Tag: Governor

Gov. Stitt appoints Tom Bates to help coordinate health services

September 5, 2019

Gov. Kevin Stitt said Tom Bates will lead a new initiative by the Governor’s office titled “Front Porch” to better integrate services provided by Oklahoma’s state health and human services agencies. “As I’ve looked at how we serve Oklahomans, I’ve seen how hard we’ve made it for them to engage with us,” said Bates. “Around…

Bill targets transparency, accountability

August 22, 2019

Lawmakers want to know how tax money is spent Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill to improve government transparency in a ceremony at the State Capitol last week. Senate Bill 271 was authored by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. The bill requires all state agencies to annually disclose and rank…

Gov. Stitt names Corbett for OHCA

August 15, 2019

Governor Kevin Stitt has appointed Kevin Corbett as the next agency director for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA). “Kevin Corbett’s financial expertise and strong organizational leadership will serve the Health Care Authority and the State of Oklahoma well,” said Stitt. “Corbett will bring his wealth of experience in accounting and consulting to ensure OHCA’s…

Stitt’s budget includes teacher pay hikes and savings

May 23, 2019

Gov. Kevin Stitt’s budget sets aside $200 million in savings, pumps an extra $203 million into public education and gives teachers an annual pay hike of $1,220. The House passed the budget on Friday and now it goes to the Senate. The budget has an additional $157.7 million for common education (K-12) and $28 million…

Tax exemption for American Legion

May 16, 2019

Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill that will exempt the American Legion Department of Oklahoma from sales tax. House Majority Leader Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, and Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, are authors of House Bill 1003. The measure previously passed unanimously in the House and Senate. “The American Legion is our state’s largest veterans’ organization, serving…

Stitt names LaFortune

May 9, 2019

Governor Kevin Stitt announced today five appointments to the State Board of Corrections – including former Tulsa First Lady Kathy LaFortune. “I am pleased to welcome five new members to the State Board of Corrections,” said Stitt. “They will each bring a diverse perspective to the Department of Corrections in order to implement needed change…

Stitt declares state of emergency following April 30 storms

May 9, 2019

Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for 52 counties – including Tulsa, Wagoner, Rogers, Washington, Creek, Osage and Okmulgee – due to severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that began April 30. Those counties are: Adair, Atoka, Bryan, Canadian, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Cotton, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Garvin, Grady, Haskell,…

Stitt recounts first 100 days

May 2, 2019

Gov. Kevin Stitt has issued a report on the progress has made during his first 100 days in office. Stitt signed into law legislation that forces five of the 12 largest state agencies to answer to the executive branch. Past governors have produced blue-ribbon studies showing that responsibility and power are spread so far and…

Stitt tabs Gen. Ben Robinson (ret.)

April 25, 2019

Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed retired Air Force Gen. Ben Robinson as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Military, a cabinet position that requires Senate confirmation. “Gen. Ben Robinson bravely served our country in the United States Air Force, and continues to contribute to Oklahoma’s veterans and military community every day,” said Stitt. “He is…

Bob Coburn is named to OTC

April 11, 2019

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has appointed Bob Coburn of Muskogee to serve as a commissioner on the Oklahoma Transportation Commission. Coburn, a cousin of former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, is the first of two appointments the Senate president pro tempore made to the commission following the enactment of Senate Bill 457, legislation that…