By Constitution Staff

On August 7, Commissioner Todd Hiett stepped down as chair of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) after a new accusation of sexual molestation and public drunkenness. Hiett has been accused of acting inappropriately while drinking at a conference in Minneapolis earlier this year. He will remain on the Commission. Commissioner Kim David was unanimously voted in as the new chair by the three-member commission. It has been reported that OCC employees previously witnessed another incident while Hiett was intoxicated – allegedly driving his vehicle after drinking at a downtown Oklahoma City event. The OCC has hired an outside firm to conduct an investigation of these and possibly other incidents.

St. Isidore Contract Rescinded

On August 12, the Statewide Charter School Board voted eight to zero to rescind the contract for the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. That move brought them into compliance with an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision on June 25 that the contract was unconstitutional and ordered it to be rescinded. The Board had voted in June of 2023 to approve St. Isidore’s application to become the Nation’s first religious charter school, but Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed a lawsuit against the Board in October of last year calling it a violation of the state and U.S. constitutions.

St. Isidore had asked for a stay on the state Supreme Court’s decision, and the Board had waited to see if the stay was granted before taking action. Drummond responded to the latest action by the Board, “While it is appalling that the Board took so long to recognize the authority of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, I am pleased that board members finally fulfilled their duty. The proposed state-sponsored religious charter school, funded by our tax dollars, represents a serious threat to the religious liberty of all four million Oklahomans.”

On October 7, the Statewide Charter School Board filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to consider its case. The Board is taking the case to the federal level with the hope of overturning the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) which has won other religious freedom cases at the federal level, is representing the Board in the new action. “There’s great irony in state officials who claim to be in favor of religious liberty discriminating against St. Isidore because of its Catholic beliefs,” said Phil Sechler, ADF Senior Counsel.

Oklahoma Phone-Free School Challenge

On September 11, Gov. Kevin Stitt issued the Oklahoma Phone-Free School Challenge, inviting students, teachers, and superintendents statewide to propose solutions for managing cell phone use in schools. The initiative addresses concerns over distractions, bullying, and learning difficulties associated with cell phone usage. “Cell phones are useful tools, but far too often, they cause distractions in the classroom. I know we can’t solve a problem like this with a top-down, heavy-handed government mandate,” said Governor Stitt. “I know our students and teachers have the creative and innovative minds to solve this problem in their classroom, so I want to empower them to do just that. That’s why we’re launching the Oklahoma Phone-Free School Challenge.” Under Executive Order 2024-26, participants have until November 29 to submit their ideas, policies, and best practices to the Governor’s Office. These submissions will be reviewed for inclusion in an Oklahoma Phone-Free Schools best practices report, which will be compiled by Secretary of Education Nellie Sanders and Chief Advisor of Health and Mental Health, Ellen Buettner.

TSET Calls for Tobacco Tax Increase

The board for the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) wants the Legislature to increase taxes on tobacco products and expand the definition of tobacco products to include developing products not yet available in Oklahoma. The Board unanimously passed three resolutions during its September 17 meeting: two involving tobacco and the other encouraging the state to do more about food access. The Board points to past tax increases on tobacco products as a method to decrease the number of smokers in Oklahoma. At the same time, TSET wants to make sure as tobacco companies evolve their nicotine products that they are covered by Oklahoma’s taxes and regulations.

AG Appeals Immigration Bill Injunction

On September 23, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced he was appealing an injunction that has halted enforcement of Oklahoma’s new immigration reform law. Drummond is asking the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a preliminary injunction that a federal judge issued on June 28 – just days before the law was to take effect – at the urging of the Biden-Harris Administration. The Legislature this year passed House Bill 4156 which allows local law enforcement to arrest and incarcerate immigrants who are in Oklahoma illegally, without any federal authorization.

“HB 4156 in no way conflicts with or undermines federal law. Rather, HB 4156 mirrors federal law by design,” states the brief. “Without a valid cause of action, the United States relied on speculation about how HB 4156 would be implemented, spurious conclusions about the law’s underpinnings, and fundamental misconceptions about a state’s sovereign rights and duties in a federalist system of government.” The filing emphasizes that HB 4156 was necessary because of the Biden-Harris Administration’s failure to secure the nation’s porous border.

