Daylight Savings debate: two legislators with different solutions

Two state legislators are out with op-eds (below) decrying the continued shuffling of the clock every November and March. They've both authored legislation to "lock the clock" -- but one wants permanent Standard Time and the other wants permanent Daylight Savings Time.Which would you opt f...

Attorney Stephen Jones joins Supreme Court effort against Corp. Commish Hiett

Attorney Stephen Jones Joins Supreme Court Effort Against OCC’s Todd HiettOKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 28th) – Three Oklahoma lawmakers say that legal legend Stephen Jones will argue on behalf of their petition against Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett, according to a notice filed at the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Friday.&nb...

Legislators highlight Administrative Rules, Open Meetings Act online portals

Kendrix, Bergstrom Highlight Rules, Open Meetings Act Online PortalsOKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 28th) – Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, and Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, recently held an interim study examining Oklahoma's current administrative rules process and considering how it could be made more efficient and transparent."One...

Oklahoma: Early voting for the General Election begins today

Early Voting for the General Election Begins Wednesday(Oklahoma City, Oct. 28th) – “Early voting” – officially known as in-person absentee voting – begins at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday for the November 5 General Election.Early voting will be held Wednesday, October 30 through Friday, November 1 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday,...

AG Drummond asks Supreme Court to act on Virginia voter registration case, protect election integrity

A good time to remind everyone to vote for State Question 834, which would specifically restrict Oklahoma voting to only citizens.Drummond asks U.S. Supreme Court to expedite Virginia voter registration case, protect election integrityOKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 29, 2024) – With a presidential election only days away, Attorney General...

Gov. Stitt taps Timothy Tardibono as Executive Director of Juvenile Affairs

Governor Stitt Appoints Timothy Tardibono as Executive Director of Juvenile AffairsOKLAHOMA CITY (October 29, 2024) - Governor Kevin Stitt announced today that Timothy Tardibono will serve as the executive director of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.“Tim is one of Oklahoma’s leading experts on criminal justice, family,...

Here's what you need to know about the State Questions on Oklahoma's 2024 ballot

Two weeks ago, I published Here's what you need to know about the judges on the 2024 ballot. In this post, I'll focus in on the two state questions that are on the ballot. I got some of my information from these helpful articles (SQ 833, SQ 834) at Ballotpedia, in addition to information from various blogs and news...

OCPA column: ESG study highlights danger for state taxpayers

ESG study highlights danger for state taxpayersBy Jonathan SmallIn recent years “environmental, social, and governance” (ESG) investing has become a prominent topic in the financial world as some large-asset managers have claimed they will now invest money based on political goals rather than the longstanding norm of maximizing...

Oklahoma Department of Corrections announces major progress in reducing inmate violence

Oklahoma Department of Corrections announces major progress in reducing inmate violence(October 25th) Today, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections announced a significant reduction in inmate-on-inmate assaults with serious injury, reflecting the success of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security. Key reforms, including...

Sen. Deevers applauds Trump’s reported consideration of federal income tax repeal

Deevers Comments on Trump’s Reported Consideration of Federal Income Tax RepealOKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, responded on Friday to Thursday’s New York Times report that former President Donald Trump is seriously considering supporting eliminating the federal income tax.“In a time when government bloat, earmarks,...

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus backs SQ834, the Citizens-only voting amendment

I'm a little late on getting this posted, but this goes into some detail on State Question 834, which is the most easily-understood state question on the ballot (SQ 833... that's a totally different matter).Oklahoma Freedom Caucus leads the charge on only citizens voting in OklahomaOKLAHOMA CITY (October 10th) – Yesterday,...

Oklahoma man with Irish mob ties sentenced for orchestrating murder from prison

Oklahoma man with Irish mob ties sentenced for orchestrating murder from prison OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 23, 2024) – An Osage County judge today sentenced a man with ties to organized crime to life in prison for ordering the 2021 murder of a fellow Irish mob member. The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office and several partner...

