Hamilton appointed to Strategic Military Planning Commission
OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, appointed Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, to the Strategic Military Planning Commission. Hamilton, an Army veteran and West Point graduate, will serve on the nine-member commission as an ex-officio member.
Public policy advanced primarily to gain social-media applause rather than improve people’s lives can have disastrous consequences, as seen recently in Hawaii.
In Hawaii, concerns about “equity” combined with promotion of “green” energy to create conditions where a wildfire could harm thousands and (apparently) kill hundreds. There were numerous steps along the way that could have prevented this tragedy. But policymakers never took those steps because of misplaced focus.
The wildfire is believed to have been caused by power lines that sparked a blaze in tall grass. The reason those conditions existed is due, in part, to politicians’ desire to campaign as opponents of hypothetical “climate change.”
Coinciding with circulation of a fake Ryan Walters for Governor website, I'm personally inclined to think it was someone trying to pin this on Walters and conservatives who are upset with continued revelations of 'wokeness' and partisan liberal ideology in the classroom.
Anyway, Walters condemned the bomb threats (duh) and is calling for a full investigation of the threats. House Speaker Charles McCall and State Rep. T.J. Marti (representing one of the districts that received a threat) both issues similar statements. Both legislators offered similar sentiments, including displeasure with some of the rhetoric involved on both sides of public education reform.
The Legislature recently voted to overturn the governor's veto of Senate Bill 26X, which effectively gives another year for the tribal compacts to be negotiated.
It would be easy to look at this issue as pretty simple. The tribes just want another year to negotiate the compacts. Just give them another year, right? What's the big deal?
Hasn't the Cherokee Nation been very generous to our area, helping with schools, bridges, roads and numerous other community projects? Absolutely yes, to the tune of tens of millions of dollars!
Doesn't it behoove us to seek collaboration with the various tribal nations for the benefit of us all? Of course it does!
However, I have found this issue to be a little more complicated than I had at first realized, as there are several legal or constitutional issues with voting for this veto override.
There is a good chance that the Oklahoma Supreme Court will declare this bill to be unconstitutional.
First, we passed it during a special session, meaning that any bill heard during the special session must be related to the topic originally referenced in the call, as required by our state constitution. The call of the special session was related to the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget. The argument for the call being related to the compacts is that the outcome of the vote on the bill could have a fiscal impact. However, almost every bill we vote on has some sort of fiscal impact. Therefore, if fiscal impact means that it is germane, then germaneness as a requirement for a bill to be included in a call for special session loses any meaning whatsoever. I believe addressing the compacts during a special session for the budget is a stretch at best.
Secondly, the constitution specifically designates these negotiations with tribal nations to the governor. The Legislature affirmed this in 2014 when we put into statute that the governor is responsible for conducting these negotiations.
In the immediate sense, it is possible for the Legislature to change the statute. However, there is a proper way to change existing laws, rather than simply ignoring it for the sake of another law.
If we want to change statute, we must either amend the existing statute or add the statement "notwithstanding other provisions of law," neither of which was carried out prior to the passage of SB26X.
The issue that overshadows everything else is that the Oklahoma Constitution assigns the responsibility of negotiations with the tribes to the governor, not the Legislature, the Judiciary branch or any other part of our state government.
Every two years since I joined the House in 2018, I have affirmed an oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution and the Oklahoma Constitution. If I knowingly defy our state constitution, I have violated my oath of office, and this is something I cannot and will not do.
In addition to the direct constitutional issues, there are other issues with the compact agreements that the tribes are bringing forth.
They argue that the phrase "Indian country" should be used in these compacts. What's the problem with that? The issue is that this brings us closer to a two-tiered system of law in Oklahoma. This has been expressly advocated in some of the legal briefs from the tribes in various court cases and is expressed in the following court cases:
Alicia Stroble, a member of the Muskogee (Creek) Nation who lives in Okmulgee, argues that she is exempt from Oklahoma state taxes because she is a tribal member living in Indian Country.
Justin Hooper, a member of the Choctaw Nation, argues that he is exempt from paying a $150 speeding ticket within the City of Tulsa because he is a tribal member.
We've also seen that under the new "plate pay" system by the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, tribal members with unregistered tribal tags are not in the OTA's system and thus cannot be charged for using turnpikes. One vehicle with a Cherokee Nation tag has reportedly failed to pay $670 in tolls since May 15. Should they be exempt because of their tribal affiliation?
If things keep going in this direction, the implications of this two-tiered system would eventually be even more extensive. We must maintain equal justice in Oklahoma.
Rep. Jim Olsen represents District 2 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes portions of Seqouyah County.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (August 25, 2023) – Today, OSDE released a new video expressing the newfound hope and optimism for the students in Tulsa Public Schools.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, announced Thursday she would not seek a fourth term in 2024. Conley, whose district covers parts of McClain and Cleveland counties, was first elected in 2018, and was reelected in 2020, and 2022.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve my family, friends and neighbors in House District 20,” Conley said. "I have had amazing successes and incredible challenges, which I know will allow me to continue to serve the state of Oklahoma and the communities I represent as I move into my next chapter.”
Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Gist resigned earlier this week, amid calls for her removal by State Superintendent Ryan Walters over Tulsa's plummeting public education scores during her disastrous tenure.
Below are comments from Walters and Gov. Stitt, emphasizing their view that this could be a turning point of improvement for Tulsa Public Schools. For some excellent background on the Gist situation, read this over at BatesLine.
The University of Oklahoma recently made national news—for the wrong reasons.
An investigation by The Wall Street Journal found that some of the United States’ best-known public universities “have been on an unfettered spending spree” with the bill “passed” on to students—and OU was identified as one of the worst offenders.
Between 2002 and 2022, the Journal found enrollment at OU increased 15 percent, but tuition increased by 36 percent even after adjusting for inflation. And, once student fees were included, the combined rate of growth was even more dramatic.
“During my first eight months in office, I have had the privilege of hosting 60 in-person town halls throughout Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District.
From Washington and Ottawa all the way down to Bryan and McCurtain counties, it has been an honor to travel throughout the district and meet so many wonderful people.
As a former field representative for the late Senator Tom Coburn, I have always believed that in-person town halls are the best way for Members of Congress to learn and hear from their constituents.
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| Bodycam footage of arrest |
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, today issued the following statement saying he will resign from his legislative seat effective Sept. 1, 2023.
OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 16, 2023) — Attorney General Gentner Drummond is calling on U.S. Congressional leadership to pass the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act. The bill prevents California from burdening farmers and ranchers across the country with radical anti-agriculture regulations.
GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT ENDORSES BRIAN BINGMAN
FOR CORPORATION COMMISSION
Governor's Senior Policy Advisor brings unequaled
private, public-sector experience to job
Oklahoma City, Okla., August 16, 2023- Oklahoma Secretary of State Brian Bingman announced today he is filing as a candidate for Corporation Commission.
“The regulatory industry dramatically impacts our business environment and ability to recruit jobs. I need Brian Bingman because of his experience and his unquestioned integrity,” said Governor Stitt.
In response, Bingman said, “I'm honored to have the endorsement of not only Governor Stitt but so many Oklahomans who have asked me to serve in this capacity to make Oklahoma more business friendly.”
For several years officials have blamed poor student outcomes in public schools on outside factors, such as poverty. Their proposed solution: “wraparound” services that largely duplicate in schools the welfare programs normally provided through a department of human services.
Well, that theory has now been put to the test—and failed.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, announced Monday that he would not be seeking reelection to the Oklahoma Senate. Rogers was elected to the state’s upper chamber in 2020 and his current term is set to end in 2024.
Rogers said after much careful consideration, he has decided to pursue other options, but expressed his gratitude to his constituents for allowing him to represent them in the Senate.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, have requested an opinion from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond regarding the distribution of county sales tax revenue to support private businesses providing a public service.
In April 2021, Garvin County voters approved Proposition No. 2, which would set aside a portion of sales tax toward Emergency Management Services (EMS) in certain rural areas that did not previously maintain emergency services.
GOVERNOR STITT OFFERS ONE YEAR EXTENSION FOR CHEROKEE CAR TAG COMPACT
OKLAHOMA CITY (August 10, 2023) - Governor Kevin Stitt sent a letter to the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation with an offer of a one-year extension on their current car tag compact set to expire on August 16, 2023. The offer contains the same material terms provided in the existing compact.
Congressman Josh Brecheen Announces Satellite Office Hours
Washington, D.C. – The office of Congressman Josh Brecheen will be holding Satellite Office Hours throughout Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District later this month.
Constituents are invited to attend to meet with our Field Representatives and help inform us how Congressman Josh Brecheen’s office can best serve you.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters recently indicated Tulsa Public Schools could face a downgrade in its state accreditation status. That would mark the second year in a row the district has had an accreditation downgrade.
But the fact that Tulsa held the state’s top accreditation rating just a few years ago suggests the system is, if anything, too lenient. Tulsa’s academic outcomes have long been abhorrent, and district leadership found a way to make things even worse by ending in-person instruction for more than a year during COVID.
OKLAHOMA CITY (August 3, 2023) - Today Governor Kevin Stitt announced his appointment of Melissa Handke to serve as the District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District. This district includes Carter, Johnston, Love, Marshall, and Murray counties.
One of the four Republicans is a man of stellar character and conservatism, Dusty Deevers.
As your Lieutenant Governor, I have had the privilege of visiting with countless businesses in all 77 counties. Most of the time, I’m included in celebrations – welcoming a new company coming to town or breaking ground on an expansion. I’m grateful for the opportunity to celebrate those economic development wins, and I’m particularly excited when those happen in rural Oklahoma.
Becoming the first governor in the nation to do so, Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed a “Women’s Bill of Rights” executive order that bars males from being allowed in female-only facilities and events in Oklahoma.
