Which would you opt for?
After some remarkable victories in the June primary, Oklahoma conservatives continued the winning streak with additional successes in today's runoff election across the state. This primary-runoff cycle has been, without a doubt, the best election for conservatives in at least a decade.
The State Senate District 3 GOP primary features a middle-of-the-road incumbent Republican (Blake 'Cowboy' Stephens) and two conservative challengers - Dr. Julie McIntosh and Wagoner City Councilor Patrick Sampson.
The McIntosh's are family friends and carpet cleaning customers, at home and medical practice. Julie's husband Brad was a longtime partner with the late great Dr. Tom Coburn. Coburn's widow, Carolyn, issued the following endorsement statement for Julie McIntosh:
A letter from Carolyn Coburn, the wife of late U.S. Senator Tom Coburn:
While a lot of people like the "fall back" clock switch, practically nobody appreciates "spring forward". There's a push in the state legislature, and across the country, to pick one and stick with it. So... Standard Time, or Daylight Saving Time? You have both camps in the Oklahoma Legislature. Earlier this week I ran a column from one House member who wants to switch to permanent Standard Time. The State Senate, however, once again has voted to adopt permanent Daylight Saving Time. Confused? Yeah. We all are.
OKLAHOMA CITY (March 12th) – Senate Bill 1200 received approval from the full Senate Monday and provides that Oklahoma remain on Daylight Saving Time year-round should Congress pass legislation allowing states to choose whether or not to take part in the bi-annual time change. The bill’s author, Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens, R-Tahlequah, has long advocated for locking the clock, citing the health and safety benefits of having an extra hour of light in the evenings.
Senate committee looks for ways to increase state’s turkey population
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Tourism and Wildlife Committee heard from wildlife experts Monday about why Oklahoma has seen a significant decline it its turkey population. Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens, R-Tahlequah, requested the study to find possible legislative solutions to increase their numbers.
“As someone who grew up hunting in rural Oklahoma, I’m extremely concerned and saddened by the disturbing drop we’ve seen in our state’s turkey population in recent years,” Stephens said. “We have a legislative and moral responsibility to protect not only our state lands, but the species that inhabit them, including the wild turkey. I appreciate the recommendations we received from our state’s wildlife experts and am looking forward to working with my colleagues to help better protect the majestic thunder chicken as it is fondly referred to.”
With state coffers flush with taxpayer money, Governor Stitt had the audacity to suggest that the Legislature do something to give taxpayers a break and stop seizing so much of their money. On Tuesday, without so much as taking the slightest move towards considering anything in Gov. Stitt's special-session call, Pro Tem Treat moved to adjourn the Senate 'sine die', thus effectively ending the special session a handful of hours after it began.
So far, at least four conservative GOP senators have spoken out in disappointment at the move, and the Senate's failure to provide tax relief for Oklahomans. Read on for comments from State Sens. Warren Hamilton, Cody Rogers, Blake Stephens, and Rob Standridge (in order from first received to most recent):
OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 28th) – The full Senate approved Senate Bill 7 Tuesday. The measure, by Sen. Blake Cowboy Stephens, R-Tahlequah, would stop Oklahoma from changing the clock twice a year and lock in Daylight Saving Time (DST) year round.
OKLAHOMA CITY (November 28th) – Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens has officially filed Senate Bill 7 ahead of the 2023 session, which calls for Oklahoma to remain in Daylight Saving Time (DST) year-round. The measure will be a “trigger law” that would go into effect following the passage of the Sunshine Protection Act by Congress, which would give states the option to end the time change.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Blake Stephens, R-Tahlequah, continues to advocate for Daylight Saving Time (DST) to be the official year-round time in Oklahoma. Stephens has advocated for DST legislation since he was elected to the Senate in 2020.
The Sunshine Protection Act was unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate earlier this year and is awaiting consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives, followed by the president. If approved, DST would be able to become permanent across the nation, with many states already having legislation in place to be enacted upon the passage of the act.
I attend church in a rural community, where many of the members have a hand in ranching. I've heard most of them discuss this problem over the past several years, particularly during calving.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens held an interim study Monday to look into the significant harm done to livestock and property by predatory birds. Stephens, R-Tahlequah, said the most destructive is the black vulture.
“Most people have no idea how deadly and vicious black vultures can be for livestock. They will attack baby calves as they are being born and literally eat them alive, and they’ll attack the mother as she’s giving birth,” Stephens said. “It is a gruesome situation that can cost a family thousands of dollars in lost livestock, but their hands are literally tied by federal law.”
Stephens said black vultures are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Oklahomans can get a permit to take up to five birds per permit, per year, but Stephens said that’s woefully inadequate to address the exploding population of vultures.
