Gov. Kevin Stitt delivers the 2024 State of the State address
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Gov. Kevin Stitt will address the Oklahoma legislature with the annual State of the State Address.
Some lawmakers look to prioritize tax cuts and education during the session.
Last year, I called on the legislature to cut the personal income tax from 4.75% to 3.99%. I’ve called three special sessions to try and give Oklahomans a pay raise. Instead, our recurring expenses grew last year by over $1.14 billion dollars. And that doesn’t include one time expenses or ARPA funding. With record savings and surpluses, I’m asking, “if not now, when?” In the 1990’s, we were at 7% income tax. So I’m renewing my call. Let’s get Oklahoma back on the path to zero.”
Gov. Kevin Stitt, State of the State address
Last week the House did vote on a tax cut measure but the Senate did not take any action.
In his speech he outlines his accomplishments.
He touted the education tax credit program passed during the last legislative session.
In addition to that he wants action in order to make the economy grow.
If we are a top 10 state, all boats will rise – education, infrastructure, health outcomes, and quality of life. It’s not that complicated. The economy is going to follow the path of least resistance.Our job is to make Oklahoma the state where it is the easiest to start and grow a business.
Gov. Kevin Stitt, State of the State address
Stitt says in order to accomplish that local governments should do more and to match competitors like Dallas, Kansas City, Denver and Houston. He says this will make Oklahoma more attractive to retailers, the technology industry, and aerospace.
Among the issues Oklahoma lawmakers are expected to tackle this session is a possible income tax cut, a top priority for Stitt. The House approved a 0.25% reduction in the rate last week, but Senate leaders have said such a move is premature since final revenue numbers haven’t been released.
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat released data over the weekend suggesting that cutting the state’s portion of the sales tax on groceries would save the average Oklahoman more than five times as much as a 0.25% income tax cut.
“Eliminating the grocery tax would provide Oklahomans immediate relief and savings they would see every time they go to the grocery store,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.
Stitt, a Republican and himself a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, has had a contentious relationship with tribal leaders that began with a dispute during his first year in office over casino revenue and has worsened with conflict over agreements on tobacco sales, motor vehicle tags, taxes and criminal jurisdiction.
The governor, now in his second term, has been a frequent critic of expanded tribal sovereignty and of the landmark 2020 U.S. Supreme Court decision that determined state prosecutors lack criminal jurisdiction over certain crimes committed in Indian Country.
“Three years after McGirt, we are still operating under a confusing and conflicting patchwork of jurisdiction across our state. It is imperative that we clarify our law enforcement relationships immediately. That’s why I created the One Oklahoma Task Force to come up with cross-deputization and jail agreements. I hope that this task force can work to find a solution that protects the safety of all four million Oklahomans, regardless of their race or heritage, and I hope the tribes will choose to participate. In 2021 I said, ‘It is critical – while embracing the tribal heritage of many Oklahomans – that we don’t lose sight of the fact that we are all Oklahomans.’ We can’t be a state that operates with two different sets of rules. Especially based on race.”
Gov. Kevin Stitt, State of the State address
“Once again, instead of embracing tribes and our cultural and economic contributions to the state of Oklahoma, the Governor continues to treat us as problems that need to be solved. Three years later, Governor Stitt continues to wrongly frame the Supreme Court’s historic McGirt decision – which correctly reaffirmed tribal sovereignty and the continued promise of our treaties – as problems to reverse. Every day, tribes are working to collaborate with our partners, including state, federal and local law enforcement, to maintain public safety for all citizens. Meanwhile, the governor continues to use incidents that demonstrate the need for communication and collaboration as excuses to create further confusion and instability, and to waste Oklahoma resources on continued legal fights. We appreciate the Governor’s comments towards respecting the compacts that were successfully negotiated in recent weeks. Now it’s time to extend that same respect towards tribal sovereignty as a whole. “
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr
“We appreciate Gov. Stitt’s acknowledgement of recent agreements with some tribes, and the Choctaw Nation remains committed to cooperation to improve life for all Oklahomans,” Batton said.
“Unfortunately, the governor continues to fight over legal matters that have been settled by the U.S. Supreme Court and use divisive language when talking about tribes and our members. Too often, he appears not to understand how to work with an equal partner for the benefit of all.”
