Committees

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola; Kevin West, R-Moore; and Rick West, R-Heavener, issued the following statement today: "Less than two weeks ago, on December 9, the Oklahoma Supreme Court denied our petition seeking to prohibit Todd Hiett from hearing Oklahoma Corporation Commission cases involving the victims/witnesses of his alleged crimes. But we were encouraged by comments in the justices’ written opinions." Two days later, in response to comments from Justice Dana Kuehn, Gann sent the Oklahoma Ethics Commission a six-page supplement to his original Sept. 10 complaint filed against Commissioner Hiett. It documents with 250 pages of exhibits more than 15 additional occasions of Hiett allegedly violating State Ethics Rule 4.7 since the original complaint was filed. Ethics Rule 4.7 prohibits state officers from participating in matters in which their impartiality might reasonably be questioned. "Today, in response to comments from Justice Douglas L. Combs made on December 9, we have filed an appeal at the Oklahoma Supreme Court seeking to overturn the Oklahoma Corporation Commission’s recent order granting Oklahoma Gas and Electric a $127 million rate increase. Hiett cast the deciding vote in that case, even though we believe state ethics rules say he should not have participated. OG&E employs attorneys who hosted a party on June 21, 2023, where Hiett is alleged to have committed multiple criminal acts, including drunk driving, sexual harassment and indecent exposure. "In this appeal, we also are challenging the OCC’s one-page audits of the utilities' 2021 Winter Storm bonds. Although all three of us voted against the securitization legislation in April 2021, we do not believe the law allows the Corporation Commission to invent its own definition of the word 'audit,' or meant for the utilities to audit themselves. The Oklahoma Accountancy Act provides auditing standards for a reason. "Our pursuit of justice and transparency and respect for the law and the Constitution on behalf of Oklahoma utility ratepayers continues." Follow the OG&E rate case appeal at the Oklahoma Supreme Court and read the pleadings here: https://www.oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=122735

Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso, announced today that he will resign from the House District 74 seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, effective January 1, 2025, after six years of dedicated service to the state. Elected in 2018, Vancuren served as the vice chair of the House Common Education Committee for the duration of his tenure and played an instrumental role in shaping legislative outcomes in education, fiscal policy and transparency. “Serving the people of Oklahoma, and specifically House District 74, has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Vancuren said. “I am proud of the work we accomplished in the House during such a transformative period in our state’s history. From addressing budget deficits to securing a record $4 billion in savings, our efforts have positioned Oklahoma for a stronger, more stable future.” Vancuren served on several key committees during his time in the Legislature, including Appropriations & Budget, Higher Education and Career Tech, and A&B Natural Resources. His leadership in these areas contributed to historic education reforms, tax cuts to help Oklahoma families combat inflation, and the establishment of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT), which aims to ensure greater accountability and transparency in state government. As vice chair of the House Common Education Committee, Vancuren worked tirelessly to advance teacher pay and classroom funding—efforts that have led to the most significant education reforms in Oklahoma’s history. “I am especially proud of the substantial advancements we made in education during my time in office,” Vancuren said. “As a former public school teacher and coach for 30 years, these changes are personal to me. We’ve made great strides in supporting our teachers and students, and I believe these reforms will leave a lasting impact on Oklahoma’s educational landscape for years to come.” “While my time in the Legislature has come to an end, I will continue to work for the people of Owasso as the new District 2 Deputy County Commissioner for Tulsa County,” said Vancuren. “I want to thank the constituents of House District 74 for entrusting me with the privilege of representing them. Your support has meant the world to me, and I will always be grateful for your faith in me to serve our community and the state of Oklahoma.”

The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus (OKFC) celebrates the groundswell of grassroots opposition to the federal takeover of Oklahoma lands for a transmission line. "We've seen growing concern of infringements by the feds under this Biden-Harris regime," said Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, who serves as OKFC vice chair. "In this latest move, they planned on confiscating hundreds of miles of Oklahoma land on Biden's orders for their Green Deal scam. We've heard from grassroots constituents across the state adamantly opposed to this. Due to their strong vocal opposition, this egregious plan was stopped. We're thankful Speaker-elect Hilbert was directly involved and has echoed that this federal land-grab will not be moving forward." The proposed Delta-Plains corridor would have crossed Oklahoma from the panhandle to Arkansas. The federal government would have used eminent domain to confiscate property in Oklahoma to build the transmission line. "We've seen communities have over 1,000 people rallying in opposition to this project and show up to voice their concerns," said Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, who serves as OKFC chair. "Thankfully the voice of the people was heard. We commend all the state senators and state representatives who stood up for the freedoms of their constituents to stop this corridor cutting through Oklahoma. Governor Stitt and Speaker-Elect Hilbert deserve special recognition for their efforts, and we look forward to continuing working with them and with all Oklahomans who desire to advance freedom in this state. This is just a first step as the grassroots and legislators must continue to work together to stop this plan and any further attempts to take land from Oklahomans."