OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, passed a bill this week that would give counties the option to impose a local public service impact tax on retail marijuana sales.

House Bill 3314 would authorize counties to impose up to a 15% public service impact tax on retail marijuana sales within county limits. The bill does not automatically create a tax. If a county chooses to pursue one, it must first be approved by a majority of county voters at a special election. The bill also exempts marijuana grown on private property by individuals that is not sold.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, secured committee passage of a bill that would add criminal penalties to Oklahoma’s existing prohibitions on hostile foreign ownership of land.

While state law already restricts certain foreign ownership of property, Shaw said current statutes lack meaningful criminal enforcement mechanisms. House Bill 1453 would close that gap by making violations a felony offense.

HB1453 would prohibit foreign governments, entities and businesses linked to countries subject to U.S. arms regulations, as well as entities of particular concern designated by the U.S. Department of State, from acquiring real property or agricultural land in Oklahoma.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei is out with a new TV ad discussing his past car crash injury and what drives him to run for Governor:

Tulsa, OK (February 23, 2026) — Mike Mazzei, Republican candidate for Oklahoma Governor, is launching a new campaign ad across TV and streaming platforms statewide. In the ad, Mazzei shares details of his tough journey to regain his strength after a near-fatal car crash.

“Oklahoma’s state motto is Work Conquers All Things. I am living proof of that,” Mike Mazzei said. “My recovery was slow and difficult, often painful, but I never stopped working and moving forward. I wasn’t about to let a little thing like a broken back and 30 surgeries hold me down.”

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 13, 2026) – The Multi-County Grand Jury indicted a Massachusetts man this week for falsely impersonating former State Superintendent Ryan Walters.  

According to the indictment, Owen Thomas Cunningham, 48, sent letters in August 2024 to school superintendents across Oklahoma. The letter directed school officials to distribute documents to students. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation after Walters confirmed he did not authorize or send the letters. 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 11th)  – The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation by Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, to prohibit marriage under the age of 18 in the State of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 504 eliminates current provisions in state law that allow 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent.

“Though nearing adulthood, the fact remains that these are minors who are vulnerable and need legal protections from those who seek to prey upon them,” Hamilton said. “By raising the legal age for marriage, we are closing dangerous loopholes and ensuring more children can grow up safely, without risk of coercion.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, on Wednesday passed a bill in the Public Health Committee that would allow ivermectin suitable for human use to be sold over-the-counter in pharmacies.

House Bill 4124 would permit a pharmacist to supply ivermectin to a person without requiring a prescription from a health care professional. Notwithstanding any other law, a pharmacy would not be criminally or civilly liable for supplying ivermectin.

We have officially entered the "I will name something after President Trump in order to more shamelessly pander for his endorsement than my opponents" phase of the 2026 Republican primary for Governor...

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 19th) - Chip Keating today announced a cornerstone initiative of his administration: the creation of the Oklahoma headquartered Trump National Laboratory for Energy and National Security.

Keating unveiled the proposal as part of a broader vision to secure Oklahoma's long-term economic leadership, strengthen national security, and ensure companies built in Oklahoma continue to grow and remain in the state.

Medicaid expansion (not) working as predicted

Proponents of adding able-bodied adults, including many working-age men, to Oklahoma’s Medicaid program promised it would solve virtually all the state’s health-care woes. Rural hospitals would suddenly be lavishly funded. State government would be flush with cash. Health outcomes would improve on a skyrocketing trajectory.

Obviously, none of those things has happened despite expansion having been in place for five years now.

Instead, officials with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), which administers Medicaid, have requested an additional state appropriation of nearly $500 million this year, due in part to surging costs related to the expansion population.

Rather than create a windfall of free-flowing federal cash as expansion supporters promised, Medicaid expansion is creating major budget challenges.

The latest press release from former House Speaker Charles McCall, one of the Republican candidates for Governor:

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (February 18, 2026) – Charles McCall’s campaign for Governor today announced the endorsement of 20 county sheriffs from across Oklahoma, representing more than one-fourth of all 77 sheriffs statewide. The growing coalition of law enforcement leaders underscores McCall’s proven record of standing strong for public safety, law and order, and the men and women who wear the badge.

“I am deeply honored to have the support of these dedicated sheriffs who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” said McCall. “As Governor, I will Make Oklahoma Strong by being tough on crime, fighting illegal immigration, cracking down on the cartels that push drugs into our state, and ensuring law enforcement has the tools and resources they need to do their jobs.”