Small: State court targets oil industry

State court targets oil industry

By Jonathan Small

Oklahomans are justifiably concerned about judicial activism. Even “minor” rulings can have major consequences. A recent Oklahoma Supreme Court decision falls into that category.

Thanks to the court’s ruling, an untold number of contracts have been nullified and countless state businesses left with daunting potential legal liability. Oklahoma companies operating in the oil and gas industry may be among those hardest hit.

When companies use subcontractors, it is common to have an indemnity contract that protects the contracting company from being sued for alleged wrongdoing done by a subcontractor.

But in Knox v. Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co., the Oklahoma Supreme Court invalidated an indemnity contract.

AFP-OK applauds grocery sales tax cut, calls for income tax relief next

Americans for Prosperity - Oklahoma Praises Grocery Tax Cut, Calls for Income Tax Relief Next

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Feb. 27th) - Today, Americans for Prosperity - Oklahoma (AFP-OK) celebrates the elimination of Oklahoma's state grocery tax - a landmark achievement that will ease the burden on families across the state struggling to make ends meet under the record high inflation caused by the Biden administration. 

While the grocery tax cut will help residents all across the state, AFP-OK urges lawmakers to take up reforms that will work to grow the whole state's economy. With a governor who has said he will sign any tax cut that crosses his desk and a large majority of Oklahomans in support of eliminating the income tax altogether, there's no reason for the legislature to stop here. 

Small: Bad bill would hike utility costs for consumers

Bad bill would hike utility costs for consumers

By Jonathan Small

In recent years, Oklahoma has gone from having some of the most affordable electric rates in the nation to some of the most expensive.

In September 2022, the Alliance for Electrical Restructuring in Oklahoma showed that electricity rates surged by 49 percent from June 2021 to June 2022, bumping Oklahoma from having the most affordable electricity rates in the nation to having the 18th-highest costs.

Given that trend, you would think Oklahoma lawmakers would be working to lower costs.

Instead, a measure that could further drive up electricity rates has advanced from the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Small: Radical environmental policies impact Oklahomans

Radical environmental policies impact Oklahomans

By Jonathan Small

Oklahoma families are feeling the financial pinch from progressives’ anti-fossil-fuel regulations. OG&E utility customers have received notice that their bills will be increased to recoup costs for higher natural gas and coal prices.

That’s just one small example of how Democratic environmental policies are indirectly draining families’ pocketbooks. Democrats are now trying to deflect blame by claiming “greedy” energy producers have created high prices. That excuse doesn’t withstand scrutiny.

Group seeks reforms to restructure OK's electricity market, allow for choice and competition

This is definitely not my topic of expertise, but it's something to keep an eye on.

AERO, Oklahoma Businesses, Seek Law Change Allowing Choice and Competition in Electricity Market

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Alliance for Electrical Restructuring in Oklahoma (AERO) today announced that it will advocate for reforms during the 2023 legislative session that would restructure Oklahoma’s electricity market to allow for choice and competition. If successful, the effort would end the monopoly status of Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E), Public Service Co. of Oklahoma (PSO) and Liberty Utilities as brokers of electricity for commercial and industrial consumers.