Latest news with #OklahomaSenate
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Legislature slaps restrictions on who can oversee Oklahoma's mental health settlement agreement
Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, is pictured during a special legislative session. (Photo by Carmen Forman/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY – Amid ongoing turmoil, the Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that appears to require someone other than the state's current mental health commissioner to oversee compliance with a landmark mental health settlement agreement. Under House Bill 2513, which heads to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk, the official tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services' settlement agreement must be a medical doctor or hold a doctorate degree. Allie Friesen, Oklahoma's current mental health commissioner, has a master's degree, according to a press release announcing her appointment in January 2024. Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, said Dr. Jason Beaman, who serves the mental health department's chief medical officer, has agreed to oversee the court-required improvements. He will ensure timely competency restoration services are delivered for criminal defendants awaiting trial. She said the agency has already tasked him with implementing the settlement. Lawmakers this year have approved $9.5 million to pay for it, Stanley said. Under the bill, Beaman would have control of legislatively appropriated dollars to implement the settlement. He also would be responsible for working with legislative leaders on the department's forensic-related legislation. Stanley said the measure requires that the person overseeing the implementation report directly to the Legislature and governor. The individual would also report to the commissioner, according to the bill. 'So we'll have good oversight in that agency to make sure this consent decree is carried out like it is supposed to be,' Stanley said. Shortly after the settlement agreement was approved, lawmakers discovered the mental health department was in financial disarray and needed a multi-million dollar emergency appropriation to make payroll and ensure contracts were fulfilled. The revelation prompted legislative inquiries and an audit. Friesen blamed the financial situation on prior administrations, but Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond called for her termination. Stanley said Beaman will be charged with increasing training of forensic health care professionals, reducing the number of people inaccurately declared incompetent, reducing wait times for treatment and adding inpatient competency beds. 'I have full faith that he will be able to do that,' she said. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said she supported the bill because change is needed. But she said she is concerned about the bigger issue, cash management, at the agency. 'I hope we can continue to raise the alarm and try to improve our oversight so that we don't fall apart this year,' she said. Stitt said part of the agency's problem was a lack of 'guardrails' on contracts with providers, which has occurred probably over the last decade or more. 'You can't have nonprofits and vendors billing unlimited,' Stitt said. 'There's not an unlimited checkbook on this side.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oklahoma Legislature passes nearly $12.6 billion budget, sending it to governor
The Oklahoma Senate has approved a $12.59 billion general appropriations bill for the state, sending it to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk for his signature. The Senate voted 27-19 on Thursday, May 22, to approve House Bill 2766, after about 45 minutes of questions and debate. The House had approved the measure 73-20 two days earlier. In both chambers, a group of far-right Republicans joined with all Democrats in opposing the budget bill. When Stitt and legislative leaders touted their budget agreement – reached on May 14 – they cited a income-tax cut, the establishment of business courts, tort reform and multiple big-ticket one-time items including the purchase of a private prison in Lawton and major projects for the University of Oklahoma (a new pediatric heart hospital) and Oklahoma State University (a new facility for its veterinary hospital). They also said that despite digging into state savings to help pay for those projects and others, the state still will have about $3.5 billion in savings. The Legislature, in which Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers, is required by law to pass an annual state budget. Lawmakers did so eight days before state law mandates their annual session must end. 'This budget is a reflection of Oklahoma's values—responsible, conservative, and focused on real results,' said Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle. 'We're prioritizing core services like education, mental health, public safety and infrastructure, while maintaining strong fiscal discipline. I'm proud of the Senate's work and the collaboration with our House colleagues to deliver a budget that supports families, strengthens communities and keeps Oklahoma taxpayers in mind. Now we send it to the governor's desk to move Oklahoma forward.' Democrats in both chambers, however, said the budget plan won't improve the prosperity of average Oklahomans. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt called it 'a budget with mixed-up priorities' and added, 'I don't think this budget is what we need to move our state forward.' 'Oklahoma Senate Democrats will always work the aisle to address real problems facing our state, ensuring all kids get a great education, access to health and mental health care, and great-paying jobs,' she said. 'But instead, we got a budget that prioritizes tax cuts that mostly benefit the very rich, more money for private school vouchers, and does nothing to address the everyday issues Oklahomans face. You deserve better.' More: A caveat on the budget, criticism for Ryan Walters: What Gov. Stitt has said this week Several House Democrats said during debate in that chamber on Tuesday they weren't involved in final budget negotiations, effectively leaving out the voices of their constituents, who largely live in Oklahoma's urban areas. 