This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Politics Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about a decision by the State Supreme Court allowing women the "limited right" to an abortion to save their life, the Environmental Protection Agency telling Governor Stitt he can't legally refuse shipment of toxic waste from a train derailment in Ohio and an advisory opinion from Attorney General Gentner Drummond over State Superintendent Ryan Walter's move to create new education rules.

The trio also discusses a call by the attorney general for an investigative audit of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and AG Drummond releasing a backlog of Open Records requests with some dating back years before he took office.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about Volkswagen choosing Canada over Oklahoma for its electric vehicle battery plant despite a $700M incentive package, Governor Stitt declining to accept a shipment of toxic waste from the train derailment in Ohio and Oklahoma banks are working to reassure customers and shareholders after two high profile bank closures over the weekend.

The trio also discusses the firing of Oklahoma Veterans' Affairs Executive Director Joel KIntsel, an outspoken critic of Governor Stitt, and the State Department of Education firing the organizer of the Teacher of the Year ceremony after State Superintendent Ryan Walters showed up late to the event and made several gaffes.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Right Attorney Ryan Kiesel about State Question 820 to legalize recreational marijuana in the state failing to get enough votes for passage, a new poll showing Oklahomans are virtually split on the legalization of sports betting and House Republicans censure the state's openly non-binary lawmaker, Oklahoma City Democratic Representative Mauree Turner.

The trio also discusses a viral interview between Broken Arrow Republican Nathan Dahm and TV personality Jon Stewart over gun control and Oklahoma is mourning the loss of Tom Love, the founder of Love's Country Stores, who died earlier this week at the age of 82.

Thanks for subscribing to This Week in Oklahoma Politics podcast. Today, we’re bringing you a Bonus episode of The KOSU Daily podcast.

The KOSU Daily is our daily news roundup, where you can get caught up with Oklahoma news in 7 or 8 minutes every weekday morning. It's a great, quick way to stay in touch with what's happening in Oklahoma.

Today's episode features reports on the failed vote on recreational marijuana, the GOP-led state legislature censuring Democratic Rep. Mauree Turner, the passing of the founder of Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores and even more Oklahoma news.

If you like this episode, consider searching for and subscribing to The KOSU Daily right here on your podcast app. Thanks.

State Question 820 will be the only issue on the ballot on Tuesday, March 7. If approved, it would legalize recreational marijuana for adult use in Oklahoma and create a pathway for expungement of some marijuana offenses.

In this bonus episode of the podcast, we bring you two stories about State Question 820 from KOSU reporters Kateleigh Mills and Xcaret Nuñez.

The first story concerns how approval of SQ820 could change existing marijuana businesses in Oklahoma, and the second story looks at how similar ballot initiatives faired in the neighboring states of Arkansas and Missouri.       

You can find all of our coverage of State Question 820 at KOSU.org.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the vote this Tuesday on State Question 820 to legalize recreational marijuana in Oklahoma and the State House passing legislation to all but ban gender affirming care in the state.

The trio also discusses a poll finding a majority of Oklahomans support a moratorium on the death penalty and State Superintendent Ryan Walters coming under fire for disparaging words concerning the state's colleges and universities.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about a bill to require legislative oversight of State Superintendent Ryan Walters if he attempts to downgrade a schools accreditation, Walters removing the pictures of Education Hall of Fame members and the State Equalization Board approving an extra $2B for lawmakers to spend in the 2024 fiscal year budget.

The trio also discusses the State House leadership education priorities to include a teacher pay raise and tax breaks for private and homeschool families and early voting for State Question 820 to legalize recreational marijuana in Oklahoma.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about questions arising over a state lawmaker selling her house to the Turnpike Authority at more than $100K above the appraisal for the agency's expansion in Norman, Attorney General Gentner Drummond taking over a criminal case against a state lawmaker and Drummond dropping a lawsuit designed to challenge tribal sovereignty in the state.

The trio also discusses the Catholic Church asking for a tax-payer funded virtual charter school and state lawmakers advancing a bill to give them more control over the State Board of Education.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the governor's State of the State address to open the 2023 legislative sesion.

The trip also discusses new opposition to State Question 820 to legalize recreational marijuana facing a vote on March Seventh and Attorney General Gentner Drummond planning to investigate new appointments by the governor to the Oklahoma Veterans' Commission.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt kicked off his new term with the annual State of the State address on Monday. The Governor laid out his policy priorities for the session: which includes expanding school choice, eliminating the state grocery tax of 4.5% and reducing the personal income tax and corporate tax rates. He also called for a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. His priorities and those of state lawmakers don’t always align, but Stitt’s speech gives us a glimpse into what the GOP-led legislature will consider during this legislative session. We’ll have more coverage and offer context on the radio and online at KOSU.org. And, of course, Michael, Neva & Ryan will be back later this week to provide their thoughts on the address and the new legislative session.