A discussion of the week's news from Oklahoma's State Capitol between KGOU Public Radio's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley, plus interviews with newsmakers.
2024 Oklahoma Legislative Regular Session begins
Lawmakers are returning to the State Capitol on Monday to convene the new regular legislative session and hear the governor's State of the State Address.
2/2/2024 • 5 minutes, 52 seconds
Special session begins as lawmakers consider individual income tax cut
House and Senate leaders take differing views on Governor Kevin Stitt's special session call to cut the individual income tax rate.
1/27/2024 • 5 minutes, 46 seconds
Call for special session gets cool reception
Governor Kevin Stitt wants legislators to convene a special session to cut the state's income tax rate before the regular legislative session begins on February 5.
1/19/2024 • 5 minutes, 46 seconds
Five Tribes refuse to participate in governor's McGirt task force
The Five Civilized Tribes have rejected an invitation to serve on a task force created to address Governor Stitt's concerns about the impact of the McGirt decision.
1/12/2024 • 5 minutes, 42 seconds
Lawmakers to appropriate $13.9 Billion in next state budget
When they return to the Capitol in February, Oklahoma legislators will have $1.3 Billion more to appropriate in the fiscal year 2025 budget than they did last year.
1/5/2024 • 5 minutes, 46 seconds
Top Ten Oklahoma Stories of 2023, Part 2
We close out 2023 with our Capitol Insider Top Ten Oklahoma Stories of the year. This segment, Part 2, highlights stories five through one.
12/29/2023 • 6 minutes, 18 seconds
Top Ten Oklahoma stories of 2023, Part 1
We close the year with the top ten Oklahoma stories of 2023, as reported and discussed each week on Capitol Insider. This segment, Part 1, looks at stories ten through six.
12/22/2023 • 6 minutes, 23 seconds
Stitt takes aim at DEI programs through executive order
Governor Kevin Stitt has signed a new executive order to limit diversity, equity and inclusion practices and programs at state agencies and higher education institutions.
12/15/2023 • 4 minutes, 12 seconds
Senate leader attempts to make state budget process more transparent
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has announced a plan to make the state's budget and appropriations process more transparent during the 2024 legislative session.
12/8/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 seconds
Application period pushed back for new private school tax credits
The Oklahoma Tax Commission has delayed for a few days the application period for parents to apply for income tax credits to send their children to private schools.
12/1/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 seconds
Looking ahead to the 2024 elections
Less than a year remains before the 2024 general election. We talk to Oklahoma Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax about preparations for statewide voting next year.
11/24/2023 • 8 minutes, 27 seconds
New Oklahoma anti-abortion laws on hold
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has enjoined implementation of three Oklahoma anti-abortion laws from 2021 following a legal challenge.
11/17/2023 • 5 minutes, 54 seconds
Legislators study state-tribal compacts
Lawmakers heard from tribal leaders during a two-day interim study looking at compacts between the State of Oklahoma and sovereign Native American nations.
11/10/2023 • 5 minutes, 49 seconds
New laws hit the books as calendar turns to November
On November 1st, more than 200 bills became law in Oklahoma. We talk about a few of them this week on Capitol Insider.
11/3/2023 • 5 minutes, 54 seconds
Schools stymied in effort to change sex and gender records of students
The State Board of Education has ruled against two school districts complying with a court order to change sex and gender designation on records of certain students.
10/27/2023 • 5 minutes, 18 seconds
Supreme Court to hear tax case that prompted special session
A key element of Governor Kevin Stitt's call for a special session is going before the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the decision could have a dramatic impact on taxes.
10/20/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 seconds
Just what is an interim study...and why should we care?
As legislators consider issues and possible legislation during interim studies, we thought it would be a good idea to discuss what they are and what to watch for.
10/13/2023 • 5 minutes, 52 seconds
Special session in limbo after Senate adjourns Sine die
As the House and Senate returned for a special session, Governor Kevin Stitt pushed for tax cuts. But, the special session abruptly paused when the Senate adjourned.
10/6/2023 • 5 minutes, 52 seconds
State Board of Education seeks less school funding for year ahead
The State Board of Education announces a new program focusing on four key areas of instruction as it submits budget request to the state legislature for fiscal year 2025.
9/29/2023 • 5 minutes, 52 seconds
Attorney General questions Ethics Commission open meeting law compliance
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond tells the Ethics Commission it may have violated the state's Open Meeting Act during its search for a new executive director.
9/22/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 seconds
Stitt calls legislature back for special session in October
Oklahoma legislators will be heading back to the state Capitol again this fall to consider three items on Governor Kevin Stitt's agenda.
9/15/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 seconds
Slowing Oklahoma economy reflected in declining state revenue collections
State Treasurer Todd Russ reported Thursday that the state's total revenue collections for the month of August were down $121.8 million, or 8.9%, compared to the same month one year ago. Gross production tax collections on oil and natural gas were responsible for the largest part of the decline.
9/8/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 seconds
House Democrats push for committee to explore Walters impeachment
The House Democratic Caucus is seeking formation of a committee to investigate State Superintendent Ryan Walters and consider whether impeachment is warranted.