'This was put together without the input of my district,' said Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa. 'I was not a part of any of these conversations until it was already decided.' Her colleague, Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, alleged that women were left out of negotiations. The Republican chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee pushed back against that assertion. Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, the chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, called Ranson's claims 'factually incorrect' and said he 'had office hours at least once a week where we took over 130 meetings with different members including a large segment of the Democratic caucus.' In the Senate, only Democrats had questions, or debated, against the bill on Thursday, although 11 Republicans voted against it, including three of the publicly known members of the far-right 'Freedom Caucus' – Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee; Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin; and Sen. Dana Prieto, R-Tulsa. Another Freedom Caucus member, Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, voted against the bill in the House. Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called the budget 'a fiscally responsible spending plan that keeps Oklahoma moving forward.' He said the budget 'is the result of months of collaboration and public input to ensure that every tax dollar is spent wisely.' One of the more contentious items in the budget is a cut in the state income tax rate from 4.75% to 4.5%. The tax cut has long been a desire of Stitt, who eventually wants that tax to be eliminated. That conceivably could happen because of tax-cut triggers passed in other legislation, although not until years after Stitt leaves office in early 2027. According to an analysis by the Oklahoma Policy Institute, a nonpartisan Tulsa-based think tank, cutting income taxes by a quarter of a percentage point would reduce state revenues by $306 million annually. That analysis showed such a cut would save Oklahomans who make $79,700 or less between $9 and $95 annually, and would save those in the top 1% of incomes — making $683,500 or more — $2,936 annually. Citing Oklahoma Tax Commission numbers, Stitt said the cut would cost the state about $160 million in lost revenue during the next fiscal year. But Stitt maintains because that money is spent by taxpayers, not state government, it's better for the economy. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma lawmakers pass $12.6 billion budget. Will Gov. Stitt sign it?
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill putting restrictions on petition process heads to Oklahoma governor
Gov. Kevin Stitt laughs when answering a question during a press conference on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday sent Gov. Kevin Stitt a measure that would make it more difficult for residents to put things on the ballot. Critics said the measure is an unconstitutional legislative power grab, while supporters said it is necessary to ensure more input from rural counties and prevent fraud. Currently, state law requires 97,263 signatures to get statutory changes before the voters and 172,993 for constitutional amendments. There are no restrictions on where the signatures are collected. But Senate Bill 1027 would put limits on how many signatures could come from counties. For a statute change, no more than 11.5% of votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election could come from a single county. That signature threshold increases to 20.8% for a constitutional amendment. 'This forces them out to 18 to 20 different counties,' said Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, the bill's author. 'It doesn't even force them out to all 77 counties. We're just asking that you go to 18 to 20 different counties to gather these signatures and get various opinions on whether or not this is something you want to do.' Oklahoma has more than 2.3 million registered voters, of which 1.15 million voters cast ballots for governor in the 2022 general election, according to the Tulsa-based Oklahoma Policy Institute. The bill's requirements would exclude 2.2 million registered voters, or 94.4% of them, from signing a petition for statutory changes, according to the organization. It would exclude 2.1 million registered voters , or 89.8% of them, from signing a petition for constitutional amendments, according to the organization. The measure would prohibit the payment to circulators based on the number of signatures collected. It would require sources of payment to circulators to be disclosed and bar out of state interests from donating. Bullard asked why Oklahomans would want 'massive liberal organizations coming in here and shoving this stuff down your throat.' It would require petition circulators to be registered Oklahoma voters. Finally, it would require a political appointee, the Secretary of State, to approve the gist, the brief summary of the ballot measure that voters see at the top of the signature sheet. Critics say the process has been used to get needed reforms on the ballot, such as Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana legalization and criminal justice reform, when lawmakers declined to act. The bill will 'suppress and subvert what we used to know as democracy,' said Sen. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa. Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, called the measure 'a power grab.' 'It takes power away from everyday Oklahoma voters,' he said 'It silences the voice of everyday citizens.' Mann said the bill is likely unconstitutional and violates a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says out-of-state money from corporations can be spent on elections and ballot initiatives. He said the artificial signature cap also discriminates against voters in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, whose residents combined make up 40% of the state's population, but can comprise only 23% of the total signatures collected. 'It violates the one person one vote principle,' he said.' Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said the measure establishes barriers that make it nearly impossible to get issues on the ballot. Bullard said the state Constitution says laws shall prevent corruption in the referendum process. 'Let me be very clear,' Bullard said. 'If you are willing to go to two or three counties to gather those signatures and completely willing to completely ignore 97.5% of the state counties, that's corruption.' The measure passed by a vote of 39-7. Stitt said Wednesday that he will review the measure before deciding whether to sign it. He said it is easier to get something on the ballot in Oklahoma than in other states, and lawmakers are trying to find a balance. It would become effective immediately with Stitt's signature. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
