Small: Tribes go AWOL on McGirt response

Tribes go AWOL on McGirt responseBy Jonathan SmallTribal-government officials say they can handle the new responsibilities placed on them as the result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which effectively declared most of eastern Oklahoma to be the reservation land of the Muscogee, Cherokee, Chickasaw,...

Gov. Stitt appoints Judge Dana Kuehn to State Supreme Court

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT APPOINTS JUDGE DANA L. KUEHN TO THE SUPREME COURT OF OKLAHOMAOKLAHOMA CITY (July 26, 2021) ­­­­­­– Governor Kevin Stitt announced his appointment of Judge Dana L. Kuehn to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. This is Governor Stitt’s third appointment to the state Supreme Court. Judge Kuehn is the first woman...

House Dems demand Gov. Stitt reinstate COVID emergency declaration

Democrats Call for Governor to Change Course, Declare EmergencyOKLAHOMA CITY – Several Oklahoma House Democrats released statements today calling for Gov. Kevin Stitt to reinstate the emergency declaration for COVID-19. The statements follow several schools, including Broken Arrow, Owasso, and Stillwater, announcing policies...

Gov. Stitt appoints John O'Connor to finish Attorney General's term

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT APPOINTS JOHN O’CONNOR TO SERVE AS ATTORNEY GENERALOKLAHOMA CITY (July 23, 2021)— Governor Kevin Stitt announced today he has appointed John O’Connor to serve as the Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma. Under Article VI, Section 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution, and 51 O.S. § 10, the Governor has the...

1889 Institute: Time to rethink Oklahoma's emergency powers

TIME TO RETHINK OKLAHOMA’S EMERGENCY POWERSThe legislature must be forced to act in extended emergencies.OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 21, 2021) – The 1889 Institute has released “Rethinking Emergency Powers in Oklahoma,” a proposal to reform the state’s emergency powers provisions. It proposes that declared emergencies last only...

Gov. Stitt appoints Greg Blackwell to Court of Civil Appeals

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT APPOINTS GREGORY BLACKWELL TO COURT OF CIVIL APPEALSOKLAHOMA CITY (July 21, 2021) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Gregory Blackwell to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals.  This is the governor’s fourth appointment to the Court.“Greg Blackwell has proven his legal expertise...

1889 Institute: OK taxes and fees are higher than Massachusetts as percentage of GDP

OKLAHOMA’S GOVERNMENT COULD BE SMALLEROklahoma’s taxes and fees are higher than Massachusetts’ as a percentage of GDP.OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 7, 2021) – The 1889 Institute has updated “Oklahoma Government Revenues and Spending in Perspective,” a Fact Sheet that compares Oklahoma to the other states in total taxes and fees collected...

State Rep asks for bizarre and belated election audit, gets rightfully slapped down by Election Board Secretary

Sometimes, I just don't understand why people do things. Over the past several years, and the last year in particular, there are many individuals who were otherwise solid who (at least temporarily) have lost most of the good sense that they previously possessed in a bizarre urge to pander to a certain crowd that will never...

Kim David announces campaign for Corporation Commissioner

David Running for Corporation CommissionerPledges strong, conservative leadershipPorter, Okla.: State Senator Kim David announced today that she is a candidate for Oklahoma Corporation Commission. “For the past decade, I’ve fought to ensure Oklahomans have reliable, affordable energy and strong infrastructure,” David said....

Stitt's Secretary of Education, Ryan Walters, enters race for State Superintendent

SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RYAN WALTERS ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR OKLAHOMA STATE SUPERINTENDENT“It is with great excitement that I announce my campaign to run for State Superintendent. As a teacher, I have spent my career advocating for and on behalf of our state's incredible educators and students and will continue to do so as I...

Trump Secretary of State Pompeo endorses Sen. James Lankford for reelection

We are just under a year out from the 2022 primary election here in Oklahoma, and the race for U.S. Senate is starting to take shape. Incumbent Republican James Lankford is running for a second full in the upper chamber, after winning a special election in 2014 to fulfill the last two years of Dr. Tom Coburn's second term....

GOP legislators call for State Education Board to immediately and fully implement anti-CRT law

House Republicans Call for State Education Board to Take Immediate Action to Implement House Bill 1775OKLAHOMA CITY (July 8th) – A number of House Republicans today joined Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, in calling on State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister to take immediate action to fully implement House Bill...

Poll: Stitt state's most popular elected official, COVID no longer a priority for voters

Amber Integrated Releases Voter Survey Tracking Oklahoma Political EnvironmentOKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma-based public affairs firm Amber Integrated has released a survey measuring voter attitudes regarding their elected officials, political issues and current events. This survey was conducted from June 24-June 28, 2021, and...

April Grace joins race for State Superintendent

Believe it or not, but election season will be on us before we know it. State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister is term-limited and thus her position will be an open seat in next year's election. The first two candidates to throw their hats in the ring are both Republicans, including Shawnee Superintendent April Grace (you can...

OCPA column: Preserving Freedom

Preserving freedomBy Jonathan SmallIn 1964, Ronald Reagan famously warned, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children...

OSDH Office of Child Abuse Prevention seeks public input

OSDH Office of Child Abuse Prevention Seeks Input from PublicOKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP) is seeking input from private and public agencies, organizations, citizens and consumers to monitor and enhance development of a comprehensive statewide child abuse prevention...

State Rep. Todd Russ announces campaign for State Treasurer

Todd Russ Announces 2022 Campaign for State Treasurer(June 29th) State Representative Todd Russ announced today that he will seek the Republican nomination for State Treasurer next year. Russ is completing his sixth term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. State Treasurer Randy McDaniel announced earlier this month he...

Lucas joins colleagues in urging postponement of postal rate increase

Lucas Joins Congressman Grothman Urging No Postal Rate IncreaseWashington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) joined Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06) in sending a bipartisan letter to  Postmaster General Louis DeJoy requesting he postpone the proposed postal rate increase until January, 2022. This would be the...