The House on Thursday passed the Equality Act, a bill that the U.S. bishops have warned would trample religious freedom protections while codifying gender ideology in federal law. By a vote of 224 to 206, the House passed the Equality Act only six days after it was introduced on Feb. 18. The legislation, sponsored by…Read More
House lawmakers voted to expand transfers between public schools and to limit the “ghost students” that could appear as a result. House Bill 2074 and 2078, written as complimentary bills, passed votes on the House Floor on Wednesday. Both bills now move on to the state Senate. Republicans hailed the legislation as education reform that…Read More
Members of a state House committee have narrowly approved legislation that would allow students at Oklahoma’s worst public schools to receive state scholarship funding to attend private schools. Opponents said those students should not be allowed such options and argued school-funding increases are more important than parental control, voting against the bill even though it…Read More
Members of the Senate have joined House lawmakers in advancing legislation that could potentially increase open transfer of students among Oklahoma public schools. Senate Bill 783, by Sen. Adam Pugh, would allow for open transfer of students between public school districts throughout the year. Such transfers are currently limited to a short period, other than…Read More
Virginia is expected to become the first southern state to abolish the death penalty, after its general assembly voted on Monday to end the practice. The state senate voted 22 to 16 to approve H.B. 2263, which would abolish the death penalty in the state including for inmates currently on death row. The state house…Read More
Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today joined Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), Representative Dan Bishop (R-NC), and 73 other Members of Congress today in a letter urging President Joe Biden to withdraw California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s nomination to serve as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). In part, the members wrote, “We write…Read More
House lawmakers voted to expand transfers between public schools and to limit the “ghost students” that could appear as a result. House Bill 2074 and 2078, written as complimentary bills, passed votes on the House Floor on Wednesday. Both bills now move on to the state Senate. Republicans hailed the legislation as education reform that…Read More
Members of a state House committee have narrowly approved legislation that would allow students at Oklahoma’s worst public schools to receive state scholarship funding to attend private schools. Opponents said those students should not be allowed such options and argued school-funding increases are more important than parental control, voting against the bill even though it…Read More
Members of the Senate have joined House lawmakers in advancing legislation that could potentially increase open transfer of students among Oklahoma public schools. Senate Bill 783, by Sen. Adam Pugh, would allow for open transfer of students between public school districts throughout the year. Such transfers are currently limited to a short period, other than…Read More
One of the most important issues Oklahoma lawmakers face this year is redrawing the state’s congressional and legislative districts for the next decade. But it’s likely the redistricting process won’t be complete during the regular legislative session that runs from February through May. Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, predicted it could take months…Read More
This past year Oklahoma’s teachers and parents faced what some might have believed was an insurmountable challenge. I am in awe of the resiliency of Oklahoma’s teachers, students and families. Creating a future where Oklahoma is a national leader in education is my goal as a parent, teacher, nonprofit leader and as the State Secretary…Read More
A South Carolina bill that bans abortions once an unborn baby’s heartbeat is detectable may become law this week. WMBF News reports the state House passed the South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act in a 79-35 vote Wednesday following its approval in the state Senate in late January. The pro-life bill prohibits abortions…Read More
New York state this week legalized commercial surrogacy, prompting concerns about the exploitation of women and commodification of children. The law, passed during April 2020, took effect Feb. 15. Prior to the law’s implementation, New York was one of only a few states including Louisiana, Nebraska and Michigan that did not allow commercial surrogacy. The…Read More
Legislation to ease the state’s open-transfer process for students wanting to attend another public-school district has gained committee approval. The legislation was prompted, in part, by the refusal of several major school districts to provide parents with the option of full-time, in-person instruction. “I would support this policy no matter what year, but I think…Read More
One of the most important issues Oklahoma lawmakers face this year is redrawing the state’s congressional and legislative districts for the next decade. But it’s likely the redistricting process won’t be complete during the regular legislative session that runs from February through May. Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, predicted it could take months…Read More
This past year Oklahoma’s teachers and parents faced what some might have believed was an insurmountable challenge. I am in awe of the resiliency of Oklahoma’s teachers, students and families. Creating a future where Oklahoma is a national leader in education is my goal as a parent, teacher, nonprofit leader and as the State Secretary…Read More
For the third year in a row, Senate Democrats have blocked a bill that would require doctors to care for newborn infants who survive an attempted abortion procedure. Late Thursday night, the Senate voted on an amendment from Senator Ben Sasse (R., Neb.) containing his Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which he has introduced each…Read More
A federal judge in Texas extended the suspension of President Biden’s 100-day moratorium on deportation through Feb. 23. U.S. District Court Judge Drew Tipton in the Southern District of Texas extended his suspension of the White House’s deportation moratorium for 14 days, which the judge says will give parties more time to “provide for a…Read More
West Virginia legislators have introduced a bill to secure direct funding to students through Education Savings Accounts (ESA). Education Savings Accounts allow parents to use money set aside for their child on many different possible approved K-12 expenses, including private school tuition, technology, home tutoring, and online schools. Garrett Ballengee, executive director of the Cardinal…Read More
During the week of the 2020 presidential election, the official Facebook page of the Oklahoma State Department of Education encouraged teachers to use materials produced by an organization that critics say has actively worked to brand orthodox Christians and mainstream conservative organizations as “hate groups.” On Nov. 3, 2020, the Oklahoma State Department of Education…Read More
The Supreme Court issued a ruling late Friday night that California must immediately allow churches to reopen at 25% of occupancy — ending the state’s ban on indoor worship. The court’s splintered ruling leaves in place some of California’s restrictions, like a ban on singing during worship. Justice Neil Gorsuch noted that California favors its…Read More
