Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt kicked off the legislative session with his seventh annual State of the State address on Monday. The Governor laid out his policy priorities for the session: which include cutting state income taxes, keeping state agency budgets flat, and ending fines, fees and court costs to reform the criminal justice system. He also called for the elimination of virtual days in K-12 schools, as well as a cell phone ban in those schools. His priorities and those of state lawmakers don’t always align, but Stitt’s speech gives us a glimpse into what the GOP-dominated legislature will consider during this session. We’ll have more coverage and offer context on the radio, on this podcast, and online at KOSU.org.

Ryan Kiesel, a civil rights lawyer, former Oklahoma state lawmaker, political consultant and KOSU commentator, died Friday at the age of 45 following a long battle with cancer.

Kiesel was a political commentator on KOSU’s weekly radio program and podcast This Week in Oklahoma Politics, hosted by Michael Cross. For 13 years, Kiesel sat opposite Republican political consultant Neva Hill, as they provided analysis and discussion of the week's political and state government news.

We have more about Kiesel's life and legacy and KOSU.org.

You can leave your remembrances of him by clicking the ‘Contact Us’ page at KOSU.org.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former Democratic House Speaker Steve Lewis sitting in for Ryan Kiesel about President Trump's executive order to freeze federal funding grants, the State Board of Education advancing a new rule requiring parents to give citizenship status upon enrollment of their children and State Superintendent Ryan Walters announcing Oklahoma history standards had changed to include the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley.

The trio also discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to take up a Catholic charter school in OKC and the State Supreme Court making a ruling over tribal compacts.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former Democratic House Speaker Steve Lewis about an upcoming subpoena from the Ethics Commission to State Superintendent Ryan Walters concerning his run for office in 2022, Governor Stitt's call to create an Oklahoma State Guard and bills to watch as we get ready to kick off the 60th legislative session on February 3rd.

The trio also discusses Attorney General Gentner Drummond's decision to join other state's in suing the Environmental Protection Agency and electric vehicle manufacturer Canoo filing for bankruptcy after getting state incentives

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former Democratic House Speaker Steve Lewis sitting in for Ryan Kiesel about Governor Stitt signing an executive order allowing colleges and foundations to pay for student athletes name, image or likeness and Superintendent Ryan Walters announcing a lawsuit against federal officials for costs associate with educating immigrant children.

The trio also discusses Attorney General Gentner Drummond announcing his run for governor and a new study showing Oklahoma ranks fourth nationally for incarceration rates.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former House Speaker Steve Lewis about a video from State Superintendent Ryan Walters attacking teachers and teachers' unions, Oklahoma County ending its lawsuit against OKC over the location of a new jail and supporters of an open primary ballot measure refiling their initiative petition with the Secretary of State.

The trio also discusses Organizational Day at the State Capitol for lawmakers to elect leaders and adopt rules for the coming legislative session and three Republican representatives appeal a $127M OG&E rate increase to the State Supreme Court.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics is taking a break during the holidays, but never fear, Neva, Ryan and Michael are returning to discuss all the things going on at the State Capitol and beyond starting on January 9th, 2025.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the State Supreme Court refusing to issue a prohibition against Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett, resignations at the Pardon and Parole Board cause delays in a clemency hearing for a death row inmate and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority increases tolls across the state effective January First.

The trio also discusses the creation of an online portal for Oklahomans to discuss government efficiency and state agencies make budget requests to lawmakers for the next fiscal year asking for $833M more than last year.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the State Department of Education buying 532 Trump-endorsed Bibles for nearly $25K, Superintendent Ryan Walters mandating schools show a video of him announcing his Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism along with him praying for President-elect Trump and a new initiative petition to open the primary election process to everyone.

The trio also discusses Governor Stitt's "Operation Guardian" to deport convicted criminals who are also undocumented immigrants and an agreement over the settlement of a class-action lawsuit regarding the mental health treatment of inmates.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about a busy week for State Superintendent Ryan Walters preparing for President-elect Trump to take office and possibly dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, Governor Stitt creating an Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and Senate Republican and Democrats electing new leadership.

The trio also discusses the State Supreme Court taking up the case of Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett over allegations he groped a man who works for a utility company regulated by the agency and could Senator Markwayne Mullin or any other Oklahoman get a job in the new Trump Administration.