News from the South - Oklahoma News Feed

Tom Cole’s Bipartisan Reputation Gets Put to the Test in Trump’s Partisan Washington

Published

2 months ago

May 9, 2025

oklahomawatch.org – Em Luetkemeyer – 2025-05-09 10:51:00

by Em Luetkemeyer, Oklahoma Watch
May 9, 2025

If you ask lawmakers to describe Rep. Tom Cole and his more than 20 years of service in the House, Republicans and Democrats will both give him praise. Knowledgeable. A bipartisan negotiator. A friend.

But for the last year as Appropriations chair, the Oklahoma Republican has overseen one of the most bitter and partisan processes lawmakers have ever gone through while exercising Congress’ power of the purse. And Democrats are concerned this upcoming appropriations cycle will somehow be more bitter and partisan than the last.

Along with so many other norms, President Donald Trump has upended the practice of reaching across the aisle — particularly when it comes to appropriations bills. Lawmakers used to come together at the end of the year and approve a sweeping spending bill, after they were mostly unable to pass individual appropriations measures.

But during the last spending cycle, Republicans and Democrats weren’t able to agree on anything. Instead, Republicans rammed through a glorified continuing resolution that mostly extended the previous spending deal, with some notable exceptions that Democrats disagreed with.

Now, as Congress starts the appropriations process again, Cole is tasked with appeasing his GOP colleagues and somehow getting buy-in from Democrats to negotiate after they were largely shut out of talks last time.

“I’ve never seen it quite as challenging as it is now to come to deals,” Cole told NOTUS.

“We’re better off when we work together and find common ground,” he said. “I think the [appropriations committee] has a tradition of doing that. I don’t think that tradition is gone. We’ve just got to get back to our roots.”

Getting back to those roots won’t be easy. But somehow, even after the appropriations process devolved into a cascade of CRs, a spending deal that was reneged, and, finally, a partisan spending bill, Democrats told NOTUS they have hope.

The top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, suggested she blamed Speaker Mike Johnson, Trump and Elon Musk a lot more for the December spending deal falling apart than Cole. She said that legislation — which dissolved when Musk and some Republicans began railing against the special projects in the deal — was the product of intense negotiations between the two parties.

“Oh my gosh, heavy negotiations,” DeLauro said.

She said she’s worked “very closely” and “very, very well” with her counterpart. Ultimately, however, Trump’s grip on the conference made Cole’s work not matter all that much.

“It was hard, you know, when we were that close,” DeLauro said. “I continue to negotiate with him, but he is a good friend, and somebody who gets it.”

She said Cole doesn’t have the leeway she has to push back against the president.

Cole, for his part, said Trump is “not an insignificant player” in any negotiations on Capitol Hill — he has to sign the bill after all. But what the administration wants is not the end-all-be-all, as far as Cole is concerned.

Outside of his office last week, where the smell of cigar smoke filled the hallway, Cole held court with reporters. He talked about the tension between the president and Congress as Republicans now attempt to hammer out a reconciliation bill.

“Presidents and administrations don’t get to dictate what’s going to happen here,” Cole said. “Congress is not the Army, and the president is the president, but not the commander-in-chief of Congress.”

“We’re supporting this administration, what it’s trying to do, but with all due respect to anybody, I think the members have a better understanding of what can pass and what can’t than the executive branch does,” he added.

Cole told NOTUS he doesn’t think this administration has tried to dictate anything in particular, but he insisted spending bills must be “a negotiated product.”

“Leadership on both sides have to agree, and I don’t think leadership on either side was prepared to agree in December. I think that’s too bad because that was a time to make the deal,” Cole said. “Come March, clearly, we had a deal on the table, we thought, and we couldn’t quite get there. And again, I think that was pressure from leadership.”

It’s true that spending negotiations were largely taken from Cole. Republican leaders, under pressure from Trump and conservatives, seemed to think mostly extending current spending levels was the way to go. And once, somewhat miraculously, Republicans were able to advance their bill out of the House, a number of Democrats in the Senate swallowed the legislation, reasoning that it was better than a shutdown.

It wasn’t how Democrats wanted the process to play out. But Democrats also suggested they didn’t think it was how Cole wanted it to play out either.

Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern told NOTUS he respects and admires Cole, whom he worked with closely when they served as the top members of the Rules Committee for their respective parties. McGovern said Cole, “if left to his own devices,” could come up with a “decent” appropriations package. But, McGovern said, Cole isn’t steering that spending ship.

The Trump administration and the Freedom Caucus have put Cole in a “tough spot,” McGovern said.

“My fear is that he is not going to be allowed to work his will,” he added. “What we’ve seen to this point is that reasonable people like Tom Cole seem to have been kind of pushed to the sidelines.”

Yes, Democrats were unhappy with the last appropriations process. Yes, Cole oversaw the process. But Democrats don’t seem to blame him for the outcome.

While that sort of goodwill among Democrats could be a liability in the red-meat Republican conference, GOP lawmakers also suggested it was an advantage. Rep. Steve Womack, who chairs a key subcommittee on Appropriations, said Cole’s favorability in both parties is exactly what’s needed.

