AGP Executive Report

Oklahoma Election Watch: Early voting is underway for the June 16 primary, with Oklahoma’s closed primaries limiting voters to their registered party, while State Question 832 (minimum wage) is on the ballot and election boards are urging voters to check locations via the OK Voter Portal. Governor Race Money: Oklahoma Voice reports Republican gubernatorial candidates have leaned hard on self-funding, with one Trump-endorsed contender topping $22 million total in personal loans and spending. Local Budget Pressure: Norman City Council approved a 2026-27 budget of about $271.8 million, citing stagnant sales tax revenue as the key constraint. School AI Scramble: Lawmakers and districts are racing to set guardrails as AI use in schools grows faster than policies. Immigration Enforcement Funding: A GOP-backed $70 billion package clears the way for ICE and CBP operations through 2029, boosting Trump’s deportation push. Public Health & Environment: Fourteen state attorneys general urged the EPA to monitor abortion pills’ potential contamination of water supplies. Agriculture Threat: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Texas as sterile flies are released to fight the New World screwworm, warning ranchers to stay vigilant.

Oklahoma Politics & Elections: Early voting kicked off Thursday for the June 16 Oklahoma primary, with the State Election Board reporting 465,016 registered voters—up from 438,807 in 2022—plus reminders on ID rules and checking polling places. State Policy: Oklahoma DHS is adjusting SNAP after federal changes tied to expanded work requirements and fewer exemptions, including a new doctor-note standard for “physically/mentally unfit” exemptions. Public Safety & Courts: A Tulsa Rotary forum spotlighted the race for Tulsa County district attorney, featuring incumbent Steve Kunzweiler and challenger Colleen McCarty. Energy & Economy: Oil prices jumped again after fresh U.S. strikes on Iran and Iran’s response affecting the Strait of Hormuz, keeping Oklahoma’s gas market tied to global volatility. Local Government: Oklahoma City agencies are seeing added strain during extreme heat, while Norman’s council debates camping rules and early-voting access concerns in north Tulsa. Health & Community: A new Oklahoma childcare law aims to ease provider costs by adjusting teacher-to-child ratios, but could shift some costs to families using subsidies.

Oklahoma Higher Ed Policy: Gov. Kevin Stitt’s SB 1725 now requires first-year college students to complete freedom-of-speech training and bars viewpoint discrimination tied to student groups and events, with administrators and professors also getting guidance. Homelessness & Local Government: Norman City Council dropped a plan that would have allowed camping in residential front yards after backlash and criticism from state leaders, with officials saying shelter capacity remains limited. State Politics Ahead of June 16: Oklahoma governor candidates have leaned hard on self-funding, with one Trump-endorsed contender topping $22 million total in personal loans and spending. Primary Election Logistics: Election officials are reminding voters about early voting starting June 11 and key rules for the June 16 primary. Public Safety & Fireworks: Oklahoma’s “Rockets Red Glare Act” expands consumer fireworks sales to year-round and clarifies bottle rockets are legal statewide unless local ordinances ban them. Sports Governance: OSSAA clarified transfer rules as the state’s one-year sit-out requirement is removed from statute but remains in OSSAA policy. Energy & Cost of Living: Gas prices stay volatile statewide amid Middle East tensions and refinery disruptions, with multiple county-level price reports showing uneven drops and spikes.

Homelessness & Local Policy: Norman City Council backed away from a proposal that would have let homeowners permit up to two people to camp on private lawns, after criticism from state leaders and residents. Elections & Turnout: Oklahoma’s June 16 primary is approaching, with reminders that early voting is available and closed primaries apply; one commentary warns negative ads and low enthusiasm could keep many voters home. Democratic Primaries: Oklahoma House District 45 Democrats will choose between incumbent Annie Menz and Evan Shepard, while another tight Democratic primary is expected to head to a ranked-choice runoff. Campaigns & Money: Oklahoma’s State Question 832 minimum-wage fight is drawing heavy attention, with business groups warning of higher costs and dining cutbacks. Courts & Accountability: Cleveland County commissioners began interviewing candidates to fill a sheriff vacancy after the former sheriff resigned and pleaded no contest to embezzling campaign funds. Energy & Industry: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond sued to stop construction of a Trump-backed aluminum smelter in Inola, citing pollution and foreign ownership concerns. Tribal Government: The Cherokee Nation broke ground on a $40 million justice center in Tahlequah, expanding courts, prosecutors and tribal police. Public Safety & Corrections: A federal judge permanently blocked Alabama from using nitrogen gas for executions, keeping the method tied up in litigation that also involves Oklahoma’s own legal landscape. Housing Costs: A state building code committee is reviewing potential changes aimed at easing construction costs and expanding “missing middle” housing options. Data Centers: Luther postponed a data center meeting after a large crowd packed City Hall, as residents pressed for answers on electricity and water impacts. Education Funding: A rural Northeast Oklahoma district is scrambling after a miscalculation left it facing a nearly half-million-dollar budget shortfall.

