Oklahoma Blue Dot

OP-ED: Uncontested Races are Killing Oklahoma

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 15:00:00 GMT

Is Oklahoma's democracy truly representative when a majority of races go uncontested?

Illustration by Oklahoma Blue Dot (Made with AI)

In the 2024 Oklahoma state legislative elections, a significant number of races were uncontested. Specifically, 50 out of 127 seats in the State House and Senate were decided without opposition, meaning no challengers filed against the incumbents or candidates, leading to their automatic election.

This trend of uncontested races has been consistent over recent election cycles in Oklahoma. In 2022, nearly 70% of the state’s legislative elections were decided without a single vote cast in November, with 87 state legislative candidates running unopposed.

Nationally, the prevalence of uncontested elections has been increasing. In 2024, approximately 70% of elections covered by Ballotpedia were uncontested, marking the highest rate since data collection began in 2018.

This growing number of uncontested races can impact voter engagement and the democratic process, as many voters are deprived of choices in selecting their representatives.

Uncontested races in Oklahoma mean that many elected officials take office without voters having a choice. This weakens democracy, discourages engagement, and allows a small group of people to shape policy without broad public input.

Here’s what Oklahomans can do to combat this issue—and why running for office, even without prior experience, is crucial.

How to Combat Uncontested Races

Recruit and Support Candidates
If you or someone you know cares about their community, encourage them to run. Local political groups and advocacy organizations often provide resources and training.
Engage in Candidate Recruitment Programs
Groups like Sally's List, Run for Something, and the state Democratic Party help first-time candidates get started.
Challenge the Status Quo
Even if a race seems unwinnable, having a challenger forces incumbents to answer tough questions and defend their records.
Increase Civic Education
Many people don’t realize how much local and state government impacts their daily lives. Raising awareness can inspire more participation.
Support First-Time Candidates
Campaigning is hard, especially for newcomers. Volunteering, donating, or spreading the word can make a difference.

Why You Should Run for Office, Even Without Experience

Government Needs Real People
Many elected officials come from wealth and privilege. Regular people bring fresh perspectives that reflect the needs of everyday Oklahomans.
Most Politicians Start with No Experience
No one is born a politician. Skills like public speaking, community organizing, and policymaking can be learned.
You Can Shape the Issues
Running gives you a platform to push for solutions to problems that matter, even if you don’t win.
Representation Matters
Diverse backgrounds in leadership create better policies for everyone.
You Might Win!
Many people assume they can’t win, but voters often respond well to authenticity and passion over traditional credentials.

What’s stopping you?

Amanda McCellon is an activist and community developer with over ten years of experience in municipal government. She uses her expertise and platform to encourage community engagement in local government.

A version of this article was first published on Substack and is republished with permission. For more information about Amanda McCellon, visit her Linktree site and to read more articles like this one, subscribe to her Substack.

Del City Lawmaker Challenges Stitt's Return-to-Office Order

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:57 GMT

Oklahoma State Rep. Andy Fugate files lawsuit challenging Gov. Kevin Stitt's executive order requiring state employees to return to in-person work, citing a violation of the separation of powers.

Oklahoma County Courthouse (Photo: Patrick W. Moore / Creative Commons)

State Representative Andy Fugate (D-Del City) filed a lawsuit today against Governor Kevin Stitt, challenging the governor's 2024 executive order requiring state employees to return to in-person work. Fugate, acting in his individual capacity as a legislator, argues the order violates the separation of powers doctrine enshrined in the Oklahoma Constitution. The lawsuit, filed in Oklahoma County District Court, asks the judge to block Governor Stitt's December order forcing most state employees to return to in-person work by February 1, 2025.

At a press conference announcing the lawsuit, Fugate and his attorney, Richard Labarthe, argued that Governor Stitt lacks the authority to unilaterally dictate working conditions for state employees. "State employees work for the people of Oklahoma. They don't work for the governor," Fugate emphasized, highlighting the benefits of remote work, including reduced commute times, greater childcare flexibility, and overall cost savings for employees.

"I want you to think about this from the employee's perspective. Remote work means they can choose rural Oklahoma life. More room, bigger homes, smaller payments. Remote work means no lengthy drive times. Watch kids grow up instead of watching your odometer click miles. Remote work means more time to be present with your family and active in your community. You have a sick kid at school? Not a problem. Remote work means you don't spend a time to spend a fortune on child care. That's assuming it's available where you live. Remote work means less wear and tear on your automobile, less money spent on gas, less expensive car insurance. Remote work also means safer working conditions for those with fragile health." – Representative Andy Fugate (D-Del City)

The complete press conference can be watched on the Oklahoma House Democrats Facebook page.

Fugate and Labarthe contrasted these advantages with the potential for increased taxpayer spending on office space, equipment, and infrastructure if the return-to-office order is enforced.

Labarthe addressed the idea that Governor Stitt's order was simply reversing his previous, pandemic-related actions allowing remote work. "That's a false equivalency argument," Labarthe asserted. He explained that the initial orders were justified because of the governor's emergency powers during a declared public health emergency, but those powers ended when Stitt withdrew the emergency declaration in May 2021. "We do not have laws made by executive or gubernatorial fiat," he said, emphasizing the legislature's role in making such significant policy changes. He also pointed out that health concerns are not a recognized exception under the new order.

The lawsuit's core legal argument rests on the separation of powers defined by the Oklahoma Constitution. Fugate and Labarthe contend that decisions about where state employees work, and the associated funding, are the legislature's purview. "This lawsuit is not about whether it's more productive to have butts in seats," Fugate clarified. "It's about the office of the governor overstepping its authority." He stressed the lawsuit is not a personal attack, but a defense of constitutional checks and balances.

The impact of Stitt's order could be particularly significant for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. In 2020, OKDHS strategically closed about half its physical offices, shifting to remote work after finding that employee productivity increased. Then-DHS Director Justin Brown cited $6 million in cost savings. An OKDHS survey showed up to 87% of employees were equally or more productive at home. However, a 2023 Oklahoma Voice article revealed that OKDHS's "real estate modernization project," while opening 80 new, smaller offices, will not reopen locations in approximately 30 rural counties that previously lost OKDHS offices. While DHS emphasizes community partnerships in these areas, advocates have expressed concern about access to in-person assistance for vulnerable populations. This existing disparity adds complexity to the debate over Stitt's mandate.

Fugate acknowledged informing some House leadership as a courtesy, but clarified that the lawsuit was filed in his individual capacity, not on behalf of the entire Democratic caucus.

Labarthe, who is representing Fugate without compensation from either the representative or taxpayers, brings significant experience challenging government actions. He previously represented Norman residents in a lawsuit against the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority over alleged Open Meeting Act violations, successfully arguing for broad access to internal communications. Labarthe, who described the case as being in the public interest, stated they are seeking an expedited hearing due to the executive order's requirement for agency reports by the end of March. He hopes the court will address the matter within a month, emphasizing it is a "purely legal issue" not requiring extensive discovery.

