>> THE SEARCH FOR CONSENSUS TO BRING THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS TO OKLAHOMA VIA PROJECT JOSY.

>> THESE TYPES OF INVESTMENTES DON'T COME AROUND ALL OF THE TIME.

>> THERE IS NOT A CLEAR PLAN ON WHAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD BE LOOKING AT OR WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON.

>> OKLAHOMA AIRPORTS ARE CRACKING DOWN ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN THEIR TERMINALS.

>> AFRPTS, BUS STATIONS ARE THE NUMBER ONE WAY OF TRANSPORT OF THIS TYPE OF PARTICULAR CRIME.

>> THE OAK OWNING TURNPIKE AUTHORITY FACING LEGISLATIVE SCRUTINY.

>> LET'S 3USH PAUSE AND LET THE LEGAL QUESTIONS RUN THEIR COURSE AND THEN GET TO BACK TO WORK.

>> HOW A DOG NAMED JASON HELP THIS YOUNG MAN BK THE VALEDICTORIAN OF HIS CLASS.

>> PLUS A TORNADO OUTBLANG CLAIMS LIVE AND DESTROYS HOME AND PROPERTY.

>> NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I OF RICH LENZ.

GOVERNOR STIFF AND THE LEGISLATURE CAN FIND OUT HOW TO GET IMPROVEMENTS IN.

JASON HAS MORE ON THE NEGOTIATIONS.

JASON?

>> RICH, THEY ARE CALLING IT PROJECT JOSIE AND SHOWING INTEREST IS PANASONIC IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THERE ARE HOPES THAT THIS TIME THE STATE WILL LAND A MEGAFACTORY.

>> WE HAVE A SIGNED CONTRACT ON THAT.

>> THOSE SIX WORDS BEGAN THE BUZZ.

OKLAHOMA GETS ANOTHER SHOT OF ANOTHER MAJOR MANUFACTURER TO BUILD CAR BATTERIES.

IT COULD MEAN SEN HUNDRED MILLION IN FUNDS IF THE COMPANY HITS CERTAIN TRIGGERS.

>> WE HAVE A SIGNED AGREEMENT WITH PROJECT JOSIE THAT ENCOUPLEBERRED THAT 698.

WE ARE WORKING ON THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS.

>> STITT IS CONFIDENT OKLAHOMA WILL LAND THE DEAL.

>> IT IS THE LARGEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE'S HISTORY.

THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH THE BOARD AND THEY HAVE OFFICIALLY SIGNED OFF TO SAY THAT WE ARE COMING TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER MCCALL BACKS THE LEGISLATION.

>> I HAVE SEEN AN AGREEMENT.

DRAFT, AND BY ALL ACCOUNTS, IT HAVE A VERY AND THEY PER GOING TO ANNOUNCE OKLAHOMA WHICH IS GREAT.

>> GOVERNOR STITT NOTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WANTS MORE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE INDUSTRIAL PARK.

>> THERE IS A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SITE WORK AND ROADS, THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL FIND TO APPROPRIATE OR FIND WAY TO GET THAT.

>> STITT SAID THAT WILL NOT GO TO THE MONEY, BUT WILL HAVE TO COME FROM THE LAWMAKERS.

>> THERE IS T'S TO CROSS AND I'S TO DOT TO GET THE EGRESS IN THE FACILITY.

DAY CARE CENTERS.

A FEW MORE FIRE STATIONS.

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT THAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD PROBABLY MAKE TO PUT IT OVER THE FINISH LINE.

>> SOME OF THOSE PROPOSED INVESTMENTES CAUGHT THE EYE OF HOUSE LEADER.

>> THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND MENTIONED ABOUT FIRE STATIONS AND DAY CARE CENTER.

THIS IS WHAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE TALKING ABOUT.

WITHOUT THE CRITICAL PIECES WAS INFRASTRUCTURE WE CAN'T GROW OUR WORK FORCE.

>> GENERALLY THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE ON BOARD, MUNSON KNOWS WHAT IS ASKED OF THE LEGISLATURE HASN'T BEEN BROUGHT INTO FOCUS YET.

>> IT IS NOT A CLEAR PLAN ON WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS LOOKING AT AND ALL WE KNOW IS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO PLACE INVESTMENT IN THIS PART OF THE STATE.

OF COURSE, WE ARE GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF INVESTMENT IN OKLAHOMA.

>> MUNSON FEELS THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT SHOULD NOT BE ISOLATED IN ONE PART OF THE STATE.

>> WE ASK THAT WE SEE THE INVESTMENT ACROSS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE SHOULD DO THAT WHETHER OR NOT A COMPANY ASKED US TO DO.

FOR FUTURE GROWTH, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE ARE INVESTING IN THE STATE NOW?

HOW ARE WE TAKING CARE OF OKLAHOMAN AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES TO COME TO OKLAHOMA.

>> THEY WERE ADJUSTED TO ATTRACT VOLKSWAGON.

PANASONIC CHOSE KANSAS AND VOLKSWAGON WILL BUILD A MEGAFACTORY IN CANADA.

THE PROJECT JOSIE WILL ONLY GET INCENTIVES BY INVESTING 3.6 BILLION IN OKLAHOMA AND CREATING 3500 JOBS OR MORE IN 4- 5 YEARS.

>> YOU GET THE INCENTIVE IF YOU PRODUCED JOBS AND THE INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT.

YOU GET THE CREDIT IF YOU MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

IT HAS A SWEETENER FOR TWO PERCENT SWEETENER FOR THIS COMPANY THAT COULD PRODUCE NORTH OF 3500 JOBS FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> MCCALL AND STITT BELIEVES THAT THE LEAD ACT INCENTIVE AND DEVELOPING THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT.

>> THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF INCENTIVE DOLLARS BEING DEPLOYED TO BRING THESE IN.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE SHEER NUMBER OF JOBS THEY ARE PRODUCING AND THE AVERAGE SALARY PAID, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WILL GET THE BENEFIT OF THOSE JOBS, THAT COMPANY PAYING TAXES HERE AND EMPLOYING PEOPLE AND THE STATE.

THE PEOPLE WILL GET THEIR INVESTMENT BACK OVER TIME.

>> IT IS A $5 BILLION INVESTMENT AND WHEN THEY ARE DOING THAT, THERE IS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS AND SITE WORK AND COMMITMENTS THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE FROM THE STATE.

SO, YES, THERE IS A COMMITMENT THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO SPEND 245 THROUGH ODOT, OR THROUGH THE MIDAMERICA SITE TO GET THE SITE READY.

>> MCCALL FEELS IF THE STATE LANDS PROJECT JOSY, IT WILL LEAD TO BIGGER THINGS.

>> THERE IS AN EXPECTATION OF LANDING A MEGAMANUFACTURER, PRODUCING 3500 JOBS OR MORE, THAT THERE IS A LOT OF MANY OTHER COMPANIES THAT WILL FOLLOW COMING TO OKLAHOMA.

>> AND THE GOVERNOR AGREES.

IT IS A POSITIVE THING FOR OKLAHOMA.

THESE TYPES WAS INVESTMENTES DON'T COME AROUND ALL OF THE TIME.

WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THE PLATE HERE IS UNBELIEVABLE.

>> EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE PUT A TIME LIMIT ON THE FUNDS THAT BACKED THE INCENTIVES IN THE LEAD ACT.

THAT WILL NOT MATTER IF THE COMPANY BEHIND PROJENTH JOSIE MAKE ITS PUBLIC THEY ARE COMING TO OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU.

OKLAHOMA WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO BET ON SPORT.

THE BILL FAILED TO MEET THE SENATE DEADLINE.

IT CAN BE CONSIDERED NEXT SESSION.

THE THURSDAY, HOUSE AND SENATE DEMOCRATS CAME TOGETHER TO INTRODUCE THEIR EDUCATION SPENDING PLAN AND INCLUDES TEACHER PAY RAISE AND SUPPORT STAFF AND MORE EQUITY WITH THE FUNDS DISTRIBUTED TO URBAN AND RURAL SCHOOLS.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE INCESTING THAT THE REPUBLICANS END THE IMPASSE OVER THE EDUCATION FUNDING.

>> TEACHERS ARE MAKING A DECISION IF THEY ARE GOING TO WORK NEXT YEAR.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE MAKING HIRING DECISIONS AND STAFFING DECISIONS RIGHT NOW.

PARENTS THAT ARE TRYING TO PRACTICE THE CHOICE THAT THE GOP KEEPS PREACHING AND TRYING TO MAKE CHOICE DECISIONS RIGHT NOW IF THEIR KIDS ARE GOING TO GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOL OR CROSS TO PRIVATE OR PRACTICE HOME SCHOOL.

THE STAND OFF IS KEEPING EVERYTHING'RE EVERYBODY FROM MAKING THE OPERATIONAL DECISIONS.

>> ONE OTHER NOTE FROM THE SESSION THIS WEEK, THE OKLAHOMA SENATE OVERTURNED THE BILL 1130 THAT MOVES 600 MILLION FROM THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY ACCOUNT TO THE APPROPRIATION.

THE HOUSE MUST OVERRIDE THE VET FERVO TO KEEP IT FROM BECOMING LAW.

GOVERNOR STITT DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR FIVE OKLAHOMA COUNTIES AFTER A TORNADO OUTBREAK CLAIMED THREE LIVES ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

IN WAS IN MCCLAIN COUNTY AND DAMAGE IN THE OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY IN SHAWNEE AS WELL.

A DOZEN TORNADOS WERE CONFIRMED IN THE OUTBREAK.

FOUR OFFICIALS WERE CAPTURED ON AN AUDIO REPORTING THREATENING TO KILL LOCAL REPORTER AND LAMAMENTING NO LONGER ABLE TO LYNCH BLACK PEOPLE.

INCLUDING THE SHERIFF WHO SAID THE COMMENTS WERE TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT AND RECORDED ILLEGALLY.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER MIKE JENNINGS RESIGNED ON WEDNESDAY.

THE GOVERNOR STITT AND OTHERS ARE DEMANDING THEY ALL RESIGNED.

THE GOVERNOR SAID I AM APPALLED AND DISHEARTED TO BE HEARD BY THE OFFICIALS IN McCURTAIN COUNTY.

THERE IS NO PLACE OF HATEFUL RHETORIC ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN THE RESPECTIVE OFFICE.

I WILL NOT STAND BY IDLY.

I CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION ARE SHERIFF CLARDY.

MANNINGS AND JAIL ADMINISTRATOR LARRY HENDRIX.

>> AND RICHARD GLOSSIP'S QUESTION WAS, TAKEN DOWN.

GLOSSIP IS SCHEDULED TO BE SCHEDULED ON MAY 18TH.

HE CAN ASK THE PAROLE BOARD TO RECOMMEND THAT HIS SENSE BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IN PRISON.

WHEN WE THINK OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

WE THINK OF VICTIMS TRANSPORTED VIA THE HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING TAKES PLACE IN THE SKY AS WELL.

MAJOR AIRPORTS ARE WORKING TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

REPORTER STEVE SHAW SHOWS US HOW.

>> AIRPORTS ACROSS AMERICA WENT THROUGH SPECIAL TRAINING A MONTH AGO.

FOLKS PASSING THROUGH WILL ROGERS AIRPORT IN OKLAHOMA CITY SEES MONITORING AROUND THE TERMINAL THAT URGE TRAVELLERS TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR SIGNS WAS HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

OVER IN TULSA INTERNATIONAL, THERE'S NOW ELECTRONIC SIGNAGE IN THE THERMINALS AND IN THE MEN AND WOMEN'S BATHROOM AND EVEN IN THE STALLS.

AND AT BOTH AIRPORTS, YOU WILL ALSO HEAR THIS.

>> VICTIMS CAN BE OF ANY AGE, RACE, GENDER IDENTITY, SEX AND ETHNICITY AND NATIONALITY AND OFTEN DON'T SELF IDENTIFY.

IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OR KNOW ONE, GET HELP BY CALLING THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOT LINE.

888- 373- 7888.

>> ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

THERE IS TRAFFICKING FOR SEX ACTS OR LABOR.

THE DEPARTMENT OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY CONDUCTING ALL OF THE TRAINING AND PROVIDED THE SIGNAGE, THEY CALL IT THE BLUE LIGHTNING INITIATIVE.

>> HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS MODERN-DAY SLAVERY.

>> PAUL MEYERS IS CEO OF TULSA AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT TRUST.

>> DID THIS TRAINING OPEN YOUR EYES A BIT?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

ALTHOUGH WE MAY SEE THINGS IN THE TERMINAL AND WORKING AND OUR EMPLOYEES MIGHT SEE THEM.

UNTIL THE TRAINING TAKES PLACE, I THINK YOUR EYES ARE OPEN TO IDENTIFYING INDICATORS.

THERE WAS A TIME EARLY ON HERE IN THE AIRPORT WHEN I STARTED A YEAR AGO I RAN INTO A YOUNG LADY STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE CHECKPOINT.

SHE CONFUSED ABOUT WHERE SHE WAS.

SHE HAD A BAG AND TEDDY BAG WITH HER.

>> FORTUNATELY QUICK INVESTIGATION THAT DAY REVEALED THAT YOUNG GIRL WAS NOT BEING TRAFFICKED.

HOWEVER, 30 YEARS AGO, AFTER RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME NEAR TULSA, BAMBI ORTIZ FELL INTO THE WEB OF A HUMAN TRAFFICKER.

WE TALKED TO HER IN 2021.

>> I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A PLAYBOOK AND WHEN I WAS 13, THE SEX TRAFFICKER AT THAT TIME WAS 20 YEARS OLDER THAN ME.

EVERYTHING HE WAS SAYING, I WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

YOU WILL NOT GO IN THE SYSTEM AND YOUR FAMILY DOESN'T LOVE YOU AND IT IS MENTAL CONDITIONING AND THEN THE FEAR.

AND SO MANY OBSTACLES AND NEEDS TO BE SO MANY MORE PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS.

>> ORTIZ GOT HELP THROUGH A PRISON DIVERSION PROGRAM AND ALSO HAS BEEN SOBER EVERY SINCE.