9/1/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 seconds
State works to provide relief from heat
As temperatures continue to hover around the century mark, the stress is showing in various ways. Efforts are underway to help mitigate effects of the extreme heat.
8/25/2023 • 5 minutes, 46 seconds
Oklahoma Broadband Office seeks input and expansion of service
Reliable broadband service is essential in today's world, and we discuss Oklahoma's plan for improving access with the new executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office.
8/18/2023 • 7 minutes, 46 seconds
Lawmakers begin work for 2024 legislative session
With the special session over, Oklahoma lawmakers are now turning their attention to matters that may make it into bills introduced during the 2024 legislative session.
8/11/2023 • 5 minutes, 46 seconds
Lawsuit filed in gubernatorial-legislative dispute over tribal compacts
After two vetoes are overridden, Governor Kevin Stitt asks the Oklahoma Supreme Court for ruling on whether the legislature has authority over state-tribal compacts.
8/4/2023 • 5 minutes, 47 seconds
State-tribal compacts spark legislative action and controversy
As the special session nears an end, conflict over state-tribal compacts arises, involving the legislature, governor, attorney general, and prominent tribal nations.
7/28/2023 • 5 minutes, 48 seconds
New group seeks changes in Oklahoma closed primary system
In an effort to increase voter participation and lessen partisanship, an Oklahoma group is pushing for electoral reforms that would change Oklahoma primary elections.
7/21/2023 • 15 minutes, 18 seconds
Special session on hold as adjournment deadline approaches
Oklahoma legislators have until the end of July to act on gubernatorial vetoes and budget bills in a special session before the session adjourns.
7/14/2023 • 5 minutes, 48 seconds
Stitt seeks tribal compact extensions
Governor Kevin Stitt is pushing for extensions on expiring tribal tobacco compacts.
7/7/2023 • 5 minutes, 48 seconds
Tourism and Recreation Department ready for summer fun at state parks
A year ago, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department was facing numerous challenges, but things are looking up at state parks as the summer vacation season begins.
6/30/2023 • 13 minutes, 52 seconds
State Superintendent supports recommendations for religion in schools
State Superintendent Ryan Walters has proposed enforcing a state law that requires Oklahoma schools to begin each class day with a minute of silence for prayer.
6/23/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Democrats seek information about status of education grants
As the legislative special session about the state budget hits a lull, House Democrats are seeking information on the status of federal education grants and expenditures.
6/16/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Special session winding down
With the deadline for the end of the special session coming June 30th, Oklahoma lawmakers are wrapping up their legislative work for 2023.
6/9/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Closing out the legislative regular session as special session looms
Governor Kevin Stitt has been taking action on various bills passed during the 2023 regular session, including vetoing two bills related to state-tribal compacts.
6/2/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
2023 Oklahoma legislative session adjourns Sine Die
With one special session underway and another one possible, the Oklahoma House and Senate reached agreement on a budget and adjourned Sine Die on Friday afternoon.
5/26/2023 • 5 minutes, 45 seconds
State budget heads legislative agenda for last week of regular session
With education funding bills now approved, the House and Senate are working quickly to draft the state budget for the next fiscal year.
5/19/2023 • 5 minutes, 45 seconds
Time running short for tax cuts, education funding, and state budget
Only two weeks remain in the 2023 legislative regular session, and lawmakers are still seeking agreement on education funding and state budget for the next fiscal year.
5/12/2023 • 5 minutes, 45 seconds
Heading into session's final three weeks, no budget deal done
Squabbling over competing education funding plans leaves lawmakers without a budget agreement as the 2023 legislature's adjournment looms on May 26th.
5/6/2023 • 5 minutes, 45 seconds
Impasse over education bills, tax cuts exposes deepening rift
Governor Kevin Stitt is using his veto pen to retaliate against the State Senate to force passage of his education and private school funding plan and tax cuts.
4/28/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Time is short for Oklahoma lawmakers to draft new state budget
Just five weeks remain in the 2023 Oklahoma legislative session, and lawmakers still have about 500 bills to consider and the next state budget to draft.
4/21/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Attorney General opinions trigger action for accountability, cabinet
Oklahoma attorney general's opinion requires oversight of agency purchases, after legislative report found the state spent $3 billion without fiscal accountability.
4/14/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Education policy, funding and administrative rules up in the air
Oklahoma lawmakers are still at an impasse over education funding, and the future of proposed State Board of Education administrative rules has yet to be determined.
4/7/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
House, Senate remain at odds over school choice bills
Both houses of the Oklahoma legislature want school choice bills to become law, but the two sides have dug in over disagreements about how to craft the legislation.
3/31/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 seconds
Treat discusses House-Senate impasse over education bills
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat weighs in on stalled education bills and response to Volkswagen bypassing Oklahoma for a manufacturing plant.
3/24/2023 • 7 minutes, 23 seconds
Oklahoma House to reconsider student corporal punishment bill
A bill that would prohibit corporal punishment of students with disabilities failed in the Oklahoma House, but the author plans to bring it to the floor again on Monday.
3/17/2023 • 5 minutes, 52 seconds
Facts behind censure of Oklahoma City state legislator disputed
The Oklahoma House of Representatives censured a non-binary member for allegedly "harboring a fugitive" following an incident during protest of anti-transgender legislation.