The precise number of Oklahoma state employees currently working remotely is unknown, but DHS's pre-existing shift, combined with the uneven distribution of physical offices, highlights the potentially disruptive and costly nature of Governor Stitt's order and raises questions about equitable access to services. 🔵

Fact Check: Did the Majority of Oklahomans Vote for Donald Trump?

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 04:15:00 GMT

We keep seeing claims that most Oklahomans backed Trump in 2024. Let’s set the record straight.

Photo by Debby Urken on Unsplash

We occasionally post unserious things to social media, because given the state of things right now it’s pretty hard not to. But when it comes to the facts, we’ll always take those seriously.

Lately, we’ve noticed a common claim popping up in social media posts and replies:

“Most of Oklahoma voted for this.”
“The majority of Oklahomans still voted for [Donald Trump]”

And, yes, the first rule of the internet is still don’t read the comments, but we figured it was time to have a definitive answer that can be easily dropped into any online exchange, and it has a handy URL that's easy to remember:

DidTheMajorityOfOklahomaVoteForDonaldTrump.com

But, since you're here and not there, let’s get into it.

Did the majority of Oklahomans vote for Trump?

The short answer is: NO

There's a lot to unpack when we try to answer a question like this, but if you know anything about elections, voter registration, or voter turnout, you probably understand that election results don't necessarily represent the opinions of the populations they affect. But let’s break this down with actual numbers and facts.

The 2024 Presidential Election in Oklahoma

Here’s what happened on Election Night according to the now certified vote totals for Oklahoma:

Donald Trump received 1,036,213 votes
Kamala Harris received 499,599 votes
30,361 votes went to Libertarian and independent candidates

That’s a total of 1,566,173 ballots cast for president in Oklahoma. Trump received a little over 66% of those votes, a majority of the votes cast. But

Did a majority of Oklahomans vote?

NO

As of July 1, 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated Oklahoma’s total population at 4,095,393. The number of ballots cast in the for president in the November 2024 election don't even make it to half of that population.

But that fact can be misleading. Not everyone in Oklahoma can or chooses to vote, and instead of diving into all the reasons why just yet, let’s start with voter registration and turnout in the November 2024 general election.

Did a majority of registered Oklahoma voters vote for Donald Trump?

NO

The Oklahoma State Election Board updates voter registration numbers monthly. As of November 1, 2024, Oklahoma had 2,442,211 registered voters. [^1]

If we divide Trump’s vote total (1,036,213) by the number of registered voters (2,442,211), we see that he received a total number of votes equivalent to 42.4% of registered voters. Not a majority.

But did a majority of registered Oklahoma voters vote in the election?

Yes

While 64% of registered Oklahoma voters cast ballots in the 2024 election, that still means over 875,000 registered voters (36%) didn’t vote at all. That’s an increase from 31% in 2020.

Now obviously, or perhaps not to some, registered voters aren’t the entire population of Oklahoma, nor are they the entire population of eligible voters.

It would be our hope that this fact alone should settle the debate, but let’s go further and grab a few more numbers and explore how registration and turnout have shaped Oklahoma’s political landscape.

Were Republicans the majority of registered Oklahoma voters on Election Day?

Yes

According to the Oklahoma State Election Board’s official registration statistics, as of Election Day 2024, Republicans made up 52.3% of registered Oklahoma voters. Democrats followed with 27%, Independents at 19.7%, and Libertarians at just 1%.

Trump and the Republican Party certainly had a registration advantage, but as the results show, they also won votes from outside their party. However, this Republican registration majority is a relatively recent development in Oklahoma’s political history.

The Oklahoma State Election Board maintains historical statewide voter registration data going back to 1960, when centralized voter registration began. Back then, the political landscape was dramatically different:

There were 1,019,759 registered voters in the state.
And 82% were registered Democrats.

By 1964, when Oklahoma last voted for a Democratic president (Lyndon B. Johnson), 80% of the state’s registered voters were still Democrats. Nearly every year since, that percentage has steadily declined. (Note: Major County hasn’t gone blue since 1932, and Tulsa County since 1936–the first and second elections for Franklin D. Roosevelt)

The closest a Democrat has come to winning Oklahoma since then was Jimmy Carter in 1976, who lost the state with 48.8% of the vote against Gerald Ford’s 50.0%. Yet at the time, 76.3% of Oklahoma voters were still registered Democrats. Notably, voter participation in 1976 was quite high. Based on the total ballots cast for president, 95.7% of registered Oklahomans voted.

Since then, only twice has a Democratic presidential candidate received more than 40% of the Oklahoma vote:

In 1988, Michael Dukakis lost to George H.W. Bush, despite Democrats making up 66% of registered voters
In 1996, Bill Clinton lost to Bob Dole, though Democrats still accounted for 59% of registered voters.

In the 1988 election cycle, Oklahoma’s voter registration numbers reached an all-time high, surpassing more than 2 million registered voters, a record that stood until the 2000 presidential election. According to U.S. Census estimates, Oklahoma had 2,366,000 voting-age adults in 1988, meaning nearly 90% of the state’s voting-age population was registered. But despite such high registration, just 56% of registered voters actually voted.

A similar pattern emerged in 2000, when Oklahoma’s voter rolls once again exceeded 2 million registered voters. When the final ballots were counted, only 55% of registered voters cast a ballot.

Oklahoma’s Shrinking Democratic Party

Despite these setbacks, Democrats maintained a plurality of Oklahoma voter registrations for 48 consecutive years—from 1960 until 2008. That finally changed in the lead-up to the 2008 presidential election, when the percentage of registered Democrats dipped below 50% for the first time.

In the wake of Barack Obama’s historic victory, the Oklahoma Republican Party continued to gain ground and between 2008 and 2020, the state saw a steady shift in party registration:

In 2008, Republicans made up 35.5% of Oklahoma voters.
By the 2010 midterms, that number had risen to 40.5%.
By the 2012 presidential election, it reached 42.3%.

Days before the 2014 midterms, the gap between Democrats and Republicans had narrowed to fewer than 3,000 total registrations statewide, but by the end of 2014, the Oklahoma Republican Party had officially overtaken the Oklahoma Democratic Party in voter registration for the first time in state history.

After that, the trend only continued:

Ahead of the 2016 presidential election, Republicans accounted for 45.6% of registered voters.
By the 2018 midterms, their share grew to 47.3%.
Less than a week before the 2020 presidential election, in the final pre-election voter registration report, the State Election Board confirmed Republicans had official crossed the threshold with 50.009% of registered Oklahoma voters.

As of January 31, 2025, Oklahoma Democrats account for 613,214 registered voters (26.2%), the lowest recorded number for the party since centralized voter registration began in 1960.

Registration vs. Population

Of course, voter registration is only part of the equation. When people say things like “the majority of Oklahomans voted x, y or z way", they often fail to consider who that entire population could be, including those eligible to vote but were not registered.

