Small: Session will reap benefit for years

Session will reap benefit for years

By Jonathan Small

Academic outcomes in Oklahoma’s public school system have been among the worst in the nation for years. But this year’s legislative session alters that trajectory and the full benefit will become apparent over time.

One of the most important actions taken this year was passage of Senate Bill 1778, which effectively requires that students read at least on a second-grade level before beginning the fourth grade, or face retention in the third grade. The new law also provides for intensive early intervention for struggling students in the first through third grades.

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

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) endorses State Treasurer Todd Russ for reelection

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) Endorses Todd Russ for Oklahoma State Treasurer 

Oklahoma City, OK – May 14, 2026 – American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR), Oklahoma’s leading voice for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, today proudly announced its endorsement of incumbent State Treasurer Todd Russ in his bid for re-election. 

“Todd Russ has proven himself as a steadfast advocate for Oklahoma’s agricultural producers and rural economies,” said AFR Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh. “His conservative fiscal management, support for agricultural lending programs, and commitment to strengthening Oklahoma’s financial stability directly benefit our members who rely on strong markets, reliable infrastructure, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. AFR is confident that Treasurer Russ will continue delivering results for family farms and ranches across the state.” 

New Oklahoma law expands raw milk sales

New Oklahoma Law Expands Raw Milk Sales

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 14th) — A bill giving Oklahoma dairy producers more freedom to sell raw milk has been signed into law.

Senate Bill 2028, introduced by Sen. Jonathan Wingard, R-Ada, and Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, allows dairy producers to advertise the sale of raw milk on their farms. It also raises the monthly sales cap, enabling producers to sell up to 1,500 gallons of raw milk per month. 

Wingard said the bill expands opportunities for direct-to-consumer raw milk sales as demand for the product continues to grow.

Gov. Stitt, AG Drummond trade barbs over cooperating with Trump Medicaid fraud audit

One of the positive things to look forward to after this year will be the end of this endless bickering and fighting between Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond (who I certainly hope does not become Oklahoma's next governor...). Drummond wouldn't agree with Stitt if Stitt said the sky was blue.

Governor Stitt Directs Attorney General to Align Efforts with Trump Administration Crackdown on Medicaid Fraud

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 20, 2026) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt directed the Attorney General to cooperate with the Trump administration’s audit of Medicaid Fraud Control Units and ensure that Oklahoma taxpayer dollars are not being misused by bad actors.

The letter reads, in part:

“President Trump’s audit is aimed at aggressive enforcement, accurate documentation, and real accountability from Medicaid providers. That is the right agenda, and Oklahoma should be leading it.

Small: Attack on State Treasurer lacks merit

Attack on state treasurer lacks merit

By Jonathan Small

In politics, particularly during election years, thinly sourced allegations of wrongdoing are not unusual. Even so, a recent attack on State Treasurer Todd Russ makes for especially thin gruel. We’re supposed to believe Russ spearheaded a conspiracy to award a state contract … to the lowest bidder.

Several years ago, the Oklahoma Legislature created the Invest in Oklahoma program to encourage state pensions to invest up to 5 percent of their assets in Oklahoma-based companies. Eventually, lawmakers also voted to put the treasurer’s office in charge of the program but provided no extra funding to the agency to cover associated costs.

Youth camp weather safety and action plan bill signed into law

Camp Safety Bill Signed into Law

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 18th) – A bill requiring all youth camps and outdoor programs to conduct a site-specific hazard assessment and develop an emergency action plan by the end of the year has become law.

Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, is the author of House Bill 1675.

"Camp should be a fun time for our kids," Cantrell said. "But in Oklahoma, we have a lot of severe weather. Making sure our camps are as prepared as they can be will help keep young campers safe and give parents and everyone else involved much more peace of mind."

Gov. Stitt touts win for accountability, gov't reform in state boards and commissions

Governor Stitt Celebrates Win for Accountability and Government Reform

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 15, 2026) - Governor Kevin Stitt today said the final day of the legislative session sent a clear message that Oklahomans are ready for reform, accountability, and consolidation across the state’s more than 400 boards and commissions.

On Sine Die, the Legislature failed to override the Governor’s veto of House Bill 3320, which would have permanently extended 39 boards and commissions by removing their statutory sunset dates.

“Sunset dates exist for a reason,” said Governor Stitt. “They force government to justify its existence, prove its value to taxpayers, and remain accountable to the people. We should not permanently extend boards and commissions without first seeking reform and consolidation. The answer cannot always be more government.”

AFP-OK celebrates legislative victories following end of the 2026 session

AFP-OK Celebrates Legislative Victories Following End of the 2026 Session 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (May 18th) - Americans for Prosperity-Oklahoma (AFP-OK) celebrated the end of a successful 2026 legislative session today, highlighting its victories and sharing its goals for next year. The chapter’s wins beneath the dome this year reflect its ongoing commitment to making the Sooner State the most prosperous state in the nation by advocating for the policies to make it happen, whether it’s expanding school options or strengthening free speech protections and agency transparency.  

