Oklahoma
Oklahoma Senate passes bill to ban any ‘unauthorized camp’ on state land
A bill that critics say would effectively push homeless people off public rights-of-way and state-owned land passed the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday, despite an impassioned plea by one senator who grilled the bill’s sponsor with questions for more than 15 minutes before the vote.
By a 37-6 vote, the Senate approved Senate Bill 1854, which was cast by its author, Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, as a safety issue. The bill now can be considered by the state House of Representatives.
The bill would prohibit any “unauthorized camp” – defined as “any tent, shelter, or bedding constructed or arranged for the purpose of or in such a way to permit overnight use on a property not designated as a campsite” – on public rights-of-way or state-owned lands.
The bill would subject violators to a misdemeanor charge, but says the first violation would be considered as a warning, “and a citation may not be issued unless the person refuses any assistance offered to them by the arresting officer. Such assistance may include, but is not limited to, transportation to a shelter, food pantry, or other place where resources are made available to assist the indigent and homeless.”
Weaver, a former director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control and an inductee into the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame, had a back-and-forth exchange with Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, about the bill on the Senate floor. Kirt has a passion for addressing issues involving the homeless and served as a founding member and co-chair of the Legislative Mental Health Caucus.
“What I am concerned about is criminalizing someone who doesn’t have a home,” Kirt said. “That’s not solving our problem. We talk about moving someone across the street (to non-state-owned land) but that is still in our community. We’ve not solved the challenge that that individual is facing. This is written in a very broad manner that makes it difficult to analyze who would be impacted.”
She added: “What I see is we need to flip the way we’re approaching the challenge of people who are unsheltered. If somebody is sleeping under a bridge, they have nowhere else to sleep.”
Bill’s author says it won’t apply to local municipalities, only state-owned properties
Under questioning, Weaver said the bill won’t apply to municipalities in Oklahoma, only state-owned land, although he frequently referenced people staying near highway underpasses. He specifically mentioned people who often can be seen camping around Interstate 240 underpasses in south Oklahoma City.
“We’ve had a lot of challenges in our community, one of which is safety,” Weaver said. “This has to do with safety. This is not a ‘solve all the problem for homelessness.’ That’s not what the intent of this bill is. The intent of this bill is very specifically a safety issue when it comes to these roads and … where we have jurisdiction in this body, on state-owned lands. I don’t want no member to believe that this is going to solve our homelessness (issue).”
Weaver said, “At some point, even individuals that are homeless have some level of responsibility for the safety of themselves and the people around them. … It’s something we maybe don’t want to talk about, but it’s true.”
Asked how many people would be affected by the bill, Weaver said he didn’t specifically know, saying only “several.”
According to the annual “point in time” count in Oklahoma City in 2023, the city had 1,436 homeless people counted, up about 100 from the 2022 count. About 20% of that number are families with children, about 9% are military veterans, about 28% are considered chronically homeless and 31% are unsheltered. Kirt said homeless people often wouldn’t have the financial resources to pay any fine that might be levied if the bill becomes law.
“As a general rule, criminalizing homelessness is counterproductive,” said Dan Straughan, the executive director of the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City. “Misdemeanors generate fines that people experiencing homelessness can’t easily pay, which leads to a failure to appear in court, which leads to needless bench warrants. All this to say, making the infraction a misdemeanor doesn’t really prevent it from leading to jail time. Once an individual has entered the criminal justice system, that creates yet another barrier to getting back into housing. Housing is the proper response to homelessness. Needless fines are simply a step backward.”
The six senators who voted against the bill included five Democrats – Kirt, Kay Floyd of Oklahoma City, Jo Anna Dossett of Tulsa, George Young of Oklahoma City and Kevin Matthews of Tulsa – along with Republican Dave Rader of Tulsa.
Oklahoma
2024 NCAA softball bracket: Women's College World Series scores, schedule
The 2024 NCAA DI softball tournament is here. The bracket was announced on Sunday, May 12 in an ESPN2 selection show. Regional action will run May 17-19, followed by super regionals from May 23-26. The tournament culminates with the eight-team 2024 Women’s College World Series starting on May 30 in Oklahoma City.
