Donnie Pompey, 32, found himself in Oklahoma County eviction court on March 11. He knew his rent was late; Pompey said he had a medical problem that caused him to fall a month behind. Pompey showed up at the courthouse without a lawyer. In general, only about 10% of people facing eviction filings arm themselves […]
Long Story Short: Legislature Focuses on Budget, Policy at Halfway Point
Oklahoma Watch · Legislature Focuses on Budget, Policy at Halfway Point Paul Monies discusses the first half of the legislative session, which saw a new budget process used by the Senate and leadership elections on the GOP side. Keaton Ross breaks down where criminal justice legislation stands at the Legislature’s unofficial halfway point. both join […]
Preliminary Hearing Continues for Epic Charter Schools Founders
Oklahoma Watch is covering the week-long hearing in the embezzlement case against David Chaney and Ben Harris, who created Epic Charter Schools. Check this post for daily updates from the courthouse.
AG to Lay Out Evidence in Epic’s Multi-Million Dollar Embezzlement Case
A hearing in the embezzlement case against Epic Charter Schools founders David Chaney and Ben Harris begins Monday in the Oklahoma County District Court. Their former chief financial officer is expected to be one of several witnesses.
Legislature Focuses on Budget, Policy at Halfway Point
Hundreds of bills have survived the Oklahoma Legislature’s first big policy deadline, new Republican leaders have been chosen and the House and Senate are starting budget negotiations in the weeks leading up to candidate filing for this year’s election.
Lawmakers Seek Tougher Shoplifting, Domestic Abuse Penalties
With nine weeks to go in the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers have advanced several bills that would increase sentencing ranges for certain offenders.
Long Story Short: State Dollars Prop Walters’ National Media Blitz
Oklahoma Watch · State Dollars Prop Walters’ National Media Blitz Jennifer Palmer talks about a state Education Department contract to get more national press for state superintendent Ryan Walters. Paul Monies has continued to follow the fallout from the huge run-up in natural gas costs from a winter storm in early 2021. Keaton Ross talks […]
Has Oklahoma not seen an increase to its minimum wage since 2008?
The most recent increase in minimum wage in Oklahoma was on Jul. 24, 2009 per the federal minimum wage increase, from $6.55 to $7.25. The state is one of 20 that adhere to the federal minimum wage, which has not seen an increase since 2009 and remains at $7.25 as of March 2024. A petition […]
Winter Storm Natural Gas Price Lawsuits Languish
An extreme winter storm hit Oklahoma and other states in early 2021, bidding up the price of fuel. Bonds were sold to deal with the high costs. Natural gas producers and traders got paid, the utilities took billions of dollars in natural gas costs off their corporate balance sheets. Who got stuck with the bill? Consumers.
State Dollars Prop Walters’ National Media Blitz
The Oklahoma Department of Education hired Vought Strategies, a communications firm in Arlington, Virginia, to write speeches and op-eds and book Walters on at least 10 national TV and radio appearances per month. Some are questioning whether Walters is simply boosting his national profile at the public’s expense.