Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt visited Seminole County on Tuesday, August 31, speaking to community leaders and local business owners at a luncheon meeting at the Civic Center in Wewoka and at the Enoch Kelly Haney Center on the Seminole State College campus. At both stops the Governor would give a brief update on the most recent legislative actions before taking questions from the audience.

Wewoka Mayor Paige Sheffield Sherry introduced many of the local leaders that were present and shared a brief overview of Wewoka before welcoming the Governor to speak. The Governor noted that he has appointed the mayor’s husband, Jack Sherry, to serve as a State Regent for Higher Education. He also recognized Oklahoma Secretary for Education Ryan Walters; State Senator Zack Taylor and State Representative Danny Williams were present.

After sharing a brief overview of recent events at the State Capitol and in Washington D.C. Stitt proudly announced his team and his staff were successful in overseeing the evacuation of forty-seven Americans out of Afghanistan and are continuing to work helping Oklahoma service members evacuate their translators that were left behind.

Stitt spent the majority of his time on what he believes is the most pressing issue facing the sovereign State of Oklahoma; last year’s Supreme Court decision in the McGirt case, which determined Indian reservations were never disestablished. As such, prosecution of crimes by Native Americans on these lands falls into the jurisdiction of the tribal courts and federal judiciary rather the State courts.

“I said from the beginning that creates tremendous uncertainty for the State of Oklahoma,” Stitt stated. “It really threatens Oklahoma’s sovereignty. It creates a public safety nightmare for victims and law enforcement, I’m hearing from District Attorneys all over the state.”

The Governor praised District 22 DA Paul Smith, stating he has spoken with him several times about the effects of the McGirt decision, explaining that 50 – 60 percent of the cases he’s working with are impacted by the decision. One bit of good news for crime victims is that, on August 12, the Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the McGirt rules do not apply retroactively, but only on cases going forward.

“The problem is, the rules are so unclear right now,” Stitt continued. He used the Daniel Vivier case in Ada as an example. He explained Vivier was one of three people convicted in the 2011 violent beating and robbery of an 85-year-old man in Pontotoc County. Because of McGirt, Vivier was released from prison, while the other two suspects are still in prison. Stitt pointed out there was a difference in justice based on race. Stitt continued to share details of the ongoing efforts to overturn the McGirt ruling.

Opening the floor to questions, Stitt was asked if there has been any progress on the efforts to bring the rail line back to Wewoka. Senator Taylor, who has worked on this project, replied that things are headed in the right direction for the first time in 20 plus years. The executives at Union Pacific Railroad are open to an extension of Arkansas-Oklahoma railways from Shawnee to Wewoka. The first step is a plan to improve bridges near Midwest City. Stitt added that legislators are working on how to get funds for this and other projects out to cities and towns across the state. He added they are also setting aside funds for the state’s water infrastructure, recalling Mayor Sherry’s earlier observation that Wewoka has the oldest water plant that is still in operation in the state.

Another topic that was touched on was medical marijuana. Stitt stated the state has appropriated funds to hire 80 more enforcement officers and he has appointed Adria Berry as the new Executive Director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA). Stitt stressed this is a problem the state needs to get a handle on, noting there are 7,000 licensed growers in Oklahoma compared to just 1,000 in California. Stitt detailed how a left-wing group out of California tricked voters into approving medical marijuana, and legislators were caught flat-footed when it came to enforcing the new industry. He stated, going forward, there’s going to be some arrests, and there’s going to be some policy changes.

At his Seminole visit the Governor covered much of the same subjects as he spoke about in Wewoka, once again focusing on the McGirt decision.

After opening up to questions, a Seminole High School teacher began by thanking the community for the new high school facility, sharing how convenient being next to Seminole State College is for students taking concurrent classes. She observed the growing number of COVID cases and asked the governor if he was considering declaring a state of emergency so school administrators will be able to issue a mask mandate.

Stitt replied that Senate Bill 658, which prohibits schools from implementing a mask mandate, was passed by 80 percent of the legislature. He explained nothing in the bill keeps a parent from putting a mask on their child or having the child vaccinated. It simply says that they, as the government, are not going to mandate what’s right for another parent’s choice for their child. He stated that COVID is here, and there isn’t anything they can do about it. (Note: On Wednesday an Oklahoma County judge issued a temporary injunction against SB 658. See related story below).

“I believe in choice, and I’m going to give parents the right to choose what is best for the health and safety of their kids, and whether to mask them or not mask them,” Stitt stated. “School districts all over the state are recommending masks, and as long as they give parents exemptions, then we’re fine with it. The important thing is kids are in school 5 days a week and parents have options.”

Other subjects that were discussed included unemployment benefits and a few more details about the funds that will be put back for water infrastructure. He touched on the American Rescue Plan and some ideas the legislature has to invest these funds, as well as noting they hope to have a website online soon to for Oklahomans to share their own ideas on how to use the funds. Another subject was how to draw new business to the state and other plans he has to make Oklahoma a Top 10 State.

At both stops the Governor thanked everyone that attended and for being engaged in the process, pointing out the importance of having an informed citizenry. He and the other legislators then spent time visiting with individuals in an ongoing effort to learn more about the issues that concern the people they represent.