Press Releases

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, today held an interim study looking into how to secure a historic highway designation for U.S. Highway 70, a prominent east-west connector in southern Oklahoma.

Officially designated on December 7, 1926, U.S. Route 70 stretches across the southern part of the state for 289 miles, from the Texas state line near Davidson, Oklahoma, to the Arkansas state line near Broken Bow. The road also stretches far beyond Oklahoma's borders. It spans 2,381 miles from Globe, Arizona, to Atlantic, North Carolina.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Nikki Nice presented an interim study Wednesday to the Public Safety Committee looking at a pattern of elder abuse known as coercive control. Nice told the committee that while most people think of the abuse of seniors in terms of physical assault that may cause bruises, broken bones or more severe injuries, it can also be a pattern of behavior designed to strip victims of their autonomy, safety, and dignity.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and Senator Roland Pederson, R-Burlington, on Tuesday joined Taiwanese officials in Taipei for the official opening of the Taiwan Regional Trade Office, establishing a new resource for Oklahoma’s international trade and economic development efforts.

The office was established through Senate Bill 209, authored by Sen. Pederson and Representative Daniel Pae, R-Lawton. The measure became law in August 2025, following more than a decade of work to establish a direct trade presence in Taiwan.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, on Tuesday hosted an interim study to explore responsible ways to reduce the length of some prison stays and better utilize successful reentry programs while still prioritizing public safety.

Policy experts, academic leaders and criminal justice reform advocates presented at the study before the Senate Public Safety Committee.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, and House Majority Leader Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, on Tuesday held an interim study to explore how Oklahoma can better retain existing companies while also attracting new businesses to the state.

The lawmakers invited business leaders, higher education officials, mental health experts, local service providers and Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols to give their perspectives on what’s preventing Oklahoma from attracting more businesses.

NORMAN – Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, and Cleveland County Commissioner Jacob McHughes today announced that Cleveland County will hire two new sheriff’s deputies tasked with patrolling areas in and around state-owned property in Norman. In addition, the deputies will serve as a resource, providing information to connect those who need it with help.

The idea emerged from a meeting organized by Senator Standridge that included Rep. Jonathan Wilk, Cleveland County leaders and state officials.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Leading senators issued the following statements after participating in Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony showcasing renovations at the state’s Jim Thorpe Memorial Building.

The $70 million renovation project to update the building near the state Capitol used by the Corporation Commission, State Election Board, Water Resources Board and other state agencies began in 2023.

Senator Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, Member of the Jim Thorpe Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee:

OKLAHOMA CITY – Capping months of hard work and extensive coordination with state and local leaders, Sen. Kristen Thompson, R‑Edmond, and Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R‑Piedmont, presented a $4.7 million check to the City of Piedmont on Tuesday to move forward key transportation improvements along Edmond Road and Piedmont Road.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sen. John Haste R-Broken Arrow, recently hosted interim studies examining Oklahoma’s physician shortages and the Strong Families Tax Credit. Together, the studies highlight urgent challenges facing Oklahoma families and communities, as well as targeted solutions to improve access to care and economic stability statewide.

Haste on Thursday held an interim study examining graduate medical education (GME) in relation to the national and statewide physician shortage, which has serious implications for Oklahoma families and communities.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt issued the following statement after receiving calls about Oklahomans unable to register through the state’s voter portal on Friday, the final day to register for the upcoming November election. The issue was highlighted in a report by Oklahoma Watch.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, is asking the public to provide feedback ahead of her upcoming interim study on the use of Flock cameras to be heard in the Senate’s Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. in room 230 of the state Capitol. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 1636 by Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, teamed up for a joint interim study to see what it would take to establish an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Oklahoma. The study was held in the Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee on Friday.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Tony Dungy and Texas Sen. Angela Paxton among featured presenters

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, and Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow will host a joint interim study on the proposed Strong Families Tax Credit on Monday, October 12, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 535 of the Oklahoma State Capitol.

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Nikki Nice, D-Oklahoma City, joined the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (OK-CADP) on Thursday in commemorating World Day Against the Death Penalty, a global call to end capital punishment and promote a more just and humane criminal justice system.

OKLAHOMA CITY –Sen. Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Derrick Hildebrant, R-Catoosa, held a joint interim study Wednesday examining ways Oklahoma can improve transparency and accountability in its courtrooms.

The study focused on whether modern audio and video technology could help address Oklahoma’s growing shortage of court reporters and provide greater public access and transparency to court proceedings while still protecting due process, victims and the integrity of the judicial process.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chairman Chuck Hall, R-Perry, and Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, today hosted a joint interim study to bring daycare providers, early childhood education leaders and other stakeholders to the table to discuss improving Oklahoma’s childcare system.

Presenters discussed regulations and reimbursements for childcare providers and emphasized how a strong provider network is critical to a thriving workforce. Oklahoma has 2,747 licensed private pay childcare providers and 1,855 contracted providers that receive subsidies.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Tulsa’s aerospace and defense industry is helping drive Oklahoma’s growing $52.5 billion aerospace and defense economy, with more than 250 aerospace and defense companies and nearly 43,000 employees contributing more than $11 billion annually to the Tulsa region.

The figures come as the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics releases its latest economic impact data showing the statewide aerospace and defense industry supports more than 250,000 jobs and generates $52.5 billion in annual economic activity.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, is now the National Co-Chair of the American Irish Legislators Caucus. Boren was appointed during the 2026 summit in Ireland, attended by legislators from throughout the United States, including from Oklahoma. Also participating were Rep. Mark Chapman, R-Broken Arrow, Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Nikki Nice, D-Oklahoma City. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, today held an interim study to explore how state agencies can work together to address the thousands of abandoned medical marijuana grow operations scattered across Oklahoma.