State Government News
The Legislative session starts on Monday. What can Oklahoma afford?: Oklahoma's 60th Legislature convenes Monday with a State of the State address from Gov. Kevin Stitt that's expected to argue for further tax cuts despite lower revenue and state agencies' requests for $200 million to $300 million in additional appropriations just to break even. In laying out his priorities for the upcoming legislative session, Stitt said he plans to focus on cutting the personal income tax in Oklahoma, just like last session. [Tulsa World]
- Gov. Stitt's seventh State of the State address starts Oklahoma's legislative session [KOSU]
- When is the Oklahoma State of the State Address; What Gov. Stitt is expected to focus on [News 9]
- What to look for at the Oklahoma Capitol as legislative session is set to begin [KOCO]
- Okla. lawmakers will return to Capitol on Monday for 2025 legislative session [Fox 25]
- Oklahoma governor renews push for income tax cut in 2025 session [The Journal Record]
- Your Vote Counts: Oklahoma's legislative session begins with Governor Kevin Stitt's agenda [News 9]
- Opinion, Capitol Insider: Stitt calls for more tax cuts and path to zero individual income tax [KGOU]
- From OK Policy: FACT CHECK: How would the governor's proposal to cut, eliminate personal income tax affect Oklahoma?
Why Oklahoma Gov. Stitt supports Trump's deportation policies: As talks of deporting illegal immigrants ramp up at the federal level, the issue has sparked support from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and concern from the state's Legislative Latino Caucus. [The Journal Record]
- Hundreds protest Trump's immigration orders at Scissortail Park [KOCO]
Oklahoma emergency child care rules spark concerns over funding cut: The Oklahoma Child Care Services (CCS) division is attempting to implement "emergency rules" rather than having a bill sent to committee. The goal is to help fix a budget deficit in the state agency, but child care center owners and families are concerned because the decrease in funding has a widespread effect. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Ryan Kiesel, KOSU commentator, lawyer and former lawmaker, dies at 45: Ryan Kiesel, a civil rights lawyer, former Oklahoma state lawmaker, political consultant and KOSU commentator, died Friday at the age of 45 following a long battle with cancer. [KOSU]
- 'He always stayed true to his principles': Attorney Ryan Kiesel dies at 45 [NonDoc]
Opinion: Oklahoma's Silly Season brings militia and cockfights: With the legislative session launching Monday, the Silly Season is in full swing: Public policy trial balloons fill the sky – some worthy of serious exploration, others so inane they are destined to be afloat mere days, if not hours. It would be a mistake, though, to simply tune out the wackadoodle ideas, if for no other reason than they provide voters a glimpse into the thinking (?) of some of their elected leaders. [Arnold Hamiton / The Journal Record]
Opinion: Oklahoma lawmakers can lack common sense during the legislative session, so I'm offering some tips: As the Legislature officially begins again, and I feel a renewed, if naive, hopefulness that this session will be better than the last. And maybe – just maybe – we'll get some needed policy reforms across the finish line. So to help our legislators prioritize the right things, here's a list of common-sense approaches that they could take to actually make our state a better place. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
Trump orders Education Department to guide states on use of federal funds for school choice: President Trump signed executive orders last week that prioritize school choice funding and seek to end what the administration sees as "radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling." One executive order directs the U.S. Education Department secretary "to issue guidance regarding how States can use Federal formula funds" to support K-12 school choice initiatives within the next two months. [Oklahoma Voice]
Get rid of FEMA? Trump-appointed group to look at shifting disaster response to states: Governors and state legislatures may have to bolster their natural disaster response and recovery efforts in the coming years as President Donald Trump looks for ways to shift the federal government's role onto states. Trump, who proposed doing away with the Federal Emergency Management Agency altogether while on a tour of disaster scenes in North Carolina and California, has since established a 20-member committee via executive order to review the agency and propose ways to overhaul its work. [Oklahoma Voice]
Trump executive order blurs future of Oklahoma's electric vehicle charging plans: The state anticipated about $66 million over five years to implement more charging infrastructure for the thousands of electric vehicles on Oklahoma roads. [KGOU]
Pride puppies and a charter school: a look at the blockbuster religion cases at the Supreme Court: The Supreme Court cases include a blockbuster about religious charter schools. Are advocates for religious rights aggressively trying to get more cases to the justices to build on their momentum? [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Osages, state temporarily extend tobacco compact: A second Tulsa-area Oklahoma Tribe has signed a temporary extension to its tobacco compact with the state. According to documents filed Thursday with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, the Osage Nation and state of Oklahoma have signed an agreement to keep the current compact in effect through March 31. [Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Candidates for Oklahoma City School Board chair weigh in on how to improve student outcomes: Voters have less than 10 days before they select the next chair of the Oklahoma City School Board. The chair works directly with the district superintendent, helping direct the path forward for Oklahoma City Public Schools. [KOCO]
