>> Rich: THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES CONTINUES TO GROW IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WE USE FOOD AND CULTURE AS A WAY TO CREATE INTERSECTIONS FOR CONVERSATIONS THAT CREATE LIKE-MINDEDNESS.

>> Rich: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZES FUNDING FOR OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC BLACK TOWNS.

>> WE PROVIDE BUSINESS TRAINING, WE PROVIDE CONSULTING, WE PROVIDE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, WE PROVIDE CONTACTS AND NETWORKING.

>> Rich: A HISTORIC INAUGURATION FOR THE CITY OF TULSA.

>> I STAND UP HERE WITH ALL THE FAITH IN THE WORLD ON WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER.

>> Rich: A SPECIAL TWO-PART SERIES ON SENTENCING DISPARITIES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA.

>> UPWARDS OF 65% OF WOMEN WHO ARE INCARCERATED IN OKLAHOMA WERE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP .

>> Rich: AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ON A PETITION TO MAKE OKLAHOMA AN OPEN PRIMARY STATE.

>> THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE DECIDING WHO THEIR NOMINEES ARE AND WHO'S GOING TO MOVE FORWARD, NOT THE POLITICAL PARTIES THEMSELVES.

>> Rich: A THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCE ON THE FARM FOR THESE OKLAHOMA SENIORS.

>> WE HAVE FUN TOGETHER.

WE GET KIND OF WILD SOMETIMES FOR OLDER LADIES.

>> Rich: PLUS, THE FIRST-EVER OKLAHOMA "OFFICER OF THE YEAR."

NEXT ON "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

Captioning Provided By AV Captioning www.avcaptioning.com >> Rich: HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST NUMBERS FROM THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, AS OF FEBRUARY 2024, THERE WERE THREE AND A HALF MILLION BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN AMERICA, EMPLOYING MORE THAN 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE.

THAT REPRESENTS A 7% INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT SINCE 2023.

ARE WE SEEING THAT TYPE OF GROWTH HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH THE ANSWER.

STEVE?

>> Steve: RICH, I CHECKED WITH THE OKLAHOMA COMMERCE DEPARTMENT TWO DAYS AGO, AND THEY TELL ME THERE ARE CURRENTLY 19,000 BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE SOONER STATE.

AND BY THE WAY, IF YOU'VE ATTENDED ANY THUNDER BASKETBALL GAMES THIS SEASON, YOU MAY HAVE RUN ACROSS A WELCOME ADDITION AT PAYCOM CENTER.

>> SEE THAT.

YOU CAN SEE THAT.

YOU KNOW, YOU FEELING IT.

I KNOW YOU DO.

YOU LOOK LIKE, OH MY GOD, THAT BRISKET IS SO FRICKIN' TENDER AND LOOK AT THAT JUICE.

>> Steve: OWEN WILSON IS ONE OF THE ALL-TIMERS.

>> LET IT DRIP ON THE FLOOR.

>> Steve: BUT WILSON WASN'T FURIOUSLY WORKING AT PAYCOM CENTER THIS PAST TUESDAY, MORE THAN TWO HOURS BEFORE TIPOFF BETWEEN THE THUNDER AND UTAH, BECAUSE HE'S A GOOD GUY.

>> WHERE'S MY SEASON AT?

>> Steve: IT'S BECAUSE WILSON'S BIG O'S PARK AND DREAMS RESTAURANT IN 2024 IS THE FIRST BLACK-OWNED CONCESSIONER TO WORK OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER GAMES.

>> I GOT TO TELL YOU GUYS, YOU KNOW, WORK CAN GIVE YOU A FRESH CHOPPED PULLED PORK, ONLY AT THE NBA IN THE PAYCOM THUNDER ARENA, BABY.

>> Steve: THE TRUTH IS, WILSON'S BEEN A BARBECUE FIEND FOR MORE THAN A DECADE SINCE HE FIRST OPERATED A FOOD TRUCK NEXT TO EDMUND'S SANTE FE HIGH SCHOOL WHERE IT'S A COUNSELOR AND ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH FOR 20 YEARS.

>> BOY, THAT'S HOT TOO.

DO I HAVE ANY METAL PANS OVER HERE?

WHERE IS ETHAN?

>> Steve: OWEN OPENED HIS FIRST RESTAURANT IN EDMUND IN 2018, A SECOND LOCATION IN MIDWEST CITY FOLLOWED FOUR YEARS LATER.

>> BROTHER, YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW BIG O'S IS.

IT'S A LOT OF WORK, BABY.

MAN, I'M TELLING YOU, I'M HUNGRY RIGHT NOW.

I'M TWO MEN DOWN, BUT I'M GOING TO GET THROUGH THE NIGHT, THOUGH, FOR SURE, BABY.

I'M LOOKING FOR A BIG CROWD AT BIG O'S IN A WHILE AND I'M GOING TO SAY TO DO WHAT I DO AND WE'LL MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> Steve: BIG O'S PARK AND DREAMS DIDN'T GET TO PAYCOM CENTER ON THEIR OWN.

THEY GOT HELP FROM APOLLO WOODS.

>> WE LOOK AT ACTUALLY OTHER CORPORATIONS, OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING MORE, NOT JUST BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, BUT OTHER MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES IN VENUES LIKE THIS AND OTHER PLACES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Steve: WOODS IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATEWIDE NONPROFIT BIGGER THAN FOOD.

HE SAYS BIGGER THAN FOOD PROMOTES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN BOTH URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES.

HE SAYS SINCE 2018, BIGGER THAN FOOD HAS HELPED 438 MINORITY BUSINESSES.

HE SAYS BY NEXT YEAR, HE HOPES TO HELP ANOTHER 250 ENTREPRENEURS AROUND THE STATE.

>> FOOD IS WHAT WE USE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

WHAT WE'VE UNDERSTOOD AND WE DO VERY WELL, WE USE FOOD AND CULTURE AS A WAY TO CREATE INTERSECTIONS FOR CONVERSATIONS THAT CREATE LIKE-MINDEDNESS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW DO WE HELP SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SO WE SUPPORT THEM, THAT DRIVES SPENDING, THAT CREATES INTERACTIONS, THAT SHOWCASE ALL THAT OKLAHOMA HAS TO OFFER.

>> WHAT'S THE KEY TO THAT BAKED POTATO?

>> THE KEY TO IT IS TRUST ME, LET ME DO ME.

WHEN YOU COME IN MY ESTABLISHMENT, PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY, DON'T PUT THE BAKED BEANS ON IT.

LET ME DO ME.

YOU COMING FOR THE EXPERIENCE AND WHEN YOU GET THAT BIG O, IT PUTS YOU TO SLEEP.

>> Steve: WILSON SAYS BUSINESS AT PAYCOM IS BOOMING.

>> I HAD TO TURN AWAY A LINE THE FIRST GAME.

THERE WAS 42 PEOPLE IN LINE AND THEY SAID THUNDER PEOPLE TOLD ME I HAD TO CLOSE THE CONCESSION.

AND I WAS LIKE, WOW.

YUP.

>> Steve: WOODS SAYS GETTING BIG O'S PARK AND DREAMS HERE IS HUGE, BUT HE SAYS HE'S ALSO WORKING WITH RESTAURANTS IN TULSA, SEVERAL SMALL-TOWN MAYORS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUPS IN RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

>> BECAUSE WHAT A SMALL TOWN NEEDS IS NOT THE SAME AS WHAT HAPPENS IN A BIG TON.

I'M ALSO A CONSULTANT FOR THE TOWN OF TATUM, A HISTORIC BLACK TOWN HERE IN OKLAHOMA AND WORK WITH THEM AS WELL.

>> I THINK SMALL TOWNS NEED MORE FAMILIARITY, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU GOT TO BE COMFORTABLE.

>> YES, AND IN SMALL TOWNS, THEY KNOW A LOT HOW THE TOWN OPERATES, THE CULTURE AND WHO OWNS THINGS AND THEY KNOW PEOPLE, SMALL NETWORKS.

>> ARE YOU THE CHAMPION MEAT CHOPPER?

>> I AM.

>> Steve: WILSON SAYS HE COULDN'T DO ANY OF THIS IF IT WEREN'T FOR HIS FAMILY WHO STAFF MUCH OF THIS ENTERPRISE.

WHAT'S BEEN THE HARDEST PART OF THIS?

>> HARDEST PART IS WHEN BOTH RESTAURANTS IS OPEN AND I GOT TO BE HERE BECAUSE I'M JUGGLING.

