Category Archives: State

OKC Rail Plan: Questions & Crime

By Jonathan Small

In multiple states, failing large-scale public transit projects have produced demands for state-taxpayer-funded bailouts. This has happened in California, New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, to name just a few.

That’s why all Oklahomans should be concerned about Oklahoma City metro officials’ efforts to create a $1.8 billion commuter rail system covering 39 miles from Edmond to Oklahoma City to Norman.

Proponents claim passenger rail will boost economic development in the metro, but similar rail services have augmented the worst problems of urban settings—homelessness and crime—and spread them throughout surrounding areas.

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On Inola: Mazzei Was Right

By Wade Burleson

Analysis: I’ve learned something over the last few years that I wish every American understood:

A nation that cannot produce the metals necessary to defend itself, power itself, build its airplanes, manufacture its automobiles, maintain its electrical grid, and supply its factories is not really industrially independent.

That is why the controversy surrounding the proposed aluminum smelter at Inola, Oklahoma, deserves more than campaign slogans.

Rendering of the proposed Inola primary aluminum plant.
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FEMA Approves Disaster Funding

By Staff Report

FEMA announced today the approval of more than $162.8 million in post-disaster funding for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects in Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

These programs empower states, local communities, tribes and territories to recover from disasters and to protect infrastructure from future events. With this funding, President Donald J. Trump is keeping his promise to reform federal disaster support and ensure that taxpayer money is spent only on projects that deliver safety and security to the American people.

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OK Constitutional Convention Vote

By David Arnett

Governor Stitt Tuesday took action to comply with the Oklahoma Constitution and send to a vote of the people of Oklahoma whether the legislature shall call a constitutional convention, as required by Article XXIV, Section 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution. This is a remarkable and praiseworthy proclamation.

Article XXIV, Section 2 requires that the people of Oklahoma be given the opportunity at least once every twenty years to decide whether or not to move forward with a constitutional convention. The question was last presented to Oklahomans in 1970, depriving Oklahomans of this constitutional right.

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