AFP-OK's biggest legislative wins for 2026 include: 

Oklahoma adds Alpha-gal Syndrome to reportable disease list, aims to raise awareness

I have several friends and acquaintances who afflicted with Alpha-gal Syndrome. It's a spreading problem, and more needs to be studied and done to combat it.

Stanley Applauds Signing of Reportable Disease Legislation, Recognizes Alpha-Gal Awareness Month

OKLAHOMA CITY— Senator Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, applauded Senate Bill 1644 becoming law, legislation she authored to designate Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) as a reportable disease in Oklahoma.

Alpha-gal syndrome is a potentially life-threatening allergic condition, most often caused by lone star tick bites, that is increasingly affecting Oklahomans. The disease causes varying symptoms ranging from mild to severe, most commonly causing allergic reactions to meat and other animal products such as dairy and certain medications.

SB 1644 directs the Commissioner of Health to add Alpha-Gal Syndrome to the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s published list of reportable diseases and conditions, helping improve awareness and data collection related to the growing condition.

“This new law will ensure Alpha-Gal Syndrome is added to the state’s reportable disease list so we can better support patients and healthcare providers as they work to understand and treat this disease,” Stanley said.

Stanley, who serves as vice chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said improving awareness and public health monitoring of Alpha-Gal Syndrome is critical.

To further awareness efforts, the Oklahoma Senate adopted Senate Resolution 28, declaring May as Alpha-Gal Awareness and Prevention Month in Oklahoma to help increase public understanding of the condition and encourage tick-bite prevention efforts statewide.

“Recognizing Alpha-Gal Awareness Month is an important opportunity to educate Oklahomans about this serious condition and the impact it has on families across our state,” Stanley said. “I was proud to author SB 1644 and support the adoption of SR 28 to encourage prevention and education efforts related to tick exposure and Alpha-Gal Syndrome.”

Stanley’s Senate Bill 1644 will take effect Nov. 1.

Small: SQ 832 means higher prices

SQ 832 means higher prices

By Jonathan Small

Supporters of State Question 832, which would impose a California-style wage law in Oklahoma that continually increases the state minimum wage based on the cost of living in places like New York City, portray it as a magic elixir that will boost economic growth and wages for all.

In reality, SQ 832 will boost prices for all while reducing job opportunities for many.

State Question 832 would impose a $15 an hour minimum wage and require rapid escalation every year thereafter, putting the wage mandate on a fast track to $35 and higher in future years.

Obviously, as wages rise, some businesses will reduce job creation, cut worker hours, or resort to automation.

But the ripple effects of SQ 832 mean those entry-level workers, and all Oklahomans, will also pay higher prices.

KFOR digs into PAC running AI-generated anti-Mazzei ad, finds deep Drummond ties, controversial consultant

Ah, check it out, the same names behind almost every sleazy, dirty trick in Oklahoma politics are doing it again, just skirting the fringes of legality, as their custom is. If it's dirty, questionable, or unethical, you can almost bet money that political consulting firm CAMP or someone with ties to consultant Fount Holland is behind it:

News 4 investigates: PAC running AI-generated anti-Mazzei ad tied to firm running Drummond campaign

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The man behind a political group running a controversial AI-generated attack ad in Oklahoma’s governor’s race also holds a top position at the firm running a different candidate’s campaign—raising questions about whether the two are illegally coordinating.

The group’s ad targets Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei. The firm in question runs the campaign of opponent Gentner Drummond.

Mazzei’s campaign accuses the group of illegally coordinating with Drummond’s campaign. The group and Drummond’s campaign both deny it.

SQ 832: a competition-crushing, AI-adopting dream for Big Business

SQ 832: A Competition-Crushing, AI-Adopting Dream for Big Business

State Question 832, the ballot measure that would dramatically raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage, is a gift to Big Business, Big Tech, and the accelerating AI revolution. Oklahomans will vote on June 16th to decide the fate of our state's economic future. SQ 832 is bad news, and let me take a few moments to warn you about it.

We stand at the threshold of tremendous technological transformation, one that risks the “de-humanization” of common work. AI, algorithms, and robotics are increasingly being used, in all industries, to handle routine tasks. I'm watching it grow in the cleaning and restoration industry; I'm sure it's in your field as well.

If you pay any attention at all to what the Big Tech gurus are saying at global conferences and shindigs, they are eager to remove humans from the labor equation wherever possible. Other actors are seeking to use this to pursue a socialist Universal Basic Income, whereby everyone is on the government dole and thus more easily controlled, particularly as tech-driven surveillance becomes more mainstream (see State Rep. Tom Gann's long-running fight against the implementation of Flock cameras and similar technology across the state).

SQ 832 does not fight this trend; it subsidizes it. Rather than lifting employees up the ladder, it would saw it off above their reach.