A discussion of the week's news from Oklahoma's State Capitol between KGOU Public Radio's Dick Pryor and eCapitol's Shawn Ashley, plus interviews with newsmakers.
Oklahomans get ready to head to the polls for the General Election
Oklahoma Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax provides an update on when, where, and how to vote in the 2024 General Election.
18/10/2024 • 7 minutes, 53 secondes
Another Oklahoma case may be heard by U.S. Supreme Court
A legal decision involving the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School may be the next Oklahoma case heard at the U.S. Supreme Court.
11/10/2024 • 5 minutes, 55 secondes
Interim legislative studies get underway at Oklahoma Capitol
Lawmakers aren't in session, but are looking ahead to next year and coming up with ideas for potential bills
04/10/2024 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
Market signs are good for state but workforce hinders Oklahoma economy
A leading Oklahoma economist says the Oklahoma economy is holding up well, but concerns are growing about education and workforce.
27/09/2024 • 11 minutes, 48 secondes
As general election nears, state strikes ineligible voters from rolls
Governor announces more than 450,000 names of ineligible voters have been removed from registration prior to 2024 general election.
20/09/2024 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
LOFT to investigate State Department of Education funding
The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency is moving toward a date to begin investigation of funding practices at the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
13/09/2024 • 5 minutes, 48 secondes
State Board of Regents seeks successor to Chancellor Allison Garrett
As they seek a successor to outgoing Chancellor Allison Garrett, the State Board of Regents issues a new report showing strong employment results for recent graduates.
06/09/2024 • 5 minutes, 48 secondes
Legislative incumbent election defeats keep piling up
Three more incumbent legislators have lost in the Oklahoma primary elections. Two of those losing this year were in powerful House and Senate positions.
29/08/2024 • 5 minutes, 47 secondes
State Board of Education Disputes Attorney General's Legal Opinion
Attorney General Gentner Drummond issues legal opinion requiring state school board to permit certain legislators to attend executive session meetings.
23/08/2024 • 5 minutes, 50 secondes
Inflation is easing as signs of recession cloud economic outlook
Dr. Robert Dauffenbach analyzes the state of the national and Oklahoma economies, and sees warning signs of a possible downturn ahead.
16/08/2024 • 6 minutes, 25 secondes
Oklahoma political environment heading toward General Election
Get ready for more divisive, hyper-partisan politics in the weeks leading up to the General Election in November, predicts Oklahoma political scientist.
09/08/2024 • 5 minutes, 50 secondes
State Board of Education accused of violating Open Meeting Act
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is in the process of determining whether the State Board of Education violated the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act during its July meeting.
02/08/2024 • 5 minutes, 50 secondes
State Board of Education accused of violating Open Meeting Act
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is in the process of determining whether the State Board of Education violated the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act during its July meeting.
02/08/2024 • 5 minutes, 50 secondes
Historic developments shake up presidential race and 2024 elections
Historic developments in the last two weeks have dramatically changed the dynamics in the highly consequential 2024 presidential election.
26/07/2024 • 6 minutes, 24 secondes
State Senate Republicans select next leader
It's not final yet, but State Senate Republicans have elected Lonnie Paxton of Tuttle to succeed Greg Treat as Senate President Pro Tempore.
19/07/2024 • 5 minutes, 54 secondes
Walters proposes complete overhaul of state social studies standards
State Superintendent Ryan Walters has announced plans to dramatically change social studies standards for state schools and appoints the committee to guide revisions.
12/07/2024 • 5 minutes, 54 secondes
New laws to watch as recently-passed legislation goes into effect
As of July 1st, almost a hundred new laws are now on the books in Oklahoma. Quorum Call publisher Shawn Ashley discusses some that stand out.
05/07/2024 • 5 minutes, 54 secondes
Republican primary election upset shakes up State Senate leadership
Who will succeed Greg Treat as Senate President Pro Tempore? That question seemed to be answered until the senator in line to move into the position lost in the primary.
