Author: Steve Lewis

New task force created to recommend criminal justice reforms (Capitol Update)

It is a hopeful sign that Governor Kevin Stitt has demonstrated his continued commitment to criminal justice reform by creating a new task force called MODERN (Modernizing Operations through Data and Evidence-based Restoration Now) to work until February 2, 2024.… Read more [More...]

Caring for Caregivers Act had a difficult road to passage; it shouldn’t have been so hard (Capitol Update)

The Caring for Caregivers Act, requested by Oklahoma AARP and championed by Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, and Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton, passed last session. The act creates a tax credit up to 50 percent of eligible caregiver costs,… Read more [More...]

Two bills creating the lion’s share of anticipated revenue reduction for FY 2024 (Capitol Update)

The State Board of Equalization met recently and certified $190 million less in revenue available for appropriation for Fiscal Year 2024, which begins this week on July 1. The state constitution requires the board to meet in June each year… Read more [More...]

HB 2259 will revolutionize processing and collecting of court financial obligations owed by defendants (Capitol Update)

Despite repeated efforts over the past few years, not a lot was accomplished during this last session toward the repeal of various costs of the criminal legal system that are imposed on defendants in criminal cases. Costs imposed include various… Read more [More...]

Last-minute budget dispute offers insight into closed-door negotiations (Capitol Update)

A dispute that developed on the final day of session offers a window into the closed-door negotiations which occur each year to produce a budget and bring each legislative session to an end.  Strange as it may seem, since both… Read more [More...]

Budget special session points to lack of trust between legislature, governor (Capitol Update)

Because of the protracted fight over education funding and tax credits for people sending their children to private schools, the legislature was pushed to the brink in getting its appropriations measures passed before the constitutionally-required end of legislative session this… Read more [More...]

Past economic development efforts should inform decision making (Capitol Update)

Frustrated by Oklahoma’s recent high-profile failures to land large manufacturing facilities, Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, last March created the Senate Economic Development Select Committee. At the time Pro Tem Treat said, “Oklahoma has abundant resources, qualified… Read more [More...]

Gov. Stitt vetoes bill allowing students to wear tribal regalia at graduation (Capitol Update)

It was disappointing to see that the governor vetoed Senate Bill 429 which allows students to wear tribal regalia at official graduation ceremonies. The bill defines “tribal regalia” narrowly as “traditional garments, jewelry, other adornments such as an eagle feather,… Read more [More...]

This week is crucial for budget issues, education bills (Capitol Update)

With only four weeks left in this year’s Legislative session, the feud between the House, Senate, and governor over education funding — including tax credits for parents sending their children to private schools — still dominates and is yet to… Read more [More...]

Gov.’s education plan ignores public school funding equity, provides tax cuts to only benefit a small percentage of Oklahomans (Capitol Update)

Gov. Kevin Stitt has made a late entry into the school funding discussions between House and Senate leadership with an $800 million three-part plan: $300 million to the “Oklahoma Student Fund;” $300 million into the funding formula based partially on… Read more [More...]