>> THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS THAT COULD LEAD TO A NEW TRIAL FOR DEATH ROW INMATE RICHARD GLOSSIP.

>> SO HE'S VERY HAPPY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES THAT MAYBE FINALLY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS HE'LL GET A FAIR TRIAL.

>> A FULL HOUSE FOR THE 8TH ANNUAL SCHOOL CHOICE EXPO IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

IT'S A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO COME, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, TO BE ABLE TO JUST COME IN AND EXPLORE WHAT OPTIONS ARE.

>> SHOULD RENEWING YOUR VEHICLE TAGS BE TIED TO MAKING GOOD ON UNPAID TOLLS?

>> SO OUR OBJECTIVE IS NOT TO BE PUNITIVE.

OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO GET THE TOLLS PAID IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE SYSTEM AND PAY OFF THE BONDS.

>> GENE-SPLICING TECHNOLOGY THAT COULD LEAD TO MORE EFFECTIVE CANCER TREATMENTS.

>> WE'RE ACTUALLY KIND OF FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE.

IN THE PAST, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN TOXIC CHEMOTHERAPIES OR RADIATION OR SURGERY.

>> AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON NEXT WEEK'S SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE.

>> I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY GROWN PEOPLE WITH TWO NICKELS IN THEIR POCKET RUBBING TOGETHER, ACHING TO SPEND IT.

WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> IT'S A POLITICAL DECISION.

IT'S A GAMESMANSHIP THAT IS NOT OKAY.

PEOPLE WANNA SOLVE REAL PROBLEMS, NOT PLAYING GAMES UP THERE.

THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT >> RICH: HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I'M RICH LENZ.

THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT HAS AGREED TO HEAR ARGUMENTS TO DETERMINE IF DEATH ROW INMATE RICHARD GLOSSIP DESERVES A NEW TRIAL.

THERE'S NO TIMETABLE FOR THAT DECISION, BUT IT REPRESENTS A VICTORY FOR GLOSSIP AND THE 62 OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS WHO BELIEVE CRUCIAL EVIDENCE HAS BEEN WITHHELD THAT COULD PROVE GLOSSIP'S INNOCENCE FOR THE MURDER OF HIS BOSS, BARRY VAN TREESE, IN 1997.

I SPOKE WITH GLOSSIP'S ATTORNEY IN DENVER THIS WEEK TO GET AN UPDATE.

>> THIS KIND OF STUFF DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN.

IT HAPPENS BECAUSE OF A LOT OF HARD WORK, BUT ALSO COURAGE, COURAGE FROM A MAN LIKE ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTER DRUMMOND.

THERE WERE OTHER ATTORNEY GENERALS WHO -- IT'S IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF HIM, WHO HAD THE SAME INFORMATION THAT HE HAD WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE, AND THEY WITHHELD THAT INFORMATION FROM US, YOU KNOW.

AND THERE WERE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS THAT WERE THERE ALL ALONG THE WAY, AND ALL OF THIS INFORMATION WAS IN THEIR BOXES.

AND THEY KNEW THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS IN THIS CASE, AND THEY NEVER WOULD GO AHEAD AND COME FORWARD WITH THE -- WITH THE INFORMATION, BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

AND, OF COURSE, WHAT'S HAPPENED HERE IS JUSTICE.

>> A BALLPARK TIMELINE, DO YOU HAVE ONE WHEN THE US SUPREME COURT WOULD RULE ON THIS?

>> YEAH, THAT'S A -- THAT'S A REAL GOOD QUESTION, BECAUSE THEY DON'T NECESSARILY GIVE YOU ANY TIMELINE TO DO SO.

ONCE THE -- ONCE THE CASE IS DONE, AS FAR AS THE ARGUMENT IS CONCERNED, THE COURT CAN TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS THE COURT WANTS.

BUT THEN THE COURT WILL HOLD IT OVER THE SUMMER.

YOU KNOW, THEY'LL REVIEW EVERYTHING THAT THERE IS, YOU KNOW, AND THEN THEY'LL HAVE US COME BACK FOR ARGUMENTS IN OCTOBER.

YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE THE OLD WIZARD OF OZ THING, RIGHT?

THERE'S A MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN AND WE AREN'T ALLOWED BEHIND THE CURTAIN, SO WE DON'T KNOW.

>> DON, HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO RICHARD GLOSSIP SINCE THIS NEWS BROKE?

AND IF SO, WHAT HAS HIS REACTION BEEN?

>> YES, I'VE SPOKEN WITH HIM A COUPLE OF TIMES.

AT FIRST, HE WAS JUST OBVIOUSLY VERY HAPPY THAT THE COURT HAD FINALLY RULED.

AND THEN HE CALLED ME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND SAID, OKAY, CAN YOU TELL ME WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO, YOU KNOW, CURIOUS AND ALSO VERY HAPPY, OBVIOUSLY, BECAUSE THE COURT COULD HAVE SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO GRANT CERT, WHICH MEANT WE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER EXECUTION DATE RATHER THAN A DATE FOR A HEARING.

HE'S VERY HAPPY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES THAT MAY BE FINALLY, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, HE'LL GET A FAIR TRIAL.

>> DON KNIGHT, ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS FOR RICHARD GLOSSIP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I APPRECIATE IT, RICH.

>> IT SHOULD BE NOTED: ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTER DRUMMOND DOES NOT BELIEVE GLOSSIP IS INNOCENT, BUT DOES SUPPORT A NEW TRIAL THAT COULD RESULT IN GLOSSIP BEING REMOVED FROM DEATH ROW.

GLOSSIP'S OTHER ATTORNEY, JOHN MILLS, ALSO RELEASED A WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT READS IN PART: MR. GLOSSIP HAS FACED EXECUTION NINE TIMES, EVEN THOUGH THE STATE KNEW FULL WELL THAT THE EVIDENCE USED TO CONVICT HIM AND SENTENCE HIM TO DEATH WAS FALSE.

THE COURT SHOULD REVERSE THE OKLAHOMA CRIMINAL COURT OF APPEALS, WHICH HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE STATE'S CONFESSION OF ERROR.

MR. GLOSSIP IS INNOCENT OF THE MURDER FOR WHICH HE FACES EXECUTION.

>> THE 14TH ANNUAL NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK WRAPS UP ON SATURDAY.

THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 27,000 EVENTS NATIONWIDE.

264 OF THEM HERE IN OKLAHOMA, INCLUDING THE 8TH ANNUAL SCHOOL CHOICE EXPO IN OKLAHOMA CITY LAST SATURDAY.

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON ATTENDED THAT EVENT AND FILED THIS REPORT.

>> IN RECOGNITION OF SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK, 31 OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS ATTENDED THE CHOICE MATTERS SCHOOL CHOICE EXPO AT THE ADVANCE CENTER FOR FREE ENTERPRISE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

EACH SCHOOL OFFERED SOMETHING UNIQUE FOR OKLAHOMA STUDENTS.

>> CREATIVE MUSIC ACADEMY IS A CO-OP, SUPPORTING HOMESCHOOL, VIRTUAL SCHOOL CLERK, SCHOOL AND PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS.

WE HELP HOMESCHOOL AND VIRTUAL SCHOOL WITH THE ACADEMICS, BUT THEN WE ALSO TEACH THE ACTUAL ART, MUSIC, IT, CODING, PHOTOGRAPHY, DANCE, ART.

BUT WE DON'T JUST TEACH THE SKILLS; WE TEACH THE TRAIN.

>> WE DO SPECIFICALLY TAILOR OUR SCHOOL FOR KIDS WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES.

OKAY.

SO THEY COME TO US WITH AN IEP.

MAYBE THAT'S ADHD, ADD, MILD TO MODERATE DYSLEXIA, AUTISM.

SOME STUDENTS, MAYBE JUST THE ANGST OF WANTING TO GET INTO THE CLASSROOM AND ACTUALLY LEARN.

GIVING THEM THE ABILITY TO INDIVIDUALIZE THEIR STUDIES GIVES THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> WE HAVE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES UP TO 8,000.

PARENTS LIKE NELISHA HAMILTON WERE ABLE TO EXPLORE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> JUST TRYING TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SCHOOLS.

I ONLY HAVE ONE CHILD.

I DON'T KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE OUT THERE.

