Storm chaser licensing and regulation? These legislators want to see it happen.

State Sen. Mark Mann (D-OKC) and State Rep. Scott Fetgatter (R-Okmulgee) are the authors of Senate Bill 158, the Oklahoma Emergency Weather Response and Tracking Regulatory Act, which aims to create a licensure and regulatory framework for professional storm chasers in Oklahoma.

Specifically, the measure would create a 'professional severe weather tracker' license for individuals specifically contracting with either television stations or Oklahoma colleges or universities. The license would cost $500, with a $250 annual fee, in addition to requirements for insurance.

Sen. Hamilton highlights key policy initiatives for upcoming legislative session

Sen. Warren Hamilton Highlights Key Policy Initiatives for Upcoming Legislative Session

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 28th) – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, recently announced five bills that are key to his legislative agenda for the 2025 session. Hamilton is the author of Senate Bills 19, 448, 504, 599, and 869, each designed to protect Oklahomans and their way of life.

“Among these pieces of legislation are efforts to safeguard Oklahoma’s children from any individuals or institutions that may try to harm them,” Hamilton said. “This includes ensuring that our school libraries are free from inappropriate or harmful materials, protecting minors from entering into premature or potentially dangerous marriages, and implementing stronger penalties for those convicted of child sexual abuse. Each of these measures is a critical step in upholding the well-being and safety of our youth.”

Rep. Strom bill would require student seat belts on school buses

Strom Files Bill Requiring Student Seat Belts on School Buses

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 29th) – Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, has introduced, House Bill 1244, a bill that would require all school buses to be equipped with seat belts or harnesses, providing vital protection for some of Oklahoma’s youngest passengers.

The proposed legislation would amend state statute to require all new vehicles with a capacity of 10 or more passengers, purchased or contracted for use by school districts on or after July 1, 2025, to be equipped with seat belts or harnesses for every passenger.

Sen. Sacchieri files bill requiring clear 'tax increase' label on ballot measures

Sen. Kendal Sacchieri Introduces Legislation Requiring Clear Label on Ballot Measures Leading to Tax Increases

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 27th) – Sen. Kendal Sacchieri, R-Blanchard, recently filed a measure to require any proposal put before voters to explicitly state that it will result in increased taxes. Under the provisions of Senate Bill 1116, all state questions, school bonds, sales tax proposals, or any other proposals that would raise or extend tax rates must include a disclaimer stating, “THIS IS A TAX INCREASE”.

Voter Registration Maps: Oklahoma gets redder with Trump

Here's the 2025 installment of my long-running Voter Registration Maps series. My last update came in May, after Coal County became the 77th and final county to have a Republican plurality. After a brief setback in 2023 (first decline in 26 years), registration changes once again benefited the GOP in 2024 - riding the Trump coattails, no doubt.

State Rep. Gann: ATF using FLOCK cameras for warrantless vehicle tracking of Oklahomans

Gann Sounds Alarm on Warrantless Vehicle Tracking of Oklahomans by the ATF

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, is expressing his deep concern over recent revelations that he believes highlight a widespread and ongoing violation of Oklahomans' rights.

Gann led an interim study on this issue before the House State Powers Committee in October. His recent concern follows an open records request filed by an independent media publication, which revealed that citizens of Oklahoma's original capital city, Guthrie, were under warrantless surveillance by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Sen. Deevers introduces 6 bills to 'Make Oklahoma Healthy Again'

Deevers Introduces the Six-Bill Make Oklahoma Healthy Again Agenda

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, announced on Thursday the filing of six bills to Make Oklahoma Healthy Again. In tandem with the MAHA agenda of President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Deevers introduced SB943, SB702, SB771, SB801, SB941, and SJR8.

“The MAHA agenda is one of the most positive developments in American politics and has a clear mandate from the voters,” Deevers said. “These bills aim to improve the health of Oklahomans by increasing quality, transparency, accountability, decentralization, and freedom in health and medical care.”

