OCPA column: Bad instruction prompts lawsuit

Bad instruction prompts lawsuit

By Jonathan Small

One of the lower-key victories of the 2024 Oklahoma legislative session was passage of Senate Bill 362, which stated that Oklahoma public-school teachers “shall be prohibited from using the three-cueing system model of teaching students to read” starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

Under the three-cueing method, students are encouraged to guess words based on associated pictures and context, and to memorize entire words, rather than learn to sound them out phonetically.

APMreports has noted “that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked” three-cueing, while ExcelinEd in Action noted the three-cueing system “can be boiled down to this: Teachers using this method instruct students to guess.”

Eliminating three-cueing will prevent unnecessary academic hardship for Oklahoma children. Lawmakers deserve praise for passing the ban, particularly state Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, who championed the issue.

But the benefits of SB 362 may extend beyond academic impact. It turns out the ban could also limit future financial liability for Oklahoma schools that might otherwise face litigation.

State Sen. Lisa Standridge files OK Turnpike Authority due process guarantee bill

Standridge Files OTA Due Process Guarantee Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 20th) – Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, has filed Senate Bill 80, legislation aimed at increasing transparency and public involvement in the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s (OTA) projects. The proposed bill would establish clear requirements for public notification, input, and oversight before any new turnpike or modifications to existing turnpikes can proceed.

“Our Constitution guarantees due process for every citizen,” Standridge said. “As a nation we give the worst of the worst criminals, including serial killers, due process; we certainly owe landowners in the path of a potential turnpike the same. This legislation ensures that the OTA operates with full transparency and accountability, prioritizing the interests of affected residents and businesses.”

By the numbers: Brecheen's 1st term in Congress

I dare you to find a harder working member of Congress in the entire country than Josh Brecheen. Here are some stats from his first two years representing Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House:

Congressman Josh Brecheen and His Team Remain Committed to Providing Great Constituent Services to Oklahoma’s 2nd District

Washington, D.C. (December 17, 2024) – As we reach the conclusion of Congressman Josh Brecheen’s first term in office, here are some of the top highlights of the 118th Congress from our constituent engagement within Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District, in case you might have missed it.

Total Number of In-Person Town Halls: 106 in-person town halls. Congressman Brecheen held 106 town halls throughout Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District including in Adair, Antlers, Atoka, Bartlesville, Beggs, Broken Bow, Caddo, Checotah, Chelsea, Chouteau, Claremore, Coalgate, Commerce, Dewey, Durant, Eufaula, Fairland, Fort Gibson, Grove, Hartshorne, Haskell, Heavener, Henryetta, Holdenville, Hugo, Idabel, Inola, Jay, Kansas, Krebs, Locust Grove, Madill, McAlester, Miami, Morris, Muldrow, Muskogee, Nowata, Okemah, Okmulgee, Oologah, Panama, Pocola, Poteau, Pryor, Ramona, Roland, Salina, Sallisaw, Stigler, Stilwell, Tahlequah, Talihina, Tishomingo, Verdigris, Vian, Vinita, Wagoner, Warner, and Wilburton. 

By the Numbers:

Merry Christmas!

Have a very merry Christmas!

The account of the birth of Jesus Christ, from Luke 2:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

I hope that you have a very happy and safe holiday! 

Before the year runs out, you should do the 'good person' test:

Here's the deal. God made you. God made everything. Just as the electronic device you are reading this on had a designer, the building you are in had an architect, the vehicle you drive had a manufacturer, this entire universe - infinitely more complex - had a Creator. He orchestrated the atoms and molecules that make up everything.

As Creator, He has the right and prerogative for placing laws and rules for His creation to follow. You, and I, and every human being, have fallen short of those laws. We may think we're good, or that we're better than others, but that's a flawed assessment.

The Ten Commandments sum up God's Law. We have all broken every single one. We have lied. We have stolen. We have had inappropriate sexual thoughts (Jesus called this adultery of the heart). We have been angry without just cause (Jesus called this murder of the heart). We have coveted. We have blasphemed. We are all guilty.

"But judge, I'm not as bad as that other criminal!" doesn't fly in the earthly courtroom, nor the eternal courtroom.

Punishment for offenses increase as the party against which the crime was perpetrated increase in stature. Disobedience to parents require one level of correction/punishment. Crimes against a human government require a higher degree of punishment. Crimes against an infinite God require a greater punishment, namely an infinite punishment. 

Heaven is real, and so is Hell. Hell is a real place, where the full righteous wrath of God Almighty is unendingly poured out on those who rebelled against the most loving and gracious Being in the Universe. You have sinned against God and earned for yourself Hell. I sinned against God and earned for myself Hell.

But, Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, God in flesh, came to earth and fulfilled God's Law on our behalf and paid our punishment with His sacrificial death, wiping away our sin-debt, our criminal fine, and giving us His righteousness. 

We must, by faith, believe and repent. Believe that Jesus is who He said He was, that He died for us and rose again, and repent - turn away from our sin in disgust that we would offend God in such ways, and dedicate our lives to following Him, not in order to earn salvation but in recognition that we cannot save ourselves and in response and gratefulness to the kindness shown to us by God in providing a way of forgiveness.

This salvation is a free (and permanent, ever-lasting) gift of God, and is fully of Him. We contribute nothing to it except the sin that made it necessary. We can do nothing to earn it or maintain it. No amount of good deeds or prayers or pilgrimages or sacraments is sufficient -- only Christ is.

I cannot convince you of the Gospel. Only God can. My responsibility is to share it with you. 

You must determine whether you will believe it to be true or not.

But know this: if all this is true, you will one day stand before your Maker and be held to account for the works you did and did not do during your life. And, you will be held to account for how you respond(ed) to the free offer of the Gospel that was presented to you, for better or for worse. 

 

Life is short, and Man is not guaranteed tomorrow. Eternity is forever. God offers salvation freely to those who will believe. Receive it while you have opportunity to do so and do not tarry.

State Rep. Vancuren resigns mere weeks after winning reelection

You know what's super annoying to me? State legislators who resign mere weeks after winning reelection. Taxpayers literally just spent thousands of dollars on the election that Rep. Vancuren just won, and now are on the hook again for a special election.

Vancuren Announces Resignation From House After Six Years of Service

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, announced today that he will resign from the House District 74 seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, effective January 1, 2025, after six years of dedicated service to the state. Elected in 2018, Vancuren served as the vice chair of the House Common Education Committee for the duration of his tenure and played an instrumental role in shaping legislative outcomes in education, fiscal policy and transparency.

Small: Attacking the "rich"

Attacking the “rich”

By Jonathan Small

Liberals often argue the tax system should penalize the “rich,” who allegedly never pay their “fair share.” That argument has resulted in a system where a large share of citizens is declared “rich.” In fact, the top 50 percent of all taxpayers now pay an astounding 97.7 percent of all federal individual income taxes.

A similar argument is being made regarding school choice. Some critics argue the “rich” shouldn’t benefit from the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program. As with taxes, this argument relies heavily on defining much of the population as rich.

To illustrate my point, recall that an Oklahoma teacher married to a firefighter enjoys family income well above $100,000 today.

Oklahoma officials celebrate cancellation of 18-mile-wide federal energy corridor crossing state

Property owners across the state are breathing a sigh of relief at the cancellation of an 18-mile-wide federal energy corridor, but by no means does that signal time to retreat and close eyes to future potential projects.

Numerous communities and groups across the state raised alarm over the project, culminating in a well-attended meeting at the Creek County Fairgrounds where House Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert announced that the federal Department of Energy was removing designation that would have allowed eminent domain for the project, leading to its scrapping.

Sen. Coleman plans to file bill to establish recall election process (sort of)

Wait. Coleman's idea of a recall election is having the Legislature put specific recalls on the ballot, instead of citizen-initiated means? Isn't that just the fox guarding the hen-house? I mean, if we're going to have recalls, shouldn't it be done by the party that puts the elected officials into office, rather than the party who is subject to a recall?

Coleman to file bill to establish recall process for state elected officials

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 12th) – Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, has requested legislation to ensure state elected officials remain accountable to Oklahoma voters.

Coleman said he intends to file legislation to amend Oklahoma’s Constitution to allow for recall elections of state elected officials.

Coleman said he is working with Senate staff to draft legislation that would allow the Oklahoma Legislature to refer recall propositions to the ballot so voters can decide whether to remove or retain a specific state official. Because the legislation would alter the state’s Constitution, it would have to pass both legislative chambers and then be approved by Oklahoma voters to become effective.

House Speaker-Elect announces new government efficiency portal

Speaker-Elect Announces New Government Efficiency Portal

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 10th) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today added to its transparency portal a government efficiency survey intended to root out duplication of services, waste and inefficiencies in state government. 

This initiative piggybacks on the federal effort to eliminate government waste through the newly-created federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

"We will work hand-in-hand with President-Elect Trump and our federal delegation on broader efforts to make government more efficient with DOGE," said House Speaker-Elect Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "We want to ensure our state government is working as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. As lawmakers, we want the assistance of Oklahomans who have first-hand experience with duplicative and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars."

