News

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today commented on the execution of Phillip Dean Hancock. Humphrey serves as chair of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee and was on hand at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester during the execution.  "Today, Oklahoma executed a man who was clearly exercising his God-given right to defend himself," Humphrey said. "I'm very disappointed the governor did not follow the recommendation of the Pardon and Parole Board to grant clemency to this individual. "Based on a tape played during the clemency hearing, it was abundantly evident this was a self-defense case that should never have been eligible for the death penalty. "Conservatives across the state who are second-amendment, self-defense supporters contacted the governor asking for clemency as well as many in the Republican party. It is highly unusual for conservatives to take a stance against the death penalty. Like me, most completely support the death penalty, but we unfortunately have found situations where there are glaring inconsistencies and instances of the death penalty being wrongly carried out. "By allowing this to continue, our state is given a black eye, and we give fodder to death penalty opponents who will use this against us."

OKLAHOMA CITY –  Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Tulsa, recently held an interim study to explore ways to improve Oklahoma's workforce participation rate. IS23-092 was held before the House Business and Commerce Committee. "In my short time as a state representative, workforce issues have dominated discussions nationwide," Tedford said. "As of 2020, Oklahoma ranked 3% behind the national average in workforce participation. Knowing the significance of this difference, I wanted to understand the reasons behind it." During the interim study, Lynn Gray, director of economic research and analysis at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, explained that workforce participation includes individuals employed, actively seeking jobs, or working part-time.  John Chiappe, director of research and economic analysis services at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, explained the four primary reasons adults do not seek employment: retirement, disability, caregiving responsibilities and educational attainment.  Julie Trivitt, a senior economist at Heartland Forward, found that while the cost and quality of childcare in Oklahoma were higher than the national average, accessibility remained a challenge. Despite lower costs, the state's wages were also below the national average, causing childcare expenses to exceed 20% of many mothers' incomes, making it financially out of reach for them. According to the study, Oklahoma's academic achievement historically lagged behind the national average, affecting employability and wages. The discussion highlighted a shift toward valuing meaningful work certificates over college degrees, recognizing the importance of vocational education. Speakers Bradley Ward, deputy state director at Americans for Prosperity, and Marissa Lightsey, executive director of college and career readiness at the State Department of Education, emphasized educational pathways to guide students toward career goals. They said more degree programs need to meet the demand for specific high-tech jobs, and pathways can address this by directing students to such careers at an early age. Angela Rachidi, senior fellow and Rowe scholar from the American Enterprise Institute, discussed disincentives to work created by some social programs, suggesting addressing benefit cliffs and implementing work requirements. Other speakers included Lowell Matthews, senior policy advisor at Excel-In Education, and Jordan Zakery, regional advocacy director at Excel-In Education.  "While Oklahoma's workforce participation is improving, it remains low compared to the national average," Tedford said. "There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but efforts should focus on removing barriers to work, improving overall academic achievement and adapting to evolving labor needs."

OKLAHOMA CITY – A group of Oklahoma House Republicans this week visited the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas, on the border between the United States and Mexico. Reps. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane; David Hardin, R-Stilwell; and Danny Williams, R-Seminole, said they were invited by the sheriff in Eagle Pass who wanted to personally show the reality of what is happening at the nation's southern border. The trio said by about 3:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Monday, U.S. Border Patrol agents reported about 450 illegal crossings into the country just for the one partial day. "We have been told Eagle Pass is now receiving the majority of illegal entries into our country, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection is just overwhelmed," the lawmakers said in a joint statement. "We cannot keep this up. We don't know who all of these people are, if they need legitimate asylum or if they are connected to a drug cartel, or terrorist groups, or child, sex or labor traffickers, or what. This represents a terrible public safety crisis, and even economically, we cannot support all of these people in a humanitarian manner. It has been reported that Oklahoma spends a little more than $780 million every year to support those who illegally enter our country. Our current presidential administration is failing to protect our borders, leaving the states to take this matter into our own hands. We are here to discuss how we can assist Texas and protect Oklahomans."