Sen. Steve Daines, R-MT, announced that he and 47 other senators will block any bill that would undermine the Hyde Amendment or other current protections for the unborn. In a Friday letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, the 48 senators wrote that the Hyde Amendment “has enjoyed decades of bipartisan support, including…Read More
President Joe Biden, the second Catholic in history to hold the office, has made religion a prominent element of his public role. He attended Mass on the morning of his inauguration, quoted the theologian and philosopher St. Augustine in his inaugural speech and placed a photograph of Pope Francis, whom he has praised as a…Read More
The Virginia House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill to remove conscience protections for child-placing agencies, prompting worry that the state’s Catholic adoption and foster care agencies could be forced to shut down because of their views on marriage. HB 1932 would repeal a section of the Code of Virginia which reads, in part:…Read More
During the week of the 2020 presidential election, the official Facebook page of the Oklahoma State Department of Education encouraged teachers to use materials produced by an organization that critics say has actively worked to brand orthodox Christians and mainstream conservative organizations as “hate groups.” On Nov. 3, 2020, the Oklahoma State Department of Education…Read More
A bill at the Oklahoma state Capitol would allow students at public schools to transfer schools anywhere and any time they want, which is not how it works right now. Oklahoma Education Secretary Ryan Walters spoke with KOCO 5 about the bill and some of the questions it raises. “A student could transfer to another…Read More
The abolition of the death penalty has advanced in Virginia, with the State Senate’s passage of a bill backed by the Virginia Catholic Conference. The death penalty repeal bill passed the Senate by a 21-17 vote Feb. 3. All Democrats voted in favor of the bill, while no Republicans did. One Republican abstained. “Only a…Read More
A bill at the Oklahoma state Capitol would allow students at public schools to transfer schools anywhere and any time they want, which is not how it works right now. Oklahoma Education Secretary Ryan Walters spoke with KOCO 5 about the bill and some of the questions it raises. “A student could transfer to another…Read More
Legislation that would protect places of worship from government-ordered closures during a pandemic has advanced from a state House committee. House Bill 2648, by Rep. Jon Echols, states that any “order or rule issued by any governmental entity pursuant to an emergency that requires closure of any place of worship” shall be considered “a substantial…Read More
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reiterated on Wednesday that schools can safely reopen even if teachers are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Last week the CDC weighed into the ongoing debate over whether to reopen schools for in-person instruction, noting that schools that are currently welcoming students into classrooms with certain safety precautions…Read More
An Oklahoma Senate panel approved four anti-abortion bills on Wednesday but defeated one far-reaching abortion measure that would give a fetus equal protection under the law. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved a so-called ” trigger bill ” that would make abortion illegal in Oklahoma if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe…Read More
Authored by Senator Dave Rader, SB704 is OCJR’s most ambitious legislation this session. SB704 has the potential to help Oklahomans serving excessive sentences for truly non-violent crimes while saving the state over $100 Million dollars over the next ten years. Oklahoma has one of the highest imprisonment rates in the country, driven by long sentences…Read More
An Oklahoma Senate panel approved four anti-abortion bills on Wednesday but defeated one far-reaching abortion measure that would give a fetus equal protection under the law. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved a so-called ” trigger bill ” that would make abortion illegal in Oklahoma if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe…Read More
Amid all the pain and disruption, a year of coronavirus has given Americans a new respect for those working to keep daily life as normal as possible, from the frontline nurse to the Amazon delivery man. Near the top of this honor roll is an especially unsung hero: the Catholic-school teacher. The National Catholic Education…Read More
Authored by Senator Dave Rader, SB704 is OCJR’s most ambitious legislation this session. SB704 has the potential to help Oklahomans serving excessive sentences for truly non-violent crimes while saving the state over $100 Million dollars over the next ten years. Oklahoma has one of the highest imprisonment rates in the country, driven by long sentences…Read More
The Kansas Senate on Jan. 28 passed a measure that, if approved by voters, would amend the state’s constitution to exclude a “right to abortion” and reserve the right to regulate abortion in the state to the legislature. The proposed “Value Them Both” amendment would codify that “the constitution of the state of Kansas does…Read More
A proposed South Carolina ban on abortion after an unborn child’s heartbeat can be detected has won approval from the state senate for the first time, drawing praise from the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. “The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston fully supports legal protection for unborn children, so we are extremely pleased that the South…Read More
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt will deliver his third State of the State speech to lawmakers Monday as the 2021 legislative session begins. Stitt will give his speech to a joint session in the House chamber and release his proposed executive budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Oklahoma lawmakers return to the state…Read More
‘Rose Day,” a series of activities aimed at promoting and supporting anti-abortion legislation in Oklahoma, will be virtual this year. Brian Hobbs, Rose Day committee chairman, said the 2021 rally will be a video livestreamed program at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday but instead of taking place at the state Capitol, Oklahomans are being encouraged to…Read More
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt will deliver his third State of the State speech to lawmakers Monday as the 2021 legislative session begins. Stitt will give his speech to a joint session in the House chamber and release his proposed executive budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Oklahoma lawmakers return to the state…Read More
Lawmakers in Iowa this week passed a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state constitution which would exclude a “right to abortion” or to public funding for abortion. House Joint Resolution 5 would amend the Iowa state constitution to clarify that it “does not recognize, grant, or secure a right to abortion or require…Read More
‘Rose Day,” a series of activities aimed at promoting and supporting anti-abortion legislation in Oklahoma, will be virtual this year. Brian Hobbs, Rose Day committee chairman, said the 2021 rally will be a video livestreamed program at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday but instead of taking place at the state Capitol, Oklahomans are being encouraged to…Read More