State Sens. Pugh, Seifried hold in-depth interim study on crisis of cell phones in schools

Photo by RDNE Stock projectPugh, Seifried hold in depth interim study on crisis of cell phones in schoolsOKLAHOMA CITY (October 23rd) – Sens. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, and Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, hosted a robust, two-day interim study this week to examine the detrimental effects of cell phone use among K-12 students in schools.Pugh,...

Cong. Brecheen, Sen. Scott introduce Debt-Per-Citizen Transparency Act

Congressman Josh Brecheen, Senator Rick Scott Introduce Debt-Per-Citizen Transparency ActWashington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen and Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the Debt-Per-Citizen Transparency Act, which requires all Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimates to include how much the bill will affect the...

State Sen. Bergstrom leads interim study on Administrative Rules process

An oft-overlooked but vital role for the Oklahoma Legislature is government oversight, especially in the approval or disapproval of administrative rules - how regulations are implemented by government agencies. I'm glad to see this getting some much-needed attention.Bergstrom Leads Interim Study on Administrative Rules ProcessOKLAHOMA...

Pro-life leader: 3 Oklahoma Supreme Court justices on ballot have "deep pro-abortion bias"

The following is from Oklahomans For Life Chairman Tony Lauinger regarding the three Oklahoma Supreme Court justices up for a statewide retention vote:Pro-Abortion State Supreme Court Justices’ Fate Rests in Voters’ Hands; Options Are Retirement  Or Six More Years of Pro-Abortion ActivismThree notoriously pro-abortion...

Small: OKC news station fails the fact test on judicial retention story

Failing the fact testBy Jonathan SmallIn policy debates, facts matter even if everyone is entitled to his own opinions about those facts.Unfortunately, when it comes to understanding the history of Oklahoma’s judiciary and ongoing debates about reform, some individuals cannot get basic facts straight.With three members of the...

Senate committee studies social media regulations to protect children

Sen. Jech Holds Interim Study Evaluating Social Media Regulations to Protect ChildrenOKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 18th) – Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, held an interim study in the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday to evaluate how to protect children from the harmful effects of social media use and analyze potential regulatory solutions.“The...

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus on judges, state questions on the statewide ballot

The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus has posted their voting recommendations on the Supreme Court justices, appeals court judges, and the two state questions on the statewide ballot.A bicameral group of state senators and state representatives, the members of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus are made up from the most conservative members...

State Superintendent Walters launches new teacher recruitment website

Walters Announces New One-Stop Shop for Teacher Recruitment: Teach-OK.comOklahoma City, Okla – State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced the rollout of a new, comprehensive teacher recruitment tool, Teach-OK.com, today. Teach-OK.com is a comprehensive online resource designed to guide future and current educators through...

Small: Oklahoma not immune to campus radicalism

Oklahoma not immune to campus radicalismBy Jonathan SmallThe nationwide rash of campus radicalism, particularly anti-Semitism, has been disturbing. Even more disturbing is the fact that it is appearing in Oklahoma.Eyal Yakoby, an incoming Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) student who self-describes as being “dedicated...

Gann study of license plate readers highlights need for statute updates

Gann Study of License Plate Readers Highlights Need for Statute UpdatesOKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 8th) – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, on Tuesday led a study on the use and abuse of surveillance cameras and warrantless searches before the House State Powers Committee.Gann particularly looked at the use of Automated License Plate Readers...

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus challenges Tinker Air Force Base’s “National Coming Out Day” event

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus Challenges Tinker Air Force Base’s “National Coming Out Day” EventOklahoma City, OK (Oct. 15th) –  The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus challenges the decision to host and promote “National Coming Out Day” on Tinker Air Force Base.Senator Shane Jett, OKFC Chairman and U.S. Navy veteran, expressed the criticism...

Legislators respond to Supreme Court request in Hiett case

Legislators Respond to Supreme Court Request in Hiett CaseOKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 15th) – Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola, Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rick West, R-Heavener, today issued statements regarding an Oklahoma Supreme Court request for oral arguments in their case against Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett."On Monday,...

Here's what you need to know about the judges on the 2024 ballot

It's voting time, and you're likely here because you don't want to be surprised when you see twelve judges and justices on your ballot that you know nothing about. Thanks for dropping by!If you've ever done the frustrating task of searching for information on these courts and judges, I feel your pain. As I mentioned in previous...

