OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 29th) – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed three pieces of legislation to protect Oklahoma drivers from unnecessary headaches on the road.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 28, 2022) – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed legislation requiring school districts to inform teachers of their First Amendment rights and obtain reauthorization every year before deducting union dues from teachers’ paychecks.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
OKLAHOMA CITY (December 22nd) – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed legislation on Thursday to protect public and private Christmas Nativity displays.
Earmarks: political self-bribery. Vote and influence buying. "The gateway drug to runaway spending," as the late Dr. Tom Coburn used to say.
Earlier, I posted that U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe was the only Oklahoman to vote for the $1.7 trillion omnibus bill passed by Congress. Why was he in favor of the mega-spending bill?
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Dec. 23rd) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced a huge victory he secured to protect the right of religious liberty for our heroes in the Armed Forces. After receiving a commitment from the Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Lloyd Austin that all members who had requested a religious accommodation from the COVID-19 vaccine who have been waiting on a response, will now get the answers they have been waiting for and be allowed to return to their duties.
Below are comments from both Oklahoma Senators and all five Representatives. Inhofe's comments, along with his touting of over half a billion dollars in earmarks that he procured in the omnibus bill (apparently the second most of all senators). Inhofe definitely loves him some earmarks and pork spending. Nothing like going out with a bang, right? Good riddance.
In policy debates, when special interests cannot justify their position with sound analysis, they increase the volume instead. Unfortunately, a political approach known as “vote your district” can allow those special-interests tactics to work.
That’s because the “vote my district” mantra misconstrues the true job of a lawmaker and makes it more likely a legislator will miss opportunities to advance thriving.
Because we are a republic with elected representation (lawmakers), the job of a lawmaker is to represent his or her constituents by being the person who thoroughly studies issues, understands the policy implications, votes accordingly—and then explains why to constituents.
Washington, D.C. – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the Protecting Life from Chemical Abortions Act, which will prevent the Executive Branch from declaring an abortion-related public health emergency. Second, this legislation reinstates safety regulations and in-person dispensing requirements for dangerous chemical abortions. It further bars the FDA from waiving these protections in the future.
OKLAHOMA CITY –Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed legislation on Wednesday to end the unnecessary and potentially harmful practice of setting clocks forward and back every year.
“As we pass through the shortest day of the year, let’s not forget the feds steal an hour from us each year with their daylight saving Ponzi scheme only to give it back later,” Dahm said. “It’s time we end this archaic practice in our state.”
Oklahoma's 2nd District Congressman-elect Josh Brecheen has hit the ground running. One of his top priorities on the campaign trail was returning fiscal responsibility to the forefront of congressional action, and he's making good on his word.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed multiple bills aimed at preventing and disincentivizing illegal immigration.
“Just because this invasion of illegal aliens isn’t on the news anymore doesn’t mean it has been solved,” Dahm said. “Quite the contrary, it is as bad as it has ever been. These bills will not only provide support – both financially and physically – to border states, but also remove one of the biggest incentives for illegals invading.”
The problem with having an “all or nothing” attitude in policy debates is you usually end up with nothing. Yet some critics appear ready to sacrifice educational opportunity for some children when it comes to a new law designed to mitigate, in admittedly limited fashion, the reported teacher shortage facing some schools.
State Sen. Nathan Dahm is on a tear during what he is dubbing 'Bill of Rights Week', filing legislation aimed at strengthening and bolstering constitutional rights for Oklahomans.
Featured in this post, two press releases on bills related to privacy, surveillance, and eminant domain abuse.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, has filed a bill ahead of the 2023 legislative session aimed at further protecting and supporting the Second Amendment in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 15 would prohibit state contracts from being made with companies that discriminate against a firearm entity or firearm trade association.
Murdock was Senate author of a similar bill in the 2022 session that did not make it all the way through the legislative process. The bill passed initial committee and floor votes in each chamber, but the final version of the measure didn’t receive a final vote in the upper chamber before the session ended.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 13th) – Today, Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed the Defend the Guard Act to ensure men and women serving in the Oklahoma National Guard are deployed only in the manner directly specified by the United States Constitution.