Lankford Calls for VP Harris to Answer Questions

Sen. James Lankford has called on the media to ask Vice President Kamala Harris to answer tough questions on the Biden-Harris Administration’s failure to secure the border and called out the White House for taking repeated steps to weaken border security. Lankford serves as the lead Republican on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Government Operations and Border Management.

Senator Lankford also noted that Harris has said over and over again that she would sign the border bill – that she was a part of it. “Quite frankly, she was not a part of it, even though that she said publicly that she and Joe reached out to conservative Republicans to work on this bill, she never actually reached out. She was never a part of the negotiations, nor were any of her staff ever a part of those negotiations around the bill. She should be asked a lot about what wasn’t included in the bill, though, because Democrats would not allow the really strongest parts of it included at all,” said Lankford.

Driver Licenses for Illegal Immigrants

State Sen. Michael Brooks (D-Oklahoma City) said he plans to refile legislation in the 2025 legislative session allowing working illegal immigrants to obtain a license to drive in Oklahoma. Brooks had planned to present more information during an interim legislative study in September, but due to scheduling conflicts of key presenters, the hearing was cancelled. However, the senator still plans to reintroduce legislation that would allow the immigrants to use their individual tax identification number, through which they pay state and federal income taxes, to obtain a driver license. Such licenses could not be used to register to vote, but he said the licensure would reduce the number of uninsured motorists, improve public safety, and boost revenue for the state. “Twenty-two states have already enacted something similar, and the results are extremely positive,” Brooks said.

Brooks won Senate committee approval for his proposal in 2023, but it failed to reach a vote in the full Senate. That year, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau touted the measure’s benefits to farmers and ranchers who use immigrant labor. The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Oklahoma State Troopers Association, the State Chamber, the Oklahoma Policy Institute, the Oklahoma Council on Public Affairs, and many other organizations also supported the measure. A report by Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas Task Force also recently recommended that the state issue a “driver’s privilege card” for the illegal immigrants.

State Updates Voter Rolls

On September 18, Gov. Kevin Stitt and state election officials provided an update on the ongoing efforts to maintain Oklahoma’s status as a national leader in election integrity. As part of Oklahoma’s routine voter list maintenance as required by law, officials announced that over 453,000 voter registrations have been removed since January 1, 2021, including ineligible voters such as convicted felons and deceased voters. Oklahoma election officials have removed 97,065 deceased voters, 143,682 voters who moved out-of-state, 5,607 felons, 14,993 duplicate registrations, and 194,962 inactive voters who were canceled through the address verification process.

In November 2023, Governor Stitt formed the Campaign Finance and Election Threats Task Force to rigorously assess the electoral process, scrutinize foreign investment in campaigns, and ensure Oklahoma elections are safe. The task force made recommendations, some of which have been adopted into law and procedure, such as banning ranked choice voting and mandating post-election audits. Citing numerous successful audits, the task force concluded that Oklahoma’s electoral process is one of the strongest in the nation. “Oklahoma has a long tradition of doing elections right,” said Secretary of the State Election Board Paul Ziriax. “Recounts and post-election audits have consistently proven the accuracy of Oklahoma’s voting system, and our laws and procedures are designed to ensure the integrity and security of our elections.”

Governor Returns Following Surgery

Governor Kevin Stitt returned to work on Tuesday, September 24, following surgery to clear a blockage in a heart artery. The blockage was discovered during a routine checkup. Governor Stitt underwent the procedure on Friday September 20. The 51-year-old chief executive returned to work after just three days following the procedure to insert a stent to treat a significant blockage in a main artery. Stitt urged all Oklahomans to exercise, eat a healthy diet and get medical checkups regularly.

