With new law, Oklahomans can donate to scholarships under new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit

Crosswhite Hader Celebrates Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Becoming Law

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 30th) – Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, today is reminding Oklahomans they can opt-in on a federal income tax credit next year for individual contributions to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). Funding is to be used for scholarships for elementary and secondary education expenses.

Crosswhite Hader is the House author of House Bill 3704, which recently was signed into law by the governor. She said the federal program is similar to the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship program, a state tax-credit program that supports scholarship efforts in Oklahoma.

State Senate amends bill to protect Oklahomans from higher utility costs from data centers, increase transparency

Senate Passes Data Center Ratepayer Protection Act with Added Transparency Requirements

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 28th) – The Oklahoma Senate today unanimously passed legislation from Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, to protect Oklahomans from higher utility costs as a result of the growing number of data centers across the state. 

The Senate passed an amended version of House Bill 2992, the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, that adds greater transparency requirements and community input for new developments.

“This legislation makes it abundantly clear that all developments that would put significant strain on Oklahoma’s electric grid must cover their own costs,” said Green, chair of the Senate Energy Committee. “Under no circumstances should Oklahoma families, farmers, ranchers and small business owners be left footing the bill.”

Small: Sweeping reading reform puts state on right path

Sweeping reading reform puts state on right path

By Jonathan Small

This week, surrounded by school children, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a sweeping reform that will dramatically improve literacy outcomes.

Based on Spring 2025 state tests, just 27 percent of Oklahoma third graders read at or above grade level. National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests show only 23 percent of fourth-grade students scored at or above proficient in 2024. Only two states did worse.

Oklahoma’s abysmal reading outcomes have occurred even as public schools’ per-pupil revenue has surged more than 50 percent since 2018. The problem was not money, but execution.

Fortunately, Mississippi provided a guide map.

Since the 2013 passage of Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act (LBPA), Mississippi has climbed from 49th to ninth for fourth grade reading, according to NAEP. Mississippi is the only state where the bottom 10 percent of students scored better in 2024 than their 2013-2014 school-year counterparts.

Senate passes bill to criminalize delivering (but not ordering!) abortion pills

This is another piece of legislation that dances around actually abolishing abortion in Oklahoma and treating all participants in the murder of the unborn equally. Under this bill, it would be a felony crime to deliver — but not to order — abortion pills. 

That's right. An individual ordering a murder pill and originating the process of this infanticide would be exempt from prosecution, but the person "knowingly or intentionally delivering" the pills would be criminalized. 

Why must pro-life Republicans try so hard to be 'cute' and play around the edges when it comes to ending abortion? For decades now, the Republican-led legislature has advanced piecemeal half-measures, rather than attacking the issue in a full-fledged, all-encompassing, equal-justice manner.

This bill passed by a vote of 37-10, with abolitionist State Sen. Warren Hamilton (R-McCurtain) debating and voting against it, arguing for a measure that actually accomplishes the goal of ending abortion, rather than nibbling around the edges. Hamilton was a coauthor of a bill in 2025 that would have addressed the pro-life "loopholes" that Attorney General Gentner Drummond is using to not enforce Oklahoma's existing ban [Oklahoma Statute 63-1-733] on self-managed abortions, i.e. abortion pills at home. 

It's not that Sen. Bullard or Rep. Hader's motivation is bad; their hearts are in the right place, seeking an end to abortion. It's just that this isn't the way. It's that we can do better, but the leadership won't allow it.

We absolutely can pass a bill to fully abolish abortion. There's a bill in the legislature that does that very thing. Leadership could still allow it to be heard, but they refuse to.

The only thing preventing the Oklahoma Legislature from abolishing abortion is the cowardice of the GOP leadership. Instead, they want to placate the grassroots who want to see abortion ended by giving them tiny bites at a time.

Senate Gives Final Passage to Bill Creating Crime of Abortion Pill Trafficking

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 30th) – Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, has advanced to the governor’s desk legislation that would outlaw the home delivery and distribution of abortion pills.

Today, in a vote of 37 to 10, the Senate passed House Bill 1168 to make it a felony crime to traffic abortion pills.

The measure creates a felony offense for anyone to knowingly possess or deliver abortion-inducing drugs — including mifepristone, misoprostol and methotrexate — to someone who intends to use them for an abortion.

Gov. Stitt signs 'Oklahoma Dream Accounts' bill, adding $250 to children's Trump Accounts

Building the American Dream: Governor Stitt Signs Oklahoma Dream Accounts Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 23, 2026) - Governor Kevin Stitt has signed House Bill 4071, the Oklahoma Dream Accounts Investment Program Act, to help give every eligible Oklahoma child a stronger financial start in life.

“The American Dream is different for every young Oklahoman. Let’s give them the opportunity to achieve it. With Trump Accounts and this $250 investment from the state, we are putting real resources behind their future,” said Governor Stitt.

