OK Attorney Gen O’Connor calls for faster implementation of Anti-Robocall technology

Attorney General O’Connor Calls for Faster Implementation of Anti-Robocall Technology

OKLAHOMA CITY - Attorney General John O’Connor today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to fight back against illegal robocalls and caller ID spoofing by moving up the deadline for telephone companies to implement caller ID technology.

The current deadline for compliance for some companies isn’t until June 2023.

Attorney general O’Connor said the deadline is too far away.

“Oklahomans are being victimized by these unlawful robocalls and spoofing,” Attorney General O’Connor said. “That is why the deadline for companies to comply needs to be sooner than later. Oklahomans, mainly our elderly, who are our most vulnerable are being preyed upon and in some instances having their identities stolen or having money stolen from them. That is why I joined the large, bipartisan group of my colleagues to encourage the FCC to move up the deadline.”

There were 51 attorneys general who signed the letter to the FCC.

Lankford successfully saves pro-life Hyde Amendment in $3.5T mega-spending bill by 50-49 vote

A little bit of sanity amid the insanity that is the United State Congress. The fact that this vote was so narrow shows just how devoted the modern Democratic Party is to their religious sacrament of abortion.

Lankford Protects Lives of the Unborn, Successfully Prevents Taxpayers from Being Forced to Fund Abortions

WASHINGTON, DC (August 10th) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) this evening offered an amendment, which he introduced earlier today, to the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion Fiscal Year 2022 budget to prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars for funding of abortions and abortion-related discrimination. The amendment ensures that the budget will comply with the long-standing Hyde Amendment, which bars the use of federal dollars to pay for abortion, and the Weldon amendment, which protects health care providers who refuse to participate in abortion from discrimination. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 50-49.

A 2020 Marist poll found that 60 percent of Americans, including 37 percent of people who identify as pro-choice, oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for abortion. Earlier this year, Lankford introduced a similar amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Reconciliation bill to ensure health-related funding was compliant with the Hyde amendment. The amendment failed and Lankford voted against the reconciliation bill in part because it would fund abortion for the first time since 1976.  

Small: OU, OSU have more ‘diversity’ staff than history faculty

OCPA President Jonathan Small

OU, OSU have more ‘diversity’ staff than history faculty

By Jonathan Small 

New departments, centers, and programs are popping up left and right on college campuses across the country. Their stated focus? To promote “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) on campus. 

Unfortunately, those benign-sounding words don’t necessarily mean what you think they mean. 

Instead, DEI is all about identity politics, equality of outcomes (with reparations, if necessary), and attacks on freedom of speech and other principles foundational to the American way of life.

At the University of Oklahoma there is a specific office devoted to DEI efforts. Oklahoma State University likewise has a division dedicated to “institutional diversity.” And more and more DEI-focused programs means more and more diversity bureaucrats needed to run them. 

A new study from The Heritage Foundation examined how many DEI staff were employed at 65 major universities across the United States. They found most universities’ DEI staff outnumbered the schools’ history faculties. And Oklahoma was no exception. 

The Heritage Foundation scholars found that OU and OSU combined employ 61 DEI staff members. (In reality, the study says, this is a very conservative count and is in fact “an undercount of the true extent of DEI activities at universities.”)

Meanwhile, the combined history faculty count at OU and OSU is 50.

The folks in executive positions leading DEI programs at these schools both take home hefty six-figure paychecks for their efforts. The OU bureaucrat who oversees the school’s “diversity” efforts receives $230,000 while OSU chief diversity official is paid $200,299.

House Dems want special session for purpose of school mask mandates

Democrats Call for Special Session as Delta Variant Spreads

OKLAHOMA CITY -- House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, and several members of the House Democratic Caucus released statements today calling for a special session to repeal Senate Bill 658, which prevents local school districts from implementing a mask policy.

House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman:

“What has to happen before we take COVID seriously? We have children in ICU. Our schools are about to open without the ability to protect staff and students, and as cases continue to rise, our vaccination rate is one of the worst in the nation. If the Governor is going to abdicate his responsibility, the Legislature must act. The House Democratic Caucus is calling for the Legislature to convene a special session immediately to repeal Senate Bill 658 and give school districts a chance to act.” 

