Sheila Dills (born July 10, 1967) is an American politician who served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 69th district from 2018 to 2022.[1][2]
Sheila Dills | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Majority Caucus Chair of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| In office November 2020 – November 16, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Tammy West |
| Assistant Majority Floor Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – November 2020 | |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 69th district | |
| In office November 15, 2018 – November 16, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Chuck Strohm |
| Succeeded by | Mark Tedford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 10, 1967 |
| Political party | Republican |
Dills plans to retire from the Oklahoma House at the end of her term in 2022.[3]
Career
edit57th Oklahoma Legislature
editDills was the author of House Bill 1395 (2019) "Virtual Charter Financial Transparency", which became law, and makes charter schools in Oklahoma itemize out spending to the state educational committees.[4][5] Dills later stated that during the passage of House Bill 1395 she was forced to meet with Epic Charter Schools co-founder Ben Harris. While Harris agreed to the language in the bill, its requirements would later lead to his arrest for falsifying invoices required by the bill.[6]
58th Oklahoma Legislature
editDills authored House Bill 1735 (2021), which died in committee, to increase oversight of charters schools and education management organizations.[7]
Dills was a supporter of Senate Bill 2 (2021), a controversial transphobic sports bill,[8] and Oklahoma Senate Bill 1100, which banned non-binary gender markers on birth certificates.[9]
Retirement
editDills announced she would retire and not seek re-election in 2022. After announcing her retirement, she told the Tulsa World "The culture (of the Legislature) is ridiculous. The people of Oklahoma are getting ripped off big time. … It’s a disgusting environment.”[6]
In January 2024, she opened the Patisserie by Sheila Anne, a French bakery in Jenks, Oklahoma.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Representative Sheila Dills". Okhouse.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
- ^ "Dills wins House District 69 re-election in dominating fashion". Jenkstribune.com. 2020-07-01. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
- ^ Krehbiel, Randy (24 April 2022). "'New' legislator wins state House seat just by filing". Tulsa World. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
- ^ Eger, Andrea. "Charter schools slapped with new $10.5 million penalty by state Education Department". KAKE ABC. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ "Virtual charter financial transparency bill heads to Governor". Oklahoma Senate Press Releases. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ a b Hoberock, Barbara; Krehbiel, Randy (26 June 2022). "Lawmakers say widespread political donations made addressing Epic issues difficult". Tulsa World. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ Palmer, Jennifer. "Update on Education Bills to Watch". Oklahoma Watch. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ Skarky, Brent. "Controversial Oklahoma Senate transgender sports bill could cost state millions". KAKE TV. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ Kimberly Kindy (30 April 2022). "Okla. stakes out new battleground on LGBTQ rights: Birth certificates". The Washington Post. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ Watts Jr, James D. (26 January 2024). "Former legislator brings passion for French pastries to Jenks". Tulsa World. Retrieved 28 January 2024.