Gann Raises Concerns After House Leadership Blocks Hearing on Controversial Proposed Oklahoma Smelter Project
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 27th) — State Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, condemned Oklahoma State House leadership Tuesday for rejecting three key interim-study requests, including a proposed hearing on the controversial Inola aluminum smelter, the ongoing rollout of automated AI surveillance technology, and a study on reforming the rules governing House activity and conduct.
Gann also said House officials prevented the House press office from distributing his public statement criticizing the denials. Members ordinarily submit news releases through the taxpayer funded office for distribution to news organizations and publication on the House website.
“This is censorship, plain and simple,” Gann said. “House leadership first used its power to prevent an elected representative from studying matters of enormous public importance. It then used its control of a taxpayer-funded press office to suppress criticism of that decision. That is an abuse of institutional power, and it shows a disregard for the people, the free press, and the principles of open and free discussion of policy.”
