Legislature approves $4M to help relocate USS Batfish

After five years of languishing following the 2019 Arkansas River flood, the USS Batfish finally has some good news: 

Top: April 2019 - middle: May 2019 - Bottom: June 2019

OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE APPROVES $4 MILLION TO RELOCATE USS BATFISH

Oklahoma City, OK (May 29, 2025) - One of America’s most decorated World War II submarines—and a beloved Oklahoma landmark—is one step closer to safe harbor. On May 22, the Oklahoma Legislature approved HB2794, allocating $4 million in FY26 funding to the USS Batfish. The state appropriation will be used to relocate the historic military vessel to its future home at Three Forks Harbor.

US Senate approves Lankford bill establishing National Monument in North Tulsa

Senate Approves Lankford Bill Establishing National Monument in North Tulsa

WASHINGTON, DC (May 23rd) – Thursday, the United States Senate approved the Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument Establishment Act by unanimous consent. The legislation will designate as a national monument the Historic Greenwood District of North Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre took place.

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) was joined by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in first introducing the legislation in 2023. During the last Congress, the bill was unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources where Lankford testified on the importance of the national monument to North Tulsa. The legislation was then passed unanimously by the full Senate.

Small: A big win for children with special needs

A big win for children with special needs

By Jonathan Small

Since its creation in 2010, the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities (LNH) program has provided a lifeline to families whose children have special needs and cannot receive appropriate educational services in their local district.

Under longstanding Oklahoma law, local school districts receive additional state funds for each child with special needs. But that doesn’t always mean the extra money is used effectively. In the worst instances, public schools have effectively pocketed the extra cash without providing real benefit to the child with special needs.

That’s why the LNH program allows parents to use state funds allocated for their child’s education to pay for private-school tuition. The scholarships range from $4,196 to $22,236, based on a child’s diagnosis.

Brecheen: Why I voted Yes on the 'One Big Beautiful Bill'

Good commentary from Oklahoma's best member of Congress, explaining his rationale on joining all but three House Republicans in voting for President Trump's 'One Big Beautiful [mega-spending] Bill':

Why I Voted Yes on the One Big Beautiful Bill

by Congressman Josh Brecheen (R, OK-02)

Writing to Henry Knox in 1795 as he faced the intense national debate over the Jay Treaty, George Washington described his lack of perfect wisdom: “I have found no better guide hitherto than upright intentions, and close investigation.” Not claiming to be an infallible man, Washington relied upon his honest convictions and a close examination of the facts to guide him through difficult decisions. 

The cornerstone of upright intentions is truth.

Oklahomans rightly expect their representatives to embody upright intentions, be guided by the truth, and diligently represent them. That’s why, after a week of tough negotiations, I changed my vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill—in good conscience first voting “no” in committee, then “present” in committee to allow it to pass, and finally a “yes” on the floor after the bill was improved. I want you to know why.

The final hours: a news brief for the end of the 2025 legislative session

I have been swamped with work, family, and church activities for the last few weeks, and it's taken a big toll on my blogging time availability, so I'm going to attempt a brief summary here of just 16 of the 100+ news and press releases I've received in the past two weeks, including the state budget agreement, income tax cuts, economic development projects, audits, and more.

In order of what I feel is most newsworthy:

• May 26th: When “Shall” Becomes “May”: Why the People of Oklahoma Face a Dangerous Four Days Ahead. This is a must-read from what it swiftly becoming the best grassroots conservative coverage of legislative shenanigans, authored by former State Rep. Jason Murphey. You need to subscribe to his newsletter.

Small: The political fringe should not control petition process

The political fringe should not control petition process

By Jonathan Small

Supposed advocates of “good government” often decry low voter turnout, arguing that more citizens need to be involved in our political process.

Yet, for some reason, many of those same advocates hold a very different view when it comes to Oklahoma’s initiative petition process. When efforts are made to put a question before all Oklahoma voters, they are fine with largely excluding the vast majority of the state from the petition process.

Fortunately, state policymakers are not so shortsighted.

Oklahoma Senate launches interactive budget website

A year ago, Oklahoma's legislative chambers engaged in a bit of a transparency contest, with the Senate posting a spreadsheet of their budget proposal, while the House went with a full-blown website dashboard. Now, the Senate has followed suit with their own version of a webpage. You can compare the two and see which one is more clear and user-friendly: State House, State Senate.

