Jeff Elkins

Oklahoma City

Capitol, Biz reporter for @JournalRecord / past: @NormanNews, @TheVista1903 / Musician / Cubs, Cowboys, Thunder, Sooners fan / tips: [email protected]

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Articles

Committee questions mental health chief about $43M gap

1 week ago | journalrecord.com | Jeff Elkins

OKLAHOMA CITY — A bipartisan House committee questioned Oklahoma Mental Health Commissioner Allie Friesen Thursday about a multi-million dollar shortfall. The select committee, announced earlier this week to review finances at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, held its first meeting Thursday afternoon.
Former Oklahoma governor recalls community strength in wake of 1995 bombing

1 week ago | journalrecord.com | Jeff Elkins

OKLAHOMA CITY — If former Gov. Frank Keating wasn’t previously aware of the Oklahoma standard before April 19, 1995, he would learn that day. For Keating, leading the state through its darkest day was far and away the biggest challenge he could have been tasked with, especially just three months into the job. Coincidentally, he started that April morning with Mayor Ron Norick’s prayer breakfast not far from the Alfred P.
Oklahoma urges federal tax credit for caregivers

1 week ago | journalrecord.com | Jeff Elkins

OKLAHOMA CITY — State lawmakers urge the state’s congressional delegation to pass a federal version of Oklahoma’s first-of-its-kind tax credit for working family caregivers like Leah Dees and Jeremiah Williams. The engaged couple lives in a multi-generational household with Jeremiah’s father, Bill Williams. Jeremiah works full time away from the house, and Dees, a freelancer, takes on caregiver duties during the day for Bill, who is a senior diabetic.
Stitt appoints Travis Jett to Oklahoma Supreme Court

1 week ago | journalrecord.com | Jeff Elkins

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday announced he’s selected Travis Jett as the next Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice. Jett will succeed former Justice Yvone Kauger, who served on the court from 1984 to 2024, but resigned in December after losing her retention election in November. The Judicial Nominating Commission sent three nominees from a pool of 14 applicants to Stitt in March: Jon Parsley, an Oklahoma district judge for Texas county, appointed by Gov.
Legislators table storm-chaser licensing bill for further study

1 week ago | journalrecord.com | Jeff Elkins

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that would establish a special license and regulations for storm chasers in Oklahoma has been tabled for further study. Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, said he will not attempt to advance House Bill 2426 this session. The bill would create an optional severe-weather tracking license for individuals professionally employed by media outlets and university research programs.
Tax reform bills continue to move through Oklahoma legislature

2 weeks ago | journalrecord.com | Jeff Elkins

OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma Senate bill simplifying the state individual income tax rate into a flat bracket and a House measure completely eliminating it cleared hurdles Thursday. Senate Bill 304, authored by state Sen. Dave Rader, R- Tulsa, replaces Oklahoma’s graduated bracket system for individual income taxes with a 4.75% flat tax starting in tax year 2025.
Vape regulation bill advances in Oklahoma Legislature

2 weeks ago | journalrecord.com | Jeff Elkins

OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma Senate bill adding requirements for manufacturers of vapor products advanced to an oversight committee Wednesday. Senate Bill 1102, authored by state Sen.
Senate committee advances classroom phone policy bill

2 weeks ago | journalrecord.com | Jeff Elkins

OKLAHOMA CITY — A measure requiring cell phone-free learning in Oklahoma schools is a vote away from the governor’s desk. The Senate Education Committee advanced 11 House bills in the meeting, including a measure expanding Oklahoma’s Promise to the children of teachers and another requiring school boards to adopt bell-to-bell cell phone policies. House Bill 1276 by state Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid and state Sen.
Senate committee advances aerospace tax credit extension

2 weeks ago | journalrecord.com | Jeff Elkins

OKLAHOMA CITY — A House bill extending a tax credit for Oklahoma’s second-largest industry moved through a Senate committee Monday morning. House Bill 2019, authored by state Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, proposes to amend state statute, which provides income tax credits for employers and employees in the Oklahoma aerospace sector. The credit is closing in on an expiration date, and the measure extends it through 2031.
GOP lawmakers push back on Stitt’s proposed forestry cuts

3 weeks ago | journalrecord.com | Jeff Elkins

OKLAHOMA CITY — Republican leaders in the House and Senate take issue with Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recent comments questioning the value of the Oklahoma Department of Forestry. Both Oklahoma Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, and state House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, don’t agree with Stitt’s proposal to eliminate the department, following his firing of its director Mark Goeller.