Santa Sam: The USDA announced week that Oklahoma will receive $554.8 million in loans and grants for rural electrification and water infrastructure.
The largest share, $234.7 million, is headed to Western Farmers Electric Cooperative. The East Central Electric Cooperative, whose service area includes southern Tulsa County, Okmulgee County and eastern Creek County, is getting $178.8 million.
Separately, Oklahoma is receiving $20.3 million from the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief program, including $14.6 million for repairs stemming from the April 2019 floods.
Also, the Veterans Administration granted $1.35 million to state-run veterans centers in Claremore, Clinton, Sulphur and Talihina. The money will be used to replace emergency generators at the sites.
Bottom lines: U.S. Sens. James Lankford and Jim Inhofe signed onto an amicus brief in a lawsuit trying to block Biden administration efforts to coerce states into requiring cleaner electric generation. … Inhofe and Lankford are also among Republicans trying to keep two dozen Navy SEALS from being discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccination. … First District Congressman Kevin Hern and the 5th District’s Stephanie Bice were among a host of Republicans complaining to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo about duties on Canadian lumber products. … Lankford hailed the Biden administration’s decision to finish work on barriers in a half-dozen border cities, including San Diego, Tucson and El Paso. … Oklahoma ranked in the middle of the pack of the Tax Foundation’s annual Business Tax Climate Index, and was particularly dinged for high sales tax rates. … A Hern fundraising flier proclaims the “Democrats are once again trying to ruin Christmas.”
