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Oklahoma state agencies consider pay hikes as report finds many workers are underpaid
OKLAHOMA CITY — Agency officials are examining and, in some cases, increasing staff pay after a report released this year found that the majority of state employees are underpaid compared to their private-sector counterparts. The Oklahoma Tax Commission is increasing its employees’ pay in response to the report that shows more than half of state […]
Oklahoma judge upholds Legislature’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors
OKLAHOMA CITY — A federal judge on Thursday upheld a state law banning gender-affirming care for minors, saying the measure does not discriminate against transgender children. Judge John Heil III declined to put on hold the new law that bans gender-transition surgeries and hormone treatments for minors following a lawsuit from five transgender youth and […]
Top Oklahoma lawmakers mull ways to make state budget process more transparent
OKLAHOMA CITY — Facing criticism that their state budget process is secretive, legislative leaders pledged to increase the transparency surrounding how lawmakers craft a massive spending plan appropriating billions of taxpayer dollars. In calling for a special legislative session, Gov. Kevin Stitt urged lawmakers to pass measures to make their annual budgeting more transparent, including […]
Oklahoma House speaker disappointed in Senate’s inaction on tax cuts
OKLAHOMA CITY — House Republicans will continue to push for tax cuts even though the Senate adjourned a special legislative session without taking action on the issue, Oklahoma’s House speaker said Wednesday. Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said he was disappointed the Senate abruptly adjourned the special session on Tuesday without passing any legislation and without […]
Oklahoma Senate rebuffs Stitt, abruptly ends special legislative session
OKLAHOMA CITY — Mere hours after lawmakers gaveled in Tuesday for a special legislative session on tax cuts and budget transparency, the Senate abruptly adjourned without addressing any of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s demands for income tax reductions. Just hours before, the House’s top Republican, Speaker Charles McCall, had expressed optimism that legislative leaders could come […]
Libs of TikTok scrutiny puts unwanted national spotlight on Oklahoma schools
OKLAHOMA CITY — Some Oklahomans are concerned a right-wing social media account run by an out-of-state conservative figure is politicizing Oklahoma schools, harming districts, educators and students in the process. As Libs of TikTok has taken a growing interest in Oklahoma schools, some parents are questioning Superintendent Ryan Walters’ decision to back the account that […]
Stitt seeks tax cuts in special Oklahoma legislative session starting Tuesday
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Legislature will begin on Tuesday a special legislative session on tax cuts and budget transparency as Gov. Kevin Stitt ramps up pressure on lawmakers to decrease state income taxes. The looming question is what, if anything, will lawmakers accomplish as House and Senate Republicans appear to differ on whether the […]
Stitt, former Oklahoma governors to participate in public fireside chat
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt and four former Oklahoma governors will take part in a fireside chat next week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie. A local chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will sponsor the public event and fundraiser for the […]
Oklahoma’s anti-abortion laws spur greater demand for vasectomies
OKLAHOMA CITY — When Oklahoma City urologist Dr. Basel Hassoun saw the news last summer that the U.S. Supreme Court had overturned Roe v. Wade, he never expected the ruling could impact his job. But about six months after the high court’s decision, he began to see an uptick in the number of patients seeking […]
Leadership changes at Oklahoma prison under scrutiny for sexual misconduct allegations
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma prison warden, whose facility faced scrutiny from a state lawmaker for allegedly mishandling inmate sexual misconduct reports, has resigned. Greg Breslin, the warden at Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft, resigned last month after spending some time on medical leave, said Department of Corrections spokesperson Kay Thompson. Breslin, who had […]
Efforts to eliminate Oklahoma grocery tax stall despite bipartisan support
OKLAHOMA CITY — Although bipartisan support remains at the state Capitol for eliminating the state portion of the grocery tax, movement on the issue appears to have ground to a halt. Gov. Kevin Stitt has been one of the most vocal proponents for eliminating the state’s 4.5% sales tax on groceries, but he did not […]
10 candidates to vie for Edmond House seat in special election
OKLAHOMA CITY — A crowded field of candidates this week declared their intent to run for a vacant Edmond House seat that will be on the ballot during an upcoming special election. The candidates for the House District 39 seat vacated by former state Rep. Ryan Martinez, who resigned after pleading guilty to a felony […]