Oklahoma City, Okla – State Superintendent Ryan Walters hailed the success of a tutoring program designed to help at-risk students who are behind on reading with literacy support during the Thanksgiving holiday break.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen introduced two bills today to fight back against the Biden Administration’s far-Left, pro-abortion agenda.
Drummond issues opinion, guidance on state abortion laws
OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 21, 2023) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a formal opinion today explaining that Oklahoma law does not allow pregnant women to be punished for seeking, performing or self-inducing an abortion to intentionally terminate their pregnancy. The opinion was requested by four state senators and two state representatives.
“Oklahoma law does not allow the punishment of pregnant women attempting an abortion,” the opinion states. “The Legislature has repeatedly made this clear and just last year, repealed the one law that would have expressly allowed such a prosecution.”
The opinion notes that while Oklahoma law does not allow for pregnant women to be prosecuted, abortion is legally prohibited throughout pregnancy except to save the life of the mother. The opinion notes that historically, in Oklahoma and nationwide, pregnant women have not been prosecuted for seeking, obtaining or inducing an abortion.
One of the most important jobs of a state attorney general is to protect citizens from overreaching government, so Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond deserves praise for reining in the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.
In a letter sent to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission on Sept. 21, Drummond told the agency that day’s meeting should be rescheduled “due to clear violations of the Open Meeting Act which have come to my attention.”
Oklahoma City, Okla (Nov. 16th) – State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced Comprehensive Discipline Reform for Oklahoma schools today. Walters’ plan implements needed reform that empowers teachers’ and parents’ rights to hold students accountable, creating stronger education standards in Oklahoma’s classrooms.
“I hear from parents and teachers throughout our state that our classrooms are difficult to manage effectively, causing breakdowns in discipline which ultimately drive down student achievement,” said Walters. “We are empowering teachers to effectively manage their classrooms while helping keep parents informed about classroom discipline. “
Pugh files bill to protect military surviving spouse benefits
OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 9th) – As Oklahomans prepare to celebrate Veteran’s Day, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, filed legislation Thursday to honor veterans killed in action by protecting the benefits of their surviving spouses. He pointed out that surviving spouses only get benefits as long as they do not remarry before the age of 55 – an unfair and disrespectful federal law that Pugh hopes to raise awareness of with Senate Bill 1201, while also providing assistance for those loved ones left behind in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma City, Okla (Nov. 17th) – State Superintendent Ryan Walters visited Minco schools today to announce the successful launch of the statewide tutoring program and to highlight the highly successful open transfer and academic programs in Minco Public Schools.
If a business owner fails to generate profits, they are forced to lay people off or shutter their business. If a family can’t pay their utility bill, their water shuts off. If a student doesn’t finish their schoolwork, they don’t get to enjoy recess.
In the real world, the people who fail to fulfill their responsibilities suffer the consequences themselves.
However, Congress plays by different rules. When Congress fails to pass our spending bills on time to fund the government, it’s the public, and particularly taxpayers and our men and women in uniform, who bear the greatest burden of unnecessary and irresponsible government shutdowns.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (November 16, 2023) -- Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd today publicly released her audit of Talihina Public Schools. This investigative audit was requested by the citizens of the school district.
The primary findings of interest are the credit card expenditures of the school superintendent. Superintendent Jason Lockhart failed to provide receipts for more than $11,000 worth of purchases.
Oklahoma City, Okla (Nov. 15th) – The Oklahoma State Department of Education released the statewide School Report Card today, showing results for testing in Spring, 2023.
This is such a great idea. A year ago, I read 'The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors' by James D. Hornfischer (highly recommend), which focuses on an major but lesser-known naval engagement in the Pacific during WWII, the Battle off Samar (part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf).
Oklahoma had several native sons who received the highest military honors for their gallant service during this unequal conflict between a lightly armed/armored American naval task force ("tin cans") and the biggest, baddest ships the Japanese navy had afloat - including the battleship Yamato, heaviest ever built and with the largest guns ever placed on a ship. Checotah's Paul Henry Carr is one of those heroes; you can read more about him here, here, and here (Muskogee's Ernest E. Evans was another).
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today led the Oklahoma congressional delegation in a letter to Secretary of the United States Navy Carlos Del Torro to recommend the naming of a new Constellation-class frigate in honor of Oklahoman Paul Henry Carr, from Checotah, Oklahoma, who gave his last full measure of devotion to our nation aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413) during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in World War II.
My statement on the temporary injunctions placed yesterday by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/aRgPtfHfnt
— Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell (@LtGovPinnell) November 15, 2023
School-choice opponents have tried, and failed, to convince parents to oppose policies that grant greater educational opportunity to their children.
So now school-choice opponents have a new tactic: They’re urging Oklahomans to ignore reality.
