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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, released the following statement condemning the Governor for sending Oklahoma National Guard members to Washington DC after saying in August he had no plans to do so. “It is disingenuous of the Governor to claim he would not send the Oklahoma National Guard to DC and then change his mind months later without reason,” said McCane. “It is unnecessary and only ends up costing Oklahomans. Oklahoma was not directly asked to send troops to DC. This decision by the Governor is solely to appease the Trump Administration and does not serve Oklahomans. We have issues in the State of Oklahoma that could use the help of our troops. There is no specific reason given by the Governor to send our troops to DC now. This is a waste of taxpayer dollars.” The Governor authorized Oklahoma National Guard members to volunteer for a 90-day trip to the nation’s capital. The decision was announced Monday, December 1, 2025.   -END-

The last of four major reforms to Oklahoma’s administrative rulemaking process took effect last month, marking a significant overhaul of the state's regulatory oversight system. Already in effect were three other new laws that strengthen legislative oversight, limit agency overreach and ensure that regulations are grounded in law and subject to greater public accountability. Administrative rules are the regulations written by state agencies to enforce laws passed by the Legislature and carry the force of law. After being approved by the agency, proposed rules move to the Legislature, but state statute left loopholes that could allow rules to become permanent without a single vote from lawmakers. "When the Legislature, whether by intention or disregard, let regulations take effect without approval by lawmakers, we cede our lawmaking constitutional responsibility to unknown, unelected bureaucrats," said Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, who chairs the House Administrative Rules Committee. "That's not what we were elected to do. We weren't sent to the State Capitol to run the government on autopilot. I'm glad to see the last of these reform bills take effect and retore transparency, accountability and common sense to the rulemaking process." Taking effect on Nov. 1 was House Bill 2729 , which eliminates the Chevron deference at the state level, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 decision overturning the federal doctrine. The measure directs Oklahoma courts to independently interpret administrative rules rather than deferring to agency interpretations. Three other major reform bills, which Kendrix authored or coauthored, took effect earlier this year. House Bill 2728  establishes the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025. The law requires additional fiscal and statutory review for major agency rules, ensuring that regulations with significant financial or policy impacts receive proper legislative attention. Under the REINS Act, the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) will analyze proposed major rules and report potential costs or economic effects before implementation. Additionally, any rule expected to cost over $1 million over five years must be voted on separately from other proposed rules. The third bill, Senate Bill 995 , clarifies that any agency rule not explicitly approved by the Legislature is considered disapproved, reinforcing that administrative rules cannot carry the force of law without legislative consent. The final bill, Senate Bill 1024 , prohibits the adoption of a proposed rule by an agency unless the agency receives approval of scope from the Governor or the appropriate cabinet secretary. This additional step ensures that the agency has statutory authority to propose the rule. "These four bills provide a much-needed modernization of Oklahoma's administrative rulemaking framework," Kendrix said. "Most importantly, they reaffirm the Legislature's constitutional role in ensuring that all regulations reflect the will of the people." Kendrix also highlighted the new online portal, rules.ok.gov , where Oklahomans can review proposed rules, find information about submitting public comment and sign up for emails about an agency's rule-making activity. "The previous process for considering administrative rules wasn't just confusing, it was irresponsible on our part," Kendrix said. "With these new bills and the online portal, everyday Oklahomans can more easily read the rules that may govern their lives and participate in their government."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, crowned Ms. Wheelchair Oklahoma Erica Sebourn during a ceremony held this week at the State Capitol.  Erica, a United States Air Force veteran and longtime law enforcement officer, was honored for her resilience, advocacy and lifelong commitment to serving others. Based in Seminole, she served with the Sperry Police Department as a Crimes Against Children investigator, working to protect Oklahomans with compassion and skill.  "Erica's life reflects strength, service and dedication to her community," Stark said. "She has faced hardship with grace and turned her own challenges into a mission to uplift others. It was a privilege to crown her as Ms. Wheelchair Oklahoma, and I look forward to supporting her efforts to improve the lives of wheelchair service dog teams across our state."  After Erica unexpectedly became wheelchair-bound, she continued her public service through advocacy and outreach. She now uses her experience to support others navigating mobility issues, ensuring they have a voice and a strong example of perseverance.  Stark said Erica's recognition as Ms. Wheelchair Oklahoma shows her ongoing contributions to Oklahoma and her community.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Just before Thanksgiving, Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola, Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rick West, R-Heavener, filed a new brief asking the Oklahoma Supreme Court to overturn a $127 million rate increase for OG&E as well as some $760 million of the utility’s ratepayer-backed bonds. Both were approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) with votes by embattled Commissioner Todd Hiett.  