28/06/2024 • 6 minutes, 24 secondes
Primary election upset puts state senate leadership in flux
The lawmaker set to become the next state Senate President Pro Tempore lost in his bid for re-election, sending the Oklahoma Senate into unprecedented territory.
21/06/2024 • 5 minutes, 23 secondes
Senate goes into special session to deal with nomination of OSU regent
Governor Kevin Stitt has called the State Senate back to the Capitol for a special session to consider the appointment of Mike Holder to the OSU Board of Regents.
14/06/2024 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
Governor signs "Women's Bill of Rights"
Governor Kevin Stitt has until June 14th to sign bills passed in the final week of the Oklahoma legislative session. He quickly signed the "Women's Bill of Rights."
07/06/2024 • 5 minutes, 48 secondes
Legislators race to finish, House and Senate adjourn sine die
The 2024 Oklahoma legislative session is over, concluding one day ahead of the legally-mandated deadline.
31/05/2024 • 5 minutes, 46 secondes
Budget deal in place, legislators race toward end of session
It took until the final two weeks of the session, but the governor and legislative leaders reached agreement on the fiscal year 2025 budget. Now, it's crunch time.
24/05/2024 • 5 minutes, 41 secondes
Budget talks continuing with end of legislative session looming
Budget summit meetings have been moving the state budget and appropriation process forward, but lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement on the fiscal year 2025 budget.
17/05/2024 • 5 minutes, 46 secondes
Budget, budget, budget
Oklahoma legislators continue to work through a variety of issues as they craft the fiscal year 2025 state budget...and time is running short.
10/05/2024 • 5 minutes, 46 secondes
House, Senate to meet with governor as lawmakers hit "reset" on budget
It appeared legislative leaders were making progress on the budget for fiscal year 2025, but now the process is starting over with less than a month left in the session.
03/05/2024 • 5 minutes, 46 secondes
Audit raises questions about state management of federal funds
A critical state audit report and the effect of a little known legislative procedure known as "shucking" highlights a hectic week at the state Capitol.
26/04/2024 • 5 minutes, 54 secondes
Budget talks moving forward again
The state House and Senate are starting to see areas of agreement as they restart the process to craft a state budget for fiscal year 2025.
19/04/2024 • 5 minutes, 54 secondes
Major issues remain as legislature heads into last 6 weeks of session
Lawmakers still have heavy lifting to do on significant legislation as they head toward Sine Die Adjournment at the end of May.
12/04/2024 • 5 minutes, 49 secondes
House and Senate standoff threatens timely state budget agreement
Oklahoma legislative leaders disagree over the path forward toward developing the state budget for the next fiscal year.
05/04/2024 • 5 minutes, 55 secondes
Democrats renew call for committee to investigate State Superintendent
Democratic lawmakers have again called on Speaker of the House Charles McCall to form a bipartisan committee to investigate State Superintendent Ryan Walters.
29/03/2024 • 5 minutes, 54 secondes
Movement on budget negotiations expected to pick up
As legislators return to work following spring break, the stage is set for budget talks to gain momentum.
22/03/2024 • 5 minutes, 49 secondes
Outlining work schedule as legislators move into session's second half
The middle of March is spring break time for lawmakers. We look ahead at the work to be done in the tumultuous final weeks of the 2024 legislative session.
18/03/2024 • 5 minutes, 49 secondes
Governor sues attorney general in fight over AG legal opinion
A legal opinion from Attorney General Gentner Drummond forced a member of Governor Stitt's cabinet to resign. Now, the governor is seeking legal action against the AG.
09/03/2024 • 5 minutes, 54 secondes
Stitt signs bill reducing Oklahoma grocery sales tax rate
Governor Kevin Stitt has signed into law a bill that received bipartisan support to reduce the state's grocery sales tax rate.
01/03/2024 • 5 minutes, 48 secondes
Oklahoma reduces state grocery sales tax rate
After years of discussion and votes that carried over from 2023 to 2024, the Oklahoma House and Senate have sent to the governor a bill that reduces the tax on groceries.