“He’s a very well-respected member, kind of more of an institution guy, which is what I think we need right now, in terms of being — I mean, let’s just face it, we’re in divided government. The country’s divided,” Womack told NOTUS. “Political reality is you’re going to have to have things that can attract members on both sides of the aisle for the most important work that our Congress needs to be doing, and I think Tom Cole is the ideal person to lead the effort in that regard.”

Other Republicans on the Appropriations Committee agreed.

Rep. David Valadao emphasized the “tough” political environment members are in right now. He said Cole was better positioned than anyone to be chair at the moment.

“We’re trying to reach an agreement on top-line numbers that we could actually get something to the president’s desk and be signed by the president. And [Democrats] weren’t willing to negotiate,” Valadao said. “Hopefully, moving forward, they’re willing to talk to Tom, get to top-line numbers, agree to them and start appropriations bills, but it really is going to fall on both sides to come to an agreement that can get across the desk.”

Another longtime appropriator, Rep. Mike Simpson, echoed Valadao, saying Republicans couldn’t find a better chair than Cole, “especially in these times,” with razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate.

“Leadership decided to go a different direction to do the year-long CR,” Simpson said. “It is not something that anybody on the Appropriations Committee wanted, but we had to do something, and Tom’s very good at doing that.”

“There’s not a bigger supporter of leadership in getting the job done than Tom is,” Simpson said.

This article first appeared on Oklahoma Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The post Tom Cole’s Bipartisan Reputation Gets Put to the Test in Trump’s Partisan Washington appeared first on oklahomawatch.org

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The content presents a balanced view of Rep. Tom Cole’s role and challenges as Appropriations chair, incorporating perspectives from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. It neither favors nor criticizes one side excessively, recognizing bipartisan respect for Cole while acknowledging the partisan difficulties intensified by figures like President Trump. The piece emphasizes negotiation, cooperation, and political realities without partisan spin, reflecting a neutral and fact-based tone typical of centrist reporting.

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News from the South - Oklahoma News Feed

Cell, no! After Two Years of Debate, Schools Get Months to Ban Phones

Published

20 hours ago

July 7, 2025

Staff Editor

oklahomawatch.org – Paul Monies and Valerie Scott – 2025-07-07 06:00:00

by Paul Monies and Valerie Scott, Oklahoma Watch
July 7, 2025

After two years of legislative discussion and debate on the distractions of cell phones in class, Oklahoma schools have months to implement a bell-to-bell ban on devices for students during the upcoming school year.

Senate Bill 139, signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt in May, also prohibits the use of smartwatches, smart headphones, personal laptops, tablets and smart glasses.

The bill’s Senate author, Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, said the legislation transformed from a voluntary pilot program when she first introduced it in the 2024 session to the statewide ban now in place.

“I thought it would take two to three years and I’d come with data and then I’d have to really convince people,” Seifried said. “But I think there’s some momentum nationally and even in Europe, they’re banning some of their phones in schools as well.”

Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, who co-authored SB 139, said a two-day legislative study in fall 2024 provided the evidence to advance a statewide policy for banning cell phones during the school day. Presenters discussed both academic studies and the experiences of school districts that already had cell phone bans.

“When you combine the real-life stories and examples that we’ve seen here in Oklahoma with those larger data points that have been done in a university setting, it paints a pretty clear picture of the benefits of this type of policy,” Caldwell said.

While the bill mentions a bell-to-bell ban, it allows for some leeway in special circumstances. In an emergency, students may use their cell phones, and those who use smart devices to monitor health conditions also have an exception.

Though most districts are on summer hours, the school year is just right around the corner and some schools like Mustang, Tulsa, Pryor and Stillwater have yet to put any policies in place.

Caldwell said he knew the compressed timeline could put additional pressure on schools, but he said the policy was discussed at length in the Legislature and received extensive media coverage. He said clear, consistent and frequent communication from districts to parents, students and staff will be key to successful implementation.

Well before the statewide law, in downtown Oklahoma City, John Rex Charter Schools maintained a cell phone ban, so the policy did not come as a surprise to parents or students, said Patrick Duffy, superintendent at John Rex. The school cut back on screen time as issues of cyberbullying and social anxiety become more frequent.

“Before, our policy was not districtwide and did not include items like smart watches, tablets or headphones, but very similar with no phones during the day, allowing more time for face-to-face interactions, more time to focus on academics and minimizing cyberbullying,” Duffy said.

For districts with an existing cell phone policy, the new law could mean just a few tweaks to put the bell-to-bell ban in place. Tulsa Public Schools has had a telecommunications policy for several decades, but rolled out a major change last year that put a bell-to-bell ban on devices in elementary and middle schools. It called the policy Phones Away, Just for the Day. High schools phone use was banned only during class. Tulsa’s board has yet to vote on an updated policy for all schools in the district.

Other districts, such as Norman Public Schools, have been planning for months and are taking steps to get staff, students and parents on board.

