March 15, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued executive order 2020-07 declaring Oklahoma in a state of emergency. In a video posted on Facebook, Gov. Stitt explained that the emergency declaration “ensures our state has all the resources available to manage the effects of COVID-19.” “By declaring an emergency, small businesses have access to federal loans […]
State
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Conversion ban
For the first time ever, Freedom Oklahoma lobbied at the capitol in support of a bill with momentum that would protect LGBTQ+ individuals. Historically, the nonprofit organization has had to play defense and oppose a slew of bills that would discriminate against the community. The Youth Mental Health Protection Act (House Bill 3872) passed out […]
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Alcoholmanac Sunday spirits
Oklahoma’s liquor laws have come a long way in a matter of years. In October 2018, State Question 792 changed the game for Oklahoma breweries and liquor stores. The alcohol law reform went into effect that month and allowed breweries to sell their full-strength beers in grocery and convenience stores. It also allowed accompanied guests […]
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Cover: Governor’s fight
Seven months ago, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced his plans to negotiate a new tribal gaming compact through an op-ed in Tulsa World. Since then, despite being a widely unpopular move even with his Republican allies, Stitt has continued fighting for an increase in the fees that the tribes pay to operate their casinos. But tribal […]
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Serious challenger
Abby Broyles has spent most of her life either wanting to be a journalist or being one. Now, she’s challenging Sen. Jim Inhofe for his senate seat. After working at KFOR as a reporter and anchor covering the state capitol, she went to law school in hopes of advocating for Oklahomans in a way she […]
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Black state
Before statehood, Oklahoma was seen nationally as a promised land for black people. Edward McCabe, who founded the town of Langston and its university, hoped to make Oklahoma an all-black state, and though that never came to be, it drew many black people to migrate here in pursuit of freedom. Because of that, more all-black […]
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2020 state
The governor’s FY 2021 executive budget is attached below. Gov. Kevin Stitt kicked off the 2020 legislative session last week by delivering his second State of the State address, discussing education, health care, the disagreement with tribes on casino gambling and criminal justice reform. “Let me get right to the point. The state of our […]
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Animal companions
Common Bonds is made up of about 25 organizations with the shared goal of increasing the state’s animal save rate to 90 percent. The group hosted a press conference last week to lay out the ways it plans to achieve its goal. “We’re all here today because of a problem, and that is the high […]
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Oklahoma justice
Oklahomans continue pushing for legislation to lower the state’s prison population and prevent people from entering into the criminal system in the first place. Last year, Oklahoma saw the largest mass commutation in the nation’s history with nearly 500 people being released early from prisons in November. Damion Shade, Oklahoma Policy Institute criminal justice policy […]
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Sentencing reform
Criminal justice reform advocates want to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to prohibit sentence enhancements based on previous felonies for nonviolent offenders. The measure would also allow nonviolent offenders serving enhanced sentences to seek a modification in court. “A former conviction for one or more felonies shall not be used to enhance the statutorily allowable range […]