23/02/2024 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
Equalization Board certifies money for legislature to appropriate
Lawmakers now know they will have a record $14 billion to appropriate for fiscal year 2025 following certification of available funds by the State Board of Equalization.
17/02/2024 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
Lawmakers begin considering bills as new legislative session begins
After Governor Kevin Stitt's State of the State Address, legislators began reviewing bills and joint resolutions in the Second Regular Session of the 59th Legislature.
09/02/2024 • 5 minutes, 48 secondes
2024 Oklahoma Legislative Regular Session begins
Lawmakers are returning to the State Capitol on Monday to convene the new regular legislative session and hear the governor's State of the State Address.
02/02/2024 • 5 minutes, 52 secondes
Special session begins as lawmakers consider individual income tax cut
House and Senate leaders take differing views on Governor Kevin Stitt's special session call to cut the individual income tax rate.
27/01/2024 • 5 minutes, 46 secondes
Call for special session gets cool reception
Governor Kevin Stitt wants legislators to convene a special session to cut the state's income tax rate before the regular legislative session begins on February 5.
19/01/2024 • 5 minutes, 46 secondes
Five Tribes refuse to participate in governor's McGirt task force
The Five Civilized Tribes have rejected an invitation to serve on a task force created to address Governor Stitt's concerns about the impact of the McGirt decision.
12/01/2024 • 5 minutes, 42 secondes
Lawmakers to appropriate $13.9 Billion in next state budget
When they return to the Capitol in February, Oklahoma legislators will have $1.3 Billion more to appropriate in the fiscal year 2025 budget than they did last year.
05/01/2024 • 5 minutes, 46 secondes
Top Ten Oklahoma Stories of 2023, Part 2
We close out 2023 with our Capitol Insider Top Ten Oklahoma Stories of the year. This segment, Part 2, highlights stories five through one.
29/12/2023 • 6 minutes, 18 secondes
Top Ten Oklahoma stories of 2023, Part 1
We close the year with the top ten Oklahoma stories of 2023, as reported and discussed each week on Capitol Insider. This segment, Part 1, looks at stories ten through six.
22/12/2023 • 6 minutes, 23 secondes
Stitt takes aim at DEI programs through executive order
Governor Kevin Stitt has signed a new executive order to limit diversity, equity and inclusion practices and programs at state agencies and higher education institutions.
15/12/2023 • 4 minutes, 12 secondes
Senate leader attempts to make state budget process more transparent
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat has announced a plan to make the state's budget and appropriations process more transparent during the 2024 legislative session.
08/12/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
Application period pushed back for new private school tax credits
The Oklahoma Tax Commission has delayed for a few days the application period for parents to apply for income tax credits to send their children to private schools.
01/12/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
Looking ahead to the 2024 elections
Less than a year remains before the 2024 general election. We talk to Oklahoma Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax about preparations for statewide voting next year.
24/11/2023 • 8 minutes, 27 secondes
New Oklahoma anti-abortion laws on hold
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has enjoined implementation of three Oklahoma anti-abortion laws from 2021 following a legal challenge.
17/11/2023 • 5 minutes, 54 secondes
Legislators study state-tribal compacts
Lawmakers heard from tribal leaders during a two-day interim study looking at compacts between the State of Oklahoma and sovereign Native American nations.
10/11/2023 • 5 minutes, 49 secondes
New laws hit the books as calendar turns to November
On November 1st, more than 200 bills became law in Oklahoma. We talk about a few of them this week on Capitol Insider.
03/11/2023 • 5 minutes, 54 secondes
Schools stymied in effort to change sex and gender records of students
The State Board of Education has ruled against two school districts complying with a court order to change sex and gender designation on records of certain students.
27/10/2023 • 5 minutes, 18 secondes
Supreme Court to hear tax case that prompted special session
A key element of Governor Kevin Stitt's call for a special session is going before the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the decision could have a dramatic impact on taxes.
20/10/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
Just what is an interim study...and why should we care?
As legislators consider issues and possible legislation during interim studies, we thought it would be a good idea to discuss what they are and what to watch for.
13/10/2023 • 5 minutes, 52 secondes
Special session in limbo after Senate adjourns Sine die
As the House and Senate returned for a special session, Governor Kevin Stitt pushed for tax cuts. But, the special session abruptly paused when the Senate adjourned.
06/10/2023 • 5 minutes, 52 secondes
State Board of Education seeks less school funding for year ahead
The State Board of Education announces a new program focusing on four key areas of instruction as it submits budget request to the state legislature for fiscal year 2025.
29/09/2023 • 5 minutes, 52 secondes
Attorney General questions Ethics Commission open meeting law compliance
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond tells the Ethics Commission it may have violated the state's Open Meeting Act during its search for a new executive director.
22/09/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
Stitt calls legislature back for special session in October
Oklahoma legislators will be heading back to the state Capitol again this fall to consider three items on Governor Kevin Stitt's agenda.
15/09/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
Slowing Oklahoma economy reflected in declining state revenue collections
State Treasurer Todd Russ reported Thursday that the state's total revenue collections for the month of August were down $121.8 million, or 8.9%, compared to the same month one year ago. Gross production tax collections on oil and natural gas were responsible for the largest part of the decline.
08/09/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
House Democrats push for committee to explore Walters impeachment
The House Democratic Caucus is seeking formation of a committee to investigate State Superintendent Ryan Walters and consider whether impeachment is warranted.
01/09/2023 • 5 minutes, 53 secondes
State works to provide relief from heat
As temperatures continue to hover around the century mark, the stress is showing in various ways. Efforts are underway to help mitigate effects of the extreme heat.
25/08/2023 • 5 minutes, 46 secondes
Oklahoma Broadband Office seeks input and expansion of service
Reliable broadband service is essential in today's world, and we discuss Oklahoma's plan for improving access with the new executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office.
18/08/2023 • 7 minutes, 46 secondes
Lawmakers begin work for 2024 legislative session
With the special session over, Oklahoma lawmakers are now turning their attention to matters that may make it into bills introduced during the 2024 legislative session.
11/08/2023 • 5 minutes, 46 secondes
Lawsuit filed in gubernatorial-legislative dispute over tribal compacts
After two vetoes are overridden, Governor Kevin Stitt asks the Oklahoma Supreme Court for ruling on whether the legislature has authority over state-tribal compacts.
04/08/2023 • 5 minutes, 47 secondes
State-tribal compacts spark legislative action and controversy
As the special session nears an end, conflict over state-tribal compacts arises, involving the legislature, governor, attorney general, and prominent tribal nations.
28/07/2023 • 5 minutes, 48 secondes
New group seeks changes in Oklahoma closed primary system
In an effort to increase voter participation and less partisanship, an Oklahoma group is pushing for electoral reforms that would change Oklahoma primary elections.
21/07/2023 • 15 minutes, 18 secondes
Special session on hold as adjournment deadline approaches
Oklahoma legislators have until the end of July to act on gubernatorial vetoes and budget bills in a special session before the session adjourns.
14/07/2023 • 5 minutes, 48 secondes
Stitt seeks tribal compact extensions
Governor Kevin Stitt is pushing for extensions on expiring tribal tobacco compacts.
07/07/2023 • 5 minutes, 48 secondes
Tourism and Recreation Department ready for summer fun at state parks
A year ago, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department was facing numerous challenges, but things are looking up at state parks as the summer vacation season begins.
30/06/2023 • 13 minutes, 52 secondes
State Superintendent supports recommendations for religion in schools
State Superintendent Ryan Walters has proposed enforcing a state law that requires Oklahoma schools to begin each class day with a minute of silence for prayer.
