This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about three Republican lawmakers calling on the state Supreme Court to disqualify Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett from utility rate hike cases, investigation against State Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Department of Education and ethics questions regarding a southeast Oklahoma representative over green-energy projects on his land.

The trio also discuses accusations against an organization behind the boycott of banks who support environmental, social and governance policies and the State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse removes harm reduction vending machines.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about State Question 832 to increase the minimum wage getting pushed for a vote in June of 2026, the recount for Tulsa mayor ends with no significant changes and State Superintendent Ryan Walters along with the Board of Education face a couple of legal issues in the past week.

The trio also discusses the U.S. Department of Education giving $59M to Oklahoma for student literacy programs and Oklahoma County Commissioner Carrie Blumert is leaving her position.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the expected changes in the state legislature after summer primary and runoff elections, a group of far right Republicans announce the creation of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus and State Superintendent Ryan Walters' Bible mandate.

The trio also discusses a judge rejecting the consent decree announced by Attorney General Gentner Drummond to improve mental health in Oklahoma jails and what stories did we miss during our summer hiatus?

This week in Oklahoma Politics is taking a break for the summer months. Ryan, Neva and Michael will be returning on September 6th. In the meantime, stay up to date with the latest Oklahoma news by subscribing to the KOSU Daily podcast and keep up today 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 State Supreme Court ruling against a Catholic charter school finding it unconstitutional, Governor Stitt creating advisors rather than cabinet members to avoid state law banning people from holding two separate offices.

The trio also discusses Stitt's approval of controversial State Department of Education rules championed by Superintendent Ryan Walters and the State Senate is meeting in another special session next month.

Mentioned in this episode:

Oklahoma State Medical Association

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the primary elections, spending by State Superintendent Ryan Walters on public relations and the State Supreme Court ruling in favor of Edmond Public Schools to choose which books to keep in its library.

The trio also discusses the decision by a federal judge to block portions of a law to ban school classes on certain racial and gender topics and Governor Stitt calling on Oklahoma agencies to prepare for a conflict between the U.S. and China

Mentioned in this episode:

Oklahoma State Medical Association

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the upcoming primary elections, Governor Stitt's call for a special session to consider his nomination of Mike Holder to the Board of Regents for A&M Colleges and Oklahoma County Commissioners moving forward with the purchase of land near Del City for a new jail.

The Trio also discusses a decision by an Oklahoma County judge saying gubernatorial cabinet members cannot be dual office holders and the same judge also rules in favor of opponents of a Catholic charter schools.

Mentioned in this episode:

Oklahoma State Medical Association

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about the nearly $12.5B budget passed by lawmakers in the waning days of the 2024 legislative session as well as an overview of the session itself.

The trio also discusses lawmakers wanting an inquiry by the attorney general of the top adviser for State Superintendent Ryan Walters and the governor's announcement of a partnership between the state and Google to provide instruction on artificial intelligence.

Mentioned in this episode:

Oklahoma State Medical Association

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 of Oklahoma facing a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice over its new immigration law, OKC Council denying a special permit for a new Oklahoma County Jail near Del City and a budget agreement from state lawmakers.

The trio also discusses the passage of a revised version of the Oklahoma Survivors' Act to protect victims of domestic abuse from certain sentencing and approval of a $4.3M arch on the south side of the State Capitol.

Mentioned in this episode:

Oklahoma State Medical Association

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civil Rights Attorney Ryan Kiesel about budget talks ongoing with a week left in the regular session, a district judge halting Oklahoma's law creating a blacklist of banks deemed critical of the oil and gas industry and Congressman Tom Cole facing a challenge from a well-financed Texas businessman.

The trio also talks about Robert Kennedy, Jr. getting added to the Presidential ballot in Oklahoma as an independent candidate and Oklahoma City Public Schools hiring from within its ranks to take the job as the district's next superintendent.

Mentioned in this episode:

Oklahoma State Medical Association