The rate increase has been in effect since July 2024. Payments for the bonds, issued to cover costs incurred by OG&E during February 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, have been collected as “Winter Event Securitization (WES)” charges on customers’ bills since July 2022. If not overturned, the rate increase will continue in perpetuity; the monthly WES charges are scheduled to continue for another 25 years. Wednesday’s brief was the second such request to the court last month. On Nov. 10, Gann filed a similar brief asking the court to overturn $250 million in rate increases and some $700 million in ratepayer-backed bonds the OCC had approved for Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). To date, this brings the totals officially challenged to $377 million in rate increases and more than $1.4 billion in bonds. The appeals ask the court to order everything wrongly collected to be refunded to OG&E and PSO customers. Both briefs tell the court that the OCC failed to provide a required audit of the bonds in OG&E and PSO’s most recent rate cases. They also argue the utilities’ original 2021 Uri costs that were securitized into the bonds were never lawfully audited either. The briefs assert the audit failures make the OCC’s orders void.  Oklahoma utilities OG&E, PSO, ONG and CenterPoint/Summit paid some of the highest natural gas prices in U.S. history during a two-week cold snap in February 2021, incurring some $2.8 billion in debt. Interest and other expenses added another $2 billion, bringing the total cost of the bonds being paid by Oklahoma utility customers close to $5 billion. The appeal briefs focus on a report by former Oklahoma Accountancy Board Chairman David Greenwell filed at the OCC in July 2024. In it, Greenwell said the OCC’s audit activities with respect to the winter storm costs and bonds “do not appear to comply with state law.” Former OCC Commissioner Bob Anthony also repeatedly criticized the one-page audits the OCC was putting forward to meet statutory requirements. “When Oklahoma law requires an audit, the Accountancy Act says it has to be done by independent, licensed CPAs following nationally recognized standards,” said Gann, who is a former internal auditor for Tulsa International Airport. “That did not happen.”  “Although all three of us voted against the securitization legislation in April 2021, we do not believe that our colleagues who voted for it meant for the utilities to audit themselves, or for the Corporation Commission to make up its own definition of the word ‘audit,’” Kevin West said. “The apparently fraudulent audits are inexcusable. The law requires real audits, and the Accountancy Act defines auditing standards for a reason.” Gann, Kevin West and Rick West argue the effect of the OCC’s audit failures “has been to cover up significant wrongdoing during and after the 2021 Winter Storm.” The brief in the OG&E appeal (p.3) says the utility “unduly (and possibly unlawfully) influenced” the hiring of the OCC’s financial advisor in the bond cases, Hilltop Securities. It also questions how OG&E and PSO’s lender, RBC Capital, was hired to underwrite both bond deals, when RBC’s bid was 25% higher than JP Morgan’s. (Hilltop Securities advised the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority on the bond underwriters’ bidding process.) The OG&E brief (p.35) cites a January 2025 filing by then-Commissioner Anthony alleging that a representative of Hilltop was responsible for “fraudulent language surreptitiously inserted” into the OCC’s bond financing orders. Anthony said that fraudulent language made the bonds hundreds of millions of dollars more expensive for OG&E and PSO customers. The appeal brief says it also makes the OCC’s bond orders void. The state representatives also are challenging the rate increases based on OCC Commissioner Todd Hiett’s participation in the cases, saying he violated utility customers’ due process rights.  “Hiett cast the deciding vote to approve all the rate increases, even though we believe state ethics rules say he should not have participated,” Rick West said. Both OG&E and PSO were represented in the appealed cases by attorneys who hosted a 2023 party where Hiett was publicly accused of alleged sexual harassment and drunk driving. Even though no charges were filed, the state representatives’ brief says Hiett’s behavior has made him subject to improper influence and possible extortion by those attorneys and others.  In May 2025, the Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against Hiett, citing the so-called “rule of necessity” and finding in this particular instance, state Ethics Rule 4.7’s prohibition against conflicts of interest was not an issue. The Ethics Commission stated at the time that their decision took into account the constitutional requirements for the Corporation Commission, the legislative nature of the rate hikes and Oklahoma case law, including the well-recognized Rule of Necessity. The appeal briefs argue the “rule of necessity” does not apply to conflicted OCC commissioners and asks the Supreme Court to say so. “Fundamentally, these appeals are about upholding the Constitution and the rule of law,” Rick West said. “State ethics rules say if a reasonable person would question Hiett’s impartiality in these cases, he must not participate. But Hiett continues to cast votes approving billions of dollars of increases for these utility companies without performing the required audits. We expect the court to overturn these votes and to order Hiett and the OCC to follow the law.” In addition to the cases against OG&E and PSO, a similar Supreme Court appeal was filed against ONG’s most recent rate increase by Reps. Gann and Kevin West in August. Their brief in that case is not due until April 2026. They also have filed appeals against four OCC orders approving annual fuel purchases for ONG, OG&E and PSO, the fourth filed just Monday.  All told, Gann, Kevin West and Rick West's filed and pending appeals challenge more than $10 billion in utility charges for ONG, OG&E and PSO. The full OG&E appeal Brief in Chief can be read online here: https://oscn.net/dockets/GetDocument.aspx?ct=appellate&bc=1063629594&cn=CU-123021&fmt=pdf OG&E, the OCC and the Attorney General’s Office have 40 days to respond. The progress of all the appeals can be followed on the Oklahoma Supreme Court website: PSO rate case: https://www.oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=122861 OG&E rate case: https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123021 ONG, PSO & OG&E CY2023 fuel cases: https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=122991 ONG rate case: https://oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123348 ONG CY2024 fuel case: https://www.oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&number=123588

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-