Senate sends three bills honoring Oklahoma’s military heroes to governor

Senate sends trio of bills honoring Oklahoma’s military heroes to governor

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 25th) – The Senate approved a trio of bills Monday honoring the service and sacrifice of Oklahoma’s military and their families. Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee chair Frank Simpson, R-Springer, authored the bills to ensure veterans are provided a proper burial and to help Oklahoma’s heroes save money in various areas.   

Reps. Hardin, Townley worry new State Park fees will lead to decreased tourism

Hardin, Townley Worry Park Fees Will Lead to Decreased Tourism

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 12th) – State Reps. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill, and Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, today expressed their frustration following the recent announcement by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department that state-owned parks would now begin charging parking fees.

“I was extremely disappointed and downright insulted by the answers I received today from Director Winchester on park fees,” Hardin said, “I believe the fees should be put on hold until Tourism corrects the reservation fraud going on and local representation has the opportunity to voice their concerns. Apparently people are making large profits on reservations they make and then resell. The fraud and the proposed fees are taking away the ability of local people to enjoy their state parks.”

Rep. Tommy Hardin explains 'No' vote on Health Emergency Declaration

The lone vote this morning against HCR 1001x in the State House, State Rep. Tommy Hardin explains his vote below:

Hardin Explains No Vote on Health Emergency Declaration

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Rep. Tommy Hardin issued the following statement after voting no today on House Concurrent Resolution 1001x, which expanded the governor’s declaration of a Health Emergency for all 77 counties in the state for 30 days.

“My actions today are not in any way meant to diminish the suffering of Oklahomans who may be ill with COVID-19 or who have lost loved ones to this disease. I don’t believe, however, that this current health crisis meets the requirements of the Catastrophic Health Emergency Act. I believe the Legislature could have worked with the governor to grant him specific authority on some of the sections of law in this act. Furthermore, the Legislature could have extended that more limited authority for longer than 30 days, ending the requirement for multiple days of special session, saving the taxpayers money.”

HCR1001x allows the executive branch to centralize state and county health department response efforts, to purchase necessary equipment or supplies up to $50 million and to waive certain laws and rules for the purpose of the pandemic response. It also allows him to mobilize the National Guard to help respond to the health emergency.

Rep. Hardin Comments on ‘Step Up Oklahoma’ Plan

Rep. Hardin Comments on ‘Step Up Oklahoma’ Plan

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tommy Hardin, R-Madill, issued the following statement today ahead of expected votes on the revenue portion of the Step Up Oklahoma plan. The proposal, endorsed by the State Chamber and numerous other business groups, enacts $750 million in new revenue.

“My years as an Air Traffic Controller have taught me to refrain from letting your circumstances, fears and emotions – or the fears and emotions of others – affect your judgement in emergency situations. If you do, someone is going to get hurt. Not everyone will arrive safely at the destination.

“As to our current crisis as a state, there are several ideas being discussed behind the scenes. These proposals haven’t been brought forth yet because there are elected officials, companies and other special interest groups that want to capitalize on your circumstances, fears and emotions to achieve the outcome they desire. I want all of us to arrive safely at the destination we expect without taking advantage of, or prospering at the expense of, Oklahomans.

“If I were to vote for the ‘Step Up Oklahoma’ plan, I will have given the power of my constituents over to the special interest groups. Those groups ultimately want to protect their bottom line on the backs of the taxpayers, and allowing them to do so means I would not deserve the position to which I was elected. I would ask that the people of this great state, and more specifically the people that elected me, to allow this slow, frustrating and painful process we call governing to run its course.

“It’s a true honor to continue to serve the folks in House District 49. My goal has always been and will forever be to take care of people – not to protect those who want to take advantage of others.”

Major Pickups for State GOP in Legislature

Republicans picked up SIX seats in the State Senate this evening, with Mark Allen (SD4), Josh Brecheen (SD6), Eddie Fields (SD10), Frank Simpson (SD14), Kim David (SD18) and Ralph Shortey (SD44) expanding the GOP ranks to 32 seats, and knocking the Democrats down to 16.

In the State House, the GOP picked up EIGHT seats, with Rusty Farley (HD1), John Bennett (HD2), Dustin Roberts (HD21), Tom Newell (HD28), Steve Vaughan (HD37), Aaron Stiles (HD45), Tommy Hardin (HD49), Jadine Nollan (HD66) growing the GOP majority to 70, and putting the Democrats at 31 seats.

Of these victorious candidates, the biggest shocker to me is Rusty Farley. Farley ran for this seat in 2008, and lost to Democrat Dennis Bailey 56.7%-43.3%. House District 1 contains (and only contains) McCurtain County in far southeastern Oklahoma. A whopping 11.8% of voters are registered Republicans, and 5.2% are Independents. This time, Farley received 50.83% of the vote against Bailey.

Did I mention that Bailey spent over $20,000 on his reelection bid, while Farley spent.... $70? Yes, Farley spent $70* and won the race.

See, I told you it was a shocker.


* - I have since learned that it was a newspaper ad. A newspaper ad. A, as in one.