Small: Oklahoma Supreme Court appointment process deserves scrutiny

Judicial appointment deserves scrutiny

By Jonathan Small

In the 2024 general election, Oklahomans chose to move on from extremely liberal judicial activist, Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger, when a majority of voters opposed her retention.

That process to replace Kauger, one of the court’s most liberal members, is now underway. Oklahomans should watch that process closely – at least what little they can.

As has become well known, Oklahoma’s judicial-appointment process is shrouded in secrecy.

State Election Board purges 130k inactive or duplicate registrations during routine voter list maintenance

State Election Board Conducts Routine Voter List Maintenance

(Oklahoma City, OK -- January 22nd) The State Election Board completed its routine, statutorily-mandated, biennial voter list maintenance on Friday, January 17 and Tuesday, January 21. The process removed 129,680 inactive voter registrations and 2,242 duplicate voter registrations from Oklahoma’s voter rolls.

The removal of inactive and duplicate voter registrations is a thorough, multi-step process the State Election Board is required by law to conduct every two years following the General Election.

Sen. Deevers aims bills at restoring moral sanity in Oklahoma

Another set of excellent bills by State Sen. Dusty Deevers. Pray that these can get a fair and just hearing in the Legislature!

Deevers Introduces Slate of Legislation to Restore Moral Sanity in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 22nd) — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, announced on Tuesday a bold slate of eight legislative measures aimed at restoring moral sanity in Oklahoma. Together, these bills set a course for pushing back against the moral decay foisted upon Oklahoma by the far-left’s march through our institutions to destroy the moral foundations upon which the United States and Christian Civilization had long rested.

“Sadly, the left’s century-long assault on morality and decency has been so successful that some have come to accept as normal a society that is drowning in hardcore pornography, prenatal homicide, and sexual performances for children. None of this is normal. Each one of these evils is a result of a policy choice to not stand for what we know is right. Opposing these evils does not mean we are extremists. It means we are sane,” Deevers said.

Brecheen introduces resolution condemning Bishop's political remarks at Nat'l Prayer Service

In case you hadn't heard, a flaming progressive woke pagan Episcopalian - these days a redundant phrase - female bishop used her 'bully pulpit' at the National Prayer Service to lambast President Trump (never mind the ridiculous fact that such a service was being held at a church belonging to a spiritually-bankrupt denomination and led by an biblically-unqualified impastor). 

Oklahoma Congressman Josh Brecheen was in attendance at the service, and walked out in protest.

State Sen. Regina Goodwin verbally spars with officer during traffic stop, cited for running stop sign

State Sen. Regina Goodwin (D-Tulsa) had a recent run-in with the law after a Tulsa County sheriff's deputy observed her rolling through two stop signs in downtown Tulsa. What could have been a routine, brief encounter and a warning turned into almost a half hour of verbally sparring with the officer and refusing fifteen requests to hand over her driver's license.

One thing led to another, and Tulsa mayor Monroe Nichols and City Councilor Laura Bellis showed up at the scene (not the type of assistance Joe Citizen gets, I'm sure), which ended in Goodwin being briefly handcuffed and ticketed. NonDoc has a good synopsis of the traffic stop here, along with bodycam footage. As NonDoc pointed out, this is the third legislator-and-law-enforcement encounter in the past two-and-a-half years that left significant egg on the overly-entitled and self-important legislators' faces.

Goodwin was elected to the State Senate in November, after serving nine years in the State House. The Tulsa County GOP is calling on her to apologize for her inexcusable behavior:

Oklahoma Legislature sets record for new bills filed in advance of legislative session

As I cover at the bottom of this post, the Legislature has set another record for the amount of legislation filed at the beginning of a legislative session:

House Completes Bill Filing for 2025 Session

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 17th) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives completed bill filing Thursday, Jan. 16, for the first regular session of the 60th Legislature. A total of 1,928 House Bills, 29 House Joint Resolutions, three House Resolutions, and two House Concurrent Resolutions were filed before the deadline. 

