Oklahoma politics

Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore) sent a letter to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond last week for an opinion on whether funds allocated by the legislature for another purpose can be transferred to pay for State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ classroom Bible initiative.

State lawmakers in the newly established Oklahoma Freedom Caucus support State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ mandate to have copies of the Bible in classrooms statewide.

A bill that would allow pharmacists to dispense certain types of birth control passed unanimously through the House Health and Human Services Committee Wednesday.

The Oklahoma state legislature is back in session, and there’s no hotter topic than education policy. StateImpact education reporter Beth Wallis talked with managing editor Logan Layden about what to expect from lawmakers in 2024.

House Bill 1002 passed on a 71 to 20 party-line vote. It represents a quarter of a percent income tax cut. But, the bill is unlikely to go anywhere – for the moment – as Senate leaders look to use their support for the measure as leverage on other legislative priorities.

If the Oklahoma legislature passes it, the Common Sense Freedom of Press Control Act would place more monitoring requirements and financial obligations on journalists and media outlets.

Critics say such a measure would have far-reaching implications beyond abortion.

Voters in 18 Oklahoma counties will head to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of technology center expansions, police and fire department budgets and more.

Democrats in the state Senate have elected new leadership.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics discuss opening statements starting on a legal challenge to HB1775, the so-called critical race theory ban, the state Tax Commission starting to collect applications for a controversial private school tax credit and the State Board of Education taking aim once again at Tulsa Public Schools.