Criminal justice reform advocate Kris Steele has long been concerned that some prosecutors would do an end-around the state’s new misdemeanor drug possession law by charging more people with felony drug distribution instead.
Prior to a new law going into effect, lobbyists gave state lawmakers tens of thousands of dollars in items earmarked as “birthday gifts,” though the lawmakers’ birthdays were often months away.
In her budget proposal, Fallin has adopted much of the reforms proposed by the group Step Up Oklahoma, which includes business leaders from many of the state’s largest oil and gas companies and other industries.
From expanding legal raw milk sales to restricting children’s access to crossbows, here’s just a sampling of some of the more interesting, under-the-radar pieces of legislation filed in advance of the 2018 Oklahoma legislative session.
In July, at least 10 Oklahoma legislators accepted scholarships to attend a two-day conference at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino sponsored by a trade group representing high-interest installment loan companies.
“The sky is falling and you’ve heard me say that before, but it’s actually gotten worse,” Department of Corrections Director Joe Allbaugh said.
“This is where prevention would go to provide accurate information about what marijuana does and doesn’t do to neural development,” ODMHSAS Terri White said.
Kevin Stitt, CEO and founder of Gateway Mortgage Group, wrapped up a four-county tour of rural Western Oklahoma last week. By the end of January, Stitt says he will have already made campaign stops in all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties.