Child Marriage After Oklahoma Ban: A new national map shows where child marriage is still legal after Oklahoma became the 17th state to ban it by raising the minimum age to 18 with no exceptions, effective Nov. 1. Higher Ed Free Speech Review: An Oklahoma State Regents free-speech committee reviewed two Charlie Kirk-related complaints tied to OSU and OU; it issued recommendations for OSU but none for OU, with further action left to the courts. Election Watch: Oklahoma’s June 16 primary is approaching, with early voting set for June 11-12, as Democrats and Republicans compete for key statewide education and attorney general nominations. Public Servant Safety: Public Citizen launched a tracker on state laws protecting elected officials from harassment, threats, doxing, and political violence, highlighting Oklahoma among states that have passed such measures. Energy & Economy: Federal funding for coal plant modernization and a separate oil-patch update on jet fuel and drilling activity underscore how national energy policy and global markets keep rippling into Oklahoma’s economy. Local Government & Planning: Lawmakers set aside $15 million for Oklahoma City Olympic preparations, focused on infrastructure and transportation for 2028 events.

Tribal Leadership: Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby says he’ll retire June 26 after nearly 40 years, with Lt. Gov. Chris Anoatubby set to step in temporarily, drawing praise from Oklahoma and tribal leaders. Local Land-Use Fight: Inola city council approved a new ICARE committee as residents press for a six-month moratorium on a proposed aluminum smelter, arguing for stronger community protections. State Housing & Care: Oklahoma will extend foster care services for eligible young adults past age 18, allowing support and stipends up to 21. Elections & Party Tension: Oklahoma’s June 16 primary is approaching with GOP infighting and turnout concerns highlighted as Republicans compete for key statewide offices. Public Safety & Disasters: Eastern Oklahoma flooding prompted disaster emergency declarations as officials warn residents about lingering hazards and unsafe roadways. Energy & Economy: A report says utility-scale solar has overtaken wind in U.S. clean power capacity, with Oklahoma among the states adding capacity. Legal/Policy: Oklahoma’s attorney general is involved in a broader antitrust fight tied to Meta, while other legal developments include a court challenge to nitrogen executions. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data shows some of the lowest E15 and premium prices in Oklahoma counties during the week ending May 30.

Education Accountability: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond charged three people in the Tulsa Public Schools embezzlement and kickback case, adding 27 counts and renewing pressure to recover misused taxpayer funds. Tribal Leadership: Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby announced he’ll retire June 26, with Lt. Gov. Chris Anoatubby set to take over—ending nearly 40 years at the helm. Corrections Rights Fight: Advocates say the DOC retaliated against inmate Charles Tiger after a near-fatal stabbing, and plan to seek court relief to stop further alleged retaliation. Child Wellbeing: A new Kids Count report finds Oklahoma made slight progress but still ranks near the bottom overall, with education and related outcomes lagging. Federal Probate Backlog: The BIA is piloting a probate document-coordination role with the Comanche Nation to help clear tens of thousands of delayed cases nationwide. Public Safety & Health: Texas activated an “escalated response” to the New World screwworm reemergence, a threat to cattle and supply chains. Sports & Culture: Oklahoma Voice won multiple Oklahoma Press Association awards, including top honors for a story on parents opting out of controversial social studies content.

Oklahoma Flood Response: Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a disaster emergency for Creek, Okfuskee and Tulsa counties after eastern Oklahoma flooding, with state agencies coordinating help and residents urged to report damage at damage.ok.gov. Inola Aluminum Fight: Stitt defended a proposed Inola aluminum project as vital to national security and domestic manufacturing after AG Gentner Drummond moved to block it. Utility Rate Case Clash: A Corporation Commission judge ruled PSO customers who opposed a rate hike could speak only as public comments, not intervene, in a dispute tied to a roughly $600 million request. Insurance Rate Oversight: Oklahoma lawmakers passed HB 4274, shifting insurance rate regulation toward a file-and-wait review process starting July 1, 2027. Primary Election Countdown: Early voting begins June 11 for the June 16 primary, with races for governor, U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor, AG, treasurer and superintendent plus State Question 832 on the minimum wage. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Oklahoma fuel prices staying volatile, with scattered lowest-price deals across counties.