>> HAMILTON ATTENDED THE SCHOOL CHOICE EXPO AFTER SEEING AN AD ON FACEBOOK.

>> I NEVER KNEW ENOUGH INFORMATION ABOUT ONLINE SCHOOLS AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHARTER AND THE PRIVATE IN SCHOOLS AND JUST LEARNING ABOUT THE TUITION PROGRAMS THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR YOU AND THOSE THINGS.

>> CHOICE MATTERS SPECIALIZES IN HELPING NAVIGATE THE MANY EDUCATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN THE STATE.

>> THIS IS ACTUALLY OUR EIGHTH YEAR TO DO THIS, TO HAVE THIS KIND OF OPPORTUNITY WHERE IT'S A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO COME, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS, TO BE ABLE TO JUST COME IN AND EXPLORE WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE AND LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM.

THE CALL FOR SCHOOL CHOICE HAS BECOME MORE PROMINENT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

CHOICE MATTERS FOUNDER, RENE PORTER, THINKS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INCREASED INTEREST.

>> REALLY THE PANDEMIC WAS SUCH A GAME CHANGER IN TERMS OF HOW PARENTS APPROACHED EDUCATION AND WHAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT WHEN IT, YOU KNOW, COMPLETELY, YOU KNOW, UPENDED EVERYTHING FOR EVERYBODY.

I THINK PEOPLE REALLY BEGAN TO -- VERY MUCH BEGAN TO THINK ABOUT VERY DIFFERENTLY, LIKE, WHAT ARE MY OPPORTUNITIES.

>> ACCORDING TO THE U.S CENSUS BUREAU, NEARLY 93 PERCENT OF HOUSEHOLDS WITH SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN REPORTED DISTANCE LEARNING DURING THE PANDEMIC DUE TO WIDESPREAD SCHOOL CLOSURES.

>> YOU MAY HAVE SEEN ONLINE LEARNING WASN'T IDEAL FOR EVERYBODY, BUT, LIKE, I THINK ABOUT MY OWN DAUGHTER.

SHE THRIVED DOING ONLINE LEARNING.

AND SO THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, EVERY KIDDO IS DIFFERENT AND THIS CREATES -- CREATED A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONS, I THINK, THAT PARENTS HADN'T BEGAN TO CONSIDER.

>> INCREASING SCHOOL CHOICE HAS BEEN A PRIORITY FOR BOTH GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT AND SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION RYAN WALTERS.

BOTH SUPPORTED THE PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 1934, THE OKLAHOMA PARENTAL CHOICE TAX CREDIT.

>> THE PARENTAL CHOICE TAX CREDIT WAS A GAME CHANGER, BECAUSE IT CERTAINLY OPENS UP FOR EVERY SINGLE FAMILY ACROSS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA THE OPTION TO SEND YOUR -- TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO SEND YOUR CHILD WHEREVER YOU MAY WANT TO GO.

IN THAT CASE, THAT LAW ALLOWS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION FEES TO BE PAID THROUGH THAT TAX CREDIT.

>> BUT NOT ALL LAWMAKERS WERE FANS OF THE BILL.

LAST YEAR, SENATOR CARRI HICKS VOICED CONCERNS ABOUT THE STATE INVESTING SO MUCH MONEY INTO PRIVATE SCHOOLS RATHER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> OKLAHOMA HAS, NO.

1, OUTSPENT ALL OF OUR SURROUNDING STATES WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC DOLLARS BEING INVESTED IN PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS.

AND I'LL SAY THAT AGAIN WE'RE NO.

1 BY A LOT.

WE HAVE INCREASED OUR PUBLIC FUNDING FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS TENFOLD.

>> THE PARENTAL CHOICE ACT IS A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A REFUNDABLE INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR ELIGIBLE OKLAHOMA PARENTS.

>> SO FOR FAMILIES WHO MAKE A CERTAIN INCOME LEVEL, SO $150,000 OR LESS, IS THE PRIORITY RIGHT NOW FOR APPLICATIONS.

THOSE APPLICATIONS ACTUALLY DON'T CLOSE UNTIL FEBRUARY 5TH.

SO THERE'S STILL TIME FOR FAMILIES TO APPLY.

>> I'LL TELL YOU THAT THE DAY THAT IT OPENED THERE WAS SOME 30,000 APPLICATIONS.

AND SO I KNOW THAT IT'S VALUABLE, BECAUSE IT MEANS ACCESS.

WITH OUR SCHOLARSHIPS, WHILE WE'RE ABLE TO OFFER UP TO $8,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS, IF THERE IS A SCHOOL THAT THAT STUDENT NEEDS TO ATTEND THAT'S MORE EXPENSIVE -- THINK OF SOME OF OUR SPECIALTY EDUCATION SCHOOLS, LIKE THE LITTLE LIGHTHOUSE.

IT'S STILL NOT APPROACHABLE, BUT WITH THE PARENTAL CHOICE TAX CREDIT, BASED ON THEIR INCOME LEVEL, THEY'RE ABLE TO ACCESS TAX DOLLARS THAT ALLOW THEM TO STEP INTO THAT EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT THAT'S BETTER FOR THEIR KIDS.

OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND CEO SARAH GUARDIOLA ATTENDED THE EXPO TO TALK WITH PARENTS ABOUT MONEY AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

>> TUITION CAN BE PROHIBITIVE, SO OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND IS A PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS TUITION SUPPORT.

WE HELP BRIDGE THAT GAP BETWEEN WHAT A FAMILY CAN AFFORD AND WHERE THEIR BABIES NEED TO BE.

AND SO WE OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAVE 70-PLUS SCHOOLS THAT ARE PART OF OUR MEMBERSHIP.

AND WHEN A STUDENT IS ENROLLED, THEY'RE ELIGIBLE TO COME AND CHECK OUT OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

GUARDIOLA HOPES PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> I THINK COMMUNICATION IS KEY.

WE HAVE POCKETS OF DEMOGRAPHICS THAT REALLY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS.

AND OUR PROGRAM IS SO UNIQUE IN THAT OUR SCHOLARSHIPS ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH DONATIONS, YES.

BUT INSTEAD OF GETTING A DEDUCTION, THEY'RE ACTUALLY RECEIVING A TAX CREDIT, A DOLLAR PER DOLLAR TAX CREDIT.

AND WE HAVE DEMOGRAPHICS THAT DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT OUR PROGRAM, AND THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE PARENTAL CHOICE TAX CREDIT.

AS NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK COMES TO AN END, SUPPORTERS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR PARENTS TO HAVE MORE OPTIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

TAELYR JACKSON, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> TAILOR, THANK YOU.

>> THE CHICKASAW TRIBE AND STITT ADMINISTRATION HAVE AGREED ON NEW 10-YEAR COMPACTS THAT COVER TOBACCO TAXATION AND MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION.

CHICKASAW GOVERNOR BILL ANOATUBBY SIGNED THE NEW DEAL AFTER NEARLY A YEAR OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH GOVERNOR STITT.

THE MOTOR VEHICLE COMPACT REMAINS UNCHANGED, WHILE THE TOBACCO COMPACT HAS BEEN MODIFIED BY BOTH PARTIES BUT RETAINS A 50/50 SPLIT IN THE TAX REVENUES GENERATED AT THE WHOLESALE LEVEL.

>> A SPECIAL SESSION TO DISCUSS TAX CUTS WILL CONVENE NEXT MONDAY MORNING.

WILL IT PRODUCE THE RESULTS GOVERNOR STITT IS SEEKING?

AND WILL OKLAHOMANS FEEL THE IMPACT OF TAX RELIEF, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE?

WE INVITED LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH PARTIES TO JOIN US IN-STUDIO FOR THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> INCOME TAX IS OUR MAJOR ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AND IT WILL BRING IN ALMOST $4 BILLION A YEAR.

AND SO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ROADS, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT SCHOOLS, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE NORMALLY TOUCH IN THE STATE IS GONNA BE PAID FOR BY INCOME TAX.

TRANSPORTATION IS PAID BY FUEL TAX, BUT THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE THE ONLY EXEMPTION.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER REVENUE STREAMS THAT COME IN, BUT INCOME TAX IS THE ONE WE REALLY RELY HEAVILY UPON.

>> WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT REPORT, REALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE WILLING TO HOLD IN TERMS OF TAXPAYER MONEY AS INSURANCE FOR DOWNTURNS.