It’s for this reason Dr. Michael McDonald of the University of Florida’s Election Lab developed the Voting-Eligible Population (VEP) metric, which adjusts for non-citizens and ineligible groups like felons to provide a more accurate picture of voter participation.

Looking at historical data from the UF Election Lab, Oklahoma’s eligible voter turnout has fluctuated over the years. While participation peaked in 2004, more recent elections have struggled to reach those levels:

2000 – 49.9%
2004 – 58.3%
2008 – 55.8%
2012 – 49.2%
2016 – 52.3%
2020 – 55.2%

That brings us to 2024, where we need to determine how many Oklahomans were actually eligible to vote. To calculate the Voting-Eligible Population (VEP) for 2024:

Oklahoma had approximately 3,131,836 voting-age adults (as estimated by the US Census Bureau)
We need to subtract 4.35% (136,235 people) for non-citizens
And then subtract 39,254 people who are ineligible to vote as felons.

This results in an estimated 2,956,347 voting-eligible Oklahomans in 2024. Let’s compare that to actual turnout.

Did a majority of voting-eligible Oklahomans cast a ballot in the 2024 presidential election?

Yes

If 1,566,173 total ballots were cast for president in 2024, then the turnout rate for Oklahoma’s voting-eligible population is 52.98%, meaning that just over half of eligible Oklahomans who could have voted actually did. However, like we saw with registered voters, this a decline from the 55.2% turnout rate in 2020.

Did a majority of voting-eligible Oklahomans vote for Donald Trump?

NO

If we divide Trump’s 1,036,213 votes by our voting-eligible population, we can see that in reality he only had the support of 35% of Oklahomans eligible to vote.

And, if 2,442,211 Oklahomans were registered to vote, the Voting-Eligible Population math also suggests there’s more than a half-million Oklahomans who could have registered to vote, but didn’t.

So, once and for all, did a majority of Oklahoma’s total population vote for Donald Trump?

ABSOLUTELY NOT

As of July 1, 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated Oklahoma’s total population at 4,095,393.

If we consider every Oklahoman, voting-eligible or not, Trump was elected by roughly 25% of the state’s total population. That is nowhere near a majority.

So, to summarize:

42% of registered Oklahoma voters voted for Trump – Not a Majority
35% of voting eligibleOklahomans voted for Trump – Not a Majority
25% of the state population voted for Trump – ABSOLUTELY NOT a Majority

The only “majority” of Oklahomans who wanted Trump… were the people who voted for him. So when someone claims “most Oklahomans voted for Trump,” they’re twisting the truth.

Ultimately turnout is what matters the most, but no majority of Oklahomans who were either registered, eligible or ALIVE voted for him.

But wait! What about the voter purges I read about?

Every election cycle, headlines warn of “voter purges,” sparking fears of disenfranchisement. But what does voter roll maintenance actually involve, and how does it work in Oklahoma?

Voter registration records aren’t static—people move, pass away, or otherwise become ineligible to vote. To keep its rolls updated, Oklahoma has to follow voter list maintenance procedures outlined in the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), also known as the “Motor Voter” law. This federal law requires states to update voter registration records while ensuring eligible voters aren’t unfairly removed.

Before the November elections, state officials announced in a press release that, since January 1, 2021, Oklahoma election officials have removed the following from voter rolls:

97,065 deceased voters
143,682 voters who moved out-of-state
5,607 felons
14,993 duplicate registrations
and 194,962 inactive voters (removed via the address verification process)

The first four categories are routine updates required under federal law and when performed correctly do notdisenfranchise eligible voters. However, Oklahoma goes beyond federal requirements in a few key ways:

Felony Disenfranchisement: Oklahoma is one of 48 states that revoke voting rights for felons while they’re incarcerated. However, as of January 1, 2025, voting rights are now automatically restored once a full sentence—including parole and probation—is completed, though individuals must re-register before casting a ballot.
Mental Incapacitation: Oklahoma is among the majority of states with a law that allows the disenfranchisement of individuals deemed mentally incapacitated by a court, but according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), anyone with a mental disability who understands what it means to vote can vote in federal elections.
Non-Citizens Excused from Jury Duty: SB 377 (2023) required cancelling voter registrations for non-citizens excused from jury duty. Non-citizens were already barred from voting, and so SQ 834 (2024) which changed “all citizens” to “only citizens” in the state constitution, also changed nothing.

The Address Verification Process: The Biggest Source of Voter Disenfranchisement

Under state law, voters who don’t vote for four years receive a notice to confirm or update their registration. If they don’t respond and skip the next federal election, their registration is canceled.

Non-voting doesn’t mean ineligibility, and the notice includes instructions to stay registered without voting. It can be completed online or by mail (postage-free), but still adds a small burden that affects infrequent voters.

Who’s Affected the Most?

According to a September 2024 analysis by Oklahoma Voice, Oklahoma’s voter removals have generally tracked with overall party affiliation trends, but some groups have been disproportionately affected:

Democrats and independents were overrepresented among voters removed for inactivity.
- Democrats made up 34% of registrations deleted for inactivity, despite representing 27.5% of Oklahoma’s total registered voters.
- Independents accounted for 30% of inactive voter deletions, even though they make up only 19.5% of total voters.
Meanwhile, Republicans made up 35% of deleted inactive voters, lower than their 52% share of total registrations.
Most inactive voter deletions also came from Oklahoma, Tulsa, Cleveland, and Canadian counties, the four largest counties in the state.

Oklahoma’s voter turnout rates have been among the lowest in the country, with the state ranking 50th in voter turnout for November elections. Critics argue that policies like closed primaries and the address verification rule discourage voter participation.

Campaigns to open Oklahoma’s primaries or introduce automatic voter registration could help engage more voters, especially those who feel their vote doesn’t matter in the state’s heavily Republican-leaning elections.

Check Your Registration and Stay Active

Regardless of your party, Oklahoma voters should take extra steps to ensure they remain on the rolls.

✅ Check your voter registration status regularly

✅ Update your address promptly you move

✅ Vote at least once every four years

You can check your voter registration status at oklahoma.gov/elections. 🔵

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[1]: Voter Registration Applications have to be received at least 25 days prior to an election in order to participate in that election, so some of these voters may not have been eligible

State of the State: Stitt omits "green" connection in $620M manufacturing deal

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 13:30:00 GMT

In his annual address, the governor touted a $620M manufacturing investment, but neglected to mention it’s a Norwegian-owned solar company.

Last June, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt joined other officials at the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Maryland for the announcement of NorSun, a Norwegian solar energy company's $620 million investment to build a manufacturing plant in Tulsa. (Photo by Oklahoma Department of Commerce)

In his 2025 State of the State address on Monday, Governor Kevin Stitt touted Oklahoma’s strong economic performance and highlighted a $620 million manufacturing investment. Notably, the Governor did not mention the renewable energy links associated with the project or that the new factory would be owned by a foreign company.

Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce announced that Norwegian solar company NorSun would build a 5 gigawatt silicon wafer manufacturing facility at the Tulsa International Airport. According to industry reports, the facility is projected to create roughly 320 jobs, with the potential to expand to 10 gigawatts of production capacity. The plant is planned for a 60-acre, shovel-ready site, with production scheduled to begin in 2026. But when he mentioned it in his address, many of these details were skipped or stretched.

“This past year, a manufacturing company announced that it’s going to invest $620 million dollars in Oklahoma, bringing thousands of jobs and spurring more economic growth.”
– Governor Kevin Stitt, during his 2025 State of the State Address.

International Partnerships

The line about NorSun appears about halfway into the ~35 minute speech but immediately before it, the governor said, “The world is taking notice of our efforts.” The governor's speech did not explicitly name any countries in Oklahoma, but he does reference “the world” eight times. But one country in particular may feel somewhat snubbed by this.

In December of last year, Governor Stitt met with members from the Danish Embassy in the United States to announce that Denmark and Oklahoma had signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at bolstering partnerships in energy, technology, aerospace, and defense. The agreement included plans for several energy projects in Oklahoma over the coming years.

But since that memorandum was signed, Denmark has drawn the ire of President Donald Trump for refusing to hand over the autonomous territory of Greenland, insisting it's not for sale. Now the country faces potential tariff threats from the president and is ready and willing to respond with tariffs of its own. Recent proposals targeting Danish imports, as reported by MarketWatch, could drive up costs for companies involved in Oklahoma renewable projects, potentially disrupting supply chains and delaying economic benefits before new projects ever get off the ground.

Political Reactions

Instead of renewables, Governor Stitt mentioned on Oklahoma’s traditional energy strengths in his speech and made a brief, derisive reference to “green new deals.” Yet despite his long-standing and loud public support for oil and gas, his track record as governor does include several instances of support for renewable energy-linked initiatives to create jobs and boost manufacturing in the state (Tesla, Canoo, Panasonic, Enel and others).

But while this somewhat pragmatic approach stood to bring investment and jobs to the state, Republican frontrunners for the 2026 governor’s race have heavily criticized Stitt’s support for them. Attorney General Gentner Drummond, for example, publicly condemned what he described as contradictory energy policies. In a post on X, he stated, “I am severely disappointed to see Gov. Stitt joining radical leftists in perpetuating the green energy scam. Oklahomans deserve better.” Similarly, State Superintendent Ryan Walters expressed concerns at a rally at the state capitol, questioning new wind energy developments and the shift away from traditional energy sources (The Oklahoman).

Analysis

It’s extremely likely Governor Stitt left out renewable energy details in his address on purpose. Instead of voicing support for renewable energy projects that could create future jobs and boost Oklahoma’s economy, he played the hits and sang the praises of fossil fuels because that’s what his party wants to hear. If you preach to the choir you won’t get booed, but turn your back on them and they won’t hesitate to turn on you.

By not mentioning the memorandum with Denmark or the NorSun project, Stitt reveals he’s willing to ignore progress if that’s what his party wants. He supports renewable energy to win jobs for the state when it's convenient for him, but his constant attacks on buzzwords like “green new deal” reveal he actually cares more about keeping his base happy than attracting good paying "green" jobs.

Critics like Drummond and Walters call him a flip-flopper, and they might be right. Yet their inability, or unwillingness, to accept gray area speaks to a deeper problem: the death of nuance in Oklahoma's political discourse.

Today’s politics has little room for the messy middle ground where real progress happens. Leaders no longer die on the hill for compromise, and even as a lame duck Stitt still seems unwilling to risk his legacy by doing so. This is the price we pay when political survival replaces leadership.

New Trump Tariffs Risk ~$2.5B in Oklahoma Foreign Exports

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 22:38:42 GMT

Oklahoma’s top trading partners, Canada and Mexico, are imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, putting key industries, small businesses, and thousands of jobs at risk.

The flags of the United States, Canada and Mexico (Oklahoma Blue Dot, created with AI)

Oklahoma’s economy depends on international trade and foreign investment, but Trump's new round of tariffs on Canada and Mexico could impact ~$2.5 billion in Oklahoma exports and thousands of jobs. #OklahomaBlueDot

According to the 2023 Global Trade Report from @OKCommerce, Canada and Mexico are Oklahoma’s top two trading partners. 🇨🇦 Canada: $1.9B 🇲🇽 Mexico: $630M 🇨🇳 China: $224M Together, Canada, Mexico, and China account for 42% of the state’s total foreign exports.

Trump’s tariffs impose 25% duties on many Canadian & Mexican imports and both countries are retaliating with 25% tariffs on U.S. goods. 🇨🇦 Canada's tariffs affect Oklahoma exports like meats, metals & HVAC equipment. 🇲🇽 Mexico's tariffs affect all Oklahoma exports to the country.

It’s not just about trade. Foreign investment is a major driver of Oklahoma jobs. According to OK Commerce: 🇨🇦 79 Canadian businesses (the most businesses from any country) employ 2,764 Oklahomans 🇲🇽 17 Mexican businesses employ 6,801 Oklahomans (most jobs from any country)

The vast majority (85%) of Oklahoma exporters are small and medium-sized businesses. Industries like manufacturing, energy, and agriculture rely on stable trade relationships to power their businesses but retaliatory tariffs could increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and reduce exports.

Foreign investment has brought 64,000+ Oklahoma jobs and $3.13B in investment over the past five years. Many of these jobs pay above the state average, with wages around $64,000 per year. A trade war jeopardizes these relationships and could drive investments elsewhere.

Oklahoma’s economy is deeply connected to international trade and investment. Shifting trade policies will impact businesses, jobs, and future investment but these aren’t just numbers, they’re jobs, families, and futures. 🔵

UPDATE: Trump, Canada and Mexico all announced on Monday that new tariffs would pause for 30 days in exchange for additional border enforcement. New China tariffs are still set to take effect.

Can Dialogue Bridge Oklahoma’s Reproductive Healthcare Divide?

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 21:00:00 GMT

New grassroots initiative repro46 aims to spark empathy and understanding amid divisive reproductive healthcare debates.

Photo by Oklahoma Blue Dot (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International)

Content Note: This article discusses sensitive topics, including sexual abuse, irregular pregnancies and personal experiences related to abortion restrictions which some may find difficult to read.

Last week, a crowd gathered at Tulsa’s Circle Cinema for a big premiere but they didn’t come for the popcorn and a new movie. Instead, what drew them to the iconic theatre was the launch of a movement: repro46, a new organization dedicated to fostering understanding and support for reproductive healthcare freedom in the state.

Oklahoma’s abortion landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, state lawmakers have enacted some of the country’s strictest abortion bans. With limited options and growing challenges to healthcare access, repro46’s founders saw an urgent need to spark conversations about these policies’ far-reaching impacts on health, families, and economic security.

