OKLAHOMA CITY (April 22nd) – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, on Monday won passage of legislation that prohibits the governor from closing any business during a pandemic without documented scientific evidence that the nature of the business actually contributes to the spread of the disease.
Senate Bill 672 now moves to the governor's desk for his consideration of signing it into law.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (April 22nd) - Americans for Prosperity-Oklahoma (AFP-OK) thanked members of the House Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee today for their unanimous vote in favor of legislation to remove a long-hidden price markup on gas, groceries, and other essentials that make everyday life more expensive for Oklahomans.
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 22nd) – Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, on Monday passed legislation through the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that would make it a felony to traffic abortion pills.
House Bill 1168 would create a felony trafficking offense for someone to deliver or possess with the intent to deliver abortion-inducing drugs if that person knows or has reason to believe that the drug will be used by someone to have an illegal abortion as defined in law.
The bill will crack down on those distributing abortion-inducing pills, including delivery services that facilitate home delivery of mifepristone, misoprostol or similar drugs, Bullard said.
This month, Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed a new Oklahoma Supreme Court justice, filling a position vacated when Oklahoma voters ousted longtime liberal incumbent Justice Yvonne Kauger last November.
Kauger was the first Oklahoma Supreme Court justice removed by voters in state history. That action came amidst growing voter dissatisfaction with the court’s increasingly liberal bent in recent years.
Among the most notable examples of that trend is a bizarre 2019 ruling striking down the state’s $350,000 cap on vague noneconomic-damages awards in lawsuits. Under that law, Oklahomans could sue for unlimited actual damages, such as lost wages, medical expenses, and lifelong costs from an injury. The bill simply capped the noneconomic-damages portion of lawsuits, an area notorious for “jackpot” justice awards that can far outpace economic reason.
Yet the Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down that law, declaring it a “special law” since the cap applied in cases “where the plaintiff survives the injury-causing event, while persons who die from the injury-causing event face no such limitation.” (The Oklahoma Constitution prohibits capping noneconomic damages in cases involving death.)
The plaintiff in that case reportedly received $9.7 million in payment for an on-the-job accident but wanted millions more in “noneconomic” damages as well.
The negative impact of the court’s activist ruling has been significant.
In July 2019, a few months after the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling, the American Tort Reform Foundation ranked Oklahoma among the nation’s 10 worst “judicial hellholes.” The Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision on noneconomic caps was one factor cited.
“The Economic and Fiscal Impact of Excessive Tort Costs on Oklahoma,” a study commissioned by the State Chamber Research Foundation and conducted by the Perryman Group, found that excessive tort costs have translated into the loss of $3.7 billion in state gross product each year and almost 32,000 jobs in Oklahoma.
The study estimated the share of state economic losses tied to the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s 2019 decision totaled nearly $2.7 billion in gross product from 2020 to 2023.
However, only one sitting justice remains who was among the majority that struck down the cap in 2019. A new court may look more favorably on the idea. Lawmakers should reinstate the cap, which is sensible and commonly used nationwide.
Eight other states have caps on broad noneconomic damages, while 26 states cap noneconomic damages in medical-malpractice cases. Furthermore, those laws typically exempt cases involving reckless disregard for the rights of others, gross negligence, fraud, or intentional or malicious conduct.
It’s time for Oklahoma to again cap noneconomic damages. Those injured as the result of others’ action would still have access to full financial restoration, but the cap would provide financial certainty for businesses and encourage more investment in Oklahoma.
That’s a win-win for everyone.
Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 16th) - Senator George Burns, R-Pollard, today applauded the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) decision to halt progress on a controversial pumped storage hydroelectric project proposed on the Kiamichi River in Pushmataha County.
The proposed project by the Southeast Oklahoma Power Corporation (SEOPC), was officially halted after FERC determined that the company’s updated Proposed Study Plan (PSP), submitted on March 17, was still insufficient to proceed with planning. The Commission’s ruling follows widespread public opposition and a formal letter of protest from Sen. Burns in October.
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 17th) – The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee this week easily passed legislation to establish an income tax credit for individuals who donate to pregnancy resource centers.
On Monday, the committee advanced House Bill 1201 by Rep. Cody Maynard and Sen. David Bullard, both Republicans from Durant.
The bill provides an income tax credit equal to 70% of what an individual contributes to a nonprofit pregnancy resource center, including entities that provide maternity housing and facilities that offer care for new mothers and their newborn children.
A refreshingly good message from President Trump for Easter this year:
The White House (April 13, 2025) – This Holy Week, Melania and I join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—the living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity.
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| Photo credit: Claremore Main Street |
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (April 14th) - Americans for Prosperity-Oklahoma (AFP-OK) thanked members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee today for approving the Food Truck Freedom Act (HB1076) to cut back the burdensome permitting requirements that harm Oklahoma's food vendors and small restaurants.
As a steadfast advocate for Oklahoma's small businesses, AFP-OK is supporting the Food Truck Freedom Act so that food vendors need only one permit to operate anywhere in the state. Under the current system, vendors face a bevy of different licensure requirements and fees at every level of government, forcing them to spend time and money to jump through hoops instead of serving customers.
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 14, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced his appointment of Travis Jett to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. This is Governor Stitt’s fourth appointment to the state’s highest court, the most by any republican governor in Oklahoma history.
“Travis Jett is a man of integrity, wisdom, and deep respect for the rule of law,” said Governor Stitt. “He brings an impressive legal mind, a servant’s heart, and a wealth of legal experience to our Supreme Court. I am confident he will uphold our Constitution and apply the law fairly and faithfully for Oklahomans.”
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 15th) – House Speaker Kyle Hilbert announced today the formation of a select committee to review the finances at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).
Majority Leader Mark Lawson will chair the committee for the House and the following members have been appointed to the committee:
