Some lawmaker campaign war chests swell to $100,000 or more By: Trevor Brown Oklahoma Watch February 9, 2021
Many state lawmakers will find themselves in a favorable position when they start planning reelection campaigns.
Recently released campaign finance reports show that nearly half of the 148 members serving in Oklahoma’s Legislature will be entering the next election with at least $20,000 in reserves.
Some lawmakers have campaign war chests significantly larger.
Ethics Commission filings, which require lawmakers to report fundraising balances as of the start of 2021, show seven lawmakers – all Republicans in leadership positions – each have more than $100,000 in their coffers.
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, who is term-limited from running again after winning reelection last year, leads the lawmakers with just over $325,000 cash on hand.
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Public bodies in Oklahoma could have the ability to meet virtually again sometime next week. The state Senate brough Senate Bill 1031 directly to the floor
Further limiting access to abortion appears to be a top priority among Oklahoma Republican lawmakers.
Six out of 16 bills considered by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee during its first meeting Wednesday sought to make abortions harder to get. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat reintroduced Senate Bill 918, which would install into state law triggers for the repeal of virtually all of Oklahoma’s abortion regulations. In the event that
Planned Parenthood v. Casey and
Roe v. Wade is overturned, our attorney general could certify that and it would make valid again our prohibition that’s currently in statute that makes it a felony to perform abortion, Treat told the committee.
Sen. Julie Daniels (left), Sen. Greg Treat, Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Noma Gurich, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, Sen. Jessica Garvin and Sen. Lonnie Paxton pose for a photo at a swearing in ceremony on Dec. 8. The four Republican senators could not attend a ceremony in November.
Credit Oklahoma Senate GOP
Leaders in the Oklahoma legislature must plan for a second session affected by COVID-19, this one with infection rates potentially much worse than they were as lawmakers met from March through May of this year.
Legislative leaders are contemplating how to do their work safely. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) said during a virtual forum hosted by the Oklahoma State Chamber that includes allowing Oklahomans to participate in the process.