Your Vote Counts: Oklahoma’s legislative session begins with Governor Kevin Stitt’s agenda

With the legislative session starting, Governor 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.”

While the governor proposes, the legislature disposes—and new leadership in both chambers will shape this year’s priorities.

“Legislative priorities, they’ve talked a lot in the Senate about tax cuts, Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, where in the past that’s been a problem, has said that’s an issue the Senate wants to take up. So we’ll see if they move quickly. I hope they do,” said Echols.

“They have talked a lot about education in the House. Speaker Kyle Hilbert’s talked about the no cell phones in class policy, which I think is a great policy. And Monday, though, again, will be all about the governor. That’s his chance to lay out his state of the state. Later on in the week, I think, is when you’re going to see the legislative leadership roll out their plan.”

Democrats have their own priorities as well.

“I would say I’ve gone through and read all 3,200 bills, and yes, that is a lot of bills to read,” said Jason Dunnington, former Democratic state representative. “I will tell you that about a third of those are shell bills, and they’re just out there in some title of law waiting for some surprise to get put in them during session. But really a lot of the focus that’s in there are bills that are in education, bills that are in energy. There’s surprising a lot of stuff about housing right now, talking about the access to affordable housing, housing as a pathway to get more economic opportunity in Oklahoma and rural economic opportunity.”

As the State of the State address approaches, Oklahomans should be paying attention to what unfolds at the Capitol.

“If you’re like me, what you’ve been watching for your political news is what’s going on in Washington, D.C., and whether or not Trump’s new appointees, who they are. Are they getting appointed? Are they going through the Senate process? Put a pause on that starting Monday and next week. Pay attention to what’s going on in the state Capitol,” said Echols.

“What the governor is going to say at a State of the State—this is the last two years of this governor. He’s laid out a pretty aggressive agenda, and it will be time to see what he says. What you also want to be watching for is legislative response. My prediction is that everyone is getting along pretty well, which is good for the state. So be watching for what’s the governor say he wants? What’s the legislature say they want? Maybe there’s a way where we all get some great stuff for the state of Oklahoma.”

Dunnington added that Oklahomans have ways to stay informed.

“You can tune in to OETA. You can tune in to News 9, News On 6. What you’re going to see, State of the State, it’s 12:30 on Monday. Governor’s seventh State of the State that he’ll offer up. And then Tuesday, it starts right in. You’ll have committee meetings on Tuesday. Remember, you can watch all of those live on OKHouse.gov or OKSenate.gov,” he said.

“This is your government. It’s supposed to work for you, and you have ways to pay attention to what’s going on. Tune into those things, committee meetings on Tuesday. It’ll be about four weeks of committee meetings, and then they’ll have floor work. Bills then switch chambers from House to Senate. If you’ve never watched that YouTube clip of, you know, how a bill becomes law, like, go back and get a refresher because it’s time to go. The season is on.”

With new faces in top positions, this year’s session will be led by a different set of lawmakers.

“The longest-serving leader right now is Leader Cindy Munson, the minority leader of the House Democrats. And then you’ve got Julia Kirt, who’s the new Senate minority leader in the Senate, both here from Oklahoma City, both outstanding women with great leadership qualities,” said Dunnington.

“I’m excited to see someone that I used to serve with, but Speaker Kyle Hilbert, had a chance to spend some time with him in D.C. at inauguration. I think he’s going to do a great job. I think he’s a really great leader. And then my friend Lonnie Paxton, who’s the new pro-tem. Oklahoma’s lucky to have some really great leaders.”

Echols shared his thoughts on the new Republican leadership.

“That’s what you’re going to see when you look behind the governor. You’re going to see the same old Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell sitting back there. And you’re also going to see a new speaker, Kyle Hilbert, new pro tem Lonnie Paxton. I believe they’re both going to do a great job, strong support in their caucuses,” he said.

“And then you look at those other top leadership positions of the House. Majority Floor Leader Josh West, huge fan, going to do a great job, and then Budget Chair Trey Caldwell from down in the Lawton area. You also have a new Budget Chair, Budget Chair Chuck Hall in the Senate, and Julie Daniels as the Floor Leader inside the Senate. Very diverse—Western Oklahoma, Eastern Oklahoma, Tulsa, Oklahoma City. When you look at top leadership in the legislature, it’s an exciting time. New ideas in Republican leadership, fresh ideas. I’m rooting for them, and I think so is the rest of the state.”