by Muskogee Politico - January 19, 2024 at 07:58PM
Legislature completes bill filing for 2024 session
Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
The Oklahoma Legislature bill filing deadline* has passed, and for once, after a new record last year, the pile of paper has lessened somewhat. The last time fewer new bills were filed was in 2018. Even-numbered years, being the second half of each two-year legislative term, tend to have fewer measures filed than the first [odd-numbered] year of the term.
2024: 2,077
2023: 3,079
2022: 2,299
2021: 3,049
2020: 2,240
2019: 2,815
2018: 1,954
2017: 2,242
Read on for the press releases from the House and Senate.
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by Muskogee Politico - January 19, 2024 at 07:58PM Legislature completes bill filing for 2024 session Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
By Jonathan Small
Just as citizens make new year’s resolutions, policymakers should also set goals for the next 12 months. With the 2024 session beginning in roughly one month, this is a perfect time for lawmakers to take that step. First up: reforming Oklahoma’s judicial-selection process. Instead of allowing the executive branch to nominate judges and requiring legislative approval for confirmation—the system installed by our nation’s founding fathers at the federal level—Oklahoma uses a 15-member Judicial Nominating Commission that operates in secret to select judicial nominees. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - January 19, 2024 at 04:30PM OCPA column: Goals for 2024 Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico It's not often that the Republican Senate Pro Tem and the Democratic leaders in the House and Senate speak from the same playbook, but it seems they do when it comes to dealing with Gov. Stitt's insistence that Oklahoma taxpayers get a break:Read more » by Muskogee Politico - January 19, 2024 at 10:35AM State Senate's GOP head joins Dem leaders in calling Gov. Stitt's tax cut special session a "waste, "stunt" Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
GOVERNOR STITT NAMES SHELLEY ZUMWALT AS OKLAHOMA SECRETARY OF TOURISM
OKLAHOMA CITY (January 16, 2024) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt named Shelley Zumwalt as Oklahoma Secretary of Tourism following a historic year for Oklahoma's tourism industry. "Shelley Zumwalt has proven herself to be a tourism powerhouse and a compelling ambassador for Oklahoma," said Governor Stitt. "After seeing the historic numbers from last year, I've never been more excited for the future of Oklahoma's tourism industry -- and that means having Shelley at the helm." Read more »by Muskogee Politico - January 19, 2024 at 08:22AM Gov. Stitt appoints Shelley Zumwalt as Secretary of Tourism Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
Rick West Bill Would Protect Privacy of Homemade Food Producers
OKLAHOMA CITY(Jan. 16th) – Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, has filed legislation that would amend the Homemade Food Freedom Act to protect the private information of producers. House Bill 2975 would allow producers of homemade food products to obtain a registration number to affix to their product labels instead of the current requirement that they list their name, phone number and the physical address where the food is produced on all products sold. The $15 registration fee would be voluntary. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - January 19, 2024 at 07:16AM State Rep. Rick West files bill to protect privacy of homemade food producers Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico Gov. Stitt is giving the Legislature another shot at passing a personal income tax. Previously, the House has supported the idea, but the Senate has not. Maybe this time will be different?
GOVERNOR STITT CALLS SPECIAL SESSION
OKLAHOMA CITY (January 16, 2024) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt called for a special session of Oklahoma’s 59th Legislature beginning January 29, 2024, to seek a .25% reduction in the personal income tax for every Oklahoman. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - January 18, 2024 at 11:16PM Gov. Stitt calls special session for personal income tax cut Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico Stardust Power picks Muskogee for nation's largest battery-grade lithium refinery $1B investment1/13/2024 Big news for Muskogee:
STARDUST POWER SELECTS MUSKOGEE TO BUILD BATTERY-GRADE LITHIUM REFINERY
GREENWICH, Conn., and TULSA, Okla., January 11, 2024 – Stardust Power Inc. (“Stardust Power” or the “Company”), a development stage American manufacturer of battery-grade lithium products, announced today that it has selected Southside Industrial Park in Muskogee, Oklahoma to build a new battery-grade lithium refinery, and is expected to be eligible to receive up to $257 million in state and federal economic incentives for the facility build-out. The Company may also be eligible for further federal grants and or incentives offered by the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense. Stardust Power selected Muskogee, Oklahoma for its central refinery because of Oklahoma’s central U.S. location, facilitating delivery of lithium inputs and shipment of battery-grade lithium products over multiple transportation routes to support the Company’s refining operations. The area’s superior intermodal freight transport options as well as a highly skilled workforce trained in oil and gas engineering were other key factors. Additionally, Oklahoma is recognized as an emerging national leader in sustainable power, including solar and wind, supporting Stardust Power’s commitment to limit its carbon footprint. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - January 13, 2024 at 08:33AM Stardust Power picks Muskogee for nation's largest battery-grade lithium refinery, $1B+ investment Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
OCPA calls for state investigation of OU student fee use
OKLAHOMA CITY (January 10, 2024) — Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small today called on state lawmakers to launch an investigation into the University of Oklahoma’s use of mandatory student fees following a recent report indicating student fees were wasted placing women’s menstrual products in men’s bathrooms on campus. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - January 12, 2024 at 10:27AM OCPA calls for state investigation of OU student fee use Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
Sen. Seifried files legislation to create pilot program to limit student phone usage in schools
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, has filed legislation creating a pilot program to allow Oklahoma public schools to create phone-free school sites. Senate Bill 1321 would provide grant-style funding for up to nine middle or high schools to cover the costs associated for sites going cellphone free for the duration of the school day. Seifried said the goal of the program was to remove distractions for students in order to increase educational outcomes, in addition to, limiting the damaging effects of cellphone use on students’ mental health and wellbeing. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - January 09, 2024 at 05:04PM Sen. Seifried aims to create pilot program to limit student phone usage in schools Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico
Drummond to testify before U.S. House committee in impeachment proceedings against Biden’s Homeland Security Secretary
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 8, 2024) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond will testify Wednesday to the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee as part of that panel’s impeachment proceedings against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The action comes in the wake of Mayorkas’ failure to secure the nation’s southwest border. Drummond was invited to testify due to his focus of ridding Oklahoma of the foreign nationals who have invaded the marijuana industry. He is expected to tell committee members how the recent influx of illegal immigrants into the U.S. has allowed criminal enterprises, primarily populated by Mexican and Chinese nationals, to jeopardize public safety through drug trafficking and other crimes. Read more »by Muskogee Politico - January 09, 2024 at 12:57PM AG Drummond to testify before House committee in impeachment hearing against Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas Click this headline to read the entire article at Muskogee Politico |
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