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Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, today celebrated a major milestone for rural health care access following the Bristow Hospital Authority's approval of a final lease agreement allowing St. Francis Health System to assume operations of Bristow’s local hospital. This transition brings one of Oklahoma’s largest and most respected health systems directly into the Bristow community, marking a significant expansion of high-quality, accessible medical care for residents across Creek County and the surrounding area. Speaker Hilbert said the decision represents years of local effort and state-level work to support rural health infrastructure. “St. Francis is one of the premier healthcare providers in Oklahoma, and having them in Bristow is a game-changer,” Hilbert said. “This ensures families in our community have reliable, modern care close to home, not 30 or 40 miles away. This is exactly the kind of long-term investment rural Oklahoma deserves.” State Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, echoed Hilbert’s remarks and praised the partnership for its long-term impact on the region. “This partnership with St. Francis is a tremendous win for Bristow and for all of Creek County,” Gollihare said. “Reliable, high-quality health care shouldn’t be something rural families have to drive an hour to find. This investment ensures our communities have the medical access they deserve, and I’m grateful for the leadership that brought us to this point.” The Legislature has helped support the hospital by directing funds through Senate Bill 20XX in 2022, funding a total of $25 million to re-open closed hospitals in rural communities across the state. The Bristow Hospital was among communities selected through a transparent application process Speaker Hilbert championed. Bristow City Mayor Kris Wyatt emphasized the vital partnership with St. Francis. "We all understand how essential a hospital is to Bristow's future," said Wyatt. "It drives economic development, influences whether new industry chooses to come here, and supports the community's overall quality of life. If we want to continue growing and providing the standard of living our residents deserve, Bristow must have a hospital. St. Francis has a strong history of delivering excellent health care, and they are an outstanding partner to help meet that need." This hospital project will support expanded services, improved patient capacity and upgrades to meet modern rural health care demands. St. Francis Hospital leadership expressed gratitude for the state’s investment and praised lawmakers for prioritizing rural medical infrastructure. "Saint Francis is proud to continue its investment in the health and well-being of Bristow and the surrounding community. With the opening of Warren Clinic Bristow in 2023 and now the transition to operate the local hospital, this partnership reinforces our shared vision for exceptional healthcare in rural Oklahoma," said Dr. Cliff Robertson, president and CEO of Saint Francis Health System. "This is another important step in building a lasting relationship between Saint Francis and the people of Bristow—one that will grow and evolve to meet the community's needs for years to come." Yesterday’s action in Bristow comes as St. Francis in Tulsa recently received Trauma I designation , made possible by the partnership with OSU medical center established through the Legislature during the 2025 session. This major development advanced under Speaker Hilbert and Senator Gollihare's leadership. “Healthy communities make for a stronger Oklahoma,” Hilbert said. “Communities across the state are seeing long-overdue progress, and this is just the beginning.”

