Representative Kevin West

R

District 54

Hi, I'm Kevin West and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 54th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Floor Leader

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Oct 15, 2024
Recent Posts

Legislators Respond to Supreme Court Request in Hiett Case

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola, Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rick West, R-Heavener, today issued statements regarding an Oklahoma Supreme Court request for oral arguments in their case against Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett. "On Monday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court changed its position and took the extraordinary step of asking for oral arguments about our Petition for a Writ of Prohibition against Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett. We filed our case after allegations of sexual misconduct and public drunkenness were published, but Hiett refused to disqualify himself from Oklahoma Corporation Commission cases involving the victims and/or witnesses of his alleged criminal conduct. These utility cases are worth billions of dollars and affect millions of Oklahoma customers of Oklahoma Natural Gas, Oklahoma Gas & Electric, and Public Service Company of Oklahoma. "We are thrilled and encouraged by this development. The court clearly recognizes the extreme public importance of this matter and the potential for severe injury to Oklahoma ratepayers if Hiett’s tainted participation is allowed to continue to violate Oklahomans' constitutional due process rights. We look forward to making our case to the court on November 12." In addition, the lawmakers reiterated their earlier public statements on this matter: Sept. 5, 2024: https://www.okhouse.gov/posts/news-20240905_1 Sept. 30, 2024: https://www.okhouse.gov/posts/news-20240930_3

Oct 7, 2024
Recent Posts

STATEMENT: Reps Issue Joint Statement Opposing Tinker AFB "National Coming Out Day" Event

A group of legislators is opposing an event at Tinker Air Force Base called "National Coming Out Day" and the affirmation that homosexuals are "born this way." The following statement is issued by Reps. Jim Olsen, R-Roland; David Hardin, R-Stilwell; Clay Staires, R-Skiatook; Kevin West, R-Moore; Rick West, R-Heavener; and Danny Williams, R-Seminole. "As one of the nation's most important and strategic military bases, Tinker should remain focused on our national defense and not expend taxpayer dollars to promote a lifestyle contrary to the values of the majority of Oklahomans. It is offensive to use the statement 'born this way' as there is no evidence to support this. We view this as completely unnecessary for this campaign. In fact, we find the entire campaign unnecessary. Is Tinker next prepared to host a day to celebrate people who believe in sex only after marriage between a man and a woman? We would think not."

Sep 30, 2024
Recent Posts

Legislators Respond to Hiett Brief in Prohibition Request

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola, Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rick West, R-Heavener, today issued statements regarding Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett's response brief to the writ of prohibition they filed against Hiett. Their writ asked the courts to intervene to protect the public interest. Hiett has been accused of sexual molestation and public drunkenness. The three argue that he should be disqualified from cases at the OCC involving the victims or witnesses to his alleged crimes saying he cannot be impartial or unbiased. “Todd Hiett’s response brief is most notable for what it doesn’t say. He doesn’t deny any of the criminal conduct allegations that have been publicly made against him," the lawmakers said. "He doesn’t deny that the utilities and other parties with direct knowledge of that conduct have leverage over him and his decisions in their cases at the OCC. He also doesn’t claim that he is somehow exempt from state ethics rules and the Code of Judicial Conduct. Instead, he argues that the petitioners haven’t proved that he’s guilty or biased. “But the law says we don’t have to prove it. The State Ethics Rule 4.7 makes it clear that an official should disqualify himself or herself if 'the circumstances would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question his or her impartiality in the matter.' The Code of Judicial Conduct contains a similar provision. "That is clearly the case here. Yet, since Hiett refuses to disqualify himself, we have asked the court to step in and disqualify him to protect ratepayers. Even what Hiett’s response brief does argue is damning – especially where it says ‘the rule of necessity requires that Commissioner Hiett not be disqualified’ (Response, page 10). As mentioned in the Petitioners’ original brief (footnote 42), the ‘Rule of Necessity’ is a common law principle that says in effect that a biased judge is better than no judge at all, and allows a biased judge to participate in a case if the case cannot be heard without him.  “But before the ‘Rule of Necessity’ can apply, the judge either has to admit to being biased or be found to be biased. "To argue ‘the rule of necessity requires that Commissioner Hiett’ participate in these cases means that Hiett is admitting he is conflicted in these cases! If he’s conflicted, there must be a reason. It comes surprisingly close to an admission of guilt to the criminal conduct allegations themselves.”