MAKING SURE I GOT ENOUGH STAFF HERE, MAKING SURE I GOT ENOUGH STAFF THERE, MAKING SURE I GOT ENOUGH MEAT HERE.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING.

IT'S LIKE I CAN'T RUN OUT.

>> Steve: ARE YOU LOOKING FOR STAFF?

>> I'M ALWAYS, BUT I NEED THAT PERSON WHO'S RESPONSIBLE, WANT TO LEARN, AND I DON'T NEED THAT ONE THAT THINKS HE KNOWS EVERYTHING.

>> STORIES LIKE IS THE HARD-WORKING NATURE OF OKLAHOMANS AND WHAT WE PROVE TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

WITH THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS AND THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WORK FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY, THINGS LIKE THIS CAN HAPPEN.

THIS IS NOT THE ONLY RESTAURANT DREAM THAT WE CAN HELP MAKE COME TRUE, AND WHAT OWEN HAS DONE, HE'S GONE FROM THE FOOD SOURCE TO TWO LOCATIONS AND NOW A THIRD LOCATION, SO WHY CAN'T WE MAKE THIS DREAM HELP MORE PEOPLE IN OUR STATE?

>> Steve: APOLLO WOODS SAYS IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY, BIGGER THAN FOOD HELPED MAGNOLIA BISTRO AND HANKS, WHICH IS A MINORITY-OWNED BARBECUE RESTAURANT ABOUT A MILE FROM OUR OETA STUDIOS, GET OFF OF THE GROUND.

RICH.

>> Rich: STEVE, THANK YOU, THAT LOOKS REALLY GOOD.

>>> THERE WAS A HISTORIC INAUGURATION CEREMONY AT TULSA'S CONVENTION CENTER ON MONDAY.

>> THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE MY DUTIES AS MAYOR TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> Rich: AND WITH THAT, MONROE NICHOLS BECOMES THE FIRST BLACK MAYOR OF TULSA AND THE 41st MAYOR IN THE CITY'S HISTORY.

MONDAY'S CEREMONY FEATURED TRADITIONAL DANCERS AND TRAVEL SINGERS IN FRONT OF AN OVERFLOW CROWD AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

NICHOLS BEGAN HIS FOUR-YEAR TERM IMMEDIATELY AND SPOKE OF THE CITY'S PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.

>> A CITY HISTORY THAT BEGINS WITH THE LEGACY OF INDIAN REMOVAL, A RACE MASSACRE THAT LEFT 300 DEAD AND 37 BLOCKS FLATTENED, A COMMUNITY THAT TODAY STILL STRUGGLES WITH THE STUBBORN CHALLENGES OF HOMELESSNESS, ECONOMIC INEQUALITY, THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SHORTCOMINGS IN OUR COLLECTIVE ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND SAFETY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

SOME OF THESE CHALLENGES MAY BE NEW.

WHAT IT'LL TAKE TO MEET THEM MAY ALSO BE UNFAMILIAR AND AT TIMES UNCOMFORTABLE.

BUT THE VALUES OF HARD WORK, HONESTY, TOLERANCE, CURIOSITY, PERSEVERANCE, AND HOPE THAT IT WILL TAKE TO DISPOSE OF THESE PROBLEMS THAT ARE BAKED INTO OUR DNA AS TULSANS.

>> Rich: IN ADDITION TO NICHOLS, A NEW CITY AUDITOR AND FOUR NEW CITY COUNCILORS WERE ALSO SWORN INTO OFFICE.

>>> THE OUTGOING BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS ANNOUNCED A PROGRAM THAT WILL BENEFIT OKLAHOMA'S REMAINING HISTORIC BLACK TOWNS IN ADDITION TO TULSA'S GREENWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH THE DETAILS ON THAT.

TAELYR?

>> Taelyr: RICH, THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY ANNOUNCED COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS TO SUPPORT OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC ALL-BLACK TOWNS.

THE MAIN GOAL IS TO UPLIFT AND DELIVER FINANCIAL SECURITY TO THE TOWNS.

ASSISTANCE IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC ALL-BLACK TOWNS THROUGH THE USDA'S NEW AGREEMENT WITH TWO ORGANIZATIONS, THE GREEN WOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOP CORPORATION AND THE OKLAHOMA BLACK HISTORICAL RESEARCH PROJECT.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT IS TO SUPPORT OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC ALL-BLACK TOWNS.

THE GREEN WOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION RECEIVED $250,000 TO INCREASE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE BLACK TOWNSHIPS.

FREEMAN CULVER IS AN ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE GREEN WOOD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

THE CORPORATION IS A NONPROFIT ARM OF THE GREEN WOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> AND OUR MISSION IS TO DEVELOP THE ECONOMY AND WHAT'S LEFT OF A HISTORIC BLACK WALL STREET IN GREEN WOOD, AND ALSO TO GIVE BACK TO OUR RURAL COMMUNITY, THOSE BLACK HISTORIC TOWNSHIPS, THAT HELPED CREATE GREENWOOD AND HELPED ALL THOSE TOWNS AND HISTORIC BLACK SETTLEMENTS THRIVE IN THE HEYDAY OF OKLAHOMA'S HISTORY WHEN THERE WAS ACTUALLY 51 HISTORIC BLACK TOWNSHIPS.

>> Taelyr: OKLAHOMA BLACK TOWNS WERE ESTABLISHED PRIMARILY BEFORE OR NEAR STATEHOOD AND ARE VITAL LANDMARK OF RESILIENCE AND SELF-DETERMINATION FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS.

CULVER SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION PLANS TO ASSIST THE BLACK TOWNS BY EMPOWERING THEM THROUGH ENTREPRENEURIAL TRAINING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY.

>> AT ONE TIME, ALL OF THOSE HISTORIC BLACK TOWNSHIPS AND SETTLEMENTS THRIVED AND THEY HAD AN ECONOMY, AND SO NOW IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY AND STILL A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT ARE LOST TO THE AREA, BUT AS FAR AS COMMERCE, IT'S NOT MUCH.

AND SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS EGG WE'RE DOING ON OUR BLOCK IN DOWNTOWN TULSA, HISTORIC GREENWOOD, WE'RE TRYING TO KIND OF ZAP THAT INTO THEM AND BE A CO-OP IN A SENSE WHERE WE PROVIDE BUSINESS TRAINING, WE PROVIDE CONSULTING, WE PROVIDE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, WE PROVIDE CONTACTS AND NETWORKING SO THAT THESE HISTORIC BLACK TOWNSHIPS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES, MANY OF THEM NOT TOO FAR FROM TULSA AREA WHERE EITHER, WE WANT THEN TO -- WHERE WE ARE, WE WANT THEM TO DEVELOP AND GROW.

>> Taelyr: USDA OKLAHOMA DIRECTOR KENNETH CORN SAYS THE PLAN WILL HELP BUILD FINANCIAL SUCCESS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS BELIEVE THAT ALL AMERICANS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ZIP CODE DESERVE A FAIR SHAKE AND FOR FAR TOO LONG, OUR HISTORIC BLACK TOWNS IN OKLAHOMA HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO PROSPER.

THESE GRANTS AIM TO TWO PAIN POINTS IN BUILDING LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUCCESS BY INVESTING IN AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AND HOMEOWNERSHIP.

$150,000 GOES TO THE OKLAHOMA BLACK HISTORICAL RESEARCH PROJECT FOR THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT 504 PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW INCOME HOMEOWNERS IN RURAL AREAS.

THE OKLAHOMA BLACK HISTORICAL RESEARCH PROJECT WAS CREATED IN 1998 TO ADVOCATE FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN WORKING TO MAKE THOSE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE AWARE OF THE GRANT.

>> WE'VE BEEN MOVING THIS PROGRAM FOR THE LAST, I GUESS, FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, TRYING TO MAKE THE AWARENESS OF THIS PROGRAM AND THE BENEFITS OF THIS PROGRAM AS IT HAS TO DO WITH RURAL COMMUNITIES.

THIS PROGRAM IS ONE THAT BASICALLY WORKS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE 62 YEARS AND OLDER, AND IF YOU'RE 62 YEARS AND EARLY ON, YOU CAN RECEIVER THIS GRANT -- AND OLDER, YOU CAN RECEIVE THIS GRANT TO HAVE SOME RENOVATIONS DONE TO YOUR HOUSE UP TO $10,000 >> Taelyr: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILLARD TILLMAN SAYS SOME OF THE HOMES IN THESE TOWNS ARE NOT ENVIRONMENTAL SAFE OR SOUND FOR RESIDENTS FOR LIVE IN.

