Leave Black Conservatives out of it

By Charity Marcus

TulRepubLogo1Op/Ed: Leading up to the Tulsa County Republican Convention, a dispute by Precinct 456 appeared contrived and deliberate, but I attended the Executive Committee Meeting to hear both sides. Rightfully so, since the NAACP was called, and they put out a press release on behalf of black conservatives in Tulsa County. I guess I missed the memo!

I’m quite confused by the press release as to how this party is trying to “banish” or “disenfranchise” black conservatives. Every attempt was made and party leadership went out of their way to make sure I was a delegate for this upcoming convention. Furthermore, I am an active volunteer in the North Tulsa community, so I find it most concerning that my community is being pandered.
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OKGOP acts to defend Rep. Bridenstine

By Staff Report

Rep. Jim Bridenstine

Rep. Jim Bridenstine

The Oklahoma Republican Party today announced that television ads have been stopped which were being aired by the American Action Network, a DC-based political action group, who was targeting a number of congressmen who oppose funding the president’s executive amnesty orders via the Department of Homeland Security budget.

AAN was formed in part by former RNC Chief of Staff Mike Shields, and in Oklahoma the ads were designed specifically to pressure Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) to drop his opposition to the aforementioned DHS budget deal.
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Rep. Russell demanding answers on ammo

By Staff Report

AmmunitionCongressman Steve Russell (OK-05) joined House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) yesterday in asking the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to explain why certain legal processes are not being followed and what rationale lead to a proposal by the BATFE to ban the sale and manufacture of certain ammunition.

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Appropriations Committee begins second round

By Staff Report

The Department of Corrections appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. Agencies receiving the lion’s share of state appropriations are appearing for a second time this year to describe how they would deal with budget cuts in light of the state’s $611 million shortfall.

The Department of Corrections appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.

The full Senate Appropriations Committee met Wednesday to begin the process of revisiting the budgets of the 12 agencies receiving more than 90 percent of all state appropriated dollars.  While these agencies made budget presentations to the committee earlier this year, Senate Appropriations Chairman Clark Jolley said revised revenue figures have dramatically changed since agency heads first appeared before the panel.

In December, lawmakers were told to expect a revenue decrease approaching $300 million compared to the previous year.  Last month the final figures revealed the total budget reduction would be about $611 million.

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Rights termination measure heads to House

By Staff Report

RemaKids2OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 261 to allow courts to terminate the parental rights of anyone who, after being properly notified of their court date and without good cause, does not show up for their jury trial.  The measure, by Sen. Ron Sharp, is an effort to hold individuals in parental rights’ cases more accountable and help save time for backlogged courts.

“When someone requests a jury trial to fight for their parental rights, they need to show up or let their attorney know they can’t make it.  To not do so is disrespectful to their child, the court, jury and attorneys,” said Sharp, R-Shawnee.  “Our courts are so backlogged with cases that they don’t have the time to spare on continuing a trial, which they are required to do under current law, for someone who obviously doesn’t care.  This bill will ensure that courts aren’t tied up in further proceedings and that taxpayer money isn’t wasted.”
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