News

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, has scheduled an interim study to discuss the potential benefits of moving the state to permanent Standard Time. He said his aim is to raise awareness among legislators about the history of Standard Time versus Daylight Saving Time. IS23-062 is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in Room 450 at the State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City. "There's been great confusion in the past about whether or not Oklahoma can lock the clock and move to either Daylight Saving Time permanently or Standard Time," West said. "There are strong beliefs on each side of this issue. My hope is to discuss Oklahoma's options under federal regulations and to determine the pros and cons of any move so we can decide if future legislation would be needed or successful."  Study presenters include: Jay Pea, president and founder of Save Standard Time, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, donor-funded, volunteer-supported effort to preserve and extend the observation of longitudinally correct Standard Time. Jeffery Gentry, PhD, a professor of communication at Eastern New Mexico University, where he conducts research in political communication and the rhetoric of science. Robert Scott, a native Oklahoman and an aerospace engineer who holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Karin Johnson, a professor of neurology at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School-Baystate and medical director of the Baystate Health Regional Sleep Program. She is vice-president of Save Standard Time and creator and host of its educational video series, "The Science of Clock Change."

A bipartisan interim study to examine the value of A-F report cards when rating the quality of public schools across the state has been scheduled for Monday, October 2. The meeting is a joint study by Reps. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, John Waldron, D-Tulsa, and Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, and will overview the A-F report card program. Presenters will discuss how absenteeism affects the schools' grades, the pros and cons of the bell curve system, the current systems used for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) compliance and school evaluation, and explore alternatives to existing methodologies. "I believe the A-F report card is a useful tool that gives a good overall picture of what's going on in our schools and the great job our educators are doing," said Johns, a former middle school principal. "One area of particular concern is the bell curve system we currently have in place, which severely limits schools' ability to improve their grade score even if they show vast improvement. I hope this study provides valuable information that we can use to begin considering what system best serves students, parents and teachers." Speakers include Michael Tamborski, Program Manager over Data Quality and Research in the State Dept. of Education Office of Accountability, who will provide an overview of the A-F report cards; Dr. Jeanene Barnett, Education Policy and Research Analyst, Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA), who will detail what other states have done as alternatives to the A-F report card system; and Sandra Valentine, formerly with APlus, who will explain the A-F report card scoring process. “The study seeks to update and improve our system of school assessment by looking at alternative models that can add value to our understanding of school performance, and point the way to improving student learning,” said Waldron, a former public school teacher. Also speaking to the committee will be Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller, Stillwater Public Schools Superintendent Uwe Gordon, and Stillwater Public Schools Board Member Marshall Baker. The study, which is open to the public, is scheduled for Monday, October 2 at 1 p.m. in Room 206 at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The meeting will be held before the House Common Education Committee and will be live-streamed at www.okhouse.gov .

Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, today release a statement following the shooting at the Oklahoma State Fair and advocating to allow Oklahomans to protect themselves by open carry. "The tragic shooting this past weekend at the Oklahoma State Fair underscored the need for law-abiding citizens to be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights at the State Fair. The whole incident illustrates that, under the liberal gun control mindset, lawless criminals will continue to carry weapons and prove a threat while law-abiding Americans are prohibited from utilizing their God-given right to protect themselves and their families. Two bills, House Bill 1021 and Senate Bill 920, were filed this past session that would have recognized Second Amendment rights at the State Fair. In a public place where lawless thugs can be a threat, trustworthy Oklahomans should have the right to be armed if they so choose. The 2022 New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen U.S. Supreme Court Ruling held that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home." 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, will examine potential updates to Oklahoma's graduation requirements and student pathways to meeting those requirements in an upcoming interim study before the House Common Education Committee, which she chairs. IS23-071 is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, in Room 206 at the State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd. "We know our children and young adults are some of our state’s greatest assets, and we must bring all parties to the table to discuss their ever-changing educational needs as we seek to better prepare students for the evolving job market,” Baker said. "This study will bring together leaders in K-12, CareerTech, higher education and workforce development to review the educational standards of other states and determine the steps Oklahoma needs to take to give our students a world-class education." Baker said school leaders have expressed a great deal of support in studying this issue. "I'm looking forward to a very robust discussion," she said