>> THEY BASICALLY HAVE HAD SOME DAMAGE WITH THE FLOORING OR THE PLUMBING OR THE WATER OR THE WASTE DISPOSAL, WINDOWS, ROOF.

YOU KNOW, ALL OF THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CAN BASICALLY BE DONE WITH THIS PROGRAM SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE >> Taelyr: TILLMAN HAS AN INTEREST AND CONNECTION TO ONE OF THE STATE'S HISTORIC BLACK TOWNS.

HE'S THE GREAT, GREAT GRANDSON OF JOHN GRAYSON, ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF CLEARVIEW, OKLAHOMA.

>> I'D GO FISHING WITH THEM AND THEY JUST START TALKING, YOU KNOW, ABOUT, YOU KNOW, JOHN GRAYSON AND WHAT HE DID AND, YOU KNOW, ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY DID.

>> Taelyr: ASIDE FROM WORKING ON THE GRANT, TILLMAN IS INVOLVED IN EFFORTS TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN AGRICULTURE.

>> YOU KNOW, SAVING THE FAMILY FARM, CONNECTING WITH THE ELDERS, AND TRYING TO FIND, YOU KNOW, THAT PERSON OR PERSONS, YOU KNOW, THAT CAN CARRY ON THIS LEGACY.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART ABOUT BLACK LAND IS NOBODY REALLY KNOWS WHAT THIS PERSON HAD TO DO IN THE COURSE OF HIS TIME JUST TO HOLD ON TO WHAT HE HAD.

I THINK THAT'S A STORY WITHIN ITSELF, AND A LOT OF THESE YOUNGER PEOPLE, THEY ALWAYS WANT TO THINK ABOUT AGRICULTURE AS A COW-PLOW TYPE, GETTING OUT IN THE DIRT AND ALL THIS OTHER STUFF, BUT AGRICULTURE IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN THE WORLD.

>> Taelyr: LIKE TILLMAN, CULVER HOPES THIS WILL INSPIRE YOUNGER FOLKS TO INVEST BACK IN THE BLACK TOWNS.

>> WE WANT THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GO BE EDUCATED, BUT ALSO TO COME BACK AND LEND A HELPING HAND TO THE ELDERS THAT ARE STILL THERE, TO LEND A HELPING HAND TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE THERE OR PERHAPS START A SMALL BUSINESS.

>> Taelyr: LAST YEAR WE VISITED ALL 13 REMAINING BLACK TOWNS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT OUR YEAR-LONG SERIES ON OKLAHOMA'S BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS ON OUR WEBSITE.

RICH.

>> Rich: TAELYR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> THERE'S A NEW BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT, IF PASSED, WOULD CREATE AN OPEN PRIMARY SYSTEM IN OKLAHOMA.

STATE QUESTION 835 WOULD AMEND THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION SO THAT THE TOP TWO VOTE-GETTERS IN A PRIMARY RACE WOULD ADVANCE TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

IT COULD BE TWO REPUBLICANS, TWO DEMOCRATS, OR SOME OTHER COMBINATION.

IS THAT A GOOD OR BAD IDEA?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF OUR UPCOMING IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> THIS ISN'T SOME SORT OF NEW PHENOMENON.

THIS IS ONLY A NEW PHENOMENON ONLY BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEGUN TO TAKE CHARGE REALLY OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS AND SOME OF THE, THE MORE TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATS AND LEFT-LEANING INDEPENDENTS ARE REALLY TRYING TO SEEK A VOICE WHEN IT'S VERY SIMPLE AND THEY CAN JUST JOIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> YEAH, IF I COULD FOLLOW UP ON THAT, I MEAN, I WAS A REPUBLICAN IN OKLAHOMA WHEN IT WAS DEMOCRAT-DOMINATED AND IT WAS WRONG THEN TO BE FORCED TO JOIN A PARTY JUST TO VOTE, WHICH IS WHAT, WHAT YOU'RE ADVOCATING FOR.

YOU SHOULD BE FORCED TO JOIN A REPUBLICAN PARTY TO VOTE OR, YOU KNOW -- I LIVE DOWN IN CENTRAL NORMAN.

SHOULD I BE FORCED TO JOIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO VOTE FOR STATE LEGISLATORS THERE?

'CAUSE IT'S ALWAYS GONNA BE A DEMOCRAT.

I DON'T, I DON'T THINK SO.

I MEAN, WE FOUGHT FOR YEARS TO GET RIGHT TO WORK TO SAY YOU SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO JOIN A UNION TO HAVE A JOB.

YOU SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO JOIN A PARTY TO VOTE EITHER.

>> Rich: THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> THIS WEEK, WE BEGIN A SPECIAL TWO-PART SERIES ON THE NUMBER OF WOMEN INCARCERATED IN OKLAHOMA AFTER COMMITTING CRIMES WHILE BEING INVOLVED IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP.

MANY TIMES, THEY RECEIVE LONGER PRISON SENTENCES THAN MEN WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF THE SAME OFFENSE.

AND SOME LEGISLATORS SAY THAT'S NOT FAIR AND NEEDS TO CHANGE.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US NOW WITH PART ONE OF HIS SPECIAL REPORT.

JASON?

>> Jason: RICH, THE FIRST CASES UNDER THE OKLAHOMA SURVIVORS ACT HAVE BEEN FILED TO RE-EXAMINE THE SENTENCES OF THOSE WHO WERE ALSO ABUSED.

IT TOOK THE RESEARCH OF A UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA PROFESSOR AND THE WORK OF ORGANIZATIONS FIGHTING AGAINST INTIMATE PARTNER ABUSE FOR THE LAW TO MAKE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, EVEN SURVIVING A VETO.

WHAT YOU'RE ABLE TO DO IS LOOK AT THE DATA AND LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT EXPERIENCE OF RELATIONSHIP-BASED VIOLENCE ACTUALLY MEANS IN PREDICTIVE BEHAVIOR.

>> Jason: UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE ANN AND HENRY ZORO SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK DR. DAVID McLEOD DISCUSSING HIS RESEARCH ON INCARCERATED WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA.

OKLAHOMA'S HIGH INCARCERATION RATE OF WOMEN CAUGHT DR. McLEOD'S ATTENTION.

HE STUDIES WHAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO BEHAVIOR LIKE THEY DO.

CURRENTLY, THERE ARE MORE THAN 2200 WOMEN SERVING TIME BEHIND OKLAHOMA PRISON WALLS.

MANY HAVE RECEIVED HARSHER SENTENCES THAN MEN WHO COMMITTED THE SAME CRIME.

>> YOU SEE THAT-A LOT IN CHILD ABUSE CASES.

THE MAN CAN ACCUSE A CHILD AND THE WOMAN RECEIVE A CHARGE FOR FAILURE TO PROTECT AND FIND HERSELF IN JUST AS MUCH IF NOT MORE LEGAL TROUBLE.

>> Jason: McLEOD'S RESEARCH LED TO A CORRELATION BETWEEN WOMEN SERVING TIME IN OKLAHOMA PRISON AND THE OCCURRENCE OF DOMESTIC PARTNER ABUSE AND VIOLENCE.

>> WE FOUND UPWARDS OF 65% OF WOMEN INCARCERATED IN OKLAHOMA WERE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP IN THAT YEAR PRIOR TO THEIR INCARCERATION.

>> Jason: McLEODS KNOW THAT MANY OF THE WOMEN WHO REPORTED AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP ALSO HAD OTHER TRAUMA-RELATED ISSUES.

HE DISCOVERED THERE'S A LINK BETWEEN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND THE VICTIM BEING LED TO COMMIT CRIME.

>> THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HITTING SOMEONE, THAT IS JUST THE TINIEST LITTLE PIECE OF MINUTIA IN A MASSIVE SYSTEM OF BEHAVIORAL CONTROL.

>> Jason: THAT INFORMATION AND OKLAHOMA'S HIGH INCARCERATION RATE OF WOMEN SPURRED NATIONAL PRISON REFORM ADVOCATES, THE SENTENCES PROJECT, TO COME TO OKLAHOMA AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY LEGISLATIVE SOLUTIONS.

>> SO YOU HERE TO OKLAHOMA ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.

>> ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.

IT TOOK IT TWO TRIES TO PASS THIS BILL.

THE FIRST YEAR WE WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL, BUT WE WERE SNCH THE SECOND TIME.