Oklahoma Senate launches interactive budget website

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 16th) – Senate Appropriations Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry announced today that the Oklahoma Senate has launched an interactive budget website that gives the public an unprecedented, in-depth look at the newly proposed state budget.

Unveiled shortly after legislative leaders and the governor reached a budget agreement for the upcoming fiscal year, the State Senate Budget Transparency Dashboard is designed to make the state budgeting process more accessible and transparent than ever before. The user-friendly platform allows Oklahomans to explore the full breakdown of the proposed state budget for the upcoming fiscal year, along with historical data from previous budgets.

Governor Stitt, legislative leaders announce $12.6B state budget deal

Governor Stitt, Legislature Announce Budget Deal

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 14, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt, Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert unveiled a comprehensive agreement aimed at cutting taxes, investing in key infrastructure, and strengthening Oklahoma’s business-friendly climate.

The agreement includes a quarter-point tax cut to the state income tax, a consolidation of income tax brackets and a true path to zero income tax, ensuring that Oklahoma stays competitive with surrounding states.

Att'y Gen. Drummond issues consumer alert for concerned 23andMe customers

Drummond issues consumer alert for concerned 23andMe customers

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 9, 2025) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond is alerting Oklahoma consumers in the wake of 23andMe having filed for bankruptcy protection last month. The genetic testing company, which collects and analyzes the genetic code of consumers, has indicated its intent to sell its corporate assets, a move likely to include stored genetic data submitted by customers.

“The implications of 23andMe selling genetic information to the highest bidder are understandably very concerning to Oklahomans who have used the company’s services,” Drummond said. “While the situation is troubling, there are easy steps that consumers can take to proactively safeguard their privacy.”

The Attorney General Office offers the following tips for interested consumers:

To delete genetic data from 23andMe

1. Log into your 23andMe account on its website. 
2. Go to "Settings" in your profile.
3. Scroll to the "23andMe Data" section at the bottom of the page. 
4. Click "View" next to "23andMe Data."
5. Download your data. If you want a copy of your data for personal storage, select the option to download to your device before proceeding.
6. Scroll to the "Delete Data" section. 
7. Click "Permanently Delete Data." 
8. You will receive an email from 23andMe to confirm the deletion request.

To destroy your 23andMe test sample

If you have opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe but want to change that preference, you can do so on your account settings page, under "Preferences."

To revoke research consent regarding your genetic data

You can withdraw consent in research through your 23andMe account settings, under "Research and Product Consents."

Erin Morrison launches campaign for Senate District 24

With incumbent senator Darrell Weaver running for Lieutenant Governor, the State Senate District 24 seat will be open in the 2026 election. So far, two Republicans have announced their intent to run for the seat: Chris Apel, and Erin Morrison. Below is a press release sent to me by Morrison:

ERIN MORRISON LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR OKLAHOMA SENATE DISTRICT 24

Moore Board of Education President Brings Small Business Expertise and Conservative Values to State Senate Race

MOORE, OK (May 7th) — Today, I am thrilled to announce my candidacy for the Oklahoma Senate in District 24. I’m running to bring commonsense, conservative leadership to the State Senate—leadership that values our families, our faith, and our future.

Gov. Stitt signs 'Truth in Food Labeling' bill into law

Governor Signs 'Truth in Food Labeling' Bill into Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, today commented on the governor signing into law a bill that will require manufactured-protein food products to be clearly labeled as distinct from meat.

House Bill 1126, will require food manufacturers, distributers and retailers to clearly disclose that cell-cultivated or cultured products or those that come from a lab, plants or insect proteins are not meat. Those convicted of false advertising could face a misdemeanor.  

"I wish to thank Governor Stitt for signing House Bill 1126 into law," Grego said. "This is an effort to help protect beef producers, such as myself, against the flood of products claiming to be meat. Many of these products are derived from plants, insects, or even originate in a Petri dish. I believe if you as a consumer wish to consume these products there should be no doubt as to how they were produced. This bill really is a truth in labeling bill."

Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Edwards found dead at home

Muskogee County District Attorney Larry Edwards was found dead at his home yesterday morning following a welfare check by the Muskogee Police Department. No cause of death has been released, pending medical examiner's report, but no foul play was apparent. Edwards had served as district attorney since 2021. He was 67.