Rep. Gann challenges PSO’s 2021 winter storm bonds at OK Supreme Court

Gann Challenges PSO’s 2021 Winter Storm Bonds at OK Supreme Court

OKLAHOMA CITY – An appeal brief filed Thursday by Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, asks the Oklahoma Supreme Court to invalidate some $700 million in ratepayer-backed bonds issued to cover costs incurred by Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) during February 2021’s Winter Storm Uri. Payments for those bonds have been collected on the monthly bills of PSO’s customers since the bonds were issued in September 2022. They are scheduled to continue for another 17 years.

Gann’s brief tells the court that the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) failed to provide a required audit of the bonds in PSO’s most recent rate case. He also argues PSO’s original 2021 Uri costs that were securitized into the bonds were never audited either.  Gann asserts the audit failures are fatal in both cases, making the OCC’s orders void. 

Sen. Daniels applauds ruling upholding ban on transgender procedures under age 18

Daniels Applauds Tenth Circuit Ruling Upholding SB613

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 8th) – The Tenth Circuit has upheld Oklahoma’s law prohibiting gender transition procedures on children under the age of 18.

SB613, authored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and Representative Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, was enacted in 2023. It prohibits medications designed to delay or suppress puberty and surgical procedures that alter or remove physical or anatomical characteristics or features that are typical for the individual’s biological sex. 

Stitt issues executive order to end state contracts with providers connected to abortion

While we're at it, how about we just flat-out abolish abortion next legislative session?

Governor Stitt Issues Sweeping Order Directing Agencies to Enforce Pro-Life Standards Across State Government

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 31, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order strengthening Oklahoma's commitment to protecting unborn life by directing state agencies to cease all public funding for any individual or organization affiliated with abortion providers. The order follows the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which affirmed that states have the right to decide which providers can take part in their Medicaid programs, including the right to block providers connected to abortion.

Small: Court finds discrimination is wrong

Court finds discrimination is wrong

By Jonathan Small

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that discrimination is wrong. That may surprise Ibram Kendi disciples but not any Oklahoman with an ounce of common sense.

(Kendi is the author of “How to be an Antiracist” and notoriously declared that “racial discrimination is not inherently racist” and the “only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination.”)

Marlean Ames, a white woman, began working for the Ohio Department of Youth Services in 2004. In 2019, she applied for a management position that ultimately went to a lesbian woman. The agency subsequently demoted Ames from her role as a program administrator and hired a gay man to take her place. Ames sued the agency, alleging she was denied the management promotion and demoted because of her sexual orientation.

Governor Stitt appoints Travis Jett to the Oklahoma Supreme Court

Governor Stitt Appoints Travis Jett to the Oklahoma Supreme Court

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 14, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced his appointment of Travis Jett to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. This is Governor Stitt’s fourth appointment to the state’s highest court, the most by any republican governor in Oklahoma history.

“Travis Jett is a man of integrity, wisdom, and deep respect for the rule of law,” said Governor Stitt. “He brings an impressive legal mind, a servant’s heart, and a wealth of legal experience to our Supreme Court. I am confident he will uphold our Constitution and apply the law fairly and faithfully for Oklahomans.”

AG Drummond asks Supreme Court to act on Virginia voter registration case, protect election integrity

A good time to remind everyone to vote for State Question 834, which would specifically restrict Oklahoma voting to only citizens.

Drummond asks U.S. Supreme Court to expedite Virginia voter registration case, protect election integrity

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 29, 2024) – With a presidential election only days away, Attorney General Gentner Drummond is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to allow Virginia to remove non-citizens from its voter roll. In an amicus brief filed yesterday, Drummond and a coalition of 25 other states argue that a preliminary injunction halting the state of Virginia from removing self-identified non-citizens from its rolls undermines a state’s authority to determine voter qualifications. Virginia’s law provides mechanisms to protect election integrity, while ensuring only U.S. citizens remain on voter rolls.

Small: U.S. Supreme Court should take Oklahoma case

U.S. Supreme Court should take Oklahoma case

By Jonathan Small

This year the Oklahoma Supreme Court declared the Catholic Church cannot sponsor the proposed St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, declaring the church would be a “state actor” using taxpayer funds for religious purposes.

The case could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Oklahomans should hope justices agree to take up this important case.

There are good policy reasons to hope St. Isidore ultimately prevails.

Small: Arguments against religious charter schools fall short

Arguments against religious charter schools fall short

By Jonathan Small

The Catholic Church wants to open the nation’s first religious public charter school here in Oklahoma. After reviewing the application, the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board has voted to approve creation of the online St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.

That decision has drawn pushback from some, but opponents’ arguments are weak.

Gov. Stitt 'encouraged' by Supreme Court putting pause on Tulsa case over tribal citizen violations of city ordinances

GOVERNOR STITT RELEASES STATEMENT ON HOOPER V. CITY OF TULSA UPDATE

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 27, 2023) - Governor Stitt released a statement praising the decision of the United States Supreme Court to temporarily stay the mandate of the 10th Circuit's decision in Hooper v. City of Tulsa. 

