The Latest in Oklahoma: August 22, 2025
A&A Advocates
Rep. Kevin Hern told the Tulsa Regional Chamber that deep Medicaid cuts and other controversial parts of the One Big Beautiful Bill will likely be modified before taking effect. He emphasized that the intent is not to slash over $1 trillion in benefits but to ensure proper eligibility and reduce waste. Hern said the delayed implementation allows time for feedback, especially from Oklahoma professionals. He also signaled interest in bipartisan health care reform, noting gaps in the bill and a need for individualized alternatives to traditional insurance.
Oklahoma and other states are struggling to navigate the financial implications of President Trump’s sweeping tax and spending law, which decreases funding for Medicaid and food assistance while adding administrative burdens. Oklahoma lawmakers, though pleased with state-level tax cuts, are concerned about the cost of new mandates—such as twice-yearly eligibility checks—that could threaten rural hospitals and strain budgets. While some states may tap reserves to cover short-term costs, many face difficult decisions about cutting services.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited Oklahoma City Tuesday as part of her push to reduce federal oversight in public education and give states more control. She expressed openness to Oklahoma’s proposal to replace statewide testing with local assessments but noted it hasn’t cleared all federal steps yet. McMahon toured a top-ranked charter school with Gov. Kevin Stitt and later joined him to sign a bill banning DEI programs in higher education.
Oklahoma City is seeing progress in reducing street homelessness, with numbers dropping the past four years. However, a new federal executive order is creating uncertainty by shifting funding priorities—potentially emphasizing institutionalization and substance use treatment. Jamie Caves of Key to Home Partnership expressed concern that focusing on incarceration doesn’t solve homelessness and places unnecessary strain on public resources. The group recently housed 45 people from an encampment and will provide a year of case management to help them stabilize.
Interim Studies
The interim study period began on August 1, 2025 and will end November 6, 2025.
Click to view the House and Senate interim studies.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We’re a meritocracy, and we want admissions to be based on your merit and how hard you’re willing to work, not on some other abstract type of admission quality,” Governor Kevin Stitt said at the ceremonial bill signing of Senate Bill 769 which prohibits Oklahoma’s higher education institutions from using state funds, property or resources to support DEI positions, programs, hiring practices or activities.
“We need to teach kids that they can accomplish anything they want in life, but it’s going to take hard work and discipline. That’s what the American dream is all about, and it’s certainly alive and well in Oklahoma.”