‼️Rep. McDugle is introducing a death penalty moratorium, which would end executions by the state (even for those currently on death row). Rep. Humphrey says it’s one of the hardest votes in his 8 yrs here, since he does believe in the death penalty.

Rep. McDugle also believes in the death penalty, but “Oklahoma has blatantly carried out injustice in the Richard Glossip case,” which is partly why he’s running this.

‼️Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton says Gov. Stitt is putting “his personal hostility to tribal sovereignty ahead of what is good for the state” in the Gov’s latest veto that would have extended tobacco and vehicle tag compacts between the state and tribes. Sources at the Capitol tell me they’re planning to override those vetoes in special session.

This could all change depending on what the Governor decides on the budget.

🧵Update on abortion legislation:

The OK Supreme Court finds SB1503 and HB4327 unconstitutional. SB1503 prohibits abortions after a heartbeat is detected (except for medical emergency.)
Per the docs— “There is no definition of medical emergency.”

HB4327 is a total ban on abortion unless saving the life of a mother, or if rape or incest is reported to law enforcement.

‼️State Supt. Walters is addressing the Board of Ed, saying their school choice initiative has made it to the Governor’s desk.
“I want to address some of the lies going on in the press.”

He says the teachers union and Rep. McBride have lied. He is now scolding the press for “intentionally reporting lies” in our headlines. And also blaming “woke sellout legislators.”

He is announcing a public awareness campaign and playing a video for this which features his previous Fox News interviews.

‼️FEDERAL GRANT UPDATE:
Rep. McBride tells me OSDE did not apply for more than $270M of federal grants. He says his info is from the U.S. Dept of Education. His concern is OK taxpayer dollars will go to other states because OSDE doesn’t think the grants fit “Oklahoma values.” Rep. McBride added that it’s his understanding that the grants that weren’t applied for were mostly Title I grants, which help school districts with higher percentages of kids from low-income families.

🧵For those who have been wondering what is included in the documents Supt. Walters sent lawmakers on federal grant funds, you can watch my full story at 5:30. But in the meantime, here's some details.

https://twitter.com/paytonnmay/status/1656059079649906694

House Reps asked Walters for a list of criteria used to apply for federal grants, when the current ones expire, and what are the deadlines to apply for more.
In documents I obtained there were around 30 grants active.
A dozen of those expire by the end of the yr.

‼️“We are so so close.”
Governor Stitt is giving an update on the education plan, saying House and Senate leadership are fine tuning details as they’ve been doing negotiations outside the Capitol. He estimates there will be a teacher pay raise and about a 15% increase in public education funding.
He’s hoping legislation will be filed by Monday.

🧵I just want to share a story of a mom & her son at the Rose State College shooting today. When she pulled up she was crying, hadn’t heard from her son and his car wasn’t in the lot he normally parked in. I went over to her (mic off) & asked if she was okay. She was shaking, could barely breathe and was about to pass out. She was frantically calling her son with no answer, asking every kid that walked out of the building if they knew her son. I could not imagine that extent of heartache. I told her I would stay with her.

‼️#HappeningNow: @RyanWaltersSupt is introducing his budget to state lawmakers. His education goals include “eliminating CRT, indoctrination” and providing “comprehensive school choice.”#oklaed His two key differences from Hofmeister’s budget:
-merit-based teacher pay instead of an overall base pay increase for teachers
-investment into early childhood reading

Here’s the details for teacher pay.⬇️

🧵On the agenda today @RyanWaltersSupt will be presenting his budget proposal to the State Board of Education.

The previous budget approved included a $5k pay increase across the board for teachers, but Walters has leaned towards merit-based pay. In his opening speech, Walters is promising accountability & transparency, school choice, eliminating indoctrination, along with social values. “There will be no boys in the girls bathrooms.” -@RyanWaltersSupt

@OKCFOX

@RyanWaltersSupt is addressing House members about the FY2024 budget, laying out his priorities for this year in education. #okleg A lot of confusion on the floor. Walters is presenting Hofmeister’s budget that was previously approved, but wants to change the budget and present it next week.

There’s questions on why he’s presenting a budget with numbers he wants to change & if he can change them.