Most Wanted List

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond launched a new campaign on September 25 to help capture some of Oklahoma’s most wanted fugitives from justice. Drummond partnered with the U.S. Marshals Service and other federal, tribal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies to identify the 10 Most Wanted fugitives. “The fugitives on this list are a threat to public safety. It is critical that we work together to hold these individuals accountable for their alleged crimes,” Drummond said. In some cases, financial rewards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 are offered for anyone who can provide information directly leading to the arrest of a fugitive on the Most Wanted list. These fugitives are wanted for murder, sex crimes, assault, drug trafficking, robbery and other serious offenses. Several of these fugitives should be considered armed and dangerous. To view the Attorney General’s 10 Most Wanted list, visit Oklahoma.gov/oag/okmostwanted

Broadband Expansion Grants Approved

Grants totaling more than $158 million have been approved by the Governing Board of the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) to bring reliable and affordable high-speed internet service to some 28,000 homes and businesses in Oklahoma. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Projects Fund (ARPA CPF), the Board gave unanimous approval to 50 grants with 12 internet service providers (ISPs) for projects in 28 counties at a meeting on September 26. The grants will be coupled with more than $109 million in matching funds from the ISPs.

This is the second tranche of broadband grant funding approved by the board this year. Total awards from ARPA CPF and ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds now top $500 million and will result in high-speed internet access to more than 66,000 locations in 57 of the state’s 77 counties.

OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders said the hard work administering the two ARPA grant programs is paying off and data show it will provide service to almost 40 percent of the unserved and underserved homes and businesses in the state. “These investments are a game changer for communities that have for far too long been left behind in the digital age,” Sanders said. “We’re moving closer to ensuring that every Oklahoman has access to the high-speed internet essential for success in today’s world.” The latest grant awards will be followed by the final and largest broadband infrastructure program to be administered by the OBO. The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program will provide more than $750 million in grants to further expand high-speed interest service throughout the state.

Aligning School Board Elections

On October 1, state Rep. Chris Banning (R-Bixby) held an interim study to examine aligning school board elections with on-cycle elections. Currently, Oklahoma statute mandates school board elections be held on off-cycle rotations and not in November. Banning said Oklahoma is one of only 12 states with such a mandate. “This legislation that I presented last year and will present again this year will increase voter turnout and will save the schools millions,” said Banning. “That’s what this legislation does. That’s all it does.”

Dr. Bradley Ward, Oklahoma deputy director for Americans for Prosperity, discussed the potential benefits of aligning school board elections with on-cycle elections. Ward’s analysis, based on data from the Oklahoma State Election Board, shows that an average of only 6% of registered voters participated in Oklahoma’s local school board elections in April 2024. During his presentation, Ward shared case studies from Texas and Michigan, highlighting how these states increased voter turnout. In 2006, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1, shifting 174 school districts to on-cycle elections. Ward said that, as a result, voter turnout increased significantly. “After the Michigan Legislature passed House Bill 4005 in 2011, the following year saw a remarkable surge in voter turnout in their 2012 school board elections,” Ward said. Using data from the Oklahoma Cost Accounting System, Ward’s calculations indicate that Oklahoma school districts spent about $16.8 million on election services in 2023.

Next Higher Education Chancellor

In October, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education selected Sean Burrage to serve as the next Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education which oversees 25 Oklahoma public colleges and universities. Burrage will succeed Allison Garret who is retiring after three years. Burrage is currently the Vice President for Executive Affairs and Chief of Staff at the University of Oklahoma. In 2006, Burrage was elected to the Oklahoma Senate and served two terms. During his time in the Legislature, the Democrat from Claremore had a cumulative average of 32 percent on the Oklahoma Conservative Index. After leaving the Senate, he was named President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Burrage will take over as Chancellor on December 2, 2024.

New State Chief Operating Officer

On August 12, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Brian Bobek as the state’s chief operating officer. Bobek brings more than 20 years of experience in management and operations. Most recently, Bobek has been a member of the Governor’s office, serving as deputy chief of staff. “I am honored to take on this new responsibility,” Bobek said. “I am grateful to Governor Stitt for his trust and confidence in me. With the Lord’s guidance, I look forward to building on the progress of the Stitt administration and serving the great people of Oklahoma.” Before joining the Governor’s office, he worked at BP (British Petroleum) Lubricants USA, where he honed his skills in leadership and strategic planning.