Sen. Dahm files bills to constrain intrusive federal government
OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 12th) – In response to the growing concerns over federal violations of constitutionally-protected rights, Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed numerous bills to push back and constrain the federal government within its constitutional limits.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 13, 2022) – Today Governor Kevin Stitt announced a Mexican consulate is scheduled to open in Oklahoma City next spring. The Consulate of Mexico will provide consular services and assistance to the growing Mexican community in the state while promoting economic, commercial, educational, cultural, tourism, and community affairs relations between Mexican entities and Oklahoma stakeholders. Gov. Stitt has been advocating for the opening of this consulate and visited Mexico last year to present this proposal to the Government of Mexico. Over the past two years the governor has worked to embrace and address the needs of the Latino community and today’s announcement serves as a testament to the longevity of that commitment.
“As Oklahoma’s Mexican community grows, I’m glad that these Oklahomans can get the services they need right here in our state, rather driving hours across state lines for simple paperwork,” said Governor Stitt. “I am thankful for the collaboration and shared vision between Oklahoma and Mexico that made this a reality.”
Consul Edurne Pineda has been appointed as Head Consul of the cónsul. Consul Pineda is a Mexican career diplomat with a specialization in consular affairs and a long trajectory in this field. She has been working on the opening of the Consulate with the expectation to inaugurate its operation with full services by the end of the spring of 2023.
“It has been an honor to work with Governor Stitt to establish the Mexican Consulate in Oklahoma City,” said Consul Edurne Pineda. “I am certain that we will be great partners towards forging a better development for the Mexican community in the state and a deeper and stronger relationship between Mexico and Oklahoma.”
The Mexican Consulate was brought to Oklahoma due to the efforts of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard, along with the approval of the federal government. Mayor David Holt as well as Mexican community leaders have also consistently manifested the need to have this consular representation in Oklahoma.
“This is a great announcement for the people of Oklahoma City,” said Mayor David Holt. “There is a large population of Mexican Americans in our state, with more than 100,000 in Oklahoma City alone. Access to these services is important, and I congratulate the leaders in our Mexican American community who have advocated for this facility for many years.”
Roy Williams, President and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber said the Consulate is also important for the business community adding, “Mexico is an important trade partner for our state and the presence of these offices here will support continued growth.”
While the Consulate of Mexico in Oklahoma City opens its operation, the Consulates of Mexico in Little Rock and Kansas will continue to provide consular services to the Mexican community of Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 13th) – Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, has refiled a bill that would grant students attending 4-H programs an excused absence from school so their grades will not be adversely affected.
House Bill 1006 would prohibit schools from marking students with an unexcused absence if they are participating in 4-H activities approved by the county 4-H educator. The student would be required to provide documented proof of their participation and must be given the opportunity to make up any missed work.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 9th) – Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, is planning to file legislation that ensures parents remain in control of conversations and actions regarding their children’s gender identity and sexual orientation. The measure requires that district school boards put procedures in place notifying parents of any changes or issues their student is having related to their mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being.
As the old expression goes, the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again while hoping for a different outcome. Unfortunately, many of our public schools have taken that approach to reading instruction by clinging to a scientifically discredited method of instruction known as “whole language.”
It’s time policymakers address this longstanding problem. Nationwide learning loss occurred during COVID, and Oklahoma ranked among the worst-performing states according to the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 2nd) – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, has requested a bill that would establish a system to rate books rather than ban them in public schools and libraries. The system follows the standard movie ratings of G, PG, PG-13, R and NC-17.
The ratings are designed to give parents a better understanding of the materials their children are reading and allow them to provide parental guidance when necessary. Hamilton said the ultimate goal is to protect young children from inappropriate reading material and give parents peace of mind that their kids cannot access adult content in safe spaces like schools and libraries.
Remember Jackson Lahmeyer, the Tulsa pastor who got trounced running against Sen. James Lankford earlier this year? He's back in the news, having kicked off a new organization to promote Donald Trump's 2024 candidacy:
Pastors For Trump Launches, Backed by Faith Leaders With 200k Congregants
TULSA, Okla., Dec. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Counting a chapter in each state and the backing of dozens of Christian pastors with over 200,000 congregants, Pastors for Trump (PFT) is aiming to galvanize support in the evangelical community for President Trump as he seeks to return to the White House as Commander-in-Chief in 2024.