OKLAHOMA LEADS THE COUNTRY IN THE INCARCERATION OF WOMEN AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND IN WOMEN KILLED BY MEN, AND I CALLED UP SOME FRIENDS OUT HERE AND SAID, YOU WANT TO MAKE SOME TROUBLE?

THEY SAID YES, AND SO I WAS ON AMERICAN AIRLINES ENROUTE TO OKLAHOMA MOST OF THE TIME.

>> Jason: BAILEY AND HER ORGANIZATION TEAMED UP WITH APPLESEED CENTER TO LAW AND JUSTICE TO ALLOW OKLAHOMA TO PASS A LAW THAT WOULD PROVIDE SOME RELIEF FOR PEOPLE IN THE SAME PRISON SYSTEM WHO MIGHT BE THERE BY DEFENDING THEMSELVES FOR A BUB PARTNER.

THE FIRST YEAR, THE ATTEMPT FELL SHORT, BUT DURING THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION, POWERFUL ALLIES JOINED THE EFFORT.

>> WITH THOSE TWO ON OUR SIDE, WE MANAGED TO MAKE SOME WAVES AND GET IT DONE, BUT IT WAS UPHILL.

>> Jason: DESPITE THE PASSAGE OF THE ORIGINAL BILL BY UNANIMOUS VOTE IN THE SENATE AND ONLY THREE "NO" VOTES IN THE HOUSE, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT VETOED THE BILL.

>> THIS BASICALLY WOULD HAVE ANY CRIME, SOMEBODY'S IN PRISON FOR BAD STUFF, RAPE, MURDER, WHATEVER, COULD GO BACK AND SAY THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUE THAT HAPPENED 20 YEARS AGO IN THEIR PAST AND SO THEY SHOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT SENTENCE TODAY.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN -- IT WASN'T LIMITED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

IT HAD EVERYBODY, AND SO THAT WAS THE REASON THAT I VETOED THAT.

>> AND I WILL NEVER FORGET STANDING IN MY OFFICE, MY CELL PHONE DINGS BECAUSE I GET BILL ALERTS, AND IT SAYS BILL VETOED.

AND I CALLED UP COLLEEN AND I SAID, WE JUST GOT VETOED.

>> Jason: COLLEEN IS COLLEEN McCARTY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OKLAHOMA APPLESEED.

>> IT WAS GUT WRENCHING FOR US.

NOBODY -- EVEN OUR OFFICE WERE SHOCKED BECAUSE WE JUST DIDN'T THINK HE WOULD GO AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS LIKE THAT.

>> Jason: SHE SAYS SHE WISHED SHE HAD THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH GOVERNOR STITT BEFORE THE VETO AND WHILE IT WAS JUST A TEMPORARY SETBACK, AT THE TIME IT FELT MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

BAILEY AND MARC CARTE KEPT PUSHING.

>> WE WERE ALREADY WORKING ON THE CONCERNS THEY HAD ABOUT THEY PRINTOUT THE PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE WAS SO TOO LOW.

THEY THOUGHT THAT PEOPLE WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE IT THAT WEREN'T REALLY SURVIVORS, THAT IT WASN'T GOING TO BE MISUSED BY PEOPLE WHO WERE VIOLENT WHO COULD JUST PROVE ONE OR TWO THINGS AND GET RELIEF.

>> Jason: BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION, THE LEGISLATIVE VETO WAS OVERRIDE DENY.

THE ACT WENT INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 29th THIS YEAR.

ONE OF THE FIRST TO FILE FOR RELIEF UNDER THE NEW LAW WAS APRIL WILKINS.

SHE WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON IN 1998 AFTER SHE KILLED HER ABUSIVE PARTNER.

SHE HAD MORE THAN 14 POLICE REPORTS ON FILE OF ABUSE DURING THAT RELATIONSHIP.

SHE FATALLY SHOT HIM AFTER BEING BEAT AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED FOR HOURS.

OKLAHOMA APPLESEED IS REPRESENTING WILL EITHER.

>> A 500-PAGE APPLICATION.

THE WAY THE BILL IS WRITTEN, IT REQUIRES US TO FILE A REQUEST, SO ONCE THE REQUEST IS APPROVED, THEN YOUR APPLICATION CAN MOVE FORWARD, BUT JUST TO MAKE SURE THE COURT KNEW HOW MUCH EVIDENCE WE HAD SO WE WOULDN'T BE FACING UNNECESSARY OBSTACLES, WE FILED THE WHOLE APPLICATION, TOO, ON THAT SAME DAY AND DELIVERED IT TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

>> Jason: WILKINS AND OKLAHOMA APPLESEED ARE NOI AWAITING THE FIRST HEARING TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> WE'RE GOING INTO A PREHEARING CONFERENCE IN A COUPLE WEEKS WITH THE D.A.

AND THE COURT TO DISCUSS HOW WE CONDUCT THE HEARING.

ONCE THIS MOVES FORWARD, THAT MEANS SHE GETS A HEARING.

THAT'S THE NEXT STEP.

>> Jason: IN PART TWO OF THIS REPORT NEXT WEEK, WE'LL HEAR FROM APRIL WILKINS HERSELF, HER THOUGHTS ON THE OKLAHOMA SURVIVORS ACT, AND HOW SHE HELPED FACILITATE THE RESEARCH WHICH LED TO THE CONNECTION OF OKLAHOMA'S HIGH INCARCERATION RATE OF WOMEN AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

RICH.

>> Rich: EXCELLENT WORK.

THANK YOU, JASON.

>> OKLAHOMA'S FIRST-EVER "LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR" WAS ANNOUNCED ON MONDAY BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

OUT OF 44 NOMINEES FROM ACROSS THE STATE, BRYAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY AUSTIN MURRAY RECEIVED THE HONOR.

THE FOUR-YEAR VETERAN OF THE DEPARTMENT WAS WOUNDED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, RESCUING A MOTHER AND HER CHILDREN FROM A DANGEROUS DOMESTIC SITUATION ON THE HIGHWAY.

>> DEPUTY MURRAY SACRIFICIAL, YOU KNOW, WENT INTO HARM'S WAY, LIBERATED THAT MOTHER AND THEIR DAUGHTERS AND TAKING FIRE, ADVANCING ON THE BAD GUY AND THEN HAVING TO RETREAT TO A DIFFERENT -- I MEAN, IT'S JUST REMARKABLE TO, TO LOOK AT THE DETAILS OF HIS INJURIES, AND YET HE NEVER BROKE COMPOSURE AND ALWAYS DID THE RIGHT THING.

REMARKABLE.

>> GUYS, I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GONNA WIN.

THERE WAS THREE OTHER -- THREE PEOPLE UP THERE WITH GREAT STORIES.

I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL SEE ME.

I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED FOR THE WHOLE THING, TOOK ME A FEW SECONDS TO REGISTER IF MY HEAD THAT I NEED TO WALK UP THERE.

SO IT WAS A SURPRISE, I DIDN'T THINK I'D GET IT.

>> Rich: MURRAY WAS GIFTED A NEW RIFLE, AND THREE OTHER REGIONAL WINNERS RECEIVED GLOCK-17 PISTOLS.

THEY ARE DETECTIVE LAUREN CUNNINGHAM FROM THE OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, STATE TROOPER DEREK FRY, AND MASTER POLICE OFFICER BENJAMIN GOMEZ FROM THE NORMAN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>>> THE CLEMENCY HEARING FOR CONVICTED MURDERER KEVIN UNDERWOOD HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL MONDAY FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION OF TWO MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA PARDON AND PAROLE BOARD.

BOARD CHAIR EDWARD KONIECZNY IS MOVING OUT OF STATE AND MEMBER CALVIN PRINCE IS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE OSBI.

THAT LEAVES TWO VACANCIES ON THE FIVE-MEMBER PANEL.

UNDERWOOD IS SCHEDULED TO BE PUT ON DEATH ON DECEMBER 19th FOR THE GRUESOME MURDER OF A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN 2006.

>>> ANIMAL THERAPY FOR HUMANS HAS PROVEN EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING ANXIETY, MONITORING HEALTH, AND IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE ELDERLY.

IN GUTHRIE, THERE IS A WEEKLY PROGRAM THAT BRINGS FARM ANIMALS AND PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BOND AND ENJOY EACH OTHER'S COMPANY.

THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT TEAM, NOAH MACK, JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

NOAH, WELCOME.

>> Noah: RICH, GREAT TO BE HERE.