AUTO-BID TRACKER: Every conference tournament champion and automatic bid
The 2023 Women’s College World Series finals ended with Oklahoma sweeping Florida State to win a third-straight national championship. Below you can find all the information about the 2024 DI softball tournament.
2024 NCAA DI softball tournament bracket
👉 Click or tap here to get a closer look at the 2024 bracket
2024 NCAA DI softball tournament schedule
Here are the key dates for the 2024 NCAA DI softball tournament:
- Selection show: May 12 at 7 p.m. ET | ESPN2
- Regionals: May 16/17-19
- Super Regionals: May 23-25 or May 24-26
- Women’s College World Series: May 30-June 6/7 in Oklahoma City
2024 DI softball regionals (May 17-19)
*All times Eastern
Austin Regional – Austin, Texas
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6: TBD vs. TBD | 1 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 3:30 p.m.
Norman Regional – Norman, Oklahoma
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 3 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 5:30
Knoxville Regional – Knoxville, Tennessee
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | noon
- Game 7 if necessary | 2:30 p.m.
Gainesville Regional – Gainesville, Florida
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | noon
- Game 7 if necessary | 2:30 p.m.
Stillwater Regional – Stillwater, Oklahoma
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 3 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 5:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Regional – Los Angeles, California
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 6 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 8:30 p.m.
Columbia Regional – Columbia, Missouri
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 2 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 4:30 p.m.
Stanford Regional – Stanford, California
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 5 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 7:30 p.m.
Baton Rouge Regional – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 4 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 6:30 p.m.
Durham Regional – Durham, North Carolina
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 1 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 3:30 p.m.
Athens Regional – Athens, Georgia
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 2 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 4:30 p.m.
Fayetteville Regional – Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 4 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 6:30 p.m.
Lafayette Regional – Lafayette, Louisiana
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 2 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 4:30 p.m.
Tuscaloosa Regional – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 2 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 3:30 p.m.
Tallahassee Regional – Tallahassee, Florida
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 1 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 3:30 p.m.
Bryan-College Station Regional – Bryan-College Station, Texas
- Friday, May 17
- Saturday, May 18
- Sunday, May 19
- Game 6 | 3 p.m.
- Game 7 if necessary | 5:30 p.m.
2024 Women’s College World Series schedule (all times ET)
May 30
- Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, noon | ESPN
- Game 2: TBD vs. TBD, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 3: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
- Game 4: TBD vs. TBD, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2
May 31
- Game 5: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
- Game 6: TBD vs. TBD, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2
June 1
- Game 7: TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. | ABC
- Game 8: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN
June 2
- Game 9: TBD vs. TBD, 3 p.m. | ABC
- Game 10: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPNU
June 3
- Game 11: TBD vs. TBD, noon | ESPN
- Game 12 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 13: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
- Game 14 (if necessary): 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2
June 5
- WCWS Final Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 8 p.m. | ESPN
June 6
- WCWS Final Game 2: TBD vs. TBD, 8 p.m. | ESPN
June 7
- WCWS Final Game 3 (if necessary): TBD vs TBD, 8 p.m. | ESPN
How the championship works: Regionals — at 16 sites — are double-elimination and scheduled for May 16/17-19. The 16 winners advance to super regionals and play a two-team, best-out-of-three series either May 23-25 or May 24-26. The eight winners earn spots in the 2024 Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. The WCWS begins May 30 in double-elimination format. The final two teams play a best-of-three series for the national championship beginning June 5.
How to get tickets for the Women’s College World Series
You can purchase tickets for the 2024 WCWS here. The Women’s College World Series is played at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Softball Championship: Future dates
REGIONALS | SUPER REGIONALS | WCWS | |
---|---|---|---|
2025 | May 16-18 | May 22-25 | May 29-June 6 |
2026 | May 15-17 | May 21-24 | May 28-June 5 |
2027 | May 21-23 | May 27-30 | June 3-11 |
Women’s College World Series championship history
Below is the complete, year-by-year NCAA DI softball national championship history since 1982.
