This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former House Democratic Leader Emily Virgin about Governor Stitt joining other states in asking to have a seat at the table in federal cuts and layoffs, the State Supreme Court puts a pause on plans by Superintendent Ryan Walters for Bibles and Bible curriculum in classrooms and Superintendent Walters questioning the integrity of school test scores released by his agency.

The trio also discusses state lawmakers passing legislation allowing Board of Education members more access to the agenda and a bill heading to the Senate making it harder for initiative petitions to get on the ballot.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former House Democratic Leader Emily Virgin about Attorney General Gentner Drummond criticizing State Superintendent Ryan Walters over an opinion request, the State Board of Education voting in favor of new controversial social studies standards and a scathing audit against Tulsa Public Schools.

The trio also discusses a ruling in a challenge to Governor Stitt's return-to-work order for state employees and the U.S. Secretary of Transportation touring the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former House Democratic Leader Emily Virgin about an announcement from Governor Stitt concerning a partnership with Oklahoma and the federal government over immigration enforcement, a lawsuit against Stitt over his order for state employees to return to in-office work and State Superintendent Ryan Walters asks for a legal opinion from Attorney General Getner Drummond regarding a Trump executive order on federal funding for undocumented students.

The trio also talks about a report from the Oklahoma Tax Commission showing more than 20% of private school tax credits went to families making more than $250,000 and the 2026 races for Attorney General and State Superintendent get their first candidates.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former Democratic State House Speaker Steve Lewis about Governor Stitt firing three members of the State Board of Education and nominating three replacements and an audit of the Tulsa Public School District.

The trio also discusses legislative leaders pulling back on Governor Stitt's tax cut plan and Operation Guardian to identify, arrest and deport illegal immigrants gets underway.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former Democratic State House Speaker Steve Lewis about the untimely passing of our colleague Ryan Kiesel who died last week after a long battle with cancer as well as Governor Stitt's State of the State Address and executive budget to kick off the 60th Legislative Session.

The trio also discusses lawmakers questioning the budget request by State Superintendent Ryan Walters along with his ask for $3M to buy Bibles and the OSU Board of Regents accepting the resignation of President Kayse Shrum.

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.