Small: Response to MLK legislation is telling

Response to MLK legislation is telling

By Jonathan Small

Oklahoma law currently prohibits teaching children that “one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex.”

This year, lawmakers have advanced legislation to have public schools provide lessons on the “natural law and natural rights principles that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., drew from that informed his leadership of the civil rights movement.”

It’s not a coincidence that many who opposed the aforementioned anti-racism law now oppose the MLK bill with some going so far as to claim you can’t teach about King without violating the prohibition on teaching racial superiority.

One suspects King would be surprised to hear that.

State Senate passes bill to increase pay for jury duty

Hicks bill to increase pay for jury duty sent to House

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 28th) – The full Senate approved legislation Tuesday to increase compensation for citizens serving jury duty. Senate Bill 713, by Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, would increase pay for jurors in non-federal courts from $20 to $30 per day.

State Senate Dems lament passage of state budget that doesn't spend more

Statement From Senate Democrats on passage of FY 2023 budget

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 18th) – The Oklahoma Senate Democratic Caucus released the following statements after passage of the FY 2023 General Appropriations bill:

Senators comment after $10.5 Billion certified for state budget

Senate Appropriations Chair comments on Feb. 22 revenue certification

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, issued the following statement after the Oklahoma State Board of Equalization (BOE) met on Tuesday to certify revenues available for appropriation for the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. The amount initially certified by the board in December was $10.3 billion.  The amount certified Tuesday was $10.49 billion. 

“The revenue figures show Oklahoma’s economy is still strong, but I emphatically believe it is in the best interest of the state that we continue to take a fiscally conservative approach.  It’s important to remember that of the $10.49 billion certified, nearly $1.3 billion is made up of one-time carryover funds and special cash from previous sessions. 

“Oklahoma has continued to benefit from federal dollars related to the pandemic, which helped these numbers. Knowing that will change, and that energy prices will not always remain as high as they are now, we must be cautious in our approach to the budget.  We need to continue to boost our emergency savings and make careful decisions now while the economy is strong, so that we are prepared for what may come the next few years.”   

Democratic members of Senate Finance Committee comment on State Board of Equalization meeting

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee released the following statements in response to today’s State Board of Equalization meeting: