Whatzup Politics (2009)
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Hefner, Disability Advocates celebrate Americans with Disabilities Act
OKLAHOMA CITY – House Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, held a press conference with other disability advocates on July 26, 2024, to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“This landmark law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, jobs, schools, transportation, and all public places,” Hefner said. “The purpose of the law is to make sure people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.”
According to ADA.gov, the ADA is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability just as other civil rights laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to enjoy employment opportunities, purchase goods and services, and participate in state and local government programs.
“The ADA Anniversary is our chance every year to reflect on how far disability rights have come and to recommit ourselves to the future,” said Hefner. “As state legislators, no matter the party and no matter the chamber, it is our job to make sure we have a budget that allows us to keep up that promise to Oklahomans with disabilities.”
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Congressman Brecheen Votes to Condemn Border Czar Kamala Harris for Her Failure to Secure our Border
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen voted for H. Res. 1371 - Strongly condemning the Biden Administration and its Border Czar, Kamala Harris’s failure to secure the United States border.
“Border Czar Kamala Harris is directly responsible for allowing our country to be invaded by more than nine million illegal aliens,” said Congressman Josh Brecheen. “No matter how hard she tries, the Vice President cannot run away from the Biden-Harris Administration’s disastrous record on the border.”
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Rep. Jim Grego
Capitol Greetings July 23, 2024
Things seem to be rolling along rather smoothly this summer, though not a whole lot of activity at the Capitol. I am awaiting the speaker of the House to announce which interim study requests will actually move forward into hearings this fall. I have requested one to look at why Service Oklahoma uses two separate values for taxation purposes on vehicles. When you purchase a vehicle, you pay a “sales tax” and an “excise tax;” both are computed independently of each other. Sales tax is based on the price you pay, while excise tax is based on the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) value rather than what you pay, with no regard for condition of the vehicle. My goal is to bring both these values closer to fair market price. I should know shortly whether this will be heard or not.
I have heard from some veterans about a local chain store not wanting to honor their sales tax exception cards. We were able to reach out to the store's upper management and determine that they do indeed have a process to honor these cards, but a specific process must be followed. If you are a veteran experiencing any of this, please reach out to my office. We will be glad to offer assistance.
Finally, “Oklahoma Auction School” came to town last week and held a class for individuals aspiring to become auctioneers. While classes were held at Eastern Oklahoma State College, what is noteworthy is the four charity auctions they held in conjunction with the school. They raised money for a rural church in the southern part of the county, a local school fundraiser to benefit baseball and softball, a small rural community to purchase fireworks, and the grand finale was a fundraiser for our local Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) organization. In total, I believe they raised nearly $50,000 in charitable funds. These guys have the unique ability to separate you from your money and make you enjoy giving. Thank you and congratulations on a job well done.
As always, thank You for allowing me to serve you. I can be reached at (405) 557-7381 or by email at jim.grego@okhouse.gov.
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Jim Grego serves District 17 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes Latimer County and part and Pittsburg County.
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Congressman Brecheen Statement on President Biden Withdrawing from Presidential Race
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen issued the following statement after President Biden announced he is withdrawing from the 2024 Presidential Race.
“If President Biden is not well enough to be the next Democrat nominee, he is not well enough to continue serving as President. President Biden should resign immediately,” said Congressman Josh Brecheen. “Whoever is the Democrat nominee is going to have a tough time defending the Biden-Harris record, which has been marked by historic inflation, crime, and wide-open borders. The American people have seen enough.”
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Oklahoma 2024 General Election Ballot Order Drawing
(Oklahoma City) – A public drawing was held today by the Secretary of the State Election Board, Paul Ziriax, to determine the ballot order for political parties and Independent candidates for the November 5 General Election ballot. The drawing was held in accordance with state law at 9:30 a.m. at the State Capitol Building, Room G3, in Oklahoma City.
The results of the drawing and the order of political parties is as follows:
- Libertarian Party
- Republican Party
- Democratic Party
Recognized political party candidates appear on the ballot in lot order. Independent candidates are placed on the ballot following the candidates of recognized political parties. If more than one Independent candidate files for a particular office, then a drawing is held to determine the ballot order of those Independent candidates.
Two Independent Presidential Candidates Qualify for Ballot
Also, today, Secretary Ziriax announced that two Independent presidential candidates have qualified for the General Election Ballot in Oklahoma. July 15 was the last day Independent candidates or candidates from unrecognized parties could file for the highest office in the nation.
Today’s drawing determined the ballot order of those Independent presidential candidates, which are as follows:
- Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (presidential candidate)
Nicole Ann Shanahan (vice presidential candidate) - Chris Garrity (presidential candidate)
Cody Ballard (vice presidential candidate)
Presidential candidate filing documents are available on the Oklahoma State Election Board website at https://oklahoma.gov/elections/candidates/2024-presidential-general-election.html.
The General Election is November 5. The last day to register to vote for the General Election is October 11. More information about registering to vote is available on the State Election Board website at https://oklahoma.gov/elections/voter-registration/register-to-vote.html.
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Sen. Young comments on resolution condemning political violence
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, issued the following statement after Monday’s Senate passage in special session of a resolution condemning acts of political violence.
“In what is likely to be my last session and one of my last votes, I supported Senate Resolution 1XXXX. It generally stated that the Senate stands against political violence. I am very much in agreement with the words of the resolution, yet I am moved to ask, where was this strong stance against political violence on Jan. 6, 2021?”– Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City.
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Pro Tem Treat Congratulates Sen. Paxton on Being Named Pro Tem Designee
OKLAHOMA CITY – Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, today congratulated Senator Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, on being named Senate Pro Tem designee after the Senate Republican Caucus voted on his nomination.
“Senator Paxton has done a great job during his tenure as a Senator in serving in various roles including his efforts on redistricting and has brought thoughtful insight to the Senate Republican Caucus leadership team,” Pro Tem Treat said. “I have no doubt he will uphold the office of the pro tem, set high standards and continue our efforts to make Oklahoma the best place to live, work and raise a family. As I reach the end of my term in office, I am happy to provide guidance and prepare Senator Paxton to the best of my ability to be successful in this role moving forward.”
Senator Paxton comments on nomination
“First and foremost, I appreciate my Senate Republican colleagues for their confidence in me to assume this role,” Senator Paxton said. “I also thank current Pro Tem Treat for his willingness to guide me and show me how to be effective in this role as he has been. Pro Tem Treat has served Oklahoma nobly as a Senator and as the leader of the Senate. I applaud his service and wish him well after he terms out of office in November.
“I plan to lead from the front and further unify our caucus, while reaching across the aisle, across the rotunda and to the executive branch to enhance our state. I truly believe Oklahoma’s best days are in front of us and we can only reach our full potential by working together.”
To learn more about Senator Paxton, click here.
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Hilbert Comments on Selection of Paxton as Senate Leader
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma House Speaker-Designate Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, today commented on the selection of Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, by the Senate Majority Caucus to serve as President Pro Tempore-Designate for the 60th Legislature.
“I want to congratulate my friend Sen. Lonnie Paxton on the selection by his colleagues to serve as President Pro Tempore-Designate. I appreciate his willingness to step up and look forward to working with him and Governor Stitt to continue Oklahoma’s conservative momentum.”
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Leader Munson congratulates Paxton on selection as Senate Leader
OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement congratulating Senator Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, being selected by the Senate Majority Caucus to serve as President Pro Tempore-Designate for the 60th Legislature.
“Congratulations to Senator Lonnie Paxton on being selected as President Pro Tempore-Designate. I have had the opportunity to work with Senator Paxton on issues important to Oklahomans all across our state and find solutions to our state’s challenges. Paxton has served the Senate and his district well and I look forward to continuing to work with him on getting bipartisan policies across the finish line to create a better Oklahoma.”
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Congressman Brecheen, Colleagues Demand Answers from U.S. Secretary of the Army After Training Depicts Pro-Life Americans as Terrorists
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen signed a letter led by Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) and Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC) to U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth demanding answers after reports surfaced that anti-terrorism training conducted at Ft. Liberty, North Carolina depicted pro-Life Americans as terrorists.
Specifically, the slides (see here) identify National Right to Life, Operation Rescue, and anyone who opposes the Supreme Court’s rightfully overturned decision in Roe v. Wade as members of terrorist groups.
“The Biden-Harris Administration continues to politicize our military and weaponize the federal government against millions of Americans simply because they correctly believe that life begins at conception,” said Congressman Josh Brecheen. “We are demanding answers from the Army about how this despicable smearing of millions of pro-Life Americans could have possibly happened and want a commitment in writing that this will never happen again.”
Click here to read the full letter. The Federalist wrote an exclusive report on the story, which you can read here.
Excerpts:
“The American public expects the Department of Defense and its personnel to defend the homeland from actual terrorists, not Americans who seek protections for children in the womb. Labeling Pro-Life organizations as threats challenges servicemembers’ moral obligation to defend and protect even the smallest among us. In fact, around half of all Americans identify as Pro-Life. It is no wonder that the Army is struggling to recruit young men and women to join its ranks when it appears the service attacks their values and promotes a woke agenda rather than improving readiness and lethality.
We understand that the anti-terrorism slide was in fact briefed to a group of soldiers as recently as July 10th. What is unclear is how long these slides have been utilized at Ft. Liberty and whether similar briefings have been used at other installations. We also understand from a statement released by Ft. Liberty that these slides were not vetted by appropriate approval authorities.
While Ft. Liberty’s statement asserts that the slides “do not reflect the views of the ... U.S. Army or the Department of Defense”, the American people are rightfully concerned that training of this kind is being disseminated in the first place and possibly at other military installations. The American people deserve to be assured that these slides truly do not reflect the Army’s views, that a full investigation will be conducted, and that any offending employees will be properly held accountable. Finally, we must be assured that similar materials are not being utilized at other installations across the Army.”