OKLAHOMA CITY  —  Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, has sent a letter to Attorney General Gentner Drummond requesting a formal opinion on whether the Oklahoma Legislative Compensation Board's executive session violated Oklahoma’s Open Meeting Act. “If the executive session was unlawful, the public deserves to know,” Jenkins said. “And if it was permitted under a loophole, then we need to fix that loophole immediately.” Her request follows the recent decision by the board, which met in executive session before approving salary increases for state politicians, including legislators who are among the highest-paid part-time lawmakers in the nation. State law allows boards to meet in executive session, which is a private discussion of salaries of their own employees, but Jenkins says legislators are not employees of the compensation board. “I was heartbroken to hear that the Legislative Compensation Board entered an executive session, which I do not believe is authorized by Oklahoma law, before voting to award these massive raises,” Jenkins said. “This is not transparency, and this is not the Oklahoma way.” According to Jenkins, the circumstances surrounding the meeting “do not pass the smell test.” She noted that the board had twice declined to raise legislative salaries in previous meetings, and then, after members were replaced, the board met behind closed doors and abruptly “changed its mind.” “At a time when Oklahoma taxpayers are struggling under soaring insurance premiums, rising property taxes and higher utility rates, the last thing they should be forced to do is pay more for their politicians, especially under such regrettable and suspicious circumstances,” Jenkins said. Depending on the attorney general’s findings, Jenkins may introduce legislation to ensure a situation like this “can never happen again" in the form of a constitutional amendment. For the 2026 Legislative Session, Jenkins says the amendment she is working on could abolish the Legislative Compensation Board altogether and could freeze legislative salaries at their current level, before the newly approved raises, unless voters themselves approve future increases. “For too long, this board has ensured that Oklahoma’s part-time Legislature remains the highest paid in the region, and one of the highest compensated part-time legislatures in the nation, even as our state trails far behind in so many other metrics,” Jenkins said. “Only the voters should have the final say on legislative compensation, not an unelected board of bureaucrats who never have to face the vote of the people.” The deadline to file bills and joint resolutions is Jan. 15, 2026, and the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature is set to convene on Feb. 2, 2026. Jenkins has indicated she will also use the upcoming session to formally propose blocking the pay raises for other statewide officeholders, including the governor, attorney general and state superintendent, keeping their salaries at current levels. “Public service should never be about the money; it should be about sacrifice,” she said. “You can never pay a true public servant enough. But you can absolutely overpay a worthless politician.” If the legislative pay raises do take effect, Jenkins announced she will reject the increase and donate the additional money to a House District 33 crisis pregnancy clinic. “These clinics are on the front lines every single day, saving lives and restoring hope to mothers and their babies in their greatest time of need,” Jenkins said. “If this pay raise goes through, the people of House District 33 will see every dollar of it put toward something that truly matters.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus—Rep. Ron Stewart, D-Tulsa, Sen. Nikki Nice, D-Oklahoma City, Sen. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, and Rep. Aletia Timmons, D-Oklahoma City—released the following joint statement after the passing of Viola Fletcher at 111.  “The Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus joins the state of Oklahoma, the Greenwood community, and the nation in mourning the passing of Mother Viola Fletcher, one of the last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and a living monument to the power of truth, resilience, and unwavering dignity. “Mother Fletcher—affectionately known across Oklahoma as “Mother Fletcher”—was more than a witness to history; she was a guardian of it. For more than a century, her life stood as a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of unspeakable tragedy. She carried the memories of Greenwood’s darkest moments with grace, courage, and purpose, demanding that Oklahoma and America confront the reality of what was lost, and the responsibility of what must be restored. “Her passing leaves an irreplaceable void. Yet the legacy she leaves behind is one that will continue to guide us for generations. Mother Fletcher’s story is a reminder that truth-telling is an act of justice, that perseverance is a form of resistance, and that healing begins when we dare to fully acknowledge our past. “As policymakers, we reflect on Mother Fletcher’s life not only with profound sorrow, but with immense pride. Her strength remains a model for public service rooted in compassion, accountability, and the pursuit of equity. Her voice—soft yet powerful—urged us to build a future where no community is silenced, where every child can imagine prosperity, and