ESG Agenda Risky Business

By OK State Treasurer Todd Russ

The Oklahoma State Treasurer’s office will continue improving Oklahoma’s economy and public investments through time-tested strategies to increase our state’s growing $15.5 billion portfolio. Today’s investment landscape contends with environmental, social and governance or ESG. An idea that once addressed only social responsibility, the name grew in scope and prevalence to become a big part of today’s public narrative. Keeping ESG out of investing is necessary due to its broad goal complexity, unmanageable reporting framework and heavy-handed mandates.

ESG is not intended to create shareholder value. During the November Board of Trustees meeting of the Teachers’ Retirement System, members voted to divest $184 million in pension funds because certain financial institutions were deemed by my office to be supporting ESG causes negative to Oklahoma industries Joseph Cappello, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, told the Teachers’ Retirement System board,

“We are very comfortable if you choose to divest.” Cappello detailed the $123 million in index funds would cost the system $32,700 or 0.026 percent to divest, the $61 million bond portfolio has no estimated cost, as selling this security traditionally has no commissions.

Continue reading →

Special TPS Board Meeting – Two Weak Decisions

By Susan Phillips, Education Editor

The results of the special TPS board meeting of November 14, 2023, were underwhelming. First, the Board decided to put off determining the process for searching for a new TPS Superintendent until sometime before January 31, 2024.

Second, the board only produced a resolution signifying confidence in and support of Interim School Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson rather than offering her contract beyond the current school year.

In contrast the agenda and accompanying rumors for the special meeting held great promise. The seven-member board was planning to establish a search process for a new superintendent. One Board Member, Dr. Jerry Griffin, was lobbying the Board to offer a contract to Interim Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson fearing that she would be “snatched up” by another school district before the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

Dr. Jerry Griffin boycotted the executive session during which the remainder of the board discussed Interim Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson’s employment. He chose instead to remain in the public room which resulted in an unplanned interview with News Channel 8’s Burt Mummolo, who regularly attends the board meetings.

Continue reading →

Will the next mayor force lockdowns?

By David Arnett

Analysis: Lockdown advocates now say they were wrong, But not Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum.

The Epoch Times reported Monday, Nov. 27 on several experts admitting they were wrong for supporting COVID lockdowns. Unfortunately, that doesn’t include officials in Oklahoma like Tulsa Mayor G. T. Bynum. As this editor wrote in September, we are still waiting for Mayor Bynum to correct his mistake. Dear mainstream media, in now proven fact, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt was right, Tulsa Mayor Bynum was wrong.

Today the question is still on the table: When will the City of Tulsa make right with small businesses, churches and citizens harmed by the unscientific and, now proven unjustified lockdown during the COVID Panic?

Continue reading →

Sara E. Hill: Cherokee Embarrassment

By David Arnett

Editorial Analysis: President Joe Biden’s nominee for the vacant federal judgeship in the Northern District of Oklahoma endorsed by OK Senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin has managed to humiliate Oklahoma supporters, the Cherokee tribe, and her profession during her testimony to Congress.

As she was interviewed by Sen. John Kennedy, (R-La.) during Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, Sara E. Hill appeared ignorant of basic legal and Constitutional terms.

According to FoxNews.com, When Kennedy asked Hill the difference between a “stay” order and an “injunction” order — two orders frequently issued by federal courts — Hill stumbled through her answers.

“A stay order would prohibit, um, sorry. An injunction would restrain the parties from taking action. A stay order … I’m not sure I can, actually can, can give you that,” she said.

An injunction is an order from the court that prohibits a party in a case from performing or ordering a specified act as the case continues, either temporarily or permanently, sometimes referred to as a temporary restraining order.

Continue reading →

Oklahoma Teams Place 3rd & 4th in the National Homeschool Football Championship

Staff Report

This past week the top homeschool football teams from across the country descended on Florida to compete to take home the trophy.  Hosted by the National Homeschool Football Association (NHFA), qualifying teams from Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri made their way out to Panama City Beach to compete for the win.  

Tulsa NOAH Jaguars line up against the Oklahoma City Patriots
Continue reading →