This week in Oklahoma politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about Republican gubernatorial candidate Ervin Yen announcing he plans to leave the GOP to challenge Governor Stitt as an independent and Stitt threatening to sue the Biden Administration over its vaccine mandate for private businesses. The trio also discusses a group filing a lawsuit against House Bill 1775 which bans the teaching of racial issues in Oklahoma schools and newly appointed Attorney General John O'Connor asking the state Supreme Court to remove two Pardon and Parole Board members from upcoming clemency hearings. Support this podcast

This Week in Oklahoma Politics

Ervin Yen leaves GOP, Stitt threatens vaccine mandate lawsuit, group challenges critical race theory ban and more

This week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about State Superintendet Joy Hofmeister switching her political affiliation to Democrat to challenge Governor Stitt in next year's election, tribal leaders calling out the governor for his stance on the U.S. Supreme Court's McGirt versus Oklahoma decision and a new poll showing more Oklahomans don't agree with the governor that McGirt is the most pressing issue facing the state. The trio also discusses a new petition set to gather signatures allowing voters to decide whether to add recreational marijuana for adults in the Oklahoma constitution and Edmond voters overwhelmingly approved a sales tax increase to purchase land near Hafer Park. Support this podcast

Hofmeister switches parties, tribes strike back against governor, petition begins for recreational marijuana and more

This week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Oklahoma City Democratic Senator Julia Kirt, sitting in for Ryan Kiesel, about health officials' announcement that 6,200 people needlessly died this year because they chose not to get vaccinated, the Pardon and Parole Board sets the state up for its first execution since 2015 and Governor Stitt traveled to the U.S. border along with eleven other Republican governors. The trio also discusses news of an Oklahoma County judge striking down two anti-abortion bills but keeping three intact to take place November First and the new chairman of Epic Virtual Charter School's governing board telling lawmakers he welcomes oversight. Support this podcast

Unvaccinated death toll, impending execution, anti-abortion laws and more

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the governor's decision to wait until after the clemency hearing of death row inmate Julius Jones to decide on his commutation, lawmakers are heading back to the State Capitol n November 15th to deal with redistricting after a delay in getting the 2020 Census number and the first female Higher Education Chancellor in Oklahoma gets ready to start the job. The trio also discusses State Senator Nathan Dahm joining the race with at least two other Republicans in an attempt to unseat incumbent U.S. Senator James Lankford and a state lawmaker threatens the tax credits to the Oklahoma City Thunder after the organization announced plans to require fans get immunized or have a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before attending a game. Support this podcast

Julius Jones Commutation, Redistricting Special Session, Senator Nathan Dahm and More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Reepublican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about Governor Stitt's call for the State Auditor to do a comprehensive investigation of the Department of Education, the Cattlemen's Association calling on the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to put a moratorium on new medical marijuana licenses and Attorney General John O'Connor filing two petitions with the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse last summer's decision on McGirt Versus Oklahoma. The Trio also discusses an interim study on why Oklahoma businesses are failing to fill positions as the unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the nation and now back to pre-pandemic levels and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum starts a Political Action Committee to support "Pro Tulsa" candidates for city offices. Support this podcast

Stitt's Education Audit, Medical Marijuana Licenses, AG's McGirt Petitions and More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the Pardon and Parole Board sending a recommendation o Governor Stitt for the commutation of inmate Julius Jones from the death sentence to Life with the Possibility of Parole and Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett surviving a supreme court challenge trying to remove him from his position. The trio also discusses the state hiring two firms to over see the spending of more than $3 billion in COVID-19 federal funds through the American Rescue Plan and two members of the Oklahoma Virtual Charter School resigning abruptly after coming under scrutiny for their involvement with Epic. Support this podcast

Julius Jones Commutation, Hiett Survives Legal Challenge, COVID-19 Funding Consultants and More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the impact COVID-19 is having on Oklahoma's health care system and Governor Stitt's decision to remove the only two doctors on the board for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. The trio also discusses the resignation of embattled cabinet secretary David Ostrowe and the new attorney general pushing back executions. Support this podcast

