The Latest in Oklahoma: July 9, 2024
A&A Advocates
Western District Court of Oklahoma Judge Bernard Jones said that Oklahoma’s new immigration law cannot take effect because it undermines federal authority by allowing local police to engage in immigration enforcement – a ruling that aligns to those in other states over similar laws. Jones writes in his order that while Oklahoma mayhave “understandable frustrations” with problems caused by illegal immigration, the state cannot enact policy that undermines federal law.
Symmetry and Energy Transfer – two companies targeted by Oklahoma’s attorney general for their role in the run-up in natural gas prices from Winter Storm Uri – say they did nothing wrong and want the cases dismissed or moved from Osage County. This response follows separate cases filed by Attorney General Gentner Drummond and outside attorneys on behalf of the Grand River Dam Authority – alleging the companies unduly profited by bidding up the price of natural gas before and during the winter storm to record levels.
In a case against the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Judge David Crutchfield ruled that the department cannot authorize registration, licenses or permits for the construction of new poultry farms exceeding 125,000 chickens until the agency has met new requirements: a written notice to landowners within one mile of the proposed facility at least 90 days prior to construction that includes the size of the facility, the number of chickens and instructions to request a public hearing on concerns, among other items; two public notices published in a local newspaper; and “meaningful consideration” of public concerns regarding environmental effects the facility may have on the air and water sources.
The Statewide Charter School Board met for the first time on Monday night. The new nine-member board replaces the former Statewide Virtual Charter School Board and is responsible for overseeing and providing services to its charter schools, recommending charter-related legislation, and offering training to all charter authorizers in the state and to potential charter school founders.
What We’re Watching
Allison Garrett, the chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, announced she plans to retire in January, after three years of service in her role.
Governor Kevin Stitt named Grayson Walker as his new chief of staff last week. Walker previously served as counselor to Secretary of State Josh Cockroft, deputy counsel to the Governor and a clerk for the Honorable Judge Thomas E. Prince of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals before joining the Stitt administration.
The Oklahoma Veterans Commission has tapped retired Rear Adm. James Bynum to serve as the new executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs after a year of contested leadership.
“Oklahoma has a long legacy of excellence in aviation, defense and manufacturing, which makes our great state the ideal location to lead the development of the next generation of autonomous technologies. The future of autonomous systems is right here in Oklahoma, and I am thrilled to see the innovations Oklahoma companies are generating as we continue to become a top 10 state.” – Gov. Kevin Stitt celebrating the $51 million federalinvestment in Tulsa’s Tech Hub.