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Unpaid tolls prevent thousands of Oklahomans from renewing vehicle registrations
OKLAHOMA CITY — Amanda Mayo was making what she thought was a routine visit to a tag agency to renew her husband’s vehicle registration when she discovered the account was locked. After waiting in line for 30 minutes one day in March, she learned she couldn’t renew the car tag due to more than $100 […]
Oklahoma AG clarifies exceptions for abortion patients and medical providers
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s attorney general said Tuesday that although state law prohibits most abortions, pregnant women cannot be punished for seeking out the procedure. In response to a request from six GOP lawmakers, Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a formal opinion clarifying that state law does not allow for pregnant women — even those […]
Oklahoma State Chamber, Farm Bureau challenge effort to raise minimum wage
OKLAHOMA CITY — A proposed state question to raise Oklahoma’s hourly minimum wage to $15 faces its first legal challenge. The State Chamber of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation asked the state’s high court on Monday to find the proposal unconstitutional for delegating state lawmakers’ power to officials at a federal agency. Proposed […]
State retiree files legal challenge over Oklahoma’s bank boycott law
OKLAHOMA CITY — A retired state employee filed a lawsuit Monday to block the enforcement of a new law barring the state from working with banks deemed hostile to fossil fuel energy companies. Former Oklahoma Public Employees Association President Don Keenan alleges the law that targets financial institutions with environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies […]
Stitt says Oklahoma tribal tags present fairness issue, urges tribes to compact
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt said he didn’t know an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper was going to ticket an Otoe-Missouria citizen for having a tribal license plate while living outside her tribe’s boundaries, but that he “100%” supports the action. In an interview, Stitt said he did not direct the Oklahoma Department of Public […]
Oklahoma board wants proposed textbooks altered after Moms for Liberty complained
OKLAHOMA CITY — A state board requested a major publisher remove portions of its math textbooks for students in pre-K through fifth grade after a local conservative group complained. Despite the textbooks receiving the top rating from a review team made up of dozens of teachers, the chairwoman of the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee on […]
Report: Oklahoma to pay $3.3 million for Stitt’s tribal legal fees
OKLAHOMA CITY — As Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration continues to clash with Oklahoma’s tribes in the courtroom, the state is paying his legal costs using gaming compliance fees from the tribes. The state will pay at least $3.3 million in legal fees associated with ongoing tribal disputes, according to a report issued by a legislative […]
New Oklahoma law extends marijuana business license moratorium until 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY — Lawmakers extended a moratorium on new medical marijuana business licenses for two more years as the state tries to get a handle on the exploding industry. A new state law extends a two-year pause on granting new cannabis licenses for dispensaries, growers and processors into a four-year moratorium. The pause does not […]
Tribes, Oklahoma law enforcement clash over tribal license plate citation
OKLAHOMA CITY — Multiple Native American tribes said they were caught off guard Thursday by an alleged change in how the state enforces tribal license plate protocols. Otoe-Missouria Tribe officials accused the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety of unexpectedly altering its position on tribal vehicle registration after one of its members received a $249 ticket. […]
Oklahoma tribal leaders urge collaboration, respect in crafting state compacts
OKLAHOMA CITY — Although Gov. Kevin Stitt wasn’t in attendance at a Tuesday legislative hearing, his presence loomed large as key tribal leaders spoke about the importance of compacts between the state and Oklahoma’s tribes. Four tribal leaders told lawmakers collaboration, cooperation and mutual respect are key to the state and tribes working together to […]
Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ increases state funds invested in Israel
OKLAHOMA CITY — State Treasurer Todd Russ has increased Oklahoma’s investment in Israeli bonds in light of the country’s war with Hamas militants. In response to a request from the Israeli government, the Treasurer’s Office purchased a $10 million bond from the country last week, which will bring the state’s total investment to $62.5 million. […]
Tribal officials, Oklahoma lawmakers not consulted on Stitt’s sports betting plan
OKLAHOMA CITY — Tribal officials and state lawmakers say they weren’t consulted on Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new plan to implement sports betting. While Stitt was in Israel, his office unveiled an unexpected plan on Thursday to legalize sports betting. It included details on how mobile and in-person sports betting would be taxed and who could […]