Oklahoma named one of finalist states for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses

The U.S. Department of Energy has selected Oklahoma and 4 other states as potential host locations for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses - "a new effort to strengthen and modernize the nation’s full nuclear fuel cycle" - narrowing the field from 26 states that applied for the project. The Department will ultimately select up to three states for the Innovation Campuses.

Joining Oklahoma are Idaho, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Utah. According to the DOE, each of the proposed campuses could bring an estimated $50B in capital investment and 25,000 jobs. Here's more on what these campuses are all about: 

The proposed campuses are designed to support activities across the full nuclear fuel lifecycle, including fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing used nuclear fuel, and final disposition of used nuclear fuel. Depending on state priorities and regional capabilities, the campuses may also host advanced reactor deployment, power generation, advanced manufacturing, and co located data centers.

Below are reactions from a number of elected officials:

Gov. Stitt signs 'Oklahoma Dream Accounts' bill, adding $250 to children's Trump Accounts

Building the American Dream: Governor Stitt Signs Oklahoma Dream Accounts Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 23, 2026) - Governor Kevin Stitt has signed House Bill 4071, the Oklahoma Dream Accounts Investment Program Act, to help give every eligible Oklahoma child a stronger financial start in life.

“The American Dream is different for every young Oklahoman. Let’s give them the opportunity to achieve it. With Trump Accounts and this $250 investment from the state, we are putting real resources behind their future,” said Governor Stitt.

Governor Stitt called for the investment in these American Dream accounts in his State of the State. HB 4071 creates the Oklahoma Dream Accounts Investment Program and the Oklahoma Trump Account Investment Fund. The bill authorizes the State Treasurer to make a one-time $250 contribution into the federally authorized Trump Account of each eligible Oklahoma child, once a family applies and the account is verified.

State lawmakers urge Oklahomans: Be wary of signing SQ 836 petition

Most - but not all - of the Oklahoma Legislature's Republican members signed the following letter against State Question 836. Some of the missing names are unusual (mostly RINOs with a sprinkling of real conservatives); I'm trying to track down why a few of the 'good guys' aren't on here.

State lawmakers urge Oklahomans: Be wary of signing SQ 836 petition

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 22, 2026)—Today, Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton and Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, along with 110 of their fellow members of the Oklahoma Legislature, issued an open letter to the people of Oklahoma, urging them to be wary of signing the initiative petition to place State Question 836 on the statewide ballot.

The letter can be read here [PDF].

All totaled, the letter represents over 75 percent of the membership of Oklahoma’s two legislative chambers.

Election calendar modernization law takes effect, limits election dates

This was a good idea, and long needed. Far too often, local jurisdictions would schedule important votes at odd times in an effort to sneak through tax and bond increases. Standardizing election dates may help with raising voter turnout in these types of elections.

Election Calendar Modernization Law to Take Effect

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 31st) – A new law modernizing Oklahoma’s election calendar will affect elections beginning Jan. 1, 2026, bringing greater clarity, consistency and efficiency to when elections are held across the state.

Senate Bill 652 consolidates Oklahoma’s election dates into five standard election days each year, held in February, April, June, August and November. Previously, Oklahoma law allowed for up to 12 possible election dates in odd-numbered years and up to seven in even-numbered years. Frequent, low-profile elections often draw a small fraction of registered voters while requiring significant time and resources from county election boards and poll workers.

Senate Pro Tem Paxton approves Interim Study requests for 2025 Legislative interim

Pro Tem Paxton Approves Interim Study Requests for 2025 Legislative Interim

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 2nd) – Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, has approved a series of interim study requests that will be considered during the Oklahoma Senate’s interim period.

Interim studies have been assigned to relevant Senate committees and will be scheduled at the discretion of each committee chair. All approved studies must be completed by October 31.

These studies allow lawmakers to take a deeper dive into important issues facing the state ahead of the 2026 legislative session.

Republican Jeff Starling launches campaign for Attorney General

Former State Rep. Jon Echols is now joined in the Republican primary to be Oklahoma's next Attorney General by Jeff Starling. Echols was a member of House GOP leadership, while Starling worked with the Senate GOP PAC; will this shape up to be a House versus Senate race when it comes to money and endorsements?

Jeff Starling Launches Campaign for Attorney General

TULSA, Ok. (July 1st) –– This morning, Jeff Starling, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and Environment, officially announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Oklahoma.

