This Week In Oklahoma Politics

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the passage of MAPS4 by a wide margin garnering more than 70% of those voting, the Pardon and Parole Board sees a 118% increase in the number of docketed cases with commutations jumping 426% since 2018 and Governor Stitt gives an extension to his criminal justice reform task force.The trio also discusses an announcement from the Oklahoma Democratic Party to keep its primaries open to independent voters and legislation to tackle the issue of domestic violence.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the resignation announcement by Oklahoma City Democratic Representative Shane Stone which could trigger a special election and voters are heading to the polls this Tuesday to decide on MAPS 4 to raise nearly $978M for 16 different projects.The trio also discusses the record number of candidates in the coming Super Tuesday presidential primary including 15 Democrats and 6 Republicans as well as Governor Stitt coming out in opposition of a corrections reform initiative petition to tackle sentencing enhancements.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel and sitting in for Neva Hill is Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs Director of External Relations Dave Bond about renewal of calls to provide a Cost of Living Adjustment for state retirees, Governor Stitt goes before the U.S. Senate to support a federal proposal to stop states from using the Clean Water Act to block energy projects and time is running out in the stalemate between the governor and tribal leaders over gaming compacts.The trio also discusses a bill to extend Oklahoma's ban on smoking to bars and another piece of legislation to provide a tax break for gun safety classes in response to the permitless carry law.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about Governor Stitt's suggestion for Oklahoma to use Medicaid block grants rather than going with Medicaid expansion, an initiative petition to end certain sentencing enhancements for nonviolent offenses and the State Insurance Commissioner chooses to not enforce a law giving patients the right to choose a pharmacy provider.The trio also discusses an announcement from Oklahoma officials of the state finally getting in compliance with Real ID and Tulsans overwhelming the renewal package for Improve Our Tulsa.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the commutation of more than 500 prisoners in state custody, the concerns growing from law enforcement and citizens over permitless carry and the State Supreme Court listening to the challenge of a controversial alcohol distribution law. The trio also discusses a call by two state Senators to name a portion of Route 66 after President Donald Trump and former broadcast television reporter Abby Broyles announces her intention to run as a Democrat against Senator Jim Inhofe.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about a push to change the way Oklahomans draw political districts by putting it in the hands of an independent committee rather than politicians, the Oklahoma County Sheriff plans to hand over control of the jail to a newly formed trust whether it's ready or not and the attorney general meets with tribal leaders to discuss gaming compacts.The trio also discusses the impact of permitless carry taking effect on November First along with other new laws going to effect on Friday.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the Oklahoma Health Care Authority proposal to hire a Medicaid consultant to help the governor with his health care plan, the supporters of Yes on 802 to get Medicaid Expansion on the ballot file their petitions with the Secretary of State's office and House Speaker Charles McCall wants more oversight of state agencies by getting lawmakers to attend 40 state boards and commissions. The Trio also discusses a supreme court referee hearing from opponents of a state abortion law banning dilation and evacuation after 14 weeks of pregnancy and the Attorney General sets up an online location for crime victims to understand their rights under Marsy's Law.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Director of Policy and Advocacy Nicole McAfee (who is sitting in for Ryan Kiesel) about the Legislative Compensation Board giving legislators a 35% pay raise to $47,000 a year, the Oklahoma Supreme Court rejecting a constitutional challenge against MAPS 4 and the state Republican Party is facing financial issues along with disputes from within its own party.The trio also discusses the petition to expand Medicaid as supporters say they've gathered more than enough with more than a week left and controversial State Senator Joseph Silk says he plans to quit the legislature and run for the Congressional seat currently held by Markwayne Mullin.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about a challenge from gun control advocates to the constitutionality of permitless carry, MAPS Four is also facing a legal challenge ahead of a vote by citizens on December 10th and the commutation of Tondalao Hall, who was sentenced to 30 years for failing to protect her children from her abusive boyfriend, is heading to the governor's desk. The trio also discusses an attempt by one lawmaker to once again add a cap on non-economic damages in compensation cases and the State Senate hires a former staffer for Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb as the new redistricting director.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the Attorney General's announcement saying despite a Tenth Cicuit ruling, women in Oklahoma don't have the right to go topless, also the AG's cease and desist order against at-home rape kit companies he says aren't admissable in courts and a bipartisan group of lawmakers come out in support of a California law allowing college athletes to get endorsements like the pros.The trio also discusses an announcement from Governor Stitt to find a way to crackdown on illegal cell phone use in prisons and a task force on criminal justice reform holding its first public meeting

