OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 20, 2023) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond has created an Organized Crime Task Force to combat the scourge of illegal marijuana grow operations across Oklahoma and added a resource for citizens to report suspicious activity related to unlicensed operations.

Washington, D.C. (Sept. 19th) – The office of Congressman Josh Brecheen reminds constituents in Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District that completed application packets for service academy nominations must be received in the Claremore office by 5:00 pm October 20, 2023.

Oklahoma City, Okla (Sept. 20th) – Today, the Oklahoma State Department of Education filed a Motion to Dismiss in OKPLAC, INC., d/b/a Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee, et al., v. STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD, et al. – concerning the approval of a religious charter school.

“Religious freedom is at the very bedrock of our nation,” said State Superintendent Ryan Walters. “Those who would sue to abridge the freedom of Americans to freely exercise their religion stand against 400 years of religious tolerance in America, predating the United States itself.  I will fight to protect the freedom of all Oklahomans enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and Oklahoma laws, especially in our schools.”

Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) released the following statement after the House Financial Services Committee passed the Agricultural Security Risk Review Act, his legislation to add the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).

"Protecting America’s agriculture security is a critical part of our national security. With an increasing amount of foreign investment in U.S. agriculture, including the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of CFIUS is long overdue." said Congressman Frank Lucas.  "I know firsthand just how important the security of our agricultural industry is, which is why I applaud my colleagues on the House Financial Services Committee in taking a critical step to make my longstanding priority law." 

Ranked-choice voting a bad idea

Oklahoma is one of only a relative handful of states that conduct runoff elections. Because those runoff elections cost taxpayer money – typically hundreds of thousands – and draw lower turnout, some officials argue we should abandon runoff elections and instead adopt “ranked choice” voting.

But a recent legislative study highlighted why that is a bad idea. Whatever savings might be achieved would be more than offset by widespread voter confusion, reduced transparency and effective disenfranchisement of many citizens.

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 14, 2023) - Governor Kevin Stitt, in separate letters with United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) Chief Joe Bunch and Kialegee Tribal Town (KTT) Mekko Stephanie Yahola, called on the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations, Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, and House Speaker Charles McCall to convene to approve their agreed upon gaming compact.  

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Sept. 14th) – The Oklahoma State Department of Education has been awarded a nearly $10 million competitive grant from the United States Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration to support increased efforts in partnership to provide, improve, and expand services that address the transition needs of Oklahoma youth with disabilities. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Participating optometric physicians across the state of Oklahoma will be giving complimentary eye exams to those in-need as part of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physician’s (OAOP) fourth annual Giving Sight Day.

Washington, D.C. (Sept. 14th) – Congressman Josh Brecheen will hold in-person town hall meetings on Monday, October 2nd, Tuesday, October 3rd, and Wednesday, October 4th. Constituents are invited to attend and share their thoughts and ask questions on policy issues impacting Washington, D.C. and Oklahoma.

Congressman Brecheen has so far held 60 in-person town halls throughout Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District with more to be announced for November.