Let's Pod This

Trump is indicted, another state rep was arrested, and is Ryan Walters distracting us from what the legislature is doing with education funding? Also: let's dream big dreams together!

We're joined by CAIR Oklahoma executive director, Adam Soltani, to discuss the "othering" of Muslims and other marginalized groups by some members of the Oklahoma legislature, as well as their recent Muslim Day the Capitol and their upcoming Ramadan Iftar with elected officials.

Andy interviews public health professor Sunshine Cowan, PhD about the role & purpose of public health and the history & current use of the word "woke."

SQ820 is on the ballot, the Republicans in the state legislature vote to restrict individual freedom for certain Oklahomans, and there's a big election on April 4th.

Representative Mickey "Kickstand" Dollens joins us to discuss bills attacking the ballot initiative process, the House GOP education proposal, and the somewhat bizarre behavior of our State Superintendent.

Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn joins Andy to discuss the role of the Labor Commissioner, her plans for her second term, and timely topics such as open primaries, the legislative process, and why investing in public education is workforce development.

• Coverage of the House education plan: NonDoc | The Oklahoman
• Opening clip from The Newsroom

Governor Stitt delivered his State of the State addresses and we invited two of our listeners - intern Micah Caruso and Andy's father, Eddie Moore, into the studio to provide live feedback during and after the speech.

It's the week before session and all of Oklahoma is abuzz with discussion about newly elected State Superintendent Ryan Walter's budget request (and his comments about wanting to divide Tulsa Public Schools into multiple districts), so we invited education policy expert Ellen Pogemiller from OEA to join us to discuss what they're watching this year.

Links discussed:  

• You can register to attend the 2023 State of the State Address with Let’s Fix This on our Community Calendar on our website
• The State of the State Address can be attended in person or virtual and will start at 12pm. Let us know if you're attending or watching.
• Leslie Osborn the Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, published a column in the Tulsa World
• Ben Felder from the Oklahoman recently published an article discussing the ‘grassroots’ movement for Oklahoma school vouchers

Andy and Scott return from break and jump right into the issue that's taking up all the oxygen in Oklahoma politics right now - education. Specifically, why is State Superintendent (and Education Secretary) Ryan Walters all over the news this week?

• Ryan Walters presented his budget to the State Board of Education (NonDoc)
• Why OK is paying the State Superintendent More Than the Governor (Oklahoma Watch)
• Thousands of bills filed this year, roughly half of which are shell bills.
• We’re watching several that deal with the Initiative Petition process, elections, voting, and more.
• Also, an honorable mention news story from earlier this month: In what should be a shock to no one, OSDH is taking back control of Public Health Lab (The Frontier)

We return from an unexpectedly long hiatus to reflect on the 2022 election, briefly look ahead to upcoming elections in February, March, and April, and Bailey shares a big announcement!

Links mentioned:

• Here are the candidates campaigning for OKC City Council seats (OKC Free Press)