September 18-22 Weekly Wrap

Hurtling towards a shutdown and the Five Tribes vote no confidence in Nofire

We’re keeping our minds on the important things in Congress these days. Namely, making it home for the weekend without passing a federal budget and averting an Oct. 1 government shutdown, and whether or not our colleagues wear the proper suit and tie on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

The UAW strike against the Big 3 automakers continued this week, with UAW leadership promising to strike at more plants if automakers don’t come to the table ready to bargain.

The Five Tribes passed a resolution showing no confidence in Gov. Stitt’s appointee Wes Nofire as Native American liaison.

An interesting story out of NonDoc details the susbtantial pay raises many state agency directors received last fiscal year. Michael McNutt writes, “A new report covering the prior fiscal year shows that seven Oklahoma state agency directors received a salary increase higher than what most Oklahomans earn in a year.”

Finally, 10 candidates are in the race to replace Edmond State Rep. Ryan Martinez, who resigned after pleading guilty to a felony charge of driving while intoxicated. Dems took 48% of the vote in this district in the 2020 presidential election, and special elections across the country have shown Dems vastly overperforming. Keep your eyes on this race…and the one in Lawton.

Don’t miss the latest Observercast, where Observer editor Arnold Hamilton and I talk with school counselor Janessa Bointy and her attorney Leah Cole Roper, who filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Ryan Walters—the seventh filed against him since taking office in January.

And don’t forget to read the Observer’s latest from Mark Davies, Arnold, and Gary Edmondson.

Have a great week!