Latest news with #OklahomaHouse
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Voters to select three new Oklahoma representatives
Voters cast their ballots on Nov. 5 at an polling location in Edmond. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) Three open seats in the Oklahoma House will be decided June 10 by voters in a special election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m on the day of the election. In Tulsa County, voters will choose between Republican Beverly Atteberry and Democrat Amanda Clinton. The seat opened up when Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, stepped down in December for a position in the City of Tulsa's government. Atteberry, 57, previously said she's lived in the district since 1993 and knows the community well since she's seen all of its 'ups and downs.' As an attorney and business owner, she said her knowledge of the law and inner-workings of the state Capitol will let her 'hit the ground running.' Atteberry's law firm serves Tulsa area clients and focuses on wills, probate, and criminal law. Improving Oklahoma's roads, public education and government spending to help bring more businesses to the state are among her priorities if elected, Atteberry told Oklahoma Voice. Clinton, 46, is a small business owner, an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University and a former journalist. She worked for Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols' campaign and on boards for Planned Parenthood and the OSU Foundation Board of Governors. She previously said she's an advocate for reproductive health freedom, access to medical care, clean water and minimizing 'state Superintendent Ryan Walters' impact on public schools.' Her priorities also include lowering the cost of living and ending homelessness, according to her website. Clinton has said her experience with the Cherokee Nation has been an example to her of a government serving its people. Democrat Amy Hossain will face off against Republican Kevin Wayne Norwood in the race for House District 74. The district in Tulsa and Rogers Counties includes Owasso and part of Tulsa. Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, resigned in December for a job in the Tulsa County government. Hossain, 50, works as the chief human resources officer for Domestic Violence Intervention Services in Tulsa and is the president of Khan Ohana, a nonprofit working to 'break the cycle of poverty among college students.' She previously said she's running because as a voter, she's been frustrated by the lack of options on her ballot in the past and wanted to give voters the choice to elect someone from her party. If elected, her priorities include raising the minimum wage, better funding for public schools, access to affordable and accessible health care and housing, according to her website. Norwood, 58, is a pastor who said he's been involved in his community, helping to build businesses and mentoring youth, for three decades. His work with community initiatives like Keep Owasso Beautiful and Owasso Cares have led to recognition and awards, according to his website. Building a 'vibrant' economy, tax relief for Oklahomans, safer communities, strong infrastructure and supporting community and family initiatives are among his priorities. He also intends to 'revitalize main streets' and stop the 'green energy grift,' according to his website. Norwood will 'champion' his community and 'reflect conservative Oklahoma values,' according to his campaign website. Finally, two Democrats, JeKia Harrison and Aletia Haynes Timmons, will vie for the open House District 91 seat, representing parts of Oklahoma City and Midwest City. Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, stepped down in April to serve as an Oklahoma County commissioner. Harrison, 35, works as a legislative assistant for Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, and previously worked as a child welfare specialist for the state Department of Human Services. She also owns Pen 2 Paper Consulting, a political campaign consulting and management firm, and has been involved in leadership for organizations like Young Democrats of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma chapter of Moms Demand Action, which advocates for stronger gun laws. Increased funding for Oklahoma public schools, more affordable housing, reforms to criminal justice and raising the minimum wage are some of Harrison's priorities, according to her campaign website. Timmons, 64, is a recently retired Oklahoma County District judge and she previously worked in civil rights and employment law, as well as in the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office. Her priorities include criminal justice reforms, greater accountability in government, strengthening the economy and 'finding common ground and working for real solutions,' according to her campaign website. Timmons has received several awards and recognitions for her 'dedication to justice, community service, and diversity,' according to her website. She's a founder of a program in Northeast Oklahoma City addressing food insecurity and has worked as an instructor on Langston University's Oklahoma City campus. Early voting is set for Thursday and Friday at select locations between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Voters can check their registration status and polling location on the Oklahoma Election Board's website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Oklahoma's female lawmakers condemn governor's veto of mammogram legislation
Oklahoma House lawmakers give Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, a standing ovation on Friday after she thanked the chamber for their support this session as she battled breast cancer. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — A bipartisan group of 28 female lawmakers sent Gov. Kevin Stitt a letter expressing their 'profound disappointment' that he vetoed a measure aimed at expanding access to mammograms. The women wrote Saturday that Stitt's veto of House Bill 1389 was 'disheartening to patients, doctors, families and the very values we all hold dear in our great state,' but said that female lawmakers were celebrating the Legislature's overwhelming decision to override Stitt's veto. The House voted 83-3 to override the veto and the Senate voted 42-2. They pledged to 'continue (to) fight for the women and families who need these protections.' The measure, which becomes law Nov. 1, requires two additional mammogram tests to be covered by health insurance in Oklahoma. The bill was authored by Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, who is battling breast cancer. Only six women in the Legislature did not sign the letter. In his veto message, Stitt said he vetoed the bill because while he's 'sympathetic' to people battling breast cancer, the legislation would have imposed 'new and costly' insurance mandates on private health plans and raised insurance premiums. Spokespeople from the Governor's Office did not return a request for comment Monday. The lawmakers, who penned the letter, said the measure will help with the early detection of breast cancer by requiring insurers to cover the costs of screenings that are recommended by medical experts and are 'widely recognized as essential tools.' The Legislature voted late Thursday to override Stitt's vetoes. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said he supported the veto override during a press conference after the House adjourned. 'A lot of women across the state of Oklahoma reached out about the mammogram bill,' he said Friday morning. 'As we know, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, particularly when it comes to cancer. Early prevention and treatment is way cheaper, as well as better health outcomes, than finding cancer later in life.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House resoundingly rebuffs Walters' plan to collect Oklahoma student immigration info