Under the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act, all families in Oklahoma are now eligible for refundable tax credits of $5,000 to $7,500 per child to pay for private-school tuition. The lower a family’s income, the larger the tax credit. The program takes effect in January.
Washington, D.C. (Nov. 8th) – Congressman Josh Brecheen introduced the Stop Climate Hysteria in Diplomacy Act, which would ensure President Biden’s Executive Order 14027, which created the Climate Change Support Office at the State Department, would have no force or effect.
“President Biden has used the excuse that climate change is an existential threat to create additional bureaucracy inside the State Department. The Climate Change Support Office is nothing more than a pet project for John Kerry to integrate climate change into all aspects of American foreign policy decisions. With this bill, Congress can eliminate a useless office and prevent the United States from prioritizing radical climate policy over our national security,” said Congressman Josh Brecheen.
Breitbart’s Sean Moran wrote an exclusive report on the bill, which you can read here.
Original co-sponsors include: Representatives Glenn Grothman (R-WI) and Eric Burlison (R-MO).
WASHINGTON, DC (Nov. 14th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) returned today from a congressional delegation trip he led to the Horn of Africa to connect with members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard in the USAFRICOM area of responsibility (AOR) as part of Task Force Tomahawk.
Also traveling with Lankford were Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who serves on the Armed Services Committee, Oklahoma Governor J. Kevin Stitt, and Major General Thomas Mancino, Adjutant General of Oklahoma. Representatives Jim Banks (R-IN) and Larry Bucshon (R-IN) also participated in the CODEL as Indiana National Guard members are also part of Task Force Tomahawk.
[November 14, 2023] - Republican Dr. Chris Emerson announces his candidacy to serve Oklahomans living in Senate District 37 which includes the cities of Jenks and Sand Springs in Tulsa County. The Republican primary election takes place on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Dr. Emerson’s campaign is in full swing and is currently making stops throughout the district and meeting with voters.
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| Photo courtesy of the Attorney General's office |
OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 14, 2023) – The Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) last week seized more than 36 tons of illegal marijuana in searches conducted in Wagoner County and Lincoln County. Attorney General Gentner Drummond established the task force earlier this year to combat Oklahoma’s many illegal marijuana operations.
“Our state has been overrun with criminals who are trafficking drugs in our local communities and throughout the country,” Drummond said. “I will not tolerate this serious threat to public safety. I am proud of the work of the Organized Crime Task Force and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to eliminate this blight on our communities.”
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Nov. 3rd) — Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Steve Daines (R-MT) led their Republican colleagues in submitting a comment letter to the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) condemning the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) proposed “Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule,” which blatantly violates prohibitions on the use of taxpayer funds to facilitate abortions on unaccompanied minors at the border.
“Instead of adhering to the law, responding to Congressional inquiry, heeding Congress’ warning, and treating unaccompanied minors with the dignity and respect they deserve as young mothers, HHS ORR has decided to codify these flagrant violations of the Hyde Amendment through the proposed rule,” the Senators wrote.
This is so laughable.
First of all, the "extremists" in the Oklahoma Legislature are the House and Senate Democrats, rabidly in favor of abortion without limitation whatsoever (i.e. the unabated murder of the preborn), the "trans-ing" and sexual perverting of kids via the LGBT agenda, et cetera; so far politically outside of the mainstream of Oklahomans that they have been reduced to a tiny "super-minority" in the Legislature.
Rep. Munson essentially finds any generic Republican/conservative thought to be "right-wing extremism", so... her take is pretty much nonsense.
Furthermore, CPAC has affirmed and celebrated conservative homosexual groups over the past several years, particularly since Donald Trump's rise to prominence and his general friendliness to things LGBT. On many issues, especially social and moral ones, CPAC and the American Conservative Union are not quite the paragons of conservatism they once may have been.
Read on for a good laugh:
Leader Munson Responds to Ranking by Right-Wing Extremist Organization
OKLAHOMA CITY – Today Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson (D-Oklahoma City) responded to the recent praise for Oklahoma’s Legislature receiving a high ranking by a right-wing extremist organization, the Conservative Political Action Conference.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, today issued a statement praising the conservative rating for the Oklahoma Legislature after the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Foundation's Center for Legislative Accountability (CLA) released its 2023 ratings of the voting records of state legislators in all fifty states. Oklahoma was ranked as the second most conservative legislature in the country, trailing only West Virginia.
There’s a high price to pay for colleges’ “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) programs. If you doubt it, look at how many college students are openly embracing antisemitism in response to the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
While many Americans have been shocked, that prejudice is sadly the product of many campus cultures, particularly DEI programs.
Tabia Lee, a black woman who previously served two years as a faculty DEI director at De Anza College in California, noted that reality in a recent New York Post column.