Rep. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman:

“As the parent of a school-aged child, I implore the Governor to call for a special session and work with the Legislature to repeal Senate Bill 658, which stripped local school districts’ right to make decisions about how best to ensure the health and safety of their students, teachers, and staff.” 

Rep. Denise Brewer, D-Tulsa:

“The Governor keeps talking about personal responsibility while refusing to take steps to protect our citizens from the resurgence of COVID. I call on Governor Stitt to take ‘personal responsibility’ and call a special session so that local communities can protect themselves. It’s the right thing to do, and the responsible thing. ” 

Rep. José Cruz, D-OKC:

OK Attorney General calls on U.S. Supreme Court to overturn or limit McGirt decision

Attorney General O’Connor Calls on U.S. Supreme Court to Overturn or Limit McGirt Decision

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General John O’Connor today filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court asking the court to overturn the 2020 McGirt ruling that held the state does not have jurisdiction to prosecute major crimes committed by Native Americans in a large portion of eastern Oklahoma, including the City of Tulsa.  

Today’s petition also asks the court to narrow any application of the McGirt decision, including allowing the state to continue to imprison violent felons convicted before the McGirt ruling.  Also, the petition asks the court to affirm the state’s authority to prosecute non-Native Americans who commit crimes against Native Americans in the former Muscogee (Creek) reservation revived by the Court in McGirt .

Attorney General O’Connor said the McGirt decision is “recklessly overbroad” and has thrown Oklahomans into danger of having no law enforcement respond to a call for help. 

“Victims of atrocious crimes are being revictimized by going through the legal process a second time, and, in some instances, seeing their loved one’s killer set free because federal prosecutors cannot file the claims against the released convicts,” Attorney General O’Connor said. “Some theories sound good in concept but don’t work in the real world. The U.S. Supreme Court got this decision wrong and we are respectfully asking the Court to overturn its decision or to limit it to certain federal crimes. The most effective way to right this terrible wrong is for the court to overturn the McGirt decision. Without action, the negative consequences will damage Oklahomans for years to come.”

Lankford joins Lee, Hawley, Rubio, and others in introducing "Don't Draft Our Daughters" resolution

It should be pointed out that Sen. Jim Inhofe, who never met military pork (or really, any pork) that he didn't like, has praised the NDAA bill that includes registering women for the draft. He has given the limp-wristed explanation that he voted against the draft inclusion during committee markup, but voted for the overall bill anyway.

There are sadly very few Republicans on Capitol Hill who seem willing to stand up against this issue. Below is a press release from Sen. James Lankford, joining a select few who are likeminded:

Lankford, Colleagues Do Not Want Women to Have to Register for the Draft

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) to introduce a resolution expressing that the Senate should not pass legislation mandating the registration of women for the Selective Service System.

“Our all-volunteer military is the finest fighting force the world has ever known,” said Lankford. “Women have shown they are more than capable of fully serving in our Armed Forces, and I commend our brave daughters, sisters, and mothers who serve our nation. There is no reason to add women to the outdated Selective Service System to prepare for a draft. When we have faced national security threats over the past four decades, men and women who love our country have volunteered in massive numbers to protect our nation with great distinction. Women are eligible to serve in any role in our military that they choose, but they should not be compelled to sign up for selective service.”

“Forcing our daughters into the draft creates a burdensome and disproportionately increased risk of injury and fatalities for our nation’s women, as readiness data shows,” said Lee. “This policy change is rushed and unnecessary in our current time of peace, and unduly harms women more than advancing any notion of equality. While American women should be empowered to serve in our Armed Forces, they should not be forced to fight.”

Small: Tribes go AWOL on McGirt response

Tribes go AWOL on McGirt response

By Jonathan Small

Tribal-government officials say they can handle the new responsibilities placed on them as the result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which effectively declared most of eastern Oklahoma to be the reservation land of the Muscogee, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole nations.

Yet, when given the opportunity to publicly discuss how they will preserve public safety on reservation land at a recent Tulsa forum, the leaders of all five tribes went AWOL. They didn’t respond to invitations. They didn’t show up.

That (in)action sent a loud message about the seriousness of tribal leaders and provides no comfort to the 1.8 million Oklahomans living in eastern Oklahoma.

