Oklahoma Legislative Session Starts Monday

The biggest stories of the day across Oklahoma:

• Oklahoma legislative session starts Monday

• Gov. Kevin Stitt to give ‘State Of The State’ address

• Former lawmaker, attorney Ryan Kiesel dies

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Weather Briefing ☀️

The groundhog saw his shadow on Sunday, and folklore says it means we still have six more weeks of winter to survive before spring.

But not Monday! Best weather day of the year (so far) today.

🌡️ High in OKC 78°
🌡️ High in Tulsa 75°

Cold front comes in Tuesday, and then we’re on the teeter-totter. Cold then warmer, colder then warm. Welcome to February!

🗞️ Big Story: Oklahoma Legislature Convenes; Gov. Stitt To Give ‘State Of The State’ Address

The Oklahoma legislature begins its 60th session on Monday, and Gov. Kevin Stitt will give his ‘State Of The State’ address. It’s a big day in politics for the Sooner State—and ‘Oklahoma Memo’ is going to help bring context to what’s happening at 23rd and Lincoln throughout the session by offering simplicity of coverage access.

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Legislative Preview Coverage:

• Key pieces of legislation to look out for this session (Oklahoma Public Media Exchange)

• Education bills to watch in this legislative session (Oklahoma City Free Press)

• Oklahoma bills would restrict student cellphone use, social media, sex ed (Oklahoma Voice)

• Criminal justice bills to keep an eye on (Oklahoma Watch)

• Legislature sees renewed efforts to change cockfighting laws (Oklahoma Voice)

• What to know about the Oklahoma bill that would ban porn (USA Today)

• Bill targets storm chasers with licensing requirements (KFOR)

• Gov. Stitt focused on lower taxes, safety from this legislature (KOCO)

• When is the governor’s State Of The State? How can I watch it? (News On 6)

• Gov. Stitt to ask for $660 million in tax cuts (Oklahoma Voice)

• What can the state actually afford? (Tulsa World, paywall)

• New legislative session, new faces (Oklahoman, paywall)

Mitchell Talks: Insight, Analysis On Oklahoma’s Legislative Priorities

Each weekend, Griffin Media political analyst Scott Mitchell talks to lawmakers and opinion makers about how what happens inside the state Capitol impacts you. He has three segments that air on both News 9 in OKC and News On 6 in Tulsa: Hot Seat, Your Vote Counts and D.C. Debrief.

Your Vote Counts 🇺🇸

From News 9 / News On 6:
With the legislative session starting, Gov. Kevin Stitt is set to outline his priorities in his State of the State address. Lawmakers have already gotten a preview of what to expect.

“He talked a lot about tax cuts. He, I believe, called it a half and a path, cut the income tax by a half a percent and have a path to zero,” said Jason Dunnington. “He also talked a lot about energy, talked about the importance of growing the energy economy in Oklahoma. He’s had meetings with SPP, talked some about behind the meter, powering AI data centers, something that President Donald Trump has talked a lot about, some half a trillion dollars that’s looking to be invested in this area. So energy, whether it’s natural gas, renewables, he called us an all-the-above energy state. I think he’s laser-focused on cutting taxes and growing energy opportunities in Oklahoma.”

Jon Echols noted business courts as a priority. “He has said those are his three big priorities that he wants to see accomplished. Representative Collin Duel and Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton have filed bills inside the House and Senate to work on that issue, and I think it will be exciting.”

Watch the full ‘Your Vote Counts’ segment on News9.com or NewsOn6.com.

More Coverage:

• D.C. Debrief: Crash Raises Safety Concerns; Trump Nominees Face Scrutiny (News 9 and News On 6)

• Hot Seat: Oklahoma Democrats Outline Priorities Ahead Of Governor’s Address (News 9 and News On 6)

@mitchelltalks

Scott Mitchell previews the start of the Oklahoma legislative session by chatting with the state’s minority leaders, Sen. Julia Kirt and R... See more

Former Oklahoma Legislator, Advocate Ryan Kiesel Dies

A respected former lawmaker and civil rights attorney died Friday night of cancer.

Ryan Dean Kiesel was 45.

Originally from Seminole, Kiesel was elected three times to the Oklahoma legislature—in 2004, 2006, and 2008. Kiesel then spent nearly a decade as the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma.

In an obituary written by NonDoc editor in chief Tres Savage, he talked to colleagues who described him as a man who stayed “true to his principles.”

“He was the first lawyer in Oklahoma I saw moving in a way that truly inspired me,” said Blake Johnson, a partner with Overman Legal. “Throughout his storied career, Ryan always devoted his extraordinary talent to work that both supported his family and improved his community. I admired him greatly.”

Read the full story on NonDoc.com.

Oklahoma Headlines

• Yukon has 7th most popular ZIP code for homebuyers (CNBC)

• Gala event honors legacy, contributions of Black cowboys (KOCO)

• Hundreds attend MLK Parade in downtown Oklahoma City (KOCO)

• Trump executive order blurs future of state’s electric vehicle charging plans (StateImpact Oklahoma)

• Tariffs on Mexico, Canada to impact Oklahoma liquor stores (KJRH)

• State investigating abuse allegations in Hugo Public Schools (News On 6)

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