State Government News
Can Oklahoma's attorney general boot governor from tribal gaming suit? Court to decide: A federal judge on Monday asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to weigh in for the third time in four years on a series of tribal gaming deals signed by the governor in 2020. The state's highest court now needs to decide whether Oklahoma's attorney general can jump into a long-running federal lawsuit tied to the compacts — and boot Gov. Kevin Stitt from the case. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court to decide whether attorney general can intervene in tribal gaming lawsuit [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma may adopt Texas-style illegal immigration enforcement law: State lawmakers may soon consider legislation based on a controversial Texas law — currently on hold in federal court — that would give local and state law enforcement officers the authority to arrest and even arrange to deport people they believe are illegal immigrants. [Tulsa World]
Bill adding rules on how to house Oklahoma's transgender inmates faces criticism: There's deep division over a proposed law that would require Oklahoma's prison system to house people based on their biological gender by regulating bathroom and sleeping areas. [Oklahoma Voice]
Legal roundup: Judicial updates, Supreme Court cases, a suspended attorney and more: From judicial appointments to judicial reform, judges have been a hot topic the past few months in Oklahoma. [NonDoc]
Opinion: A distant hope for budget transparency: Eyes roll anytime legislative leaders pledge more budget-writing transparency. It's pure reflex. It can't be helped. It's ingrained in those who pay even the remotest attention to the annual state-spending horse-trading for one simple reason: it's long been a hollow pledge. This year, though, there is cautious optimism that budgetary poohbahs actually will be more open about how they prioritize spending about $12 billion of the taxpayers' treasure. Emphasis on the word "c-a-u-t-i-o-u-s." [Arnold Hamilton / Journal Record]
Opinion: Oklahoma lawmakers set the Constitution on fire. Now they are trying to extinguish our rights: According to the Oklahoma Constitution, an emergency clause is to be used only in measures "immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, or safety." Sadly, rather than the appropriate use of the emergency clause as a tool to keep Oklahomans safe from harm, some legislators are using it as a tool to consolidate their power and take power from the people. [Cindy Alexander / Oklahoma Voice]
Criminal Justice News
Attorney fills vacant seat on Oklahoma County's jail trust after being sworn in Monday: Shelly A. Perkins attended her first meeting as a member of Oklahoma County's jail trust Monday. Perkins, an attorney and community advocate, will take a seat on the trust previously held by Sue Ann Arnall. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Family Member's Eviction Attempt Ends In Flames: A family member evicted an elderly Oklahoma City couple from their home, and instead of leaving peacefully, the geriatric man living there set himself and the home on fire. [Oklahoma Watch]
Economy & Business News
After a long slog, climate change lawsuits will finally put Big Oil on trial: After years of legal appeals and delays, some oil companies are set to stand trial in lawsuits brought by state and local governments over the damages caused by climate change. Meanwhile, dozens more governments large and small have brought new claims against the fossil fuel industry as those initial cases, filed up to a half-dozen years ago, inch closer to the courtroom. [Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
Reading education legislation kept alive in House committee: The Oklahoma Legislature has tried for decades to teach school children to read. Their latest iteration, which passed through the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education on Monday morning, puts new and as yet unfunded emphasis on teacher training and catching reading difficulties earlier — as young as kindergarten. [Tulsa World]
Bill would require schools to plan for cardiac emergencies: A Monday rally showed support for a bill that would require schools in the state to develop cardiac emergency response plans. Among other things, the measure would require coaches, nurses and others in schools to maintain training on how to use automated external defibrillator devices. [Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- After tense public comment, council adjusts agreement for downtown Edmond brewery [NonDoc]
- Why is the air quality bad today? 'Very unhealthy' air quality in Oklahoma City [The Oklahoman]
- Norman development back on track after OU ultimatum [Journal Record]
