OCPA column: the OK House - where good bills go to die

The Oklahoma House of Representatives: Where good bills go to die

By Jonathan Small

After the 2020 elections, GOP leaders bragged that Republicans held 82 of 101 seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Yet House leadership repeatedly declined to pass bills of significance this year.

A press release issued by House Speaker Charles McCall upon conclusion of the regular 2022 session provided sad confirmation of that problem. Roughly half the release focused on last year’s achievements—not measures that advanced in 2022.

A quick review explains why. The House was often the chamber where good bills went to die.

Lankford recognizes decommissioning of the USS Oklahoma City

Lankford Recognizes Decommissioning of the USS Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) provided the following statement to commemorate the decommissioning of the USS Oklahoma City, after supporting a resolution to honor the numerous missions of the submarine:

Nathan Dahm responds to House Dems' gun control proposal

Earlier this week, the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus held a press conference where they announced a massive gun control proposal in response to recent mass shootings across the country. 

As the author of SB 1081 and co-author of HB 2597 and one of the prominent gun rights advocates in the state legislature, I reached out to State Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) for his response to the Dems' proposal, which would do the following:

Turnpike Authority: Turner Turnpike crash closures show need for modernization of existing turnpike network

Westbound I-44/Turner Turnpike was closed with traffic diverted at SH-66 in Wellston for more than 90 minutes Tuesday, May 31, 2022, because of a crash blocking the turnpike.

Turner Turnpike crash closures exemplify need for ACCESS Oklahoma’s modernization of existing turnpike network

(June 2nd) Several recent traffic snarls along the Turner Turnpike highlight the dire need to reinvest into the state’s turnpike system.

Sen. Jake Merrick: "Does Dark Money Rule in Oklahoma?"

Answer: unfortunately, yes. The power-hungry corporate and political establishment in this state thrives on the secrecy, ambiguity, and deniability of "dark money". It's how they win campaigns now, putting in squishy moderates and ousting staunchly conservative legislators.

Freshman GOP State Senator Jake Merrick (one of the most conservative members in the Legislature) poses this question in a recent column, after outlandishly false attacks on him triggered by his vote against the "school choice" bill, SB 1647, earlier this year. As I've posted previously, the homeschool community in particular had great concerns with the legislation, and some legislative conservatives concurred. 

Perhaps of note, Merrick is one of the few members of the legislature that is an abortion abolitionist, believing that abortion should totally and completely abolished in all forms, not merely regulated... extra reason for the political establishment to hate him.

Does Dark Money Rule in Oklahoma?

written by State Sen. Jake Merrick (R-Yukon)

What is "Dark Money"?

Bridenstine endorses Brecheen in 2nd Congressional District GOP primary

Former Congressman Jim Bridenstine, who served in the Trump administration as NASA Administrator, has endorsed former state senator Josh Brecheen in the crowded GOP primary for the 2nd Congressional District:

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.

State Election Board: pre-primary election registration, absentee ballot deadlines approaching

Primary Election Deadlines Approaching

(Oklahoma City, June 1st) – The deadline to register to vote or update your registration for the June 28 Primary is quickly approaching, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board. Voter registration applications and updates must be received or postmarked no later than Friday, June 3.

Luke Holland for Senate ad: "My Prayer for America"

Luke Holland, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe's personally anointed successor, is out with the following ad for his U.S. Senate campaign. Watch, and then read my comments afterwards.

Johnny Teehee releases CD2 campaign ad

Republican Johnny Teehee Launches TV “Put America on the Right Track” Commercial

(June 2nd) Conservative Republican and career police officer Johnny Teehee launched his campaign’s first commercial today.  Set in Teehee’s hometown of Vian, the commercial touts the values Teehee learned being raised by his grandparents literally next to the railroad tracks. “My grandparents’ values and faith in Jesus Christ put me on the right track, and we all know America needs that right now,” Teehee says in the advertisement.

Nat'l Right to Life endorses Lankford, Stitt for reelection, O'Connor for AG

National Right to Life Endorses John O’Connor for Attorney General, Kevin Stitt for Governor, and James Lankford for U.S. Senate 

WASHINGTON— National Right to Life announced its endorsement of John O’Connor for Oklahoma Attorney General, Kevin Stitt for Oklahoma Governor, and James Lankford for U.S. Senate.

Gov. Stitt endorses Sean Roberts for Labor Commissioner

In a surprising move, Governor Kevin Stitt has endorsed State Rep. Sean Roberts in his bid to unseat incumbent [RINO] Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn.

Roberts has been a leader among the conservatives in the State House, helping lead the fight against tax increases and passing legislation such as Constitutional Carry.