>> I NEEDED THERAPY AND NEEDED TO LEARN HOW TO LOVE MYSELF.

BUT A LITTLE PIECE OF ME DIED EVERY TIME I LAID UNDERNEATH A MAN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> MARK WOODWARD SAID ILLEGAL DRUGS AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING GO HAND IN HAND.

>> SOME OF THE BEST CASES STARTED WITH AN ANONYMOUS CALL, THIS IS PROBABLY NOTHING BUT CHECK IT OUT.

>> HE SAID IF YOU SEE SOMETHING WHETHER IT IS AT A AIRPORT OR BUS STATION OR SUPERMARKET.

>> DON'T GET INVOLVED.

THAT CAN GET THEM HURT.

SOMETIMES THEIR ACTIVITIES ARE WATCHED BY THE HANDLERS AND PIMPS.

BUT GO CONTACT THE AUTHORITIES.

>> HE SAID AFRPTS ARE FREQUENTLY USED FOR SEX AND LABOR TRAFFICKING.

>> THEY WILL MOVE YOU AROUND WHERE THEY WILL MAKE THE MOST MONEY AND MOVE THE VICTIMS.

SAY THERE IS A BIG SPORTING EVENT IN NEW ORLEANS.

THEY WILL MOVE THEIR BEST MONEY MAKING WOMEN TO THOSE CITIES KNOWING THERE WILL BE A LOT OF VISITOR AND CASH.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY DEPARTMENT OF AIRPORTS, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER STACEY HAM SAID THERE WERE MORE THAN 100 HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATIONS AT WILL ROGERS LAST YEAR.

>> AIRPORTS, BUS STATIONS ARE THE NUMBER ONE WAY OF TRANSPORT OF THIS TYPE OF PARTICULAR CRIME.

>> SHE SAID 4000 PEOPLE PASS THROUGH WILL ROGERS LAST YEAR AND IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, ALREADY 10% AHEAD OF WILL ROGER'S BIGGEST YEAR EVER WHICH WAS 2019.

>> IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT JUST KIND OF LOOKS WEIRD OR OVERHEAR A CERTAIN CONVERSATION THAT JUST DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT, YOU DEFINITELY WANT TO CALL THE AUTHORITIES.

OR IF YOU ARE HERE IN OUR AIRPORT, GO TO THE TICKET COUNTER OR OUR VOLUNTEER BOOTH, AND SAY HERE, THIS IS WHAT I WITNESSED, CAN YOU CALL THE AIRPORT POLICE AND THEY WILL BE THERE.

>> STEVE SHAW, OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> STEVE, THANK YOU, FORMER GOVERNOR BRAD HENRY ESTABLISHED THE INNERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS.

GOVERNOR STITT SAID IT OFS INEFFECTIVE AND HE WILL DISBAND IT.

WHAT IMPACT WILL THAT HAVE ON THE GROWING HOMELESS POPULATION?

THAT IS THE TOPIC COMING UP LATER ON IN THE NEWSCAST.

HERE IS A PREVIEW.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT, AND IT CAN BE A BALANCING ACT, AND ONE AREA, YOU MIGHT DECREASE STAFF AND GET RID OF A COUNCIL AND END A FEW POSITIONS.

THEN YOU INCREASE GOVERNMENT HERE AND GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND NEW POSITIONS AND THE SAME WAY THIS COUNCIL WAS RESOLVED, GOVERNOR STITT PUT ON A POSITION.

>> AND THERE WAS A STATEWIDE, AND SO WE REPORTED THOSE ACTIVITIES TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

NOW, WHETHER THAT MADE IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OWN EYES, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT IF NOT, IT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS A STAFF PROBLEM THAN A COUNCIL PROBLEM.

>> IT IS COLLABATIVE INITIATIVES.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES WAS POPULATIONS IN THE STATE.

AREAS OF FOCUS.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE ALREADY ESTABLISHED.

THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR REESE WETZEL COMING UP.

>> BEING OKLAHOMA TEACHER OF THE YEARS TERRIFIC.

REBECKA PETERSON WAS HONORED AS 2023 TEACHER OF THE YEAR.

SHE WILL TOUR THE COUNTRY TO HIGHLIGHT ACHIEVEMENTES OF STUDENTS AND COLOGS.

PETERSON WAS SELECTED BY THE COUNCIL OF CHIEF STATE SCHOOL OFFICERS.

SHE'S BEEN A TEACHER 14 YEAR AND A FINALIST FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHING EXCELLENCE.

>> AND WEDNESDAY MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

STEVEN TAYLOR DELIVERED A KEY NOTE DRASZ.

GOVERNOR STITT ALSO SPOKE AS FAMILY AND FRIENDS REMEMBERED THE 168 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON APRIL 19TH, 1995.

IT REMAINS THE DEADLIEST TERRORIST ATTACK IN UNITED STATES HISTORY.

TURN OUT AMONG THE YOUNG VOTERS IS DECLINING NOT ONLY IN OKLAHOMA BUT THE COUNTRY.

WHY IS THAT?

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE YOUNGER CITIZENS TO TAKE PART IN THE IMPORTANT CIVIC DUTY?

I SPOKE TO OKLAHOMA WATCH TO FIND OUT.

>> KEATON, YOU WROTE AN ARTICLE ON THIS.

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS TELL US FROM THE RECENT ELECTION?

>> IT IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

FOLKS WHO WANT TO SEE MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

AND THE NOVEMBER 2022 MIDTERM ELECTION, THERE WERE ABOUT 25% OF THE REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE 18- 30 RANGE THAT CAST A BALLOT THAT WAS ABOUT HALF OF THE TOTAL OVERALL PERCENTAGE OF THE REGISTERED VOTERS AND CERTAINLY A CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

>> YOU WOULD THINK THAT QUESTION STATE 20 MIGHT HAVE GALVANIZED YOUNG VOTERS AND THAT DIDN'T HEAR?

>> THE NUMBERS THERE, UNDER 10% OF THE VOTERS IN THE 18- 30 DEMOGRAPHIC CAST A BALLOT IN THE RACE.

CERTAINLY QUESTIONS LINGERING, AND MAYBE SOME THEORIES.

I HAVE SEEN OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IS RELATIVELY ACCESSIBLE IN OKLAHOMA AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THAT AND WERE NOT MOTIVATED TO GO TO THE POLLS FOR THAT SPECIAL ELECTION.

>> TEEN APATHY NOT ONLY ALL YOUNG VOTERS IS THERE.

THE VAST MAJOR ITY OF THE ELECTIONS WERE DECIDE BEFORE A GENERAL ELECTION WAS CAST?

>> LOOKING AT THE RACE IN THE STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE AND HALF OF THE SENATE SEATS WERE UP FOR REELECTION.

BUT NEARLY 70% OF THE RACES WERE DECIDED BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION DAY.

EITHER NO ONE CHALLENGED IT.

AN INCUMBENT FOR THE SEAT OR THE RACE WAS DECIDED IN A SINGLE PRIMARY PARTY.

THAT WAS A REDUCTION FROM 2018, THE LAST MIDTERM RACE.

CERTAINLY WE ARE SEEING FEWER COMPETITIVE RACES.

