As I think back over the recently concluded legislative session, I recall an especially notable moment during one of the frequent tax increase sessions of the Appropriations and Budget Committee. Those who run the committee were bringing forward one…
Over the course of the past several months I have written about an array of tax increases attempted by the legislature. As this year’s legislative session has been brought to an end, I thought it a good idea to describe the tax increase attempts that…
Last week I wrote about two new taxes that were recently approved by the Legislature. Because these new taxes did not meet the requirements of the Constitution, I believe they will be thrown out by the courts. The damage from this legislative…
WASHINGTON — The House Science Committee is expected to approve a bill that seeks to improve regulation of commercial space activities, but not without criticism from some within the industry.
The American Space Commerce Free Enterprise Act, H.R. 2809, was formally introduced June 7 by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House Science Committee. The bill has eight other co-sponsors, including space subcommittee chairman Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) and Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), a member active on space issues who remains a leading candidate to be named NASA administrator. The bill has bipartisan support and is expected to clear the committee during a June 8 markup and go to the full House.
The Legislature has left town and we can now assess the damage from this year’s session. With the adoption of their HB 2433, Oklahoma’s politicians voted to put a new sales tax on the purchase of new and used cars. Vehicle purchases are already…
The Air Force plans to award a contract today to upgrade the radar on select F-16 aircraft, including eight planes at the Air National Guard Wing in Tulsa, OK. The new AESA (Active Electronically Steered Array) Radar will enable smaller target detection and tracking, greater targeting range, faster search capabilities, and an ability to engage multiple targets.
Congressman Bridenstine said, “This considerably enhances the capability of Tulsa’s F-16s, allowing for targeting at extended ranges to improve lethality against our enemies and survivability for ourselves. I have proposed increased spending for these systems in the current National Defense Authorization Act.”
The Air Force contract is with Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation for 72 AESA radars, spares and support services. Squadrons based in nine locations, including Tulsa, will each receive eight new units. Delivery of the first radar is expected to be in December 2018, with all 72 systems at full operational capacity by the fourth quarter of 2020.
For the fourth year in a row it has been my responsibility to vote against the state’s general appropriations proposal, commonly referred to as the state budget bill. That’s because for a fourth consecutive year the general appropriations bill…
Rafael Cruz, father of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, will be addressing the Tulsa County Republican Men’s Club on Thursday, June 6th:
We have a wonderful evening with a conservative speaker planned for This June 6th, 2017. This is a private -ticketed and dinner will be served for $20. The last time Pastor Cruz was here in Tulsa we had over 800 people in attendance. Tickets will go fast so make plans as quickly as possible for we have limited seating. We will have live music and Congressional candidates have been invited. We look forward to seein-g you and be prepared to have – big time livin’ on Tulsa Time! If you have any questions please call Darren Gantz @ 918-638-7430 or Billie Bell @ 918-638-9977.
For tickets, visit this link.
