The Latest in Oklahoma: May 9, 2025
A&A Advocates
In April 2025, Oklahoma’s tax revenue totaled approximately $2.02 billion, marking a 53.2% increase from March and a 3% rise compared to April 2024. This growth was primarily driven by a 119% surge in income tax collections and a 14.5% uptick in sales and use taxes. However, declines were observed in gross production taxes (down 3%) and motor vehicle taxes (down 20.5%) compared to the previous year. Over the past 12 months, total gross receipts reached $16.9 billion, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.1% from the prior year, with notable increases in individual income tax offset by declines in sales tax and oil and gas production revenues.
In recent testimony before a House investigative committee, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) Commissioner Allie Friesen alleged that the agency has been afflicted by “abuse, negligence, and likely corruption”stemming from previous leadership. She revealed that critical financial information was deliberately withheld by internal finance staff, contributing to significant payroll issues. Friesen emphasized that this concealment fostered a culture devoid of accountability, leaving both her and the Legislature uninformed. Additionally, ODMHSAS project manager Michael Rupke disclosed that the agency had manipulated employee vacancy rates as a budgeting tactic, further highlighting systemic financial mismanagement.
Governor Kevin Stitt has signed Senate Bill 139 into law, instituting a one-year ban on student use of personal electronic devices during school hours in Oklahoma public schools, effective from the 2025–2026 academic year. The ban encompasses devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and smart glasses, with exceptions for emergencies and students managing health conditions. Each school district is required to develop policies detailing enforcement and disciplinary measures. Starting in the 2026–2027 school year, local school boards will have the authority to modify these policies as deemed appropriate.
Former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is suing the State Board of Educationover its new social studies standards, claiming the board broke state law by skipping proper procedures. The lawsuit argues the changes—such as references to the 2020 election and biblical content—were added without transparency. Hunter is asking the court to block the standards from taking effect.
Weekly Wrap Up
Following yesterday’s Floor deadline, 21 Senate bills and 92 House bills went dormant. That leaves 260 SBs and 225 HBs still active for now. Those numbers will drop as final actions are taken.
Click here to see the status of a bill.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“This will allow teachers to focus entirely on educating our kids while students can concentrate on learning as much as possible,” said Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, author of the new school cellphone ban. “After two years of hard work on this issue, I’m thrilled to see this legislation become law, and I’m confident students, parents and teachers will see immediate benefits once the new school year begins.”