THERE WERE A FEW BILLS FILED THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION SEEKING TO PUT.

TWO REPUBLICANS PER SE, FILING FOR A SEAT, THEY WOULD JUST ADVANCE THAT TO THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

THAT DIDN'T GET FAR IN THE PROCESS.

AND SO, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT EVOLVES LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024.

>> OKLAHOMA WATCH EXPLAINED ON LINE VOTER REGISTRATION EXISTS, BUT YOU HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH HOOPS TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS.

>> UNDER THE CURRENT SYSTEM, YOU CAN FILL OUT AN ONLINE APPLICATION ON YOUR COMPUTER OR PHONE OR WHATEVER YOU HAVE.

BUT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PRINT THAT OUT AND EITHER HAND DELIVER IT OR MAIL TO THE COUNTY ELECTION BOARD.

THAT IS IN OKLAHOMA, AND OTHER STATES, THE MAJOR ITY OF THE OTHER STATES FIGURED OUT AN ON LINE SYSTEM WHERE YOU CAN DO THAT.

OKLAHOMA OFFICIALS SAY THAT SORT OF SYSTEM IS COMING SOON.

BUT, IT'S BEEN SEVERAL YEARS SINCE THAT WAS APPROVED AND THERE HASN'T BEEN MUCH MOVEMENT IN THAT ON RECEIPT YEARS.

>> YOU ARE A RELATIVELY YOUNG VOTER YOURSELF.

IF YOUNG VOTERS DON'T GET OUT AND VOTE, ISSUES WILL BE DECIDED BY OTHERS.

I KNOW THAT IS OBVIOUS, BUT THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE?

>> IF THIS TREND CONTINUES AND THE PARTICIPATION DOESN'T INCREASE, THE INTEREST OF YOUNGER PEOPLE WILL NOT BE AS WELL REPRESENTED IN THE CAPITAL.

THAT IS TRUE ALSO IN THE ELECTION PROCESS.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE RUNNING FOR THOSE COUNTY LEVEL SEATS OR LEGISLATIVE SEATS, THAT ALSO GOES HAND IN HAND.

IT COMES DOWN TO VOTING IS WORTH GETTING INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF THE BECOMING A CANDIDATE YOURSELF.

>> KEATON ROSS, WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH.

THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION AND THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY'S DECISION TO HALT ALL WORK ON THE 5 BILLION ACCESS OKLAHOMA EXPANSION PLAN DUE TO ONGOING LITIGATION CREATED A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS, CONTRACTOR AND LEGISLATORS AND OF COURSE, LAWYERS.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US WITH MORE ON THE ONGOING CONTROVERSY THAT LANDED IN COURT.

>> RICH, THIS WEEK MARY BOREN HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN RESPONSE TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

OTA'S ALSO WAS DUE SHE SAID TO LOW FUNDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> SENATOR MARY BOREN WHO REPRESENTED THE NORMAN AREA, DOESN'T TRUST WHAT OKLAHOMA AUTHORITY OR OTA IS SAYING AS IT HALT THE PROJECT.

>> IN THE STATEMENT, THEY CLAIMED FINANCIAL STABILITY OF THE TURNPIKE SYSTEM AND BOND APPROVAL PROCESS.

AND THAT CLAIM, NEEDS TO BE CHECKED.

>> BOR EP REQUESTED THAT THE STATE AUDITOR CINDY BYRD TO DO A CREDIT CHECK ON THE BOND PROCESS.

>> ONE THING WE REALIZE THAT THE CLAIMS ON THE RETURN OF REVENUE FOR THE BONDS AND FEES THAT ARE PAID.

THE TOLL FEAS THAT ARE PAID AND CLAIM AND ANTICIPATED REVENUES DID NOT PAN OUT.

>> BOREN WAS JOINED BY THE MEMBERS WHO WERE OPPOSED TO THE SOUTH TURNPIKE WHICH WAS PLANNED TO GO THROUGH THUNDERBIRD LAKE AREA.

THEY BELIEVE THAT THE OTA REVENUE IS FALLING SHORT.

>> YOU CAN GLIES CAN SEE THE GAM OF WHAT PROJECTED COME IN AND WHAT IS ACTUALLY COMING IN AND THE INABILITY TO MAKE DEBT SERVICE AND TAKE CARE OF MAINTENANCE AND PRAGSZ.

THAT'S THE PLAYBOOK USED FOR YEARS.

>> THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY HAS DEFENDERS INCLUDING CONTRACTORS WHO BID AND WORK ON THE PROJECT.

>> I AM CONFIDENT WE'LL BE BACK ON TRACK.

WHAT NORMAN WILL LOOK LIKE I DON'T KNOW.

BUT THE IS IT THESES DESERVE BETTER.

THAT TOWN IS GOING TO GRID LOCK.

CONGESTION KILLS.

>> OTA PUSHES BACK ON THE CLAPS THAT IT IS NOT BEING FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH THE REVENUE.

SOME TURNPIKES WILL ALWAYS BRING FOR MORE REVENUE AND CONTRIBUTES TO THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AND THE REASON THAT OTA HAS BEEN ABLE TO CONSTRUCT MUCH NEEDED HIGHWAYS AND MAINTAINING THE TOLLS.

60% BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT MISLEADING AND INACCURATE INFORMATION IS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC TO FIT A NARROWLY DEFINED PURPOSE.

THE PAUSE IN THE OTA PROJECT INCLUDES WIDENING OF KILPATRICK AND TURNER TURNPIKE AND TULSA AREA.

OKLAHOMA GENERAL CONTRACTORS BOBBY STIM SAID OTA DID IT DUE TO ONGOING LITIGATION AND LIMITS THE BOND MARKETS TO PAY FOR THE PROJECTS.

>> THE LEGAL CHALLENGES DELAYED AND THE PRUDENT THING TO DO.

WE DON'T CONTINUE TO SPEND DOLLARS MONTHLY SET ASSET.

BUTS PAUSE AND LET THE LEGAL QUESTIONS RUN THEIR COURSE AND UNPAUSE IT AND GET BACK TO WORK.

>> THIS IS PUT A DAMPER FOR CONTRACTORS.

>> WE WERE ALL GEARING UP TO PURCHASE AND LEASE AND REPAIR EQUIPMENT AND HIRE PEOPLE THINKING THAT WE HAD THIS STREAM OF WORK THAT WAS COMING AND THAT IS PLACED ON HOLD RIGHT NOW.

SO OUR HIRING IS DOWN AND PURCHASING IS DOWN AS WELL.

AS OF NOW OTA IS UNSURE WHEN WORK WILL RESUME BECAUSE OF THE LEGAL CASES.

REPRESENTATIVE THAT REPRESENTED OTA DOESN'T FORSEE OTA HANDED NEW BONDS EASILY.

>> WE BELIEVE IT MAY BE MOOT, BECAUSE THE COUNCIL ON BOND OVERSIGHT AND GIVEN THEM 180 DAYS TO OBTAIN FAVORABLE RESULTS FROM THEIR TWO CASES.

AND OF COURSE, NOT ONLY DO THEY NOT OBTAIN A FAVORABLE RESULT, BUT THEY LOST.

