Stitt touts support from fiscal conservative groups on special session tax relief plan

After calling a special session to remove the grocery sales tax and cut personal income taxes, plus vetoing legislation that would have instead given "inflation relief" checks of $75 per taxpayer (that apparently would be taxable federal income?), Governor Stitt has some fiscally conservative organizations lending him support:

GOVERNOR STITT’S CALL TO DELIVER REAL RELIEF, RIGHT NOW DRAWS BROAD SUPPORT

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 26, 2022) – Governor Kevin Stitt’s call for the Legislature to deliver Oklahomans real relief, right now is being praised by a broad coalition.

Bill signed to require public school bathrooms, changing rooms be based on biological sex

Good:

Bullard’s bill signed to protect boys’ and girls’ bathrooms in public schools

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 27th) – Senate Bill 615 was signed into law Wednesday, requiring restrooms or changing rooms in Oklahoma public schools to be designated exclusively based on biological sex. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, a strong proponent against school indoctrination of Oklahoma’s students, said his legislation will further protect their rights when it comes to having privacy in school bathrooms.

Regular legislative session ends, but hang on for the two special sessions

The final couple of days of the Oklahoma Legislature's 2022 regular session ended with a flurry of activity, vetoes, veto overrides, and sharp words between the executive and legislative branches.

While the regular session has adjourned, there are two special (or extraordinary) sessions that will take place throughout June, possibly longer. The first was called by the Legislature to deal with distributing federal stimulus funds, while the second was called by Gov. Stitt to deal with inflation relief via eliminating the grocery sales tax and cutting the personal income tax.

Here's the official press release on the conclusion of the regular session, from the office of Speaker Charles McCall. I'll probably have more to follow this post:

House adjourns Sine Die after historic pro-growth investments in Oklahoma's future

Details on Drummond's Donations to Democrats

In the race for Attorney General, the most well-funded Republican candidate, who has the most name recognition, the most TV ads, the most outside "dark money" groups helping him, and who leads in the polls, happens to be a longtime donor to Democratic candidates. In this article, you will meet and learn about Gentner Drummond, wannabe Attorney General. You will also hear from some other Republican candidates for office on their record of donating to Democrats. Read on.

Stitt calls special session to eliminate grocery sales tax and cut personal income tax

This will be the second special session for the summer, following a concurrent session called by the Legislature itself. Set the stage for another tussle between the Governor and Legislature.

GOVERNOR STITT CALLS SPECIAL SESSION TO DELIVER REAL INFLATION RELIEF TO OKLAHOMANS

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 26, 2022) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced he is calling a special session of the Legislature beginning June 13 to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries and reduce the personal income tax for all Oklahomans.

Two bills to make absentee ballots and voter registration more secure signed into law

Rep. Eric Roberts' Election Bills Become Law

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 25, 2022) – Two bills by Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, to make absentee ballot requests more secure and facilitate earlier identification of voters who have moved or died were signed into law on Friday.

Gov. Stitt signs bill allowing lawsuits against those performing or abetting abortions, starting at conception

While the headlines might scream that this bill bans abortion, it really doesn't. It's another smoke-and-mirrors piece of legislation that actually falls short of abolishing abortion in Oklahoma.

Gov. Stitt signs bill exempting livestock used to support family from property taxes

Livestock Supporting a Family to be Tax Exempt

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 25th) – The governor this week signed into a law a bill that exempts from personal property taxes livestock used to support a family, beginning in January 2023.

Senate candidate Dr. Randy Grellner puts $786k into ads

Dr. Randy Grellner of Cushing is one of the 13 Republican candidates seeking to replace retiring U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe. Amid the crowded field, I missed any news about his candidacy, until my wife saw his campaign represented at a local event. Somewhat ashamed that I had no recollection of his candidacy (haha!), I checked out his website, only to find out that he was dropping an astounding $786,000 on a media buy.

What?!

It's not often that a no-name, no-news candidate drops three quarters of a million dollars on a TV ad.

Alex Gray launches his first TV ad of Senate campaign

U.S. Senate candidate Alex Gray is out with his first TV ad, touting his experience as a senior national security advisor for President Trump and name-dropping some prominent past and present conservative Republican officials to draw positive parallels with himself. Gray is one of 13 Republicans seeking to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe.