Today’s Bible verse
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7
Final OG&E, PSO Brief Filed with OK Supreme Court
OKLAHOMA CITY – On the fifth anniversary of February 2021’s Winter Storm “Uri,” appeals challenging more than $1.4 billion in bonds and $377 million in rate increases impacting the customers of electric utility companies OG&E and Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) are now in the hands of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Tuesday, Reps. Tom Gann, R-Inola, Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rick West, R-Heavener, filed the final brief in their appeal of a 2025 Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) order approving a $127 million rate increase for OG&E without a CPA-led audit of the utility’s 2021 Winter Storm “Uri” bonds. The lawmakers’ OG&E appeal was made a “companion case” with a similar appeal Rep. Gann filed challenging bonds and $250 million in rate increases for PSO, meaning the Court intends to consider the two appeals together. Now that all the briefs have been filed, a decision could come at any time.
“We have asked the court for a lot,” Kevin West said. “We not only asked the justices to overturn the OCC’s rate increases and orders authorizing OG&E and PSO’s 2021 Winter Storm ‘Uri’ bonds. We have asked the court to require the OCC to follow state ethics rules and to follow state laws that require audits to be conducted by licensed CPAs.”
Another brief the representatives filed on Dec. 18, 2025, in a related appeal alleged the OCC had allowed an employee believed to have dropped out of college as a sophomore to perform required audits of utility companies collectively worth more than a billion dollars, including in the challenged OG&E and PSO rate cases.
“The OCC’s past violations of the law have far-reaching consequences, especially since they are ongoing, impacting current cases,” said Gann, who has seven more OCC utility case appeals pending at the Supreme Court, challenging some $11 billion in utility charges by ONG, OG&E and PSO. All were approved by the OCC with votes by embattled OCC Commissioner Todd Hiett.
Gann, West and West’s appeals accuse the OCC of violating ratepayers’ due process rights by permitting Commissioner Hiett to participate. OG&E and PSO were represented in these cases by attorneys who hosted a 2023 party where Hiett allegedly sexually harassed two female OCC employees and drove home drunk. The lawmakers argue that state ethics rules prohibit Hiett from participating in OCC cases involving victims/witnesses of his alleged criminal conduct. Although the Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against Hiett in May 2025, the representatives’ appeal asks the Supreme Court to review its interpretation of the law.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who statutorily represents ratepayers in utility cases before the OCC and Supreme Court, defended Hiett’s participation in a brief the AG filed on January 27, 2026. “Parties to legislative rate cases are not entitled to due process,” the attorney general wrote [on page 31]. An earlier motion by the attorney general to dismiss the lawmakers’ OG&E and PSO rate case appeals was denied by the Supreme Court.
“The court could choose to address all the OCC’s violations of law in these first two appeals, or just some or none,” Gann said. “The more issues it tackles now, the longer it will probably take to get a decision. But the clearer the court is in its first decision about which laws the OCC is required to follow, the fewer appeals it will ultimately have to decide.”
Oklahoma utilities PSO, OG&E, ONG and CenterPoint/Summit paid some of the highest natural gas prices in U.S. history during the two-week “Uri” cold snap in February 2021, incurring some $2.8 billion in debt. Interest and other expenses added another $2 billion, bringing the total cost of the winter storm bonds being paid by Oklahoma utility customers close to $5 billion.
Payments for OG&E and PSO’s bonds have been collected as “Winter Event Securitization” and “Winter Storm Cost Recovery” charges on the monthly bills of their customers since the bonds were issued in 2022. Those bond payments are scheduled to continue for another two decades and are required to be audited as part of the utilities’ rate cases. The representatives say that hasn’t happened.
The lawmakers’ “reply” brief filed Tuesday addresses arguments made by OG&E, the OCC and the attorney general in defense of the challenged rate increase order and winter storm bonds. All three defense briefs argue that the OCC’s Public Utility Division audits do not have to be performed by licensed CPAs.
“This Court should reject Appellants’ [Gann, West and West’s] contention that all rate-case audits must comply with the Oklahoma Accountancy Act and uphold the [OCC’s] Final Order as proper,” the attorney general wrote in his January 27 brief [page 19].
“Imagine the consequences of that,” said Rick West. “Imagine the financial chaos that would break out across state government if the court says it’s okay for state agencies to make up their own definition of “audit” and allow any staffer to do them, the way the OCC did. The Department of Mental Health would be a drop in the bucket compared to what would happen next.”
The lawmakers are optimistic about their appeals, believing both the law and the facts are overwhelmingly on their side. “This matter is urgent,” the representatives’ brief tells the court. “Having already paid hundreds of millions of dollars of these illegitimate charges, these utilities’ captive customers have suffered enough.”
Reps. Gann, West and West’s newest “reply” brief can be read online here:
Second week of session
By Rep. RICK WEST
The second week of the legislative session proved as busy as the first, with dozens of bills being heard in House policy committees and Appropriations and Budget subcommittees.
I passed my House Bill 2963 in the Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee. This bill would remove the requirement that homeschoolers or students attending a non-accredited school receive a 22 on the ACT in order to qualify for the Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship. This is not a requirement for students in traditional public schools. and frankly its discriminatory. If a college accepts these students, and they otherwise would qualify for this scholarship, we shouldn’t place an additional barrier in their path.
House Bill 2964 passed the Public Health Committee. This is a constituent request from a gentleman who went to obtain his medical records and found he was being charged for each page and each X-Ray. He talked to the hospital and realized state statute says a patient shall be charged. This would change that to may.
House Bill 3431, would ensure that foreign adversaries could not only own land in the state of Oklahoma, but they would not be able to own rare earth or critical mineral rights either. This bill passed the State Powers Committee.
A reminder that bills have to pass both policy and oversight committees before the majority floor leader’s team decides if they will be heard on the House floor. These bills still have a long way to go in the legislative process.
I also had a page in my Capitol office for the week. Gavyn Muncrief is a junior at Pocola High School. He’s the son of Zac and Adrian Muncrief. Gavyn serves on his school’s Student Council and says one of his proudest achievements was helping to overturn a vote to remove the school’s library. After high school, he hopes to attend Sacred Heart University to major in public policy and Catholic studies. He said he eventually would like to become a U.S. Senator. I wish him all the best.
On a final note, I wanted to share an update I recently received from Anthony Echelle with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation regarding a few projects in our area.
On U.S. Highway 59, from State Highway 9 to Sunset Corners, the Transportation Commission on Feb. 2, awarded the final contract to complete the five-lane surfacing to Duit Construction Company for just over $33 million. Construction is scheduled to begin later this spring and take around a year to complete. This is combined with the recently completed $21 million grading and bridge project. The total construction costs for the 5.7-mile highway widening will be around $54 million.
On State Highway 112 over the Poteau River, two new bridges will be constructed at a cost of $18 million. One bridge will be westbound, the other eastbound. The project also will extend the four-lane highway about 1.5 miles to connect with the new bridges. This work is around 25 percent complete and should be completed in mid-2027.
Remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.
As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at [email protected].
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
Oklahoma market report
Oklahoma market report for this week.
Near record-highs expected Wednesday
Weather forecast for Wednesday is for partly cloudy skies and near record-temperatures for Heavener, LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
The high is forecast to be 76 degrees with a low of 56 degrees.
Sunrise was 7 a.m. Sunset is 6:04 p.m.
Tuesday’s high was 71 with a low of 62. No rain was recorded, leaving the monthly total at 2.97 inches. Average rainfall for February is 2.90 inches.
Average temperatures for Feb. 17 are a high of 56 and low of 27. Records for the date were a high of 79 in 1986 and a low of 13 in 1978.
Calendar of events
Calendar of events for the next week for Heavener, LeFlore County, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. The calendar is a free service for our readers. If you know of an event coming up, please CONTACT me.
Wednesday
Blood drive at Heavener High School
Poteau Rotary Club meets noon EOMC
Celebration of life service for Dora Lee Thompson
Thursday
Poteau Kiwanis Club meets noon EOMC
Heavener VFW bingo 6
HUA and city council meet 6 p.m.
High school basketball: Regional tournaments for Class A and B schools; Coalgate at Panama, Wilburton at Pocola, Porter at Howe district tournaments.
Friday
High school basketball: Heavener at Spiro (3A district); Regional tournaments for Class A and B schools
Saturday
Mary Elizabeth Morris funeral service
Daddy/daughter dance at Heavener School
Regional tournaments for Class A and B schools; Poteau at Muldrow Class 4A district tournament.
Sunday
Monday
LeFlore County commissioners meet 9 a.m.
Tuesday
High school basketball: winner’s bracket regionals for 2A, 3A and 4A schools
Poteau Evening Lions Club meet 6 p.m. CASC
Spring landscape cleanup begins with smart pruning
By Trisha Gedon
STILLWATER – Gardeners in Oklahoma are eager to get their landscapes looking good, and pruning their trees and shrubs is one way to get started.
Pruning not only is an essential maintenance practice, but it also enhances the beauty of the trees and shrubs, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist.
“Pruning is definitely important not only from an aesthetics standpoint – it’s important for plant health, too,” he said. “However, gardeners must remember that improper pruning can destroy the natural beauty of a tree or shrub. It can also reduce the tree or shrub’s landscape potential by weakening it, which makes the plants susceptible to various maladies.”
Pruning most often involves removing plant parts that are no longer effective or useful to the plant. This helps redirect additional energy toward the development of flowers, fruits, foliage, and the remaining limbs.
The necessity for pruning can be reduced or eliminated by selecting the proper plant for the location. Plants that may grow too large for the site will require pruning to keep them within the space, altering the original intent and potentially making them unsightly or weak with age. Instead, gardeners should choose a smaller-growing tree or shrub.
When should pruning take place? Homeowners can prune at any time of year; however, there are times when pruning is better for certain plants. Pruning at the wrong time of year won’t kill the plants, but it can result in damaged or weakened plants.
Don’t prune at planting, as young trees need all the stored energy for proper establishment. Don’t prune to balance the roots and crown. Once the trees are established, take time to examine them thoroughly for pruning requirements. Don’t let trees and shrubs get overgrown, as this can lead to the need for drastic pruning. If trees are trained properly when young, they typically need little pruning later on.