>> THE JUDGE RULED THAT OTA VIOLATING THE OPEN MEETING ACT CONCERNING THE OKLAHOMA PROJECT.

>> AS A CONSEQUENCE, ALL OF THOSE MULTIMILLION CONTRACTS THAT THEY GOT AWARDED TO THE FRIENDS AMONGST THESE VARIOUS ENGINEERING FIFRMS, WERE INVALID.

>> IT IS NERVE RACKING FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> THE SPOKESMAN RANDY CARTER LIVES IN THE PATH OF THE NEW TURNPIKE EXPANSION.

>> IT IS UNNERVING TO SIT DOWN AND REALIZE THAT THE SEAT IN MY LIVING ROOM IS GOING TO BE FUTURE MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.

>> HE HOPES THAT THE TEMPORARY PAUSE WILL GIVE HIM AND THE ORGANIZATION MOMENTUM.

>> A PAUSE IS A GOOD THING AND GIVES US A CHANCE ON OUR CAUSE TO BRING THEM UNDER CONTROL AND PUT GUIDEPOSTS ON THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY SO THEY CAN DO THINGS IN THE CORRECT MANNER.

>> THE LEGAL TEAM SAID THE FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER.

>> WE ALLEGE THAT THE OTA EXPENDS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND THE CONTRACTS ARE INVALIDATED.

THEY ARE BOUND TO THE RETURN THE MONEY BACK TO THE STATE.

SO THE FIGHT IS GOING TO CONTINUE.

THIS IS JUST ONE STEP.

>> OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY ENCOURAGES OKLAHOMANS TO READ THE 2022 FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THEMSELVES.

RICH?

>> TAELYR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TIME FOR THE WEEKLY WRAP OF STATEWIDE ECONOMIC NEWS.

HERE IS JASON WITH THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> OKLAHOMA BASED ENERGY IS MAKING A INVESTMENT WITH FEFSH FEFSH FERVO ENERGY.

THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN HUGHESING WELLS FOR GEOTHERMAL PRODUCTION.

THEY WILL ENHANCE THE FERV O'S TECHNOLOGY.

57% OF THE STATE EMPLOYEES FELL BELOW THE MARKET AVERAGE FOR BENEFITS PACKAGE.

THE STATE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT WAS 17 AND HALF PERCENT BELOW MARKET AVERAGE.

2.SEN BELOW IN 2017.

THAT PLAYS IN THE EMPLOYEE TURN OVERERATE.

IT IS COSTING THE STATE OF THE OKLAHOMA $110 MILLION.

THE OKLAHOMA PUBLIC.

EVENS SOERNGZ ENCOURAGING LAWMAKERS TO RESTORE THE BENEFIT RETIRED AND REPLACED WIBY A 401 K. 296 MILLION TO BRING STATE EMPLOYEE SALARIES TO 85% OF MARKET AVERAGE.

OKLAHOMA BANCFIRST IS BUYING STROUD BRANCH OF RTC.

IT IS GOING TO BE ABSORBED IN THE BANCFIRST BRANCH THERE.

THE DEAL IS EXPECTED TO CLOSE IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE YEAR.

THIS IS JASON DOYLE, WITH THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> GREAT JOB, JASON.

WE HEARD THE TIME HONORED EXCUSE THE DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK.

WHAT IF THE DOG WAS HELPING IN IMPORTANT WAYS?

REPORTER JOE VILOMENO HAS THE STORY.

♪♪ >> A BOY AND HIS DOG.

LUCAS IS A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR IN THE EDISSON PREPATORY SCHOOLS IN TULSA.

>> I HAVE BEEN HERE FROM 6TH GRADE ALL THE WAY THROUGH 12TH GRADE AND I HAVE KIND OF USED THE COMBINED HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL TO MY ADVANTAGE.

>> LUCAS' JOURNEY TO GRADUATION WITH A 4.45 GPA WAS NOT EASY GROWING UP.

>> SOCIALLY AWKWARD AND HE DIDN'T GET SOCIAL CUES.

LIKE TEACHERS WOULD LOOK AT HIM AND SCHUSHUSH SHUSH HIM UP WITH THE TEACHER LOOKS.

HE GOT NOTHING OUT OF IT.

WE FOUND OUT HE HAD AUTISM AND THAT EXPLAINED HE WAS HIGH IQ AND FUNCTIONING.

>> THERE WAS DIFFERENT WAYS TO HELP HIM COPE WITH THE DIAGNOSIS AND WHEN JASON CAME IN THEIR LIVES.

THERE WAS PAWS FOR AUTISM, AN ORGANIZATION MATCHING KIDS STRUGGLING WITH AUTISM WITH SERVICE DOGS.

>> I RECOMMENDED JASON BY MY THIRD GRADE TEACHER.

SHE HAD HAD PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH AN ORGANIZATION IN THE AREA WE WERE LIVING IN AT THE TIME.

AND SHE RECOMMENDED ME TO THEM.

>> JASON WALKS ALONGSIDE LUCAS AND TROTTING FROM CLASS TO CLASS AND HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY.

>> HIS ABILITY TO SOCIALLY RELATE AND AS A KID, BEING ABLE TO HAVE A GENERAL TOPIC THAT ALL KIDS WERE INTHD IN.

HE DIDN'T MATCH INTEREST WITH THE PEERS.

BUT JASON HELPED HIM TO MAKE FRIENDS.

>> HE'S DONE WORK FOR ME ON ANXIETY.

IT IS LIKE IMPULSE CONTROL AND OTHER ISSUES WE DIDN'T IMAGINE AT FIRST.

THERE WAS ISSUES WITH MY HEALTH AND HELPED ME TO IDENTIFY THE CONDITION I HAD.

WAS ABLE TO HELP ME GET TREATMENT I NEEDED FOR IT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY WE DIDN'T GET TO IT LAST YEAR.

>> LUCAS TEACHER DAVID TOMLINSAID LUCAS IS NOW WORKING HARDER AT SCHOOL.

>> HE'SING WILLING TO DO THE READING AND HE'S SO GOOD AT YOU KNOW, PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER.

YOU KNOW, CONNECT BEING ALL OF THE DOTS AND SIGNIFICANT DETAILS.

>> LU KAS WILL DO GREAT THINGS SOME DAY.

>> AND THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SAID LUBS HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> NOT EVERYONE THINKS LIKE LUCAS.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME PURSUE OR VIEWS THAT HE DOES.

>> JASON, HI, COME HERE.

>> AND A PERFECT SCORE ON THE SAT.

THERE IS OFFERS FROM ELITE SCHOOL AND HE CHOSE TO STAY HOME AND ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA.

>> I HAVE SELECTED TU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ME BECAUSE OF THE TURKS PROGRAM.

THE TULSA UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CHALLENGE.

>> HE SEES A FUTURE WORK NOTHING BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THE FUTURE IS AVAILABLE.

WHAT I PLAN TO GO INTO.

I WOULD LIKE RESEARCH IN THAT FIELD SO I CAN HELP DEVELOP THE NEXT STAGE OF MEDICINE AND THE NEXT STAGE OF YOU KNOW, PROSPERITY FOR HUMANKIND.