The Tulsa event was the second of two launch gatherings, following an initial kickoff in Oklahoma City the night before. These events weren’t political rallies but opportunities to bridge the deep divisions around reproductive healthcare that now define Oklahoma.

A Pathway Forward

Board chair Amy McLaughlin Gray explained that repro46 seeks to cut through the noise and engage Oklahomans in open dialogue about reproductive healthcare.

“Every Oklahoman should be free to make decisions about pregnancy that are best for them, their family, and their circumstances without interference from politicians,” said Gray, who identified as a Republican in a press release announcing the repro46 launch. “We’ve been here before in history where there has been forward motion and pushback. It’s now time to band together and link arms to build a pathway forward to reproductive freedom in our state.”

Gray introduced Janet Levit, a professor at the University of Tulsa College of Law and the university’s former dean, provost, and interim president. Now an executive consultant for Repro46 and vice chair of the board for the Center for Reproductive Rights, Levit brings legal expertise to the fight for reproductive healthcare access.

Levit outlined the organization’s three-pronged approach: “We are about to launch a series of what we hope will be 100 small living room conversations. We’re calling them ‘Open House, Open Minds’ conversations. We’re talking five, six, seven people, friends, but also people outside of our echo chambers who can come together and learn about abortion care and reproductive rights. And the goal is to really move people, not necessarily change minds, but move people from a place of judgment to empathy.”

Levit then discussed plans for a robust communications campaign and a series of educational events, like this launch, to unite everyday Oklahomans across party lines. She stressed that repro46 is focused on people and community over politics. Unlike its sister organization, We Are Rising, a 501(c)(4) political advocacy group, repro46 is a non-political nonprofit with pending 501(c)(3) status.

After introducing repro46, Levit presented a panel featuring personal stories that illustrated why change is desperately needed. The panel included reproductive rights activist Hadley Duvall from Kentucky, native Oklahoman Magon Hoffman, and Oklahoma City OB/GYN Dr. Dana Stone.

“This Should Not Be the Reality in 2025”

Duvall, who some may remember for sharing her heartbreaking story at the Democratic National Convention and on the campaign trail with Kamala Harris, explained that when Roe v. Wade was overturned, she felt compelled to speak up so others could understand the law’s impact on women. Although she described herself as having “never been political ever in my life,” she was motivated to act after being contacted by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s campaign during his re-election.

The ad was a success (Link to Video / Content Warning: SA), leading to invitations from the Biden administration and the Harris campaign. But after a tough campaign season, she recalled: “I was very defeated. I didn’t know how to face all the people that were messaging me, asking me what’s next.”

Realizing she couldn’t do it alone, Duvall said she turned to the family she met along the campaign trail, who reminded her, “it’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be angry, but it’s not okay to quit.” She explained that she now speaks for those who are not yet ready to share their own stories.

“It’s what I was dealing with at home behind closed doors that people didn’t realize led me to almost needing an abortion. My body, 12 years old, couldn’t handle a pregnancy, and I just carried along in my bathroom,” she revealed. “And I still consider myself a lucky one. And that should not be the reality in 2025.”

“I speak for the MAGA Republicans, the red of the red and the blue of the blue. It doesn’t matter. We do this work for the people, not for the party, not for the politics,” Duvall continued. “If we can all agree on one thing, it’s that we don’t want a politician in the doctor’s office with us when we’re going through the most vulnerable and horrific time in our lives. And that’s why we speak.”

“I Thought I Was Going to Die”

Hoffman, a native Oklahoman and host of the podcast Letters to Our Daughters, shared a powerful personal account that highlighted the stakes of Oklahoma’s current system. After years of struggling with PCOS and infertility, her desired pregnancy turned into a nightmare when doctors discovered her unborn child had anencephaly, an incurable and fatal birth defect that threatened the pregnancy as well as Hoffman’s life. Before the Dobbs decision, such a diagnosis would have been legally and safely managed in Oklahoma with compassionate, medically guided care, allowing Hoffman to make the best decision for her health.

Her doctors told her she had two options: leave Oklahoma for an abortion or continue the pregnancy, knowing her baby would only receive comfort care before passing away. They assured her she did not need to decide immediately and even gave her what she thought was a personal contact card for follow-up. But when she called the next day, no one answered. For a full week, her care team dodged her calls. She later learned they were too afraid to speak directly, unsure of what they could legally say. Instead of helping her navigate the process, they left her to figure it out on her own.

Up until that moment, Hoffman had felt well cared for. But after leaving the office, it was as if she were on an island. With no support or guidance, she scrambled to find care out of state. The grueling process left her feeling abandoned and isolated as she contacted numerous facilities across multiple states, many of which were overbooked or unequipped to handle a case as rare as hers. Eventually, and luckily, she found a doctor in New Mexico willing and able to help, one of only two in the country who could.

“I remember sitting in the clinic and thinking, ‘I think I made it. I think I’m actually going to survive,’” Hoffman said.

In the weeks that followed, she carried the weight of that isolation. She believed that if people knew her story they would judge her. “I remember going to the grocery store and looking around, thinking, ‘These people would hate me if they knew what I did,’” she recalled.

Then, a small act of kindness shifted everything. When a FedEx driver delivered her daughter’s ashes, he hesitated, waiting at the door for her to answer when he didn’t have to, before handing over the package. “I saw where this was from, and I just couldn’t leave it on the doorstep,” he told her. At that moment, after so much abandonment, someone finally saw her pain. “That was truly the moment that I knew I was going to fight back,” Hoffman said.

“Doctors Are Afraid”

Dr. Dana Stone, an Oklahoma City OB/GYN, provided a sobering perspective on the current healthcare landscape. “It’s just heartbreaking that this happens, and that you didn’t have the support that we’ve always been able to give our patients,” she told the audience.

Dr. Stone explained that in the past, when patients presented with life-threatening conditions, such as a fetus with anencephaly or other fatal genetic abnormalities, her hospital followed a clear process. “We had a system in our hospital where we would get the physician and two other physicians that would certify, ‘Yes, this meets the criteria,’ and we would just take care of our patients at our own place,” she recalled.

But today, restrictive laws have tied doctors’ hands, contributing to Oklahoma's dismal ranking of 48th in the nation for women's health and reproductive care.

“We’re really cautious about making sure women understand their birth control options,” Dr. Stone said. “Because we know that if we do try to take care of our patients, even if we have the strength and courage to push up against the law, we can’t do things by ourselves.”

She went on to describe how essential support from anesthesiologists, nurses, and hospital administrators now creates significant barriers to care. Dr. Stone echoed the frustration of many medical professionals who have witnessed a dramatic decline in healthcare access. “I see patients who are worried that if something goes wrong in a pregnancy, they might not be able to get emergency abortion care. Doctors and nurses are fearful that they’ll face prosecution for providing urgent, life-saving abortion care. As a doctor, I know that many things can go wrong in pregnancy. Politicians, with zero training in medicine, shouldn’t be standing in the way of doctors providing the care Oklahomans need.”