THE GROUP CALLS THEMSELVES THE OLD TIMERS CLUB AND THEIR MISSION IS NOT ONLY TO GET OLDER FOLKS OUT AND ACTIVE, BUT ALSO ANIMAL REHABILITATION.

MOST THAT ARRIVE AT THE FARM ARE RESCUES, WHICH ONLY STRENGTHENS THE CONNECTIONS MADE EVERY WEDNESDAY.

[ HORSE NEIGHING ] >> Noah: EVERY SINGLE WEDNESDAY FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS, THE HORSE FEATHERS EQUINE CENTER PILES UP WITH SUVs AND SEDANS FILLED WITH MEMBERS OF THE OLD TIMERS CLUB.

THE GROUP HAS GROWN TO OVER 20 MEMBERS, AND FROM HORSES TO DONKEYS TO DOGS -- [ DOGS BARKING ] -- THE CLUB ALLOWS SENIORS TO GET A TASTE OF THE FARM LIFE.

>> OH YEAH, THEY'RE ALWAYS OUT HERE HUGGING AND LOVING ON SOMETHING.

>> Noah: ACCORDING TO THE STATE, OKLAHOMA'S ELDERLY POPULATION IS ON THE RISE.

IN THE NEXT DECADE, ADULTS 65 AND OLDER ARE EXPECTED TO OUTNUMBER CHILDREN FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY.

AND BROADENING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STATE'S ELDERLY POPULATION IS EXACTLY WHY CHERI WHITEOWL, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE EQUINE CENTER, STARTED THIS PROGRAM.

>> I HAD SEVERAL PHONE CALLS COME FROM SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE, I WOULD GATHER, LIKE 65 AND OLDER, WHO WANTED TO COME OUT AND BE AROUND HORSES.

ONE LADY HAD CALLED ME AND SHE WAS CRYING.

SHE HAD CONTACTED SOME STABLES AND OTHER RESCUES IN THE AREA AND THEY WOULDN'T ALLOW THEM TO COME OUT BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WERE TOO OLD OR TOO SLOW, THEY COULDN'T LIFT OR DO ANY OF THE THINGS THAT THEY NEEDED DONE.

AND IT LAID ON MY HEART FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE OUR ELDERS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

I NEEDED TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING TO HAVE IT CENTERED AROUND THEM AND NOT JUST A REGULAR VOLUNTEER DAY.

>> Noah: AND THUS THE OLD TIMERS CLUB WAS BORN.

SARAH FAYSSOUX HAS BEEN A MEMBER FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.

>> WE ALL LOVE ANIMALS.

WE HAVE FUN TOGETHER.

WE GET KIND OF WILD FOR OLDER LADIES SOMETIMES.

[ LAUGHTER ] WE JUST HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> Noah: PER THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, ANIMAL THERAPY CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE WAY AT LOWERING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN SENIORS WHILE RAISING COGNITIVE FUNCTION AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> I MEAN, IT'S MY HAPPY PLACE.

I'M AT PEACE OUT HERE.

>> Noah: LIZ WISE SAYS THE ONLY DOWNSIDE IS SHE DOESN'T GET TO TAKE THE ANIMALS HOME.

>> BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU GET TO COME SEE THEM EVERY WEEK.

GET THREE HOURS OF FREE PSYCHOTHERAPY.

>> Noah: THE GROUP, MOSTLY WOMEN, HAVE BUILT THEMSELVES A COMMUNITY EVEN BEYOND THE RANCH.

>> A LOT OF THESE LADIES, THEY DON'T KNOW EACH OTHER WHEN THEY COME HERE AND THEY FORM SUCH CLOSE-KNIT BONDS, YOU KNOW, SO THEY SOCIALIZE WHEN THEY'RE NOT HERE.

THEY ALL GO AND DO THINGS.

THEY TALK TO EACH OTHER, THEY GO TO LUNCH, EVENTS AND THINGS OUTSIDE OF THIS PLACE HERE.

SO IT'S BECOME LIKE A LARGE-KNIT FAMILY.

EVERYBODY'S JUST REALLY CLOSE.

>> Noah: AND THE ANIMALS ARE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THAT FAMILY AS THE PEOPLE.

>> THIS IS ZED, I THINK.

>> Noah: THE EQUINE CENTER RUNS RESCUE AND REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AS WELL AS ADOPTION AND SPONSORSHIP.

SARAH SAYS IN MOST CASES, THE ANIMALS ARE FOUND ABANDONED AND STARVING.

>> SEE, THIS IS WHERE HE'S MISSING A EYE.

THEY LOVE GETTING FED BECAUSE FOR ONCE IN THEIR LIFE, THEY'VE GOT FEED AND WATER AND VET CARE.

THEY GET THEIR HOOVES TRIMMED AND THEY'RE JUST IN HORSE HEAVEN.

>> Noah: AND A LOT OF THE ANIMALS HERE HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE RESCUE STORY.

LIKE THIS GUY HERE, HAMISH, WAS FOUND OUT CHEWING ON BARK AND HE WORE DOWN HIS TEETH, SO YOU CAN SEE HIS TONGUE IS PERPETUALLY STICKING OUT OF HIS MOUTH.

>> ODDLY ENOUGH, WE'VE ADDED A COUPLE OF OTHER HORSES TO HIS PEN, AND NOW THEY HANG THEIR TONGUES OUT, EVEN THOUGH THEY'VE GOT TEETH.

IT'S LIKE THEY'RE ALL BROTHERS IN SOLIDARITY WITH HAMISH BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY TEETH AND HIS TONGUE HANGS OUT, SO WE CALL THEM THE TONGUE BROTHERS.

>> Noah: WHILE THE CLUB STARTED OFF AS AN OUTLET FOR SENIORS, THE WEDNESDAY TRADITION IS OPEN TO ALL AGES.

THE EQUINE CENTER HAS MANY YOUNG VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING SEVERAL FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.

>> WE HAVE THEM COME AND STAY ON PREMISE AND THEY CAN LEARN ALL ABOUT HORSE CARE, LEARN ABOUT FARM LIFE AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU DO WORKING AROUND HORSES.

>> Noah: ONE OF THOSE VOLUNTEERS, MATTHEW DE SA VIEIAR, COMES ALL THE WAY FROM FRANCE.

>> I'VE ALWAYS LOVED HORSES AND NATURE AND EVERYTHING, SO THAT WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE FOR ME TO DISCOVER THE WORLD, AND AS A FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE UNITED STATES, THAT WAS JUST PERFECT FOR ME.

>> Noah: AND WHEN THE ANIMAL-TENDING IS DONE, EVERYONE PILES IN THE HOUSE FOR LUNCH.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE A BIG BRISKET COMING OUT OF THE OVEN.

>> Noah: THE LUNCH IS A POTLUCK AND CHERI SAYS IT TENDS TO BE THE LIVELIEST TIME OF THE DAY.

>> IT GETS PRETTY CROWDED.

I THINK I'M GOING TO HAVE TO KNOCK A WALL OUT IN MY HOUSE TO MAKE MORE ROOM.

I NEED A DINING ROOM TABLE FOR 20 NOW.

SOMETIMES YOU'LL FIND DONNA TOSSING A ROLL AT THE TABLE OR SOMETHING.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THANK YOU.

>> IT'S FUN.

IT'S ALL ABOUT FUN AND ENJOYING EACH OTHER'S COMPANY IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

BECAUSE SOME OF THESE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE FAMILY AND SOME OF THE LADIES DON'T HAVE FAMILY.

THEY NEVER HAD CHILDREN OR THEY DON'T HAVE AN EXTENDED GROUP OF PEOPLE TO BE THERE, AND WE'VE BECOME THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY.

>> Noah: AGAIN, THE GROUP MEETS EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 10:30.

YOU CAN GO TO HORSE FEATHERS EQUINE CENTER.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

RICH.

>> Rich: NOAH, THAT WAS A GREAT STORY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> AS BIG CITIES GO, OKLAHOMA CITY REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE IN THE NATION.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATEWIDE "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW" WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> Jason: OKLAHOMA CITY IS RANKED AS THE FIFTH LEAST EXPENSIVE PLACE TO LIVE BASED ON THE TEN MOST COMMON HOUSEHOLD BILLS, LIKE UTILITIES AND GROCERIES.

ACCORDING TO WEB-BASED DOXO, OKLAHOMA CITY RESIDENTS PAY JUST UNDER $1900 PER MONTH, OR 38% OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD INCOME, FOR COST OF LIVING EXPENDITURES.