PEOPLE EXPECT US TO BE ABLE TO KEEP ALIVE OUR HEALTH SYSTEMS, KEEP OUR ROADS GOING, AND WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NOT THAT NECESSARY, AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE WILLING TO HOLD IN HAND.

I THINK THIS GOING IMMEDIATELY TO TAX CUTS DOESN'T LET US HAVE THAT REAL LONG-TERM CONVERSATION OF WHAT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR STATE TO COVER.

WHAT ARE THOSE CORE SERVICES WE CAN DO WITHOUT, WITHOUT -- IF WE HAD A BIG DOWNTURN?

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

>> A STATE LAWMAKER DOESN'T THINK PEOPLE WHO OWE MONEY FOR TOLLS SHOULD BE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO RENEW THEIR MOTOR TAGS UNTIL THEY PAY OFF WHAT THEY OWE.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DOESN'T AGREE.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

STEVE?

>> QUICK HISTORY LESSON, RICH.

77 YEARS AGO, THE STATE LEGISLATURE CREATED THE FIRST FOUR-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

IT'S KNOWN AS THE TURNER TURNPIKE, AND IT CONNECTS OKLAHOMA CITY TO TULSA.

THERE ARE NOW 12 TURNPIKES, OR TOLL ROADS, IN THE STATE.

THAT SYSTEM DEPENDS ON PEOPLE PAYING THEIR TOLLS.

>> PARDON ME?

DID YOU WANT A NEW PLATE CHECK?

>> YES I DO.

>> IT'S WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, AND BUSINESS AT THE BROADWAY TAG AGENCY IN EDMOND IS BRISK.

IT USUALLY IS.

>> AND ONCE THAT HOLD IS REMOVED, THEN WE CAN RENAME YOURS.

>> I'LL BE BACK.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> NO, YOU'RE FINE.

>> WHAT YOU JUST CAUGHT PART OF IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

CURRENTLY IN OKLAHOMA, IF YOU HAVE UNPAID TOLLS AND YOU OWE MONEY TO THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, A STATE AGENCY CALLED SERVICE OKLAHOMA STEPS IN AND PUTS A HOLD ON A MOTORIST'S ABILITY TO RENEW THEIR LICENSE PLATES OR TAGS.

>> I MEAN, WHEN PEOPLE GO TO DO THE RIGHT THING, THEY SHOULD BE REWARDED NOT PUNISHED.

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANNIE MENZ JUST INTRODUCED A BILL KNOWN AS HOUSE BILL 2968.

IT WOULD ELIMINATE SERVICE OKLAHOMA'S ABILITY TO STEP IN FOR THE OTA AND STOP PEOPLE FROM RENEWING THEIR TAGS EVEN IF THEY ARE IN ARREARS WITH THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY.

>> I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THERE SHOULDN'T BE SUCH CHALLENGES TO GETTING BASIC GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

THAT'S WHY I INTRODUCED THIS BILL.

AND IT DOES ALREADY HAVE REPUBLICAN COAUTHOR, SO IT'S FILED, AND IT IS BIPARTISAN.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO SAYS, IF THEY ARE NOT CURRENT, IF THEY OWE MONEY ON THEIR TOLLS, THEY SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO RENEW THEIR TAGS?

>> WELL, I THINK TO THAT PERSON I WOULD SAY -- I WOULD MAYBE ASK THEM TO CONSIDER THAT MAYBE NOT EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME FINANCIAL SITUATION.

NOT EVERYBODY IS FINANCIALLY WELL OFF.

NOT EVERYONE HAS DEPENDABLE RIDES EVERYWHERE.

AND IF WE EXPECT PEOPLE TO GET TO WORK AND WORK FOR WHAT THE HAVE, WE KNEE TO ACT IN WAYS THAT INCENTIVIZES THAT RATHER THAN DE-INCENTIVIZES PEOPLE FROM DOING THE RIGHT THING.

>> ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, OR OTA, THERE ARE ABOUT A MILLION TRANSACTIONS EACH DAY ON THE SOONER STATE'S VAST TURNPIKE NETWORK.

IT'S A NETWORK THAT NOW ENCOMPASSES 12 TOLL HIGHWAYS ACROSS THE STATE.

ACCORDING TO THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, IN 2022 THERE WERE 178,000 HOLDS PLACED ON TAGS.

IN JUST THE FIRST HALF OF 2023, THERE WERE 144,000 MORE.

>> LISA SHEARER-SALIM IS A FORMER LONG-TIME TRUSTED ODOT SPOKESPERSON WHO NOW SPEAKS FOR THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY.

>> WE'RE SIMILAR TO A UTILITY.

YOU ARE PAYING FOR A SERVICE.

WE ARE AN ALTERNATE CHOICE TO THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

ALL OF OUR TURNPIKES CONNECT SEAMLESSLY TO THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

THERE'S TYPICALLY ANOTHER ROUTE YOU CAN CHOOSE THAT IS ON THAT SYSTEM, BUT IF YOU CHOOSE THE TURNPIKE SYSTEM, YOU ARE CHOOSING SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY.

BUT YOU ARE PAYING FOR THAT PRODUCT AS YOU USE IT.

>> SHEARER-SALIM SAYS THERE ARE METHODS FOLKS WHO OWE MONEY CAN USE TO GET RIGHT WITH THE OTA.

SHE SAYS 90 PERCENT OF OTA CUSTOMERS HAVE PIKE PASSES, WHICH IS A PROGRAM WHERE PIKE PASS CUSTOMERS KEEP MONEY IN THEIR ACCOUNT, WHICH IS DEDUCTED EACH TIME THEY TAKE A TOLL ROAD.

THREE YEARS AGO, THE OTA WENT CASH-LESS AND DID AWAY WITH TOLL BOOTHS.

NOW EVERYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE PIKE PASS SYSTEM IS DONE THROUGH WHAT'S CALLED PLATE PAY.

CAMERA'S RECORD LICENSE TAGS AS THEY PASS THROUGH TOLL ROADS.

AND SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND; PLATE PAY CHARGES NEARLY DOUBLE WHAT PIKE PASS DOES.

SHEARER-SALIM SAYS PEOPLE WITH OUTSTANDING TOLL BALANCES ARE ASSESSED LATE FEES FOR FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE HOLD ON THEIR TAGS PROCESS EVEN BEGINS.

WHEN IT DOES, THE ACCOUNT HOLDER IS SENT A REGISTERED LETTER AND STILL HAS TWO WEEKS TO APPEAL.

>> I WANT TO NOTE THAT WE ARE ONE OF 16 STATES THAT USE REGISTRATION HOLDS AS A MECHANISM FOR PAYMENT.

>> SOUNDS TO ME LIKE IF YOU ARE JUST A LITTLE BIT PROACTIVE AND PAY ATTENTION AND DON'T IGNORE YOUR MAIL, YOU MAY BE ALL RIGHT HERE.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT, BUT LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT IT.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT AS CONVENIENT AS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO PAY THEIR TOLLS.

YOU CAN GO ONLINE AT PLATEPAY.COM AND LOOK UP YOUR LICENSE PLATE NUMBER AND SEE IF YOU OWE TOLLS, AND YOU CAN PAY IT CONVENIENTLY RIGHT THERE ON OUR WEBSITE.

YOU CAN CALL INTO 1-800-PIKE PASS, WHICH IS OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, ANYTIME DURING THE BUSINESS DAY AND PAY THAT ONLINE OVER THE PHONE.

THERE'S NOW AN AUTOMATIC PAY OPTION, THAT PHONE NUMBER WHERE YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE TO TALK TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE MEMBER.

>> I HAVEN'T TALKED TO ANYBODY WHO HAS USED THAT SYSTEM YET.

I BELIEVE IT EXISTS.

BUT IF THAT SYSTEM EXISTS, THEN WHY EVEN ASK SERVICE OKLAHOMA TO DO THIS?

WHY WOULD THEY ASK STATE GOVERNMENT TO DO THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> TO DO WHAT, SHUT PEOPLE DOWN?

>> YES, TO TURN PEOPLE AWAY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

LIKE, WHY IS IT THE FIRST INSTINCT TO PUNISH PEOPLE?