23/06/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 secondes
Democrats seek information about status of education grants
As the legislative special session about the state budget hits a lull, House Democrats are seeking information on the status of federal education grants and expenditures.
16/06/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 secondes
Special session winding down
With the deadline for the end of the special session coming June 30th, Oklahoma lawmakers are wrapping up their legislative work for 2023.
09/06/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 secondes
Closing out the legislative regular session as special session looms
Governor Kevin Stitt has been taking action on various bills passed during the 2023 regular session, including vetoing two bills related to state-tribal compacts.
02/06/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 secondes
2023 Oklahoma legislative session adjourns Sine Die
With one special session underway and another one possible, the Oklahoma House and Senate reached agreement on a budget and adjourned Sine Die on Friday afternoon.
26/05/2023 • 5 minutes, 45 secondes
State budget heads legislative agenda for last week of regular session
With education funding bills now approved, the House and Senate are working quickly to draft the state budget for the next fiscal year.
19/05/2023 • 5 minutes, 45 secondes
Time running short for tax cuts, education funding, and state budget
Only two weeks remain in the 2023 legislative regular session, and lawmakers are still seeking agreement on education funding and state budget for the next fiscal year.
12/05/2023 • 5 minutes, 45 secondes
Heading into session's final three weeks, no budget deal done
Squabbling over competing education funding plans leaves lawmakers without a budget agreement as the 2023 legislature's adjournment looms on May 26th.
06/05/2023 • 5 minutes, 45 secondes
Impasse over education bills, tax cuts exposes deepening rift
Governor Kevin Stitt is using his veto pen to retaliate against the State Senate to force passage of his education and private school funding plan and tax cuts.
28/04/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 secondes
Time is short for Oklahoma lawmakers to draft new state budget
Just five weeks remain in the 2023 Oklahoma legislative session, and lawmakers still have about 500 bills to consider and the next state budget to draft.
21/04/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 secondes
Attorney General opinions trigger action for accountability, cabinet
Oklahoma attorney general's opinion requires oversight of agency purchases, after legislative report found the state spent $3 billion without fiscal accountability.
14/04/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 secondes
Education policy, funding and administrative rules up in the air
Oklahoma lawmakers are still at an impasse over education funding, and the future of proposed State Board of Education administrative rules has yet to be determined.
07/04/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 secondes
House, Senate remain at odds over school choice bills
Both houses of the Oklahoma legislature want school choice bills to become law, but the two sides have dug in over disagreements about how to craft the legislation.
31/03/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 secondes
Treat discusses House-Senate impasse over education bills
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat weighs in on stalled education bills and response to Volkswagen bypassing Oklahoma for a manufacturing plant.
24/03/2023 • 7 minutes, 23 secondes
Oklahoma House to reconsider student corporal punishment bill
A bill that would prohibit corporal punishment of students with disabilities failed in the Oklahoma House, but the author plans to bring it to the floor again on Monday.
17/03/2023 • 5 minutes, 52 secondes
Facts behind censure of Oklahoma City state legislator disputed
The Oklahoma House of Representatives censured a non-binary member for allegedly "harboring a fugitive" following an incident during protest of anti-transgender legislation.
10/03/2023 • 5 minutes, 51 secondes
Speaker of the House McCall explains private and home school tax credit bills
The Oklahoma House of Representatives has sent to the Senate two bills that would provide education tax credits for parents with students in private and home schools.
06/03/2023 • 18 minutes, 11 secondes
Attorney General withdraws opinion for misusing religious liberty
Attorney General Gentner Drummond has withdrawn an AG opinion he says was improperly requested and misused religious liberty to justify state-funded religion.
24/02/2023 • 5 minutes, 45 secondes
House Republicans unveil education plan
Speaker of the House Charles McCall has announced the House Republican plan for education, which includes increased funding for public schools and tax credits for parents with children in private schools and home-based education.
17/02/2023 • 5 minutes, 9 secondes
2023 Oklahoma Legislative Session begins
Now that Governor Kevin Stitt has delivered his State of the State address and executive budget, the work picks up in the Oklahoma legislature.
