Attorney General advises health board to amend rules on medical marijuana
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today advised the State Board of Health to convene a special meeting to amend the rules it passed regulating medical marijuana.
OSDH top attorney charged following investigation of sending threats to herself
Julie Ezell, former general counsel for the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), was charged in Oklahoma County on Tuesday after an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) investigation revealed she sent threatening emails to herself.
Governor: No special legislative session to implement State Question 788
Governor, Legislative Leaders Confident in Emergency Rules Drafted by Oklahoma State Health Department
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today issued the following statement on how the state will proceed with developing rules and regulations to deal with implementing State Question 788, the medical marijuana ballot issue approved by Oklahoma voters earlier this week: “After conferring with House and Senate leaders, we believe a special legislative session is […]
Hofmeister announces restored bonuses for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, psychologists
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 28, 2018) – The Oklahoma State Board of Education today voted to restore a $5,000 bonus for nationally certified speech-language pathologists, audiologists and school psychologists after revenue for the annual incentive was cut for the last two years.
ODOT: Campaign signs on highways litter-ally costing taxpayers money
One of the big expenses for political candidates in Oklahoma is one that unfortunately also costs taxpayers money. The illegal placement of campaign materials along state highways is considered littering by state law. While spots along highways, interstates or even along bridges and overpasses may seem like an ideal place to advertise for a candidate […]
State: May General Revenue Fund collections exceed estimate by nearly 20%
Total year-to-date collections at 6.5% above estimate
OKLAHOMA CITY — General Revenue Fund collections in May were $497.8 million and came in at $82.3 million, or 19.8 percent, above the monthly estimate. This amount is $109.7 million, or 28.3 percent, above collections in May of 2017. Total collections over the first 11 months of the fiscal year were $5.2 billion which is $317.9 million, or […]
State takes first step toward improving auto insurance verification system
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) has awarded a contract for the new Oklahoma Compulsory Insurance Verification System (OCIVS). The new system, hosted by MV Solutions, Inc., will be overseen by the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID). The current system has been managed by the Department of Public Safety (DPS). […]
Incoming Senate Pro Tem announces picks for next floor leader, appropriations chair
OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Greg Treat, Majority Floor Leader and Republicans’ selection to serve as the next Senate leader, on Wednesday announced the senators who will round out his leadership team.
State: General Revenue collections pick up in April
All reporting categories indicate healthy growth in Oklahoma economy
OKLAHOMA CITY — General Revenue Fund collections in April were $764.3 million and came in at $93.8 million, or 14.0 percent, above the monthly estimate. This amount is $152.5 million, or 24.9 percent, above collections in April of 2017. Total collections over the first 10 months of the fiscal year were $4.7 billion which is $235.6 million, or […]
Governor Mary Fallin vetoes Senate Bill 1212
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today vetoed Senate Bill 1212, which would have eliminated the requirement to complete a short firearms safety and training course from a certified instructor and demonstrate competency with a pistol before carrying a gun in public. The governor issued the following statement: “Oklahoma is a state that respects the Second […]
Governor signs criminal justice reform bills
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed seven criminal justice reform bills that will reduce the flow of nonviolent offenders into prison; establish a more efficient and streamlined parole process; and facilitate successful reentry that reduces recidivism.
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.
Oklahoma Senate approves FY’19 budget giving education, mental health, criminal justice reform significant increases
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday approved a $7.6 billion general appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2019 that gives significant funding increases for common education, mental health services, child welfare programs, and criminal justice reform.
Governor signs bill establishing hemp pilot program
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed a bill that creates a pilot program, overseen by state agriculture officials and Oklahoma’s higher education institutions, allowing permits to grow industrial hemp.
Governor signs bill barring sex offenders from living near their victims
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed a bill that helps protect victims from their sex offenders.
Senate approves criminal justice reforms
Treat, Shaw bills will keep communities safe, while slowing incarceration rates
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday approved a slate of criminal justice reform bills that will slow the state’s skyrocketing incarceration rates while still keeping communities safe.
Legislation proposed to increase education revenue without increasing taxes
OKLAHOMA CITY – State Reps. Sean Roberts and Tess Teague filed six pieces of legislation last week aimed at maximizing classroom dollars and minimizing administrative waste. The new measures come after both lawmakers talked extensively with constituents and educators.
March general revenue collections beat estimate
Economic recovery continues at slow, steady pace
OKLAHOMA CITY — General Revenue Fund collections in March were $405.5 million and came in at $21.4 million, or 5.6 percent, above the monthly estimate. This amount is $53.5 million, or 15.2 percent, above collections in March of 2017. Total collections over the first nine months of the fiscal year were $4.0 billion which is $141.8 million, […]
Oklahoma announces inert gas inhalation as primary choice of execution
New protocol currently being developed
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter and Corrections Director Joe M. Allbaugh today announced inert gas inhalation will be the state’s primary method of execution once a protocol is developed and finalized.
State: February general revenue collections miss estimate
Total year-to-date estimate slightly above at 3.5%
OKLAHOMA CITY — General Revenue Fund collections in February were $294.2 million and came in at $2.0 million, or 0.7 percent, below the monthly estimate. This amount is $46.2 million, or 18.6 percent, above collections in February of 2017. Total collections over the first eight months of the fiscal year were $3.6 billion which is $120.4 million, […]