Lee warned, “At its worst, DEI is built on the unshakable belief that the world is divided into two groups of people: the oppressors and the oppressed. Jews are categorically placed in the oppressor category, while Israel is branded a ‘genocidal, settler, colonialist state.’ In this worldview, criticizing Israel and the Jewish people is not only acceptable but praiseworthy.”
She also warned, “Countless faculty and students on campuses nationwide have told me the DEI ideology encourages antisemitism.”
Lee believes she was pushed out of her DEI position because she tried to encourage respectful dialogue between students, including Jewish students.
DEI’s core beliefs assume a person’s race (or other “marginalized” identity) trumps everything else about that individual. That makes DEI highly divisive and societally corrosive.
Oklahomans may be tempted to think the antisemitism seen on campuses like Harvard isn’t occurring here. But at the University of Oklahoma, a recent student demonstration echoed many talking points touted elsewhere.
On Oct. 25, OU students marched to protest Israel’s response to Hamas’ terrorist attacks, chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
A letter released by the OU Student Coalition for Palestinian Liberation declared that Israel is “an apartheid state” engaged in “a genocide campaign” and “crimes against humanity,” and that Israel’s actions are “not self-defense.”
The statement did not acknowledge or directly reference Hamas actions, which have included kidnapping, rape and the brutal murder of women and infant children. Instead, the statement dismissed reports of Hamas terrorist atrocities as “unconfirmed accounts and AI-generated images published by Israeli media.”
That shows those college students, here in Oklahoma, are out of touch with reality. As U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, recently noted, “Hamas is a terrorist organization that murdered children, the elderly, and the disabled without mercy.”
Notably, OU has been very public in its embrace of DEI.
Opponents of DEI often focus on its negative impact on academic outcomes and the ripple effect on the economy. That likely understated its full, negative impact. Recent events show DEI is now leaving us with a generation of college students who embrace evil and declare it good. That’s a recipe only for moral decay and greater violence in the future.
Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.
Sen. Coleman responds to governor’s sports betting plan
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, released the following statement Friday after the governor announced a plan to advance sports betting in Oklahoma. Coleman is the Senate principal author of House Bill 1027, along with Rep. Ken Luttrell, to legalize sports betting in the state. The bill was introduced during the 2023 legislative session where it received House approval and will be available for further consideration by the Senate when session convenes in February.
“I’m somewhat surprised by the governor’s unexpected sports betting proposal given I already have an active piece of legislation, House Bill 1027, in the Senate to legalize sports betting and he has never reached out to share his support of the idea or to offer any other input on this important economic development issue. It’s frustrating that he didn’t feel it necessary to collaborate with those of us who have been diligently working on this major issue for over a year now, but I’m hopeful that will change in the coming weeks.
“While the governor’s plan might be a starting point, I’ll be interested to see if he has contacted or worked with our tribal partners to get their input. A lack of coordination between the executive branch and tribal leadership was the main reason our bill stalled this session. When dealing with the tribes, compacting, and the many nuances with exclusivity and future gaming negotiations, it’s imperative that Governor Stitt work in good faith with our tribal partners. I’m not sure he’ll garner much support given his plan, among other things, asks the tribes to give up their online share of sports gaming, which nationally accounts for 95% of total revenues.
“However, I am optimistic that Gov. Stitt is showing interest in bringing sports betting to Oklahoma. As I’ve said before, this would be an incredible economic boon for us and one that 37 other states have already taken advantage of. We need to seize this opportunity to create jobs and millions in new revenue. With more tribal casinos than any other state and three successful horse tracks, Oklahoma is primed for sports betting.
“I urge the governor to work with me, my House author Rep. Luttrell, and others who have been working on this issue, as well as the tribal nations because without their support, there will be no change. The governor’s plan needs some work but that’s what the legislative process is about – coordination, collaboration, and consensus – and I’m looking forward to it.”
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, issued the following statement in support of Governor Stitt’s plan to bring sports betting to Oklahoma, which was announced on November 2.
“I think that this is a fantastic opportunity to not only welcome new economic, tourism, and recreational opportunities to Oklahoma but also address the discrimination faced by Oklahomans who enjoy attending sporting events such as the Kentucky Derby or the Breeders Cup. It is unfair that they are not allowed to place bets online solely because they live in Oklahoma. The Governor's plan not only helps increase revenue coming into the state but also provides opportunities to every single Oklahoman.
“Oklahoma sports have always garnered high levels of enthusiasm, and embracing sports betting is an obvious move for our state and districts.”
The plan includes opportunities for tax revenue for the state, as well as guidelines for transparency and accountability in support of consumer protection.
For a fact sheet detailing sports betting in Oklahoma, click here.
Oklahoma City, Okla – State Superintendent Ryan Walters unveiled a comprehensive tutoring program to ensure Oklahoma students have access to quality tutoring throughout the upcoming holiday season and beyond.
