Capitol Insider

With the 2020 legislative session now over, lawmakers are refocusing on the upcoming elections and issues relevant in the year ahead. Meanwhile, the work of the Oklahoma Capitol Restoration Project moves to the vacant House and Senate chambers. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley take one last look at the session and its effect on the months to come.

The most unusual legislative session in the history of Oklahoma is now over. Legislators welcomed Sine Die Adjournment at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, although they had actually finished their work one week before. By law, the legislature must end the regular session by 5:00 p.m. on the last Friday in May, which they did, but this year the gavel fell without lawmakers in their chambers. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley look back at the session that will always be defined by COVID-19

A week after sending its final bills of the legislative session to Governor Kevin Stitt for his consideration, Oklahoma lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Friday with vetoes on their minds. Six gubernatorial vetoes, to be exact. In short, breathtaking fashion, the legislature overrode vetoes on six bills the governor had vetoed just a few days before. The action came fast, even though the legislature is not legally required to conclude its work for another week, on the last Friday of May.

As the 2020 legislative session is nearing an end, cooperation and disagreement highlighted what will likely be the last full week before Sine Die Adjournment. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley found some of the week's events, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to be unlike any other year in recent memory.

The Oklahoma Legislature is required by law to finish each legislative session by the end of May. This year's work has been slowed due to COVID-19, but lawmakers and the governor are now making up for lost time. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discuss how they are moving quickly to complete "the people's business" on schedule.

With the state of Oklahoma "opening up," Governor Kevin Stitt, the Oklahoma Supreme Court and legislators address issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. As lawmakers prepare to return to the Capitol for the final month of the session, KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discuss the latest developments in state government.

Governor Kevin Stitt moves forward with a plan to do a phased-in re-opening of private businesses in Oklahoma following several weeks of closure due to COVID-19. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discuss the plan and the latest developments in a dispute over new tribal gaming compacts.

After a two week impasse, the Board of Equalization is prepared to meet to address the State of Oklahoma's current year revenue failure. This comes as legislators seek to craft the next state budget and Governor Kevin Stitt looks at ways to restart the state's economy. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol news director Shawn Ashley discuss the latest news from under the dome.

Legislators returned to work at the state Capitol with new policies and procedures to protect members and staff from the COVID-19 virus. News of a current budget year revenue failure dominated the regular and special session, while a disagreement with Governor Stitt delayed the approval process. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discussed the eventful week under the dome.

As the State of Oklahoma works to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Kevin Stitt calls lawmakers back to the Capitol for a special session to consider emergency procedures and the state's budget problems. KGOU's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley discuss the extraordinary measures facing state leaders.