Prior to the Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1, commonly called the “Big, Beautiful Bill” Act. The vote of 215-214 fell almost exactly on a party-line vote. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. It is expected that a vote will occur within the next few weeks. Much […]
Government
Posted inNews
GOP draft
While the new year brings new changes and new challenges, it would seem that there is nothing new under the sun in Oklahoma. As the 2024 election cycle showed, Oklahoma remains deeply entrenched as quite possibly the reddest state in the union. Yet throughout January, straight out of the gate, Oklahoma made multiple national headlines […]
Posted inNews
No taxation for indoctrination
When Oklahoma makes national news, it is often an embarrassment. Now it is also dangerous. The state’s virtual charter school board has approved on a 3-2 vote (thanks to a last-minute appointment by Gov. Kevin Stitt that guaranteed passage), to establish the first publicly-funded religious charter school in the United States. Gov. Stitt and Oklahoma […]
Posted inNews
Election Recap
Not even a pandemic and thousands of statewide power outages can keep Oklahomans from voting. In fact, this year marked the highest voter participation nationwide despite the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19. Regardless of any baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, the election is over. This is especially true locally, where the sputtering blue geyser […]
Posted inNews
Voter’s Guide
In 2020, voting isn’t crystal clear. Few elections transpire without turmoil. The 2000 presidential election, for example, saw one of the most overt signs of doubt surrounding the country’s process as Al Gore secured the popular vote, but ultimately conceded to President George W. Bush after a recount was forced in Florida. Further doubt was […]
Posted inNews
Political yearbook
The Nov. 6 election results ushered in a new class of elected officials in Oklahoma scheduled to begin work during the start of a new legislative session in February, or in some cases, before then. Oklahomans showed preference for female candidates like never before and demonstrated a newfound respect for political outsiders. Those outsiders include […]
Posted inNews
Election penalty
The Nov. 6 election night results were cause for many across Oklahoma, including 38-year-old winner Nikki Nice, who won the open Ward 7 seat on Oklahoma City Council, to celebrate. However, no more than 24 hours later, Nice found herself the recipient of bad news as her former employer, Perry Publishing & Broadcasting Company, fired […]
Posted inNews
In session
Long before an estimated 30,000 teachers marched at the state capitol for 10 days in April, educators met with their state representatives and urged them to enact legislation that would increase school funding. Oklahoma was ranked one of the lowest in the nation for per-pupil spending and teacher pay, and the damning statistics could be […]
Posted inNews
Ladies’ night
Results from the Nov. 6 midterm elections were a cause for celebration for many as an unprecedented amount of women emerged triumphant nationally. History was made in several states, including Tennessee, where voters elected their first woman to the United States Senate; Texas, where voters chose Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia as the first Latina […]
Posted inNews
Balancing act
Oklahoma City’s 36th mayor, David Holt, said 1993 is the year everything changed for Oklahoma’s capital city. That year, almost half a million people called Oklahoma City home, and some undoubtedly were reluctant. State historians agree that downtown was virtually vacant and the economy was suffering. Oklahoma City was on its way to becoming Detroit, […]