OKLAHOMA CITY – A date has been set for Rep. Ross Ford’s interim study on finding ways to better assist domestic violence victims and to address the generational impact of such abuse. Interim study IS23-051 is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 4 in Room 450 at the State Capitol, 2300 N Lincoln Blvd. It will be heard by the House Judiciary – Criminal Committee. "I've talked with countless individuals and organizations who are excited to help Oklahomans and offered their assistance in any way. Together I'm hoping these subject-matter experts can help us understand what works and how better we can help these victims," said Ford, R-Broken Arrow. “I want to look at early intervention, programs that will help empower victims to leave their attackers before it is too late, and that help show what healthy relationships look like." Ford, a former police officer, said one area of focus will be how domestic violence forensic examinations can provide much needed support for district attorneys to help enhance punishments for perpetrators of this crime.  Ford said his study is made even more timely with recent news reports that show Oklahoma now ranks highest in domestic violence for both men and women and third in the U.S. for the number of women killed by their significant others. In addition, the Oklahoma Coalition for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is no longer operating after a loss of federal funding. This came after a federal audit found misspending of public funds by former staff and board members.  "I think with the position we've found ourselves in, it's imperative we don't just try to go back to the old method that allowed our state to rank the highest in domestic violence," Ford said. "Instead, we must look at a variety of options and organizations to try and break the generational cycle of abuse our state is in. While it is important to look after the victims, I want to ensure we are also doing what we can to help educate and prevent future victims." Rep. Ford appreciates all those who have contacted his office already. He encourages anyone else wanting to join the conversation to attend the interim study or continue reaching out to his office either to his email at  Ross.Ford@okhouse.gov  or by calling (405) 557-7347.

An interim study to examine evidence-based behavior interventions for students with disabilities enrolled in public schools will be held Thurs., Oct. 5. The bipartisan study, requested by Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater, and held in coordination with Sen. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, will study the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and effects of using corporal punishment on a student with a disability. "I'm glad we have another opportunity to continue conversations about how we as a state can ensure children with disabilities can learn and grow in our public schools without suffering the adverse effects that physical punishment may bring," Talley said. Speakers include Andrea Kunkel, general counsel for the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA) and executive director of Oklahoma Directors of Special Services (ODSS), who will share details on the IDEA policy; Dr. Scott Singleton, professor of psychology at the University of Central Oklahoma, who will speak to the consequences of using physical punishment on students with disabilities; and Dr. Gary Duhon, professor of school psychology at Oklahoma State University, who will share evidence-based behavioral reduction interventions for students with disabilities. Talley said the agenda will also include a public school parent sharing the mental toll of physical punishment on their child with disabilities while at school, as well as Dr. Kyle Reynolds, retired Woodward Public Schools superintendent, who will provide a superintendent's perspective. "It must be our goal to ensure our public school policies help each child achieve their greatest potential, but numerous studies show using corporal punishment on students with disabilities can cause tremendous and lasting harm,” Floyd said. “We’ll learn more about that in this study, and hear from Oklahoma experts about how schools can better respond when behavioral issues arise, without resorting to physical punishment.” Talley and Floyd authored House Bill 1028, which passed the House 84-8 in March and remains alive for consideration in the Senate next session. In its current form, the bill prohibits the use of corporal punishment only on students identified with the most significant cognitive disabilities, who account for less than 10% of students with disabilities in Oklahoma's public schools. The interim study is scheduled for Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. in Room 206 at the Oklahoma State Capitol. The study is open to the public and may also be live-streamed on the House website.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, recently received the Dragonfly Home Award for Outstanding Efforts in the Fight to End Human Trafficking for authoring House Bill 2054.  The bill changes the penalty for purchasing prostitution from a misdemeanor to a felony, a change requested by the Oklahoma City Police Vice Unit. Texas made a similar penalty change and found it successful in reducing trafficking. Many of those engaging in prostitution are victims of human trafficking. "I am grateful to Dragonfly Home for all of their excellent work in helping survivors of human trafficking," Roberts said. "Dragonfly Home meets each individual where they are, providing support and services to help them recover from trafficking abuse. I would like to thank Senator Darrell Weaver and the Oklahoma City Police Vice Unit for their assistance with HB2054 and to a constituent who prompted my interest in running the bill." Under HB2054, a person can be sentenced to up to three years in prison and is subject to a fine of up to $1,000 for a first offense, $2,500 for a second offense and up to $5,000 for a third or subsequent offense. If the victim of the offense is a minor, the penalty is a maximum of ten years imprisonment and provides a fine of up to $5,000 for a first offense, $10,000 for a second offense and up to $15,000 for a third or consecutive offense.  The measure would also require the offender to register as a sex offender upon a third conviction. The bill does not increase penalties for people engaging in prostitution. More information on the Dragonfly Home is available at https://www.thedragonflyhome.org/ . -END- PHOTO: Whitney Anderson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Dragonfly Home, presents award to Rep. Eric Roberts for HB2054.

Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, urged education officials to tone down dangerous, divisive language and work with people from a variety of backgrounds to improve outcomes for Oklahoma students following threats made in recent weeks against several schools in the Union Public Schools district, which Boatman represents. "It is past time for threats against the safety of our schools, students, teachers and administrators to stop. I am certain that the men and women of our law enforcement agencies will work tirelessly until they find the person or persons responsible for these despicable threats and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. However, I take issue with the messaging and controversy that preceded and emboldened last week's threats. Our children are the future of our city, state and nation, and they deserve the very best that we can provide. They deserve for their leaders to sacrifice our pride and personal agendas in favor of setting our kids up for success. Whether we are posting social media content, or reposting it, public servants have a duty to them to put the best interest first of our most vulnerable first. Controversy, divisiveness, and fearmongering are not ever in their best interest. Fighting political battles instead of working together to improve the education system that we offer them is never the foundation of sound policy. I am asking those entrusted with the education of our children at each and every level to hold themselves to a higher standard. It's time we move away from satire, mistrust, hateful rhetoric and threats and instead have a serious, thoughtful discussion on how to move our state’s education system forward. When we fail to rise above, we fail our children and our state. There is a way to do this better, and we owe it to our children to try to find that way."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today submitted a letter to the state's attorney general, to the sheriff of Pushmataha County, to the governor and to other judicial and law enforcement agencies asking for an investigation into an alleged raid by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on a Pushmataha County resident and business owner that resulted in the forfeiture of the man's federal firearms license. Humphrey said he was contacted by Russell Fincher, who lives and owns a firearms business in Clayton, who said his home had been raided by about a dozen ATF agents who coerced him at gunpoint into signing pre-prepared paperwork to terminate his federal firearms license. Fincher said his 13-year-old son was present during the raid. "If this report is true, and I have every reason to believe it is, then it would appear the ATF’s actions constitute a gross misuse and abuse of their federal police powers." Humphrey said he knows Fincher not only as a business owner in his House district but as a schoolteacher and a pastor. Humphrey said another matter of concern is that one agent is reported to have told Fincher, “Tell your firearms buddies we are coming after them.” "This seems an obvious illegal threat," Humphrey said. Humphrey, the chair of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, said he has helped pass legislation that allows law-abiding citizens the right to constitutionally carry firearms and that state that Oklahoma county sheriffs should not allow the illegal seizure of such firearms by federal agents. He is asking those to whom he's reaching out to investigate whether ATF agents abused police powers to force and extort Mr. Fincher into terminating his federal firearms license and whether agents made threats toward all Oklahoma firearms dealers. "As an Oklahoma state representative, I believe I have a duty and obligation to declare our state should not allow the intentional and egregious actions of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to deny Oklahomans of their rights to own and carry firearms," he said. See a copy of the full letter here: Formal_Communication_Regarding_Alleged_Violations_of_Constitutional_Rights_by_ATF_Agents_Humphrey_Upated_Letter_de02d7f106.pdf (dgbf0g52sf9l0.cloudfront.net)