The Latest in Oklahoma: April 4, 2025
A&A Advocates
On April 2, 2025, Representative John Pfeiffer announced his candidacy for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner in the 2026 election. Pfeiffer has represented District 38 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives since 2014. He currently serves as the Majority Deputy Floor Leader and is a member of several committees, including Agriculture & Rural Development, Appropriations and Budget, House Rules, and the Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee.
The Department of Government Efficiency in Oklahoma (DOGE-OK) has identified $157 million in wasteful federal grants and $190 million in misclassified purchases. These efforts aim to reduce unnecessary spending, such as excess cell phones and energy inefficiencies. DOGE-OK is working to return redundant funds and implement cost-saving measures, ultimately benefiting taxpayers.
Former Oklahoma State Senator Mike Mazzei has declared his candidacy for the 2026 gubernatorial election. A Republican from Tulsa, Mazzei served in the Oklahoma Senate from 2004 to 2016 and also held the position of Secretary of Budget under Governor Kevin Stitt from 2019 to 2020. Mazzei joins a growing list of Republican candidates, such as Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former House Speaker Charles McCall, and Leisa Mitchell Haynes, in the race for governor.
On March 31, 2025, Governor Kevin Stitt issued an executive order to strengthen Oklahoma’s defense of religious liberty, directing state agencies to eliminate policies that discriminate against religious groups. The move aligns with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings and precedes the Court’s April 30 hearing on the constitutionality of Oklahoma’s first taxpayer-funded religious charter school.
Looking Ahead
This next week will be busy at the Capitol as all House bills and joint resolutions must be reported out of their respective policy committees and appropriation subcommittees by April 10th.
Click here to view the calendar for the House.
Quote of the Week
“Oklahomans work hard for their money—DOGE-OK is making sure the government does the same,” Gov. Stitt said in a news release about the finding of the first DOGE-Oklahoma report. “We all want Oklahoma to lead with common sense and make responsible choices that prioritize citizens over bureaucracy. Congressional Republicans have worked with DOGE on the federal level to make incredible progress, even as Democrats and the swamp attempt to block their efforts. I look forward to continuing our work to implement reforms to protect taxpayers.”