COVID-19 Resurgence, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Executions and More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about a judge's decision to put a temporary injunction against Senate Bill 658 banning schools from issuing a mask mandate, Congressman Markwayne Mullin returning home after attempting to get into Afghanistan and Governor Stitt calling the Supreme Court's McGirt Versus Oklahoma decision the most pressing issue facing the state. The trio also discussion a legal challenge by the state NAACP against legislation designed to crack down on protestors and lawmakers getting ready for redistricting as the official numbers from the 2020 census were released over the summer. Support this podcast

School Mask Mandate Ban Halted, Congressman Markwayne Mullin, Anti-Protest Law Challenged & More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Right Attorney Ryan Kiesel about a new report from the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency against the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust's spending on cessation programs, Epic Virtual Charter School's new board giving $2.5M to a company owned by the brother of its former chairman and a study looking at 18 fatalities from police pursuits over a five year period. The trio also discusses the closing of the William S. Key minimum security prison in northwest Oklahoma and a new committee to oversee how the state spends $1.9B expected from the federal government on COVID-19 relief funds. Support this podcast

Tobacco Cessation Criticism, Epic Spending Scrutiny, Police Chase Fatalities and More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel talk about Oklahoma County handing its redistricting process over to state House and Senate staff, the governor mulling his decision for a replacement for former Attorney General Mike Hunter and a new study showing the power of prosecutors on legislation at the State Capitol. The trio also discusses the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission freezing jobless claim checks for some residents after concerns over fraudulent activity and an Oklahoma City Police detective retracts his statement in the officer-involved shooting death of a Black man. Support this podcast

Oklahoma County Redistricting, Mike Hunter's Replacement, Prosecutor Lobbying and More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel talk about Oklahoma City passing it's budget for next year to include a $1.3M increase for its police department despite calls to reduce the funding, nearly 100,000 Oklahomans sign up for Medicaid expansion in its first week online and the Department of Education uncovered $1.6M in fraud over a federal program to feed children during the pandemic. The trio also discusses a lawsuit filed against former Attorney General Mike Hunter by a member of Governor Stitt's cabinet and the state's first Chief Operating Officer John Budd announcing he's leaving the position. Support this podcast

OCPD Budget Increases, Child Feeding Fraud, Mike Hunter Lawsuit and More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel talk about President Biden's visit to Tulsa to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, the State Supreme Court invalidated Governor Stitt's plan to partially privatize Medicaid and lawmakers bring an end to the 2021 Legislative session. The trio also discusses registration beginning for the expansion of Medicaid and State Treasurer Randy McDaniel announcing he will not seek reelection to the office in 2022. Support this podcast

President Biden Visits Tulsa, Stitt's Medicaid Plan Invalidated, 2021 Legislative Session Ends and More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the announcement from Attorney General Mike Hunter over his resignation effective July First, the Governor signing the state budget for the 2022 Fiscal Year and a bill to use medical marijuana revenue to help charter and public schools with funding. The trio also discusses plans by President Biden to visit Tulsa for the centennial commemoration ceremonies for the 1921 Race Massacre and the Director of the Public Health Lab leaves after just four months on the job. Support this podcast

AG Hunter Resigns, Governor Stitt Signs Budget, President Biden Plans to Visit Tulsa and More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the governor's plan to get people back to work by opting out of federal supplemental unemployment payments and offering a $1200 bonus, legislative leaders agree on a budget for the 2022 fiscal year starting on July First and legislation banning new Oklahoma residents from applying for disability services to try and reduce the backlog of current people on the waiting list. The trio also discusses how the US Supreme Court deciding to hear a Mississippi anti-abortion case will impact Oklahoma and changes to the Oklahoma County Jail Trust including a new leader, a new member and new public speaking rules. Support this podcast

Governor's Unemployment Plan, 2022 Budget Deal, Disability Services Legislation and More

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney about the growing controversy over Governor Stitt signing a bill to ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory in Oklahoma schools, lawmakers considering recommendation of a grand jury investigation for Epic Virtual Charter School and Congressman Cole working on legislation allowing the Chickasaw and Cherokee Nations to compact with the state over criminal jurisdiction. The trio also discusses the state allowing kids between the ages of 12 and 15 to get the Pfizer Coronavirus vaccine and what to expect in the final two weeks of the 2021 legislative session. Support this podcast

Critical Race Theory, Epic Virtual Schools, Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction & More

A weekly look inside Oklahoma Politics with KOSU's Michael Cross, ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel, and Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill.

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This Week in Oklahoma Politics

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