>> LUCAS HOPES TO RECEIVE A GOLD WATER SCHOLARSHIP AT ATU.

AWARDED ON STUDENTS ON THE INTENT TO PURSUE RESEARCH IN THE FIELDS OF NATURAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS.

>> I HOPE TO PURSUE A GRADUATE DEGREE WHETHER OR NOT I RECEIVE THE AWARDS.

I THINK IT ENGAGES THE LEVEL OF LEARNING AND PARTICULARLY ENGINEERING, AND A MASTER'S DEGREES IS KIND OF THE STANDARD.

>> FLORENCE CREDITS THE SCHOOL, SHE ADMITS IT IS NOT EASY.

>> I THINK EDISSON IS AMAZING AND HELPFUL, BUT IT IS NOT EASY.

WE WERE IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND IT WAS HARD.

WE HAD TO FIGHT TO GET LU KAS THE RESOURCES HE NEEDS AND THAT IS A STRUGGLE FOR A LOT OF PARENTS.

WHAT WOULD HELP THEM?

AND SO WE FELT LUCKY WE HAD GOOD ADVOCATES TO WORK WITH US AND GET THERE.

>> LUCAS WILL GRUT AS VAL DING TORIAN IN HIS CLASS AND WALK WITH JASON BESIDE HIM.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE INSTRUMENTAL TO MY DEVELOPMENT, BUT JASON IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST IF NOT THE BIGGEST PLAYER IN MY PERSONAL GROWTH.

>> JOE VILOMENO, OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> THAT'S A GREAT STORY.

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT ANNOUNCED THE HOMELESS COUNCIL IS HAS BEEN DEMISED.

WHAT WILL THAT DO TO THE GROWING HOMELESS POPULATION?

>> HERE IS MODERATOR REESE WETZEL WITH THE INDEPTH INVESTIGATION.

>> WE ARE JOINED BY TAYLOR BRANCH REPORTER WITH FRONTIER.

BEN STRAUM AND THEN GREG SHIN WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE'LL START DIFFERENTLY.

WE'LL READ A STATEMENT PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS THEY COULD NOT ATTEND THE PANEL.

GOVERNOR STITT BELIEVES THAT KEEPING GOVERNMENT SMALL AND THE INNERAENLS COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS ACCOMPLISHED THEIR TASK.

THE GOVERNOR TRUSTS THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MENT AT HEALTH AND SUSTANCE TO CONTINUE THE WORK.

NOW, WE ARE GOING TO PLAY A SOUND BITE FROM LAST FRIDAY'S MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR.

>> I NEVER SEEN A REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION.

IT IS IN EXISTENCE OVER 25 YEARS.

AGAIN, IT IS GETTING AROUND AND HIT THE TAXPAYER AND YOU PAY THEM FOR MILEAGE AND THIS KIND OF STUFF.

YOU KNOW, WE NEED A FRESH SET OF THE EYES ON THERE AND A 25-YEAR-OLD COMMISSION WAS NOT MOVING THE NEEDLE E. AND BUILDING HOUSING AND GIVING FREE STUFF IS NOT THE ANSWER.

LOOK AT WHAT OTHER BIG CITIES DID TO HOUSE PEOPLE AND BUILD HOUSING AND PUT THEM UP IN HOTELS, PEOPLE NEED JOBS.

PEOPLE NEED JOBS.

THEY NEED THE MENTAL HEALTH THAT THEY NEED, AND THERE IS A DRUG ADDICTION, AND THERE IS PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON, ARE REFUSING TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

>> KAYLA, I WANT TO TURN TO YOU.

EXPAND ON THE GOVERNOR'S COMMENTS IN THAT VIDEO AND WHERE HE'S GOING TO DEBAND THE COUNCIL.

>> IN THE CLIP, STITT TALKED ABOUT THE NEED OF FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND GETTING A FRESH SET OF EYES ON THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS IN OKLAHOMA.

THOSE ARE THE MAIN REASONS THAT HE FELT LIKE THIS COUNCIL WAS NO LONGER NEEDED.

HE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIS APPROACH TO ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS AND IT WAS A WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT HEAVY.

HE SAID PEOPLE NEED JOBS AND WE ARE NOT, IN HIS OFFICE FOCUS ON BUILDING HOUSING.

HE DID HIGHLIGHT THE RECENT EFFORTS THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE MADE TO INCREASE FUNDING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

THAT WAS A FOCUS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AS IT SHOULD BE.

SO THAT IS HIGHLIGHTS OF WHAT HE SAID.

>> KAYLA BRINGS UP GREAT POINTS.

DAN AND GREG, AS FORMER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT THE STATEMENT OF THE GOVERNOR ADDRESSED AND FEEL ABOUT THE COMMENTS MADE IN THE MEETING?

>> SURE.

I DON'T THINK NUMBER ONE THAT THE COUNCIL HAS ACCOMPLISHED OUR TASK.

EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE MET FOR 20 YEARS.

THAT'S VERY TRUE.

AND IT'S COLLABATIVE BY DESIGN.

WE NEED TO HEAR IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE STATE, THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPE WAS POPULATION.

DIFFERENT AREAS OF FOCUS AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE ALREADY ESTABLISHED & SO, YOU NEED THE STAKEHOLDERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO WEIGH IN AND BUILD THAT STATE PLAN AND DETERMINE WHAT THE PRIORITIES SHOULD BE OF THE COUNCIL AND FOCUSING ON.

OBVIOUSLY WITH THE TRENDS THAT WE ARE SEEING WITH LONG- TERM HOMELESSNESS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AND CHRONIC HOME LITTLENESS AND UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS.

NO SHELTER BUYED TO GO TO OR TEMPORARY HOUSE,THOSE ARE INCREASING AT DRAMA ATTIC RATES WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATE TRENDS.

IT IS UP 115 PERCENT IN EIGHT YEARS AND UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS UP 62% AND THERE IS NO WAY TO SAY THAT THE COUNCIL HAS ACCOMPLISHED THEIR TASKS.

THE EFFORTS IN EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY TO BRING TO THE IDEA OR MISSION IS NO WHERE NEAR COMPLETE.

SO THE COMMENTS WERE CONFUSING FROM MY PERSPECTIVE FROM THAT POINT OF VIEW.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS RIGHT IT IS A MULTI- FACETTED PROBLEM AND REQUIRES COOPERATION AND THE COUNCIL THAT WAS ITS FUNCTION THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF REHAB AND CAREER TECH SYSTEM AND DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND YOU KNOW NONPROFIT AND THE FAITH- BASED COMMUNITY WERE DOING TO SDRAESZ THE ISSUE STATEWIDE AND GETTING INPUT FROM ALL OF THOSE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE GAP AND SERVICES ARE.

I GUESS A PERSON WHO MADE HIS FURTUNE IN THE MORTGAGE BUSINESS TO MINIMIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING HOUSING, WAS KIND OF SURPRISING.

I MEAN, HE'S CERTAINLY RIGHT, PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS NEED MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

SOME OF THEM NEED PLACEMENT SERVICES.

SOME OF THEM NEED REHABILITATION SERVICES AND ACCESS TO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.

SOME OF THEM NEED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT.