A Long Fight, But One That Starts Now

As the evening concluded, speakers and attendees reflected on the complexity of reproductive rights, not as a black-and-white issue, but as a collection of deeply personal stories affecting real people. These stories showed the importance of sharing compassion now, not waiting until a personal tragedy touches a daughter, sister, or friend we know when Oklahomans are currently suffering and need solutions now. While the fight to change policy and votes is a larger battle for another time and another organization, the work to change hearts and minds must begin now. 🔵

To learn more about repro46, visit repro46.org or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

This story may be republished online or in print under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website.

Oklahoma Legislator Targets Student IDs in Latest Voting Restriction Push

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 14:30:00 GMT

Rep. Olsen's new bills would ban student IDs at polls and eliminate paper voter ID cards entirely by 2027 in the GOP's latest push to depress the state's already last place turnout

An example student ID that could no longer be valid for voting under proposed legislation. (Illustration: Oklahoma Blue Dot, contains AI-generated imagery)

In a state where youth voter turnout has already plummeted, Oklahoma House Representative Jim Olsen (R-HD2) has filed new legislation that could make it even harder for young people to cast their ballots.

House Bill 1007, introduced quietly amid controversy over Olsen's now perennial Ten Commandments legislation, would ban the use of student IDs at polling places. A companion bill, HB 1005, goes further by eliminating current voter ID cards by 2027 and implementing stricter photo ID requirements.

In 2022, less than 25% of registered Oklahoma voters under 30 participated in the November election – down from 31% in 2018, and notably, to date, there have been no major incidents of voter fraud involving student IDs in Oklahoma. Instead, these bills appear to address a non-existent problem while creating real barriers for young voters already struggling to make their voices heard in state politics.

For Oklahoma's college students, who rely on student IDs as identification, these bills create unnecessary hurdles to democratic participation. While HB 1005 does include provisions for free photo IDs, the additional documentation requirements simply create new barriers in a state already lagging in voter access.

For example, Oklahoma recently became the 40th state to implement online voter registration, but the system is still limited to voters with a current Oklahoma Driver License or State ID with a digital signature on file with Service Oklahoma – and the information must match exactly, down to specific abbreviations.

Meanwhile, state lawmakers continue to make decisions that disproportionately affect young people: education funding, reproductive rights, gender-affirming care, and environmental policies that will shape Oklahoma's future. Without equal access to the ballot box, young Oklahomans risk losing their voice in these crucial debates.

Olsen's bills are part of a larger legislative package that includes mandatory Ten Commandments displays in schools, further abortion restrictions, and expanded gun rights. But it's the voting measures that could have the most lasting impact on Oklahoma's democratic participation.

As Oklahoma heads toward 2025, the question isn't just about ID requirements – it's about whether an entire generation of Oklahomans should have a harder time accessing democracy's most fundamental right.

For now, the message from Oklahoma's Republican leadership seems clear: religious displays in schools are an emergency requiring immediate action, but ensuring young people can vote isn't a priority. For a state already struggling with youth civic engagement, these bills could continue to push young voter participation to historic lows. 🔵

Progressive Workshop Charts New Paths for Post-Election Oklahoma

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 21:00:00 GMT

At a downtown OKC workshop, state legislators joined grassroots organizers to talk strategy for expanding progressive influence beyond the state's urban centers.

Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library in Oklahoma City (Photo by MARELBU licensed under CC BY 4.0)

Sunday afternoon in a packed room at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, progressive leaders and activists from across Oklahoma gathered to strategize and build momentum for social change in one of America's most conservative states.

“This is just the beginning,” said event organizer Amanda McCellon, a community organizer and former civic engagement lead in the OKC metro area who said she recently lost her job due to her political activism on TikTok. “The future of this state is very important to me, as it is to everyone in this room, and that's why you're here and that's why you're watching.”

The workshop, which was also streamed on TikTok, drew participants from across Oklahoma, including McAlester, Ada, Antlers, Stillwater, and Enid, emphasizing engagement beyond the Oklahoma City metro. With a blend of political leaders and grassroots organizers, the event focused on the challenges and opportunities for progressive advocacy in communities across the state’s 77 counties.

Fighting From Within

District 46 State Representative Jacob Rosecrants (D–Norman) addressed the complexities of serving in the Republican-dominated legislature. “I'm a progressive Democrat in a Republican district, so it can be done,” Rosecrants told attendees. He emphasized the importance of focusing on common-sense solutions rather than partisan labels.

“Progressive... What does that even mean these days? It means common sense. We believe in science,” Rosecrants said, drawing applause from the crowd. He specifically criticized the current political climate under State Superintendent Ryan Walters, noting the challenges faced by educators and students.

Despite a Republican registration advantage in his district (44.63% compared to Democrats' 33.87%), Rosecrants won re-election this November with 54% of the vote, thanks in part to his district's substantial independent voters (20.57%) and Republicans willing to cross party lines for candidates they feel are best qualified.

“I need more people,” Rosecrants said, describing the mathematical reality of serving in the state legislature. “There's only 20 Democrats out of 101,” he explained, underscoring the challenges of advancing progressive policies in a chamber where Democrats are outnumbered by more than four to one.

Community Response and Crisis Support

As political tensions in Oklahoma escalate, organizations are stepping up to provide support and build bridges across ideological divides, particularly with LGBTQ issues that have become a flash point in the state.

Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs, shared her journey from conservative Christian to LGBTQ advocate, demonstrating how personal connections can transform perspectives.

“I met this beautiful, spirit-filled community, and I fell in love,” Cunningham said. Her organization, which began with a simple gesture with a homemade button in 2015 at a Pride parade, has grown into a national movement supporting LGBTQ individuals.

Defense of Democracy Oklahoma co-chairs Bailee Tyler and Candice Hoyt discussed their organization of more than 1,000 members working to combat extremism in local politics. “We are the woke boogeyman that Ryan Walters rants in his car about,” Tyler said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

The urgency of their work was underscored by Lance Preston, founder of Rainbow Youth Project USA, who revealed that Oklahoma leads the nation in LGBTQ youth crisis calls. “We take an average of 1,100 calls a month from Oklahoma alone,” Preston said, noting that his organization has now opened an office in Oklahoma City to address the crisis.

“Sixty-three percent of our young callers cite Ryan Walters as the reason they do not want to live,” Preston revealed, highlighting the real-world impact of political rhetoric on vulnerable youth. His organization has provided free mental health counseling to more than 7,000 kids across all 50 states.

Building Progressive Power

Two other speakers offered complementary perspectives on expanding progressive influence across Oklahoma, emphasizing both voter engagement and rural outreach as critical strategies for political change.

