Washington, D.C. (July 22nd)– Following the assassination attempt against President Donald Trump, Congressman Josh Brecheen introduced the Secret Service Readiness Act, which directs the Director of the Secret Service to implement sex-neutral fitness evaluation standards for Secret Service Special Agents and Uniformed Division Officers.

Legislating from the bench

Judges are often accused of legislating from the bench and a recent decision by the Oklahoma Supreme Court is one reason why. The court majority declared, in essence, that we have fallen through the looking glass like Alice in Wonderland and up is now down – depending on what outcome is favored by justices.

In Stricklen v. Multiple Injury Trust Fund, the Oklahoma Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a section of a 2013 workers’ compensation reform was a “special law.” Instead, the court struck down that provision by rewriting the plain definition of a word.

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 17th) – Sen. Mary Boren said legislation that took effect July 1 doubling precinct official pay will not only help address poll worker shortages seen in recent years, but also points to the positive impact of bipartisan efforts to address pressing issues facing the state. Boren was a co-author to her colleague Sen. Warren Hamilton’s Senate Bill 290, which was approved during the 2023 legislative session.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen announced the following in-person town halls for the month of August. Constituents are invited to attend and share their thoughts and ask questions on policy issues impacting Washington, D.C. and Oklahoma.

Congressman Brecheen has so far held 92 in-person town halls during his first term in office, visiting every county in Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District.

“Ghost student” reform pays off

In 2021, state lawmakers considered reforming school funding. Basically, they wanted to fund schools based on actual students, rather than the number of students who used to attend a district.

School officials reacted with “the sky is falling” rhetoric.

But now we’re three years down the road and the sky hasn’t fallen. Instead, a new report shows this simple reform has resulted in better allocation of roughly $180 million.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (July 17th) – Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Ranking Member and Chair of the Border Management Subcommittee, along with Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Shadow Wolves Improvement Act. This bill would provide Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the authority to convert Shadow Wolves from excepted service to competitive service, which provides additional career mobility opportunities to Shadow Wolves law enforcement officers, making it easier to recruit and retain Shadow Wolves agents and improving border security.

“ICE Shadow Wolves agents—a Native American tactical patrol unit—use their unique expertise and personal knowledge to stop drug traffickers and human smugglers from coming across the southern border. Giving these critical law enforcement officers access to expanded career mobility and opportunity not only supports their work to secure the border but also strengthens recruiting and retention for agents,” said Lankford.

“Tohono O’odham Nation’s Shadow Wolves are critical partners combating drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other illicit activity on our border. Our bill ensures career mobility and fair compensation for Shadow Wolves Agents so they can continue keeping the Tohono O’odham Nation and Arizona safe and secure,” said Sinema.

“Border security is national security, and strengthening the Shadow Wolves program is one of the many ways we are working to deploy the personnel, infrastructure and technology needed to ensure we can restore and maintain operational control of the border,” said Hoeven. “Shadow Wolves agents do a tremendous job protecting against drug trafficking in Indian County. As we work to expand this program, including up to the northern border, it is critical we can recruit, train and retain qualified individuals in this initiative. That’s exactly what this legislation will help accomplish.”

“The Shadow Wolves are a critical asset to effectively fight against human and drug smugglers at our southern border,” said Kelly. “The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act builds on the support provided to the Shadow Wolves and strengthens their specialized tactical units, ensuring these Native American officers have the best training and career mobility as they work to keep Arizonans safe.”

“The Shadow Wolves are an elite, all-Native American tracking and investigative unit with decades of experience, who use both technology and traditional tracking methods to interdict human and drug smuggling on the Tohono O’odham reservation. The Tohono O’odham Nation strongly supports the Shadow Wolves Improvement Act, which will further enhance the effectiveness of the Shadow Wolves program by improving retention and recruitment and expanding the program. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has done great work incorporating feedback from the Nation into this bill. Its passage will ensure that this group of Native American agents can continue to grow and provide their uniquely important capabilities to protect the Tohono O’odham and the US homeland,” said Verlon Jose, Chairman of Tohono O’odham Nation.

“Public Safety, particularly drug and human trafficking, continue to be a priority for Indian Country. These issues are uniquely difficult for tribal communities, like the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, who are located along the US border. The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act is an additional tool within the law enforcement toolbox that will help. The Tribe appreciate Senators Sinema and Hoeven introducing this legislation and urge its swift passage in the Senate,” said Jamie Azure, Chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.

“The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act is a necessary step forward to provide appropriate guidance and options to a group of Native American law enforcement agents which will permit them to receive the same compensation, benefits, and opportunities as their non-native brothers and sisters,” said President Mat Silverman of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). “FLEOA recognizes the value and expertise the Shadow Wolves provide and support the expansion of this program. Our country and Native American border communities will benefit from the increased opportunities, increased safety, and equality this Act will bring to the Tohono O’odham Nation and other tribes across this great nation.”

Shadow Wolves are members of the Tohono O’odham Nation who patrol the 76-mile stretch of land that the Tohono O’odham Nation shares with Mexico. They are known for their ability to track drug smugglers as they attempt to smuggle illegal commodities across Tribal land, thanks to their unique geographical and cultural knowledge. They also help improve the relationship between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Tribal communities. The Shadow Wolves unit is classified as special agents allowed to patrol, investigate, interdict, and secure the border. Shadow Wolves were previously classified as tactical officers under ICE Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), making them unable to access the same career opportunities, pay, and job mobility afforded to HSI special agents. However, Shadow Wolves still lack the same career opportunities as other HSI special agents because of how they were originally hired.

The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act solves this by providing ICE with the authority to convert Shadow Wolves from the excepted to the competitive service upon completion of three years of satisfactory service—affording them career mobility and compensation parity with other HSI special agents. This update will enhance career opportunities for Shadow Wolves agents, strengthen recruitment efforts, and improve border security. Additionally, the legislation codifies GAO’s recommendations to improve and expand the Shadow Wolves program.

Deevers Comments on Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump, Calls on Christians and Conservatives to Get Involved

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 17th) — On Saturday, a 20-year-old shooter attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump, wounding his ear, killing one man, and injuring two more. Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, released the following statement condemning the attack and encouraging citizens to follow Trump’s exhortation immediately after being shot to “fight” for our principles.

Back in May, the Muskogee City Council voted to set an August 27th election for a $78.6M general obligation bond and sales tax proposal. It had a rushed feeling to it, and there's been quite a bit of local controversy over it. Earlier this week, the council held a special meeting and voted to postpone to vote for further community input.

Good.

MUSKOGEE, OKLA., July 15, 2024 - In a Special Call City Council meeting held on Monday, July 15, the Muskogee City Council voted to postpone the upcoming General Obligation Bond Election.

“Almost everyone I’ve talked to is in favor of investing in Muskogee and likes the projects put forward, but I feel like we could use a few more months to consider the issues,” said Mayor Patrick Cale. 

Court errs on religious school decision

When it comes to religion, many on the left twist the principle of government neutrality into a doctrine of government suppression.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently ruled the Catholic Church cannot operate a state charter school. The decision is the latest in which an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision is at odds with simple logic.