10/02/2023 • 5 minutes, 14 secondes
State of the State address highlights start of 2023 legislative session
Although the 2023 session is already underway, work begins in earnest on Monday with a joint session of the House and Senate for the governor's State of the State address.
Two of Oklahoma's newest statewide elected officials have signaled their intentions for the start of their terms, and change is in the air.
27/01/2023 • 5 minutes, 25 secondes
Oklahoma lawmakers file more than 3,000 pieces of legislation as session heats up
Now, the fun starts. Thursday was the bill filing deadline for the 2023 Oklahoma legislative session, and a late push saw lawmakers break the 3,000 mark.
20/01/2023 • 5 minutes, 30 secondes
Kevin Stitt begins second term as Oklahoma governor
Inauguration Day has come and gone and now Governor Kevin Stitt, the Oklahoma legislature and new State Superintendent Ryan Walters begin work on what could be a transformational 2023 in state government.
13/01/2023 • 5 minutes, 25 secondes
State government stories to watch in 2023
With Inauguration Day coming Monday, major story lines are shaping up for the 2023 Oklahoma Legislative Session.
06/01/2023 • 5 minutes, 57 secondes
The top ten Oklahoma stories of 2022
KGOU's Dick Pryor and QuorumCall's Shawn Ashley continue their countdown of the top ten Oklahoma stories of 2022. Which story will be number 1?
30/12/2022 • 7 minutes
Reflecting on the top ten Oklahoma stories of the year in 2022
Dick Pryor and Shawn Ashley look back at the top stories of the year in Oklahoma politics, policy and government to close out 2022. In this week's segment, they unveil stories ten through six.
23/12/2022 • 5 minutes, 25 secondes
Bill filing continues as Inauguration Day nears
Oklahoma legislators have a month to go before the bill filing deadline, and already some are generating discussion and headlines.
16/12/2022 • 5 minutes
Lawmakers prepping bills for new legislative session
The deadline for legislators to request bills and joint resolutions for drafting passed on Friday, December 9th. We look at the next steps in the process as lawmakers prepare for the 2023 legislative session.
A District Court judge has dealt a setback to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority by ruling the Authority willfully violated the Open Meeting Act with deceptive language in meeting agendas and documents during action on the ACCESS Oklahoma turnpike expansion project.
03/12/2022 • 5 minutes
New comic book urges civic participation and voting
Former state representative and gubernatorial candidate Joe Dorman has a new idea to encourage voting in Oklahoma - a comic book directed at young people to explain the importance of civic responsibility.
28/11/2022 • 6 minutes
Lawmakers prepare for 2023 Oklahoma legislative session
The election is over and the members of the new legislature have now been sworn in and house and senate leaders have been nominated. Capitol Insider looks at where the 59th Legislature is heading when it convenes in February.
19/11/2022 • 5 minutes, 31 secondes
Republican dominance continues in Oklahoma elections
Oklahoma's 2022 general election saw another victorious night for Republican candidates from the state legislature to Congress.
12/11/2022 • 15 minutes, 2 secondes
Polling suggests unpredictable Oklahoma General Election
The 2022 General Election is Tuesday. And while most legislative races have already been determined, the statewide races still to be decided may present some surprises.
05/11/2022 • 5 minutes, 30 secondes
The Race for Oklahoma Governor: Republican Party nominee Kevin Stitt
Capitol Insider talks to the Republican Party nominee for governor of Oklahoma: Governor Kevin Stitt.
28/10/2022 • 12 minutes, 30 secondes
The Race for Oklahoma Governor: Democratic Party nominee Joy Hofmeister
Capitol Insider talks to the Democratic Party nominee for governor of Oklahoma: State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister.
21/10/2022 • 11 minutes
Three new leaders selected for state government heading into critical operational period
Over the last few days, Governor Kevin Stitt has announced three key leadership appointments, subject to Senate confirmation.