Small: California election system fuels California fires

California election system fuels California fires

By Jonathan Small

A group called Oklahoma United wants to set fire to our state’s primary election system and replace it with the California model, which places all candidates from all parties on a single ballot with all voters casting ballots to winnow the field down to two candidates for the November election.

The California system has produced inane results, such as statewide November races that involve only two candidates from the same political party, but the reality is worse than that. The California system has also produced the types of politicians whose policies have made California a literal tinderbox.

As is well known at this point, wildfires have left a trail of destruction through the Los Angeles area that resembles the aftermath of a nuclear bomb: charred rubble as far as the eye can see.

As I write this, the largest fire has already impacted more than 37 square miles and a second fire has impacted more than 22 square miles. More than 12,000 buildings and structures have been destroyed. More than 190,000 people have been under evacuation orders. And those numbers are expected to increase.

Worse yet, it didn’t have to be this way. Unfortunately, the policies adopted by California politicians made the devastation worse and the fires harder to contain. For years, in the name of “environmentalism,” California officials focused on restricting the use of gasoline-powered cars rather than boosting fire-mitigation efforts. They have dumped huge quantities of rainwater runoff into the ocean rather than build new reservoirs. They have failed to update water infrastructure to provide fire departments with sufficient water pressure to combat large blazes, which are going to happen in an area prone to dry spells and high winds. They have touted “diversity, equity and inclusion” over merit in hiring, including fire department leadership.

The list goes on and on.

Officials with Oklahoma United insist that adopting the California election model will produce more “moderate” elected officeholders and build “consensus.” But the results in California show that is not true. The California system has given that state a political class completely out of touch with the average citizen’s basic needs and indifferent to the consequences of bad policy.

In Oklahoma’s election system, there may be election results that – at least on a case-by-case basis – do not make you happy even though a majority of voters supported that candidate. 

But even if you don’t like the results of various Oklahoma elections, they have not produced a leadership class that literally devastated a state the way California’s politicians have.

As voters consider the proposal to adopt the California election system in Oklahoma, they should ask themselves one simple question: How’s it working for California?

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Rep. Woolley files bill for DHS accountability, protecting families and upholding due process

New Bill Calls for DHS Accountability to Protect Families and Uphold Due Process

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 13th) — Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow, has introduced House Bill 1100, a legislative measure aimed at ensuring accountability within the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). The bill would require clear and convincing evidence to keep a child away from their parent or guardian. HB1100 would also impose felony kidnapping charges on the DHS employee who is responsible for approving the continued holding or release of a child for noncompliance.

“Due process appears to be an idea that has gone out the window in many cases here in Oklahoma,” said Woolley. “House Bill 1100 ensures the government is not above the law and requires concrete evidence of a crime or misconduct before the Department of Human Services can keep a child away from their family.”

Rep. Menz introduces bills regarding Oklahoma Turnpikes

Now here are some Democrat-filed bills I think I would be fully on board with! The Legislature absolutely has to rein in the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority... or make them free like they were promised to be originally. (Paging Gary Richardson!)

Menz introduces bills regarding Oklahoma Turnpikes

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 16th) – House Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, introduced two bills pertaining to Oklahoma toll roads. 

“As Oklahomans, we have a Legislature of Representatives and Senators designed to best express and meet our concerns and needs. We work hard to maintain close relationships with our constituents and my constituents have been abundantly clear with me about their concerns and needs when it comes to turnpikes.” Menz said. “Oklahomans should not be kept out of the loop when Oklahoma Turnpike Authority wants to raise their tolls. Additionally, folks should be allowed to know the financial standing of something they are paying into. I believe that with my proposed legislation creating a bond debt ceiling for Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, and requiring legislative approval for toll increases, we would ensure Oklahoma taxpayers and turnpike users the kind of transparency that they deserve. Oklahomans should have a say in their toll increases and where their money is going, and these bills are a great start.” 

