Brecheen to vote NO on Biden-McCarthy debt ceiling deal as it currently stands

Congressman Josh Brecheen To Vote NO on Biden-McCarthy Debt Ceiling Agreement As It Currently StandsWashington, D.C. (May 30th) – Congressman Josh Brecheen will vote NO on H.R. 3746, the Biden-McCarthy debt ceiling agreement as it currently stan...

Small on education funding increase: Will it produce results?

Will funding produce results?By Jonathan SmallPublic-school advocates have long suggested that if Oklahoma schools had more money, then student outcomes would increase as well. That theory is being put to the test.When they announced this year’s education-funding plan, policymakers noted that state school appropriations rose...

Small: Family focus desperately needed

Family focus desperately neededBy Jonathan SmallU.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has declared war on a “loneliness epidemic.” Murthy noted “about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness. And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones and support systems.”...

Lankford releases Volume 7 of his Waste Book, 'Federal Fumbles'

As Debt Talks Continue, Lankford Releases Waste Book on Ways to Cut Federal SpendingWASHINGTON, DC (May 18th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released Volume 7 of his federal waste book, Federal Fumbles: Ways the Federal Government Dropped the Ball. As President Biden and Democrats continue to say there is no path for...

Legislature sends major multi-bill education package to Governor

This is a few days old (sorry, been swamped with work), but some significant education news worth recording:Legislature Sends Historic Education Package to GovernorOKLAHOMA CITY (May 19th) – The Legislature today gave final passage to a set of bills directing a historic investment into public education.&nb...

AFP-OK celebrates historic education tax credit

Oklahoma Celebrates Historic Education Tax CreditOklahoma City, OK (May 19th) – Americans for Prosperity Oklahoma released the following statement following the final passage and procedural motions which sends HB 1934, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act to Governor Kevin Stitt. AFP State Director John Tidwell commented:“Simply...

Rep. Olsen warns: pro-abortion bill makes late-session reappearance

 Pro-Abortion Bill SB 834 transforms into Pro-Abortion SB 368By State Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland)Before the reversal of Roe v Wade, virtually every Republican voted for some kind of abortion limitations, and the argument was "If it saves even one baby, it's worth it."  Now, among a few of the more liberal Republicans...

Small: OETA doesn’t need state subsidies

I've enjoyed a lot of OETA/PBS content over the years; nature programs, historical documentaries, chilren's shows, classic films on the OETA Movie Club. My wife and I really enjoy the geneological show Finding Your Roots.But here's the thing. Is it really the proper role of government to fund public broadcasting? I don't...

Gov. Stitt signs executive orders aimed at shrinking government, improving efficiency

GOVERNOR STITT TAKES ACTION TO SHRINK GOVERNMENT, IMPROVE EFFICIENCYOKLAHOMA CITY (May 8, 2023) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt signed three executive orders aimed at creating a leaner, more effective state government that delivers better services to Oklahomans."As a conservative, I believe in smaller government, so I am proud...

For gun range near Muskogee, check out Glenndale Grace Firearms & Training

In case you weren't already aware, the Muskogee area is home to a top-notch gun range and training facility, owned and operated by local firearms experts Link and Susan Mock. Glenndale Grace Firearms & Training is located on the east side of US Highway 69 just north of Muskogee, between the Muskogee Turnpike and...

Measure aimed at cutting red tape for family home child care facilities signed into law

Measure Aimed at Cutting Red Tape for Small Business Strengthens Child Care Access For Oklahoma Families Signed into Law Bill Author Says the New Law  is a “Common Sense” Solution to Real Problems Families Face Navigating Overburdened Child Care SystemOKLAHOMA CITY (May 4th) – A bill by freshman Tulsa State Representative...

Bill aimed at getting to the root of catalytic converter theft set to become law in November

Bill Aimed at Getting to the Root of Catalytic Converter Theft Set to Become Law in NovemberBill Author Says the Measure is a “Common Sense” Solution to a Growing Crime Costing Oklahoma Families Thousands of Dollars and Creating Public Safety RisksOKLAHOMA CITY (May 3rd) – A bill authored by Tulsa freshman State Representative...

Address confirmation notices mailed to 326,000 Oklahoma voters

Address Confirmation Notices Mailed to Oklahoma Voters(Oklahoma City) – Over the next several weeks, 326,603 registered voters in Oklahoma will receive an Address Confirmation Notice from the State Election Board. The notices are required by state l...

OCPA to engage in court effort protecting child sex-change surgery ban

OCPA to engage in court effort protecting child sex-change surgery banOKLAHOMA CITY (May 2, 2023)—Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small announced today that OCPA will be organizing a coalition of groups and individuals for the purpose of defending a new state law that prevents children from undergoing...

State Rep. Fetgatter to pursue better protection for sexual assault victims after Henryetta tragedy

Fetgatter to Initiate Protection Law after Henryetta TragedyOKLAHOMA CITY (May 3rd) – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, in 2019 secured passage of a law to protect sexual assault victims from their predators. He's now pursuing legislation to better protect potential victims.House Bill 1881 was named Kaylee's Law after a constituent...

Brecheen introduces the 'DRIVE Act' to protect ranchers, farmers, and truckers from Biden overreach

Congressman Josh Brecheen Introduces The DRIVE Act To Protect Ranchers, Farmers, and Truckers from Biden OverreachWashington, D.C. (May 3rd) – Today, Congressman Josh Brecheen introduced the Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-Wheelers (DRIVE) Act, which would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety...

Small: Talking points against school choice don't hold up

Talking points don’t hold upBy Jonathan SmallIn education, two talking points are constantly touted by status-quo defenders. First, if we spend more money on the state-run public-school system, our negative education outcomes will make a turnaround. Second, most families don’t need other choices because they are already “choosing”...

Legislators, OCPA praise signing of ban on "gender transition" procedures for children

Sen. Daniels, Rep. Hasenbeck issue statements after Gov. Stitt signs SB 613, prohibiting gender transition procedures for minorsOKLAHOMA CITY (May 2nd) – Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, issued the following statements after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 613 into law, banning gender...

Happy anniversary! BatesLine.com marks 20 years

Happy 20th anniversary to the 'elder statesman' of Oklahoma's conservative blogosphere!Go read his 20th anniversary post here.Highly respected for his well-reasoned and well-researched approach, Michael Bates operates what is, to my knowledge, the longest-tenured conservative political blog in Oklahoma. Many have come and gone...

Gov. Stitt signs bill banning "gender transition" surgeries and hormone therapies for minors

Praise God:GOVERNOR STITT BANS GENDER TRANSITION SURGERIES AND HORMONE THERAPIES FOR MINORS IN OKLAHOMAOKLAHOMA CITY (May 1, 2023) - Governor Kevin Stitt signed SB 613 into law today banning all irreversible gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies for children under the age of ...