Small: Medicaid-expansion critics proven right

Medicaid-expansion critics proven rightBy Jonathan SmallPrior to the 2020 statewide vote on Medicaid expansion, we at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs warned that projected costs were unrealistic, lowball estimates and spending would quickly surge, forcing lawmakers to divert millions from other uses, such as education...

Cong. Hern: The Important Issue That No One’s Talking About

The Important Issue That No One’s Talking AboutBy: U.S. Rep. Kevin HernMost Americans have not heard a single word about the most important thing happening in Washington, DC, this year.While many are familiar with President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), few know that some of the most important tax cuts in that...

State Sen. Hamilton visits southern border; calls attention to need for enforceable solutions to crisis

Senator Hamilton Visits Southern Border; Emphasizes Need for Enforceable Solutions to Border CrisisOKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, visited the U.S.-Mexico Border to complete a three-day training provided by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). The course gave lawmakers and law enforcement...

5th annual 'Giving Sight Day' sees eye docs across Oklahoma offering free exams on Sept. 28th

Oklahomans In-Need Can Receive Complimentary Vision Exams on Fifth Annual Giving Sight Day (9/28) OKLAHOMA CITY – Participating optometric physicians across the state of Oklahoma will be giving complimentary eye exams to patients in-need as part of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physician’s (OAOP) fifth annual...

450,000 ineligible voters removed from OK voter rolls, including dead, duplicates, out-of-state movers

Needless to say, some legislative Democrats had a negative reaction to ineligible and dead voters being removed from the rolls. And no, sadly, I'm not joking about that.GOVERNOR STITT, STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS PROVIDE UPDATE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY EFFORTS, REMOVES INELIGIBLE VOTERS FROM ROLLSOKLAHOMA CITY (September 18, 2024)...

State Rep. Bashore requests AG opinion on out-of-state prescribers

Bashore Requests AG Opinion on out-of-State PrescribersOKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 20th) – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, has requested an opinion from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond concerning Oklahoma residents' ability to fill prescriptions at an Oklahoma pharmacy when prescribed by an out-of-state medical provid...

Inmates at JHCC repurpose lumber into rocking motorcycles for children’s charities

Warden David Rogers looks at the motorcycle donated to the Scottish Rite for Children.Inmates at Joseph Harp Correctional Center craft rocking motorcycles for children’s charities using leftover lumberLEXINGTON, Okla. (Sept. 13th) – There is a little-known group of 40 men at Joseph Harp Correctional Center who refer to themselves...

Gov. Stitt issues 'Oklahoma Phone-Free School' challenge, inviting solutions

GOVERNOR STITT ISSUES THE OKLAHOMA PHONE-FREE SCHOOL CHALLENGEOKLAHOMA CITY (September 11, 2024) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt issued the Oklahoma Phone-Free School Challenge, inviting students, teachers, and superintendents statewide to propose solutions for managing cell phone use in schools. The initiative addresses concerns...

Small: Over-regulated in Oklahoma

Over-regulated in OklahomaBy Jonathan SmallOklahoma is known as a conservative state, but you wouldn’t know it from the number of regulations imposed.In its “Snapshots of State Regulations” report, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University ranked Oklahoma 17th nationally in the number of regulatory restrictions imposed.Oklahoma...

OK Freedom Caucus dismisses media effort to drive wedge with Gov. Stitt over task force report

OKFC Responds to Misleading Reporting on Governor Stitt and Task Force RecommendationsOKLAHOMA CITY (September 10th) – The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus (OKFC) commented on a recent report from KOCO, which, in the headline and byline, falsely suggested a rift between OKFC and Governor Kevin Stitt over the Oklahoma State Work Permits...

All 77 counties receive sheriff assistance grants from Attorney General's office

All 77 counties to receive sheriff office assistance grants through Attorney General's OfficeOKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 11, 2024) -- All 77 counties have applied for grant funding through a new program administered by Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office to bolster law enforcement servic...

AG Drummond partners with OPA to hold Open Meeting, Open Records seminars this fall

2023 Open Meeting/Open Records seminarOpen Meeting, Open Records seminars to be held across Oklahoma this fallFree meetings, open to the public, registration requiredOKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 3, 2024) – After overwhelming success in 2023, the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General is partnering again with the Oklahoma Press Association...

Small: U.S. Supreme Court should take Oklahoma case

U.S. Supreme Court should take Oklahoma caseBy Jonathan SmallThis year the Oklahoma Supreme Court declared the Catholic Church cannot sponsor the proposed St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, declaring the church would be a “state actor” using taxpayer funds for religious purposes.The case could be appealed to the...

Democrat judges defy Oklahoma’s GOP trend

Democrat judges defy Oklahoma’s GOP trendBy Ray Carter | September 3rd, 2024In the last 30 years, Republican candidates have been elected Oklahoma governor in 75 percent of races.But nearly half of the members of the Oklahoma Supreme Court—four of nine justices—were appointed by Democratic governors. And those Democratic appointees...

Oklahoma Judicial Scorecard releases, rates Oklahoma Supreme Court justices

 With less than 60 days remaining until Election Day 2024, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) has stepped up to help with a traditionally difficult and under-informed aspect of Oklahoma elections: the judicial retention ballot on Supreme Court justices and Criminal and Civil Appeals Court judges.At OklaJudges.com,...

Legislators consider taking action after Corp. Commissioner Hiett’s assault, harassment accusations

L-R: State Rep. Kevin West and State. Rep Tom GannLegislators Consider Writ of Prohibition over Concerns about Hiett’s ImpartialityOKLAHOMA CITY (September 5th) – Reps. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Tom Gann, R-Inola, today issued statements regarding Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett, who has been accused of sexual molestation...

Drummond asks federal commission to deny troubled power plant plan in southeast Oklahoma

Drummond joins Congressman Brecheen and State Senator Burns in opposing the proposed hydroelectric plant on the Kiamichi River.Drummond asks federal commission to deny troubled power plant plan in southeast Oklahoma OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 5, 2024) -- Attorney General Gentner Drummond is urging the Federal Energy Regulatory...

Walters announces Oklahoma awarded nearly $60M reading and literacy grant

Some good education news, for a change:Walters Announces Oklahoma Awarded Nearly $60 Million Grant to Improve Student Literacy  Tulsa, Okla (September 5th) – State Superintendent Ryan Walters today was joined by Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson today to announce a federal grant totaling $58,949,098...

State Sen. Deevers comments on controversial visa task force recommendations

State Sen. Dusty Deevers joins State Rep. Justin Humphrey in criticizing a report from Gov. Stitt's task force on work permits and visas for non-citizens, with concerns over how the task force recommendations may apply to illegal immigrants.Deevers Comments on Controversial Visa Task Force RecommendationsOKLAHOMA CITY (September...

State Rep. Humphrey opposes 'Oklahoma State Work Permits & Visas Task Force'

State Rep. Justin Humphrey is hot over recommendations from a governor's task force that seem diametrically opposed to recent legislative efforts to curb illegal immigration and associated crimes in Oklahoma. Read on:Humphrey Opposes Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas Task ForceOKLAHOMA CITY (September 3rd) – Rep. Justin...

Brecheen holds 106 in-person town halls during first term in Congress

In today's political environment, when many members of Congress have given up in-person town halls, this is a remarkable feat:Congressman Josh Brecheen Hosts 106 In-Person Town Halls During First Term in OfficeWashington, D.C. –  As the summer district work-period ends, Congressman Josh Brecheen has now hosted 106 in-person...