Americans for Prosperity launches $20M nationwide effort supporting Trump tax cuts

Americans for Prosperity Launches $20 Million Nationwide Campaign Supporting the Trump Tax Cuts to Protect Oklahoma Families From Tax Hikes

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - [On January 13th], Americans for Prosperity (AFP) launched a $20 million nationwide campaign calling on Congress to protect prosperity and renew President Trump’s highly successful Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) – a cornerstone of AFP and the Trump Administration’s shared economic agenda this year. The campaign, the largest effort by a conservative organization to support President Trump’s second-term legislative agenda, launches this week with an ad blitz across all 50 states urging Americans to unite in telling Washington that now is not the time for higher taxes.

AFP-OK State Director John Tidwell said:

Rep. Gann warns against corporate welfare on steroids following CANOO bankruptcy

Gann Warns Against Corporate Welfare on Steroids Following CANOO Bankruptcy

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 21st) – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola,  an opponent of corporate welfare, today issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing misuse of public funds.

"Corporate welfare is when the government takes the public's money to manipulate the economy, choosing winners and losers in the free market," Gann said. "In recent years, this practice has intensified, creating an era of corporate welfare on steroids, as Oklahoma government has pushed massive green-energy giveaways that align more with a liberal agenda than Oklahoma's conservative values."

Gann pointed to last week's bankruptcy of the high-profile, green-energy, electric vehicle startup, CANOO, as a prime example of why government must stop interfering in the free market. Canoo's manufacturing plant in Pryor is in Gann's House district.

It's morning again in America

As was said by a past president... it's morning again in America!

Deevers files bills to end income tax, feral hog hunting hurdles, and EPA diesel regulations

State Sen. Dusty Deevers has filed a bundle of new bills that are well worth consideration by the Oklahoma Legislature:

Deevers Introduces Tax Cut Elimination Bills, Other Tax Cuts

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan 15th) — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, has introduced a slate of legislation to reduce the tax burden on Oklahomans, including the following.

• SB305 to immediately eliminate the State individual income tax.
• SB322 to immediately eliminate the State corporate income tax.
• SB308 to gradually reduce the income tax by 1 percent per year until eliminated by 2029.
• SB323 to gradually reduce the State corporate income tax by 1 percent per year until eliminated in 2028.
• SB311 to reduce the gross production tax on the oil and gas industry from 7 percent to 5 percent.
• Various tax credits for Oklahoma families and family-oriented initiatives, including SB228, SB281, and SB328.

Oklahoma Supreme Court applicants include Democratic donors

Oklahoma Supreme Court applicants include Democratic donors

By Ray Carter | January 17th, 2025

In the November 2024 general election, Oklahoma voters chose to oust Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger with a majority opposing her retention.

That opened a spot on the court. Three nominees will soon be selected by the secretive Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and forwarded to Gov. Kevin Stitt, who will be limited to choosing only one of those three candidates to serve on the Oklahoma Supreme Court under the state’s current judicial-appointment system.

While the vote to oust Kauger, who was first appointed by a Democratic governor, may represent voters wanting a Republican governor to have the chance to make a court appointment, records indicate that at least five of the 14 individuals who have applied with the Judicial Nominating Commission have previously contributed to the political campaigns of Democratic candidates or to or to a political action committee that funded Democrats.

State Rep. Maynard, Sen. Deevers file bills aimed at growing Bitcoin usage

Oklahoma is becoming a new center for cryptocurrency, with new crypto mining operations going in across the state (including two in Muskogee County). Combined with President Trump's crypto-friendly agenda, new legislation has been filed in the Oklahoma Legislature aimed at increasing Bitcoin's usability. State Rep. Cody Maynard has a bill to allow state government usage in savings and pension funds, and State Sen. Dusty Deevers filed a bill to allow state employees and vendors to receive or accept Bitcoin payments. Read below for the details:

State Rep. Amanda Swope resigns mere weeks before legislative session

Oh, look... a second state legislator to resign in the weeks after winning reelection. Here comes another special election in 2025; that will make for at least three in the first half of the year (two house, one senate). State Rep. Amanda Swope (D-Tulsa) makes it a bipartisan affair, leaving to take a position with new Tulsa mayor and former State Rep. Monroe Nichols:

Swope announces departure from legislature, outlines future plans to continue serving Tulsa

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 13th) – Oklahoma House Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, announced her final day in the Oklahoma Legislature will be January 28, 2025. Swope will start work as the Director of Tribal Policy & Partnership in the administration of Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols.