>> SHEARER-SALIM SAYS NEARLY 40 PERCENT OF MOTORISTS WHO TRAVEL OKLAHOMA'S TURNPIKE SYSTEM ARE FROM OUT OF STATE.

IF THEY OWE, THEY GET TOLL BILLS AND ARE EXPECTED TO PAY AS WELL.

>> THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT SCENARIOS TO THIS SITUATION, AND WE UNDERSTAND ALL OF THEM.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS IS A SERVICE THAT IS PROVIDED TO THOSE MOTORISTS, AND THE ONLY WAY TO PAY FOR IT IS THROUGH TOLLING.

SO OUR OBJECTIVE IS NOT TO B PUNITIVE IN ANY WAY.

OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO GET THE TOLLS PAID IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE SYSTEM AND PAY OFF THE BONDS.

>> TONY SMITH TEACHES BUSINESS ECONOMICS AND SEES BOTH SIDES.

>> YOU SHOULD PAY YOUR DEBTS, BUT IF YOU ARE JUST MOVING YOUR PROBLEM FROM ONE TO THE OTHER, THEN MAYBE THERE IS SOME SORT OF MECHANISM YOU CAN DO.

THERE IS SOME SORT OF -- YOU CAN REGISTER YOUR VEHICLE, BUT THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.

AND THE OTHER THING IS, AS LONG AS THERE IS COMMUNICATION WITH PEOPLE WHO OWE THE DEBTS, AND IT'S ONGOING, THEN THAT'S OKAY.

>> WE RAN INTO MOTORIST SARA PETERSON OUTSIDE THE HILL TAG AGENCY IN OKLAHOMA CITY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

SHE'S EMPHATIC IN HER BELIEF.

>> HEY, QUESTION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?

SHOULD YOU BE ABLE TO RENEW YOUR TAG EVEN THOUGH YOU OWE MONEY ON TOLLS?

>> NO, YOU SHOULDN'T, BECAUSE YOU -- IF, ANYTHING ELSE, YOU LIVE IN AN HOA, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO PAY YOUR HOUSING DUES.

YOU KNOW, IT JUST LEADS FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER.

SO PEOPLE NEED THEIR MONEY, AND YOU SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THE CONSEQUENCES FOR NOT PAYING YOUR MONEY.

>> THERE IS DEFINITELY AN EDUCATION PROCESS THAT IS OCCURRING.

THIS IS STILL A NEW SYSTEM FOR OKLAHOMANS USING THE TURNPIKE NETWORK.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK TO GET MORE INFORMATION OUT TO OUR PATRONS SO THEY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLATE PAY AND PIKE PASS.

WE ENCOURAGE THOSE FORMER CASH CUSTOMERS TO SIGN UP FOR PIKE PASS JUST BECAUSE IT IS THE LOWEST TOLL RATE, AND IT'S CONVENIENT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MENZ SAYS THE CLOCK ON HER BILL, HOUSE BILL 2968, STARTS WHEN THE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 5TH.

RICH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A PRIVATE INVESTMENT COMPANY HERE IN OKLAHOMA IS BULLISH ON THE POTENTIAL OF GENE-SPLICING RESEARCH TO AID IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER.

JASON DOYLE IS COVERING THAT STORY FOR US AND JOINS US NOW.

JASON.

>> THE CEO OF CORRI XR THERAPEUTICS COMPARES THE TYPE OF LEAP IN ADVANCEMENT GENE EDITING HAS TAKEN OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS TO HOW WE'VE GONE FROM FLIP PHONES TO SMART PHONES.

SHE'S NOW BRINGING THAT TECH TO PLUG INTO OKLAHOMA'S BIO-TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY.

>> SO BASICALLY YOU'RE ELIMINATING THE SHOTGUN BLAST AND MAKING IT MORE OF A RIFLE SHOT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> OKLAHOMAN DEBORAH MOORAD RECENTLY TOOK THE REINS OF DELAWARE BASED CORRI XR.

>> CORRI XR THERAPEUTICS IS A GENE EDITING SYSTEM, AND WE CAN GO IN AND TARGET ANY TYPE OF GENE, AND THEN THAT CAN HELP TO ENABLE DRUG RESISTANCE.

SO FOR OUR FIRST BOUT OUT, WE ARE FOCUSING ON ONCOLOGY.

>> MOORAD SAYS THE RESEARCH AND WORK HER COMPANY IS BRINGING TO OKLAHOMA CITY'S BIO-TECH COMMUNITY WILL FOCUS ON CANCER THERAPIES.

>> CORRI XR WAS ACTUALLY BIRTHED IN AN ONCOLOGY CENTER, SO THAT'S WHY ONCOLOGY VERSUS ANYTHING ELSE.

CORRIXR'S TECHNOLOGY WAS CREATED BY DR. ERIC KMIEC, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER OF CHRISTIANA CARE'S GENE EDITING INSTITUTE.

HE FOUNDED CORRI XR TO HELP COMMERCIALIZE THE TECHNOLOGY.

THE COMPANY WILL FOCUS ITS OKLAHOMA EFFORTS ON MAKING CANCER CELLS WHICH ARE DRUG RESISTANT MORE VULNERABLE TO EXISTING TREATMENTS.

>> THERE'S ACTUALLY GENES THAT YOU HAVE THAT BASICALLY PROHIBIT YOU FROM ACCEPTING MEDICINE, YOU KNOW -- AND I'M SAYING THIS IN THE LAYMAN'S TERMS -- FOR US TO TREAT CANCER.

SO THE HOPE AND THE PLAN IS WITH CORRI XR IS WE HAVE THIS GENE IDENTIFIED, AND FOR OUR FIRST ROUTE OUT, IT'S LUNG, HEAD AND NECK, WITH THE ADDITION OF GLIOBLASTOMA, WHICH I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA SPEAK WITH DR. JAMES BATTISTE LATER.

DR. JAMES BATTISTE IS A NEURO-ONCOLOGIST AT OU STEPHENSON CANCER CENTER.

HE HAS WORKED WITH MOORAD ON A PREVIOUS BIOTECH PROJECT HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

DR. BATTISTE SAYS HE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MOORAD AGAIN USING CORRI XR'S GENE SPLICING TECHNOLOGY IN RESEARCH AT THE STEPHENSON CANCER CENTER.

>> IT DOES SOUND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LIKE SCIENCE FICTION, BUT WHAT YOU REALLY GOT TO DO ACTUALLY IS KIND OF LET -- LET'S GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF WHAT CANCER IS.

SO CANCER IS A DISEASE OF MUTATED GENES, MUTATED DNA.

>> BATTISTE SAYS THE GENE SPLICING TECHNOLOGY THEY WILL USE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO UNLOCK MORE EFFECTIVE CANCER THERAPIES.

>> ACTUALLY CORRI XR HAS KIND OF COME UP WITH THE ULTIMATE TREATMENT FOR CANCER, WHICH IS GOING BACK AND EDITING THE GENES OR TARGETING THE GENES THAT ACTUALLY GAVE US THE CANCER IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THAT KEEPS THE TREATMENTS FROM BEING WORSE THAN THE CANCER ITSELF.

>> IT'S REALLY, REALLY NEAT, BECAUSE WE'RE ACTUALLY KIND OF FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE.

IN THE PAST, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN TOXIC CHEMOTHERAPIES OR RADIATION OR SURGERY.

THAT'S ALL VERY INVASIVE AND VERY, YOU KNOW, TOXIC IN MANY WAYS.

BUT NOW WE'RE TRYING TO GET AT THE HEART OF TREATING CANCER.

SO THAT'S WHAT'S REALLY NEAT ABOUT THIS, IS THIS -- WE CAN FINALLY TRY TO GET AT THE ROOT CAUSE.

THAT COULD LEAD TO LESS SEVERE TREATMENTS WHICH ONLY TARGET THE CANCER, CHANGING AVAILABLE THERAPIES FROM A SHOTGUN APPROACH TO A RIFLE APPROACH.

OF COURSE, BEING A NEURO-ONCOLOGIST, BATTISTE'S RESEARCH WILL FOCUS ON BRAIN TUMORS.

>> THE RESEARCH WE'RE LOOKING AT IS, IF WE CAN DIRECTLY DELIVER THIS TREATMENT TO THE BRAIN FOR A BRAIN TUMOR, CAN WE TREAT CANCER?

