"2 tiers of justice": leaders oppose Tulsa move to cede enforcement power over tribal citizens

Governor Stitt, State and Local Leaders, Push Back on Tulsa’s Move to Cede Enforcement Power

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 23, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt, in conjunction with county and local leaders and law enforcement, released the following statements concerning a proposed settlement agreement between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation which would cede all enforcement authority over tribal citizens to the Muscogee Nation.

“Tulsa is essentially making itself a sanctuary city for tribal members engaged in criminal activity. As elected leaders, it is our job to represent our constituents regardless of race, heritage, or political affiliation,” said Gov. Stitt. “This proposed move by Mayor Nichols sets a concerning precedent and will make it impossible for elected officials and Oklahoma law enforcement to protect their communities. I will take every action to reverse course and ensure the rule of law is the same for everyone.”

This settlement comes after a drawn out legal battle between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation regarding the authority of state and local police to investigate and prosecute crimes committed by and perpetrated against non-member Indians.

State Sen. Regina Goodwin verbally spars with officer during traffic stop, cited for running stop sign

State Sen. Regina Goodwin (D-Tulsa) had a recent run-in with the law after a Tulsa County sheriff's deputy observed her rolling through two stop signs in downtown Tulsa. What could have been a routine, brief encounter and a warning turned into almost a half hour of verbally sparring with the officer and refusing fifteen requests to hand over her driver's license.

One thing led to another, and Tulsa mayor Monroe Nichols and City Councilor Laura Bellis showed up at the scene (not the type of assistance Joe Citizen gets, I'm sure), which ended in Goodwin being briefly handcuffed and ticketed. NonDoc has a good synopsis of the traffic stop here, along with bodycam footage. As NonDoc pointed out, this is the third legislator-and-law-enforcement encounter in the past two-and-a-half years that left significant egg on the overly-entitled and self-important legislators' faces.

Goodwin was elected to the State Senate in November, after serving nine years in the State House. The Tulsa County GOP is calling on her to apologize for her inexcusable behavior:

State Rep. Amanda Swope resigns mere weeks before legislative session

Oh, look... a second state legislator to resign in the weeks after winning reelection. Here comes another special election in 2025; that will make for at least three in the first half of the year (two house, one senate). State Rep. Amanda Swope (D-Tulsa) makes it a bipartisan affair, leaving to take a position with new Tulsa mayor and former State Rep. Monroe Nichols:

Swope announces departure from legislature, outlines future plans to continue serving Tulsa

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 13th) – Oklahoma House Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, announced her final day in the Oklahoma Legislature will be January 28, 2025. Swope will start work as the Director of Tribal Policy & Partnership in the administration of Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols.

Small: No need to “California” Oklahoma elections

No need to “California” Oklahoma elections

By Jonathan Small

This week, the group Oklahoma United called for abolishing our state’s primary election system and replacing it with a “jungle primary” in which the top two candidates proceed to the November general election ballot regardless of party.

Oklahoma United’s proposal is substantially based on California law. So, if you think California politics represent the ideal, this plan is for you. But for most Oklahomans, that alone is a giant red flag.

OK House Dems respond to recent shootings with major gun control proposal

True to form, Oklahoma House Democrats can't let a "crisis go to waste" in their desire to torch constitutional gun rights. They jumped in front of the cameras with a major gun control proposal. 

By the way, also true to form, none of what they came up with would have stopped the killers in the recent shootings they referenced. The modern Democratic Party is consumed with destroying the Constitution at just about every turn, but especially the Second Amendment. Just look north of the border to what Canada's little tyrant Trudeau is doing for what they'd really like to copy.

Needless to say, this won't go anywhere in the Oklahoma Legislature.

Democrats Push for Solutions to Gun Violence with SAVE Act

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 2nd) -- The House Democratic Caucus today at a press conference announced a series of responsible public-safety measures meant to prevent gun violence.

House Dems respond to Special Session announcement

House Democrats Respond to Special Session Announcement

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 18th) – House Democrats released the following statements today after legislative Republicans called a special session to move the approving authority for American Rescue Plan funds from the executive branch to the Legislature. 

Rep. Nichols announces initiative to increase transparency, accountability for policing

Nichols Announces March for Reform Initiative

Legislation Would Increase Transparency, Accountability for Policing

OKLAHOMA CITY -- State Rep. Monroe Nichols (D-Tulsa) today unveiled an initiative to increase transparency and accountability of policing practices in Oklahoma communities.

The March for Reforms Initiative offers legislative solutions to problems regarding a lack of independent investigations, citizen oversight, and critical incident accountability. The legislative solutions include the creation of the Office of Independent Monitor within the State Attorney General’s Office, and the creations of the Oklahoma State Law Enforcement Standards and Training Taskforce.

“My father was a police officer, my uncle is a current police officer, this package is not an attack on law enforcement,” Nichols said. “I hope that these reforms will instead serve as a check on the profession, just like we have checks and balances at the capitol. These are critical steps that I believe will enhance officer and citizen safety. As we move through the interim, my goal is to spend time with law enforcement and citizens to work on these reforms. There is no reason the community and law enforcement can’t come together to get this done.”

House modifies affordable housing credit as part of budget agreement, Dems protest

House maintains modified affordable housing credit

OKLAHOMA CITY – The House of Representatives maintained a modified affordable housing tax credit program by passing House Bill 2760 on Thursday.

To help balance the $1.4 billion budget hole projected for Fiscal Year 2021, a number of areas of state spending were modified. In HB 2760, the State Affordable Housing Tax Credit was maintained by reducing the limit on new 10-year tax credits issued to qualified homebuilders from $4 million a year to $2 million a year, saving the state $110 million over the next decade.

“When you’re facing a 17% budget hole, difficult decisions get made that can be reevaluated when revenues return. This is one of those cases,” said House Appropriations and Budget Vice Chairman Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. “This program will be able to maintain operations under a reduced credit amount until it can be reevaluated when state revenues rebound.”

House Dems call for Senate to increase state employee pay, pensions

House Dems Call on Senate to Act on State Employee Pay and Compensation

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democrats called on Senate Republicans today to reconsider legislation that gives state employees a $2,500 pay raise, and for both House and Senate Republicans to accept and pass an amendment for a 4 percent cost of living adjustment.

“Our state employees have waited for the legislature to act on these issues long enough,” said Minority Leader Emily Virgin (D-Norman). “It is time for Senate Republicans to stop playing political games with the financial wellbeing of state employees.”

Although both pieces legislation addressing state employee pay raises (HB2763) and pensions (HB2304) are currently inactive, there are still options available to accomplish the raise and cost of living adjustment.

A state employee pay raise could be reconsidered through the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget, and a 4 percent COLA could be realized through the amendment process.

“Both of these goals can be accomplished,” said Rep. David Perryman (D-Chickasha). “This is a matter of will and priorities. If we can find a way to legalize alcohol being served on a golf course, surely we can carve out a little time and dedication to the thousands of Oklahomans who have and are serving our state as public employees.”

It has been 11 years since state retirees have seen a cost of living adjustment. House Bill 2304, authored by Republican Rep. Avery Frix, passed through the House 91-3.

“Whatever drama is happening on the Senate side, I know Oklahoma retirees aren’t the cause,” Rep. Monroe Nichols said. “Yet, for more than a decade they keep getting hurt by the pettiness in this building. Through the amendment process, we are going to give the legislature another chance to get this right. For the sake of the thousands of retirees in Tulsa County and the many more throughout the state, I hope we do.”