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, and Mark McBride, R-Moore, on behalf of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, recently issued legislative citations to the two 2023 Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame inductees. Ray Henson and Joyce Henderson were inducted into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame on Nov. 10. "These two long-time, faithful Oklahoma educators deserve our thanks for their service to the students, parents and fellow educators of our great state," Baker and McBride said in a joint statement. "Their work is well-deserving of being memorialized in the Hall of Fame, and we're so glad to pay a part in their recognition." Henson worked in Oklahoma public schools for 53 years, starting his education career as a science teacher in Kinta. He later became a basketball coach and high school principal in Glenpool. In 1971, he became superintendent at Talihina Public Schools, where for 35 years he sought educational innovations that led to dramatic increases in student learning opportunities and achievements. He garnered support that led to upgraded district facilities, which now bear his name. Henson's career accomplishments include induction into the Eastern Oklahoma State College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004 and receiving the University of Oklahoma Career Educator Award in 2004. He also served as president of the National Board of the North Central Association, the Talihina Chamber of Commerce, Talihina Lions Club, Talihina Housing Authority, and served on the boards of the Organization of Rural Oklahoma Schools, National Indian Impact Aid Association, and the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activity Association. Henson also led and served on councils related to adult education and bilingual education with special attention to Native American students. Henderson has served Oklahoma public schools for nearly 40 years as a teacher and administrator, including as principal at various schools in the Oklahoma City Public Schools District. The schools include Dunjee High School, Emerson Alternative High School, the original Classen High School, Northeast High School and Star Spencer High School. Henderson was also one of the original administrators for the opening of Classen School of Advanced Studies. Henderson's career accomplishments include receiving the 2005 Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. Award; the 2006 YWCA Woman Achiever of the Year Award; Central Oklahoma Chapter National Award from John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts Administrator; Woman of the Year; Redlands Girl Scouts Organization: Wind Beneath My Wings Award; OKC Public Schools: Most Positive Principal Award; Langston University Education Hall of Fame Inductee; Most Outstanding Basileus Award of Midwestern Region, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Finalist for Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Award; Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Administration; state winner, Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education Award; By-liner Award, OKC Professional Chapter, Women in Communications, Inc.; Outstanding Leadership Certificate, NTU Arts Association; Finer Womanhood Award, local chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Citations for Henson and Henderson note that the two are recognized with the highest degree of respect and honor by all citizens of the great state of Oklahoma for their phenomenal teaching skills, contributions, and achievements. The Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame annually inducts teachers from across Oklahoma recognizing them for their integrity, leadership, accomplishments, and exemplary moral character.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Chairs of the Oklahoma Legislative Mental Health Caucus—Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, Rep. Melissa Provenzano , D-Tulsa, Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan—hosted a joint interim study on Tuesday before the House Public Health Committee about the most pressing challenges facing Oklahoma’s behavioral health workforce. “Oklahoma faces critical shortages of nearly every type of behavioral health clinician,” said Boatman. “The Legislature has made investments in behavioral health workforce development, including the passage of House Bill 2036 earlier this year to create a pilot incentive program through the OSU Medical Authority. However, more needs to be done, and I encourage my colleagues in both chambers to seriously consider additional investments during the next legislative session.” During the interim study, Tequia Sier, project director for behavioral health workforce at Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, noted that Oklahoma’s psychiatrist workforce is 22% smaller than the per-capita national average. Sier mentioned the state's psychologist workforce is less than half as robust as the rest of the nation and Oklahoma also meets less than 29% of the estimated need for psychiatric advanced practice nurses. "This study provided a poignant look at the gap between the size of our mental health workforce and the need by Oklahomans, in particular psychologists and psychiatrists,” said Provenzano. “The limited number of university internships and residency opportunities in Oklahoma means our future doctors must overwhelmingly move out of state to complete their training. When they go, they tend not to return. It’s time for Oklahoma to grow our capacity and retain these doctors here at home.” Sier said the state’s degree programs supporting behavioral health careers are graduating more students than ever, but not enough to meet the state’s growing need for treatment services after workforce attrition. In-state training opportunities are particularly limited for the most-needed, most highly trained behavioral health professions — psychiatry and psychology. “The challenges facing Oklahoma’s behavioral health workforce are especially acute in our rural communities,” said Garvin. “We need to grow this workforce in ways that help Oklahomans better access services and find quality care for themselves and their families.” “Despite the dire urgency, this study was hopeful,” said Kirt. “It showed us that we do not have to accept long waits for care or underprepared professionals. We have a clear roadmap for improving Oklahoma’s behavioral health workforce through boosts in