BECAUSE ACTUALLY BRAIN TUMORS ARE PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST BOTH FEARED AND AGGRESSIVE AND DEVASTATING, YOU KNOW, TUMORS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

>> WHILE CANCER WILL BE THE FOCUS FOR CORRI XR FOR NOW, MOORAD SAYS THIS GENE-SPLICING TECHNOLOGY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO UNLOCK TREATMENTS FOR OTHER DISEASES.

>> IT'S REALLY EXCITING IN TERMS OF MEDICINE AND THE HOPE THAT IT BRINGS FOR THESE ONCOLOGY PATIENTS.

BUT WE CAN DO THIS WITH VARIOUS GENES.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN THINK OF INSULIN RESISTANCE.

THERE'S OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO.

SO THIS IS REALLY A CANDY STORE, AND THIS IS JUST THE -- JUST THE BEGINNING.

>> THAT POTENTIAL IS WHAT CAUGHT OKLAHOMA CITY BASED VENTURE CAPITALIST FUND CORTADO INVESTMENTS' ATTENTION.

CORTADO IS PROVIDING FUNDING FOR CORRI XR THERAPEUTICS TO CONTINUE ITS MISSION TO FIND CANCER TREATMENTS USING GENE SPLICING.

>> IT'S PRIMARILY THREEFOLD.

SO, YOU KNOW, ONE IS OUR TOTAL BELIEF IN DEBORAH, THE NEW CEO WHO HELPED US WITH THE CORRI XR INVESTMENT, JOIN THE TEAM.

TWO IS OKLAHOMA CITY'S BIOTECH HISTORY.

SO THERE HAVE BEEN SOME REAL WINNERS PRODUCED HERE IN THE PAST.

WE'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PEOPLE AND ASSETS HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY TO BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMMERCIALIZE EARLY STAGE BIOTECH.

SO BEING ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, FIND THAT TECHNOLOGY AND BRING IT HERE IS REALLY PROMISING.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE THIRD IS JUST THE TECHNOLOGY ITSELF.

SO I THINK EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY, GETS EXCITED ABOUT CURING CANCER, BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS APPROACH IS REALLY INTERESTING AND DIFFERENT.

OF COURSE, FOR CORTADO OR ANY VENTURE CAPITAL FUND TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT LIKE THIS TAKES A LOT OF DUE DILIGENCE.

>> ULTIMATELY, WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR, IS THIS TRULY A GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN REVOLUTIONIZE WHATEVER INDUSTRY IT'S GOING INTO, AND DO WE BELIEVE THE TEAM AROUND IT CAN REALLY PULL IT OFF?

SO THOSE ARE THE BIG QUESTIONS THAT WE HAD TO ANSWER WITH THIS ONE THAT WE FELT, YOU KNOW, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.

>> MORING ADDS IT'S EXCITING TO SEE DEBORAH BRING CORRI XR'S RESEARCH TO OKLAHOMA.

>> THE OTHER THING THAT IS REALLY FUN TO SEE WITH CORRI XR IS, YOU KNOW, HAVING DEB AT THE HELM, WHO HAS DONE THIS BEFORE.

SHE HAD A BIG SUCCESS COMING BACK AND SAYING, HEY, I WANT TO REINVEST IN OKLAHOMA AND I WANT TO DO THIS AGAIN AND PULL MORE OAKIES INTO THE TEAM.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT IS A GOOD INDICATION OF WHERE OUR ECOSYSTEM IS GROWING IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO GROW MORE STARTUPS AND LAUNCH NEW INNOVATIONS HERE.

>> IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME COMING BACK AND DOING THIS AGAIN TO HIT AS MANY OKLAHOMA TIES AS I COULD, BECAUSE IN THIS INDUSTRY, A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF THE EAST COAST AND THE WEST COAST OF HAVING ALL THE RESEARCH CENTERS AND THE TECHNOLOGIES.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT RIGHT NOW IN OKLAHOMA, AND IT MEANS A LOT TO BE HERE AND BE PART OF THESE THINGS.

>> MOORAD SAYS OKLAHOMA CITY IS READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN ATTRACTING BIOTECHNOLOGY START-UP BUSINESSES LIKE HERS.

>> YOU HAVE CORRI XR WORKING WITH THE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER.

YOU HAVE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION.

DR. COURTNEY GRIFFIN, A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, IS THE VP OF RESEARCH NOW AT OMRF.

THEY HAVE A GENE SEQUENCING CENTER AT OMRF.

SO BEING ABLE TO DO THE CLINICAL TRIAL HERE, HAVING A CLINICIAN HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

ALSO, WE HAVE MANUFACTURING FACILITIES.

WE HAVE CYTO ADVANCE.

WE HAVE THE NEW ADDITION OF WHEELER LABS THAT'S NOW IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

SO BRINGING ALL THESE THINGS, THESE ARE ALL TIES THAT CORRI XR CAN WORK WITH HERE IN OUR STATE.

>> THE GENE-SPLICING RESEARCH COMING TO OKLAHOMA THROUGH CORRI XR IS JUST GETTING STARTED.

SO IT COULD BE SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE THE TREATMENTS DEVELOPED HERE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PATIENTS.

>> RICH.

>> GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION IS GIVING OKLAHOMA A MIXED REPORT CARD IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON TOBACCO PREVENTION.

THE STATE DID GET TWO A'S, FOR ITS FUNDING LEVELS FOR TOBACCO PREVENTION PROGRAMS, AND COVERAGE AND ACCESS TO SERVICES TO HELP PEOPLE QUIT SMOKING.

BUT OKLAHOMA ALSO RECEIVED TWO F'S AND A D. >> THE ALS BELIEVES OKLAHOMA'S TAXES ON TOBACCO ARE TOO LOW TO ENCOURAGE QUITING.

AND WE FLUNKED ON THE STRENGTH OF SMOKE-FREE WORKPLACE LAWS AND ON ENDING THE SALE OF ALL FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

>> THE BETHANY CHILDREN'S HEALTH CENTER HAS BEEN PROVIDING PEDIATRIC CARE FOR 125 YEARS.

AND THIS WEEK, THEY UNVEILED A 10-MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION OF THEIR COMPLEX CARE UNITS.

THE 12 UNITS, WHICH ARE 25 YEARS OLD, ARE NOW EQUIPPED WITH ZERO-3D TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED CARE FOR KIDS WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL NEEDS.

OTHER UPGRADES INCLUDES BEDSIDE LIFTS, IMPROVED TV AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS AND MORE STORAGE SPACE.

A PORTION OF THE RENOVATIONS WERE PAID FOR WITH 2 MILLION DOLLARS IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS.

>> EACH UNIT WILL HOLD ABOUT 8 TO 12 PATIENTS, AND IT'S REALLY BUILT AROUND EACH CHILD.

AND WE STARTED WITH, HEY, WHAT DOES THAT CHILD NEED?

THESE ARE KIDS WHO ARE GOING TO BE WITH US -- YOU KNOW, AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS ABOUT THREE YEARS.

AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHILE WE HAVE HOSPITAL RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THEIR STAY IS AS HOMELIKE AS POSSIBLE.

WE DON'T WANT THIS TO BE HOME, BUT WE WANT IT TO BE AS HOMELIKE AS POSSIBLE.

SO THAT MEANS EVERYTHING WAS BUILT AROUND THE CHILD, AND WE HAD A LOT OF INPUT FROM OUR STAFF WHO ACTUALLY WORK IN THESE SPACES AS WELL AS THE FAMILIES THEMSELVES AS WELL.

>> SO WE'LL HAVE KIDS HERE WHO GET TO GO HOME AFTER 5, 6, 7 WEEKS OF REHABILITATION, AND NOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO HOME IN A WAY THAT WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY HAVE A LOT MORE INDEPENDENCE OVER THEIR WHOLE SURROUNDINGS AND ENVIRONMENT.

AND WE USE THIS SMART HOME TO HELP TRAIN AND ALSO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR THOSE FAMILIES.

SO WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE OUR STAFF BE ABLE TO USE THE -- REALLY THE LATEST EQUIPMENT TO BE ABLE TO, AGAIN, MAXIMIZE THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY CHILD.

AND SO THAT'S THAT INVESTMENT THAT WE -- THAT REALLY, FRANKLY, THE COMMUNITY HAS MADE IN US TO BE ABLE TO SERVE OUR CHILDREN BETTER.