Pastor Jackson Lahmeyer created the coalition to help recognize the efforts of millions of Christians across the United States in the political process and to provide a way to advocate for issues central to the faithful including the importance of life, marriage, freedom of speech, and personal responsibility.
Pastor Lahmeyer is currently the Lead Pastor for Sheridan Church in Tulsa. Lahmeyer attended Oral Roberts University (ORU) and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. & M.A. in Theological & Historical Studies. Lahmeyer was Crusade Director for Christ for All Nations, which is the ministry of Reinhard Bonnke, a ministry that has helped lead 74 million people to Christ since 1974. Lahmeyer also served as the Oklahoma State Coordinator for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association leading more than 300 churches across Oklahoma to get engaged and fight for conservative values. In 2021-2022, Lahmeyer was a candidate for the United States Senate in Oklahoma and received endorsements from many America First Patriots including Roger Stone, Rudy Giuliani, John Paul Mac Isaac and Sebastian Gorka.
"President Trump made it clear during his 2016 campaign for President of the United States that he was committed to bringing Christian leaders into the fold. During his historic first term, he proved that he would deliver on the promises he made. Heading into 2024, it is more important now than ever to reaffirm the strength of the Christian faith and our willingness to support President Trump in his fight to return to the Oval Office," explained Lahmeyer.
Lahmeyer is joined by Pastor Craig Hagan, who is co-Pastor of Rhema Bible Church and Chief Operating Officer For Keith Hagin Ministries and Pastor Mark Burns, Co-Founder & CEO of The NOW Television Network, a Christian television network based out of South Carolina reaches 11 Million Homes named by Time Magazine as "Trump Pastor." Hagin and Burns will serve on the Board of Directors for Pastors for Trump.
PFT has a monthly prayer call, daily prayer requests, and allows all Americans to voice the issues most important to their Christian faith that they want to see influence public policy in the coming months. Pastors looking to join PFT can visit pastors4trump.com to fill out an application and receive regular updates.
WASHINGTON, DC – Among many priorities secured for Oklahoma’s military installations, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today highlighted two major overall wins for Oklahoma service members and veterans and for the nation in the Fiscal Year 2023 James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act (FY23 NDAA), otherwise known as the “defense bill.” Lankford secured language to roll back the existing COVID-19 vaccine mandate for military service members in all branches of service.
This is a great opportunity for students across Oklahoma to avail themselves of:
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives High School Page Program is now accepting applications for the First Regular Session of the 59th Legislature, announced Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang.
Every year, hundreds of students from across the state have the opportunity to take part in the House High School Page Program at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Through the program, students have a chance to view the legislative process up close and gain experience working in state government.
Pages are assigned for one week, Monday through Thursday, during the legislative session, which constitutionally runs from the first Monday in February through the last Friday in May.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 2nd) – Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat today announced his Republican leadership team for the upcoming 59th Oklahoma Legislature that begins in February.
“I have chosen these individuals to help lead our caucus and work with the committees to ensure we are passing legislation that is in the best interest of Oklahomans,” Pro Tem Treat said. “I am honored they have accepted the opportunity to help lead the senate in these respective roles. Together, we will ensure the state is being fiscally responsible, agencies are operating efficiently and taxpayer dollars are not being wasted.”
In recent years, too many colleges have allowed the “heckler’s veto” to prevail. Rather than engage in respectful debate, activists have been allowed to shout down speakers or prevent speeches with threats of violence.
And there have been reasons to worry about free speech at the University of Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY (November 28th) – Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens has officially filed Senate Bill 7 ahead of the 2023 session, which calls for Oklahoma to remain in Daylight Saving Time (DST) year-round. The measure will be a “trigger law” that would go into effect following the passage of the Sunshine Protection Act by Congress, which would give states the option to end the time change.
Common sense. The only question is, will the lobbyist-owned, media/corporate-pressured, weak-kneed GOP legislative leadership allow it to be heard?
OKLAHOMA CITY (December 1st) – Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, filed legislation to prohibit health care professionals from providing gender transition services to people under the age of 21.
House Bill 1011 prohibits health care professionals from providing, attempting to provide or providing a referral for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender reassignment surgeries for healthy people under the age of 21.