Take a look: Aurora photos from the Muskogee area

Photo credit: Becky Faught near Sequoyah Bay State ParkIf you didn't go out to look at the display of Aurora Borealis Thursday night, you missed out on a real treat! I went "aurora chasing" with my kids in the evening and we got to get our first glimpse of the Northern Lights up near Sequoyah Bay State Park.Social media...

Aurora alert: go outside after dark and look, Oklahoma!

UPDATE: view Thursday night's aurora photos from the Muskogee area in this post!From @RyanHanrahan this evening in CTThe coronal mass ejection from Tuesday's X-class solar flare slammed into Earth's magnetic field hours ago, triggering a severe geomagnetic storm, and the Aurora Borealis ("Northern Lights") have already been...

Aurora Watch: Oklahoma has a good shot at Northern Lights on Thursday

UPDATE: view Thursday night's aurora photos from the Muskogee area in this post!.Taken by Twitter user @Jen_McClure10 in Marlow, OK - May 10th, 2024Heads-up, Oklahoma! Thursday night may be one of the best chances we have of seeing the Aurora Borealis ("Northern Lights") in years! As the result of a powerful solar flare, a...

Group launches campaign to oust liberal justices on Oklahoma Supreme Court

We're one month out from the election, and finally, someone is actually attempting to do something about activist liberal justices on the Oklahoma Supreme Court and running a campaign to get folks to vote 'NO' on the judicial retention ballot. Since Oklahoma went to this system in the 1960s, no justice or judge has ever...

A few brave State Reps decry Tinker AFB's "National Coming Out Day" event

We still have a few brave legislators willing to speak the truth:Reps Issue Joint Statement Opposing Tinker AFB "National Coming Out Day" EventOKLAHOMA CITY (October 7th) – A group of legislators is opposing an event at Tinker Air Force Base called "National Coming Out Day" and the affirmation that homosexuals are "born...

State Auditor: audit shows town of Red Rock misappropriated 39% of expenditures

FORENSIC AUDIT SHOWS TOWN OF RED ROCK MISAPPROPRIATED 39% OF EXPENDITURESOKLAHOMA CITY, OK (October 1, 2024) -- Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector [SA&I] Cindy Byrd today released her forensic audit report for the Town of Red Rock in Noble County. Auditor Byrd launched the investigation after receiving a request from...

OCPA column: Researchers find Oklahoma Supreme Court is liberal

Researchers find Oklahoma Supreme Court is liberalBy Jonathan SmallOklahoma has a reputation for being one of the nation’s most conservative states with Republicans routinely elected to statewide office and the legislature, where the GOP has long held supermajorities.But our judiciary has been well to the left of the electorate...

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus supports Walters' Bibles in classroom initiative

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus Supports Bibles in Classroom InitiativeOKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 2nd) – In support of bolstering educational excellence and understanding the formation of the United States, the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus (OKFC), led by Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, and Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, has...

Drummond launches Attorney General's "10 Most Wanted" campaign to capture criminals

Drummond launches Attorney General's "10 Most Wanted" campaign to capture criminalsOKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 25, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond launched a new campaign today to help capture some of Oklahoma’s most wanted fugitives from justice.Drummond has partnered with the U.S. Marshals Service and other federal, tribal,...

Gann highlights suppression of license plate scanner evidence by State Court

Gann Highlights Suppression of License Plate Scanner Evidence by State CourtOKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 30th) – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, has taken notice of what he believes is the first of many actions by Oklahoma courts to suppress evidence obtained from license plate scanners.“The decision will place many cases against perpetrators...

AFP-OK testifies against non-November School Board elections

AFP-OK Testifies Against Non-November School Board ElectionsOKLAHOMA CITY, OK (October 3rd) - In case you missed it, Americans for Prosperity-Oklahoma (AFP-OK) Deputy Director Bradley Ward, Ph.D., testified during a state House of Representatives interim study on Tuesday to advocate for moving Oklahoma's school board elections...