>> THE CENTER ALSO RECEIVED PRIVATE DONATIONS TO HELP PAY FOR THE RENOVATIONS.

>> BREAKING GROUND ON A NEW INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS FACILITY AT THE TULSA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATE-WIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THE NEW 45,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY WILL MAKE COMMERCIAL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL POSSIBLE WHEN IT OPENS IN LATE 2025.

TULSA MAYOR GT BARNUM WAS JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM FLINT CO WHICH WILL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT THE BUILDING.

MEXICO AND THE CARIBBEAN ARE CURRENTLY THE INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS FOR TIA TRAVELERS.

THE OKLAHOMA HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION HAS SELECTED ITS 2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

DAVID DAVIS OF SPARK HOSPITALITY IN EDMOND WILL CHAIR THE 7 PERSON BOARD THE OHLA WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1974 AND ADVOCATES FOR A HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY THAT CURRENTLY INCLUDES MORE THAN 78,000 HOTEL ROOMS THAT GENERATE $5.5 BILLION IN SALES ANNUALLY.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL WILL HELP LEAD A WEBINAR INVOLVING THE COUNTRY OF TAIWAN AND OKLAHOMA'S GROWING UNMANNED AVIATION INDUSTRY.

THE VIRTUAL GATHERING SET UP FOR JANUARY 25th WILL GIVE OKLAHOMA DRONE PRODUCERS A CHANCE TO EXPAND THEIR MARKET IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TAIWAN'S UAS ENTREPRENEUR.

LAND VALUES FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS ARE HOLDING STEADY HEADING INTO 2024 DESPITE DECLINING COMMODITY MARKETS, RISING INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION, ACCORDING TO A JUST RELEASED REPORT FROM FARMERS NATIONAL COMPANY.

BUYER DEMAND REMAINS STRONG FOR QUALITY CROP LAND ACROSS THE MIDWEST, WHILE THE SUPPLY OF THAT LAND REMAINS LIMITED.

LAND MARKETS HAVE INCREASED IN VALUE DURING THE PAST 3 YEARS.

THE CITY OF EDMOND'S AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDER HAS SWITCHED FROM MSA TO AMERICAN MEDICAL SPONSOR AMR.

THE 660,000-DOLLAR ONE-YEAR AGREEMENT WILL BE REVIEWED EACH YEAR.

WHILE THE GROUND SERVICE AMBULANCE PROVIDER IS CHANGING, MEMBERSHIP IS STILL AVAILABLE TO EDMOND RESIDENCE FOR $3 PER MONTH CHARGE TO THEIR UTILITY BILL.

THE PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS, OR PBR IN, PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL COWBOY AND WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM HAS DEBUTED A HALL OF FAME KIOSK THAT WILL TRAVEL NATIONALLY WITH THEIR UNLEASH THE BEAST TOUR, THE TOP BULL RIDERS IN THE WORLD TAKING ON THE BEST BULLS IN THE PLANET.

THE MOBILE MUSEUM INCLUDES A VARIETY OF INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS AND ARTIFACTS.

THIS IS THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SIGNALING THEY'RE NOT INTERESTED IN TACKLING A STATE INCOME TAX CUT UNTIL THE REGULAR SESSION BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 5TH, WILL NEXT WEEK'S SPECIAL SESSION CALLED BY GOVERNOR STITT PRODUCE RESULTS?

AND WILL A TAX CUT HAVE A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR STATE'S ECONOMY?

THAT WAS THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> THANK YOU.

RICH.

WE'RE JOINED TODAY BY SENATOR JULIA CARRY AND SENATOR THOMPSON FROM OKEMAH.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

>> EXCITED.

LOOKING FORWARDS TO A GOOD DISCUSSION.

>> LET'S START HERE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN TO CUT TAXES?

>> IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME THE GOVERNOR HAS CALLED FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.

IN FACT, THESE AREN'T REALLY SPECIAL ANYMORE.

THEY COME TO A REGULAR INTERIM.

HE HAS CALLED FOR A QUARTER PERCENT INCOME TAX, WHICH HAS A FULLY REALIZED RATE OF 250 MILLION.

THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS WILL ANSWER THE CALL, AND WE'LL BE HERE ON MONDAY AND WE'LL CAUCUS AND DECIDE WHERE TO GO FROM THAT POINT.

>> SENATOR KURT, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS POTENTIAL TAX CUT?

>> ONE OF THE BIG THINGS IS THIS TRANSPARENCY.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT CALLING US ONE WEEK IN BEFORE WE WOULD MEET, AND A LOT OF MY CONSTITUENTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THINGS HAPPENING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD.

WE'VE GOT A BROKEN BUDGET PROCESS WHERE REALLY A LOT OF THE DECISIONS WERE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, AND THE PUBLIC DIDN'T REALLY GET A CHANCE TO WEIGH N WE'RE IMPROVING THAT IN THE SENATE WITH SENATOR THOMPSON AND OUR PRO-TEM HAVE MADE LEADERSHIP TRY TO MAKE THINGS MORE APPARENT, LET THE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING UP AT THE BUILDING, AND A SPECIAL SESSION IS GOING TO UNDER MIND ALL OF THAT.

PEOPLE WON'T KNOW WHAT'S COMING.

>> HOW SO?

WELL, SO, IF IT HAPPENS OVERNIGHT, WE'LL SEE A BILL GOING -- IT WILL BE FILED AND PASSED IN THE SAME DAY.

IT WILL CROSS OVER EITHER FROM THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE, AND IT WILL ALL BE PASSED IN 4 TO 5 DAYS, AND THERE'S NOT TIME FOR PEOPLE TO REALLY WEIGH IN.

MY OTHER BIG THING, IS ARE WE SOLVING REAL PROBLEMS?

I'M NOT HEARING FROM MY CONSTITUENTS THAT TAX CUTS ARE WHAT THEY NEED.

THEY NEED BETTER ROADS, AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THIS EMPHASIS ON TAX CUT AS SOME KIND OF EASY ANSWER WHEN REALLY WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE REALLY PROBLEMS WE NEED TO BE SOLVING.

>> SENATOR THOMPSON.

>> HOWEVER, FOR A BILL TO BE DONE IN FIVE DAYS, THERE'S GOT TO BE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND GOVERNOR, AND TODAY THERE'S NO AGREEMENT THAT I'M AWARE OF.

AND SENATOR FRIED HAS BEEN VERY VOCAL ON THE TAX CUT.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, HE'S ON RECORD SAYING THE SPECIAL SESSION IS A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE'S NO AGREEMENT.

>> ARE WE EXPECTING TO HEAR DIFFERENT FROM THE GOVERNOR DURING THIS SPECIAL SESSION RATHER THAN THE ONES WE'VE ALREADY SEEN BACK IN OCTOBER?

>> I DON'T SEE ANYTHING DIFFERENT COMING OUT OF IT.

HE'S CALLED THE SESSION, AND I AGREE WITH SENATOR KIRK, IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A TAX CUT, IT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THE FULL PROCESS, FINANCE COMMITTEE, AND AT THE END OF THE MAY, CAN WE AFFORD IT OR NOT AFFORD IT?

KEEP IN MIND WE DON'T HAVE OUR FEBRUARY 15th NUMBERS YET IN DETERMINING WHERE TO START, MUCH LESS BEGIN TO CUT THAT BEFORE WE KNOW WHERE THE REAL NUMBERS ARE.

>> SENATOR THOMPSON, WHY SHOULDN'T WE HAVE A TAX CUT?

>> SIMPLE REASON IS WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE NUMBERS ARE.

AS SENATOR KIRK BROUGHT UP, MY DISTRICT IS THE SAME.

NO ONE IS ASKING FOR A TAX CUT.

WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR, TAKE CARE OF OUR SCHOOLS, NURSING HOMES, HOSPITALS, ROADS.

WE HAVE REAL NEEDS INSIDE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO BE TAKING CARE OF.

AGAIN, I'M GOING TO SAY, QUESTION 640-1992 MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO RAISE TAXES.

I WAS HERE WHEN THE STATE RAN OUT OF MONEY AND WE HAD TO WORK REALLY HARD.

