Gov. Stitt addresses forestry leadership, student visa revocations, and turnpike fees in weekly press briefing

Gov. Kevin Stitt addressed reporters Wednesday afternoon, providing updates and responses to recent events and policy decisions across the state.

Over the course of the briefing, Stitt spoke on topics including wildfire response, mental health funding, visa revocations for international students, and transparency in state government.

Below is a timestamped summary of the governor’s remarks:

3:05 PM – Wildfire Command Response

1. Stitt confirmed he was present at the wildfire command center in Stillwater.
2. Said he assumes state officials are doing their jobs and praised emergency management expert Annie Vest.
3. Criticized the Forestry Department for not being plugged into the command system during critical wildfires.
4. Called it “unacceptable” that forestry left key assets in eastern Oklahoma while massive fires burned in Payne and Logan counties.
5. Said the state used half its wildfire resources on smaller fires while a 92,000-acre fire near Stillwater went under-resourced.
6. Defended firing forestry leadership, stating: “I won’t apologize for holding people accountable.”

3:09 PM – Executive Order on Contractors

1. Addressed his recent executive order requiring state agencies to disclose their use of independent contractors.
2. Denied accusations that he is replacing full-time state employees with contractors.
3. Stated that the state workforce is actually up 300–400 employees since 2019.
4. Emphasized the goal is to “do more with less” and be efficient with taxpayer dollars, not eliminate jobs.

3:14 PM – No Statewide Burn Ban

1. Responded to criticism about the lack of a statewide burn ban during recent wildfires.
2. Argued that the conditions did not meet the threshold for a ban at the time.
3. Said the real issue was resource deployment—not issuing a burn ban.
4. Reaffirmed his stance on accountability for the failures.

3:16 PM – International Student Visa Revocations

1. Addressed reports that international student visas have been revoked at UCO and OSU.
2. Stated that visa decisions are made at the federal level and outside his control.
3. Said he supports attracting “the best and brightest,” but clarified that this excludes “knuckleheads or criminals.”
4. Briefly referenced ongoing campus protests and “crazy stuff” from demonstrators.

3:20 PM – Forestry Department Leadership Changes

1. Stated that the state will appoint an interim director to lead the Forestry Department following Mike Goeller’s firing.
2. Assured that state functions will continue uninterrupted: “The sun will still rise tomorrow.”
3. Said Secretary of Agriculture Blaine Arthur will help select someone with forestry expertise and business knowledge.
4. Reiterated his focus on improving efficiency and accountability.

3:24 PM – Turnpike Authority Fee Disparities

1. Responded to concerns about fee inconsistencies on Oklahoma turnpikes.
2. Said he plans to gather more information next week.
3. Voiced opposition to fee exemptions based on tribal tags, arguing that all drivers should pay the same rate.
4. Called it a “98% issue” with Oklahomans who want fairness in toll pricing.

3:28 PM – Oklahoma City Bombing Remembrance

1. Reflected on the upcoming anniversary of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
2. Mentioned President Bill Clinton’s past involvement in remembrance events.
3. Described seeing the aftermath firsthand and how it inspired the “Oklahoma Standard.”
4. Reaffirmed: “We will never forget.”

3:30 PM – Denied Open Records Requests

1. Responded to questions about agencies denying FOIA requests at the governor’s direction.
2. Said denying records is not acceptable and insisted there is a proper process to follow.
3. Promised transparency and cooperation with journalists seeking public information.

3:32 PM – Mental Health Spending

1. Disputed claims that the state is cutting mental health funding.
2. Stated that Oklahoma spends over $800 million on mental health services through vendors and nonprofits.
3. Criticized nonprofits whose executives earn “millions,” questioning whether funds are truly reaching Oklahomans.
4. Accused media of spreading fear by misrepresenting funding shifts.

3:34 PM – Changing Contracts with Vendors

1. Explained that prior to recent changes, “nobody was checking outcomes” of vendor services.
2. Said new requirements are designed to make sure money is spent effectively.
3. Stated that some vendors being excluded are causing media blowback because “they’re not as good as others.”
4. Emphasized outcome-based evaluations and targeted spending.

3:37 PM – DOGE Report & Cost-Cutting Suggestions

1. Praised the House for releasing its DOGE report.
2. Revealed that the state uncovered $157 million in available grants.
3. Invited Oklahomans to submit ideas through a new community forum.
4. Examples of submitted suggestions include: Consolidating school district administration, Reducing the number of school districts, cutting state vehicle fleets and print services, consolidating state agencies and storage facilities, and reducing traffic signage.
5. Encouraged legislature to send reform bills to his desk