Oklahoma leaders debate mental health, education, homelessness, and energy

State Senator Paul Rosino and former Representative Jason Dunnington joined Scott Mitchell to weigh in on several pressing state issues, ranging from turmoil at the Department of Mental Health to debates over education, homelessness, and energy policy.

Mental health contracts under review

The panel first addressed ongoing concerns at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. After receiving nearly $30 million in supplemental funding at the end of the last legislative session, the agency is now ending hundreds of contracts with service providers.

“What they're saying is our books were out of whack because our contracts were out of whack,” Dunnington explained. “What the rest of the public is dealing with is 300 lost contracts or whatever that number is gonna be, are a lot of services for people with mental health issues that are going away.”

Rosino noted the agency’s new leadership has only been in place for about 80 days and is still aligning services with its core mission. However, both lawmakers said the department should be more transparent about its plans.

Education board takes steps without Walters

The discussion turned to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which remains mired in controversy and ranked last in national education standings.

Related: Ryan Walters’ no-show at state board meeting fuels leadership questions

Board members held a brief seven-minute meeting this week without State Superintendent Ryan Walters, hiring their own attorney and conducting limited business.

Dunnington emphasized the need to shift focus. “We've got to start talking about how we get out of the 50th ranking, and all these categories, reading, math, science, technology.”

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Stitt’s Operation SAFE raises concerns in Tulsa

The governor’s new Operation SAFE initiative also came under scrutiny. Governor Kevin Stitt deployed Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers to Tulsa on Friday to clear homeless encampments from state-owned property.

Related: Operation to clear Tulsa homeless encampments launched by Gov. Stitt, Mayor Nichols responds

Rosino acknowledged the safety concerns but questioned whether the approach was the right solution. Dunnington called the move “really political” and argued that OHP troopers should not be drawn into partisan disputes.

"If Tulsa had a crime or a homelessness problem that was so bad that it needed to use the highway patrol to do this, then why now?” Dunnington asked.

Related: Mental Health Association raises concerns about Gov. Stitt's 'Operation SAFE' plan

Energy demand and property rights

Finally, the panel discussed rising energy costs and the growing strain on the electricity supply due to AI-driven data centers and increased manufacturing.

“We need to double the amount of electricity that we have available, not just here in Oklahoma, but in the United States,” Dunnington said.

Related: Google data center in Oklahoma: What the company's $9 billion investment means for the state

Dunnington also highlighted the tension between renewable projects and private property rights. “ if you have a house that you have lived in and you have five or 15 or 20 acres and all of a sudden there's a turbine put, you know, 50 feet from your back property line and that's what you get to see every day, that's going to cause you concern.” Dunnington said.

Both agreed that balancing energy demand, property rights, and economic growth will be a defining issue for Oklahoma in the coming year.