The Latest in Oklahoma: September 27, 2024
A&A Advocates
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has appealed an injunction that halted House Bill 4156, a state immigration law allowing local law enforcement to remove undocumented immigrants, a task typically handled by federal authorities. Drummond argues the bill enhances safety by targeting illegal immigrants working on illegal marijuana farms and claims it aligns with federal law. The bill was paused by a federal judge, and Drummond is seeking to reverse the injunction in the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, with plans to take the case to the Supreme Court if necessary.
The Oklahoma State Board of Education (OSBE) has proposed a $4.1 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026, a $102 million increase from the previous year. Part of this proposal includes State Superintendent Ryan Walters requesting $3 million to provide Bibles in classrooms. Critics argue this violates the Oklahoma Constitution, while supporters like State Rep. Jim Olsen believe it honors the Bible’s historical significance. The legislature will ultimately decide whether to approve the funding during the 2025 legislative session.
State Rep. Justin “JJ” Humphrey is urging an OSBI investigation into the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) after hearing testimony alleging serious issues, including document shredding, lack of training, discrimination, and violations of the Indian Child Welfare Act. Humphrey, concerned about DHS’s handling of child welfare cases, has gathered support from the House Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections to request the investigation. DHS has stated it will fully cooperate.
Oklahoma executed Emmanuel Littlejohn, 52, for the 1992 murder of convenience store owner Kenneth Meers. Littlejohn, convicted of fatally shooting Meers during a robbery, maintained his innocence regarding the shooting but admitted to the robbery. Littlejohn’s execution marks the 14th since Oklahoma resumed lethal injections in 2021.
Update on Interim Studies
Some Interim studies will wrap up in November, while many more will run their courses in October. Updates will be available in the coming weeks. Click the links to view House studiesand Senate studies.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Our mission is to provide health care services for Oklahomans regardless of their ability to pay,” Said Emily Long of the new initiative for expanded healthcare for those leaving Oklahoma’s prison system, a project inspired by Gov. Kevin Stitt’s MODERN Justice Task Force. “The initiative kind of allows us to change the lives of the justice-involved people during and after incarceration, and ultimately build a stronger Oklahoma.”