Gann, Kevin West ask OK Supreme Court to End ‘Muzzling’ of Utility Customers opposing $29M ONG Rate Increase

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 19, 2026) – Just a day after winning reelection to his House seat, Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, filed an appeal of another ruling of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He was joined by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore.

A June 11 OCC ruling denied the intervention of customers trying to participate in the latest rate case for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company (ONG). The utility is seeking a $29 million rate increase. If approved, it would mark the fourth rate hike the OCC has approved for ONG in the last four years, increasing customer bills by more than $128 million.

Often joined by Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, Gann, West and West now have eleven OCC utility appeals pending before the state’s highest court. This latest appeal, filed June 17, brings the total amount of ONG, OG&E and PSO customer payments the representatives have challenged to $500 million in rate increases, $3.2 billion in 2021 Winter Storm bonds, $11 billion in fuel charges, and $1.3 billion in new capacity preapprovals. Six of those appeals are now fully briefed and under consideration by the Supreme Court.

SQ 832: Big City Costs, Small Town Budgets

What works in New York and Los Angeles does not always work in Oilton, Drumright, or Mannford, Oklahoma. But what does it mean for small towns across our state?

There will be a lot of discussion about State Question 832 and raising the minimum wage. The idea behind it is simple. People want hardworking Oklahomans to earn a better living. That is a goal most of us share. But the real question is how statewide policies affect small town budgets and the services our communities depend on every day.

One part of the proposal ties future wage increases to a national urban inflation index. In simple terms, that means wages would continue rising automatically every year.

Small towns run on local dollars. Our budgets come from local sales taxes, utility payments, and the limited revenue streams that keep a community running.

This is not unique to Oilton. The same reality applies to small towns across Oklahoma. Whether it is a town of 500 or 5,000, the math does not change. Limited revenue, essential services, and tight budgets are the norm, not the exception.

A modest raise sounds good to everyone at first. But it does not stop at $15 or even $20 an hour. The increases continue every year forever, and over time they can quickly become unsustainable for small businesses and small town budgets.

Where do businesses get their money?

Under State Question 832, the minimum wage in Oklahoma will more than double from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour by 2029 and then continue rising at a rapid pace every year based on the cost of living in the nation’s largest urban centers.

Even supporters of SQ 832 concede it will increase Oklahoma employers’ labor costs by $783 million annually. They tout this as a good thing, but ignore a fundamental question: Where do businesses get their money? The answer: from their customers.

Ultimately, every dollar an employer receives comes from a customer. Money doesn’t grow on trees, as your dad probably told you. This economic reality escapes the supporters of SQ 832.

(image cropped from a Shannon campaign post)

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (June 12th) — Vice President J.D. Vance announced his endorsement of T.W. Shannon today, saying the former Speaker of the House has the right values and best experience to serve as Oklahoma’s next Lieutenant Governor. 

Oklahoma’s Insurance Commissioner Matters More Than Most Realize

During part of Marty Quinn’s time in the Oklahoma Senate, I worked in and around the Oklahoma Legislature and had the opportunity to observe his work firsthand. These are my personal observations about a man I respect.

Politics often focuses on speeches, advertisements, and campaign promises. My perspective is a little different. I had the opportunity to watch Marty work, interact with people, and serve in public office. What stood out to me wasn’t one particular moment. It was the consistency.

Whether working with constituents, fellow lawmakers, agency officials, or community leaders, Marty developed a reputation for being prepared, thoughtful, and willing to do the work required to solve problems. In my experience, consistency is one of the most underrated qualities in public service.

For those reasons, I believe Marty Quinn is the right person for the job.

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 12th) — Former Attorney General and conservative champion John O’Connor endorsed Jeff Starling for Attorney General.

“I am honored to endorse my friend Jeff Starling for the very important office of Oklahoma Attorney General. As a former Attorney General, I know the experience and skills we need from our Attorney General.

We need an experienced attorney, not a career politician!

Jeff Starling is the person who is best qualified to serve Oklahoma in this office. He is a smart, gifted Attorney. He has the heart of a warrior and will stand firm for our rights. At the same time, he has the heart of a public servant. He is running for the right reason — to serve you and me.

Prepare to be flabbergasted. We have a new state record for most personal money loaned by a candidate to his own political campaign:

$11,000,000.00.

Eleven million dollars.

That is more any candidate has ever personally loaned his campaign during one election cycle in Oklahoma history. Governor Kevin Stitt loaned his 2018 campaign ~$5M, and another ~$2M in 2022, for a cumulative total of $7M. That seems to be the previous record. Combined with his 2018 loans, Stitt raised another $5M+ for a full total of $10.8M, another record at the time. Mazzei smashed both in just a few months with his personal bankrolling.

McCall's $5.6M loan is nothing to sneeze at, also one of the top in history, but Mazzei's millions blow that away.

Wow.

Early Voting Begins Thursday for June 16 Election

(June 8th, Oklahoma City) – In-person absentee voting (also known as “early voting”) for the June 16 Election begins Thursday across the state. Early voting locations will be open Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday, June 13 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.).

State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced that, “In honor of America’s 250th birthday, limited-edition ‘I Voted’ stickers will be available at early voting locations and polling place locations across the state, while supplies last.” There are two different designs. A preview of the designs can be found on the State Election Board website.