Norman mayoral debate: Holman, Mulinix differ from Heikkila on homeless shelter: In a debate Thursday, Norman's three mayoral candidates diverged on how to deal with the city's recent rise in homelessness, but they found common ground supporting a commuter rail line to OKC and opposing a turnpike set to cut through the eastern part of the city. [NonDoc]
Opinion: SQ 836 is the key to fair elections and voter participation: If an independent voter cannot participate in a primary election, and cannot cast a meaningful vote in November, they have been effectively disenfranchised. Adding insult to injury, their taxpayer dollars are funding the primary elections they have been excluded from – the modern incarnation of taxation without representation. State Question 836, a new ballot initiative, proposes to fix this by putting every candidate in every party (or no party) on one primary election ballot. [Louise Short / The Journal Record]
Education News
OSDE investigating alleged abuse at Hugo Public Schools: The Oklahoma State Department of Education is investigating allegations of abuse at the Hugo School District, according to a press release sent out Saturday afternoon. [KFOR]
- Hugo school superintendent says 5 employees are on leave as Walters' agency investigates [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa Public Schools tells parents it does not ask about immigration status: Despite a proposed administrative rule to the contrary, officials with Tulsa Public Schools said Friday that the state's largest school district does not collect information about the citizenship status of students or families. [Tulsa World]
Health News
Race and place contributes to shorter lives, research suggests: There's growing evidence that some American demographic groups need more help than others to live longer, healthier lives. The data illustrates how Americans' life expectancy differs based not only on race, but also on geography. [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: Donald Trump stripped my son of his rights and dignity. America shrugged: The overwhelming medical consensus now is gender dysphoria should be treated with supportive counseling and medical treatment to allow patients to live fulfilling lives, as so many trans adults do. [Jennifer Riley / The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Despite Growing Homelessness, Oklahoma Lawmakers Look to Punitive Measures: Recent Point in Time counts revealed a 25% increase in homelessness from 2023 to 2024 in Oklahoma. During that period, coalitions of service providers have actively been rehousing people experiencing homelessness, but rising rents, shortages in low-income housing and growing eviction rates slash hope this year's count will drop. If proposed legislation is an indication, some Oklahoma lawmakers plan to spend session time peddling bills aimed at penalizing the more than 4,000 Oklahomans experiencing homelessness in their own communities. [Oklahoma Watch]
Economy & Business News
New transmission line would link Tulsa with massive new generation capacity: Builders of a planned electric transmission line that would connect the Tulsa area to a massive wind farm under development west of Guymon say they've acquired 60% of the necessary easements along the 375-mile path, despite recent resistance from renewable energy foes and property rights activists. [Tulsa World]
Community News
OK lawmakers, ACLU host rally to educate the community on immigrant rights: Saturday, state lawmakers, community leaders and the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma held a rally to educate the community on immigrant rights. [KFOR]
Opinion: BerThaddaeus Bailey on Tulsa's Future: Laying the foundation for lifelong learning: The future is bright. Even in the face of challenges, I see the change happening. Barbershops, churches and community spaces are stepping up to encourage literacy. Mentorship organizations are aligning their efforts with educational success. Tulsa is shifting, not just acknowledging the struggles young Black boys face but actively working with them to create solutions. I want these boys to have the freedom to live where they want to live, drive what they want to drive and define success on their own terms. [BerThaddaeus Bailey / Tulsa World]
Backlash for Catholic Charities' empathy toward immigrants is bigoted: To Catholics calling for the demise of Catholic Charities, shame on you. The organization's mission is 'to make Christ's love for all human beings a visible and living reality for those in need.' [Clytie Bunyan / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: 'DEI' has been co-opted for political gain but its principles are common sense: It's a lot easier to say, "I'm against DEI," or "I support DEI," than to think about what the words mean ― Diversity. Equity. Inclusion ― or to dig into the really complex problem of trying to figure out the best way to make our society what most of us say we want it to be: one that treats all people with acceptance, kindness and fairness. [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa County commissioner proposes Office of Government Efficiency and Transparency [Tulsa World]
