KPG letter to Governor Kevin Stitt

May 3, 2023

Dear Governor Stitt,

The board of directors of Kirkpatrick Policy Group (KPG) – a non-partisan, independent, 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization established in 2017 to identify, support, and advocate for positions on issues affecting all Oklahomans, including concern for the arts and arts education, animals, and women's reproductive health – respectfully wish to provide feedback on recent actions you have taken as well urge further action on certain pending legislation.

First, KPG thanks you for vetoing SB 772, which would have established notification requirements for certain charitable organizations to report some actions in advance to the attorney general. We agree this would add unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and create undue burdens on charitable organizations. Limiting governmental authority is proper in this case. We commend your wisdom.‍

Second, the House of Representatives is currently considering final approval of HB2053, which would give the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) the authority to label as “frivolous” lawsuits brought to protect state water wells and springs. Save the Illinois River, Inc. President Denise Deason-Toyne has described the bill as political retribution from the poultry industry in eastern Oklahoma, which has been challenged in court by local landowners for polluting waterways in the Illinois River watershed through its use of poultry waste as fertilizer, causing environmentally hazardous phosphorus runoff in the 576,000-acre area. If this harmful bill comes across your desk, we respectfully advise you to veto it.‍

Third, KPG recently urged state legislators to approve $3.24 million in funding for the Oklahoma Arts Council, as you proposed in your FY 2024 Executive Budget. Thank you for supporting arts education and arts programming in Oklahoma. We also urged the legislature to pass once again the $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that you vetoed last year. Oklahoma ranks last in the nation in the growth of arts and cultural employment following the pandemic’s peak, reports Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples, affecting nearly 40,000 jobs. If such a bill reaches your desk, KPG respectfully asks you to sign it.‍

Lastly, KPG disagrees with your veto of HB 2820, the sunset bill extending the Oklahoma Educational Authority’s authorization through 2026. You explained to the press on April 28 that you do not favor using taxpayer dollars to fund programming to “indoctrinate” and “overly sexualize” children. You also said you disapprove of funding “a system that competes with the private sector.” Respectfully, we hope the legislature overrides this veto.‍

According to information provided by Friends of OETA, Inc., the network’s current fiscal year budget includes $2.9 million in state appropriations, $4.6 million from Friends of OETA, and $1.7 million from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. OETA is the nation’s most-watched PBS network with over 650,000 weekly viewers. OETA and other PBS stations reach more children and parents of low-income homes than any other children’s television network. Additionally, local, state, and federal entities – including the U.S. Army – rely on the network as the only statewide provider for critical emergency communications coordination and information. Last year, over 230 alerts were transmitted by the OETA network to raise the alarm for extreme weather events, public safety situations, and endangered or abducted children and adults.

Thank you for your time and attention to these matters.

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Sincerely,

Kirkpatrick Policy Group