COMPARE THAT TO THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLACE TO LIVE, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, WHERE A TYPICAL HOUSEHOLD SPENDS $3700 PER MONTH FOR THE SAME GOODS AND SERVICES.

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED FULL-SERVICE GAS COMPRESSION COMPANY NOVA COMPRESSION HAS LANDED A NEW DEAL TO PURCHASE A PACKAGE OF NATURAL GAS COMPRESSION ASSETS FROM KODIAK GAS SERVICES OF THE WOODLANDS IN TEXAS.

THE MOVE ALLOWS NOVA TO DOUBLE ITS DENSITY IN THE DELAWARE BASIN LOCATED IN WEST TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO.

THE COMPANY PROVIDES SERVICES IN OKLAHOMA, TEXAS, AND THE ARK-LA-TEX REGION.

>>> OKLAHOMA STATE TREASURER TODD RUSS REPORTING THAT GROSS RECEIPTS TO THE TREASURY ARE TRENDING DOWN DUE TO SLOWER RETURNS FROM THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

GROSS RECEIPTS ARE ALL THE TAXES AND FEES COLLECTED BY THE STATE.

12-MONTH COLLECTIONS TOTAL $16.95 BILLION, A DROP OF 115.6 MILLION FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

FOR OCTOBER ALONE, COLLECTIONS WERE $1.39 BILLION, A DECREASE OF MORE THAN 16 MILLION COMPARED TO OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR.

GROSS PRODUCTION TAXES, TAXES ON OIL AND GAS DRILLING IN OKLAHOMA, DROPPED BY 14.2%.

>>> PRO WRESTLING ICON HULK HOGAN HAS LAUNCHED A NEW BEER BRAND CALLED REAL AMERICAN BEER, AND IT'S NOW AVAILABLE IN OKLAHOMA.

HOGAN WAS IN OKLAHOMA THIS WEEK TO HELP LAUNCH THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE LIGHT BEER IN THE SOONER STATE.

LAUNCHED SIX MONTHS AGO, THE BRAND IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING BEERS IN THE U.S. HOGAN SAYS HIS MISSION IS TO BRING AMERICA BACK TOGETHER AGAIN ONE BEER AT A TIME.

REAL AMERICAN BEER IS AVAILABLE AT MAJOR RETAILERS AROUND THE STATE.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: THERE ARE CURRENTLY 26 STATES THAT HAVE SOME FORM OF AN OPEN PRIMARY VOTING SYSTEM, AND 24 STATES THAT HAVE A CLOSED SYSTEM, WHICH MEANS ONLY REPUBLICANS CAN VOTE IN REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES AND THE SAME GOES FOR DEMOCRATS.

OKLAHOMA HAS A CLOSED SYSTEM, BUT THE PROPOSED STATE QUESTION 835 WOULD AMEND THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION AND CHANGE THAT.

THE IDEA HAS ITS ADVOCATES AND OPPONENTS, AS WE LEARN IN THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> Cassidy: RICH, OKLAHOMANS MIGHT HAVE THE CHANCE TO VOTE ON WHETHER OR NOT TO OPEN THE STATE'S PRIMARY SYSTEM.

SUPPORTERS OF STATE QUESTION 835 ARGUE THAT OPEN PRIMARIES COULD ADDRESS OKLAHOMA'S WIDELY CRITICIZED LOW VOTER TURNOUT.

WHILE OPPONENTS CLAIM THE MEASURE AIMS TO UNDERMINE PARTY STRUCTURES.

HERE TO DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL OUTCOMES IS ANCHT J. FERATE, THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE OKLAHOMA GOP PARTY AND WE'RE JOINED BY LONG TIME REPUBLICAN POLLSTER AND CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT PAT McFERRON.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> Cassidy: A.J., FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE STATE'S CURRENT PRIMARY SYSTEM?

>> SURE, OKLAHOMA HAS REALLY WHAT IS MORE OF A TRADITIONAL SYSTEM, NATURALLY A TRADITIONAL SYSTEM.

IT STARTS OUT WITH THE CONCEPT, AND THIS GOES BACK DECADES, FROM THE CONCEPT THAT THE PARTIES THEMSELVES, THE POLITICAL PARTIES CHOOSE WHOM THEIR NOMINEE SHOULD BE TO GO TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.

SO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE THE NOMINEE THAT IT WANTS TO BE ON THAT GENERAL BALLOT.

SIMILAR WITH THE DEMOCRATS AND ANY OTHER PARTIES, LIBERTARIANS CURRENTLY ARE THE OTHER PARTY IN OKLAHOMA THAT'S RECOGNIZED.

AND SO EACH OF THOSE PARTIES HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING FORWARD WHO THEY SAY THIS IS THE CANDIDATE THAT REPRESENTS OUR TICKET, THIS IS THE IDEAS THAT WE WANT REPRESENTED.

AND THEN THE GENERAL ELECTION VOTERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, INDEPENDENT, REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, LIBERTARIAN, EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY ON THE GENERAL ELECTION TO ACTUALLY VOTE.

NOW, IF YOU WANT AN ACTUAL SAY UNDER THE CURRENT SYSTEM IN WHO THAT PARTY MAY NOMINATE, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY REGISTER FOR THAT POLITICAL PARTY AND ACTUALLY BECOME A MEMBER OF THAT PARTY, VOTE FOR THAT PARTY, AND ASSIST IN THE DECISION-MAKING OF THAT POLITICAL PARTY IN WHO IS SENT TO THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT.

>> Cassidy: PAT, WHAT IS QUESTION 835 TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> WELL, A COUPLE -- STATE QUESTION 835, I THINK, WANTS TO TAKE THIS AWAY FROM THE POLITICAL PARTIES AND GIVE IT TO THE PEOPLE IS REALLY -- REALLY WHAT A.J.

IS TALKING ABOUT THERE, IT SHOULD BE THE PEOPLE DECIDING WHO THE NOMINEES ARE AND WHO MOVES FORWARD, NOT THE POLITICAL PARTIES THEMSELVES.

WHAT STATE QUESTION 835 DOES IS IT BASICALLY DOES AWAY WITH THE SEPARATE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS PROPRIETORSHIPS AND CREATES ONE OPINION FIDE BALLOT WELL OR THE REPUBLICANS, ALL THE DEMOCRATS, LIBERTARIANS, INDEPENDENTS ON THE SAME BALLOT, EVERYONE VOTE FOR ONE CANDIDATE AND THE TOP TWO FACE OFF IN NOVEMBER.

IT ALLOWS TONE PARTICIPATE.

EVERY TAXPAYER THAT'S REGISTERED TO VOTE TO PARTICIPATE.

>> Cassidy: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOW OUR SYSTEM FUNCTIONS NOW AND HOW WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT FUNCTION THEN?

>> FOR AN ADVOCATE LIKE MYSELF, IT'S WHERE EVERY VOTER HAS AN EQUAL VOTE.

RIGHT NOW THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN OKLAHOMA.

86% OF OUR LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS WERE DECIDED BEFORE NOVEMBER.

WE HAD OVER ROUGHLY 240 COUNTY OFFICES AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE THAT WAS COMPETITIVE IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IN NOVEMBER.

THESE ARE ALL DECIDED IN THE PRIMARIES RIGHT NOW, SO INDEPENDENTS, DEMOCRATS, OR IF YOU'RE IN AN AREA THAT'S A DEMOCRAT AREA, REPUBLICANS COULD BE EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATING.

>> Cassidy: A.J., WHY WOULD YOU SAY PEOPLE ARE DISAGREEING WITH THIS INITIATIVE PETITION?

>> LET ME TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

LET ME GO BACK EVEN TEN YEARS AGO.

IT WASN'T VERY LONG AGO THAT THIS BECAME A REPUBLICAN STATE.

ROUGHLY ABOUT 2004.

I KNOW IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, YOU GO BACK TO 1964 AND SAY IT'S BEEN A REPUBLICAN STATE, BUT PEOPLE HAVE CONTINUOUSLY BEEN REGISTERED AS DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE, SIGNIFICANTLY, EVEN PAST 2004, BUT WE CAN USE THAT AS A POINT FOR DISCUSSION.

AND I CAN TELL YOU, TEN YEARS AGO, RUNNING INTO PEOPLE IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE THAT WOULD SAY, I'M STILL REGISTERED DEMOCRAT BECAUSE I WANT TO VOTE IN MY PRIMARIES AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT IS I'M SUPPOSED TO VOTE -- OR REGISTER DEMOCRAT SO I CAN VOTE FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER, SO I CAN VOTE FOR ALL THE LOCAL OFFICIALS, THE SHERIFF.