Chief Gary Batton, Choctaw Nation
“Cooperation and collaboration among Tribal, State and Federal law enforcement has been strengthened since the 2020 Supreme Court ruling expanding our criminal jurisdiction. This cooperation may be seen most clearly in the fact that 69% of the charges developed on Lighthorse arrests have been referred to local District Attorneys or a U.S. Attorney for prosecution. Similarly, 65% of cases filed in Chickasaw Nation District Court were based on charges referred by another law enforcement agency, typically a local police department or sheriff’s office.
The Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department has significantly increased its roster to help ensure public safety for Oklahomans across the Chickasaw Nation. There are currently 105 sworn Chickasaw Lighthorse officers among their 129 employees committed to keeping peace in the Chickasaw Nation.
In 2023 alone the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police responded to more than 35,700 calls for service.
We have 79 cross-deputation agreements with law enforcement agencies that enable them to act together seamlessly as they pursue their shared goals of promoting public safety and pursuing justice for all.”
Bill Anoatubby, Chickasaw Nation Governor
House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson (D-OKC) spoke during a press conference following the Governor’s speech.
“His continued conflict with tribal leaders is unacceptable,” she said.
Rep. Munson added Oklahoma’s tribes have been great partners and have been a great example of what happens when government invests in their community and leadership.
In the address, the Governor also compared an Arizona reservation with Eastern Oklahoma.
“Arizona has the Navajo Reservation. And it’s true tribal members who live on the Navajo reservation don’t pay taxes to the state of Arizona. But here’s what’s also true:
The State of Arizona doesn’t build roads on the reservation.
They don’t fund hospitals or public schools or airports on the reservation.
They don’t send the Arizona Highway Patrol to enforce laws on the reservation.
There are tribal governments who want Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma to look like the Navajo Reservation.”
Kevin Stitt
Gov. Stitt added Oklahoma has better outcomes for tribal populations than Arizona.
“I don’t know exactly what he means by that. First of all, I love my Navajo brothers and sisters, and I’m sure they’re rightly proud of their reservation. So if he was looking to make that a negative, I don’t understand it. But I do know that Northeast Oklahoma is a beautiful place. It’s a place where there’s great new economic possibilities, a great deal of opportunity to work together.
Why? Because the Cherokee Nation is there and we have good relations with our friends and neighbors. As long as people bring that mindset in, I don’t think there’s any negatives to be drawn. We do have a reservation. The law is the same here as it is anywhere in the country, because we’re talking about federal Indian law, we’re talking about treaty rights. He fundamentally doesn’t see a role for tribal governments, but I have news for him. It’s the 21st century. We’re here. We’re not going anywhere. We’re going to be here as partners.
Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation
The Navajo Nation did not send KFOR a comment on the governor’s speech but did send what they say are correct facts concerning remarks in the speech.
The Navajo Nation Reservation spans Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
Arizona does have roads built and maintained by the state in the Reservation boundaries.
Arizona and New Mexico both fund/run public schools on the Reservation.
Although there are, in fact, no state public health facilities on the Reservation, citizens are eligible for Medicaid/healthcare assistance from all three states the Reservation resides in.
There is a law enforcement agreement between the Navajo Nation and Arizona’s Department of Public Safety, Arizona’s Navajo County, New Mexico’s Department of Public Safety and Utah’s San Juan County (the county in which the Reservation resides).
“Look at our track record. Millions in the public schools, building up public infrastructure, investing in health care, being a government that solves lots of problems alongside other governments. Oklahomans actually want tribal governments to function, and they applaud us for good reason. I just wish Governor Stitt would join us here in the 21st century and we could get more done,” stated Chief Hoskin Jr.
Chief Hoskin Jr. said the Cherokee Nation will continue to have discuss tribal matters with the Governor, but urges Gov. Stitt keep an open door policy.
“We’re talking about how the economy can be impacted by our actions. People’s livelihoods can be impacted. Public safety can be impacted. We have to make sure that’s first and foremost. I think that means we need an open door with each other,” he stated.
Speaker of the House Charles McCall (R-Atoka) told KFOR the legislature will remain in conversation with tribal leaders.
“There are some challenges, but I think the tribes have demonstrated in the past they want things to be great in Oklahoma, too. And we’ll fight. We’ll find ways to work those out,” explained Speaker McCall.
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