Disaster Response: Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an emergency declaration for severe flooding in eastern Oklahoma, with Creek, Okfuskee and Tulsa counties first in line and more areas possible as damage assessments continue; residents are urged to report impacts at damage.ok.gov. Gubernatorial Politics: Oklahoma’s primary is under two weeks away, and the race is shifting after President Trump endorsed Mike Mazzei, while Democratic candidates Cyndi Munson and Connie Johnson are positioning themselves for a possible November upset. Campaign Rules & Ethics: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is moving toward AI-use disclosure rules in political ads after complaints, while weighing constitutional concerns about regulating speech content. State Policy Push: Oklahoma lawmakers have enacted a package of public-safety and criminal-justice changes, including new penalties for retail and identity theft, updates on explosive devices, and fentanyl overdose notification/reporting requirements. Tribal & Federal Policy: Tribes are pressing the Senate to restore a tribal food purchasing pilot left out of a House farm bill, warning the program could disappear without explicit reauthorization. Energy & Economy: A week of GasBuddy reports shows volatile fuel pricing across the state, with several counties hitting single-station “lowest” marks for premium and diesel.

Nursing Home Watch: The Commons in Enid (Garfield County) earned a 3-star CMS rating in early 2026, above the Oklahoma nursing home average, with one fine totaling $3,174 and one penalty. Energy & Politics: A new report argues Trump’s push against wind power is driving “pay-not-to-play” deals that shift money from wind projects to fossil fuels. Caregiving Relief: Oklahoma expanded the Caring for Caregivers Tax Credit, removing an age minimum, raising the income cap, and adding mileage for medical appointments—up to $3,000 for eligible filers. Military Families: A signed law treats active-duty military students as in-district residents for transfers, letting families start enrollment earlier. Public Safety Laws: Oklahoma signed measures boosting penalties for retail and identity theft, tightening nitrous oxide misuse rules, updating explosive-device statutes, and requiring overdose notification and fentanyl reporting by first responders. Local Business & Youth Safety: Mobile food vendors can use alternative fire suppression methods, and youth camps must complete hazard assessments and emergency plans. Election & Campaign: The wife of GOP gubernatorial candidate Gentner Drummond apologized for a 2020 Biden donation she says was a mistaken Apple Pay-linked payment. Race Preview: Oklahoma’s lieutenant governor race remains a key GOP primary storyline.

Oklahoma Elections: With the June 16 primary coming fast, early voting runs June 11-13, and voters will decide State Question 832 (minimum wage up to $15 by 2029) plus crowded statewide races including U.S. Senate, governor, corporation commissioner, and state superintendent; locally, Love County voters can use early voting at the county election board, and District 20’s GOP DA primary pits Melissa Handke (appointed in 2023) against James Gilmartin. Local Courts/Corruption: Oklahoma’s AG and Tulsa County DA filed 27 criminal charges tied to an alleged “elaborate” scheme that prosecutors say siphoned $779,317 from Tulsa Public Schools bond funds through fake roofing work and kickbacks. Campaign Watch: Democrat Cyndi Munson says her progressive platform and “ground game” are key to winning the Democratic nomination for governor, setting up a likely matchup with a well-funded GOP field. Energy/Prices: GasBuddy reports show Oklahoma regular prices averaging about $3.90 for the week ending May 30, with scattered county lows like $3.49 in McClain and $3.54 in Cherokee. National Politics: President Trump issued a full pardon to former Indiana Rep. Stephen Buyer, convicted of insider trading, arguing it corrects a “politically motivated prosecution.”

Energy Policy: President Trump says he’s using the Defense Production Act to push $700M into coal power, including $425M to extend 13 plants and funding for new coal projects—Oklahoma is listed among the states getting support. State Government & Campaigns: Former House Speaker T.W. Shannon, Gentner Drummond, and Chip Keating are all pitching their leadership records in the GOP race for lieutenant governor/governor, with Shannon emphasizing “capitalism, the Constitution, and Christianity.” Elections & Voting Access: Tulsa County moved early voting sites for the June 16 primary, leaving north Tulsa without a polling place and drawing community pushback. Public Safety: Oklahoma’s new fireworks law brings back bottle rockets and year-round sales in some areas, but Oklahoma City’s long-standing ban still applies inside city limits. Courts & Corruption Fallout: Jailhouse calls tied to convicted fraudster Brent Swadley include claims about seeking help from Gov. Stitt and other politicians, now part of the appeals process. Homelessness Funding: HUD is shifting federal homelessness money away from “housing first” toward treatment and recovery, raising concerns from Oklahoma providers about new participation requirements.

