August 3rd Weekly Wrap
More heat, indictments, lawsuits, and veto overrides!
What a week! This wrap up barely scratches the surface…
Former President Donald Trump was indicted—again— by a grand jury in Washington, D.C. Special Prosecutor Jack Smith’s charges come with substantial prison time, and as many have pointed out, federal prosecutors overwhelmingly win.
But then, boy howdy, the news in Oklahoma...lots of layers to the developments this week in our state.
Ten plaintiffs filed a lawsuit this week to stop a religious-affiliated charter school from opening in Oklahoma. If it opens, the Catholic charter would be the first of its kind in the nation.
Monday, the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted to override Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of legislation that easily passed both the House and Senate during the regular session. The bills will extend various compacts with the Native Nations.
But then! Stitt asked the OK Supreme Court to void the bills the legislature just passed, claiming he had the authority to negotiate compacts, not the legislature. If this sounds like a familiar argument, it is. And there was something in there about running concurrent special sessions and regular sessions.
But then! News broke that Stitt has used $1.9 million in state funds to pay legal fees to private law firms in his fights with the tribes over the past three years. Where does that money come from? The fees the tribes pay the state in gaming compliance as part of the compact agreements.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond has already written a letter about the governor’s lawsuits against the tribes being a waste of taxpayer time and money.
Don’t forget to check out the Observer’s latest here on Substack and come to these August events with the best analysis and insight into our state’s most pressing issues:
Join us Thursday, August 10th, for Newsmakers at Full Circle Bookstore in Oklahoma City with Rep. Jacob Rosecrantz, Mid-Del Superintendent Dr. Rick Cobb, and veteran Oklahoma teacher Sandra Valentine.
Sunday, August 13th, grab a delicious beverage and listen to Brews and Views with Nicole McAfee and Paula Sophia at BIG Brewing Company in Norman as we discuss the attacks on our LGBTQ2S friends, family members, and neighbors here in Oklahoma.