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about campaign reports showing House Appropriations Chairman Kevin Wallace is renting a garage apartment from former House Appropriations Chair and now OG&E lobbyist Ken Miller and Governor Stitt signs an executive order requiring all state agencies to get approval from his office for grant applications more than  $50,000. The trio also discusses Stitt's acting secretary for the Land Office coming under scrutiny and Epic Virtual Charter School sends a Cease and Desist order to State Senator Ron Sharp

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the announcement by Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson to retire from the position effective at the end of next year, AG Mike Hunter announces the state is hiring a Michigan law firm for $250,000 to deal with tribal gaming compacts and the Department of Corrections locks down state prisons after gang-related violence kills one inmate and injures dozens of others. The trio also discusses the Pardon and Parole Board considering steps to accelerate the commutation process in light of new retroactive laws and they take time to remember T. Boone Pickens.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about Epic Virtual Charter School calling for an investigation of State Senator Ron Sharp over "defamation" of the institution, Oklahoma still ranks second in the number of uninsured people in the state and more people are getting recommendation for commutations and paroles.The trio also discusses a call by House Speaker Charles McCall to begin redistricting efforts early next year and a Kingfisher firearms store owner plans to run on the Republican ticket against U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU' Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the decision by the Secretary of State's office to move forward with counting signatures on a petition to stop permitless carry rather than waiting on a ruling from the State Supreme Court, Broken Arrow Republican Senator Nathan Dahm creates legislation to protect Oklahomans from Congressional "Red Flag" laws and Governor Stitt appoints a new leader to the Department of Public Safety after the resignation of some of its top administrators. The trio also discusses a Federal Election Commission investigation of Congressman Kevin Hern regarding a $60K loan he received from a bank he helped create and govern as well as the Governor's Mansion now standing empty awaiting much needed repairs.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the ruling by a Cleveland County district judge awarding the state $572 million in its opioid lawsuit, supporters of a petition to stop permitless carry hope to gather enough signatures to get State Question 803 on the 2020 ballot and the Oklahoma City Council unanimously passes MAPS 4 and sends it to voters on December 10th. The trio also discusses Epic Virtual Charter getting $113 million despite facing investigations and allegations of embezzlement and Governor Stitt says he supports local communities raising property taxes to pay for local schools.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and sitting in for Ryan Kiesel is ACLU Oklahoma Director of Policy and Advocacy Nicole McAfee. They discuss the call by Governor Stitt to remove Glen Johnson as Higher Education Chancellor, a claim by QuikTrip of an increase in property thefts since State Question 780 was passed by voters and the Cherokee Tribe pointing to a nearly 200 year old treaty in calling for representation in Congress. The trio also discusses a survey of school districts showing nearly 600 vacancies for the new school year and the Oklahoma County Jail Trust removes the sheriff from daily operations to opt instead for an administrator.

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 attempt to stop a permitless carry law taking effect by November First, an alcohol distribution law getting ruled unconstitutional and Medicaid Expansion supporters working to gather nearly 178,000 signatures to get the proposition before voters in 2020. The trio also discusses a call by Governor Stitt to renegotiate gaming compacts with the Oklahoma tribes and Stitt also working to open the first Oklahoma office in Washington, DC since 1995.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics is taking a break for the summer through July and August.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about the first anniversary of medical marijuana and Oklahoma already near the top nationwide in patient participation, Senator Inhofe vows to crack down on the private company reportedly leaving military families in disrepaired and dangerous homes at Tinker and other bases in the U.S. and the State Supreme Court refuses to hear a controversial alcohol bill preferring to send it to Oklahoma County District Court. The trio also discusses a visit by President Trump's Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to an Oklahoma prison and state Democrats criticize prominent members of their party for supporting Republicans.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and ACLU Oklahoma Executive Director Ryan Kiesel about a win for supporters of a ballot initiative petition on Medicaid Expansion when the state Supreme Court ruled it could move forward, the fate of $85M in an opioid settlement with Teva Pharmaceuticals awaits a judges ruling and Oklahoma City passes an ordinance allowing for an amnesty period for past due parking offences and low level offenders. The trio also discusses the Oklahoma Checkbook website unveiled by Governor Stitt to educate people about state budgets and expenses and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt makes history by declaring Pride Week.