Courtney Scott, communications director for Norman Public Schools, said their online campaign is called Power Down to Power Up. The district hopes to get students in gear to put down the phones and engage in classrooms, but also wants to be clear on what will happen and why.

Norman began considering a cell phone ban in January as suspicions about the law’s passage intensified, Scott said. Next, principals were asked what needs must be met in order to implement this policy. After collecting feedback from two student groups and a survey sent out to parents, the district began going over the law in detail, assessing the requirements and guidelines. The Norman school board approved the policy in June.

Schools Decide Discipline

The bill also requires schools to establish their own disciplinary procedures for students found using smart devices.

Oklahoma City Public Schools approved the cell phone ban on June 30 in a 5-1 vote. The lone no vote came from Mike Shelton, a former Democratic state lawmaker. Shelton said he didn’t appreciate the mandate from the Legislature and was worried about discipline being consistent throughout the district.

At Moore Public Schools, students can receive detention the third time they’re caught with a cell phone. For a first violation, the device is taken away and returned to the student at the end of the day. For a second violation, a parent is asked to retrieve the phone during school hours.

John Rex Charter School takes a different approach to discipline.

“No suspension would be involved,” Duffy said. “If we send students home that would defeat our purpose and goal of always having students present in the classroom.”

Equipment Grants Available

In the final weeks of the legislative session, lawmakers approved a $500,000 grant program to help school districts offset the costs of equipment needed to implement the ban. The grant, administered through the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, is taking applications until July 14. Districts must commit to a three-year, bell-to-bell phone ban to qualify for the grants, which will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Some districts, such as Oklahoma City Public Schools, have asked their principals and administrators to provide updates on implementation at the end of the calendar year and after spring break in 2026. Similarly, districts that received state grants for equipment such as pouches or lockers will be surveyed on how the bell-to-bell device ban is faring.

The new law allows school districts to keep or modify the bell-to-bell cell phone ban for the 2026-27 school year. Seifried and Caldwell, the bill’s authors, said they hope districts will recognize the benefits of a ban and keep it in place.

“I truly believe the overwhelming majority of districts are going to see some extremely positive results from this and parents will see the benefits not only for their kids but for the school community as a whole with improved interaction, a decrease in behavioral issues and bullying,” Caldwell said.

Seifried said discussions with district officials since the end of the session have been positive. Many superintendents and principals appreciate the law starting with a total ban, as it takes the heat off local officials.

“I’ve talked with school teachers and school board members and superintendents who said, ‘I really, really believe in this policy, but I would get eaten alive if I had to do it. We’d really like the state to be the bad guy, so to speak,’” Seifried said. “That’s why I changed my mind and went to a statewide approach.”

This article first appeared on Oklahoma Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The post Cell, no! After Two Years of Debate, Schools Get Months to Ban Phones appeared first on oklahomawatch.org

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Right

This article reports on a newly enacted Oklahoma law banning the use of cell phones and smart devices in schools during the day, with details on legislative sponsors, implementation, and school district responses. The coverage emphasizes the law’s benefits on academic focus, behavioral improvements, and reduced cyberbullying, largely reflecting perspectives from Republican lawmakers and school officials who support the ban. The tone is generally factual but highlights the positive outcomes envisioned by proponents, aligning with conservative priorities on discipline and education policy. There is minimal critique or counterbalance from opponents, aside from a brief mention of one dissenting vote, suggesting a moderate right-leaning framing.

News from the South - Oklahoma News Feed

Father of daughter killed by drunk driver shares story ahead of holiday weekend

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2025

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – KFOR Oklahoma’s News 4 – 2025-07-06 22:36:45

SUMMARY: An Oklahoma family remembers Marissa Earl, a 19-year-old University of Central Oklahoma student killed nearly five years ago by a drunk driver in a wrong-way crash. Her father, Jeff Mauro, shares their ongoing grief and warns against drinking and driving, especially ahead of the 4th of July holiday. The drunk driver, Malcolm Penny, is serving a life sentence. Jeff and his family now advocate for safer driving to prevent similar tragedies. Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers emphasize the serious consequences and urge responsible decisions, reminding that even a small amount of alcohol can be deadly behind the wheel.

Father of daughter killed by drunk driver shares story ahead of holiday weekend

Stay informed about Oklahoma news and weather! Follow KFOR News 4 on our website and social channels.

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News from the South - Oklahoma News Feed

FORECAST: Hot and humid; storms possible Sunday in Oklahoma

Published

2 days ago

July 6, 2025

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – KOCO 5 News – 2025-07-06 09:18:57

SUMMARY: Sunday in Oklahoma will be hot and humid with highs around 88°F and a 20% chance of scattered showers or thunderstorms, mainly south and east of the Oklahoma City metro. A marginal severe weather risk exists mainly northwest of the metro, with storms potentially producing hail and straight-line winds near Woodward and Alva. Storm activity is expected to increase late Sunday night into Monday morning with about a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. This pattern of scattered storms may continue through Wednesday. Thursday and Friday will be hotter, reaching mid-90s, with mostly dry conditions before slight rain chances return Friday night into the weekend.