State Rep. Conley comments on obscene materials in school libraries

Conley Comments on Obscene Materials in School Libraries

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, this week called on State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister to follow through on the announcement of pornography in Tulsa Public Schools.

"It's not enough to acknowledge the existence of this inappropriate material in the district and call for its removal, follow-through in all Oklahoma schools will be essential for this to be resolved," Conley said. "I want to reiterate that materials such as these are not just in Tulsa Public Schools but in other school libraries throughout the state as well."

I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike completes transition to PlatePay/cashless tolling

I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike completes transition to PlatePay/cashless tolling

(Oklahoma City - July 27th)  As of Wednesday, I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike has fully transitioned to PlatePay/cashless tolling. The final leg of the conversion was completed at the Walters toll plaza Wednesday morning, meaning drivers can now travel along I-44/H.E. Bailey Turnpike from the Texas state line to Oklahoma City without having to stop to pay a toll.

Walters, Treat, even Hofmeister call for removal of porn from TPS library; TPS Sup't wants them to "knock it off"

The social media activist 'Libs of TikTok' has uncovered sexually explicit and graphic material available for students to access in the Tulsa Public Schools library system. Specifically discovered were the graphic books ‘Gender Queer’ and ‘Flamer’, which depict explicit acts of sodomy.

Oklahoma Secretary of Education Ryan Walters was the first public official that I'm aware of to speak out against it, but he's been joined now by as varied an assortment as Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat (R) and State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister (D).

State Election Board schedules post-election audits in 33 counties

Post-Election Audits Scheduled

(Oklahoma City -- July 26th) Post-election audits authorized by 26 O.S. § 3-130 will be conducted on Thursday, July 28.

County election board secretaries in thirty-three (33) counties will conduct a manual audit of ballots pursuant to the procedures established by the Secretary of the State Election Board. Thirty-six (36) different races are included in the audit. Audits are open to the public. Start times vary from county to county, but will begin between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please contact your County Election Board for more details.

State law defines post-election audits as a "manual or electronic examination of a limited number of ballots” “for the purpose of maintaining the security of the election system by ensuring that voting devices and software used in a particular election correctly tabulated votes." Audit results cannot be used to change or alter certified election results.

An audit report will be posted on the State Election Board website following the audit.

Information, including a list of counties, ballot types, and races being audited, can be found on the State Election Board website.

Group seeks reforms to restructure OK's electricity market, allow for choice and competition

This is definitely not my topic of expertise, but it's something to keep an eye on.

AERO, Oklahoma Businesses, Seek Law Change Allowing Choice and Competition in Electricity Market

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Alliance for Electrical Restructuring in Oklahoma (AERO) today announced that it will advocate for reforms during the 2023 legislative session that would restructure Oklahoma’s electricity market to allow for choice and competition. If successful, the effort would end the monopoly status of Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E), Public Service Co. of Oklahoma (PSO) and Liberty Utilities as brokers of electricity for commercial and industrial consumers.

Brecheen holding town hall tour with David Barton on Friday; includes Muskogee stop

Josh Brecheen, the conservative Republican in the 2nd Congressional District GOP runoff, is holding a town hall tour with Christian historian and author David Barton this Friday, with stops in Durant, Muskogee, Claremore, and Bartlesville.

Lankford joins effort to use unspent COVID education funds to improve school security

Lankford Prioritizes School Safety in Unspent COVID Funds

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to introduce the Protect Our Children’s Schools Act to enhance school safety and prevent school-based violence. The legislation would allow schools to use unspent previously appropriated federal COVID-19 education-related funding to improve school security. Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

State Chamber urges "Supply Side Revival", major tax reforms in special session

State Chamber Research Foundation Urges “Supply Side Revival”

Business Think Tank Urges Lawmakers to Adopt Flat Tax and Eliminate Anti-Business Taxes in Special Session 

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The State Chamber Research Foundation (SCRF) is sharing a series of tax proposals for policymakers to consider as they work on tax policy and budget issues in future legislative sessions. The policies, which include both tax cuts for individuals and the elimination of business taxes that discourage growth and investment, are aimed at tackling inflation while promoting long term economic growth and tax relief. 

