House Outlines COVID-19 Precautions for Page Program

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today outlined COVID-19 precautions for the High School Page Program.

Every year, hundreds of students from across the state have the opportunity to take part in the House High School Page Program at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Students participating in the program have the chance to view the legislative process up close and gain experience working in state government.

“The House Page Program provides a valuable opportunity for our state’s future leaders to participate in the legislative process and learn more about the intricacies of state government,” House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, said. “Such expanded education programs help our youth become more well-rounded. I’m grateful we were able to create guidelines to allow our high school seniors the chance to participate in the program even in the midst of a pandemic.”

State Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, serves as director of the High School Page Program for the 58th Legislature.

Abolition Day will take place on the State Capitol Steps on Tuesday, February 9th at 09:30 am. I would like to invite you to come with me to the Capitol to demand the abolition of abortion in our state. I believe it is very important for us Okies to be there, let me explain why. In 1835 Andrew Reed and James Matheson, two British ministers who visited sister churches in the United States said, "America will be great if America is good. If not, her greatness will vanish away like a morning cloud."

All will agree that America is more divided than it has been since the Civil War, our "greatness" is in a precarious position. I believe the only way to resolve the problems we are currently having is for a return to God. You may have heard 2 Chronicles 7:14 quoted frequently in recent times. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 

There have been quite a few national and state days of prayer lately. On September 26th of last year, we saw Jonathan Cahn and Franklin Graham lead a national day of prayer and repentance. Governor Stitt declared December 3rd as a statewide day of prayer and fasting. One of the key phrases in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is, "turn from their wicked ways". We as a state HAVE been praying, but what are we missing? 

In the Old Testament, God continued to be patient with the people who had turned their backs on Him until they started practicing child sacrifice; that was the last straw. According to the Oklahoma Health Department, there were 4,995 abortions in Oklahoma in 2019. Can we expect revival without repentance? How do we repent of killing five thousand of our children every year in Oklahoma? James 1:22 says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Well, what does it say? Proverbs 24:11-12 says: "Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don't excuse yourself by saying, 'Look, we didn't know.' For God understands all hearts, and He sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve."

We have had 48 years to be made aware of what is going on around us, and God has tasked us to rescue those unjustly sentenced to die. Proverbs 31:8 says: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed." Next week I will submit another letter to the editor addressing concerns about abolition bills, and what I learned about abolition on the campaign trail for State House. God is gracious to forgive and restore us if we repent and turn to Him for forgiveness. If you would like to do a little speaking up, I implore you to come with me to the State Capitol for Abolition Day on Tuesday, February 9th at 9:30 am to speak up, repent, and pray for revival and restoration. 

Workforce Stimulus Bill Filed in OK House

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation to direct a portion of future stimulus money to frontline workers has been filed for the 58th Legislative Session. 

House Bill 2455, authored by House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, requires that a portion of future dollars from any stimulus be paid to employees of businesses deemed essential during the pandemic. 

“If there has been a constant during this pandemic, it has been that Oklahoma’s government has consistently let down frontline workers and their families,” Virgin said. “This legislation rewards these Oklahomans who have continued to show up and keep our state alive.” 

HB2455 requires that assistance to these essential workers should be no less than an additional $3 an hour for hourly employees and $1200 for salaried.

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 22, 2021) – In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on July 9, 2020, in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which recognized the continued existence of the Creek reservation for purposes of the Major Crimes Act, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt today has welcomed the leaders of the Five Civilized Tribes to enter into formal negotiations with the state to address and resolve the potential issues that have arisen because of the watershed McGirt ruling. 

“As the commonly-elected Governor for all 4 million Oklahomans, it is critically important that the State of Oklahoma and the leaders of Oklahoma’s tribes impacted by the McGirt decision begin negotiations, in earnest, to resolve the potential ramifications of this ruling,” said Gov. Stitt. “Under Oklahoma law, which is consistent with Oklahoma’s Constitution, the Governor of Oklahoma has the authority to negotiate and enter into cooperative agreements on behalf of the state with Oklahoma’s Native American tribes. Oklahoma law also allows me to designate a lead negotiator for the state, and for this role I am designating Ryan Leonard, Special Counsel for Native American Affairs.”

The governor continued, “As all who have read the Supreme Court’s opinion know, the McGirt decision was limited to matters of criminal jurisdiction. In that regard, ensuring the public safety of all Oklahomans and providing certainty and adequate resources for the men and women in law enforcement in eastern Oklahoma is of paramount importance. As things stand today, crimes are going unpunished, and convicted criminals are seeking to be set free. We can’t allow this to happen.”  

State Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed a measure that would prohibit any person under the age of 18 from undergoing gender reassignment medical treatment in the state.

“In one of his recent executive orders, Joe Biden directed changes to allow biological men to compete in women’s sports,” Dahm said. “Competing in sports is one thing, but allowing the permanent alteration of a child from their biological sex and DNA has lasting effects. Senate Bill 583 would prohibit any sex-change surgeries or chemicals from being used upon any minor for that purpose.”

