Gov. Stitt discusses immigration, budget, women in politics, and OSDE
During Friday's media availability Governor Stitt talked on many hot-button issues that have broken in the last week throughout Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - During Friday's media availability, Governor Stitt talked on many hot-button issues that have broken in the last week throughout Oklahoma.
EDUCATION
Stitt reacted to News 4's report on the Oklahoma State Department of Education not submitting key data to U.S. News and World Report. That caused Oklahoma schools to plummet in the publication's yearly rankings.
| READ REPORT HERE > Lawmakers concerned with OSDE after report on skewed rankings >
"I have not spoken to him (Superintendent Ryan Walters) about it. We want to make sure that we're comparing apples to apples. We know I would put Oklahomans up against anyone from a workforce standpoint. So, if they've missed something, if they missed something on getting it up for a ranking then we need to do a better job," said Governor Stitt.
On Thursday, lawmakers reacted to the news and said they were concerned that OSDE didn't submit it. But Oklahoma's House Speaker said he would be hesitant to use his power to intervene with Walters' leadership.
"Just don't give them the gun to shoot us with. We want to make sure that we're promoting Oklahoma. So, if there's something that we didn't do correctly, then let's fix it. We need to hold those folks accountable. Let's get every piece of good information up so we can promote Oklahoma," said Governor Stitt.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Governor Stitt also reacted to Senator Kay Floyd and her statement regarding the cancelation of the University of Oklahoma's women leadership programs.
| READ HIS FULL DEI ORDER HERE > Stitt signs executive order taking aim at DEI >
Recently, the university stopped running several programs in response to Governor Stitt's Executive Order 2023-31, which stops programs that grant preferential treatment based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin.
One such program that is now gone is the National Education for Women's (NEW) Leadership program. The program has been around for over 20 years and provided a stepping stone for many women in political roles and leadership roles around the state.
“The elimination of the NEW Leadership program is an example of the negative impact Executive Order 2023-31 will have on our state, but I am deeply concerned there will be more," said Democrat Senator Kay Floyd Friday in response. "OU’s chapter of NEW Leadership is a bipartisan effort, and for more than 20 years it has helped mentor and prepare hundreds of young women for public service, an area still vastly underrepresented by women. As one of only a handful of women to have held leadership positions in the Legislature since statehood, I believe this program’s elimination is a terrible loss."
"I can assure you I want more women working in politics, more women working in the oil and gas industry," said Governor Stitt. "What's happening with Ms. Floyd is she's just trying to confuse Oklahomans. This is a tactic that a politician would use to try to confuse the viewers. 'Oh Governor Stitt doesn't like women.' That's just absurd. Everybody that knows me, knows that some politicians (Senator Floyd) are just talking out of both sides of her mouth. And Oklahomans are too smart for that."
The Carl Albert Center will be hosting the NEW Leadership program for its last year.
As some of you have heard, due to the Governor’s Executive Order 2023-31, the University has recently determined that this will be the last year the Carl Albert Center will be able to host the NEW Leadership program. The executive order states that the University cannot host programs that grant preferential treatment based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. Since NEW Leadership is aimed at women, it falls under the EO.
We want to thank everyone for their support over the years and it is to your credit that the program has served so many. Our goal is to make sure this year’s program is a success, and we plan to continue to support students in ways that are consistent with the executive order in the future
Women's Leadership Programs
"All I said is don't make it based on race. And I think that lines up with Oklahoma values," said Governor Stitt.
That is not true as the order applies specifically to more than just race.
IMMIGRATION LAW
Starting July 1, Oklahoma's immigration law, HB 4156, will go into effect. Stitt signed the bill into law on Tuesday which will give state law enforcement officers the authority to arrest people without legal authority to be in the United States.
A first-time conviction would lead to a misdemeanor charge of up to one year in county jail and a $500 fine. Those convicted a second time would face a felony charge of up to two years in county jail and a $1,000 fine.
Both convictions would require the undocumented immigrant to leave the state within 72 hours of being released from custody.
For weeks, those against the bill and others have feared that this would lead to several arrests and could lead to families separated.
"I'm trying to alleviate some fear, that, you know, if you're doing things the right way then I don't think you have a lot to worry about here in Oklahoma," said Governor Stitt.
A big fear was that undocumented Oklahoma residents who currently pay taxes would be arrested. Even without a social security number, undocumented workers can pay taxes using an individual identification number or ITIN.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond spoke on that Wednesday and said that they should call his office if they are arrested because of that.
"I set up a task force so that Oklahoma can do their own workforce visas," said Governor Stitt. "If you're going to be paying taxes and working hard and you're going to be part of the Oklahoma economy in our society and you want to become an American then we need more workforce visas. We need it for our manufacturing, our agriculture, and our construction industry. I'm not talking about U.S. citizenship, but I'm talking about a workforce permit."
BUDGET
On Monday, the legislature is expected to meet with Governor Stitt to discuss a sort of budget agreement. Overall time is ticking for the state to decide on a budget.
A major point of contention between state leaders has been an income tax cut. Governor Stitt for months has pushed for an income tax cut but many leaders in the state legislature said they wouldn't go that far.
The Senate released its FY25 budget proposal in late March, it looked to spend $12.3 billion.
Earlier this week, the governor said in Sulphur that tornado victims will see money within this budget.
"We're not suggesting that we would ever have to cut core services. But at the same time, I don't think it's fair to spend a billion and a half of our savings when you can't even do a $250 million quarter of a point tax cut or we can't flatten out the brackets and give people in the lower income a break," said Stitt.
Not only are both chambers at a standstill on finalizing the budget for FY25, the Senate is now shaking up its leadership by dismissing and replacing Senator Roger Thompson (R-Okemah) as the Senate Appropriations Chairman with his Vice Chair, Senator Chuck Hall (R-Perry).
Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat voiced his doubt on Thursday that an agreement will be met on Monday.
A real issue Speaker McCall plans to bring up in Monday afternoon’s meeting with the Governor and Senate Pro Tem is a 0.25% personal income tax cut.
On Friday, the governor did not seem like he had budged any more than what his stance has always been.