The 48 men and women who serve in the State Senate come from every single part of the state. Some have to drive many hours to get to Oklahoma City each week and can’t easily make quick trips back to their district during the week for special events or family occasions. I feel fortunate that […]
Chris Evans visits with Rep. Garry Mize, Rep. John Pfeiffer and Senator Chuck Hall on the first six weeks of the legislative session on The Roundup. Each legislator discusses the big issues taking place inside the State Capitol. The Roundup is a City of Guthrie production in partnership with Guthrie News Page. If you prefer […]
HThursday was a major legislative deadline for the House and Senate. It was our Third Reading deadline, the day that bills had to be heard and voted on in the chamber they originated in. Bills that weren’t voted on by Thursday at midnight are now dead for this legislative session. We spent hours on the […]
Oklahoma City – Governor Kevin Stitt today signed five agency accountability bills that give the executive branch the authority to hire and fire agency leaders for the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority (SB 456), Oklahoma Department of Transportation (SB 457), Oklahoma Department of Corrections (HB 2480), Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (HB 2479), and Oklahoma Department of […]
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to require the same level of transparency from virtual charter schools as other public schools passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives today. House Bill 1395 amends language in the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act of 2012 to hold virtual charter schools subject to the same financial reporting requirements and audits as […]
HOKLAHOMA CITY – The House of Representatives today unanimously passed a measure that would provide Oklahoma school teachers some financial relief when they spend money out of pocket for their classrooms. House Bill 2502, by House Speaker Charles McCall, would provide a $1,000 tax credit that teachers can claim for classroom expenditures and fees associated […]
OKLAHOMA CITY— Rep. Garry Mize, R-Guthrie, announced Thursday the passage of House Bill 2511 from the Oklahoma House of Representatives. HB2511 allows the State Purchasing Director to authorize purchases for the Oklahoma Film & Music Office to utilize a state purchase card for programs, functions or services essential to the agency’s mission. “House Bill 2511 […]
OKLAHOMA CITY – The House of Representatives today passed a measure aimed at encouraging more doctors to practice in rural areas of the state. House Bill 2511, by House Speaker Charles McCall, would reduce a doctor’s tax liability by up to $25,000 annually if he or she practices in a rural community for the tax […]
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday sent the constitutional carry bill to the governor’s desk. House Bill 2597, authored in the Senate by Majority Floor Leader Kim David, was approved with a bipartisan vote of 40-6. The bill: Permits Oklahomans age 21 and older to carry a firearm without a permit. Permits veterans, […]
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved with an 11-4 vote a bill from President Pro Tempore Greg Treat that would prohibit abortion in Oklahoma when the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade or if the U.S. Constitution is amended. “Oklahoma is a pro-life state and Oklahomans have repeatedly made it […]
Law triggered when Roe v. Wade overturned or U.S. Constitution amended
LOKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has filed legislation that would make abortion illegal in Oklahoma when Roe v. Wade is overturned or if the U.S. Constitution is amended. If either condition is met, Senate Bill 195 would immediately prohibit abortion in Oklahoma – providing an exception to protect the life of the […]
The House of Representatives approved a bill on Wednesday that would allow a person under the age of 21 to enter a liquor store. House Bill 2325 would allow a person under the age of 21 to enter a license retail spirits location when accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. The measured passed with […]
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill by Majority Floor Leader Kim David that would permit Oklahoman’s to carry firearms without a permit. The committee voted 18-4 for the so-called “constitutional carry” bill and sent the measure on to be considered by the entire Senate. House Bill 2597 by […]
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Education Committee approved a bill to restore five-day school weeks in Oklahoma schools, advancing one of the four agenda items of Senate Republicans. Senate Bill 441 by Senator Mary Quinn, R-Claremore, says all public schools shall be in session for no less than 180 days. Currently, schools are to be […]
Oklahoma City – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Charles Prater as the next commissioner to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. “Charles Prater has built a successful career in accounting and finance, and his knowledge and expertise will serve Oklahoma well as we work toward greater transparency and accountability in state government,” said Stitt. […]
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission announced the appointment of Tim Gatz as the new Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation effective April 1, following a unanimous vote at its Monday, Feb. 11 meeting. Gatz currently serves as the Secretary of Transportation and the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, responsibilities he will retain […]
OKLAHOMA CITY — General Revenue Fund collections in January were $714.5 million and came in at $58.1 million, or 8.8 percent, above the monthly estimate. This amount is $118.5 million, or 19.9 percent, above collections in January of 2018. Total collections over the first seven months of the fiscal year are $203.7 million, or 5.7 percent, above […]
OKLAHOMA CITY – Using historical educational and population data, market trends and demand-supply projections, the 2018 Oklahoma Educator Supply & Demand Report indicates that the percentage of Oklahoma educators leaving the profession has increased over the past six years, representing more than 5,000 per year or a total of approximately 30,000. This exodus represents an […]
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Department of Labor has requested a turnover audit from the office of the State Auditor. “Under the new Stitt administration there is an increased call for transparency and effective use of taxpayer dollars”, stated Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn. “In that vein we are requesting a financial audit of our agency […]
OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Public Safety Committee advanced House Bill 2597 Thursday morning. The bill was presented by Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, who said the bill promotes constitutional carry for citizens who are not felons, adjudicated with mental illness or have domestic violence convictions. The committee gave a do pass recommendation with a vote […]
