via Oklahoma's Center Square News
(The Center Square) – Some U.S. cities are offering money to move there and work remotely. Tulsa, Oklahoma, is offering $10,000 dollars to pack up and relocate. The Tulsa Remote
via Oklahoma's Center Square News
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(The Center Square) – Some U.S. cities are offering money to move there and work remotely. Tulsa, Oklahoma, is offering $10,000 dollars to pack up and relocate. The Tulsa Remote program requires that you already have a job and stay at least one year. “Already this year, just from Jan. 1, we’ve had 300 people from Illinois apply,” said Grant Bumgarner, community manager for the program. Funding for Tulsa Remote comes from the George Kaiser Family Foundation. If you go to Tulsa and take them up on their offer, Bumgarner said there is a good chance you will stay. “That was the idea when we first started this and it has proven to be true,” he said. “Currently we have a 93% retention rate, people who have done the program, finished their year and are still here to this day.” Bentonville, Arkansas, has already gained an edge in the competition for remote workers before the pandemic, when economic development officials began offering $10,000 and a free bike to move to the area. Other places trying to attract workers with cash offers are Topeka, Kansas, and Hamilton, Ohio. The trend only only grows stronger as remote work expands. via Oklahoma's Center Square News Oklahama Senate OKs extension of pandemic exemptions to Open Meetings Act with some changes2/4/2021
(The Center Square) – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved an extension of 2020 legislation that allows state lawmakers and other public bodies to meet virtually during the COVID-19
via Oklahoma's Center Square News Oklahama Senate OKs extension of pandemic exemptions to Open Meetings Act with some changes2/4/2021 (The Center Square) – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved an extension of 2020 legislation that allows state lawmakers and other public bodies to meet virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some amendments. The amendments extend the exemptions of the state's Open Meetings Act until Feb. 15, 2022, or until Gov. Kevin Stitt ends the state of emergency he declared at the beginning of the pandemic in March of last year. It also requires governing bodies "to not modify the method of meeting described in the [public] notice prior to the meeting and to include the code or password to access the meeting in the public notice when applicable," so the general public can watch and participate in the meeting. And it requires any documents prepared for public officials prior to the meeting to be posted online and available for public viewing. The vote was 45-0 in the Senate, with two excused absences. It now heads to the house for consideration. via Oklahoma's Center Square News
The Oklahoma Supreme Court issued an opinion in Treat v. Stitt, a case regarding the governor’s power to renegotiate state gaming compacts. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Speaker
via Oklahoma's Center Square News The Oklahoma Supreme Court issued an opinion in Treat v. Stitt, a case regarding the governor’s power to renegotiate state gaming compacts. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Speaker of the House Charles McCall (R) and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R) who argued that Governor Kevin Stitt (R) overstepped his constitutional authority when he renegotiated the terms for the gaming contracts with the Kialegee Tribal Town and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. The gaming contracts at issue were enacted under the State-Tribal Gaming Act, which voters approved through State Question 712 in 2004. Justice James Winchester wrote the January 26, 2021, opinion for the court. Chief Justice Richard Darby joined Justice Winchester, as did substitute Justice John Reif. Justice Yvonne Kauger wrote a separate concurring opinion and was joined by Justices Douglas Combs, Noma Gurich. Justice Dustin Rowe concurred in the result only. Justice M. John Kane IV wrote a dissenting opinion. Justices James Edmondson and Tom Colbert recused themselves. Writing for the majority, Justice Winchester said, “The Legislature has not authorized the Governor to bind the state with regard to tribal compacts… the compact executed by the Governor contravened state law. The Governor’s powers are limited by the Constitution. The Governor may exercise only the specific power granted. The Governor’s attempt to exceed this authority results in the actions being rendered wholly ineffectual and invalid.” In his dissenting opinion, Justice Kane said he would dismiss the case for lack of indispensable parties, The Comanche Nation and Otoe-Missouria Tribes, who also have gaming contracts with the state. Gov. Stitt said that he will not appeal the court’s decision. On January 27, 2021, he issued a statement that said he plans to work with a joint legislative committee to review the gambling compacts. via Oklahoma's Center Square News
(The Center Square) – Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday previewed what he called “The People’s Agenda” for the 2021 legislative session, highlighting its three main pillars.
via Oklahoma's Center Square News (The Center Square) – Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday previewed what he called “The People’s Agenda” for the 2021 legislative session, highlighting its three main pillars. "No. 1, make Oklahoma a top 10 state for business," he said during his State of the State address. "No. 2, deliver taxpayers more for their money. And No. 3, invest in our fellow Oklahomans." To make Oklahoma a top 10 state for businesses, he said, "what we need is more taxpayers, not more taxes." Comparing his administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic with other states', Stitt said Oklahoma was far less restrictive. "We’ve kept our promise to thousands of business owners by allowing them to stay open safely," he said. "As you know, some states shut down completely for months at a time. But we found the right balance between protecting public health and protecting Oklahomans’ right to provide for their families." The governor said more companies are looking to relocate to Oklahoma as a result. "We’ve been aggressive. We’re reaching out to companies in states that are keeping businesses locked down and dictating their citizens’ personal freedoms," Stitt said. "In the past two years, we’ve had many meetings with companies in California. They all say the same thing: '“We want out.'” The National Federation of Independent Business applauded Stitt's commitment to small business issues. “Thanks to Gov. Stitt, Oklahoma is in a much better fiscal situation than most other states across the country,” Jerrod Shouse, NFIB State Director in Oklahoma, said in a statement after the governor's address. “Gov. Stitt was able to keep most of our small businesses open as other states shut down completely. Oklahoma was also able to balance the need for health and safety with small business owners’ need to provide for their families and their employees.” NFIB said it also supports Stitt's commitment to reduce state regulations. "Gov. Stitt also committed to cutting red tape and getting rid of excessive regulations," NFIB said in a news release. "NFIB applauds Gov. Stitt’s commitment to not let government stand in the way of small business owners desire to hire more workers and keep Oklahoma’s economy running." via Oklahoma's Center Square News |
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