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Columns

DOGE Underscores Gradual Power Shift Between Legislative, Executive Branches

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This may be the most difficult column I have ever written. When it comes to the Department of Government Efficiency, I really have no idea what’s going on. How is that for an opener? What makes me feel better is I don’t think anyone else really has an idea of what is completely going on, especially with what is and what is not legal. There are a few aspects I can talk about confidently, but like everyone else, I still have more questions than answers. Hopefully history can clarify a few aspects.

Do Oklahoma lawmakers see our state as a real-life ‘Twisters’ set? Two bills tell me they do

I’m beginning to think Oklahoma’s legislators have been bamboozled by Hollywood’s glamorous portrayal of storm chasers as heroic, brilliant individuals who single handedly save communities from tornadic destruction.

Sen. Bill Coleman

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It was another busy week at the state Capitol as I pushed this past week for committee passage of bills that touch many aspects of Oklahomans’ lives. I successfully passed legislation out of committees to warn people about the dangers of vaping, crack down on the use of AI and deepfakes in campaign commercials and revamp the state’s unemployment tax rates.

Ask Rusty - Should I Wait until Age 70 to Claim Social Security?

I am a married woman, at my full retirement age, and the primary earner in my marriage. How do I know if I should take my Social Security now or wait till 70? I will lose quite a bit if I take it now. How will it affect my taxes if I take it now while still working a full-time job? Signed: Undecided

Sermonette

As children we learned a lot from songs and sayings. We learned to sing our ABCs, but we also learned Bible songs such as “Jesus Loves Me.” Now Paul encouraged his helper, Timothy, to anchor himself to what he had learned as a child from his mother and grandmother to help him combat and be prepared for the difficult times that lay ahead (2 Tim. 3:14-15).

Buc Blab

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Hello Tonkawa! Due to water issues, students are doing virtual learning for Monday and Tuesday.

Time Machine

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The Tonkawa Junior High 7th and 8th grade boys won and the 9th grade girls lost at Fairfax last Monday night in the final basketball games of the season.

Controversy over Cabinet Secretary Choices is Nothing New in American History

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Amongst the many perceived controversies of Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president are some of his choices for cabinet secretaries. Of the 15 secretary positions, so far 11 have been confirmed by the Senate including controversial nominees like Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense and Robert Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services. That means there are still four awaiting confirmation, including provocative picks like Linda McMahon for Education. With a Republican Senate, chances are, all the nominees will be confirmed.

Taxpayers were sold a load of bull about a school program that benefits wealthiest Oklahomans

There’s a terrible stench that smells a lot like bull excrement emanating from the halls of our state Capitol right now, and Republicans are hoping that Oklahomans plug their nose and pretend their highly touted voucher-like program doesn’t stink to high heaven.

Sen. Bill Coleman

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Senate committee meetings are in full swing at the state Capitol. With just a couple of weeks until the chamber’s committee deadline, hundreds of bills are being heard in committees so they can advance to the full Senate. Several of my bills advanced out of committees this week, clearing the first hurdle in the legislative process.