I’m proud to say that this was one of the most productive legislative sessions we’ve ever had. We made tremendous strides in strengthening Oklahoma’s economy and helping improve the lives of our citizens.
Altogether, the governor signed close to 600 bills, which included nearly 15 of mine. One of those will help our dedicated 33,000 state employees by modernizing the annual state employee flexible benefit allowance to better address ever-increasing healthcare costs.
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A video gone viral gives reason hope for parents. In this, a Black Woman delivers a fiery denunciation of Critical Race Theory (CTR) to her local school board. The video is embedded following and important for Tulsa to consider especially as Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the HB 1775 into law that prohibits public school teachers from teaching that “one race or sex is inherently superior to another,” and that “an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist or oppressive.” Yes, CRT is racist – in total and by design.
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Oklahoma is now among those states officially calling for an Article V Convention of the States. Authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, and House Majority Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, Senate Joint Resolution 23 was approved by Gov. Stitt on Tuesday.
Standridge said he worked for several years with his friend, the late U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, to advocate for a Convention of States, even coauthoring a book on the topic, Smashing the DC Monopoly. Standridge said the number of states calling for an Article V Convention is approaching 20.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – The governor this week signed into law a bill that will allow for a victim-led restorative justice pilot program to be established in the state.
The purpose of House Bill 1880, by House Majority Caucus Whip Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, is to divert non-violent offenders from traditional prosecution and incarcerations models. Instead, cases are referred to the program and trained citizen-led mediation panels help determine punishment and restoration. The goal is rehabilitation of the offender through reconciliation with the victims and the community at large.
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Last week, your Oklahoma Legislature heard 187 measures in the House, 185 Senate bills and 2 House bills. I wanted to highlight a few important pieces of legislation for this update.
Senate Bill 585 passed by a vote of 56-25 and is on its way to the Governor. This bill defines habitual or willful neglect of duty as it relates to causes for removal of an individual from office, to include knowingly giving false testimony to a committee of either house of the Legislature; knowingly engaging in operations beyond the authority delegated to the agency served by or employing the officer; or repeatedly refusing to provide information to a committee, either house, or a member of the Legislature in a timely manner.
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