Small: The tax race is on, and Oklahoma’s losing

The tax race is on, and Oklahoma’s losing

By Jonathan Small

Since the 1990s, Oklahoma’s top personal income-tax rate has been cut from 7 percent to 4.75 percent. That’s a good start, but it doesn’t mean Oklahoma is a national leader. In the race to attract entrepreneurs and business capital, we’re in a 50-state race – and Oklahoma is starting to fall behind.

This month, several states cut income-tax rates, often to levels lower than Oklahoma.

In 2024, the citizens of Iowa paid an income-tax rate of up to 5.7 percent. But starting in January, they face only a flat tax rate of 3.8 percent.

Notably, when Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds was elected in 2018, Iowa’s top income tax rate was 8.98 percent — the sixth highest in the country.

Lankford files package of 'DOGE' bills aimed at cutting waste

Lankford Kickstarts Cutting Waste in New Congress with Package of DOGE Bills

WASHINGTON, DC (Jan. 14th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK), founding member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, introduced a package of bills to make the government more efficient.   

“The American people gave Washington a mandate in November—waste less, save more. Today I’m introducing a first set of bills to follow through on their mandate by prioritizing streamlined regulations, rulemaking, and record keeping. It’s time to put government waste in the doghouse and let DOGE get to work,” said Lankford.

Canadian company backs off planned Lake Eufaula-area 900-turbine wind farm after local opposition

A Canadian green energy company has halted plans for a 900-turbine wind farm in the Lake Eufaula area after extensive community opposition. TransAlta, a woke corporation with an apparent special emphasis on Environmental Social Governance (ESG) and Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), began developing the 'Canadian River Wind Project' (also known in some government filings as 'Barracuda Wind Project') in 2022, meeting with select landowners and pursuing paperwork with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and Federal Aviation Administration, to name two agencies.

The first of five phases was for 121 wind turbines in western McIntosh County (Stidham, Raiford, and Lenna). The next four phases were allegedly slated to include "Texanna Road, Checotah, Porum, wrapping all around Lake Eufaula to south of McAlester, with a total of just under 900 turbines." Based on filings, the turbines were estimated to be over 700 feet tall upon construction.

Oklahoma Legislature formally elects new 2025-2026 leadership

Earlier this week, the Oklahoma Legislature met for the constitutionally-required Organizational Day, where both legislative chambers formally elected their leadership and passed the rules package by which their respective bodies will operate for the next term.

OCPA: California-style primary (still) a bad idea

OCPA: California-style primary (still) a bad idea

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 6, 2025)—Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small issued the following statement after proponents refiled a proposed state question that would eliminate primary elections for most federal, state, and local offices in Oklahoma.

“When Oklahoma United announced in November that they were seeking to impose California-style elections in Oklahoma that prevent Republican voters from choosing their own party nominees, we warned that the proposal was fatally flawed,” Small said. “It’s been less than two months and backers of this insidious idea are now trying to salvage their proposal with revisions.

State Sen. Thompson files bill to include school supplies, athletic gear in tax-free weekend

Thompson files bill to include school supplies, athletic gear in tax-free weekend

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, filed legislation on Monday to include school supplies and athletic equipment among the items exempted from sales taxes during Oklahoma’s tax-free weekend in August.

Senate Bill 231 would exempt common school supplies — such as backpacks, binders, pens, pencils, markers and notebooks — from state and local sales taxes during the state’s annual sales tax holiday, the first weekend in August. Recreational equipment, including cleats, gloves, mouthguards, shoulder pads and goggles, would also be tax-exempt under this bill.