investment.” Recommendations for strategies to address the state’s key challenges and opportunities included incentivizing students into expedient training pathways, expanding training that fuels in-state retention of critically needed clinicians, enhancing educational programs tailored to treatment system needs and providing upskilling opportunities for paraprofessionals. “Policymakers have practical and realistic options for addressing the state's most pressing behavioral health workforce challenges,” said Healthy Minds Executive Director Zack Stoycoff. “With roughly $30 million in targeted funding and policy initiatives, Oklahoma can significantly strengthen workforce pipelines to meet the state’s growing need for behavioral health professionals.” Other speakers at the interim study included Dr. Melissa Craft, associate dean for clinical affairs at University of Oklahoma College of Nursing; Dr. Julie Miller-Cribbs, director of the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at University of Oklahoma ; Dr. Sara Coffey, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences; Jim Serratt, of Parkside Psychiatric Hospital and Clinic; and Josh Cantwell, COO of GRAND Mental Health.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, today praised Gov. Kevin Stitt's plan to bring sports betting to Oklahoma. "I wholeheartedly support the governor's plan for sports betting in Oklahoma. As someone who has worked on this topic for some time, I recognize the governor’s proposal is an important step in what I’m sure will be a lengthy process. The governor's plan is an equitable one that benefits all Oklahomans, making it fairer and more inclusive than our current gaming system. By opening the industry to all companies, we are not only embracing new sources of revenue, but also joining thirty-five other states who are already taking advantage of the benefits that come with sports betting. I firmly believe this is a win-win for the state and the tribes, and I look forward to working with Governor Stitt and our tribal partners in the upcoming session to advance legislation for the betterment of our great state.” Gov. Stitt released details of his plan Nov. 2. His plan would allow Oklahomans to place in-person bets at gaming sites operated by federally recognized tribes, protecting tribal investments in brick-and-mortar facilities in the process. It would also allow Oklahomans to place bets on their mobile devices on sportsbooks licensed by the state. Additionally, the plan protects Oklahoma’s student-athletes by prohibiting prop betting and bets on individual student-athlete performance. The governor’s plan prohibits wagers on the individual performance of student-athletes, coaches, referees, player injuries, and prop bets at the college level. With that said, the Governor is actively awaiting input from the NCAA and athletic conferences that impact Oklahoma to see how they choose to regulate the industry. Mobile wagering will be conducted by organizations licensed by the State of Oklahoma, taxed at a 20% rate, and bets may be accepted from anywhere in the state. An initial licensing fee for participating organizations of $500,000 will be required, in addition to a $100,000 annual fee. Pursuant to updated tribal gaming compacts, retail wagering can be conducted by federally recognized tribes, taxed at a 15% rate, and bets will only be accepted in person. A fact sheet on Governor Stitt's sports betting plan can be found here .

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, today issued a statement praising the conservative rating for the Oklahoma Legislature after the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Foundation's Center for Legislative Accountability (CLA) released its 2023 ratings of the voting records of state legislators in all fifty states. Oklahoma was ranked as the second most conservative legislature in the country, trailing only West Virginia. "The most recent CPAC rating comes after almost a decade of hard work to champion conservative principles here in Oklahoma," McCall said. "During my tenure as Speaker, Oklahoma has moved from 16th to second on the list, as we have focused on championing conservative principles in the House, to the benefit of our state and constituents. Legislators currently serving, and those who came before, have contributed to this conservative movement and should be proud of all we have accomplished. I am thankful that my colleagues have helped turn Oklahoma from a state ranked near the bottom in every category, into a growing, thriving state that is moving up the rankings rapidly. That upward movement is a testament to the value of conservative policies, and I am thankful we have laid a strong foundation for future generations to build upon. I appreciate the work that CPAC has done to introduce and support strong conservative legislation both in Oklahoma and across the nation, and look forward to more conservative success for our state in the future." A separate ranking showed Oklahoma to be 18th in the nation for how often Republicans voted together on conservative issues. McCall said that is the result of a large Republican Caucus with diverse membership from across the state. "When you have a Caucus the size of ours here in Oklahoma, you have a lot of voices advocating for their individual districts on the issues," McCall said. "That can lead to nuanced votes and conversations where representatives may not vote for a particular bill based on the will of their constituents, but if the bill were in danger of failing, they would vote to make sure the Caucus priority got across the finish line. With a majority of this size, members have the ability to display their individuality more often than in battleground states, but even so, the legislation coming out of the House has resulted in our body being ranked the second most conservative Legislature in the country. From passing Save Women's Sports, to tax cuts, to the nation's strongest pro-life bills, the Oklahoma House of Representatives is helping to keep Oklahoma the reddest state in the nation. The House