TODAY WE HAVE A LITTLE MONEY IN SAVINGS, AND OF COURSE THE NUMBER WE HAVE IN SAVINGS YOU HEARD EVEN OF YESTERDAY OF $10 BILLION, I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THOSE NUMBERS COME FROM.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE ABOUT $2 BILLION IN CARRYOVER CASH THAT WE CAN LOOK AT SOME NEEDS OF THE STATE.

>> SENATOR KIRK, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM OTHER LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL SESSION?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION, BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE NOT GOTTEN ANY NEW INFORMATION.

WE'RE JUST HITTING THAT SAME NOTE AGAIN AND AGAIN, AS IF TAX CUTS ARE GOING TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS, BUT WE'VE CUT TAXES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

LAST YEAR, TAXES WERE CUT SIGNIFICANTLY FOR PEOPLE WITH KIDS IN PRIVATE SCHOOL.

THAT'S 150 MILLION DOLLARS OF TAX MONEY THAT'S GOING TO PAY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS THIS YEAR.

THAT'S NOT EVEN HAPPENED YET.

WE'RE IN THAT YEAR.

SO THOSE TAX CUTS HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED.

TAX CUTS HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.

WE'VE GONE WAY DOWN IN TERMS OF OUR INCOME TAX AND CORPORATE TAX.

MEANWHILE, WE HEAR PEOPLE SAYING THEY WANT OUR GOVERNMENT TO BE RELIABLE.

WE'VE BEEN ON THIS OIL AND GAS ROLLERCOASTER.

THE MORE WE CUT THOSE CIENS OF F TAX, THE MORE WE'RE RELYING ON THEM.

>> WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THE STATE INCOME TAX IS ACTUALLY PAYING FOR?

>> THE STATE INCOME TAX IS APPORTIONED OUT.

AS SENATOR KIRK BROUGHT OUT, THE BILL WE PASSED LAST YEAR FOR THE PRIVATE EDUCATION, IT WAS 150 MILLION.

THAT ACTUALLY COMES OFF THE TOP AND OUT OF YOUR INCOME TAX.

SO THIS YEAR WE'RE DONE ABOUT 4% IN OUR INCOME TAX COLLECTION.

1.4% OF THAT 4% IS ACTUALLY THAT 150 MILLION.

INCOME TAX IS OUR MAJOR ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE SAY THE OF OKLAHOMA, AND IT WILL BRING IN ALMOST $4 BILLION A YEAR, SO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ROADS, TALKING ABOUT SCHOOLS, TALKING ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE NORMALLY TOUCH IN THE STATE IS GOING TO BE FADE FOR BY -- PAID FOR BY INCOME TAX.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER REVENUE STREAMS THAT COME IN, BUT INCOME TAX IS THE ONE WE RELY HEAVILY UPON.

>> YOU MADE A GREAT POINT EARLIER ABOUT WHAT OKLAHOMA HAS IN THE BANK.

DO WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO AFFORD THE STATE INCOME TAX BEING CUT?

>> KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE WAS A REPORT THAT CAME OUT TALKING ABOUT OUR REVOLVING FUNDS, AND THEN ANOTHER NEWS RELEASE THAT CAME IN THAT IF YOU ADD THE EDUCATION MONEY TO THAT, THE 1017 FUND OF 1.2, THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE $10 BILLION.

THAT IS A FALSE STATEMENT.

IF YOU TAKE ALL OF THOSE REVOLVING FUNDS, YOU'RE ASSUMING NO LIABILITIES.

PART OF THAT IS RISK MANAGEMENT.

YOUR EDUCATION FUND GOES OUT TO SPENDING FOR SCHOOLS.

IT'S LIKE YOU GETTING YOUR PAYCHECK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH AND SAY I DON'T HAVE ANY BIDS.

BILLS.

IT'S NOT LOGICAL AND FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.

>> CAN I ADD TO THAT?

WHEN THAT REPORT CAME OUT, THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN DECADES ABOUT OUR TAX REVENUES COMPARED IN TERMS OF HOW VOLATILE THOSE SOURCES ARE.

IT'S THE KIND OF DECISION-MAKING I'D LOVE TO SEE US MAKE.

A LOT OF THESE FINANCIAL DECISIONS ARE MADE WITHOUT ANALYZING WHAT'S THAT GOING TO AFFECT IN FIVE YEARS OR TEN YEARS.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OUR KIDS AND HAVING A RELIABLE GOVERNMENT GOING FORWARD.

WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY SHOULD BE DONE INSTEAD?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT REPORT, FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE WILLING TO HOLD IN TERMS OF TAXPAYER MONEY.

PEOPLE EXPECT US TO KEEP ALIVE OUR HEALTH SYSTEMS, KEEP OUR ROADS GOING.

WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NOT THAT NECESSARY?

AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE WILLING TO HOLD IN HAND.

I THINK GOING IMMEDIATELY TO TAX CUTS DOESN'T LET US HAVE THAT REAL LONG-TERM CONVERSATION OF WHAT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR STATE TO COVER, WHAT ARE THE CORE SERVICES WE COULDN'T DO WITHOUT?

>> SO WHEN WE LOOK AT TAX CUTS, KEEP IN MIND, ALSO, IT'S A THREE-YEAR PROCESS TO FULLY REALIZE THAT TAX CUT.

SO WHENEVER WE COME OUT AND SAY WE DO A QUARTER PERCENT, IT'S LIKE 90 MILLION.

THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING 100 MILLION.

THE FIRST YEAR, THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR, THAT'S ACCURATE.

BUT AS WE GET FULLY REALIZED AT THREE YEARS, IT'S $250 MILLION A YEAR.

SO LET'S BE TRANSPARENT IN THE FULL CONSIDERATION.

CONVERSATION.

IT WILL NOT BE FULLY REALIZED.

I CAME HERE WHENEVER WE WERE OUT OF MONEY, $2 IN OUR RAINY DAY FUND.

I WAS HERE IN 2020 WHEN WE USED 400 MILLION OF OUR CASH TO KEEP FROM CUTTING AGENCIES BECAUSE WE HAD AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.

AGAIN, I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY GROWN PEOPLE WITH TWO NICKELS IN THEIR POCKET RUBBING TOGETHER ACHING TO SPEND.

IT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> DO THE TAXES IN OKLAHOMA HINDER PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES FROM COMING TO THE STATE?

>> I DO NOT THINK SO.

SENATOR RAIDER HAS LED A GROUP LOOKING AT TAX REFORM.

HE'S GOT A REPORT OUT, THAT ACTUALLY IF WE WANT TO BE A TOP 10 STATE, WE LOOK AT THE LEAST BURDEN OF OUR TAXES, WE'RE IN THAT TOP 10.

>> SENATOR THOMPSON, WHY DOES THIS ISSUE NEED TO BE SETTLED IN THIS SPECIAL SESSION RATHER THAN THE UPCOMING REGULAR SESSION IN FEBRUARY?

>> IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE SETTLED IN MY OPINION.

IT IS AN IDEA THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

LET'S GET IN AND LET'S GET THIS DONE AND LET'S JUST SAY WHAT HAPPENED, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT LET'S JUST SAY IT HAPPENS, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAVE 250 MILLION LESS MONEY TO SPEND.

THE LEGISLATURE IS CHARGED BIT CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO WRITE THE BUDGET.

WE'RE TAKING THAT VERY SERIOUSLY ON THE SENATE SIDE, BOTH WITH THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

IF WE GET TO THE END OF SESSION AND TAX CUT MAKES SENSE AND IT GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS, THEN LET'S HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.

BUT NO.

1, LET'S GET OUR FEBRUARY NUMBER IN.

THAT'S LOOK AT THE NEEDS OF THE STATE.

LET'S LOOK AT THE END OF THE PROCESS.

AND WHAT IS THE ECONOMY DOING?

AND THEN LET'S HAVE A VOTE IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

LET US AS A LEGISLATURE DO WHAT WE ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY COMMANDED TO DO.

>> SENATOR KIRK, HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TAXPAYERS TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> WE JUST GOT THOSE NUMBERS.

IT'S ABOUT 70,000 A WEEK, WHICH IS SHOCKING TO PEOPLE, I THINK.

THERE'S COST FOR STAFFING, MILEAGE, GETTING PEOPLE INTO TOWN.