Because of McGirt, state officials cannot arrest or prosecute criminals with any degree of tribal heritage in eastern Oklahoma, while tribal courts have little authority over non-Indians. That leaves the federal government to prosecute most crimes involving a tribal-member victim or perpetrator. Unfortunately, the federal government isn’t doing so.

Although federal law-enforcement officials are investigating major crimes (murder, rape, etc.), lower-level crimes such as theft are not being prosecuted. Rogers County District Attorney Matt Ballard said federal officials are declining to prosecute 95 percent of crimes reported to them. Seminole County District Attorney Paul Smith similarly said many crimes in eastern Oklahoma now “go unaddressed.”

The victims are citizens of all backgrounds—including tribal citizens. Who is going to protect those Oklahomans?

In convening and attending the forum, Gov. Kevin Stitt and district attorneys from areas affected by McGirt showed they are prepared to lead. Stitt also showed leadership in challenging the Biden administration’s effort to federalize mining regulation in eastern Oklahoma because of McGirt.

That’s in sharp contrast to tribal officials. While tribal leaders were invited to the Tulsa forum, the governor’s office received no response, despite numerous follow-up efforts.

Instead, Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill issued a statement decrying the forum as a “one-sided” political campaign that is “intended only to spread misinformation.” What information presented at the forum does the Muscogee Nation dispute? Hill didn’t say.

There has been an abundance of political rhetoric from tribal leaders like Hill, but an almost complete absence of meaningful conversation on how they will preserve public safety when both state and tribal governments have little ability to prosecute crimes on reservation land and the federal government isn’t prosecuting most crimes.

Oklahomans of all backgrounds deserve answers.

Some tribal officials describe McGirt as an opportunity. But the reality is that economic opportunity is going to be very limited and dwindle quickly in eastern Oklahoma if basic public safety cannot be maintained.

There is no path forward for Oklahoma that does not involve consistent enforcement of the law for all Oklahomans of all backgrounds. Those who duck this discussion forfeit their right to call themselves leaders.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

Gov. Stitt appoints Judge Dana Kuehn to State Supreme Court

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT APPOINTS JUDGE DANA L. KUEHN TO THE SUPREME COURT OF OKLAHOMA

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 26, 2021) ­­­­­­– Governor Kevin Stitt announced his appointment of Judge Dana L. Kuehn to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. This is Governor Stitt’s third appointment to the state Supreme Court. Judge Kuehn is the first woman to serve on both of the State’s high courts.

“I am honored to appoint Judge Kuehn to the Oklahoma Supreme Court,” said Governor Stitt. “Kuehn is a diligent public servant, and is well versed in many complex areas of the law. I have every confidence in her ability to uphold and defend justice for Oklahomans.” 

“As a lifelong Oklahoman, I feel such privilege for the opportunity to serve the state at this capacity. I share the governor’s passion in making Oklahoma the best it can be and am eager to do so through the Supreme Court,” said Judge Kuehn. “I am grateful to Governor Stitt for his faith and trust as I begin this new role.”

Prior to her appointment, Judge Kuehn served as an Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Judge since 2017. In this role, Kuehn was the 2021 Presiding Judge, the Vice- Presiding Judge from 2018 to 2020 and the Oklahoma Judicial Conference Vice President. Kuehn was an Associate District Judge of Tulsa County from 2006 to 2017, before moving to the Court of Criminal Appeals. She is also an experienced attorney and worked as a Tulsa County Assistant District Attorney and as an associate attorney at Steidley and Neal, before becoming a Judge.

House Dems demand Gov. Stitt reinstate COVID emergency declaration

Democrats Call for Governor to Change Course, Declare Emergency

OKLAHOMA CITY – Several Oklahoma House Democrats released statements today calling for Gov. Kevin Stitt to reinstate the emergency declaration for COVID-19. The statements follow several schools, including Broken Arrow, Owasso, and Stillwater, announcing policies to not quarantine students who have been exposed. 

State Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater:

“After speaking to leadership in some of these districts, it is becoming clear that they are following guidance from the state health department, which is concerning since the policies are not consistent with CDC guidelines. Stillwater is an education town, and the lack of consistent and fact-based policy from state leadership has left our entire community exposed and unprepared for this growing COVID wave. 

