Protecting Pension Progress

By Jonathan Small, OCPA

Oklahoma was once ranked among the worst states in the nation when it came to the financial stability of our state pensions. That meant many state workers, including teachers, were at risk of reaching retirement without sufficient income to live out their golden years in comfort. Fortunately, reforms that took full effect roughly a decade ago have now made Oklahoma a national model.

“What you did, starting in 2010 all the way to now, really is the gold standard for other states to look at,” said Caren Lock, a managing director with TIAA-CREF, a national financial services firm.

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Tariffs Reduce Deficit by $4 Trillion

By David Arnett

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), in a post August 22, declared that as of August 19, increases in tariffs implemented during the period from January 6, 2025, to August 19 will decrease primary deficits (which exclude net outlays for interest) by $3.3 trillion if the higher tariffs persist for the 2025‒2035 period. By reducing the need for federal borrowing, those tariff collections will also reduce federal outlays for interest by an additional $0.7 trillion. As a result, the changes in tariffs will reduce total deficits by $4.0 trillion altogether.

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Rep. Gann Challenges PSO

By Staff Report

An appeal brief filed Thursday by Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, asks the Oklahoma Supreme Court to invalidate some $700 million in ratepayer-backed bonds issued to cover costs incurred by Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) during February 2021’s Winter Storm Uri. Payments for those bonds have been collected on the monthly bills of PSO’s customers since the bonds were issued in September 2022. They are scheduled to continue for another 17 years.

Gann’s brief tells the court that the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) failed to provide a required audit of the bonds in PSO’s most recent rate case. He also argues PSO’s original 2021 Uri costs that were securitized into the bonds were never audited either.  Gann asserts the audit failures are fatal in both cases, making the OCC’s orders void.

Rep. Tom Gann
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Twice Guilty & New Indictments

By David Arnett

TULSA, Okla. – A federal jury re-convicted a Tulsa man who kidnapped, sexually abused, and physically assaulted a 72-year-old nun, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson Friday. Later his office also released the results of the August Federal Grand Jury 2024-B Indictments which are included below.

First up, Elga Eugene Harper, 43, was found guilty again of Kidnapping in Indian Country; Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force and Threat in Indian Country; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country.

According to court documents, in May 2022, Harper showed up at the victim’s house unannounced. The victim knew Harper, who was homeless, and she would pay him to help fix things around her house. After explaining to Harper that she had no work for him, Harper requested to use the restroom. The victim allowed him to use the restroom.

Elga Eugene Harper
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Rookies Chase Success in Outlaw Midget

By Matt Skipper

CONCORD, NC – August 22, 2025 – When the 2025 Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota season began at Farmer City Raceway, Trifecta Motorsports teammates Kameron Key and Michael Faccinto hardly knew each other before the April weekend.

In the four months since pairing up, the relationship between them and their partners as octane-paced friends is something team owner Steve Carbone has taken note of and welcomes with open arms.

Michael Faccinto and Steve Carbone (Photo: E. Schwanke)
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