State Senator Mary Boren emphasized the importance of voter registration, suggesting that Oklahoma needs approximately 180,000 new voters to shift the political landscape, and advocated for focusing on registering new voters rather than trying to persuade existing Republican voters.

“We're in Oklahoma. We're already in those dark times,” Boren said, while encouraging attendees to remain engaged. “Your voice does matter, even if you don't believe that it does.” She emphasized the importance of building sustainable movements, citing the 18-month Montgomery Bus Boycott as an example of necessary persistence.

Chris Weir, who recently challenged for House District 4 in southeastern Oklahoma, built on Boren's message with practical insights from rural campaigning. Despite the district's deep conservative roots, Weir's campaign secured 4,700 votes and raised $25,000, demonstrating that progressive candidates can find support well beyond Oklahoma's metropolitan centers.

“Our salvation will only come from bringing the 74 other counties with us,” Weir said, pushing back against strategies that focus exclusively on Oklahoma City, Norman, and Tulsa. He emphasized that lasting change requires engaging rural communities, encouraging attendees to get involved at all levels of local politics, from precinct positions to county leadership.

Looking Forward

Organizations including PFLAG, Indivisible, and the Oklahoma Democratic Veterans Federation offered resources and opportunities for involvement. Lauren Riepl, a nonprofit consultant and DEI coach, offered practical advice for attendees interested in starting their own local movements. “You don't need to have specific credentials, experience, or even education,” Riepl said. “As long as you genuinely want to benefit your community, it is unlikely that people will question your efforts.”

The success of the event, which drew more than 100 attendees, has prompted McCellon to announce two additional workshops planned for Tulsa and Enid.

McCellon suggests that people interested in learning more about future events sign up on her website or follow her on Threads or TikTok. 🔵

Stitt and Walters Spend Education Funding Office's Funds on Ex-Land Office Secretary Legal Bills

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 18:39:14 GMT

Kevin Stitt, Ryan Walters, and an all-GOP Land Office Commission greenlit costly legal fees to defend a former secretary who resigned amid conflicts of interest after the AG refused to represent him.

Photo by Pepi Stojanovski (via Unsplash)

Oklahoma's Land Office, which manages $2.7B in leases of state property CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED to fund schools, has spent nearly a half-million dollars (and counting) defending its ex-secretary's sketchy deals. [Note: This article version has been updated to reflect that funds were not taken from the education trust, but from other taxpayer-funded sources.]

Leases of state land are supposed to generate money into a trust for OK schools, but former land office commission secretary Elliot Chambers (a Stitt appointee) was part of efforts to invest in risky "rent-to-own" property he had personal ties to.

Chambers, who resigned in 2022, has pleaded his Fifth Amendment right 180 TIMES in depositions about his dealings. Meanwhile, while a related personnel lawsuit is still pending, many Oklahoma teachers are left to buy their own supplies and lead classes in crumbling buildings.

In October, Land office commission members Gov. Stitt, Lt. Gov. Pinnell, Ryan Walters and Blayne Arthur voted to allow the Land Office to pay an outside legal firm to represent Chambers in the pending lawsuit because the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office refused to represent him.

H/T to Paul Monies of Oklahoma Watch for this crucial reporting. This isn't just another Stitt/GOP crony scandal, YOUR kids’ education money continues to be mismanaged. These funds are their constitutional right. Demand accountability. 🔵

New Bill Aims to Strengthen Oklahoma's Anti-Stalking Protections

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 16:14:34 GMT

House Bill 1002 introduces vital reforms to streamline protective orders, enhance victim support, and close gaps in current Oklahoma’s anti-stalking laws.

Representative Jacob Rosecrants speaks at the House Oath of Office Ceremony in November 2024. (Photo: LSB Photography)

Lawmakers for the 60th Oklahoma Legislature have begun filing bills. Representative Jacob Rosecrants (D-Norman, HD 46) will introduce House Bill 1002 in the next session, continuing his efforts to protect stalking victims and improve Oklahoma’s anti-stalking laws. Building on the foundation of his landmark 2022 “Homicide Prevention Act,” Rosecrants' new bill addresses challenges from the original law's implementation and introduces critical victim-centered reforms.

Stalking remains a pervasive and dangerous issue both locally and nationally. In the United States, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men experience stalking victimization. Closer to home, data from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation reveals that the state averaged 24,845 reported domestic abuse incidents annually between 2011 and 2020. However, since many cases remain unreported, the true scope of the problem is even greater.

Targeted Improvements to Protect Victims

Signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt in 2022, the original “Homicide Prevention Act” elevated stalking to a felony in certain cases and introduced Stalking Warning Letters as an early intervention tool. These letters are designed to deter offenders and document their behavior to support potential legal action. However, two years after its implementation, challenges have emerged. Difficulties in delivering these letters and procedural barriers for victims seeking protective orders have exposed critical gaps in the system.

Representative Rosecrants’ new bill aims to address these issues with targeted updates that would further strengthen protections for stalking victims:

Streamlined Protective Orders: One of the most significant changes in HB 1002 would be the elimination of the current requirement for victims to file a police complaint before petitioning for a protective order. This step removes a critical barrier that often deters victims from seeking protection, enabling quicker access to legal safeguards. By allowing victims to bypass this procedural hurdle, the bill ensures that legal protections are more readily accessible when time and safety are of the essence.
Faster Service of Warning Letters: Under HB 1002, law enforcement would be authorized to serve Stalking Warning Letters electronically across jurisdictions, ensuring timely delivery and reducing delays for victims.
National Tracking: The bill would also require that all Stalking Warning Letters be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, making them accessible to law enforcement nationwide and improving coordination across agencies.
Improved Advocacy for Victims: HB 1002 would ensure law enforcement notify victims of their right to consult with certified domestic violence advocates, helping victims navigate their options and access critical resources during a highly stressful situation.

“HB 1002 is a product of talks I’ve had with victims rights advocates, domestic violence prevention groups, prosecutors, defense attorneys, stalking victims, and law enforcement, with a goal of ensuring that the Homicide Prevention Act, enacted in 2022, and which strengthens our stalking laws, best protects victims of stalking,” said Representative Rosecrants via email.

A Problem Bigger Than Partisanship

Rosecrants' bill comes at a critical time. Earlier this year, the office of Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R-OK) released a report highlighting Oklahoma's alarming domestic violence statistics, noting that the state ranks second nationally for women killed by men. The report, which looks at Oklahoma data through 2022, shows that while Oklahoma recorded 105 domestic violence homicides (a slight decrease from 118 in 2021) the numbers remain unacceptably high. As a result, Drummond has called for stronger measures to combat domestic violence, emphasizing early intervention and increased victim support.

With just 20 of 101 seats, Democrats in the Oklahoma House face significant challenges in advancing legislation. But House Bill 1002 still has a viable path to bipartisan support because it builds on previously passed legislation backed by Republicans and the Governor while aligning with the Attorney General's public safety priorities. Its emphasis on victim protection, law enforcement support and practical reforms make it a compelling choice for lawmakers across party lines.

