Representative Chris Banning

R

District 24

Hi, I'm Chris Banning and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 24th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

60th Legislature

News & Announcements

Oct 2, 2024
Recent Posts

Banning Hosts Interim Study on Aligning School Board Elections

On Tuesday, Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, held an interim study to examine aligning school board elections with on-cycle elections. IS24-018 was held before the Elections and Ethics House Committee. Currently, Oklahoma statute mandates school board elections be held on off-cycle rotations and not in November. Banning said Oklahoma is one of only 12 states with such a mandate. Dr. Bradley Ward, Oklahoma deputy director for Americans for Prosperity, discussed the potential benefits of aligning school board elections with on-cycle elections. Ward's analysis, based on data from the Oklahoma State Election Board, shows that an average of 6% of registered voters participated in Oklahoma's local school board elections in April 2024. Using data from the Oklahoma Cost Accounting System, Ward's calculations indicate that Oklahoma school districts spent about $16.8 million on election services in 2023. Ward projected that shifting elections to on-cycle elections could save and repurpose about $17 million for school needs. During his presentation, Ward shared case studies from Texas and Michigan, highlighting how these states increased voter turnout. In 2006, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1, shifting 174 school districts to on-cycle elections. Ward said that, as a result, voter turnout increased significantly. "After the Michigan Legislature passed House Bill 4005 in 2011, the following year saw a remarkable surge in voter turnout in their 2012 school board elections," Ward said. "With some districts experiencing a voter increase of over 1600%." During the study, Ward said that based on the case studies from red states such as Texas and historically blue states such as Michigan, this policy is a bipartisan way to effectively save school districts money, align elections, and increase voter turnout and accountability. "Again, this legislation is simple," Banning said. "It increases voter turnout, which leads to accurate community representation in our education system while saving tens of millions for our amazing educators."

Aug 12, 2024
Recent Posts

STATEMENT: Reps. Josh West, Burns, Banning Question State Superintendent's "Problematic" Leadership Tactics

Reps. Josh West, R-Grove, Ty Burns, R-Pawnee, and Chris Banning, R-Bixby, today released the following statement reacting to disparaging comments made by State Superintendent Ryan Walters about Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller after a disagreement over delayed Title I allocations. After Bixby Public Schools experienced delays in receiving Title I funding, Miller tweeted his concerns and questioned when his district would receive the initial allocation. Days later, Walters retorted, calling Miller a "clown" and a "liar." "As former military leaders, we know the qualities that define good leadership: Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Just as important are the lessons on how not to lead. "Over the past four years, we've witnessed Ryan Walters' often questionable leadership. In the past two weeks, he has violated the Open Meetings Act, denied legislators access to executive sessions, deprived districts of rolled-over money meant for school safety and now is putting children's lives at risk by withholding appropriated funds for emergency asthma inhalers. "After Walters chose to name-call Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller, a former Marine who faithfully served the Constitution and protected our rights, we decided we couldn't sit back any longer. Though we do not speak for others, we cannot stand by while a respected leader and veteran is insulted and demeaned for simply doing his job. Walters' behavior is unbecoming of any leader, especially the highest-ranking person in the Oklahoma public school system. "Our time in the military taught us to listen to those serving on the front lines. That same principle applies here. School superintendents like Miller provide valuable insights into local issues, and yet Walters refuses to listen to those around him or take responsibility for his missteps. "As elected officials, paid with taxpayer dollars and entrusted with the future of our state, we must hold ourselves accountable to Oklahomans and have the integrity to admit when we are wrong. We had hoped Walters would eventually grow into his role, but after two years of problematic leadership tactics, our patience is wearing thin."  West, the current chair of the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, founded the Legislative Veterans Caucus, which he chaired from 2017-2019. He received numerous military awards and decorations, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with “V” Device for Valor. He was critically wounded in a firefight in Karbala, Iraq, in 2003 and was medically retired from the U.S. Army after nine years of service. Burns currently serves as the Chair of the Legislative Veterans Caucus. In 2011, Burns was wounded in a near ambush in the Saygal Valley in Afghanistan. He retired from the 45th Infantry Brigade in 2018 after 20 years of service. Burns has also received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, as well as several numerous military awards and decorations. Banning, a member of the Legislative Veterans Caucus, was in Operation Provide Comfort, which was in conjunction with the Operation Desert Storm – Desert Shield Era. In the immediate wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, Banning was on the frontlines of rescue and recovery missions for which he received the Humanitarian Service Metal. Banning is now a service-connected disabled veteran. 

Jun 14, 2024
Recent Posts

Representatives Commend Governor's Line-Item Veto of Education Budget Limits Bill

A group of legislators on Friday praised the governor's line-item veto of Sections 15 and 16 of Senate Bill 1122, which would have placed spending limits on the State Department of Education (SDE) for its Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which goes into effect July 1. The statement is issued by Reps. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid; Chris Banning, R-Bixby; Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle; Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita; Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont; David Hardin, R-Stilwell; JJ Humphrey, R-Lane; Tom Gann, R-Inola; Jim Grego, R-Wilburton; Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa; Mark Lepak, R-Claremore; Cody Maynard, R-Durant; Jim Olsen, R-Roland; Clay Staires, R-Skiatook; Kevin West, R-Moore; and Rick West, R-Heavener. "We'd like to thank Governor Stitt for his thoughtful line-item veto of Sections 15 and 16 of Senate Bill 1122," they said. "These portions of the bill would have done nothing to improve the education of Oklahoma students and instead would have significantly damaged the Department of Education's ability to carry out its mission." The lawmakers said Section 15 of SB1122 would have required SDE to apply for every federal grant, while Section 16 would have included provisions that forbid SDE from using any money to secure media interviews or public relations, or for other public promotional purposes. The group noted that no other agency is subject to these restrictions. State agencies are granted the autonomy to decide which grants to apply for and almost every state agency spends money to communicate to the public about particular programs or services offered. Section 16 would have singled out and severely limited SDE in this function. The lawmakers spoke about the Teacher of the Year program, teacher recruitment efforts, certain financial disclosures, and other public relations messages that would have been hampered should this measure have been signed into law. On Friday afternoon, the governor issued Executive Order 2024-12, which prohibits all state agencies, rather than inequitably highlighting a specific agency, from entering into sole source contracts with public relations, marketing, or communications firms and vendors, as well as requires all PR vendors be procured through a 30-day request for proposal.