President Donald Trump has nominated former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to serve as the next director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), pending Senate confirmation. The nomination follows the resignation of former ICE Director Todd Lyons, with Schroyer being praised for his nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience and his work leading immigration enforcement operations in Oklahoma. Supporters, including Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, say Schroyer’s leadership and operational experience make him well suited to oversee ICE’s immigration enforcement and deportation efforts.
A proposed settlement between Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) would reduce the utility’s requested residential rate increase from about 15% to just 1%, pending approval by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Instead of paying about $25 more per month, the average residential customer would see an increase of roughly $2.45 per month. Drummond called the agreement a major win for Oklahoma families and businesses, saying it balances the need for reliable electric infrastructure with protecting consumers from steep utility costs.
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority board approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2027 despite receiving only half of the funding increase it requested from the state legislature. To close the budget gap, the agency reduced administrative costs, revised Medicaid growth estimates, and plans to rely on reserve funds, though board members warned the financial outlook remains uncertain. Officials emphasized that no Medicaid services, provider payments, or hospital funding will be cut this year, but they cautioned that future funding shortfalls may require additional legislative support.
Several new Oklahoma education laws take effect July 1, introducing new rules for artificial intelligence in classrooms, statewide testing, and teacher certification. The legislation requires oversight of AI tools by teachers and parents, moves state testing to the end of the school year to maximize instructional time, and expands alternative teacher certification through approved third-party providers. Lawmakers say the changes are designed to improve student learning, protect student data, and help address the state’s ongoing teacher shortage before the new school year begins.
Upcoming Deadlines
House of Representatives
July 24, 2026: Deadline for the Speaker to approve or disapprove interim studies
State Senate
July 9, 2026: Deadline for the Pro Tem to approve interim studies
October 30, 2026: Interim studies must be heard in committee
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“With over 29 years of law enforcement experience, Lance will play a vital role in helping deliver on the President’s mandate from the American people to target, arrest, and deport illegal aliens,” said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin regarding Lance Schroyer’s nomination for Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Lance is coming straight from the operational field where he ran large scale operations and worked alongside state and federal partners to remove illegal aliens from Oklahoma under the 287g program. President Trump made a great pick, and I’m confident Lance’s strong leadership and firsthand experience will empower the men and women of ICE to deport criminal illegal aliens, secure the homeland, and protect the American people.”