Year | Champion (Record) | Coach | Score | Runner-Up | Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | *Oklahoma (61-1) | Patty Gasso | 3-1 | Florida State | Oklahoma City |
2022 | *Oklahoma (59-3) | Patty Gasso | 10-5 | Texas | Oklahoma City |
2021 | Oklahoma (56-4) | Patty Gasso | 5-1 | Florida State | Oklahoma City |
2020 | Canceled due to Covid-19 | — | — | — | — |
2019 | *UCLA (56-6) | Kelly Inouye-Perez | 5-4 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City |
2018 | *Florida State (58-12) | Lonni Alameda | 8-3 | Washington | Oklahoma City |
2017 | *Oklahoma (61-9) | Patty Gasso | 5-4 | Florida | Oklahoma City |
2016 | Oklahoma (57-8) | Patty Gasso | 2-1 | Auburn | Oklahoma City |
2015 | Florida (60-7) | Tim Walton | 4-1 | Michigan | Oklahoma City |
2014 | *Florida (55-12) | Tim Walton | 6-3 | Alabama | Oklahoma City |
2013 | *Oklahoma (57-4) | Patty Gasso | 4-0 | Tennessee | Oklahoma City |
2012 | Alabama (60-8) | Patrick Murphy | 5-4 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City |
2011 | *Arizona State (60-6) | Clint Myers | 7-2 | Florida | Oklahoma City |
2010 | *UCLA (50-11) | Kelly Inouye-Perez | 15-9 | Arizona | Oklahoma City |
2009 | Washington (51-12) | Heather Tarr | 3-2 | Florida | Oklahoma City |
2008 | *Arizona State (66-5) | Clint Myers | 11-0 | Texas A&M | Oklahoma City |
2007 | Arizona (50-14-1) | Mike Candrea | 5-0 | Tennessee | Oklahoma City |
2006 | Arizona (54-11) | Mike Candrea | 5-0 | Northwestern | Oklahoma City |
2005 | Michigan (65-7) | Carol Hutchins | 4-1 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
2004 | UCLA (47-9) | Sue Enquist | 3-1 | California | Oklahoma City |
2003 | UCLA (54-7) | Sue Enquist | 1-0 | California | Oklahoma City |
2002 | California (56-19) | Diane Ninemire | 6-0 | Arizona | Oklahoma City |
2001 | *Arizona (65-4) | Mike Candrea | 1-0 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
2000 | *Oklahoma (66-8) | Patty Gasso | 3-1 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
1999 | *UCLA (63-6) | Sue Enquist | 3-2 | Washington | Oklahoma City |
1998 | Fresno State (52-11) | Margie Wright | 1-0 | Arizona | Oklahoma City |
1997 | Arizona (61-5) | Mike Candrea | 10-2 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
1996 | *Arizona (58-9) | Mike Candrea | 6-4 | Washington | Columbus, Ga. |
1995 | *#UCLA (50-6) | Sharron Backus | 4-2 | Arizona | Oklahoma City |
1994 | *Arizona (64-3) | Mike Candrea | 2-0 | Cal State Northridge | Oklahoma City |
1993 | Arizona (44-8) | Mike Candrea | 1-0 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
1992 | *UCLA (54-2) | Sharron Backus | 2-0 | Arizona | Oklahoma City |
1991 | Arizona (56-16) | Mike Candrea | 5-1 | UCLA | Oklahoma City |
1990 | UCLA (62-7) | Sharron Backus | 2-0 | Fresno State | Oklahoma City |
1989 | *UCLA (48-4) | Sharron Backus | 1-0 | Fresno State | Sunnyvale, Calif. |
1988 | UCLA (53-8) | Sharron Backus | 3-0 | Fresno State | Sunnyvale, Calif. |
1987 | Texas A&M (56-8) | Bob Brock | 4-1 | UCLA | Omaha, Neb. |
1986 | *Cal State Fullerton (57-9-1) | Judi Garman | 3-0 | Texas A&M | Omaha, Neb. |
1985 | UCLA (41-9) | Sharron Backus | 2-1 | Nebraska | Omaha, Neb. |
1984 | UCLA (45-6-1) | Sharron Backus | 1-0 | Texas A&M | Omaha, Neb. |
1983 | Texas A&M (41-11) | Bob Brock | 2-0 | Cal State Fullerton | Omaha, Neb. |
1982 | *UCLA (33-7-2) | Sharron Backus | 2-0 | Fresno State | Omaha, Neb. |
*Indicates undefeated teams in final series.