The Path Forward

As a newly introduced bill for the 2025 legislative session, HB 1002 will begin its journey through the Oklahoma Legislature in early February when lawmakers convene. The bill will first be assigned to a relevant committee, such as the Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee (which previously handled the Homicide Prevention Act). There, it will be reviewed, debated, and potentially amended.

If it passes out of committee, HB 1002 will move to the full Oklahoma House of Representatives for a vote before advancing to the Oklahoma Senate for further consideration. Each step will provide opportunities for both supporters and opponents to voice their opinions and objections.

One of the biggest unknowns for HB 1002 will be how Republicans energized by Donald Trump’s return to the presidency will respond and how the political climate within the Capitol will shift. With its emphasis on public safety and victim protection, HB 1002 has the potential to rise above partisan divisions as a practical and necessary reform. However, it will also serve as a critical test of whether Oklahoma Democrats can play a meaningful role in advancing significant progress in an increasingly polarized environment.

Despite these challenges, Representative Rosecrants remains optimistic about the bill's prospects. In an email statement, he expressed his vision for the legislative process: “My great hope is that we in the legislature can move past partisan politics and work together to help save lives.” 🔵

Note: This article was updated to include comments from Representative Jacob Rosecrants.

OKC Considers Stricter Rules on Short-Term Rentals

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:28:00 GMT

With concerns over rising rents and reduced housing options, OKC officials consider new regulations for Airbnb and VRBO rentals, aiming to prioritize local residents and community stability.

Photo by Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com on Unsplash

Oklahoma City is considering NEW rules for short-term rentals like Airbnb & VRBO. Why? To protect housing access, promote neighborhood stability, and hold hosts accountable.

The concerns: Out-of-town buyers snapping up homes for rentals, driving up rent costs, & shrinking local housing options. New proposals include stricter licensing, occupancy limits, & tougher penalties for ordinance violations.

Key changes: - Hosts must prove the home is their primary residence. - Rentals >10 nights/month need special approval. - Occupancy caps to reduce party noise. - Parking requirements & 2-night minimum stays.

A public hearing is set for Dec. 3. This is our chance to speak out for stronger neighborhoods and housing access!

What Trump’s Mass Deportation Plan Means for Oklahoma

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 04:14:00 GMT

Gov. Stitt wants Oklahoma to lead Trump’s deportation efforts, but critics warn of devastating costs, logistical chaos, and harm to communities and the economy.

Protesters gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in response to the Muslim Ban decision on June 26, 2018. (Photo: Ted Eytan, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Trump's mass deportation plan could have sweeping effects on #Oklahoma. Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) wants the state to "lead the charge," but critics point to staggering costs, logistical chaos, and potential damage to local communities and economies.

Deporting individuals before serving sentences risks creating a revolving door of crime. Law enforcement fears deported criminals may reenter the U.S., posing more danger. Is this "zero tolerance," or just a flawed system?

Using military-run detention camps for mass deportations, as proposed by Trump’s advisor, raises serious human rights and resource concerns. Should #Oklahoma be complicit in this extreme approach?

Operation Guardian claims to target criminal activity, but it leans on existing ICE programs that some say fail to address systemic issues. Will this plan protect Oklahomans, or create costly, harmful outcomes for families and businesses?

Setting the Record Straight: How GOP Policies Fail Oklahoma’s Middle Class

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 19:42:00 GMT

Former Speaker McCall’s op-ed paints a rosy picture of Oklahoma’s conservative policies, but the facts reveal a different story on education, healthcare, and economic inequality.

An aerial view of Midtown Oklahoma City. (Photo: Gerson Repreza, Unsplash)

Jena Nelson (2020 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and former candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction) on social media: "This week, the former Speaker McCall wrote an op-ed about how conservative policies are working in Oklahoma. I have been all around this state and have seen how people are hurting. As a member of the middle class, I am tired of being gaslit in my state."

We agree Jena. Fmr. Speaker McCall's op-ed ignores the reality middle and working class Oklahomans actually live in and facts tells a different story. Let’s set the record straight on education, healthcare, and our economy.

While McCall celebrated teacher raises, the GOP education bill left support staff at the nation's lowest pay and still gave money to wealthy districts paying above minimum salaries. Despite raises, ~14% of teacher still quit last year and emergency certifications reached new highs.

McCall highlighted $300M for mental health funding, but Oklahoma ranks 47th in quality adult mental health care. The GOP response to mental health falls incredibly short because access remains the biggest barrier and temporary relief from ARPA funds can't replace sustained investment.

McCall claims Oklahoma has had economic success, but the median household income lags far behind the national average. Tax cuts may attract businesses, but they disproportionately benefit the wealthy, leaving low and middle-class families struggling with other rising costs.

McCall wants to celebrate GOP dominance and savings but what good is any of it if some Oklahomans are left to suffer? One in five Oklahoma kids live in poverty, our schools are hemorrhaging teachers, and our health outcomes are among nation's worst. Why are Republicans saving instead of acting?

Oklahomans clearly deserve better, and our newly elected Oklahoma House and Senate lawmakers have until December 6 to request the drafting of bills for the first session of the legislature. Share your policy wishes with Oklahoma's Democratic legislators and let's make the GOP go on record.

Senator Mullin Flip Flops on Gaetz Nomination

OklahomaBlueDot.org editors — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:35:00 GMT

After years of condemning Gaetz’s behavior, Sen. Markwayne Mullin now signals support for his AG nomination, putting party politics above character.

Photo by Louis Velazquez on Unsplash

In his appearance on Meet The Press this Sunday, Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) tried to have it both ways on Matt Gaetz's AG nomination. Mullin, who has strongly criticized Gaetz for inappropriate comments in the past now says he'll be "giving him a fair shot".

Sen. Mullin previously exposed Gaetz for showing revenge porn-style videos ON THE HOUSE FLOOR of women he claimed to have slept with and called him out for making degrading comments about SD Gov. Kristi Noem. In the past, Mullin has said, "this is the type of individual Matt Gaetz is."

Quote: "I didn't even know he was an attorney until after he was appointed." - Sen. Mullin, admitting he knew so little about Gaetz's qualifications but would still consider voting to make him the country's top law enforcement official?

Some credit where it's due: Mullin says senators should see the unreleased House Ethics Committee report (which Gaetz avoided by resigning) but did not go as far as saying it should be public. Why keep it hidden? If he'd run the DOJ, Americans deserve full transparency about the investigation.

Most telling: After years of criticizing Gaetz's character & behavior toward women, Mullin now says he has to "set personal situation aside." Since when should character be put aside or not matter for the position of Attorney General?

Mullin's journey from "this is the type of individual Matt Gaetz is" to "I'll give him a fair shot" shows exactly why Oklahomans must continue to demand action. Oklahomans deserve senators who stand firm on character, and don't bend when party politics demand they do.