Kidnapping Case Spans Oklahoma: A Florida man accused of kidnapping a woman for weeks was captured after a crash and foot chase in Collier County, with authorities saying the ordeal stretched across states including Oklahoma, involving threats, assaults, and a dramatic escape from a California balcony. Oklahoma Mental Health Leadership: Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Josh Anderson as interim head of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the third commissioner in two and a half years, as the next administration prepares to take over. AI in Political Ads: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission kicked off rulemaking on how AI should be disclosed and regulated in political campaigns, after controversy over an AI-generated ad involving a gubernatorial candidate. Ethics/Politics in the Gubernatorial Race: A new School Freedom Fund ad attacks AG Gentner Drummond ahead of the June 16 GOP primary, citing past donations and impeachment-related comments. Election Math: Oklahoma’s voter registration shows a strong GOP advantage heading into 2026, with Republicans holding about 1.1 million registered voters versus roughly 680,000 Democrats. Energy & Costs: Oklahoma’s gas prices remain volatile, with multiple counties reporting single-station “lowest” deals for regular, midgrade, E15, and diesel in the week ending May 30, while Oklahoma’s Q3 2025 individual income tax collections fell 21% to $1.2 billion.

Oklahoma Politics: President Trump’s endorsement of former state budget official Mike Mazzei is shaking up the GOP governor primary, with a new poll showing Mazzei at 24% and AG Gentner Drummond at 20% among likely voters. Federal Courts/Immigration: A federal judge blocked Nebraska’s in-state tuition for undocumented students, adding to DOJ wins targeting similar state benefits—Oklahoma is among states that declined to defend its own law. Health Policy: Oklahoma Voice reports the feds released new Medicaid work requirement rollout guidance, tightening the timeline for states as they prepare verification rules affecting millions. Public Safety & Courts: DOJ charged an Oklahoma man with threatening Sen. John Thune and Thune’s family; prosecutors say calls were made in March. Education/Schools: A Tulsa elementary school’s French immersion program earned recognition from the French government. Energy/Jobs: Trump announced $700M in federal support for coal plants, including funding aimed at extending operations in Oklahoma. Local Government: Oklahoma County Clerk Maressa Treat held a mobile office to help veterans get DD-214 discharge paperwork, expanding eligibility for veterans’ grandchildren under a new law. Community Spotlight: Pauls Valley principals and staff described how they stopped a school shooter, turning the aftermath into support for future teachers and first responders.

Public Health Authority Cuts: A national report says many states and localities have weakened public health emergency powers since COVID, leaving the U.S. “much weaker” for outbreaks. Oklahoma Fireworks Law: Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the Rocket’s Red Glare Act, letting fireworks (including bottle rockets) be sold year-round statewide, but Oklahoma City says its city ban still applies inside city limits. Criminal Charges in Tulsa Schools Fraud: AG Gentner Drummond and Tulsa DA Steve Kunzweiler filed charges alleging a $779,317 scheme defrauding Tulsa Public Schools through bogus roof repair contracts and kickbacks. Broadband Funding Oversight: A policy brief urges Oklahoma and other states to keep strong authority and capacity in state broadband offices as BEAD deadlines near. Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy data shows Oklahoma regular gas averaging about $3.90 in the week ending May 30, with diesel and premium prices also reported county-by-county. Outbreak Alert: Texas health officials say they’re on high alert for a New World screwworm case moving closer to the U.S. Drug Safety Warning: Officials warn about cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid reportedly far stronger than fentanyl, showing up in multiple states. Election Admin Note: Sample ballots are available for the June 16 election, with early voting June 11-12.

Property Tax Fight: Oklahoma’s attorney general sued to block a major aluminum smelter in Inola, arguing the project’s ties to the UAE could harm the state’s cattle industry—an issue now tangled with Trump-era endorsements and GOP politics. Election Access: Oklahoma voters who become incapacitated after 5 p.m. Monday can still request emergency ballots for the June 16 election. Minimum Wage on the Ballot: State Question 832 would raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 in 2027, $13.50 in 2028, and $15 in 2029, with about 360,000 workers potentially affected. Education Leadership: Two Democrats are competing for state superintendent, pitching different plans to pull Oklahoma out of the bottom ranks. Lieutenant Governor Primary: Six Republicans are vying for the GOP nod for lieutenant governor ahead of the June 16 primary. Tribal Jurisdiction: A federal pause was ordered in a dispute involving Oklahoma district attorneys and tribal jurisdiction, pending another case in the 10th Circuit. Aviation & Infrastructure: The FAA began radar modernization in Western Oklahoma, with the first installation in Putnam. Healthcare Conscience Laws: A national trend toward “conscience protection” for healthcare employers continues, with Oklahoma among states considering similar measures.