Justice for Indian and non-Indian alike

By David Arnett

We are all equal or no one is free and we are one Oklahoma by history and choice. From today’s United States Supreme Court Decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta we can again agree in peace.

Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor said, “All Oklahomans, Indian and non-Indian alike, will now receive equal protection against being victimized by non-Indian criminals. [T]he Court’s precedents establish that Indian country is part of a State’s territory,” the Court said. “States do not need a permission slip from Congress to exercise their sovereign authority.”  Accordingly, the Court “conclude[d] that the Federal Government and the State have concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute crimes committed by non-Indians against Indians in Indian country.”

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US Attorneys: OK vs. Castro-Huerta decision

By David Arnett

TULSA, Okla. – In a joint release today, United States Attorneys’ in regard to United States Supreme Court Decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta said:

This morning the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta. This decision holds that the State of Oklahoma has concurrent jurisdiction with the federal government to prosecute non-Indians who commit crimes against Indian victims within Indian Country.

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Byron Burke for lower property tax

By David Arnett

The Tuesday primary election features several critical races for State and County, but none that will impact your taxes more than the race for County Assessor. The current assessor has failed competence in his service and in training those in his office.

Byron Burke’s campaign for Tulsa County Assessor highlights that all Tulsa County property tax is too high. Further the Oklahoma Constitution requires “Taxes shall be uniform upon the same class of subjects.”

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Tulsa Gen X above average ownership

By David Arnett

Young buyers in any generation have a hard time buying homes because they tend to earn less, and have less in savings or existing equity than older buyers. However, the analysis found that in the Tulsa metro area, 17.0% of Gen Z householders own their home, compared to 15.0% nationally.

But Gen Z—the population of Americans born between 1997 and 2012—faces even greater challenges: student debt, increasing rents, and unprecedented growth in home prices have put homeownership further out of reach. Market conditions have the largest impact on where Gen Z is able to buy homes, with more affordable locations being more likely to have higher numbers of young homeowners. To determine the locations with the highest Gen Z homeownership rate, researchers calculated the homeownership rate for householders aged 15–24 in 2020 and ranked metros accordingly.

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Kelly Dunkerley goals for the greater good

By David Arnett

In the race for Tulsa County Commission (Dist. 3), Kelly Dunkerley is the overwhelming choice for conservatives. From private business to elected public service, Dunkerley has grown employment, reduced public expense, and built success forging policy with determination from a foundation of faith, integrity, transparency, and positive long-term relationships.

“I’ve always been interested in how to make things work better,” Dunkerley said. “How the critical pieces of policy and people merge to accomplish goals to grow the greater good. When things get off track, how to return to a positive trajectory to achieve a better result.” Dunkerley stresses that his goal is to lower the tax burden on Tulsans, grow the economy and fix our roads, bridges and challenging infrastructure.

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