#-UCLA’s 1995 national championship was later vacated by the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions
Oklahoma
Sen. Lankford Pushes Bill To Increase Transparency On Foreign Farmland Purchases In Oklahoma
Lawmakers met with farmers to discuss the future of agriculture here in the state.
U.S. Senator James Lankford (R- Okla.) says it’s time to crack down on the foreign land purchases happening in Oklahoma threatening national security.
The discussion inside a closed-door roundtable revolved around the need to pass a bill sponsored by Lankford that would allow oversight and transparency on foreign purchases of U.S. farmland.
“They’re not American citizens who are purchasing the land here, affecting water, electricity, and safety. It’s a lot of people illegally present,” said Lankford.
Lankford says that Oklahoma farming land has been turned into Marijuana grow farms since the passage of the marijuana laws in 2018.
Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says Canadians own the most acres in Oklahoma, but Lankford’s big concern is Chinese nationals. “No one is complaining about the land owned by Canadian people because they follow the rules. But if you are talking about Chinese nationals, they are not following the rules,” said Lankford.
The SOIL Act was introduced last year. Now, he’s hoping to make more progress with it with the help of a ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
The goal is to get it inside the next Farm Bill. “Congressman Frank Lucas (R- Okla.) is also working on the House side, and I am working on the Senate side, trying to deal with what we see in Oklahoma as a major issue.”
Groundwork on the Senate’s farm bill is expected to start next week.
Inside that farm bill, they also want to see safety nets for farmers, trade tools conservation, and research.
Oklahoma
Nearly $2M in school choice tax credits were spent on parents’ debt instead
OKLAHOMA CITY — Almost $2 million from a tax credit program intended to help families afford private school instead went to parents’ debts and delinquent taxes.
The Oklahoma Tax Commission has deducted 1,249 parental choice tax credit payments from applicants who had unpaid taxes or a debt claim filed against them, the agency reported in response to an open records request from Oklahoma Voice.
Payments were reduced by a total of $1,926,240. The program’s total budget this year is $150 million.
Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law a bill meant to prevent future deductions. House Bill 3388 clarifies the credits are non-taxable income and can’t be reduced for outstanding debts.
The legislation that created the tax credit program last year included no such prohibition, prompting lawmakers to clarify the law this session.
“The Tax Commission was following the law as written at the time of implementation,” Stitt said in a statement. “I’m always grateful when agencies operate with due diligence. Moving forward, lawmakers have changed that statute and I have signed that into law.”
More: Oklahoma’s parental choice tax credit update: ‘Non-priority’ applications now being reviewed
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said the clarification was necessary so a parent’s debt wouldn’t hamper a student’s opportunity to attend private school.
“We don’t tell a child they can’t go to public school because their parent’s behind on taxes, and we’re not going to tell a child in need that they can’t go to a private school that meets their needs based on their parent’s lack of compliance,” Treat said while speaking with reporters last week.
Legislative Democrats questioned whether the measure is another hand-out to families already enrolled in exclusive schools.
“For anybody else, if they had a tax liability, they would be required to pay it, and these folks are not,” Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, said. “So, we’re giving them taxpayer dollars, and we’re saying you don’t have to pay what you owe the people of Oklahoma.”
What to know about the private school tax credit
The refundable tax credits offer $5,000 to $7,500, depending on total household income, to offset costs of sending children to private schools. Although a credit reduces a family’s state tax obligation, the commission issues a check to recipients to reimburse approved educational expenses, like tuition, tutoring or testing fees.
The initiative launched in December to significant demand. About 36,000 people have applied, most of whom did so in the first 90 minutes of the application window.
There is no income limit to apply, but children from households earning $150,000 or below had priority consideration.
The Tax Commission is still reviewing applications and disbursing funds. About 16,800 priority applicants and 4,300 without priority have been approved, accounting for $125 million of the $150 million budget, the agency reported this week.
Oklahoma will allocate $200 million for the program in 2025 and $250 million in 2026.
Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions:info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice onFacebook andTwitter.
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