OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (March 3, 2026) –  Amid a surge in outside spending nationwide ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, the Oklahoma legislature has passed a resolution (House Concurrent Resolution 1006) urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment restoring the authority of Congress and the states to regulate election spending. Oklahoma is the 24th state to take this step.

Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Senate approved the measure unanimously, following unanimous approval in the Oklahoma House of Representatives last year—sending a strong, bipartisan signal that lawmakers want election decisions returned to the states and their elected representatives.

Assuming Mullin's almost-certain confirmation, that will necessitate an interim appointment by Gov. Kevin Stitt to fill out the remainder of Mullin's Senate term (through January 2027). By Oklahoma statute, a temporary appointee pledges to not run for the full-term position. Thus, the appointee will be a lame-duck placeholder, while a fresh slate of candidates will compete for the full 6-year Senate term in the November 2026 election.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement of support for President Trump’s nomination of Johnny Teehee III to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

Medicaid expansion follies show need for initiative-petition reform

In 2020, Medicaid expansion was approved by the narrowest of margins through a ballot measure placed before voters via the initiative-petition process. The proposal added hundreds of thousands of able-bodied adults to the welfare program and put taxpayers on the hook for paying the medical bills of numerous adults who were capable of gainful employment but not pursuing it.

The measure was strongly rejected by election-day voters and majorities in roughly 90 percent of counties. It passed only because of absentee votes. Yet today, Oklahoma faces a reported Medicaid shortfall of roughly a half-billion dollars that is due largely to the expansion. Every dollar going to expansion takes money away from schools, roads, public safety, or tax relief for working families.

The debacle of Medicaid expansion shows why initiative-petition reform is needed. Unfortunately, it has been relatively easy for out-of-state special interests to pour money into Oklahoma to promote badly designed and counterproductive measures that create serious long-term challenges for our state.

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.”