Sen. Wingard files bill to eliminate wind energy tax credit, save taxpayers money

As communities across the state fight massive new wind energy projects, including one near Lake Eufaula aiming to build up to 900 turbines, newly-elected State Sen. Jonathan Wingard (who stunned the political world by ousting would-be Senate Pro Tem Greg McCortney in the primary) is starting his political career - one might say - by tilting at windmills to save taxpayers money.

Wingard files bill to eliminate wind energy tax credit, save taxpayers money

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 31, 2024) — Sen. Jonathan Wingard, R-Ada, filed legislation this week to end state tax subsidies for wind farms.

Senate Bill 239 would eliminate the zero-emission subsidy for wind production after tax year 2025. Eliminating this tax credit will save taxpayers up to $16 million annually.

Walters touts new updated science standards, available for public comment through Jan. 21st

Walters: New Science Standards to Elevate  Education and Workforce Preparedness 

Oklahoma City, Okla (Jan. 2nd) – The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has submitted updated Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science (OAS-S) for public comment through January 21, 2025. The new standards represent a transformative framework that raises the bar for all Oklahoma students. These standards are designed to prepare students with the essential knowledge and expertise required to excel in higher education and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce. 

State Sen. Seifried files bill for schools to adopt 'bell to bell' cell phone policies

Photo credit: RDNE Stock project

Seifried files bill empowering schools to adopt ‘bell to bell’ cell phone policies

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 30th) – Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, has filed legislation instructing all public school districts to adopt policies preventing student cell phone use from “bell to bell.”

Seifried filed Senate Bill 139 after she cohosted a two-day interim study to explore the educational challenges that arise when students have their cell phones in the classroom. During the study, over a dozen educators and mental health professionals discussed how student phone use leads to poor academic outcomes and overall worse mental health.

Sens. Deevers, Hamilton: loopholes lead to estimated 3,200 annual abortions in Oklahoma

Past pro-life legislation is keeping the practice of abortion alive and well through loopholes and a refusal to establish equal justice under the law. This is the sad reality of the post-Dobbs scene. Oklahoma needs to pass a bill to abolish abortion.

Photo: An abortion billboard along I-35 this past summer.

Hamilton and Deevers Respond to Claims of ‘Zero’ Abortions, Highlight the Estimated 3,274 Annual Abortions in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 3rd) — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, responded on Friday to comments made by Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert regarding abortion legislation in the upcoming session. Hilbert is quoted by Oklahoma Voice as saying, “When there’s not any reported abortions, I don’t know how you further reduce from zero.”

“As a pastor and local activist, I have been engaged in the fight to protect preborn children for years prior to becoming a Senator. I have much respect for Speaker Hilbert as Christian man, but as much as I desperately wish there were zero abortions in Oklahoma, zero ‘reported’ abortions is not the same thing as zero abortions,” Deevers said. “Data shows that roughly 3,274 self-managed abortions are legally performed annually in Oklahoma in addition to 4,000 abortions committed by Oklahomans driving to other states.”

Rep. Gann proposes sweeping transparency reforms for State House

Gann Proposes Sweeping Reforms to Restore Transparency to House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 30th) – In a far-reaching, and transformative effort to modernize the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, has sponsored a reform package – House Resolution 1001 – designed to distribute power, promote transparency and reinvigorate the legislative process. His reforms aim to end the culture of opacity and concentration of authority that he says has hindered the chamber's effectiveness for far too long.

“The time has come to ensure the House of Representatives becomes an institution of laws, not of one man,” Gann said. “For years, our legislative process has stagnated, with decisions made behind closed doors and power centralized into the hands of one individual, the House speaker, who is elected by a single House district and not the people of Oklahoma as a whole. In recent years, at best, the House has simply marked time, failing to embrace new transparency measures. At worst, it has regressed, relying on secretive processes controlled by a single person.”