CD2 runoff: Frix's horrible fiscal record examined

The 14-member 2nd Congressional District GOP primary has been whittled down to State Rep. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee) and former State Senator and Coburn staffer Josh Brecheen. Frix is posturing himself as a "next-gen MAGA warrior" who named a highway after Donald Trump, while Brecheen is campaigning as a proven conservative reformer. Frix received 14.74% of the primary vote, while Brecheen took 13.75%.

Brecheen's record demonstrates deeply-held conservative principles. Frix, on the other hand, may be a registered Republican (now), but he's by no means the super-conservative fighter his campaign is depicting him as. In fact, on many issues, he's simply not conservative. At all. 

Lankford aims to simplify application process for Federal disaster recovery assistance

Lankford Wants to Simplify Application Process for Federal Disaster Recovery Assistance

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) to introduce a bill that would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a universal application across federal agencies for disaster survivors who are seeking federal assistance to recover from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and more. Currently, individuals that require federal aid to recover from a disaster must fill out separate and detailed applications depending on what agency they need help from—a process that can take weeks or even months. This bill would streamline this process to reduce the burden on disaster survivors.

OCPA column: Environmental policy folly is no laughing matter

Environmental policy folly is no laughing matter

by Jonathan Small

In states across the country and nations across the globe, politicians’ embrace of a “Green New Deal” style of environmental policy has often been a comedy of errors. But the real-world results are no laughing matter.

When "smart" isn't smart: Texas power companies overriding home thermostats

We live in a "smart" age. Smartphones, smart TVs, smart appliances, smart thermostats, smart lights, smart this and smart that.

But when is "smart" not smart?

Homeowners in Texas are discovering that their use of "smart" is infringing on the control they have in their most personal domain - that of their own house.

A conversation about gun safety, training, and preparedness

I had a conversation with the good folks at Glenndale Grace Firearms & Training (who have been advertising here on MuskogeePolitico since the beginning of the year) about the recent citizen hero who stopped a mall shooting in Indiana, and how GGF Firearms is helping Muskogee area citizens with gun safety, training, and preparedness. 

Watch below:

You can visit their website at GGFFirearms.com, or drop by their headquarters and gun range on U.S. Highway 69 between the Muskogee Turnpike and the Arkansas River (just south of the Livesay Peach Barn).

For politics, news, and conservative views, keep visiting MuskogeePolitico.com!

David Derby endorses Josh Brecheen in CD2 runoff

State Rep. Avery Frix and former State Senator and Coburn staffer Josh Brecheen are in the August 23rd runoff election for the 2nd Congressional District seat, having squeeked into the runoff with 14.74% and 13.75% of the vote, respectively.

Since the end of the runoff, Brecheen has been endorsed by several of the candidates who did not make the runoff, including John Bennett, Marty Quinn, and Wes Nofire. Here is the endorsement by former State Rep. David Derby, who finished eighth with 5.46% of the vote:

Legislators file initiative petition for state question on freezing property tax for seniors

Former State Rep. David Dank would have been all on board with this proposal, which was a longterm goal of his when he passed away in 2015.

Legislators File Petition to Add Senior Homestead Fair Cash Value Freeze State Question to Ballot

OKLAHOMA CITY – A trio of state representatives recently filed an initiative petition to add an amendment to the state Constitution that would freeze the homestead fair cash value for individuals aged 65 and older.

If enough signatures are gained (177,958 are needed), State Question 822 could be on the Nov. 8 ballot this year. The initiative petition was filed June 24 by Reps. Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City; Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City; and Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City. A challenge period ended July 15.

House Dems call for inflation relief following Panasonic picking KS over OK

The Democrats can't keep their language straight. Is is LGBT? LGBTQ? LGBTQ+? LGBTQIAAP? 2SLGBTG+? #2SLGBTQIAAPPABCXYZ+*? New letters (and now numbers) keep getting added to the back and the front. Which is it? Inquiring minds want to know. How dare you leave somebody out. That's bigoted... or something. [insert massive eyerolls]

House Democrats Call for Immediate Inflation Relief for Oklahoma Families

OKLAHOMA CITY -- House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, held a press conference Thursday morning to call for immediate inflation relief for Oklahoma families. 

Democrats expressed the need for financial relief for Oklahoma families before the 2022 legislative session began. A month and a half past the conclusion of the legislative session, the Republican supermajority has failed to follow through.