BUT THE ONE THING THAT EVERY, EVERY PERSON EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS NEEDS IS A HOME.

AND INSTEAD OF MINIMIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF HOUSING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, IS A MISTAKE.

>> AND THANK YOU, DAN AND KAYLA, THAT BRINGS UP GOOD POINTS.

WE ARE IN A HOUSING CRISIS RIGHT NOW.

ARE THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES EQUIPPED TO TAKE ALL OF THIS ON.

DOES IT PUT MORE STRESS ON THE SERVICE?

>> THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO.

THEY ARE NOT ENOUGH MENTAL HEALTH BEDS IN THE STATE FOR THE FOLKS THAT NEED THAT TYPE OF SERVICE AND HELP.

THAT IS A LONG-STANDING ISSUE IN OKLAHOMA.

LAST FEW YEARS, LIKE THE GOVERNOR MEJDZED FINANCIAL INVESTMENTES IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM.

BUT EVEN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTALITY HEALTH AND PROVIDERS ALL AGREE, THAT IT WILL BE A PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS AND WE ARE REALLY JUST STARTING THAT PROCESS AND REALLY GETTING STARTED.

THERE IS STILL IS A GREAT NEED IN ACCESS AND AVAILABILITY WHEN IT COMES TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN OKLAHOMA.

SFSHGS IF I COULD RESPOND.

IT IS STIGMATIZING AND LABELLING TO SAY THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE FORCED IN MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

THAT IS REALLY NOT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS IN THE HOME AMS POPULATION.

THAT IS TRUE.

WE DO NOT DISAGREE WITH THAT.

25 OR 40% DEPENDING ON THE SELF REPORT WANT INDIVIDUAL WHAT WAS THE CAUSE CONTRIBUTING TO THE HOMELESS SITUATION.

WE NEED MORE ACCESS TO TREATMENT BEDS.

BUT TO SAY EVERYBODY THAT IS HOMELESS AND THE REASON THEY NEED TO BE FORCED IN MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

AS DAN ALLUDED TO.

HOUSING IS THE BASE LEVEL ISSUE HERE.

AND IF SOMEONE NEEDS MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND LIVING ON THE STREET, YOU CAN'T EFFECTIVELY HELP SOMEBODY STABILIZE OR REGAIN THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS WHILE LIVING ON THE STREET.

YOU CAN ONLY DO THAT WHILE THEY ARE IN THE HOUSING AND RELEARN AND FOCUS ON GOTTING WELL FROM THE MEDICALOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE THEY HAVE OR WHATEVER.

MENTAL HEALTH IS A BIG ISSUE.

FORCING PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT AND TRYING TO TREAT THEM FOR WHATEVER THEIR DISABLING CONDITION IS WHILE THEY ARE ON THE STREET, THAT IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM.

>> IT IS BIGGER THAN JUST MENTAL HEALTH.

>> AND DAN, I WANT TO GO TO YOU NEXT.

THE GOVERNOR SAID HE NEVER SAW A REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL: IS THAT TRUE?

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY, I CAN'T SAY WHETHER OR NOT THE GOVERNOR EVER SAW A REPORT.

I KNOW THAT FOR YEARS AND YEARS AS LONG AS I WAS ON THE COUNCIL, SUBMITS AN ANNUAL REPORT AS REQUIRED BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT CREATED THE COUNCIL.

THAT REPORT IS SENT TO THE GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE SENATE.

AND THE EIGHT YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL, WE SUBMITTED THOSE REPORTS EVERY YEAR.

IN ADDITION, THERE ARE INTERPIM ISSUES WE ADDRESS.

JUST LAST YEAR, THE COUNCIL PUT ON DISCHARGE PLANNING FOR STATEWIDE.

AND SO WE REPORTED THOSE ACTIVITIES TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

NOW, WHETHER OR NOT THAT ACTUALLY MADE IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OWN EYES, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT IF NOT, THAT IS A STAFF PROBLEM THAN A COUNCIL PROBLEM.

>> GREG, BEFORE THE COUNCIL WAS DISSOLVED THERE WAS A WORK ON A FIVE YEAR PLAN TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

?

>> WE ESTABLISHED A FIVE YEAR PLAN THAT WAS DRAWING TO AN END AND READY TO START ON BEGINNING TO COLLECT DATA AND INFORMATION TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT FIVE YEAR PLAN THAT WOULD BE IN PLACE.

AGAIN, WE WOULD SEEK INPUT FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

GET STAKEHOLDERS TO PROVIDE WHAT THEY THINK THE PRIORITIES SHOULD BE WHETHER IN METROPOLITAN OR RURAL COUNTIES.

THIS IS A STATEWIDE COUNCIL WITH REPRESENTATION FOR THE CONTINUIUM OF CARE.

THERE ARE EIGHT CONTINUIUMS OF CARE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THEY ARE DRIVEN BY HUD RESOURCE AND PRIVATE AND LOCAL AND INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY ACTION AND AENLSS AND IN THE RURAL COUNTIES OR BIGGER HOMELESS SHELTER PROVIDER AND FAITH BASED PROVIDERS.

DAN HAS THE DAY SHELTER IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

SO THERE IS CROSS SECTOR REPRESENTATION AND BUY IN.

IT IS A BIG DEAL TO GET A LOT OF INPUT FROM THE STATE.

WE WERE JUST BEGINNING TO EMBARK ON THE NEXT FIVE YEAR PLAN WHEN HE ENDED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WITH NO FORMAL REASON OR STATEMENT AS TO WHY HE THOUGHT IT WAS AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH.

>> THAT BRINGS A A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ALL OF OKLAHOMA REPRESENTING STATEWIDE.

WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE HOUSED.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THEM AND WILL ANYONE REPRESENT THEM IN THESE SITUATIONS?

>> THERE ARE CONTINUIUMS OF CARE THAT INCLUDE RURAL AREAS.

LIKE WITH MANY OTHER ISSUES IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES.

THEY TYPICALLY HAVE LESS RESPOURSS AND A DIFFERENT SET OF PROBLEM THAN YOU SEE IN URBAN AREAS.

TRANSPORTATION IS A PROBLEM WHEN YOU ARE SO SPREAD OUT.

FEWER PROVIDE EVERY ER -- PROVIDERS.

WITHOUT HAVING A COUNCIL OR COMMISSION WHERE THEY COME AND MEET AND TALK WITH OTHER PROVIDERS IN THE STATE AND TALK WITH STATE AGENCY AND ABLE TO VOICE THE ISSUES THAT THEY ARE FACING, IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT.

AND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE WILL NOT BE THAT KIND OF PLACE TO CONVERGE AND OPENLY DISCUSS THE TYPES OF PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE FACING ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> I POSE THIS QUESTION.

IS THE RATE OF HOMELESSNESS INCREASE?

OR HOW IS IT IMPACT THE OKLAHOMA HOMELESS POPULATION?

>> I THINK THAT ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS THAT THE COUNCIL WAS FOCUSED ON WAS SHINING A LIGHT ON THE BEST PRACTICE PROGRAMS THAT ARE OUT THERE ACROSS THE STATE INCLUDING IN THE RURAL AREAS BY THE WAY, THERE IS A LOT OF INNOVATION TAKING PLACE.