SO THIS ISN'T SOME SORT OF NEW PHENOMENON.

THIS IS ONLY A NEW PHENOMENON ONLY BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEGUN TO TAKE CHARGE, REALLY, OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS AND SOME OF THE MORE TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATS AND LEFT-LEANING INDEPENDENTS ARE REALLY TRYING TO SEEK A VOICE.

WHEN IT'S VERY SIMPLE AND THEY CAN JUST JOIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> IF I COULD FOLLOW UP ON THAT, I MEAN, I WAS A REPUBLICAN IN OKLAHOMA WHEN IT WAS DEMOCRAT-DOMINATED AND IT WAS WRONG THEN TO BE FORCED TO JOIN A PARTY JUST TO VOTE, WHICH IS WHAT YOU'RE ADVOCATING FOR.

YOU SHOULD BE FORCED TO JOIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO VOTE.

OR, YOU KNOW, I LIVE DOWN IN CENTRAL NORMAN.

SHOULD I BE FORCED TO JOIN THE DEMOCRAT PARTY TO VOTE FOR STATE LEGISLATOR THERE BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE A DEMOCRAT?

I DON'T THINK SO.

WE FOUGHT FOR YEARS FOR RIGHT TO WORK SO YOU SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO JOIN A UNION TO HAVE A JOB.

YOU SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO JOIN A PARTY EITHER.

>> Cassidy: SO IF WE HAVE AN OPEN PRIMARY, IT WOULD ALLOW SOMEONE WHO'S A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN OR IN, GOT TO TALK ABOUT THEM AS WELL, IT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN OR FOR A DEMOCRAT IF NOT -- >> JUST LIKE A GENERAL ELECTION RIGHT NOW.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO VOTE THE PARTY TO REGISTER, SO IF YOU HAVE EVERYBODY ON ONE BALLOT, YOU CAN GO VOTE FOR THE PERSON YOU LIKE THE MOST.

NOW, THE PROPOSAL THAT WE PUT FORWARD WOULD HAVE THEIR PARTY LABELS ON IT, SO IT WOULD HAVE A.J.

FERATE, REPUBLICAN, PAT McFERRON, REPUBLICAN, EVERYONE ELSE'S NAMES DOWN THERE AND YOU VOTE FOR ONE PERSON.

I ACTUALLY THINK IT SUPPORTS THE PARTY STRUCTURE BECAUSE THEN A PARTY ENDORSEMENT WOULD MATTER.

RIGHT NOW A PARTY ENDORSEMENT IN THIS STATE REALLY MATTER.

REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO WIN STATEWIDE, SO THE ENDORSEMENT DOESN'T MATTER.

IT ALLOWS THE PARTIES AND ACTIVISTS TO SAY THIS IS THE TYPE OF REPUBLICAN WE WANT OR THIS IS THE TYPE OF DEMOCRAT WE WANT AND ACTUALLY HAVE MORE INFLUENCE.

>> LET ME TOUCH ON SOMETHING PAD SAID A SECOND AGO AND LET ME TALK ABOUT 2018.

GOVERNOR STITT HAS BEEN GOVERNOR SINCE 2018.

HE WAS ELECTED AT THAT POINT.

IF WE GO WITH THE SYSTEM THAT 835 IS PROPOSING, GOVERNOR STITT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ON THE BALLOT.

YOU WOULD HAVE ACTUALLY HAD TWO DEMOCRATS ON THE BALLOT AND ONE OF THE EXAMPLES THAT THE PROBLEM IS, IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WE HAVE A VERY ACTIVE PARTY.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CANDIDATES.

IF YOU PUT A NUMBER OF CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT, IT ACTUALLY HURTS YOUR CHANCES IN THAT PRIMARY OF ACTUALLY GETTING A REPUBLICAN ON TO THE TICKET.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT, YOU KNOW -- WE LOOK AT THE HISTORY, WE LOOK AT THE MORE RECENT POLICY VIEWS OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

I DON'T THINK THAT TWO DEMOCRATS ON THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT IN 2018 WOULD HAVE BEEN REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT EIGHT POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN THE REPUBLICAN RACE IN TWO YEARS.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET A REPUBLICAN ON THE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT IF WE HAVE THAT MUCH DECISION-MAKING GOING ON ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE?

>> Cassidy: ANCHT J., IN A POST ON X, YOU CRITICIZED THE SUPPORT FOR THE TRADITION SAYING ALL PARTIES WORE HARMED BY THE STATE QUESTION -- >> THEY WOULD.

WE CAN LOOK AT CALIFORNIA OR FRANKLY, MY HOME STATE OF WASHINGTON STATE.

IN THE EASTERN HALF OF THE STATE, YOU DON'T GET REPUBLICANS ON THAT TOP TWO BALLOT.

SIMILARLY ON THE WESTERN HALF OF THE STATE, YOU ONLY HAVE THOSE TWO DEMOCRATS CHOICES ON THAT BALLOT.

THE EXAMPLE THAT I'M POINTING TO IN 2018 HERE IN OKLAHOMA THAT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IS WHAT'S HAPPENING REGULARLY IN CALIFORNIA AND OREGON AND WASHINGTON STATE.

THESE ARE SORT OF STATES THAT -- THESE ARE THE SORT OF DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE OUT THERE ON THE STATE WHERE, FRANKLY, I THINK IT ACTUALLY DISTORTS REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT VOTE.

HERE IN OKLAHOMA, DEMOCRATS WILL NOT BE ON THE BALLOT IN MANY OF THE PLACES THAT THEY MIGHT USUALLY BE.

YOU MIGHT GET THEM IN NICHOLS HILLS, SOME AREAS OF TULSA ON THE BALLOT.

YOU MIGHT GET THEM ON STATEWIDE ELECTIONS WHERE YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF CANDIDATES THAT ARE COMING UP, BUT IT REALLY DISTORTS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE OF ALL POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES TO ACTUALLY HAVE AN OPTION AND A VOICE ON THE BALLOT.

>> Cassidy: PAT, IS THERE SOMETHING YOU'D LIKE TO ADD TO THAT?

>> ONE THING.

THE 2018 EXAMPLE, THAT'S LIKE SAYING IF WE KICKED ANOTHER FIELD GOAL, WE'D HAVE WON THE BASEBALL GAME.

IT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT GAME.

AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, THERE HASN'T BEEN A LOT OF DEMOCRATS WHO WANT TO VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS, BUT THEY WERE PROHIBITED FROM VOTING FOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES LAST TIME, SO I THINK THAT COMPARISON IS NOT APROPOS FOR WHAT THIS IS AND YOU CAN FIND VERY FEW EXAMPLES WHERE THE PARTY OF THE MOST DOMINANT GROUP IN AN AREA DOESN'T HAVE AT LEAST ONE PERSON TO VOTE FOR IN THOSE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR WASHINGTON AND CALIFORNIA AND LOUISIANA, JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN.

EVERY ELECTION STRUCTURE HAS ODDITIES.

I HAVE NO DOUBT IN A MINUTE YOU'LL SAY WE'RE TURNING INTO CALIFORNIA OR -- >> THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT FOR ME.

>> WE'RE NOT LIKE NEW YORK.

THIS IS AN OKLAHOMA SOLUTION.

THIS IS HOW EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY IN OUR STATE ELECTS THEIR MAYOR THAT HAS AN ELECTION FOR PLAYER WHERE YOU HAVE THE TOP TWO -- FOR MAYOR WHERE YOU HAVE THE TOP TWO MOVE FORWARD AND WHAT IT DOES IS IT GETS EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL HAVING TO STAND IN FRONT OF EVERY VOTER, WHICH YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO RIGHT NOW.

>> BUT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE.

>> Cassidy: LET HIM FINISH.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT CARTER COUNTY WHERE WE JUST HAD A SHERIFF ELECTION, WE HAD TWO REPUBLICANS FILE FOR THAT OFFICE.

THEY HAD AN EXACT TIE.

INSTEAD OF LETTING DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS HAVE A VOICE, THEY DREW A NAME OUT OF THE HAT.

THAT'S HOW WE'RE GOVERNING SO MUCH OF THE STATE RIGHT NOW WITH THAT SMALL SECTOR OF THE ELECTORATE AND NOT EVEN LET OTHERS PARTICIPATE IN ISSUES LIKE SHERIFF.

THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE COMPETITIVE ELECTION FOR SHERIFF ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.