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Bobek attended the University of Oklahoma and has served on the Oklahoma State Board of Education, the Career & Technology Education Board, and the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board for Oklahoma. As chief operating officer, Bobek will oversee the Governor’s cabinet secretaries and chief advisors as well as all state agencies. His role is crucial in implementing the Governor’s vision and priorities across Oklahoma’s state government.

Rose Tapped to Lead OMES

On August 28, Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Rick Rose as director of Oklahoma Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). “Rick Rose has a deep understanding of state government and firm commitment to serving Oklahomans,” said Governor Stitt. “To be a Top Ten state, we need a government that works for the people. I’m confident that under Rick’s leadership, OMES will continue to be a driving force in making that a reality.” Rose has previously served as the chief of staff and special counsel to the Oklahoma Speaker of the House, Charles McCall, and as a partner at Mahaffey & Gore in Oklahoma, where his practice encompassed a variety of energy and business-related litigation.

“It is an honor to serve my state,” said Rose. “I am eager to work with the Governor and the team at OMES to modernize state government and make government work for the people of Oklahoma.” Rick worked full time while attending Southern Nazarene University for his Bachelor of Science and Oklahoma City University for his Juris Doctorate with honors. The Senate will consider confirming Rose’s appointment when they return to regular session next year. However, the Rose appointment took effect immediately. Rose succeeds John Suter as OMES Director.

Cartmell Appointed DHS Director

On August 28, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced that Jeffrey Cartmell will serve as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). Cartmell replaces Dr. Deborah Shropshire, who recently resigned, and he took over at DHS on September 16. Katie DeMuth, the interim director of the Oklahoma Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), joined Cartmell at DHS as part of the executive team.

Governor Stitt appointed Cartmell as the executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs in 2023. Previously, he was counselor to Secretary of State Brian Bingman and served as deputy general counsel to the governor for two years. Between 2017 and 2019, Cartmell worked in the private sector as an associate attorney at Lytle, Soule & Curlee after serving two years as a division director within the OMES. Cartmell was a deputy general counsel to former Gov. Mary Fallin from 2012 and 2014. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 2009 and 2012, respectively. Cartmell became an adjunct professor of law at his alma mater in 2021, teaching a seminar course on government law.

Interim Tourism Executive Director

In September, the executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD), Shelley Zumwalt, announced her retirement from state government after a critical audit of her agency was released last spring by state Auditor and Inspector Cyndy Byrd. Zumwalt was previously the director of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and Oklahoma Management and Enterprise Services. Zumwalt said she plans to pursue a career in the private sector.

Gov. Kevin Stitt announced on October 3 that Sterling Zearley will serve as interim executive director for OTRD. “I’m thankful for Sterling’s willingness to step into this role at Tourism as we transition to new leadership. He has a long track record of service to Oklahoma, and I’m grateful for the work he’s done to make our parks a great place to be,” said Stitt. Zearley is the former executive director of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association (OPEA) and has 23 years of experience with the Tourism agency is various capacities, including before his time with OPEA. He has most recently served as the director of Oklahoma State Parks within the Tourism agency. “I look forward to the opportunity to lead Tourism and continue to serve my state in an agency I love. With the upcoming Route 66 Centennial and the opportunity to host Olympic softball and canoeing, all eyes will be on Oklahoma. We are ready for the challenge,” said Zearley.

Federal Grant Secured for Roosevelt Bridge

In July it was announced that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) will receive a $124 million through the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program for the replacement of the US-70 Roosevelt Bridge across Lake Texoma between Kingston and Durant in Southeastern Oklahoma. ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz said this is the largest transportation grant Oklahoma has been awarded in its history. “This is exciting news for the state and we’re grateful to Gov. Stitt and members of Oklahoma’s Congressional and Legislative delegation and the Federal Highway Administration for seeing the importance of this corridor and helping the department secure an additional funding source,” Gatz said. “The Roosevelt Memorial bridge is an outdated design – nearly 80 years old – and doesn’t meet current or future traffic needs.”

