Category: Capitol Updates

A look at HB 1008, a new abortion bill (Capitol Update)

House Bill 1008 by Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, would permit abortions in Oklahoma in cases where an abortion is required to save the life of the mother. The bill passed out of the House Health and Human Services Oversight Committee… Read more [More...]

Senate committee hears, rejects four controversial bills (Capitol Update)

The Senate Judiciary Committee devoted a good part of last Wednesday afternoon to hearing four, what might be called “religious right” bills, and killed all four of them. The committee meeting was unusual, to say the least. Normally, culture war… Read more [More...]

Legislature on track to approve mental health consent decree (Capitol Update)

It is gratifying to see the Legislature is set to approve the settlement negotiated by Attorney General Gentner Drummond and the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit that complained of inadequate treatment services by the state to restore defendants to competency… Read more [More...]

A peek at the governor’s FY2026 budget proposal (Capitol Update)

The legislative session began last week with Gov. Stitt’s State of the State address and the unveiling of his executive budget. The speech didn’t seem much different than his previous efforts with the governor claiming “a mandate to support and… Read more [More...]

Mostly flat budget requests from state’s health, human services agencies (Capitol Update)

In the final week of budget hearings before the legislative session began this week, the health and human services agencies asked for basically maintenance increases for next year's budget. [More...]

Lawmakers weighing agency needs, budget cuts, and $4.6 billion in state savings (Capitol Update)

As the 2025 legislative session approaches, the appropriations and budget subcommittees continue to hear Fiscal Year 2026 budget requests from state agencies. Most of the agencies are asking for modest budget increases. Among the small but important agencies in the… Read more [More...]

Proposed legislation could help modernize state’s justice system (Capitol Update)

First Lady Sarah Stitt, who is serving as Senior Policy Advisor on the Women’s Justice Commission, joined other state leaders for the Commission’s conference in Tulsa last week. The Commission, chaired by former Obama Attorney General Loretta Lynch, is part… Read more [More...]

Early budget picture signals Oklahoma returning to scarce funding (Capitol Update) 

But with at least a $191 million hole in the budget to start, it looks like Oklahoma will revert to form with scarce funding. The money stashed away in various accounts during the past few years may be a cushion, probably avoiding cuts to important state services. But Gov. Stitt will likely renew his mantra of calling for tax cuts, despite his executive agencies’ requests for additional funding. [More...]

Would legislative involvement improve state budget projections? (Capitol Update)

Attorney General Gentner Drummond is raising a troubling issue regarding the certification of funds available for appropriation by the legislature. Drummond refused to attend the Dec. 20 State Board of Equalization meeting saying he did not have confidence in the… Read more [More...]

Upgrading teacher salaries can reverse state’s growing teacher shortage crisis (Capitol Update)

Instead of slashing income taxes and stashing cash away in various holding accounts, the efforts of these legislators could be greatly enhanced if the Legislature would demonstrate to teachers the state values their calling by vastly upgrading teacher salaries. [More...]