Living By Faith

This week's Music Monday is the hymn Living By Faith, written in 1918 by James Wells and R.E. Winsett. This particular video is of congregational singing at Southwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Enjoy! Lyrics: 1. I care not today what the morrow may bring, If shadow or sunshine or rain, The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything, And all of my worries are vain. Refrain: Living...

1889 Institute: Checking Government-Granted Privilege

Checking Government-Granted Privilege By Byron Schlomach Among young people, socialism is as popular as capitalism. Our social fabric is increasingly frayed, and conservative populists are no happier than young socialists about our nation’s general state of affairs. This is not due to Trump Derangement Syndrome, but...

OKGOP Chair again calls on redistricting petition head to release donors, expenses

REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN AGAIN CALLS FOR REDISTRICTING PETITIONS HEAD TO RELEASE DONORS, EXPENSES OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, September 1, 2020 – In light of a third initiative petition filed by a political advocacy group aimed at disrupting Oklahoma’s redistricting process, the chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party said today...

Hofmeister encourages school blood drives as supply plummets

Hofmeister encourages school blood drives as supply plummets OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 1, 2020) – As blood supplies have dwindled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister today urged schools to host drives for staff and students to help ensure the Oklahoma Blood Institute...

Rep. Sean Roberts: 90% of COVID-positive Oklahoma inmates are Asymptomatic

Rep. Sean Roberts Shares That 90% of COVID-19 Positive Inmates Are Asymptomatic OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, today released the following statement regarding COVID-19 within the Oklahoma Dept. of Corrections: “Our state has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases, which is fueled by a high number of positive...

State Rep. Frix Appointed to State Pension Commission

Frix Appointed to State Pension Commission OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, recently was appointed to the Oklahoma State Pension Commission by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. The purpose of the commission is to establish uniform reporting standards among the state’s retirement system and to make...

Lucas applauds Trump for expanding access to telehealth

Trump Administration Further Expands Telehealth, Focuses on Rural Areas Cheyenne, OK – Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (the Order) further expanding access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in rural communities. Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released...