Gov. Stitt sets record straight on tribal tobacco compacts, touts 'One Oklahoma' effort

Gov. Kevin Stitt is out with two short videos dealing with continued fallout from the disastrous McGirt decision (in short, recognizing most of Oklahoma as Indian reservation land, contrary to a century of interpretation) as it relates to tribal tobacco compacts, and a recent 10th Circuit court case that said Tulsa cannot enforce municipal violations, such as traffic tickets, against tribal citizens.

Watch below:

Small: 'Trigger' law needed for income tax repeal

‘Trigger’ law needed

By Jonathan Small

The fallout from the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma continues today. A recent federal court decision declaring Indians to be exempt from city police enforcement of municipal laws in local courts in Tulsa is just the latest example.

That issue is being appealed and many other issues are winding their way through the court system.

Oklahoma leaders celebrate after ending June with major conservative wins at the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ended June (or as I saw one person dub it, "LGBT Ramadan") with a string of major wins for conservatives. Below are press releases from Congressmen Brecheen and Hern, Senator Lankford, Attorney General Gentner Drummond, and OCPA on several of these rulings.

Dahm files legislation to protect teachers’ First Amendment rights

Sen. Dahm files legislation to protect teachers’ First Amendment rights

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 28, 2022) – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed legislation requiring school districts to inform teachers of their First Amendment rights and obtain reauthorization every year before deducting union dues from teachers’ paychecks.

AG O'Connor celebrates Oklahoma's multiple wins in recent SCOTUS term

SCOTUS Summary 2021-22: Oklahoma Wins Multiple Cases on Key Issues

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 13th) - On June 30, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) issued its final opinions for the 2021-22 term, a year in which the State of Oklahoma enjoyed overwhelming success protecting Oklahomans and their constitutional rights.   

The U.S. Supreme Court issued 66 formal opinions this term, according to SCOTUSblog. The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office participated in 21 of these 66 cases—winning 15.

Stitt, O'Connor celebrate major SCOTUS ruling limiting McGirt

I was out of town on a church mission trip and missed this news, but I'm going to post it belatedly anyway because of how important it is:

State Prevails at U.S. Supreme Court, Can Protect Crime Victims in Eastern Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 29, 2022) - Attorney General John O'Connor released the following statement, “Today, the U.S. Supreme Court stood up for the safety of Oklahomans of native American heritage in eastern Oklahoma.  The Supreme Court recognized Oklahoma’s sovereignty and jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indians who commit crimes against Indians in eastern Oklahoma. 

Supreme Court kills Roe v Wade; Oklahoma leaders rejoice

Though anticipated since the leak of a draft opinion in May, the United States Supreme Court has overturned and affirmed the complete and total unconstitutionality of Roe v. Wade. The death toll since that wicked ruling in 1973 is somewhere well north of 60,000,000.

While this is something to praise God for, the fight is not over. The right to live on God's green earth as He has given life is not a right that can be legislated by a governing body, or bestowed by a court. It is a natural right given to us by our Creator, and we will continue pressing on until abortion is abolished from sea to shining sea, and beyond.

Across the state, elected officials and leaders are praising the death of Roe. I'll try to update this post with additional statements throughout the day as they come in.

Lankford denounces Senate gun legislation vote

Lankford Statement on Safer Communities Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued a statement following his no vote on the Safer Communities Act, the proposed gun legislation being rushed through the Senate this week:

Cherokee Chief orders removal of Oklahoma flags from Cherokee Nation properties

CHEROKEE NATION CHIEF BANS DISPLAY OF OKLAHOMA STATE FLAG

by Ray Carter (Center for Independent Journalism)

Through a new executive order, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. has prohibited display of the state flag of Oklahoma at tribal facilities.

Hoskin’s executive order declares that the chief of staff of the Cherokee Nation shall “cause all flags of the State of Oklahoma to be removed from Cherokee Nation properties” by Sept. 1.

It’s the latest indication that some tribal officials and activists do not consider themselves citizens of Oklahoma now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled their tribal reservations were never disestablished, creating numerous jurisdictional questions on everything from public safety to taxation.

Fair: 'Premature Celebration' on SCOTUS leak

PREMATURE CELEBRATION

by Steve Fair

    On Monday May 2nd, Politico, a Virginia political journalism organization founded in 2007, obtained and released a 98-page draft document that indicated the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) is poised to strike down the landmark Roe vs. Wade(1973) and Planned Parenthood vs Casey(1992) decisions. 

     On Tuesday morning, SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts confirmed the draft opinion was authentic, but stressed the opinion was ‘not a final decision by the court.’   Roberts vowed the leak would not undermine the integrity of the court’s operations and vowed to have the U.S. Marshal service investigate the leak.

Small: Unprecedented attack on judicial system

Unprecedented attack on judicial system

By Jonathan Small

For some on the political left, failure to achieve their goals through existing processes does not lead them to reassess their tactics or strategy. Instead, they immediately resort to unprecedented efforts to destroy the system. If they can’t win playing by the rules, some on the left want to jettison rules altogether.

But that attitude doesn’t result in a better world for all. Instead, it breeds anarchy. The recent release of a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade provides the latest example.