Oklahoma House lawmakers, pictured Jan. 7, unanimously rejected rules that would have required public schools to collect immigration data from students and force teachers to take a naturalization test for certification. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — With bipartisan support, House lawmakers on Wednesday sent a series of altered education rules to the governor that eliminate the requirements for public schools to collect proof of U.S. citizenship and for teachers to pass the U.S. Naturalization Test. Lawmakers unanimously approved Senate Joint Resolution 22, which now heads to Gov. Kevin Stitt. The Republican has repeatedly vowed to block efforts by the state Department of Education to require schools to collect the immigration status of children. With the same measure, lawmakers also rejected a rule requiring all public school teachers to pass a written version of the U.S. Naturalization Test to earn or renew their certifications. Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, attempted to amend the measure to reinstate the controversial immigration rule, but it failed 75-12. Under the rule backed by state Superintendent Ryan Walters, districts would have been required to report to the state the number of children unable to verify U.S. citizenship or legal residency. The Republican said it would help schools accurately provide the resources needed to serve those students, but also said he would turn over such information to federal immigration authorities if asked. Jenkins said the amendment would have collected 'aggregate' data, not any individual student names, and would help to better allocate funding throughout Oklahoma public schools. Opponents on both sides of the aisle said the rule was unenforceable. The numbers could still be traced to students and could create a strain on the public school system, they said. Schools already provide services to immigrant students without requiring proof of citizenship. Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, said the immigration rule does not have statutory authority. Kendrix, the measure's author, said the process is about ensuring the rules have statute backing them up, not about policy. State agencies are supposed to create rules that expand on existing law relating to the policy. The Legislature and the governor then review every agency's rules and can accept or reject them. If approved, the rules have the force of law. The same measure also passed the Senate unanimously. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oklahoma income tax cut bill clears first hurdle, sets stage for future reductions
House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, speaks at an announcement of a budget deal for the 2026 fiscal year on May 14, 2025. House budget chair Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, stands to his right. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House on Tuesday advanced a measure to lower the state's income tax despite concerns it would have little impact on residents. House Bill 2764 creates a process for ultimately eliminating the state's income tax when revenues hit certain triggers. The measure would initially reduce the state's top income tax to 4.5% from 4.75%. It would also collapse the six income tax brackets into three. Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, said the measure has safeguards to compensate for economic downturns. A tax cut would not occur if a revenue failure is declared, he said. It would take nearly 20 years before the income tax could be eliminated, Lepak said. Tax collections for the past 20 years on average grew at 4%, even when taxes were reduced, he said. A 0.25% cut would cost state coffers about $340 million, Lepak said. 'While it will have a small amount of savings for those in poverty, it is not sufficient enough to really have an impact on their circumstances,' said Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa. Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, questioned the timing of the cuts. Proposed federal changes to Medicaid could cost the state $841 million, she said. Congress is considering proposals that could require states to pick up more of the cost. Cutting taxes is an effort to check a 'political box' when there has been no substantial evidence that people want it, Pogemiller said. 'I think people would rather have daycare,' she said. 'I think people would rather have health care. I think people would rather have good roads.' Cutting the income tax by 0.25% equates to a Starbucks coffee a month for his constituents, said Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City. 'Maybe if you add it up over a year, it'll let them buy a couple dozen eggs,' Fugate said. The state expects to have $3.5 billion in surplus, said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. 'You reach a point as a state where you have so much surplus, you start to ask is it time we restore some of that back to the taxpayers to let them keep a little bit more of their hard earned money,' Hilbert said. He said the bill was responsible. It sets up a mechanism where an additional tax cut is only triggered if revenue projections are met plus more than what the tax cut would cost in terms of lost revenue to the state, Hilbert said. Even if the triggers are met, the Legislature could still put a tax cut on hold, Hilbert said. The measure passed by a vote of 74-19 and heads to the Senate for consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House lawmakers send Stitt bill raising Oklahoma age of consent to 18
Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, right, visits with former Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula, before an interim on Oct. 21 at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma House lawmakers on Thursday sent a bill to the governor's desk that would raise the age of sexual consent from 16 to 18. House Bill 1003 also contains a so-called 'Romeo and Juliet' provision, that protects 20 year olds from prosecution if they are within four years of age of a sexual partner. If signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma would become one of about a dozen states that requires the age of consent to be 18. Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, who authored the measure, said lawmakers decided to expand the age window to protect 20 year olds who have consensual sexual relations with minors because Oklahoma students with disabilities may attend school until they're 20. He said the bill balances protecting teenagers who are having consensual sexual relationships with each other from getting charged with rape, while also protecting them from 35 and 40 year olds who may try to prey on them. He said current law permits a 16-year-old girl to have sex with a 100-year-old man. State Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City, who voted against the measure, said he didn't support allowing a 20-year-old man to have sex with a 16-year-old girl. 'The age gap here is not trivial,' he said. 'This creates a power imbalance,. Oone where young impressionable girls can be manipulated and taken advantage of.' Fugate said he might be on board with extending the grace period to 19, but once someone turns 20 or 21, they are no longer teenagers. 'We are being asked to allow adults to have extramarital sex with children,' he said. The measure passed the House by a 54-26 vote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
