Kevin Stitt

Gov. Stitt Signs Law To Prevent Virtual Charter School 'Ghost Students'

By • May 19, 2020

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a law Monday that reforms virtual charter school rules.

House Bill 2905, authored by Tulsa Republican Sheila Dills, will increase virtual charter school transparency and tweak policies lawmakers found problematic.

Virtual charters will be required to host orientations, increase required participation and limit the number of times students can transfer.

Oklahoma Legislature Lays Out Policy Priorities In Bills Sent To Governor

By • May 18, 2020

Because of a legislative session shortened by COVID-19, only a handful of education policy bills moved through the House and Senate to make it to the governor’s desk.

Time constraints meant only the bills most important to lawmakers could make it to Gov. Kevin Stitt.

So a hodgepodge of priority education legislation is currently being considered by the governor.

If signed by the governor, they would tweak virtual charter school rules, combat the teacher shortage and take other narrow measures.

Cost Of Living Increase For State Retirees Awaits Governor's Decision

By • May 18, 2020

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is considering legislation to give raises to state retirees for the first time in 12 years.

The measure to give Cost of Living Adjustments to firefighters, law enforcement and teachers passed the Senate as one of the last bills before the legislative session ended on Friday.

The bill’s author, Senator Roger Thompson, says the retiree systems are well-funded even though the hit to the programs will be a 1.5 to 1.8 percent increase.

Legislature Overrides Budget Vetoes, Interim Health Commissioner Out, Absentee Ballots & More

By • May 15, 2020

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about an override of the governor's veto of the state budget, Governor Stitt forms a bipartisan committee to deal with the federal funds to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Senate says sit won't confirm Interim Health Commissioner Gary Cox to the job leading the agency.

Gov. Stitt: Oklahoma Will Proceed With Phase Two Of Reopening

By , & • May 14, 2020
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Twenty days into his reopening plan, Governor Kevin Stitt it’s time to move to Phase 2 on Friday.

Under Phase 2, funerals, weddings and organized sports can resume, and bars will be allowed to reopen with lower occupancy.

Oklahoma Governor Vetoes $7.7 Billion Budget, But Legislature Overrides

By & • May 13, 2020
Provided / The Oklahoman

Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed the $7.7 billion budget for the coming fiscal year on Wednesday afternoon, but within minutes, the Oklahoma Senate voted to override his veto. Several hours later, the Oklahoma House did the same and the budget was enacted.

Coronavirus Updates: CARES Funds, Tax Collection Shortfall & Legal Protections

By • May 13, 2020

Governor Kevin Stitt has formed a bipartisan group of lawmakers to distribute federal relief funds.

The appointment of the 23 lawmakers comes after legislative leaders criticized Stitt for not including them in discussion over the money.

The governor says the legislative advisory group will work with him to distribute $1.2 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Stitt’s administration is also working on a portal for local governments to submit expenses for reimbursement under the CARES Act.

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Gov. Stitt Will Veto Two Budget Bills; Says Oklahoma Is Ready For Phase 2 Of Reopening Plan

By & • May 12, 2020
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Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on Monday said he intends to veto part of a state budget that he says sacrifices retirement funding for teachers and other state employees.

Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Suspends Membership Of Two Tribes

By • May 8, 2020

The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association announced Thursday that they are suspending the membership of the Otoe Missouria Tribe and the Comanche Nation.

Governor's Emergency Powers, Legislative Budget Agreement, Absentee Voting Changes & More

By , & • May 8, 2020

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about lawmakers attaching strings to a new round of executive powers to the governor, legislative leaders announce a budget deal and Republicans push through a bill requiring notarization of absentee ballots.

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