Jeff Starling is a conservative, attorney, businessman, and dedicated public servant with over twenty years of experience in law, energy, and leadership. Starling enters the race with a commitment to uphold the rule of law, defend the Constitution, and protect Oklahoma's way of life as Attorney General.

Governor Stitt, legislative leaders announce $12.6B state budget deal

Governor Stitt, Legislature Announce Budget Deal

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 14, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt, Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert unveiled a comprehensive agreement aimed at cutting taxes, investing in key infrastructure, and strengthening Oklahoma’s business-friendly climate.

The agreement includes a quarter-point tax cut to the state income tax, a consolidation of income tax brackets and a true path to zero income tax, ensuring that Oklahoma stays competitive with surrounding states.

Oklahoma Legislature formally elects new 2025-2026 leadership

Earlier this week, the Oklahoma Legislature met for the constitutionally-required Organizational Day, where both legislative chambers formally elected their leadership and passed the rules package by which their respective bodies will operate for the next term.

Oklahoma officials celebrate cancellation of 18-mile-wide federal energy corridor crossing state

Property owners across the state are breathing a sigh of relief at the cancellation of an 18-mile-wide federal energy corridor, but by no means does that signal time to retreat and close eyes to future potential projects.

Numerous communities and groups across the state raised alarm over the project, culminating in a well-attended meeting at the Creek County Fairgrounds where House Speaker-elect Kyle Hilbert announced that the federal Department of Energy was removing designation that would have allowed eminent domain for the project, leading to its scrapping.

Small: Tax repeal must be priority

Tax repeal must be priority

By Jonathan Small

Now that this year’s elections have concluded, Republican caucuses have selected leadership in both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature. State Rep. Kyle Hilbert of Bristow will serve as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives while state Sen. Lonnie Paxton of Tuttle will serve as president pro tempore of the Senate.

As they prepare agendas for the 2025 legislative session, which starts in February, Republicans in both chambers must be prepared to tackle one of Oklahoma’s most pressing economic challenges – the state’s penalty on work.

Pro Tem-designee Paxton names key Senate leadership positions

Pro Tem Designee Paxton Names Key Leadership Positions

OKLAHOMA CITY (November 12th) – Senate Pro Tem Designee Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, today has named key members of his leadership team after being tapped as the Senate’s next leader.

Pro Tem Designee Paxton has appointed Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, as the Senate Majority Floor Leader, Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, as Appropriations Chairman and Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, as Vice Chairman of Appropriations.

BREAKING: State Sen. Paxton defeats Bullard by 1 vote in Pro Tem-designate race

As I just broke on the Muskogee Politico Twitter feed,  establishment pick State Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) defeated conservative challenger David Bullard (R-Durant) by one vote in the Oklahoma State Senate GOP caucus vote for President Pro Tempore-designate. 

In the vote to lead the legislature's upper chamber, Paxton received 20 votes to Bullard's 19.

Senate GOP elects Paxton as Pro Tem designee - at least for now

The Republican majority caucus of the Oklahoma Senate met today to elect the President Pro Tempore-designee who will ostensibly lead the chamber for the next legislative term. Again. Remember, the last guy (Majority Floor Leader Greg McCortney) was shockingly defeated by a conservative challenger in the June primary. Today's designee, State Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle), may not end up as the Pro Tem, either, as some controversy and complications swirled around today's vote.

For example, of the 40 Republicans, at least 11 are not returning to the body after November, due to term limits, not seeking reelection, or (as in McCortney's case) election defeat. These members still got to vote in-caucus on the leader for 2025-2026. Additionally, it seems that several conservative senators are in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, and were not present for the meeting. Perhaps this was by design.

State Senators file legislation to limit virtual school days

Senators file legislation to limit virtual school days

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 23rd) –Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, have filed legislation to limit virtual instruction in Oklahoma’s public schools. Under Senate Bill 1768, instruction would only take place virtually in the event of inclement weather, staff shortages caused by illness, building maintenance issues, or if found necessary by school administrators.

AG Drummond creates organized crime task force to combat illegal marijuana grows

Drummond creates organized crime task force to combat illegal grow operations

Citizen tipline added

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 20, 2023) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond has created an Organized Crime Task Force to combat the scourge of illegal marijuana grow operations across Oklahoma and added a resource for citizens to report suspicious activity related to unlicensed operations.

