Small: Medicaid-expansion critics proven right

Medicaid-expansion critics proven right

By Jonathan Small

Prior to the 2020 statewide vote on Medicaid expansion, we at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs warned that projected costs were unrealistic, lowball estimates and spending would quickly surge, forcing lawmakers to divert millions from other uses, such as education or public safety.

Officials with the Foundation for Government Accountability and Americans for Prosperity also made that argument with reams of data.

Expansion supporters dismissed those critiques. In June 2020, Medicaid expansion was authorized by statewide vote, albeit by the narrowest of margins.

But now there’s no denying critics knew what we were talking about.

Cong. Hern: The Important Issue That No One’s Talking About

The Important Issue That No One’s Talking About

By: U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern

Most Americans have not heard a single word about the most important thing happening in Washington, DC, this year.

While many are familiar with President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), few know that some of the most important tax cuts in that bill are set to expire at the end of 2025. Some of the provisions have already expired.

This means that whoever wins this election - both in Congress and in the White House - will control what happens to the tax code next. That sentence should both scare and motivate you.

State Sen. Hamilton visits southern border; calls attention to need for enforceable solutions to crisis

Senator Hamilton Visits Southern Border; Emphasizes Need for Enforceable Solutions to Border Crisis

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, visited the U.S.-Mexico Border to complete a three-day training provided by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). The course gave lawmakers and law enforcement officers a first-hand look at the crisis at the southern border and offered insight into the actions and infrastructure needed to secure entry points into the United States and apprehend those attempting to illegally cross the border.

5th annual 'Giving Sight Day' sees eye docs across Oklahoma offering free exams on Sept. 28th

Oklahomans In-Need Can Receive Complimentary Vision Exams on Fifth Annual Giving Sight Day (9/28) 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Participating optometric physicians across the state of Oklahoma will be giving complimentary eye exams to patients in-need as part of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physician’s (OAOP) fifth annual Giving Sight Day.

Most participating locations will hold complimentary vision clinics on Saturday, September 28, but some locations will participate in the days immediately preceding or following that date. Some clinics require appointments, while others are first come, first serve. A list of participating clinics along with dates and other relevant details can be found below (and a frequently updated list of participating clinics and details can be found here). Each clinic has different protocols and requirements and patients should carefully consult the list below or at Oklahoma.AOA.org.

450,000 ineligible voters removed from OK voter rolls, including dead, duplicates, out-of-state movers

Needless to say, some legislative Democrats had a negative reaction to ineligible and dead voters being removed from the rolls. And no, sadly, I'm not joking about that.

GOVERNOR STITT, STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS PROVIDE UPDATE ON ELECTION INTEGRITY EFFORTS, REMOVES INELIGIBLE VOTERS FROM ROLLS

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 18, 2024) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt and state election officials provided an update on the ongoing efforts to maintain Oklahoma’s status as a national leader in election integrity. As part of Oklahoma's routine voter list maintenance as required by law, officials announced over 453,000 voter registrations have been removed, including ineligible voters such as convicted felons and deceased voters, since 2021.

“Voting is our most sacred duty as Americans— and every Oklahoman wants to know their vote is securely cast and properly counted,” said Governor Stitt. “The State Election Board and the Secretary of State’s office continue to go above and beyond in their responsibility to ensure only eligible Oklahomans can vote in our elections. Their progress reassures me we will continue to lead the nation in election integrity efforts.”

State Rep. Bashore requests AG opinion on out-of-state prescribers

Bashore Requests AG Opinion on out-of-State Prescribers

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 20th) – Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami, has requested an opinion from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond concerning Oklahoma residents' ability to fill prescriptions at an Oklahoma pharmacy when prescribed by an out-of-state medical provider.

Inmates at JHCC repurpose lumber into rocking motorcycles for children’s charities

Warden David Rogers looks at the motorcycle donated to the Scottish Rite for Children.

Inmates at Joseph Harp Correctional Center craft rocking motorcycles for children’s charities using leftover lumber

LEXINGTON, Okla. (Sept. 13th) – There is a little-known group of 40 men at Joseph Harp Correctional Center who refer to themselves as The Oklahoma Lifers Association. The OLA was formed by a group of incarcerated men who understand they will likely never be released from prison but despite their situation, they have found a renewed sense of purpose during their incarceration.

These men work at one of Oklahoma’s largest furniture factories, located inside JHCC. They build thousands of tables, chairs and cabinets every year. Instead of wasting the leftover lumber, some of the men decided to repurpose it into toy rocking motorcycles to be donated to children’s charities. 

Gov. Stitt issues 'Oklahoma Phone-Free School' challenge, inviting solutions

GOVERNOR STITT ISSUES THE OKLAHOMA PHONE-FREE SCHOOL CHALLENGE

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 11, 2024) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt issued the Oklahoma Phone-Free School Challenge, inviting students, teachers, and superintendents statewide to propose solutions for managing cell phone use in schools. The initiative addresses concerns over distractions, bullying, and learning difficulties associated with cell phone usage.

Small: Over-regulated in Oklahoma

Over-regulated in Oklahoma

By Jonathan Small

Oklahoma is known as a conservative state, but you wouldn’t know it from the number of regulations imposed.

In its “Snapshots of State Regulations” report, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University ranked Oklahoma 17th nationally in the number of regulatory restrictions imposed.

Oklahoma had 142,313 regulations. Idaho, the nation’s least-regulated state, had just 31,497.

Sadly, Oklahoma had more state regulatory restrictions than liberal states such as Minnesota, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont.

OK Freedom Caucus dismisses media effort to drive wedge with Gov. Stitt over task force report

OKFC Responds to Misleading Reporting on Governor Stitt and Task Force Recommendations

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 10th) – The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus (OKFC) commented on a recent report from KOCO, which, in the headline and byline, falsely suggested a rift between OKFC and Governor Kevin Stitt over the Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas Task Force. While members of OKFC, including Senator Shane Jett, Senator Dusty Deevers, and Representative Jim Olsen, raised valid concerns about the Task Force’s recommendations, their criticisms pertained to the Task Force report and any future laws based on it, not Governor Stitt.

All 77 counties receive sheriff assistance grants from Attorney General's office

All 77 counties to receive sheriff office assistance grants through Attorney General's Office

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 11, 2024) -- All 77 counties have applied for grant funding through a new program administered by Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office to bolster law enforcement services.

AG Drummond partners with OPA to hold Open Meeting, Open Records seminars this fall

2023 Open Meeting/Open Records seminar

Open Meeting, Open Records seminars to be held across Oklahoma this fall

Free meetings, open to the public, registration required

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 3, 2024) – After overwhelming success in 2023, the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General is partnering again with the Oklahoma Press Association to host seminars on the state’s open meeting and open records laws in five locations across Oklahoma beginning late this month.

The seminars will be presented by Thomas R. Schneider, deputy general counsel to Attorney General Gentner Drummond.