“Oklahomans, especially those making decisions to keep children safe, need better information from state leadership, and we need the Governor to declare a state of emergency.” 

State Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City:

Gov. Stitt appoints John O'Connor to finish Attorney General's term

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT APPOINTS JOHN O’CONNOR TO SERVE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 23, 2021)— Governor Kevin Stitt announced today he has appointed John O’Connor to serve as the Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma. Under Article VI, Section 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution, and 51 O.S. § 10, the Governor has the authority to appoint an attorney general should the office be vacated prior to the term’s expiration. O’Connor will fill the unexpired term ending January 9, 2023.

“I am excited to appoint John O’Connor to serve as Oklahoma’s attorney general,” said Governor Stitt. “John is the right leader for this moment. As an attorney, John is known amongst his peers to be of the highest competence and integrity, receiving the highest possible ethical and legal ratings during his 40 years of practice. More importantly, John is a man of high moral character who will do the right things for the right reasons – not for personal gain. I have the utmost confidence in him to uphold the law and fight for all 4 million Oklahomans.”

O’Connor is an attorney at Hall Estill, a Tulsa-based regional full service law firm. He has 40 years of experience in the field of law, focusing on civil litigation including complex commercial and general civil litigation. O’Connor has an AV peer review rating through Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer, one of Oklahoma’s Top Rated Lawyers, and a Best Lawyer in America. He was also one of 10 attorneys who were selected by the Editorial Board of the Tulsa Business Journal to be recognized among Tulsa's 2012 Power Attorneys. In 2018, President Donald Trump nominated O’Connor to serve as a United States District Judge for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma. O’Connor earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Oklahoma State University and graduated law school from the University of Tulsa College of Law.

“I am humbled and honored to have been selected by Governor Stitt to serve 4 million Oklahomans as attorney general protecting their interests and the State of Oklahoma,” said O’Connor. “There is much work to be done and I look forward to bringing my experience to the office in service to the good people of Oklahoma.”

O’Connor is an active member of his community. He is a past-President of the Rotary Club of Tulsa and served two terms as President and Director of Tulsa’s Ronald McDonald House. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Dillon International, Inc., an international country adoption agency, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association. Until recently, he also served on the board of trustees for OSU-Tulsa.

A Tulsa native, O’Connor has been married to his wife Lucia for 43 years. They have four children and 10 grandchildren.

1889 Institute: Time to rethink Oklahoma's emergency powers

TIME TO RETHINK OKLAHOMA’S EMERGENCY POWERS

The legislature must be forced to act in extended emergencies.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 21, 2021) – The 1889 Institute has released “Rethinking Emergency Powers in Oklahoma,” a proposal to reform the state’s emergency powers provisions. It proposes that declared emergencies last only one week before the legislature must weigh in to extend such declarations by two weeks. After that, the legislature must pass explicit enactments according to warranted circumstances. Right now, Oklahoma’s Emergency Management Act allows the legislature to extend an emergency declaration indefinitely.

“The legislature—the body in which all laws originate—is the proper authority to determine the best path forward in an ongoing, long-term emergency situation,” said the study’s author, 1889 Research Fellow, Mike Davis. “Emergency powers are a dangerous tool, granting nearly unchecked power to officials at the executive level of governments. It should only exist with tight safeguards,” Davis said.

Davis also criticizes the way an emergency is defined in Oklahoma law.

Gov. Stitt appoints Greg Blackwell to Court of Civil Appeals

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT APPOINTS GREGORY BLACKWELL TO COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 21, 2021) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Gregory Blackwell to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals.  This is the governor’s fourth appointment to the Court.

“Greg Blackwell has proven his legal expertise through his years of practicing and defending the law,” said Gov. Stitt. “I am confident he will serve on the Court of Civil Appeals with honor and commitment.”

"I'm humbled and grateful that the governor has appointed me to serve the people of Oklahoma as an appellate judge,” said Blackwell. “My career has taken me to many places, but I've never felt more at home than at the Court of Civil Appeals. I look forward to meeting my new colleagues, rolling up my sleeves, and doing the important work of the court for many years to come."