“I’m proud to roll out the most far-reaching tutoring program in the country to benefit Oklahoma kids,” said Walters. “We want to leverage the power of our communities to make sure our students get the help they need to improve literacy and spark a lifelong connection between community groups and their local schools.”
Representatives Josh Brecheen and Mary Miller Introduce The Protecting Religious Freedom for Foster Families Act
Washington, D.C. (Nov. 1st) – Representatives Josh Brecheen and Mary Miller (R-IL) introduced the Protecting Religious Freedom for Foster Families Act, which would prohibit the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from implementing its proposed rule to discriminate against foster parents who do not affirm LGBTQ ideology.
“The federal government should not force foster families to violate their sincerely held religious or moral beliefs in order to house children. President Biden’s bureaucrats continue to pursue an anti-Christian, far-Left agenda—all without the authority of Congress. With this legislation, we are fighting back,” said Congressman Josh Brecheen.
OKLAHOMA CITY (November 1, 2023) - Governor Kevin Stitt today issued Executive Order 2023-29, creating the Campaign Finance and Election Threats Task Force to rigorously assess campaign finance, scrutinize foreign investment, and combat foreign interference in Oklahoma elections.
"I'm proud to report that Oklahoma is a national leader in election integrity," said Governor Stitt. "But we must not rest on our laurels. Instead, we must ensure that our elections and political processes are not tainted by other government investment and interference."
This was a very interesting press release. I learned, for example, that states cannot exempt themselves from Standard Time due to federal regulations. Read on for more:
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, today commented on the time change Oklahomans will experience this weekend when they "fall back" from daylight saving to standard time at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5.
"The only way to lock the clock in Oklahoma and to stop this twice yearly time change is to switch to permanent standard time," West said. "I've long advocated for this and after my recent interim study on the issue, I realize it is as important as ever to continue my efforts."
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans now have two months instead of just 30 days to obtain registration and title after purchasing a motor vehicle or a travel or commercial trailer after a new law took effect Nov. 1.
Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, authored House Bill 1390, which allows a temporary license plate to be valid for two months.
Ultra-conservative (I mean that in the most positive of ways) State Sen. Nathan Dahm won a hotly contested state chair race earlier this year, and there was some thought that his surprise election could see something of a reuniting of various divisions among the grassroots activists. Apparently not. New Vice Chairman Wayne Hill seems to be the point man for one of the factions, and sent out a legislative scorecard last week that some got the impression was officially from the Oklahoma Republican Party.
Dahm and the chairs of the Tulsa and Oklahoma county parties have each issued statements slamming the scorecard as "fraudulent" and "unauthorized". Read on:
Congressman Josh Brecheen Introduces No Taxpayer Funding for Researchers Who Prey on Children Act
Washington, D.C. (Nov. 2nd) – Congressman Josh Brecheen introduced the No Taxpayer Funding for Researchers Who Prey on Children Act, which would prohibit any individual who has been a Principal Investigator/Project Leader for any study that facilitated “gender-affirming care” or affirmed a minor’s identity in conflict with his or her sex from receiving federal financial assistance for future studies or experiments.
“Americans should be outraged to learn that nearly $31 million of our taxpayer dollars are funding youth transgender studies that have even led to the suicides of two participants. The researchers conducting these studies are advocates for harming minors and are using our tax dollars to prey on children and advance their far-Left agenda. This legislation is unfortunately needed to prevent researchers from receiving any more of our tax dollars for future studies or experiments,” said Congressman Josh Brecheen.
If there's just one thing Oklahoma needs more of besides "medical" marijuana dispensaries, it's definitely more gambling... 🙄
OKLAHOMA CITY (November 2, 2023) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced his plan to make sports betting a reality in Oklahoma. The Governor’s plan, which would allow Oklahomans to place in-person bets at gaming sites operated by federally recognized tribes, would protect tribal investments in brick-and-mortar facilities. The plan would also allow Oklahomans to place bets on their mobile devices on a sportsbook licensed by the state. Additionally, the plan protects Oklahoma’s student-athletes by prohibiting prop betting and bets on individual student-athlete performance.
OKLAHOMA CITY – A study on the economic impact of Oklahoma State Parks have on their communities met Monday before the Oklahoma House Appropriations & Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee. The study was organized by Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore.
Townley opened the meeting by expressing her gratitude for everyone participating in the study.
"I hope this study will bring awareness to the fact that we need improvements in capital infrastructure. It is all of our desire to see want to see Oklahoma growing and thriving," Townley said. "Oklahoma State Parks are a vital part of our state and have the potential to create more growth."
Townley reminded attendees that the tourism industry is the state's third largest economic driver and should be invested in regularly.