where the lessons of Greenwood are forever woven into the conscience of Oklahoma. “Mother Fletcher showed us what it means to endure. She showed us what it means to hope. And she showed us what it means to stand boldly in the truth so that future generations may walk a freer, more just path. “The Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus extends its deepest condolences to the Fletcher family and to all who were uplifted by her life. We honor her memory, and we commit ourselves to carrying forward the light she held for more than a century. “Rest in power, Mother Viola Fletcher. "Your life has shaped generations, and your legacy will continue to guide us all.” -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, is addressing concerns raised by Adair County commissioners regarding the potential economic impact of major reductions in poultry operations in northeastern Oklahoma and the importance of the poultry industry to Oklahoma agriculture.  This week, Adair County commissioners sent a letter to Attorney General Gentner Drummond outlining the role poultry production plays in local economies and the significant effect a large-scale reduction could have on county governments, school districts, farm families and small businesses across the region. The commissioners noted that poultry production has long been one of the primary economic drivers in Adair County and supports hundreds of families while generating revenue that helps sustain rural communities. Reports indicating that Tyson Foods is evaluating possible changes to its Oklahoma operations come as the state continues navigating a long-running federal lawsuit over water quality in the Illinois River watershed. The litigation, now more than 20 years old, centers on pollution concerns shared by Oklahoma and Arkansas.  Federal and state agencies have documented water quality improvements in portions of the watershed following decades of targeted conservation work. An Environmental Protection Agency success story published in 2020 highlighted reduced bacteria and nutrient levels, the removal of five waterbody segments from the impaired waters list and ongoing cooperative efforts involving Oklahoma, Arkansas and the Cherokee Nation. Population growth in northwest Arkansas, which now exceeds 700,000 residents, has increased pressure on the watershed and prompted both states to update monitoring and long-term planning. “While the Environmental Protection Agency promotes the Illinois River watershed as a water quality success story and the Oklahoma Tourism Department promotes the water quality of Illinois River and Lake Tenkiller, Attorney General Drummond’s office is telling a federal judge the Illinois River is polluted to the point that poultry companies should be fined hundreds of millions of dollars,” Hardin said. "The Attorney General's proposal would devastate county governments, school districts, small businesses and countless Oklahoma families."  Hardin agreed with the commissioners' concerns and emphasized the importance of balancing environmental goals with economic stability.  “Eastern Oklahoma should not be put at risk while decisions are made without fully weighing the progress that has been achieved or the families who depend on this industry,” Hardin said. “Water quality challenges deserve meaningful attention, but we can address those concerns with science, long-term planning and cooperation between both states. I stand with the Adair County commissioners in supporting solutions that protect our natural resources and preserve the jobs, investment and economic health of our rural communities.”  Hardin noted that decades of coordinated conservation work have produced measurable improvements in the Illinois River watershed.  “Local, state and federal partners have invested years into improving the Illinois River, and the data show those efforts are working," said Hardin. "We should continue building on that progress while also safeguarding the economic stability of the counties that rely on agriculture to survive. “Frankly, our neighbors in Arkansas have shown more interest in water quality than we have and have invested in tens of millions of dollars in improvements for recreation and water quality monitoring and improvement. We need to focus on investment in water quality, not litigation."  Hardin said he supports continued collaboration among agencies, landowners and state leaders to protect water quality and maintain the long-term economic well-being of eastern Oklahoma.  -END-  Rep. David Hardin, a Republican, represents House District 86 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes portions of Adair, Cherokee, Delaware and Mayes counties.

