The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted unanimously on Friday to restore public access to the state’s online campaign finance database and seek legal action against a software developer that failed to deliver on a revamped system.

The post Oklahoma’s Campaign Finance Database is Back Online appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Months of delays by Oklahoma land commissioners in approving a commercial lease for a Lawton-area data center led the developer to withdraw, costing the state potential education revenue.

The post State Delays Push Data Center Developers to Private Land appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

The TSET investment board, led by Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ, pressed five asset managers to adopt proxy voting advice aligned with “Oklahoma values.” The move deepens Russ’ broader anti-ESG push amid conflicts, policy forums and questions over influence by outside conservative interest groups.

The post TSET Investors Board Puts Asset Managers On Notice In Anti-ESG Push appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

State Secretary of Public Instruction Ryan Walters was sworn into office during an inauguration ceremony at the Capitol on Jan. 9, 2023. (Whitney Bryen/Oklahoma Watch) This article was originally delivered to subscribers of our Education Watch newsletter. Sign up now to receive Education Watch directly in your inbox. The attorney general on Wednesday called for an investigative [...]

The post Education Watch: AG Orders Department of Education Audit appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ is directing the $2 billion Tobacco Endowment Settlement Trust’s new investment consultant to rank fund managers by alignment with state values, extending beyond typical investment criteria and injecting culture-war issues into public investment decisions.

The post Oklahoma Treasurer Pushes Values Test for Tobacco Endowment Managers  appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

During his time as chief policy advisor for the state Education Department, Matt Langston has only badged into the office 42 days since Jan. 2023. His political consulting work has continued.

The post Education Department Forced to Release Key Card Data for Matt Langston appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Oklahoma’s $50 million emissions rebate program is attracting major energy firms like Continental and ONEOK to reduce methane emissions amid a new EPA rule. While some smaller firms have yet to participate, legal and political battles over federal regulations continue in the new Trump administration.

The post Big Energy Companies at Forefront of State Emissions Rebates appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

The Office of Management and Budget is considering cuts to NOAA that would effectively eliminate its research arm and slash its budget by $1.3 billion.

The post Potential NOAA Cuts Are Already Giving One Oklahoma Lawmaker ‘Stomach Cramps’ appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Is Superintendent Ryan Walters building a campaign team on his agency’s payroll? The Department of Education’s latest hires have resumes stacked with experience in political consulting.

The post Walters’ New Hires Steeped in Politics, Not Education appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

An Oklahoma official with the state treasurer’s office used the encrypted app Signal to coordinate anti-ESG efforts with national groups while implementing a controversial fossil fuel-friendly law. A lawsuit now challenges the secrecy of those communications, raising transparency concerns as key messages disappeared before a records request.

The post Oklahoma Treasurer’s Office Faces Scrutiny Over Use of Signal in Anti-ESG Coordination appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.