The measure states a health care professional who intentionally performs gender reassignment treatment on a person under 18 is subject to professional discipline by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, State Board of Osteopathic Examiners or the applicable health care professional licensing board. Discipline could include suspension or revocation of any license or certificate required to practice medicine in Oklahoma.

State Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, has filed the Equal Protection and Equal Justice Act, which would abolish abortion in the state.

Senate Bill 495 would ensure equal justice and equal protection of the laws to all unborn children from the moment of fertilization; establish that a living human unborn child, from the moment of fertilization, is entitled to the same rights, powers and privileges as any other person; and rescind all licenses to kill unborn children by repealing discriminatory provisions and making all alleged offenders equally subject to the law.

The bill would also recognize that the United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land and refuse to assent to legal fiction that the Constitution prohibits the state from exercising its reserved police powers to outlaw homicide and provide equal protection to all persons, and void all federal statutes, regulations, treaties, orders and court rulings that would deprive an unborn child of the right to life, or prohibit the equal protection of such right.

“We the People must immediately end abortion, which is our American holocaust,” Hamilton said. “It’s time that we stand up for our preborn children and ensure that every life, regardless of their stage of development, is protected by our laws.”

The measure would also amend the wrongful death statute to remove certain instances under which a wrongful death action in relation to abortion may be brought, applying the law to all abortions.

State Rep. Jason Lowe (D-OKC)

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 25th, 2021) -- State Rep. Jason Lowe, D-OKC, filed legislation Friday to save Oklahoman’s lives and reduce hospitalizations during the COVID pandemic. 

The COVID-19 Save Lives Response Act, House Bill 2192, triggers a statewide mask mandate within the state until the Oklahoma State Department of Health confirms that COVID-19 related hospitalizations have remained at or below 300 for 30 consecutive days.

“It is time that our state takes action against COVID-19 to save lives and to successfully and safely reopen schools and our economy,” said Lowe. “Though it is great that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are now being distributed throughout the state, it is still necessary that we practice social distancing and wear masks to protect our communities until enough people receive the vaccine.”

I stumbled across this shirt online, which fits the below column very well

Be Careful What You Wish For

The state of Oklahoma has California in its sights.

Persistently bad policymaking in California has resulted in a heavy tax burden, an outrageous cost of living, and, consequently, a mass exodus. The ensuing tyranny and oppression should be a clarion call to California emigrants to execute an abrupt about-face and abandon public policies and elected officials that created this condition.

To connect the dots between policy and affordability, consider one aspect of the cost of living – the price of gasoline. In the modern economy, transportation is a necessity and the price of gas is likely one of the transportation costs with which almost everyone can relate.

California and Oklahoma are similarly situated in household and individual relationships to automobiles. In California, 93.1% of households had access to at least one vehicle compared to 94.4% of Oklahoma households. 83.3% of California commuters chose to drive or carpool to work, compared to 92.2% of Oklahoma commuters. According to one study, per 100 residents, California had 38.1 vehicles registered while Oklahoma had 32.8. This similarity will help paint a clear picture of the extent to which public policy has burdened Californians.

At the time of this writing, the average price per gallon of gas in California was $3.17 per gallon, more than a dollar higher than the national average. This is crazy, especially for Oklahomans accustomed to an average price of $1.81. A recent publication by the American Petroleum Institute gives some insight into the dramatic difference. Spoiler – it has a lot to do with public policy. 

California tax policy places a high burden on drivers. State-specific taxes and fees amount to a nation-leading 81.2 cents per gallon of gasoline. By contrast, Oklahoma is a quarter of that amount, coming in at 20 cents per gallon. Additionally, California’s politicians have been antagonistic toward gasoline-fueled automobiles, such as a recent executive order demanding that all new cars sold in California have “zero-emissions.” 

This, along with numerous other examples, should serve as a wake-up call, a realization that public policy matters. It can either preserve freedom or impose tyranny. So, Californians who relocate businesses to Oklahoma, please do so responsibly.

Take the time necessary to reflect on why you are leaving California. Contemplate how public policy has contributed to the condition from which you flee. Then observe how free enterprise policies foster an environment of freedom within which businesses and residents can thrive.

As the tendencies toward paternalistic governance, aversion to free markets, and love of hyper-regulation begin to dissipate and the fresh, crisp air of freedom has filled your lungs, take action. Vote to preserve liberty for yourself and others for generations to come.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 22, 2021) — Governor Kevin Stitt today announced he has appointed Trent Smith to the State Board of Education, filling the vacant seat for Congressional District 3.

“Trent Smith will put the future generation of Oklahomans first, which is why I nominated him to fill this seat and why I trust he will be critical in helping Oklahoma become a Top Ten state in education,” said Gov. Stitt. “Trent brings a wealth of experience as a businessman, community leader and parent and I look forward to his contributions to our state’s success by putting students first.”

A graduate of the University of Oklahoma where he was a 4-year starter, team captain and national champion on the OU football team, Smith currently serves as a commissioner on the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. He is a successful businessman and community leader who started numerous companies in Oklahoma City and is a member of the Young President's Organization in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. He and his wife live in Yukon with their two children.