State Auditor Cindy Byrd

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (January 30, 2024) - Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector Cindy Byrd today released her forensic audit report for the City of Wynnewood. This audit was requested by a citizen petition asking the State Auditor and Inspector’s Office (SA&I) to look into several areas of concern occurring between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2021.  

Among the findings of interest are a general lack of diligence regarding the commingling of sales tax money earmarked for specific purposes. A total of $696,731.92 from the Arbuckle Master Conservancy District was inappropriately transferred to the city’s utility bank accounts.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, has filed legislation seeking to change the date of school board elections in Oklahoma.

House Bill 3563 would place school board members on the same cycle as House and Senate elections. It would also move three-year terms to two-year terms and five-year terms to four-year terms.

"Over the last decade, legislation similar to House Bill 3563 has been proposed," Banning said. "This bill differs from others because of its simplified structure. The goal here is to consolidate elections to save taxpayers' money and increase voter turnout."

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 22, 2024) - Today, Gov. Kevin Stitt released the final recommendations from his task force on artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. Created to establish Oklahoma as the top state for responsible and proactive AI implementation, the task force laid out strategies and goals to make government more efficient and prepare the workforce for tomorrow's economy.

Proposed commutation rules unwise

Oklahoma law allows individuals convicted of crimes to seek a commutation, which changes their sentence to one less severe, in situations where officials determine an unjust or excessive sentence has been handed down.

For example, after Oklahoma voters chose to lower the penalties for certain property crimes a few years ago, individuals previously convicted of those same crimes for the prior longer sentences were able to seek commutations.

Washington, D.C. (January 29th) – The Office of Congressman Josh Brecheen announced today that the telephone town hall originally scheduled for January 30th has been moved to Tuesday, February 6th at 7 PM CT.

The change in schedule is due to tomorrow’s House Homeland Security Committee markup of impeachment articles against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, which is expected to go late into the night.

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 25, 2024)— Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small today urged lawmakers to cut Oklahoma’s personal income tax to help struggling families and encourage job growth.

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 23rd) –Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, and Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, have filed legislation to limit virtual instruction in Oklahoma’s public schools. Under Senate Bill 1768, instruction would only take place virtually in the event of inclement weather, staff shortages caused by illness, building maintenance issues, or if found necessary by school administrators.