Number of volunteer firefighters up three years after law signed
OKLAHOMA CITY – Almost 300 new volunteer firefighters have joined rural fire departments three years after successful legislation eliminated the age limit for new volunteers.
Bill ensuring rights of family caregivers signed into law
Sen. AJ Griffin and Rep. Harold Wright applauded the signing of SB 1516, a continuation of the Lay Caregivers Act, which was passed in 2014. The Lay Caregivers Act allows hospital patients to designate a lay caregiver upon formal admission to a hospital facility and requires hospitals to notify the designated caregiver of the patient’s […]
Senator Griffin’s opiod measures get approval in Senate
OKLAHOMA CITY – On Wednesday, the Senate approved legislation to slow the rapid growth of opioid addiction in Oklahoma. Sen. A.J. Griffin is the Senate author of House Bill 2798 that creates the Opioid Overdose Fatality Review Board and House Bill 2931 to require the use of electronic prescribing for all scheduled drugs.
Senator Griffin named Outstanding Legislator by OSDH
Sen. A.J. Griffin (center) is pictured with Health and Human Services Secretary Steve Buck (right) and Interim Commissioner of Health Tom Bates (left).
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) recognized six outstanding leaders in child abuse prevention during a ceremony Tuesday at the State Capitol. Individuals and organizations were honored for their efforts, which demonstrated significant and outstanding commitment and dedication to child abuse prevention.
Senate gives final approval to foster care measure
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate gave final approval to legislation last week to put the rights and protections of Oklahoma’s foster kids into state statute. House Bill 2552, authored by Sen. A.J. Griffin and Rep. Pat Ownbey, passed unanimously.
Senator A.J. Griffin endorses Republican Jill Tontz for District Attorney
State Senator A.J. Griffin has announced her endorsement of Republican Jill Tontz in the upcoming election for District Attorney in the 9th Judicial District (Payne and Logan Counties). The Primary Election will be held in June and the General Election in November 2018.
Senator AJ Griffin announces she won’t seek re-election
State Senator A J Griffin announced this week she will not seek re-election after the completion of the 2018 legislative session. The Guthrie Republican has served in the Senate since 2012.
Sooner SUCCESS hosting SibShop, respite program
Sooner SUCCESS is hosting a respite program and SibShop on March 31 from 12-4 p.m. at the Simple Life Center. This program is becoming very successful thanks to our community partners especially the Simple Life Center and Job Corp.
GJHS FCCLA visits the Capitol for FACS Day
Four Guthrie Junior High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) students attended FACS Day at the Capitol on Tuesday.
Senator A.J. Griffin endorses Republican candidate for State Representative
State Senator A.J. Griffin has announced her endorsement of Republican Garry Mize in the upcoming election for Oklahoma State House District 31.
Sen. Griffin welcomes new executive assistant to the Oklahoma State Senate
Guthrie resident Kala Plagg (right) is now on the job at the state Capitol as executive assistant to Sen. AJ Griffin, R-Guthrie, representing District 20.
When citizens visit State Sen. AJ Griffin’s office at 23rd and Lincoln, they’ll be greeted by a new face — but even though Kala Plagg is new to the Capitol, she’s not new to Senate District 20. Plagg has been a native of Guthrie for four decades and raised her children in the state’s first […]
Sen. Griffin named to Commission on Opioid Abuse
State Sen. AJ Griffin has been appointed to a panel charged with examining the prescription opioid crisis that’s claimed the lives of thousands of Oklahomans in recent years. Griffin, R-Guthrie, was the principal Senate author of legislation creating the Oklahoma Commission on Opioid Abuse.
Sen. Griffin: “We go back to the drawing board first thing tomorrow”
It appears the Oklahoma Legislature will be heading to a special session after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on Thursday the Legislature unconstitutionally passed the $1.50-per-pack cigarette fee during the final days of this year’s session.
Senate Minutes with AJ Griffin
This month I served on a panel for the Oklahoma Early Childhood Coalition Summit. We heard from experts who talked about how an “adverse childhood experience” (ACE) such as abuse, neglect, divorce, parental incarceration and poverty or witnessing domestic abuse or substance abuse can hinder children in school. Unfortunately, Oklahoma has one of the highest […]
Secretary of Logan County Election Board to resign; accepts state job
Pictured is Erin Dorio showing how a ballot is inserted into a ballot machine.
Erin Dorio, secretary of elections over Logan County, has announced that she will be resigning from office effective July 28, after 16 years of service.
Sen. Griffin honored for 100 percent support of legislation for agriculture, rural Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau (OKFB) is applauding lawmakers who are now a part of their 100 Percent Club for voting in favor of key legislation important to farmers, ranchers and rural Oklahoma during the 2017 session. Sen. AJ Griffin, who is chair of the Senate’s Rural Caucus, is among those being recognized by the organization […]
Senate Minutes with Senator AJ Griffin
If you are not familiar with the legislative process, you may not know that there are actually several different kinds of legislation filed each session. For example a bill is a proposed new law or a proposed current law to be presented to the Legislature for consideration. There are other kinds of legislation besides bills […]
The Roundup Season 2 finale: state budget and education among topics
Chris Evans with Guthrie News Page sits down with Rep. John Pfeiffer and Senator AJ Griffin and talks about a number of legislative items, including the state budget and education.
Senate Minutes with Senator AJ Griffin
No single elected official can control every piece of legislation and every aspect of the budget. It’s a collaborative process involving two legislative chambers representing 149 districts and the governor.
Legislation updating, streamlining sex offender registration becomes law
Legislation improving the state’s sex offender registry law has been signed by the governor. Senate Bill 217, by Sen. AJ Griffin and Rep. Mike Osburn, modifies Oklahoma’s current sex offender registration law to streamline the notification process between local law enforcement, the courts and the Department of Corrections (DOC) and, in certain cases, will require […]