“We have had opportunities recently to provide relief,” Virgin said. “House Republicans and Governor Stitt joined House Democrats to call for an end to the state grocery tax. Democrats called for an end to the fuel tax, but Republicans tabled that measure.”

The Democratic Caucus renewed the call for immediate inflation relief in the wake of Panasonic rejecting a more than $700 million tax incentive. 

CD2 runoff: Wes Nofire endorses Josh Brecheen

The 14-member GOP primary in the 2nd Congressional District ended with State Rep. Avery Frix and former State Senator and Coburn staffer Josh Brecheen squeeking by into the runoff, with 14.74% and 13.75%, respectively.

Since the end of the runoff, Brecheen has been endorsed by several of the candidates who did not make the runoff, including John Bennett and Marty Quinn. Here is the endorsement by Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Wes Nofire, who placed seventh with 6.32% of the vote:

AG O'Connor celebrates Oklahoma's multiple wins in recent SCOTUS term

SCOTUS Summary 2021-22: Oklahoma Wins Multiple Cases on Key Issues

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 13th) - On June 30, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) issued its final opinions for the 2021-22 term, a year in which the State of Oklahoma enjoyed overwhelming success protecting Oklahomans and their constitutional rights.   

The U.S. Supreme Court issued 66 formal opinions this term, according to SCOTUSblog. The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office participated in 21 of these 66 cases—winning 15.

Lankford stops Democrats’ attempt to promote "abortion tourism"

Lankford Stops Democrats’ Attempt to Promote Abortion Tourism

WASHINGTON, DC (July 14th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today objected on the Senate floor to a bill proposed by the Democrats to promote traveling across state lines to obtain an abortion – from a state that protects life to a state that neglects it and create workarounds for state laws to shield the abortion industry and abortionists from laws that protect life. Currently, no state has banned interstate travel for adult women seeking to obtain an abortion.

Gov. Stitt endorses Kim David in Corporation Commission runoff

I would like to point out that Kim David has one of the worst records on tax hikes. 

Governor Stitt endorses Kim David for Corporation Commissioner

Says she is a conservative leader with a strong track record

Oklahoma City: Kim David announced today that Governor Kevin Stitt has endorsed her run for Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner.

OK County DA Runoff: former OKC Mayor Mick Cornett endorses Calvey

MICK CORNETT ENDORSES CALVEY FOR D.A.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 17, 2022) – Former Oklahoma City mayor, Mick Cornett, has officially endorsed Kevin Calvey in the primary runoff election for Oklahoma County District Attorney. Calvey faces a runoff election after garnering 49.97% of the four-candidate primary vote. 

"Kevin Calvey has proven he has the integrity, grit, and competence to be a great District Attorney. I hope you'll join me in supporting him,” Mick Cornett announced. 

TW Shannon to campaign in Muskogee on Thursday

U.S. Senate candidate T.W. Shannon will be making a visit to Muskogee this Thursday during his 100-stop town hall series.

Shannon, a former Oklahoma State House Speaker, is in the August 23rd runoff election with Congressman Markwayne Mullin. Both are seeking to replace retiring U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe.

Shannon's Muskogee town hall will be Thursday at 8:30am, at The Break, located at 310 S. 3rd Street in downtown Muskogee.

Pinnell: Oklahoma ranks #1 in high school teaching aviation curriculum

LT. GOVERNOR PINNELL ANNOUNCES OKLAHOMA RANKS #1 IN HIGH SCHOOLS TEACHING AVIATION CURRICULUM

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 13th) – On Tuesday, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell announced that Oklahoma ranks first in the nation for high schools teaching aviation curriculum. Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, 57 school districts across the state will implement the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)’s four-year “You Can Fly” High School Curriculum.

Muskogee GOP lunch today: Gary Jones on dark money and ethics reform

 

Former two-term Oklahoma State Auditor Gary Jones will be speaking at today's Muskogee Republican lunch on the topic of political dark money and the need for ethics reform in Oklahoma.

The weekly, informal lunch gathering takes place on Fridays at noon at Mahylon's Barbecue, located at 3301 Chandler Rd, Muskogee, OK 74403.

If you're in Muskogee today, you won't want to miss this!