Governor Stitt called for the investment in these American Dream accounts in his State of the State. HB 4071 creates the Oklahoma Dream Accounts Investment Program and the Oklahoma Trump Account Investment Fund. The bill authorizes the State Treasurer to make a one-time $250 contribution into the federally authorized Trump Account of each eligible Oklahoma child, once a family applies and the account is verified.

Bill to make wheat Oklahoma's official state crop passes legislature

Bill Designating Wheat as Official State Crop Heads to Governor’s Desk

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 29th) – The Oklahoma House of Representatives voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 2159 today to designate wheat as the State Crop of the State of Oklahoma. Having now cleared both chambers with unanimous support, the bill now advances to the governor’s desk for final review.

The bill, by Senator Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, was passed in the House Wednesday, coinciding with Ag Day at the Capitol festivities.

“Seeing this bill pass on Ag Day is incredibly meaningful as we celebrated one of Oklahoma’s most vital industries,” Pederson said. “Wheat is a key part of our state’s agricultural economy and plays a big role in supporting our rural communities. On a day dedicated to agriculture, this designation underscores the importance of wheat and the producers behind its success across the state.”

Cleveland County Sheriff Amason resigns after pleading no contest to embezzlement

Cleveland County Sheriff pleads no contest to embezzlement, resigns from office

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 27, 2026) – Cleveland County Sheriff Donald Amason pleaded no contest today to one felony count of embezzlement, stemming from a recent indictment brought by the Multi-County Grand Jury. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Amason has agreed to resign from office effective immediately, pay $10,000 in restitution, accept a five-year deferred sentence and surrender his CLEET card.

Amason was charged with moving between $2,500 and $15,000 from his campaign account to himself and others on multiple occasions, violating the ethical rules that govern use of campaign funds. The transfers occurred between May 2020 and July 2025. 

Legislature passes bill to ban cell phones during school, awaits Governor's signature

House Sends Bill to Permanently Ban Cell Phones in Schools to Governor's Desk

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 28th) – Today the Oklahoma House sent a bill to the Governor's desk that requires school districts to permanently adopt a policy prohibiting students from using cell phones on campus during the school day.

“Bell to Bell, No Cell” was originally introduced as pilot legislation in 2025, requiring Oklahoma school boards to adopt policies prohibiting cell phone use on campus during the school day. Feedback from teachers, students and parents following the pilot program was overwhelmingly positive, prompting legislators to advance permanent legislation establishing the cell phone ban in state statute.

Sen. Grellner files simplified state question bill to move Medicaid expansion from Constitution to state statute

Oklahoma Freedom Caucus Issues Statement on Filing Bill to Remove Medicaid from Constitution

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus today announced the filing of SJR55 to remove Medicaid expansion from the Oklahoma Constitution and place it into state statute.

This straightforward, clean measure restores legislative oversight without unnecessary complications or triggers. It stands in stark contrast to the watered-down "compromise" version negotiated with the liberal, ObamaCare-supporting hospital association that leadership is attempting to ram through the Senate.

Small: School-choice opponents think everyone is ‘rich’

School-choice opponents think everyone is ‘rich’

By Jonathan Small

To attack school choice, opponents now insist virtually everyone in Oklahoma is “rich.” That will surprise most families.

The Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program provides refundable tax credits of $5,000 to $7,500 per child to cover private school tuition. The largest tax credits go to those with the lowest incomes and families with income of less than $150,000 per year are prioritized.

The program has been very popular and demand is expected to exceed the current $250 million supply, so House Bill 3705 increases the cap to $275 million. During April 9 debate, however, opponents repeatedly implied that thousands of working families are, in fact, wealthy.

Legislature passes bill to enhance safety and security at Oklahoma Schools for the Blind and Deaf

Senator Frix Applauds Passage of School Safety Funding for Oklahoma School for the Blind

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Avery Frix, R-Muskogee, applauded the passage of House Bill 4067, which directs funding to enhance safety measures at the Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee.

HB 4067 appropriates $93,000 to the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services for Fiscal Year 2027 to support the establishment and maintenance of a School Resource Officer (SRO) program or provide physical security improvements at the Oklahoma School for the Blind.

“At a time when school security is more important than ever, we must do everything we can to protect students in Oklahoma schools,” Frix said. “The Oklahoma School for the Blind is a valued part of the Muskogee community, and this funding will ensure they are equipped to maintain a safe and secure campus.”

Mazzei calls out dark-money attack ad for lying on tax record

MIKE MAZZEI CALLS OUT DARK MONEY PAC FOR LYING IN ATTACK AD

Tulsa, OK (April 19, 2026) - Mike Mazzei, Republican candidate for Oklahoma Governor, is responding to an attack ad launched by a dark-money Political Action Committee [PAC] this week. The commercial falsely accuses Mazzei of opposing income tax cuts in 2016.

“No one fought harder for the taxpayers than I have,” Mike Mazzei said. “The ad is silly and gets the facts completely wrong. Our opponents see us surging in the polls and this is a desperate attempt to deceive the voters of Oklahoma. I am the only candidate in this race with a solid plan to phase out the income tax and eliminate property taxes for seniors and veterans.”