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, was named as one of the Most Powerful Women in an independent poll by OKC Friday. According to OKC Friday, nominees are chosen based on compassion and a determination to better the lives of everyone around them and earn the respect and the admiration of their peers. “It’s an honor to share this recognition with several compassionate, smart, and influential women,” said Leader Munson. “I deeply appreciate my constituents and fellow Oklahomans who support my work to solve problems for everyday Oklahomans. May this incredible group of women continue to use their position to advocate for other women and improve the lives of all Oklahomans.” OKC Friday publishes weekly, serving Nichols Hills, The Village and northwest Oklahoma City. -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ronald Stewart, D-Tulsa, issued the following statement today in response to the Federal Government’s decision to remove missing and murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP) information and resources from federal agency websites, with no commitment to restore them.  The administration further claims that the Office of Missing & Murdered Indigenous People constitutes a “DEI initiative,” implying it is unnecessary and nonessential. “I am deeply and unequivocally disappointed,” said Stewart. “Removing MMIP resources is not just an administrative choice—it is a direct assault on the safety, dignity, and visibility of Indigenous people. It is an erasure of lives already lost, families seeking justice, and communities which aren’t just looking for answers, they’re demanding them. And it is a gross disservice to dismiss the MMIP office as a ‘DEI initiative’ when the facts, the data, and the lived experiences of Indigenous families prove otherwise.” Stewart says MMIP is not a DEI initiative. “The Office of Missing & Murdered Indigenous People was created to address a documented public-safety crisis, not to serve as any form of ideological or diversity-based programming,” said Stewart. “The Trump Administration’s claim is not only inaccurate—it is dangerously disingenuous.” Stewart lists the following facts to support his statement:  MMIP Addresses a Law-Enforcement and Jurisdictional Crisis Indigenous people—especially Indigenous women and girls—are murdered or go missing at rates 4 to 10 times higher than the national average. The crisis stems from gaps in federal, state, tribal, and local law-enforcement coordination, not from demographic or workplace diversity concerns. The office was formed to streamline information sharing, strengthen investigations, and correct longstanding failures in federal response—not to function as an equity program. Congress Directed MMIP Action Through Bipartisan Legislation Savanna’s Act (2020) and the Not Invisible Act (2020) passed with broad bipartisan support. These laws require federal agencies to improve data collection, investigative protocols, and coordination regarding MMIP cases. Compliance with federal law is not optional and has nothing to do with DEI frameworks. The MMIP Office Responds to Victims and Families, Not “Diversity” Agendas MMIP exists because thousands of families have been denied justice for decades. The office provides trauma-informed victim services, case tracking, and investigative support. Nothing in its mission relates to hiring metrics, workplace diversity, or social programming of any kind. Tribal Nations Requested and Demanded MMIP Support Tribal governments across the United States have requested federal partnership and accountability on MMIP for years. Responding to sovereign Tribal Nations is a legal obligation of the federal government—not a DEI preference. ”I genuinely appreciate our state’s bipartisan commitment to addressing MMIP,” said Stewart. “The work accomplished in both the House and Senate reflects a shared dedication to ensuring a safer Oklahoma for all. However, let me be clear: I do not agree with the decision of the federal government. MMIP is not DEI. MMIP is DOJ. It is public safety. It is justice. It is, in far too many cases, life and death. Removing MMIP resources from federal websites sends one message: that Indigenous lives are expendable. That message is unacceptable, and it is beneath the dignity of this nation. This crisis predates any modern political talking points—it reaches back generations, and it continues today. Families deserve answers. Cases deserve attention. And Indigenous communities deserve the full weight of federal responsibility.” -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma heard oral arguments for PR-123179 McVay v. Cockroft to determine the constitutionality of SB 1027. The legislation imposes several new restrictions on Oklahoma’s initiative petition process including restrictions on the number of signatures collected within a county and who can collect signatures.  SB 1027 also requires the Oklahoma Secretary of State to approve each initiative petition gist. Because the Secretary of State is a Governor appointed position, this measure impedes the intentions of the original initiative petition process to allow Oklahomans to make policy decisions independent of the legislature and the Governor. Oklahoma House Democrats say this legislation places unnecessary restrictions on the initiative petition process, in turn, silencing Oklahoma voters.  “The entire purpose of the initiative petition process is so that Oklahomans can propose changes to policy when the legislature does not,” said Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “SB 1027 takes away Oklahomans’ right to fairly create meaningful change when those in power are unwilling. House Democrats have been against this legislation since day one because we recognize the way it infringes on Oklahomans and their constitutional right to petition the government.” Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, attended the oral arguments at the Oklahoma Supreme Court.  “Article 2, Section 1 of the Oklahoma Constitution is crystal clear: all political power is inherent in the people,” said Fugate. “Not the legislature, not the Governor, not the courts, but the people. SB 1027 is a direct assault on that principle. It strips Oklahomans of their constitutional right to bypass politicians and propose their own changes to our laws and our constitution.  “The legislature has no business deciding when or how to take power away from the people. When SB 1027 was debated, I offered an amendment to let the people decide its fate. The majority voted it down. Even that small measure of respect for the people’s voice was too much for them in their rush to strip away the power of the people.  “Today’s oral arguments before the Oklahoma Supreme Court affirmed exactly what Oklahoma Democrats warned about in the House: SB 1027 is unconstitutional and undemocratic. While the Court’s decision is still ahead, one thing is certain: Oklahoma House Democrats stood up to defend the rights of Oklahomans and to ensure that the people's voice is not silenced.” -END-

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Checotah, today announced his intent to refile a bill that creates punishments for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep-fake technology without consent of the person whose name, image, likeness or voice is used to create digital content and advertising that is disseminated to the public with the intent to harm. Hays filed House Bill 3073 in 2024. The bill passed the House but was not advanced in the state Senate. Hays will refile the measure with some minor changes for the upcoming legislative session, which starts Feb. 2. “As we awaken each day to more sophisticated AI-generated media, we must recommit to the fundamental truth in advertising and the basic rights of every Oklahoman,” Hays said. “Every Oklahoman deserves to control their name, image, likeness and voice — and to know that when they are depicted, especially in an effort to influence the public, that they’re portrayed accurately.” Hays said AI now allows realistic substitutions of a person’s face, voice or image in video, audio and digital advertisements — often without the person’s permission and sometimes with harmful intent.  HB 3073 sought to criminalize publishing or distributing digitized representations of another individual’s name, image, voice or likeness without written consent and with intent to harm. The measure set criminal penalties, including elevation to a felony on a second offense.  Hays emphasized the marketplace and public discourse depend on trust. “If we erode trust because people are unsure whether what they see or hear is real, then we erode the very foundation of free and fair communication,” he said. "Technology isn’t slowing down, and legislation must keep pace,” Hays said. “By refiling this bill, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting Oklahomans’ rights in this new digital era. I'm asking my legislative colleagues to join me and return to the basics of integrity, transparency and individual consent.”

LAWTON, OK — House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and members of the Oklahoma House Republican Caucus visited Lawton this past weekend for the fifth stop of the ongoing Capitol to Community tour, an initiative designed to connect state lawmakers directly with community leaders, businesses and local organizations. This stop was especially meaningful as it also served as the kickoff to the Caucus’ annual retreat weekend, which continued at Quartz Mountain Lodge in Altus.   The day in Lawton featured tours highlighting the region’s military partnerships, economic development, correctional operations and manufacturing leadership. Members began the morning at FISTA Innovation Park, where local officials and defense-sector partners detailed Lawton’s growing role in military technology development and private-sector collaboration.   Legislators then toured the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company facility, one of Oklahoma’s major manufacturing hubs, where they met with plant leadership to discuss workforce needs and the company’s long-term investment in southwest Oklahoma.   In the afternoon, members visited the Red Rock Correctional Center, gaining insight into facility operations, and to better understand the role of the role of private contractors in meeting the state’s correctional system needs.   The day concluded with lawmakers traveling to Quartz Mountain Lodge, where the annual House Republican Caucus retreat officially kicked off. The weekend concluded with an overnight stay in the heart of southwest Oklahoma, Medicine Park.     “Lawton showed us the incredible impact that strong partnerships between industry and innovation can have on a region," said Speaker Hilbert. "This stop offered valuable insight into a major public safety hub of our state as we prepare for the upcoming legislative session.”   House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, who represents parts of the Lawton area, said the visit showcased the strengths and potential of southwest Oklahoma.   “Lawton is a powerhouse for our state, whether it’s defense innovation at FISTA, world-class manufacturing at Goodyear or the critical work happening at Red Rock,” said Caldwell. “I was proud to welcome my colleagues to our community and show them firsthand the economic drivers and challenges that shape southwest Oklahoma. This kind of engagement helps ensure that decisions at the Capitol reflect the real needs of the great people of Comanche County.”   The Capitol to Community tour will conclude in Guthrie, Oklahoma, on December 18th.