T.W. Shannon campaign launches 100-stop town hall series

I got busy and was unable to get this posted yesterday, but here is some news from U.S. Senate candidate T.W. Shannon:

T.W. Shannon Campaign Launches Town Hall Series

(July 14th) The T.W. For Senate campaign [started yesterday] the “Don’t Give Up on America Town Hall Series” with the first stop in Bartlesville. The Oklahoma City Banker and former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives will make 100 stops before Election Day on August 23rd.

Recounts confirm vote count accuracy in three tight races

Recounts Confirm Outcome of Three Primary Elections, Oklahoma County DA Race Headed to Runoff

(Oklahoma City, July 13th) – Recounts in the Oklahoma County District Attorney, District 7 Republican Primary, McIntosh County Commissioner, District 3 Democratic Primary, and the Nowata County Assessor Republican Primary have each confirmed the outcomes of those elections.

Last week’s recounts in McIntosh and Nowata counties exactly matched the election results.

The Oklahoma County recount was completed today and confirmed that the Republican Primary for District Attorney is headed to the August 23 Runoff. Out of nearly 58,000 ballots that were recounted by hand in Oklahoma County, only six changes occurred from the original count: Robert W. Gray (+2), Gayland Gieger (+2) and Kevin Calvey (+2).

“Recounts are an important part of the election process, and these recounts proved once again that Oklahoma has one of the most accurate and secure voting systems in the entire world. That is something that every Oklahoman can be proud of,” said Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the State Election Board.

CD2 runoff: James Dobson endorses Josh Brecheen

Conservative champion Josh Brecheen has received yet another endorsement in the 2nd Congressional District GOP runoff election. Since the primary, he has received the support of fellow candidates John Bennett (4th place with 11.3%), Marty Quinn (6th place with 7.3%), Wes Nofire (7th place with 6.2%), and David Derby (8th place with 5.5%). 

Joining those in endorsing Brecheen is world-renowned Christian author and the founder of Focus on the Family, Dr. James Dobson.

Fair: Pot on the ballot will lead Oklahoma to the wrong type of Top 10 State

From longtime conservative activists and blogger/columnist Steve Fair:

POT ON THE BALLOT!

by Steve Fair

Four years ago, Oklahoma passed State Question #788 57% to 43% which legalized medical marijuana.  The poorly crafted initiative petition was vague and lacked detail about implementation and oversight.  The state legislature has spent a great deal of time since 2018 putting meat on the 788 bones.  Legislation regulating growing and distribution has resulted in the Sooner state becoming a magnet for grow operations and dispensaries.   Oklahoma has more weed growers (9,000+) than California, a state with ten times the population.  One reason is the cost of $2,500 to get a license in Oklahoma, as opposed to $100,000 in bordering Arkansas.  There is also no cap on the number of dispensaries or grow operations in the state, but that may be changing in the future.  About 12% of Oklahomans have a ‘medical marijuana’ card.  Clearly much of the pot grown in Oklahoma is being shipped out of the state- which is in violation of state and federal law.  If all the weed grown by Oklahoma growers were being consumed by Sooner residents, the dispensaries would be selling it by the bale, not the joint.    

Lankford opposes gun-control advocate nominee to lead ATF

Lankford Opposes Gun-control Advocate Nominee to Lead ATF

WASHINGTON, DC (July 12th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement after voting to oppose the nomination of Steven Dettelbach, who was confirmed today to serve as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) within the Department of Justice (DOJ:

State Rep. Humphrey asks Attorney General to sue Biden admin over border invasion

Humphrey Asks State AG to Sue Biden Admin over Border Invasion

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 12th) – Rep. Justin JJ Humphrey, R-Lane, has presented Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor with a proposed lawsuit against the Biden Administration for what he calls an utter failure to protect the nation's borders.

"Article 4, Section 4 of the United States Constitution plainly outlines that protecting our nation's border is one of the basic functions of government," Humphrey said. "Biden's inept Administration is sanctioning millions of undocumented people who are entering our country illegally to overrun our nation. Biden's dereliction of defending the border has indisputably resulted in an enormous increase in drugs, human trafficking and illegal immigrants harming all U.S. citizens and all Oklahomans."