Plans are to build the bridge to the south of the existing structure while keeping the current bridge open to traffic. The new bridge will be four lanes with shoulders, rumble strips and lighting. ODOT is proposing new and innovative alternative delivery methods with construction currently scheduled in the state Eight-Year Construction Work Plan to begin in 2029. The bridge carries 8,500 vehicles per day. Although half of the estimated cost of the project is coming from the grant, House Bill 2915, passed in the 2024 legislative session, allows ODOT to bond up to $200 million for the project, which is currently estimated to cost more than $250 million.

New Turner Turnpike Travel Plaza

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has announced plans for a new Turner Turnpike Travel Plaza at Stroud that will include new access roads and widening of the turnpike in the plaza area. The new plaza will also include a McDonalds and full-service Love’s Truck Stop with a Godfather’s Pizza. The existing plaza that is between the west and east bound lanes will be demolished and the new plaza will be built on the north side of the westbound lanes. Previously, a new plaza, including McDonalds and Love’s, was built on the south side of the eastbound lanes. The new plaza will break ground next year and be operational in 2026.

Tribe to Operate White Hair Memorial

The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) and the Osage Nation signed a service contract that will allow the tribe to take over the day-to-day operations of the White Hair Memorial in Hominy effective September 20. The date for reopening the site is still pending. The memorial is located in the former home of Lillie Morrell Burkhart, an Osage and descendant of Chief Pawhuska (White Hair). The Burkhart Trust took possession of the site in 1984 and operated it. The site will still be governed by the Trust, which consists of nine members of the OHS Board of Directors. The Trust will provide a stipend to the Osage Nation to assist in the operation of the site. The Trust will continue to own the land and the White Hair Memorial.

“The OHS is honored to administer the White Hair Memorial in accordance with Lillie Burkhart’s last wishes,” said Trait Thompson, executive director of OHS. “After some recent staff changes, we began conversations with the Osage Nation about the best way to operate the site in the future that would serve its patrons. I’m very proud we were able to come to an agreement with the Osage Nation that will ensure the White Hair Memorial remains an important cultural destination in Osage County for years to come.”

Luttrell Elected to Chair Energy Board

State Rep. Ken Luttrell (R-Ponca City) was recently elected to serve as the chairman of the Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research (CLEER). The purpose of CLEER is to support the Energy Council, bring research and publications on energy policy issues to the Council’s attention, and sponsor forums and other opportunities for dialogue on energy and related environmental issues. CLEER’s support addresses energy and environmental questions. It consists of Legislative leaders from national energy-producing states and three Canadian provinces.

The election came at the Energy Council’s annual Global Energy and Environmental Issues Conference held in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “It’s an exciting time to be part of the Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research as CLEER turns 35,” Luttrell said. “The Energy Council’s membership includes a growing number of organizations, and the CLEER Board provides valuable input to the Council’s legislators on energy and environmental policy matters.”

Luttrell’s House district, which includes parts of Kay and Osage counties, has oil and natural gas exploration and development, wind and coal power generation and Oklahoma’s largest refinery, the Phillips 66 refinery in Ponca City. In the Oklahoma House, Luttrell serves as chair of the Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee for Select Agencies and also as a member of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee.

Terrorist Suspect In Oklahoma Arrested

A 27-year-old Afghan national was arrested for allegedly planning an Election Day massacre in the name of the Islamic State. Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi entered the United States on a special immigrant visa in 2021 shortly after the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. He was living in Oklahoma and was arrested on October 8 after trying to obtain two AK-47 rifles, 10 magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition that he purchased from an undercover FBI informant. The U.S. Department of Justice revealed, “As part of the plot, the defendant allegedly took steps to liquidate his family’s assets, resettle members of his family overseas, acquire AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition, and commit a terrorist attack in the United States.” When Tawhedi and an underage accomplice followed through with the purchase, they were arrested.

After being arrested, the suspect told investigators that he planned to target a large gathering of people, and that he and his accomplice expected to die in the attack. It is not known if he planned the attack for a location in Oklahoma. Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a statement after learning of Tawhedi’s arrest. “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our investigators and law enforcement officers for successfully uncovering and stopping this terrorist plot before innocent lives were put in danger. This is a powerful example of how the information-sharing measures we implemented between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are making a real difference.”