has led on issues regarding prohibitions on CRT being taught in the classroom, maximizing pension returns by stopping investments in ESG funds and prohibiting men from using girl's bathrooms. We are proud of accomplishing conservative goals on behalf of our constituents, and will continue to do so both now and in the future." The Center for Legislative Accountability (CLA), an initiative of the CPAC Foundation, is the premier organization for holding lawmakers accountable. The CLA, widely recognized as the "gold standard" for evaluating an elected officials voting record, produces the longest-running conservative congressional scorecard, and their state program is the only one in the nation that scores all 8,000 lawmakers in the 50 states across every policy area. -END- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Daniel Seitz, House Republican Caucus Communications Director Phone: (405) 962-7649 Email: daniel.seitz@okhouse.gov  

Legislation increasing the amount that can be disbursed from the Sexual Assault Examination Fund for certain fees and medical costs following a sexual assault took effect Wednesday. House Bill 2236 better assists survivors of sexual assault with the costs related to medical care. It increases the amount that can be reimbursed for sexual assault examination fees from $450 to $800 and increases the monetary cap for medications related to the sexual assault from $50 to $100 per case. "The previous reimbursement cap is simply no longer sufficient to adequately cover today's cost of the examination and medication," said Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, who authored the bill. "I hope this increased cap allows our Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners the peace of mind to focus fully on their patient and gather the critical evidence needed for prosecution of the perpetrator, rather than worrying about fitting costs into the statutorily allowed limits. I'm thankful for the unanimous support of this important bill, as well as the assistance we received from the District Attorneys Council, who were instrumental in making this legislation possible." HB2236 was authored in the Senate by Minority Leader Sen. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City. The bill also establishes the position of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Statewide Coordinator under the District Attorneys Council (DAC), which Boatman said is critical to ensuring SANE care is available to victims across our state while optimizing the use of resource to manage costs. "The need for SANE nurses statewide is essential for providing quality care and assistance for sexual assault survivors," said Floyd. "By establishing a coordinator position, logistical issues such as training, recruitment and resources for SANE nurses can be prioritized and scaled to provide greater coverage and accessibility to survivors throughout our state." The measure, which passed both chambers unanimously, took effect on Nov. 1. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, today commented on the time change Oklahomans will experience this weekend when they "fall back" from daylight saving to standard time at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5.  "The only way to lock the clock in Oklahoma and to stop this twice yearly time change is to switch to permanent standard time," West said. "I've long advocated for this and after my recent interim study on the issue, I realize it is as important as ever to continue my efforts." West said the aim of his study was to raise awareness among legislators about the history of daylight saving time and to detail the benefits of moving the state to permanent standard time. He invited experts to discuss the science of time change and the detriments of changing the clock twice yearly. West said he's been asked why the state doesn't just adopt permanent daylight saving time year-round instead of standard time. Federal regulations, however, specify states can exempt themselves from daylight saving time but not standard time. Some states have sought a waiver to be allowed to adopt daylight saving time year-round but without success. West also pointed to the Sunshine Protection Act in Congress, which would make daylight saving time permanent, but the act has not passed the last two years, and exemptions for some states would still remain. States that choose not to opt out of daylight saving time are required to set their clocks forward an hour at 2 a.m. the second Sunday of March each year and back an hour at 2 a.m. the first Sunday of November. The U.S. Congress first implemented daylight saving time through the Standard Time Act in 1918 during World War I as a way to "add" more daylight hours to conserve energy. The act also established five time zones across the U.S. The Uniform Time Act in 1966 mandated the country use daylight saving time but allowed states to opt out and to stay on standard time year-round. The thought behind daylight saving time is that by setting the clocks back an hour in November, more daylight time is gained in the early mornings. When an hour is added in March, more daylight is gained in the evenings. Permanent daylight saving time was enacted in 1974, but Oklahoma and other states petitioned the federal government to repeal it because of problems caused by it being dark until after 8 a.m. in the winter. There were complaints of children going to school in the dark and employees starting the work day before the sun rose. The permanent act was repealed in 1975. West said there are additional concerns such as health-related risks, increased auto accidents and work-related injuries that rise when daylight comes after people start their day. West said he's received an enormous amount of positive feedback from Oklahomans who support not having to change the clock twice yearly, specifically noting the time it takes to adjust to the change. He's run legislation in the past to move the state to permanent standard time. It's something he'll consider again for the upcoming legislative session that starts in February.