OCPA President files complaint against Rep. Anthony Moore over frivolous, political protective orders

OCPA President files complaint against Rep. Anthony Moore

Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, today filed a complaint with the Oklahoma State Bar Association against Rep. Anthony Moore, an attorney and former prosecutor. The complaint shows the blatant legal flaws in the protective orders that Moore admits assisting his spouse to file against Small and other OCPA staff members. Moore, as an attorney and former prosecutor, knows the law and is bound by the rules of legal ethics not to abuse the judicial process for his own political purposes.

CD2 runoff: John Bennett endorses Josh Brecheen

As I posted yesterday, the 14-member GOP primary in the 2nd Congressional District ended with State Rep. Avery Frix and former State Senator and Coburn staffer Josh Brecheen squeeking by into the runoff, with 14.74% and 13.75%, respectively.

Since the end of the runoff, Brecheen has been endorsed by several of the candidates who did not make the runoff, including Marty Quinn (which I posted yesterday). Today, here is the endorsement by former State Rep. and ex-OKGOP chairman John Bennett, who placed fourth with 11.33% of the vote:

Ladies-only gun club holding social event at Muskogee gun range on July 25th

The Porter, OK, chapter of A Girl and A Gun Women's Shooting League will host a "Meet and Greet" Monday, July 25, 2022, at 6:00 pm at Glenndale Grace Firearms and Training.  You can find out more about this national organization by clicking here.

Glenndale Grace Firearms and Training is a loyal sponsor of MuskogeePolitico.com, and offers great products and services (including 25 to 300 yard outdoor gun ranges), conveniently located just north of Muskogee on U.S. Highway 69, and within easy driving distance of the Tulsa metro. Check them out!

Update: You can read about the Porter Chapter here.

Trump endorses Mullin in U.S. Senate runoff

Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump endorsed Congressman Markwayne Mullin in his bid to replace retiring U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe. Mullin is facing former Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon in the August 23rd GOP runoff election.

Marty Quinn endorses Josh Brecheen in 2nd District runoff

The absolutely wild, 14-member GOP primary in the 2nd Congressional District ended with State Rep. Avery Frix and former State Senator and Coburn staffer Josh Brecheen squeeking by into the runoff, with 14.74% and 13.75%, respectively.

Since the end of the runoff, Brecheen has been endorsed by several of the candidates who did not make the runoff. Here is the endorsement by State Sen. Marty Quinn, who placed sixth with 7.29% of the vote:

Stitt, O'Connor celebrate major SCOTUS ruling limiting McGirt

I was out of town on a church mission trip and missed this news, but I'm going to post it belatedly anyway because of how important it is:

State Prevails at U.S. Supreme Court, Can Protect Crime Victims in Eastern Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 29, 2022) - Attorney General John O'Connor released the following statement, “Today, the U.S. Supreme Court stood up for the safety of Oklahomans of native American heritage in eastern Oklahoma.  The Supreme Court recognized Oklahoma’s sovereignty and jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indians who commit crimes against Indians in eastern Oklahoma. 

2 primary candidates endorse Calvey in OK County DA runoff

Conservative stalwart Kevin Calvey almost cleared the Oklahoma County District Attorney primary without a runoff (49.97% of the vote), falling short by 30 votes - there is a recount ongoing. Earlier this week, the two candidates who did not make the runoff endorsed him:

JACQUI FORD & ROBERT W. GRAY ENDORSE CALVEY FOR D.A.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 5, 2022) – Former Republican primary candidates for Oklahoma County District Attorney, Jacqui Ford and Robert W. Gray, are endorsing Kevin Calvey in the primary runoff election. Both of them say Calvey is the only candidate left in the race who can reverse the deep dysfunction that currently pervades the D.A.’s office.

Frivolous, politically-motivated protective orders against OCPA dropped

In the final days before the primary, State Rep. Anthony Moore's wife sought and received a protective order against several employees of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) following what she alleged were threatening text messages. The Moore's seem to have never detailed what exactly was so threatening and have dismissed the protective orders, leaving OCPA furious at what appears now to have been nothing more than a politically-motivated media stunt, and an abuse of the protective order system.

OCPA's press release below:

Moore drops abusive protective orders

(July 6th) Rep. Anthony Moore’s spouse moved to dismiss all five Temporary Protective Orders that she had filed eight days before the primary election, including against four employees of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. The dismissal was made public on Tuesday.