In about-face, Senate leader agrees to carry nomination of state Board of Education member
In a political about-face, Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton now will carry the executive nomination of state Board of Education member Michael Tinney. Paxton's decision to speak on behalf of Tinney became evident on Monday, May 19, when the agenda for the Tuesday, May 20, Senate Education Committee meeting was made public. Among others, the committee will hold confirmation hearings for three of the four recent state Board of Education nominees made by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Paxton is listed as the Senate sponsor for Tinney. Paxton wasn't available for comment Monday about why he changed his mind. No matter the reason for Paxton's decision, Stitt said he was pleased Tinney would receive a hearing. 'Mike Tinney is a great conservative and a great Oklahoman who is willing to serve his state in this capacity,' Stitt said. 'I'm glad that we're getting politics out of the way so board members can get to the business of serving our kids.' What caused Paxton's change of heart? It remains uncertain. But during a confirmation hearing for board nominee Chris Van Denhende on Thursday, May 15, Paxton took an unusual step for a Senate president pro tempore. He spoke out against what he and others believed to be an orchestrated email campaign against Van Denhende from far-right sources. Some of those emails compared Van Denhende to Mikhail Gorbachev, the former leader of the Soviet Union, and others attacked Van Denhende's family members. Paxton spoke about his disgust with the campaign and said the messages were written 'by people who feel empowered by a keyboard' who 'send emails at 2 or 3 in the morning' and called their content 'unfair, hateful opposition.' 'If you shared those things … then you are part of the problem,' he said. Van Denhende's nomination was approved by the committee and sent to the full Senate for a final vote. Stitt had named Tinney and Van Denhende to the board along with Ryan Deatherage on Feb. 11. He named a fourth new member, Becky Carson, on April 28. The governor said in February the board shakeup was due to 'ongoing controversy' at the state Education Department and disappointing standardized test scores. The overhaul also came amid increasing tension between Stitt and state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, who is the board's chair by nature of his elected position. Stitt is credited with bringing Walters into Oklahoma government, but the two Republicans ― once friends and political allies — now are at odds, as Walters has taken public political positions opposite those of Stitt. During his first two years in office, Walters received no pushback from the board on multiple controversial decisions, such as issuing a statewide Bible-teaching mandate or seeking to create an administrative rule that would allow the Oklahoma State Department of Education not just to ask for the immigration status of students, but of their parents, as well. That's changed since Stitt appointed Tinney, Deatherage and Van Denhende to the board. During two meetings, the three men have challenged Walters on multiple occasions. Carson's first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, the day after her confirmation hearing. Major executive appointments require confirmation by the Senate, which typically holds such hearings in May, near the end of the legislative session. Senate tradition requires the nomination be carried by the senator for the district in which the nominee resides, or by the Senate president pro tempore. Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, declined to carry the nomination of Tinney, who lives in her district. Standridge has cited her friendship with Kendra Wesson, one of the three board members ousted by Stitt in February, as her reason. "I denied that because Kendra is a friend," Standridge told The Oklahoman on May 1. "She's also a constituent. I felt like she was doing a great job, and she was fired unceremoniously. Had Mike been treated in that way, I would deny someone else's confirmation, if they were doing a great job. "It's a horrible decision to have to make, but I felt that at the end of the day, doing what is right is standing up for my friend." At that time, Paxton had also opted against carrying Tinney's nomination, despite considerable political pressure from Stitt's office to do so. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSBE member Michael Tinney will get confirmation hearing after all
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oklahoma Senate rejects education rules on immigration; keeps donation tracking rule
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma Senate voted on an amended resolution Tuesday that rejected two of the administrative rules filed by Superintendent Ryan Walters and the State Board of Education. The amendment to the list of rules removed teacher requirements to take a U.S. Naturalization test as well as the need for districts to ask for citizenship paperwork during enrollment. The Senate approved one amendment by Senator Shane Jett (R-Shawnee) that requires school districts to report non-government donations of more than $17,000. Lawmakers try again to separate out powers of State School Board 'Donations of more than $17,000 can no longer be given anonymously,' said Jett. Jett said the reason behind the amendment was because parents should know who is funding their child's education. Jett also filed amendments that would add the naturalization test and citizenship check back into the Education Administrative Rules but those were tabled. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