Spring-flowering trees, shrubs and vines shouldn’t be pruned right now. Wait until the flowers have bloomed and faded. Pruning now would remove flower buds, destroying the spring flowering display. Some plants that fall into this category include crabapple, flowering quince, forsythia, viburnum and wisteria, to name a few.
The blooms of summer-flowering shrubs, trees, and vines appear on limbs produced that season. Therefore, these may be pruned in the early spring or fall. Rose-of-Sharon, butterfly bush and glossy abelia fall into this category.
“If your landscape has evergreen plants, they need to be pruned to control their shape and size, as well as to remove dead, diseased or damaged limbs,” Hillock said. “Remove old branches to allow for new growth. These plants are good landscape choices because they usually require less pruning than deciduous trees and shrubs.”
Make sure pruning tools are sharp and in good condition. Essential tools include lopping shears, a hand pruner, a folding saw for tight spaces, a bow saw, and leather gloves. Be sure to wear eye protection, too. Clean the tools after use to help keep them in good condition.
“Pruning is one of those gardening chores that can make a big difference in the aesthetics of the landscape,” he said. “Just make sure it is done properly and at the right time.”
OSU Extension offers more gardening information online.
OSU Extension uses research-based information to help all Oklahomans solve local issues and concerns, promote leadership and manage resources wisely throughout the state’s 77 counties. Most information is available at little to no cost.
Bass Pro Shops to hold hiring event
Bass Pro Shops is looking to hire more than 150 full-time and part-time outfitters across all departments for the new store in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The retailer will host a hiring event at Freedom Farms March 4 and March 5, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friendly individuals who want to share their passion for the outdoors are encouraged to apply in advance by visiting basspro.com/careers and selecting the Fort Smith location. After applying online, applicants should attend the hiring event, where on-site interviews will be conducted.
WHEN: March 4 and 5, 2026, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Freedom Farms300 Akkineni CirBarling, AR 72923MORE INFO:Bass Pro Shops is recognized for providing genuine, friendly expert service. For the fourth consecutive year in 2025, Bass Pro Shops has been recognized as the leading outdoor retailer on Newsweek’s “America’s Best Retailers” list. Additionally, the company was named one of “America’s Most Admired Workplaces 2025” by Newsweek.
Team member benefits include:
Merchandise discounts up to 50 percent off
Competitive wages, holiday and vacation pay
Health, dental and life insurance programs for eligible team members
Today in history
1885
Mark Twain publishes “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
On February 18, 1885, Mark Twain publishes his famous—and famously controversial—novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in the U.S. Twain (the pen name of Samuel Clemens) first introduced Huck Finn as the best friend of Tom Sawyer, hero of his tremendously successful novel The Adventures of Tom... read more
19th Century
1878
Arts & Entertainment
1929
1959
Cold War
1967
Crime
2003
2011
Inventions & Science
1930
Sports
2001
2006
U.S. Government and Politics
2010
World War II
1943
Follow The HIS
Mary Elizabeth Morris service set
Mary Elizabeth Morris was born on Feb. 4, 1934 in Wister to Eula (Evans) Hall and Richard Hall and passed away on Feb. 14, 2026, at the age of 92 in Wister.
Funeral service is 1 p.m. Saturday at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau with Gus Calvo officiating. Burial will follow at Maxey Cemetery in Wister, under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau.
Survivors are a son, Darrell, of the home; grandson, Brett Morris of Wister; granddaughter, Audrey Drennan, of Denver, Colorado.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, James Morris; son, Gordon Morris; daughter Elizabeth Morris; sisters Melba Wadsworth and Elaine Matts.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.
Dora Lee Thompson death notice
Dora Lee Thompson, 89, was born on June 25, 1936, in Reichert
Survivors are her children Scott Thompson and wife Sheri of Bates, Arkansas, and Eric Thompson and wife Nonie of Waldron, Arkansas; stepson Earl Wayne Thompson and wife Barbara of Bates; stepdaughters Pam Payne and husband Lewis of Waldron, and Karen Parish and husband Russell of Mansfield, Arkansas; grandchildren: Rusty (Amber) Craig, Clint Scott, Justin Thompson, Brooke (John) Batchelor, Hali (Kyle) Baker, Hannah (Eli) Scantling, Laramie (Karley) Thompson, Catherine Thompson, Jennifer (Zach) Lynch, Kerri (Ben Blake) Thompson, Sada (Jeremy) Wilson, Jon (Becky) Clopton, Chelsey Gryner, Colton (Kacey) Clopton, Daniel Gillenwater, Josh Gillenwater, Kimberly (Matthew) Nichols and July Parish; great grandchildren; great great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Samson and Edith White; husband, Earl D. Thompson; daughters Billie Scott and Randa Savage; brothers R.O. White and Pete White; sisters Lois Burton and Dorothy Fry; and great grandchildren Josiah Batchelor and Reese Scantling.
A celebration of life is 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.
Pallbearers are Rusty Craig, Clint Scott, Justin Thompson and Laramie Thompson. Honorary pallbearers are grandchildren.