>> THERE'S A MUCH EASIER SOLUTION TO THE CARRY COUNTY RACE.

I WAS THERE ACTUALLY WHEN THEY DREW THE NAME OUT OF THE HAT.

I REPRESENTED ONE OF THE SHERIFF CANDIDATES IN THAT RACE, BUT THE SIMPLE FACT IS, WHY DON'T WE JUST FIX THE HAT PULLING?

WHY DON'T WE FIX THAT?

WE DON'T NEED TO DO THIS GRAND READJUSTMENT OF HOW WE IMAGINE OUR ELECTIONS IN OKLAHOMA.

OUR ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN GREAT.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST ELECTION SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY, AND NOW WE'RE ALL OF A SUDDEN NEEDING TO DO THIS GRAND REMAKE, REIMAGINE SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE'S SOME OUT THERE THAT WANT TO VOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHEN THERE'S ALREADY A SOLUTION TO DO THAT.

>> OUR 50th IN THE NATION.

TWO PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN A ROW, WE'RE LAST IN THE NATION IN VOTER TURNOUT BECAUSE OUR NOVEMBER ELECTIONS DON'T MATTER AND PEOPLE ARE DISENFRANCHISED.

AND EVEN SOMEONE LIKE ME, I FEEL I'M DISENFRANCHISED RIGHT NOW.

I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THE DEMOCRAT IS GOING TO WIN MY STATE LEGISLATIVE SEAT, JUST FACT.

AND MY SHERIFF IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A REPUBLICANS ABOUT SO I HAVE TO CHOOSE, WHERE DO I DISENFRANCHISE MYSELF, THE STATE FOR STATE LEGISLATOR OR RACE FOR SHERIFF?

WE SHOULDN'T PUT OKLAHOMANS AND VOTERS IN THAT POSITION, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT PAY TAXES TO PAY FOR THESE.

THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PARTIES SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THE PRIMARIES, NOT THE TAXPAYERS, THE 400,000 INDEPENDENTS WHO ARE PAYING TAXES AND EXCLUDED.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR ON THAT, I DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUE WITH THE POLITICAL PARTIES PAYING FOR THE PRIMARIES, THEIR CAUCUSES, WHEELCHAIR RAM -- WHATEVER, BUT THAT'S NOT AN OPTION UNDER 835.

>> YOU CAN.

>> DO YOU ALLOW CAUCUSES UNDER 835?

>> YOU CAN HAVE A CAUCUS AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO.

>> Cassidy: LET'S PUT A PIN IN THIS RIGHT NOW.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE OTHER STATES KIND OF BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED OTHER STATES.

YOU MENTIONED CALIFORNIA, WE'VE SEEN OTHER STATES DO DIFFERENT THINGS.

SO THERE ARE CURRENTLY, I BELIEVE, 26 OTHER STATES THAT HAVE SOME KIND OF FORM OF AN OPEN PRIMARY.

>> I WOULD SAY THERE ARE 26 STATES THAT SOMETHING MORE OPEN THAN WHAT OKLAHOMA HAS.

>> BUT THIS IS TAKING A FURTHER STEP.

IN FACT, I WOULD TELL YOU FROM A GAMESMANSHIP, POLITICAL GAMESMANSHIP, I THINK THE GROUP IN THE MILD IS THE LEAST DESIRABLE, LIKE TEXAS OR MISSOURI OR THESE OTHER PLACES BR YOU CAN HAVE PEOPLE RAID ONE PARTY OR THE OTHER.

THERE WOULD TAKE THAT AWAY.

>> Cassidy: ARE YOU REFERRING TO THE DEPENDENTS -- >> NO, YOU HAVE A RACE WHERE YOU DECIDE ON ELECTION DAY WHICH PRIMARY BALLOT YOU WANT.

THIS IS ONLY ONE PRIMARY BALLOT YOU DON'T HAVE THE ISSUE WITH DEMOCRATS FLOODING THE REPUBLICAN OR REPUBLICANS FLOODING THE DEMOCRATS TO PICK THE LEAST CAPABLE NOMINEE.

>> Cassidy: A.J., IF THIS IS ENACTED, DO YOU THINK THIS LEGISLATION WOULD IMPACT THE 2028 ELECT CYCLE?

>> I BELIEVE IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN, IT DOES NOT AFFECT '26, BUT IT DOES AFFECT '28.

>> Cassidy: HOW DO YOU THINK IT WOULD AFFECT IT?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHO THE CANDIDATES ARE GOING TO BE.

CLEARLY IN THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IS GOING TO HAVE FOUR OR FIVE NAMES ON THAT BALLOT.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT -- >> Cassidy: LET HIM FINISH.

>> IT'S GOING TO AFFECT CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

IT'S GOING TO AFFECT, I GUESS, IT WOULD BE THE '30 RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

IT WOULD AFFECT SOME OF THESE RACES FURTHER DOWN THE LINE THAT ARE GOING TO SEE AN IMPACT.

LIKE I SAID, WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED SOME OF THE ISSUES WE'RE SEEING IN MANY OF THE DISTRICTS IN CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON STATE WHERE YOU GET TWO REPUBLICANS OR TWO DEMOCRATS AS YOUR OPTIONS AND YOU GOT TO HOLD YOUR NOSE OR YOU STAY HOME.

FRANKLY, I THINK THAT ENCOURAGES STAYING HOME IN MORE INSTANCES THAN NOT.

>> Cassidy: I WANT TO BE REALLY BRIEF, WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

VOTER ENGAGEMENT.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS.

YOU TALKED ABOUT PEOPLE STAYING HOME.

THE DATA DOESN'T PACK THAT UP.

THE DATA SHOWS MORE PEOPLE TURN OUT TO VOTE IN THESE GENERAL ELECTIONS WHEN YOU HAVE CANDIDATES THAT CARE ABOUT EVERYBODY INSTEAD OF JUST THEIR OWN PRIMARY GROUP.

WE CAN'T WORST THAN WE ARE.

WE'RE LAST IN CIVIC END GANELT AND VOTER TURNOUT.

WHAT WE'RE DOING IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO FURTHER ENGAGE AND AS A CONSERVATIVE, I WOULD SAY I THINK OUR REPUBLICAN PARTIES HAVE GOTTEN TOO LAZY AND WE ONLY APPEAL AND WORK TOWARD THIS SMALL GROUP INSTEAD OF PUTTING OUR IDEAS OUT IN THE OPEN BECAUSE I DO THINK THEY ARE THE BEST.

>> Cassidy: AND REALLY QUICKLY, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

WE FILED IT WITH THE STATE SECRETARY'S OFFICE?

>> THERE'S ANOTHER 85 DAYS OR SO FOR SOMEONE TO FILE A CHALLENGE AND THEN WE'RE UP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT FOR WHEN THEY HEAR THAT CHALLENGE AND MOVE FORWARD.

AS THE PROPONENTS SIDE, OUR GOAL IS TO BE ON THE NOVEMBER OF '26 BALLOT, BUT THERE'S LOT OF HURDLES TO GET THROUGH.

>> Cassidy: AND THIS QUESTION IS FOR BOTH OF YOU.

DO YOU THINK ADOPTING AN OPEN PRIMARY SYSTEM WILL HURT OR HELP OKLAHOMA'S POLITICAL LANDSCAPE?

ANCHT J., WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> I THINK IT DEFINITELY HARMS THE WAY WE BELIEVE HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> I THINK IT HARMS NOBODY.

I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY -- IT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT WILL REINVIGORATE OUR STATE PARTY STRUCTURE DIMINISHED BY CITIZENS UNITED AND HAVE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE TO STAND IN FRONT OF MORE VOTERS, BE MORE RESPONSIVE AND GIVE VOTERS MORE CHOICES.

>> Cassidy: I FEEL LIKE WE'VE ONLY SKRAMPED THE SURFACE HERE, BUT THANK YOU BOTH SO VERY MUCH FOR COMING IN AND GIG US YOUR INSIGHTS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> Cassidy: THANK YOU.

>> Rich: LIVELY CONVERSATION.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," THE CITY OF TULSA IS NEARING COMPLETION ON A NEW GILCREASE MUSEUM TO HOUSE THEIR BILLION-DOLLAR COLLECTION OF NATIVE AMERICAN AND WESTERN ART.

WE'LL TAKE A TOUR, NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:00 P.M. AND WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE CHICKASHA FESTIVAL OF LIGHT, SHOT AND EDITED BY OETA'S MATT BARNETT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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