Author: Steve Lewis

Pros and cons of House GOP’s “policy working groups” replacing serious interim studies (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. On balance, it’s a good thing that House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, with Speaker Charles McCall’s… Read more [More...]

The table is set to expand Medicaid in Oklahoma (Capitol Updates)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. Years ago, when I was in the legislature, I was accused by an editor of one of… Read more [More...]

Internal politics at work in ouster of Rep. Leslie Osborn (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. Internal legislative politics is one of the most fascinating but obscure phenomena in our representative government. It… Read more [More...]

Do lawmakers have a Plan B if the court throws out their budget? (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. I’m hoping — wondering without knowing — if anyone is doing some serious planning for what will… Read more [More...]

Will interim studies create stronger momentum for justice reform? (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. The House legislative interim studies for this summer and fall have been approved, assigned to committees, and… Read more [More...]

Under health care bill, many could lose coverage to pay for tax cuts for a few (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. Most of the action last week seemed to come from the federal level, and it was focused… Read more [More...]

The Republican governor candidates competing for the ‘no-tax’ vote (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. Republican gubernatorial candidate Gary Richardson announced last week that he will file a lawsuit challenging… Read more [More...]

Child abuse prevention and at-home care for seniors are latest services at risk due to shrinking state government (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. Even with the legislature adjourned, there seems to be no dearth of activity emanating from… Read more [More...]

Time for teachers to use their outside voices (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. Where are the teachers? I don’t blame the teachers who have decided to leave the… Read more [More...]

What supporters of SQ 640 didn’t foresee (Capitol Update)

Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. This is the first year that SQ 640 has come into play. In 1992, SQ… Read more [More...]