Sen. Deevers encourages officials toward an Oklahoma First energy agenda

Deevers Encourages Officials Toward an Oklahoma First Energy Agenda

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 4th) — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, issued the following statement regarding Oklahoma energy policy reaffirming his commitment to an Oklahoma First agenda of low energy costs and government efficiency.

“Oklahomans have been very clear on their desire for an Oklahoma First energy policy, which means: (1) Prioritizing Oklahoma-based companies and local reinvestment, not foreign-controlled entities; (2) Focusing on proven energy sources under Oklahomans’ feet—oil and gas—rather than speculative technologies; (3) Rejecting climate alarmism which has been proven false on almost every prediction for 20 years; (4) Protecting Oklahoma’s natural beauty; (5) Protecting resources from ‘green’ energy scams that are resource-intensive and strain local utilities and water supplies; (6) Rejecting companies who embrace woke, globalist ESG/DEI ideologies; (7) Rejecting the waste of taxpayer dollars and redistribution of wealth through subsidizing ‘green’ energy in any way.

State Supt. Walters wants local school superintendents to be elected

Well, here's an idea I've never heard before:

Walters Announces Proposal to Elect Superintendents

Measure Would Increase Parental and Public Input and Accountability 

Oklahoma City, Okla (Dec. 4th) – Today, State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced a proposal that  would require the election of public school district superintendents in Oklahoma. Under current state law, district superintendents are hired and contracted by local school boards. 

State Sen. Thompson files bill banning certain food dyes, additives

"What exactly are we eating?" That's a question a lot of folks have been asking in the past few years, in particular, and it's starting to reach the halls of elected office. While this isn't my area of expertise -- I am vaguely aware of debates over "seed oils", food colors and preservatives, et cetera (ironically reminiscent of the late-1800s origins of the FDA; PBS aired a fascinating documentary on this) -- State Senator Kristen Thompson thinks it's time to look into it:

Senator Kristen Thompson Introduces Legislation to Improve Health Outcomes in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 25th) — Senator Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, has introduced legislation to better improve health outcomes in Oklahoma.

The initiative comes as incoming President Donald Trump’s administration aims to prioritize public health. Senator Thompson’s bill specifically examines the use of certain harmful food additives that are prohibited in other countries.

Sen. Thompson’s Senate Bill 4 was born out of the growing concern over dangerous chemicals and additives in food that have been linked to serious health issues, including developmental and behavioral challenges in children.

State House page program opens applications

House Page Program Opens Applications

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 9th) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives High School Page Program has opened applications for the First Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, announced Program Director Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang.

Every year, hundreds of juniors and seniors from across the state participate in the House High School Page Program at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Participating students have the opportunity to view the legislative process up close and gain a deeper understanding of state government.

Small: Tax repeal must be priority

Tax repeal must be priority

By Jonathan Small

Now that this year’s elections have concluded, Republican caucuses have selected leadership in both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature. State Rep. Kyle Hilbert of Bristow will serve as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives while state Sen. Lonnie Paxton of Tuttle will serve as president pro tempore of the Senate.

As they prepare agendas for the 2025 legislative session, which starts in February, Republicans in both chambers must be prepared to tackle one of Oklahoma’s most pressing economic challenges – the state’s penalty on work.

Stitt signs energy MOU with Denmark; OK Freedom Caucus mentions concerns

Governor Stitt Signs Energy MOU with Ambassador of Denmark

OKLAHOMA CITY (December 2, 2024) - Today, Governor Stitt joined Ambassador of Denmark to the United States Jesper Møller Sørensen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Oklahoma and Denmark. The agreement focuses on increasing collaboration between the two governments in pursuit of a robust and innovative energy future. The MOU also includes areas of technology and defense.

“Thanks to pro-business policies and our 'more of everything' approach to energy, the world is taking notice of what’s happening in Oklahoma,” said Governor Stitt. “This mutually beneficial relationship will create opportunities for economic growth and job creation for both Oklahoma and Denmark. Working together on innovative energy solutions will further enhance our already strong relationship with Denmark.”

Small: No need to “California” Oklahoma elections

No need to “California” Oklahoma elections

By Jonathan Small

This week, the group Oklahoma United called for abolishing our state’s primary election system and replacing it with a “jungle primary” in which the top two candidates proceed to the November general election ballot regardless of party.

Oklahoma United’s proposal is substantially based on California law. So, if you think California politics represent the ideal, this plan is for you. But for most Oklahomans, that alone is a giant red flag.