THE MUSKOGEE NATION HOSTED ONE OF OUR COUNCIL MEETINGS IN HENREETA AND THEY HAVE AN AMAZING CAMPUS WITH WELDING SCHOOL AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND RESOURCE, AND JOB APPLICATIONS AND TRIBAL MEMBERS CAN GO.

>> KAYLA, I WANT TO TURN TO YOU.

THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO MINIMIZE GOVERNMENT AND REDUCE THE COUNCILS?

I KNOW NO TAX PAILERS PAID FOR THE COUNCIL, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT IT IS A BALANCING ACT.

ONE AREA, YOU MIGHT DECREASE STAFF AND GET RID OF A COUNCIL AND END A FEW POSITIONS AND THEN YOU INCREASE GOVERNMENT HERE AND NEW DEPARTMENT AND IN THE SAME WEEK THAT THE COUNCIL WAS DISSOLVED.

THERE WAS AN ADDED CABINET POSITION.

I THINK IT KIND OF SHOWS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MINIMIZING SMALL GOVERNMENT, IT IS A BALANCING ACT.

LIKE YOU MENTIONED, THERE WAS NO RECURRING STATE REVENUE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DEDICATED TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK.

GOVERNOR STITT THOUGHT MAYBE TAXPAYERS WERE PAYING FOR MILEAGE.

SOME PEOPLE, SOME STATE EMPLOYEE USE STATE TIME TO DO IT.

BUT IT CORRELATED WITH THE WORK THEY WERE DOING IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EMPLOYEE AND DURING THE WORKING HOURS ON THE COUNCIL, IT HAD TO DO WITH THE WORK AT THE OTHER JOB AS WELL.

AND I THINK IT IS GIVE AND TAKE.

THERE IS A LOT OF PUSH BACK ON THE IDEA OF GETTING RID OF THE COUNCIL WE SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS OR SHRUNK OKLAHOMA GOVERNMENT.

>> WE ARE RUNNING SHORT ON TIME.

DAN, YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE.

WE FACILITATE SERVICE PROVIDERS TO THE HOME AMS POPULATION IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

WE HAVE SEEN HOW THAT WORKS TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS AND MOVE PEOPLE THROUGH THE SYSTEM MORE I QUICKLY.

THE COUNCIL WAS TRYING TO DO THAT ON A STATEWIDE LEVEL.

WITHOUT IT, THE SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK AS WELL AS IT HAS.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, KAYLA BRANCH, RFRPT WITH THE FRONTIER.

DAN RESTURANT AND GREG SHIN HOUSING OFFICE OF THE MENTALITY HEALTH OFFICE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, REESE.

>> AND THE GAYLORD NEWS REPORT FROM WASHINGTON D.C.

THIS WEEK, STUDENT REPORTER BRIANNA BROWN HAS MORE ON THE SUCCESS OF OKLAHOMA'S OFFICIAL STATE OFFICE IN OUR NALGZ'S CAPITAL.

>> FOR PAST TWO YEARS, OKLAHOMA HAD ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATION IN THE HALLS OF STATES IN WASHINGTON D.C. WITH GOVERNOR STITT'S OFFICE WORKING TO BUILD A STRONG STATE AND FEDERAL RELATIONSHIP.

IT IS OKLAHOMA'S EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON.

>> 40% OF THE BUDGET AND MONEY IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP.

>> GOVERNOR STITT RESURRECTED THE OKLAHOMA WASHINGTON OFFICE TWO YEARS AGO AFTER IT WAS SHUTTERED THREE DECADES.

NOW THE DC WORKS TO BE A MIDDLE MAN WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT: AND THE MAN WHO LEADS THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAID THAT OKLAHOMA'S WASHINGTON OFFICE IS PAYING DIVIDENDS ALREADY.

>> WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING ON THE TRANSPORTATION FRONT, FROM TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DISKRESSIARY GRANT OPPORTUNITIES AND FOCUSING RURAL TWO LANE HIGHWAYS AND HOW CAN WE DO A BETTER JOB OF LEVERAGING FEDERAL RESOURCE AND HELP US WITH THE SAFETY PROBLEMS THAT WE EXPERIENCE OUT THERE ON THE RURAL TWO LANES AND THAT HAD HIGHEST FATAL AT THIS TIME AND ACCIDENT RATES OF THE HIGHWAYS.

>> THE OFFICE BROUGHT ADDITIONAL BENEFITS IN OPPORTUNITIES FOR OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURE.

>> AND THIS YEAR IN PARTICULAR, THE FARM BILL TAKES UP A LOT OF THE DISCUSSIONS FROM THE AG, PERSPECTIVE.

WE COORDINATE WITH THE COMMODITY GROUPS IN THE STATE LEVEL IN OKLAHOMA AND ALSO HAVING THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT DIALOGUE THERE, IN THE WASHINGTON D.C. SPACE, WITH THOSE SIMILAR COMMODITY GROUPS AS WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT OKLAHOMA FARMERS AND RANCHERS ARE GOING TO BENEFIT.

>> NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STATISTIC IS A FOCUS.

>> I WORK HARD TO GET THE AG PRODUCTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE.

ISRAEL IN PARTICULAR.

NOW A PROJECT IN THE WORKS HOPEFULLY WILL COME TO FRUITION ON AG TRADE THINGS THERE.

I THINK IT IS HAVING FOLKS THAT CAN PICK UP THE PRIORITY AREAS FOR US.

>>IN PROMISED OKLAHOMANS THAT I WOULD TAKE OKLAHOMA TO THE WORLD AND BRING THE WORLD BACK TO OKLAHOMA.

AS FAR AS COMMERCE IS CONCERNED.

ECONOMY IS BOOMING AND IT HELPS EDUCATION AND INFLA STRUCTURE AND HEALTH CARE AND WAGES INCREASE.

THE MORE THAT WE CAN BE ROWING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AND TALKING THE SAME LINGO AND PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON THE FEDS IN THE SAME WAY, THAT WILL HELP OKLAHOMA AND OKLAHOMANS BENEFIT.

>> OKLAHOMA'S SO CALLED EMBASSY MAY BE SMALL, BUT GOVERNOR STITT THINKS IT HELPS THE STATE PUSH ABOVES IF WEIGHT.

BRIANNA BROWN GAYLORD NEWS.

>> AND WE HAVE NEWS FROM THE OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY.

CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW AGRICULTURAL HALL IS PROCEEDING ON SCHEDULE.

THE TOPPING OUT CEREMONY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IF THE FALL OF 2024.

A BRIGHT ORANGE BEAM SIGNED BY FACULTY AND ALUMNI AND STUDENTS WAS SET IN PLACE AS CONSTRUCTION AND FUND-RAISING FOR THE FACILITY CONTINUES.

50 MILLION HAS BEEN RAISED THUS FAR.

MORE MONEY WILL BE NEEDED FOR PAYING THE BILLING COST AND FEATURES.

>> IMPROVING THE WALK ABILITY OF OUR TWO LARGEST ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

STEVE -- CITIES.

STEVE SHAUP SHAH REPORTS.

THAT'S OUR NEWSCAST FOR YOU THIS WEEK.

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