20 Oklahoma legislators endorse Ron DeSantis for President

20 Oklahoma Legislators Endorse Gov. Ron DeSantis for President

ATLANTA, Ga. (June 7th) – 20 state senators and representatives in the Oklahoma legislature have endorsed Gov. Ron DeSantis to be the next President of the United States ahead of the governor’s trip to Tulsa on Saturday, June 10th.

39 of Oklahoma’s 48 State Senators urge NO Vote on SQ 820

39 of Oklahoma’s 48 State Senators Urge NO Vote on SQ 820

(February 28th) A group of 39 State Senators representing voters all across the state released a letter today urging Oklahomans to reject State Question 820.    Those 39 Senators represent more than 81% of Oklahomans. 

“I always appreciate it when I know where an elected official stands on important issues, so I wanted to make my voice heard.  I told a few colleagues I was going to speak out and quickly found out that they wanted their position known as well,” said Senator Lonnie Paxton. 

“On this topic especially, it is easy to speak out because passage of this state question would be disastrous to Oklahoma,” Paxton continued. 

Rep. Phillips, Sen. Paxton praise pandemic stimulus projects focusing on broadband access

Phillips, Paxton Praise Joint Committee Focus on Broadband

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 22nd) – Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds, on Thursday praised the Oklahoma House and Senate Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding for their focus on addressing broadband issues through projects they advanced. The projects advanced during the joint committee's meeting on Tuesday will now be considered when the Legislature reconvenes it's special session to appropriate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars.

Proposed congressional, legislative redistricting maps released

Proposed congressional, legislative redistricting maps released

OKLAHOMA CITY – Little change would occur to Oklahoma's current congressional districts and recently-passed new legislative districts under the state's proposed redistricting maps released Monday.

Based on feedback received through the state's historic public input process, Oklahoma would continue to have two majority urban congressional districts and three majority rural congressional districts. New state legislative district maps initially passed in May change just slightly in the proposals released Monday.

Highlights of the proposals include:

• More compact legislative and congressional districts
• 87% of Oklahomans remain in the same congressional district
• Major military bases and related military communities remain in the same congressional districts

"Oklahomans produced a strong redistricting proposal that maintains appropriate urban and rural representation while protecting multibillion dollar investments in Oklahoma's military installations and surrounding communities," said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, and House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, in a joint statement. "This plan should serve Oklahoma exceptionally well for the next decade. We look forward to giving it full consideration in the coming weeks."

The proposals will be voted on in a legislative special session beginning Nov. 15. Like any legislative bill, the proposals will receive committee and floor votes. They must pass both legislative chambers and be signed by the governor to become law.

The redistricting plans the Legislature will vote on can be viewed online. Click here for House maps, here for Senate maps and here for congressional maps.

Redistricting committees announce congressional map submission deadline

Redistricting committees announce congressional map submission deadline

Say work ongoing to modify legislative maps

OKLAHOMA CITY – The chairs of the Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives redistricting committees announced Oct. 10 as the deadline for public map submissions for congressional redistricting.

The public can submit congressional redistricting maps to the Senate via email at redistricting@oksenate.gov or to the House via email at redistrictingoklahoma2020@okhouse.gov. Public map submissions are limited to one submission per person. Submissions must be from Oklahoma citizens. Each map must include a statewide plan for all five congressional districts. More information on the parameters for public map submissions can be found here. Detailed instructions on how to submit a map can be found here.

“Our series of in-person and virtual town halls were successful and helped us maintain our commitment to an open and transparent process that incorporates input from the public. Now is the time for the public to submit congressional redistricting maps, and we welcome their contributions to the process,” said Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle and chair of the Senate Select Committee on Redistricting.

The Senate and House redistricting committees earlier this month wrapped up a series of in-person and virtual town hall meetings on the congressional redistricting process. The Senate and House held 29 town hall meetings about both legislative and congressional redistricting around the state and online. Recordings of those meetings are available on the redistricting websites of the Senate and the House.

“We are counting on the public to take ownership of congressional redistricting just as they did for legislative redistricting,” said Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond, chairman of the House State and Federal Redistricting Committee. “Oklahoma will maintain five congressional seats that will require adjustments to account for population growth and other factors prescribed in law. Public input will once again be vital to getting these districts drawn properly for the next decade.”