- Welcome to The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow.
Recent posts
#71
Local & State Politics / Re: 10 Commandments to go on S...
Last post by patric - February 20, 2025, 01:53:07 PMA bill that proposed to erect monuments to the Ten Commandments at the Oklahoma Capitol failed to advance through the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Senate Bill 380 proposed to display monuments to the Ten Commandments both inside and outside the Capitol. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, who authored the measure, said donated funds would have been used to design the monuments and set them in place.
In 2015, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against a Ten Commandments monument that previously had been displayed at the Capitol, citing the Blaine Amendment in the Oklahoma Constitution, which prohibits the use of public funds or property to promote a religion. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, too, includes a clause prohibiting the government from establishing a religion or favoring one religion over another.
In 2016, Oklahomans voted to reject State Question 790, which would have repealed the Blaine Amendment and allowed for restoration of the monument on the Capitol grounds.
Committee Chairman Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, said recent history has shown, too, that Oklahomans would prefer for the state to refrain from any endorsement of a particular religion. He noted that Oklahomans opted not to repeal the Blaine Amendment by a 57% to 43% vote.
"We cannot favor one religion over another. ... I think that this still is furtherance of an unconstitutional matter that has been ruled on, and I worry about what further doors this will open if we advance this," Howard said.
https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/new-ten-commandments-monument-bill-fails-to-advance/article_c1c7b284-ef18-11ef-9fe8-6ba668b3ffd4.html
In 2015, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled against a Ten Commandments monument that previously had been displayed at the Capitol, citing the Blaine Amendment in the Oklahoma Constitution, which prohibits the use of public funds or property to promote a religion. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, too, includes a clause prohibiting the government from establishing a religion or favoring one religion over another.
In 2016, Oklahomans voted to reject State Question 790, which would have repealed the Blaine Amendment and allowed for restoration of the monument on the Capitol grounds.
Committee Chairman Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, said recent history has shown, too, that Oklahomans would prefer for the state to refrain from any endorsement of a particular religion. He noted that Oklahomans opted not to repeal the Blaine Amendment by a 57% to 43% vote.
"We cannot favor one religion over another. ... I think that this still is furtherance of an unconstitutional matter that has been ruled on, and I worry about what further doors this will open if we advance this," Howard said.
https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/new-ten-commandments-monument-bill-fails-to-advance/article_c1c7b284-ef18-11ef-9fe8-6ba668b3ffd4.html
#72
Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter
Last post by dbacksfan 2.0 - February 19, 2025, 07:51:00 PMQuote from: whoatown on February 19, 2025, 02:09:18 PMhttps://citizenwatchreport.com/the-ntsbs-black-box-data-just-confirmed-what-we-all-feared-this-crash-wasnt-just-bad-luck/
Blackbox recovered from blackhawk.
Anything from altimeter malfunction to night goggles limiting vision.
Commercial jet tries unsuccessfully to make effective evasive manuever.
#73
Other Tulsa Discussion / Re: Another Police Helicopter
Last post by whoatown - February 19, 2025, 02:09:18 PMhttps://citizenwatchreport.com/the-ntsbs-black-box-data-just-confirmed-what-we-all-feared-this-crash-wasnt-just-bad-luck/
Blackbox recovered from blackhawk.
Anything from altimeter malfunction to night goggles limiting vision.
Commercial jet tries unsuccessfully to make effective evasive manuever.
Blackbox recovered from blackhawk.
Anything from altimeter malfunction to night goggles limiting vision.
Commercial jet tries unsuccessfully to make effective evasive manuever.
#74
Development & New Businesses / Re: Massive new car factory fo...
Last post by kvanover - February 19, 2025, 10:32:15 AMI can say that this had nothing to do with their decision. It had more to do with the incentive package they received from Kansas. In fact we were considered for the second plant until the EV market softened too much for a second facility to be warranted.
#75
Development & New Businesses / Re: Solar wafer manufacturing ...
Last post by SXSW - February 18, 2025, 10:46:14 PMEverything I've heard is that it's still happening and will break ground this year. This and LTCS which just started construction on its new larger facility at TIA will bring over 800 new engineering/manufacturing jobs to Tulsa over the next 3-5 years.
#76
Development & New Businesses / Re: Downtown Midtown Adult Sup...
Last post by SXSW - February 18, 2025, 10:42:11 PMEliot Nelson is also involved in the Rose Pawn building on the same block. Not sure how he keeps up with everything he owns/develops. This combined with the new building by the Blue Dome and renovation of the Dome itself will be a major upgrade for this stretch of Elgin.
#77
Development & New Businesses / Re: Hodges Bend
Last post by SXSW - February 18, 2025, 10:38:33 PMQuote from: Urban Enthusiast on February 18, 2025, 05:27:18 PMHas there been any movement on these two projects to your knowledge?
Yes but it's not moving very fast. Chip/Noah are currently focused on getting their Cherry Street restaurants up and running.
#78
Development & New Businesses / Re: $173MM Veterans Administra...
Last post by swake - February 18, 2025, 06:01:38 PMQuote from: Urban Enthusiast on February 18, 2025, 05:33:43 PMThey are making good progress on many of these buildings. As far as I can tell the parking garage at 11th and Houston is topped out and likely nearing completion. The shorter of the two existing state buildings has a new facade and they've got a good start on the far northwest building along Lawton (at least I think it's the foundation/building base. It could also just be a retaining wall that I've seen being built).
The far northwest building is the new mental health hospital. These projects together total over $430 million.
#79
Development & New Businesses / Re: Solar wafer manufacturing ...
Last post by patric - February 18, 2025, 05:59:29 PMQuote from: Urban Enthusiast on February 18, 2025, 05:23:37 PMI wonder if this will ever come to fruition? I sort of doubt it. It seems none of the "big" developments ever seem to materialize.
It still might stand a chance as long as the legislature doesnt run them off for supporting pride week ;-)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/business/2025/02/14/ryan-walters-news-oklahoma-far-right-politics-impacts-business/78532529007/
#80
Development & New Businesses / Re: Downtown Development Overv...
Last post by Urban Enthusiast - February 18, 2025, 05:42:31 PMWestern Supply is really coming along nicely. I hope to get over there sometime and take some pictures. In the meantime, I did notice that GKFF had some pics on their website.