The order was issued as a growing number of men have claimed to identify as female to access everything from women’s bathrooms to women’s domestic-abuse shelters to women’s prisons.
“We are making sure that women’s spaces are safe for women,” Stitt said. “No men are going to go into women’s prisons in the state of Oklahoma. No men in women’s domestic shelters in the state of Oklahoma. No men in women’s locker rooms. No men in women’s bathrooms. No men in women’s sports.”
Another year, another record amount of money taken from the taxpayer and stuffed into the bottomless moneypit of state government. Oklahoma government is addicted to increasing spending year over year at the expense of the governed.
Having a state "savings account" is fine and dandy, but at a certain point, it's borderline criminal to take money that is not needed from the taxpayers. It's high time that Oklahoma taxpayers received some actual relief in the form of a tax cut.
GOVERNOR STITT ANNOUNCES FY 23 REVENUE EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS, DEPOSIT MADE TO RAINY DAY FUND
OKLAHOMA CITY (August 3, 2023) - Governor Stitt announced today the General Revenue Fund collections for fiscal year 2023 exceeded expectations and totaled $9 billion, which is approximately $1.6 billion, or 21.2%, above the estimate, and $493.7 million, or 5.8%, above prior year collections for the same period.
"Not only does this accomplishment stand as a testament to the benefit of our conservative fiscal policies, it represents the strength of our economy, the success of our businesses, and the hard work of Oklahomans," said Governor Stitt. "Oklahomans know how to spend their money better than the government, so let's leave more in their pocket. With a record $1.3 billion in the Rainy Day Fund and continued growth in our savings, there has never been a better time to cut taxes."
Washington, D.C. (July 27th) – Representatives Josh Brecheen and Eric Burlison (R-MO) introduced two bills aimed at reining in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) spending—commonly referred to as food stamps—and getting Americans back to work.
Washington, D.C. (August 1st, 2023) – Congressman Josh Brecheen and Senator James Lankford demanded answers from the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery after it was discovered Planned Parenthood received $20 million in COVID relief through the Provider Relief Fund (PRF).
“It is obvious that Planned Parenthood did not need or qualify for COVID relief money when these taxpayer funds were designed to assist health care providers who were negatively affected by COVID lockdowns. Planned Parenthood should not be receiving any of our tax dollars in the first place and it would be incredibly concerning if it provided false or misleading information in order to get these funds. I am proud to join fellow Oklahoman, Senator James Lankford in demanding answers and accountability for Americans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars,” said Congressman Josh Brecheen.
The Daily Signal’s Mary Margaret Olohan wrote an exclusive report on the letter, which you can read here.
Lankford, Brecheen Demand Investigation into COVID Relief Going to Planned Parenthood
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (August 1st, 2023) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Representative Josh Brecheen (R-OK) led their colleagues in the Senate and House in a letter to Inspector General (IG) for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Christi Grimm regarding more than $20 million in Provider Relief Funds (PRF) issued to Planned Parenthood under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The Members ask the IG to review the funds to “determine whether the organization provided false or misleading information to obtain access to PRF funds.”
The Members wrote in their letter, “Congress intentionally designed the CARES Act so that no federal funding appropriated through the bill could be used on abortion… This organization did not possess a financial need for funds distributed through the PRF, nor should taxpayer dollars be given toward the provision of abortions. We request that you review the applications submitted by Planned Parenthood to determine whether the organization provided false or misleading information to obtain access to PRF funds. If it is discovered that Planned Parenthood intentionally falsified information on its applications, we ask that you submit a criminal or civil referral to the US Department of Justice.”
The following Senators joined Lankford, Brecheen, and their House colleagues in sending the letter: Jim Risch (R-ID), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), JD Vance (R-OH), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Marco Rubio (R-FL).
Lankford remains a strong voice standing up for life in the US Senate and has consistently pushed back against Americans’ dollars going to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. During the pandemic, Lankford joined Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Republican members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) to demand information from Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman regarding Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that were illegally obtained and received by Planned Parenthood affiliates across the United States.
Lankford recently introduced a bicameral bill to clarify that HHS cannot discriminate against Title X grantees, including states, for their stance on protecting life. On the one-year anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, Lankford spoke on the Senate floor to ask the simple question: when does life begin? Lankford also wrote an opinion piece for National Review to encourage pro-life Americans to keep up the work to make abortion not just illegal, but unthinkable.
You can read the full letter HERE.
Is it too much to expect that everyone who drives on an Oklahoma toll road should be expected to pay? Sadly, that is not occurring today.
Due to flaws in existing state-tribal compacts, and a willful lack of enforcement mechanisms, individuals driving with tribal car tags are often able to evade payment of turnpike tolls.
Because information on tribal tags, such as the home address of the car owner, is not always provided to the state, many individuals with tribal tags now simply drive down state toll roads without paying. The millions gifted to those unregistered tags is then shifted onto the fees paid by all other, non-Indian drivers.
