Press Releases

The Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) is accepting applications for a new tag agent for Anadarko. That’s according to State Sen. Darcy Jech, who said the commission approved the move at their monthly meeting held on Thursday in Tulsa.

“Citizens who would normally be able to renew their driver license or tags in Anadarko have had to travel to other communities to conduct their business since the tag agency closed down,” said Jech, R-Kingfisher. “I’m pleased that OTC has begun the process to get the Anadarko tag agency open again.”

Self-driving cars, e-scooters, more commercial uses for drones and drone-ports and the expanded use of electric vehicles were all part of the discussion at an interim study held this week by the Senate Transportation Committee. The Monday hearing was requested by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, who serves as vice-chair of the committee. He said emerging transportation technologies bring with them a host of opportunities and concerns that need to be addressed sooner, rather than later.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat commended the governor’s move to increase oversight of state agencies’ pursuit of federal grant money.

The governor on Tuesday issued an executive order that according to the Governor’s Office “requires state agencies, boards or commissions to first submit any grant application for review to the office of the Governor and for approval by the Secretary of Budget before the agency’s final submission to the funding source.” read more.

County sheriffs throughout Oklahoma have received much-needed support with the passage of Senate Bill 244 this past session. The measure, by Senate principal author Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, and House principal author Rep. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, ends a practice that often resulted in county jails having to pay for the cost of housing inmates awaiting transport to facilities operated by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC). The new law took effect on August 30.

Last week, Sen. Wayne Shaw applauded recent steps by Dahlonegah Public Schools to improve the health of their students, faculty and staff. He said he hopes other school districts take note of their efforts and work to make their own schools healthier.
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The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold an interim study this Thursday, September 19, to examine how the state manages its buildings and properties and how to innovate these processes, staffing and resources. The study, which will meet in room 535 at 9 a.m., was requested by Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton.

State Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, issued the following statement on Tuesday thanking Glen Johnson, Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, for his service and leadership on behalf of the state. Johnson plans to retire from that position at the end of 2020.
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In the midst of a new wave of constitutionally illiterate politicians trying to erase the Bill of Rights, the time is now for conservatives across the country to embrace a bolder, stronger strategy to defending the Second Amendment.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. James Leewright, Rep. Kyle Hilbert and Mayor Rick Pinson of Bristow are joining together to urge members of the public to attend a public forum on current Oklahoma drug threats, hosted by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24th at the City of Bristow Courthouse, 110 West 7th.

State Sen. James Leewright, Rep. Kyle Hilbert and Mayor Rick Pinson of Bristow are joining together to urge members of the public to attend a public forum on current Oklahoma drug threats, hosted by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24th at the City of Bristow Courthouse, 110 West 7th.

Interim Director Bob Cook and other experts with OBN will take part in the forum which is aimed at keeping citizens better informed about current and emerging drug issues that directly impact families, schools, businesses and communities.

The Senate Education Committee will hold an interim study on the state textbook adoption process and reforms to textbook funding on Tuesday, September 10 at 3 p.m. in room 535 of the state Capitol. The study was requested by Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman.

Boren said the study will include presentations from experts within the publishing industry who will discuss how stabilizing the textbook funding process impacts the quality and customization of materials for Oklahoma classrooms.

OKLAHOMA CITY The Chairs of the Oklahoma Legislative Veterans Caucus want to invite their fellow veterans and Oklahomans to Perry Wednesday morning to give a World War II veteran a proper military funeral. Herman White, a Navy veteran, passed away earlier this month with no surviving family. Sen. Paul Rosino, a 25-year retired Navy veteran, and Rep. Jay Steagall, a retired Air Force veteran, are joining Brown-Dugger Funeral Home and the citizens of Perry in asking Oklahomans to attend the veterans funeral or honor him in other ways.

OKLAHOMA CITY- Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, announced Tuesday he had filed Senate Bill 1081 to push back against any proposed red flag laws coming from the federal government. The bill, titled the Anti-Red Flag Act, would preempt all current or future proposed red flag laws coming from Washington D.C. and make them null, void, and of no effect in the State of Oklahoma.

The bill also would prohibit any state or local entities from accepting federal funds to try and entice state agencies into implementing infringements on Oklahoma citizens Constitutional rights.