Your Vote Counts: Oklahoma leaders debate federal funding pause, education drama, and sports betting

As federal funding to states faces a temporary pause, Oklahoma lawmakers and political analysts discuss its potential effects, ongoing disputes in state education leadership, and the future of sports betting in the state.

Federal Funding Pause Raises Concerns

"Look, all of this is moving toward March, where they'll pass a continuing resolution on the budget up in D.C.," Dunnington said. "And there's a lot of talk about cutting taxes. We talked about on this show a few weeks ago about how broadband funding and infrastructure funding to the state of Oklahoma was put on pause."

Echols warned that if broadband funding is permanently cut, it could have major consequences.

"We created a whole new agency for that," he said. "It could get real interesting if that money is permanently taken away."

While acknowledging concerns, Echols emphasized that the funding is not yet gone.

"What's important to recognize is all this money is paused. It's not stopped," he said. "We’re looking at every single one of your taxpayer dollars, and how they’re being spent."

Inflation and Economic Policies Under Scrutiny

The discussion also turned to inflation and economic policies under President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden.

“To my Democrat friends, welcome to paying attention to inflation,” Echols said. “I wish you could have joined me three years ago, but I’m super excited to have you in the conversation now.”

Dunnington countered that tariffs could become the next economic battleground.

“I think this next four years we're going to talk about tariffs, tariffs, tariffs," Dunnington said. "Tariffs equal inflation. We're going to have more inflation if we continue down this path of trying to tariff all of the goods that are coming into the country because prices will get raised and you, the consumer, will pay that additional price.”

Education Board Shake-Up Sparks Political Drama

Mitchell also brought up Governor Kevin Stitt’s recent decision to remove and replace three Oklahoma State Board of Education members, a move that escalated tensions between the governor and State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

"The state of Oklahoma is not getting better on reading, writing, and math scores," Echols said. "During that time, the legislature, over the last eight years, has added more money to public education than in the last 26 years combined. Does it need more funding? Absolutely. But it hasn't been directed to test scores moving up. We have to do something."

Echols supported Stitt’s decision but criticized the ongoing public feud.

“What I've been disappointed with is the Twitter wars between statewide elected officials,” he said. "One of the things we always try to do on this show is to be adults and to have hard conversations in a good way."

Dunnington agreed that the focus should be on students rather than political battles.

"All three of these gentlemen—the governor, Superintendent Walters, and Attorney General Drummond—have strong leadership qualities, or they wouldn’t have been elected statewide," Dunnington said. "They need to focus on those qualities and do the best they can for the state instead of bantering with one another online."

Sports Betting Moves Closer to Reality

The conversation also touched on sports betting in Oklahoma, with recent legislative efforts pushing the issue forward.

“There are a couple of bills that were passed this last week,” Dunnington said. “One deals with a partnership with the tribes. One deals with a partnership with the Thunder in which the Oklahoma City Thunder would be allowed to do sports betting."

However, he said any path forward must involve tribal partnerships.

"All I can say on this is there’s only one path. It’s through the tribes," he said. "I understand that some people might want to do that through the Thunder. I would say the citizens of Oklahoma have already done a lot for the Thunder. We’re building them a billion-dollar stadium in downtown Oklahoma City."

Echols also raised concerns about illegal sports betting apps targeting minors.

"If you have kids, go check their cell phones," he warned. "We have apps in Oklahoma right now that I think are illegal that aren’t even checking IDs. They're letting underage kids go bet on Sportsbook."

What’s Next?

With federal funding decisions pending, inflation concerns growing, and sports betting legislation advancing, Oklahoma leaders continue to debate policies that will impact the state’s future.