OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, on Thursday held a public meeting to discuss allegations of abuse in Oklahoma prisons. Humphrey chairs the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee. Speaking at the meeting were Bobby Cleveland, director of the Oklahoma Correctional Professionals; Emily Barnes with Hooked on Justice; Egypt, a child advocate for Let our Fathers Go; and multiple family members of individuals incarcerated in Oklahoma prisons. "I wanted to give loved ones and other advocates of change a chance to tell their stories in an open forum," Humphrey said. "I get calls every day about rapes, beatings, deaths and deplorable conditions in our state correction facilities. I'm asking everyone to document their experiences so we can present hard evidence and improve conditions for prisoners and staff." Humphrey for months has called for changes in Oklahoma Department of Corrections' facilities. He's held multiple meetings and sent letters and packets of documentation to DOC and other law enforcement oversight agencies asking for investigations of complaints. He's also called attention to several lawsuits filed against DOC involving inhuman treatment of prisoners as well as wrongful termination of employees. Speakers talked about all of the issues Humphrey mentioned as well as lack of access to medical care and mental health treatment among other issues. They are asking for greater accountability, transparency and meaningful reform. Humphrey said he'll continue to collect evidence and hold meetings until he sees improvements.
A few Oklahoma Republican legislators released the following statements in response to the Biden Administration's new Title IX protections for "gender identity." Earlier this month, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona announced the new Title IX rules. Under the new regulations, sex discrimination includes discrimination based on "gender identity" as well as sexual orientation. The regulations take effect Aug. 1. "We must prioritize the well-being of Oklahoma's children and explore all options to replace federal funds tied to Title IX," Maynard said. "Oklahoma has the money to replace federal funding in our schools, and we must consider all possible avenues to protect our children. We cannot allow the Biden Administration's radical policies to dictate education in Oklahoma." The issues for Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, who are against the changes revolve around the ideology behind gender identity and sexual orientation and the infringement upon spaces traditionally reserved for males and females, such as school bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams, among others. "For three years, I have sounded the trumpet that not only is federal funding of state education unconstitutional but it is also a bad idea," Bullard said. "This is exactly why. The liberals have been threatening to defund our schools in cruel and unusual ways. The state of Oklahoma must have a plan on how we will replace these funds so we cannot be manipulated into doing that which we cannot morally do." The ultimate penalty for non-compliance with Title IX regulations is the withdrawal of federal funds. Therefore, the Republican legislators said, all options are on the table when it comes to protecting the innocence of Oklahoman children. "Given that Title IX regulations now include gender identity and sexual orientation, failure to comply may result in the withdrawal of federal funds," Banning said. "In protecting our values and supporting our children, we must oppose Biden, whose administration clearly contradicts Oklahoma's values." “We must stand by Oklahoma children and safeguard our state’s values,” Hamilton said. “Tying school funding to ideologies relating to gender identity and sexual orientation does not align with our values. I am confident our state can find innovative ways to replace federal funding to ensure our students are not subjected to these principles.” Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at schools and colleges that receive federal funds. This law has provided many girls and women opportunities to compete in sports and to earn scholarships to attend high schools and colleges.
A measure granting landowners the right of first refusal in eminent domain sales has been sent to the Governor's desk. House Bill 3159, authored by Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, would give landowners the right of first refusal if the state or any person who acquired the land through eminent domain authority decides to sell the land. "If the state acquires land via eminent domain from a landowner and subsequently decides to sell it publicly, it's only fair that the original landowner has the right to repurchase the land before it is offered to anyone else," Roberts said. "Eminent domain shouldn't be used to transfer land from one private party to another." Before the state can publicly sell land acquired via eminent domain, the state must offer the land back to the original landowner or the first generation of heirs. If the landowner chooses to repurchase the land, the cost would be the lower of the current market value or the amount paid to the landowner when the land was taken. Roberts extends his appreciation to the Legislature for their support, to Senator Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, for carrying the measure in the Senate, and to Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, for her collaboration on the bill. HB3159 passed the House 91 – 1 in March and passed the Senate 38 – 0 this week. It now heads to the Governor's desk for final consideration.