A bill that would increase Oklahoma teachers’ pay passed out of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee last week. During his State-of-the-State Address, Gov. Kevin Stitt called on the Legislature to increase teacher pay by $1,200 this year, and House Republicans made it a priority to accomplish early in the session. House Bill 1780, by…
Gov. Kevin Stitt has issued four new executive orders that focus on increasing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in state government. “My commitment is to get to the bottom of every dollar spent by state government and ensure every hard-earned tax dollar matches the mission and values of Oklahomans,” said Stitt. “These executive orders will help…
Gov. Kevin Stitt has hired Mark Gower as the Director of the Department of Oklahoma Emergency Management (OEM). “Mark Gower has been dedicated to the safety and security of Oklahomans his entire career,” said Gov. Stitt. “His expertise is well suited to guide the Department of Emergency Management, and I look forward to working with…
Gov. Kevin Stitt hit the ground running in his first month in office and like President Trump, Stitt seems committed to keeping his campaign promises. Stitt has ordered the state plane used by former governors to be sold. That will save a cool million a year. If he needs to go somewhere, there are military…
Governor Kevin Stitt has made it his goal to move Oklahoma toward Top 10 status among the states. Exactly how he would measure this is unclear, but education is obviously targeted, given its prominence in his inaugural speech. This much is clear, though; Oklahoma will not become a top-ten state in education just by spending…
Broken Arrow teacher Donna Gradel, the 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, is a finalist for the 2019 National Teacher of the Year. Gov. Kevin Stitt, who pledged to make public education more effective, made the announcement last week in Broken Arrow. “Donna’s teaching philosophy is that every student has potential no matter his or…
Grassroots groups throughout Oklahoma will rally February 11-13 in Oklahoma City to support the abolishment of abortion in the state and support Senate Bill 13. Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, spoke at a rally Saturday in Edmond and was joined by leaders of the abolishment movement. Senate Bill prohibits the use of abortion under any…
Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed Sean Kouplen as the next Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development, a cabinet position that will require Senate confirmation, and the hiring of Brent Kisling as the next executive director of the Department of Commerce. “Sean Kouplen is a proven business leader and entrepreneur, full of vision, energy and passion…
State revenues have been setting records every month for a year yet the State Board of Equalization has authorized a budget surplus of $612 million. Gov. Kevin Stitt wants to move slowly on allocating a surplus. Republican leaders urge caution because of the up-and-down nature of energy prices. And Democrats want a tax increase to…
Gov. Kevin Stitt has nominated Mike Mazzei as the Secretary of Budget, a newly created cabinet position that will require Senate confirmation. As Secretary of Budget, Mazzei will be responsible for preparing and finalizing the governor’s annual state budget, providing oversight of its implementation and giving counsel for the state’s financial strategy. “Mike Mazzei brings…