IT'S DEFINITELY A WASTE OF FUNDS.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD ADD, JUST ON THAT GENERAL SESSION ON WHY A SPECIAL SESSION, IT'S CLEARLY POLITICS OVER PEOPLE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A POLITICAL DECISION TO SEPARATE IT FROM THE REST OF OUR NORMAL SESSION IN AN ELECTION YEAR, AND SO IT'S A POLITICAL DECISION.

IT'S A GAMESMANSHIP THAT'S NOT OKAY.

PEOPLE WANT US SOLVING REAL PROBLEMS, NOT PLAYING GAMES UP THERE.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO DISCUSS IN THE UPCOMING REGULAR SESSION?

>> YOU KNOW, I MEAN, A LOT OF IT SHORT-TERM WE HAVE TO LOOK AT PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT SMALL GOVERNMENT BUT THEN INTERFERING IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES WHERE PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT SMALL GOVERNMENT BUT THEY'RE INTERFERING WITH HEALTH DECISION, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.

I THINK LOCAL CONTROL IS THE CONSTANT DISCUSSION.

WE SEE A LOT OF THINGS COMING FORWARD THAT WILL IMPINGE ON PEOPLE'S RIGHTS LOCALLY, SO I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE PART OF IT.

I HOPE WE CAN KEEP TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH.

WE'VE MADE REAL GAMES, BOTH LONG-TERM IN PREVENTION AND ACCESSING FEDERAL FUNDS.

SENATOR THOMPSON HAS BEEN A LEADER IN TERMS OF UPGRADING ALL OF OUR FACILITIES TO ACTUALLY BE APPROPRIATE FOR IN-PATIENT FACILITIES.

WE HAVE BIG OPPORTUNITIES IN MENTAL HEALTH RIGHT NOW, SO I HOPE WE CAN KEEP MAKING THAT KIND OF PROGRESS.

>> ONE OF THE AREAS I WANT TO BE FOCUSED ON IS REAL HEALTH CARE, AND WE'RE REALLY STRUGGLING IN REAL HEALTH CARE.

IF YOU GET OVER INTO EASTERN OKLAHOMA, ANOTHER CONVERSATION ENTIRELY.

WE'RE VERY THANKFUL TO HAVE THE TRIBES.

IN MY SENATE DISTRICT, ALL BUT ONE OF THE HOSPITALS ARE OWNED BY THE TRIBES.

SO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO FOR HEALTH CARE?

OUR NURSING HOMES.

WE'VE LOST A NURSING HOME IN MY DISTRICT BECAUSE WE'RE NOT PAYING ENOUGH IN SALARIES TO KEEP THEM OPEN.

IT'S NOT A MONEY DECISION.

IT'S A PEOPLE DECISION.

I THINK THE WORTH OF A NATION IS DETERMINED BY HOW YOU CARE FOR YOUR KIDS AND ELDERLY.

SO IF WE GET BACK IN AND WE'VE GOT ELDERLY OUT THERE, WHAT DO WE DO WITH THAT?

HOW DO WE TAKE CARE OF THEM?

WHAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THOSE WHO CAN NO LONGER TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES?

HEALTH CARE IS A MAJOR, MAJOR PUSH FOR ME TO LOOK AT.

BEHAVIOR HEALTH.

WE'VE MADE GREAT STRIDES IN THAT.

COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, COUNSELORS IN SCHOOLS.

HUNGER IN SCHOOLS.

RECENTLY WE TURNED DOWN FEDERAL MONEY FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES.

I THINK THAT'S LUDACRIS WHENEVER CHILDREN ARE HUNGRY.

$40 PER MONTH FOR CHILD MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN OUR DISTRICT GOING FORWARD.

I THINK IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA AND SAY WE'RE HERE TO SERVE YOU.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, ROADS AND THAT WE FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA BECAUSE THAT'S WHO WE SERVE HERE AT 23rd AND LINCOLN.

>> IF THAT STATE INCOME TAX IS CUT, IT WILL AFFECT SOME OF THOSE SERVICES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

KEEP IN MIND IF THAT INCOME TAX IS CUT AND THE STATE QUESTION TAKES A 75% MAJORITY VOTE TO COME BACK, IT'S NOT COMING BACK.

THAT'S INCOME THAT I BELIEVE IS LOST FOREVER.

SO THIS IS NOT A ONE-TIME MINUS $250 MILLION.

THIS IS $250 MILLION EVERY YEAR FROM THIS DAY FORWARD.

>> HAVE WE -- AND I WANT TO BUMP BACK A LITTLE BIT TO THE SPECIAL SESSION ITSELF.

HAVE WE SEEN THIS BEFORE WHERE THE GOVERNOR WILL CALL A SPECIAL SESSION JUST A WEEK BEFORE THE REGULAR SESSION?

>> THIS IS AN UNUSUAL POLITICAL GAME.

IN OTHER STATES, THEY HAVE A BUDGET ONLY SESSION.

IF THE GOVERNOR WAS CALLING US TO A BUDGET ONLY SESSION AND WE ONLY DEALT WITH POLICY EVERY OTHER YEAR, I WOULD BE ALL FOR THAT IF WE HAD A SESSION THAT TRULY FOCUSED ON THE BUDGET.

BUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS PLAYING A GAME AND MOVING IT AHEAD BECAUSE THINGS MIGHT GET IN THE WAY.

WELL, THAT'S THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE, AND IF IT'S NOT A PRIORITY, WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT UP THERE ANYWAY, BECAUSE WE'RE WASTING TIME.

>> IF YOU LOOK UNDER THE LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE SENATE, WE'RE DOING OPEN MEETINGS ALL WEEK LONG, OR ALL SUMMER LONG, INTERIM, ABOUT BUDGET, AND SENATOR KIRK JUST CAME FROM A MEETING THIS MORNING WHERE IT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON BUDGET.

WE'RE WORKING THAT ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

GIVE US THAT OPPORTUNITY TO WORK, AND WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS ASKING US TO DO IS TO DRAW ALL OF THAT TO A CONCLUSION BEFORE THE GAME EVEN STARTS, AND SO WE START ON FEBRUARY 5th.

LET'S TAKE THE WORK THAT THE SUB SUBCOMMITTEES HAVE BEEN DOING, THE FINANCE COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN DOING.

LET'S BRING ALL OF THAT TOGETHER AND HAVE A DISCUSSION IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS.

WHY WOULD WE WANT TO DERAIL THAT AT THE LAST MOMENT?

>> WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE.

I WANTED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OKLAHOMANS TO KNOW ABOUT THE UPCOMING SPECIAL SESSION AND ABOUT THE UPCOMING REGULAR SESSION.

SENATOR KIRK, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> I'LL JUST START WITH YOUR VOICE MATTERS.

MAKE SURE YOUR LEGISLATORS KNOW WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU, BECAUSE I THINK THOSE CONCERNS NEED TO RISE TO THE TOP.

WHEN I HEAR DIRECTLY FROM CONSTITUENTS, I KNOW THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, CHILD CARE, AND I KNOW NOT TO BE TAKING DOWN THE RABBIT TRAILS THE ISSUES THAT ARE NOT IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE, SO I HOPE PEOPLE WILL SPEAK UP TO THEIR LEGISLATORS.

>> SENATOR THOMPSON, ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> I WOULD SAY THE SAME THING, BUT I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE BUT DON'T WANT TO SEE COPY AND PASTED E-MAILS FROM INTEREST GROUPS.

LET US KNOW HOW IT IS IMPACTING YOUR LIFE.

>> HOW HAVE WE SEEN SOME OF THE WAYS THAT THE BUDGET AFFECTS PEOPLE DIRECTLY?

>> WE GO BACK INTO HEALTH CARE.

IF WE DON'T HAVE NURSING HOME RATES -- FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE $47 MILLION THAT WE HAD ON THE ENHANCED NURSING HOME RATE WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS GIVING US THE ENHANCED FUND.

IT'S IN THE PROPOSAL THIS YEAR THAT WE CONTINUE TO PAY THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FEDS HAVE SHUT OFF THAT 47 MILLION, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PAY THAT 47 MILLION SO WEEK KEEP PEOPLE WORKING IN OUR NURSING HOMES AT A DECENT RATE.

IF WE LOSE THAT AND THE RATE GOES AWAY, THEN WE BEGIN TO CLOSE NURSING HOMES.

I'VE BEEN IN NURSING HOMES WITH EMPTY BEDS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE STAFF TO SERVE THAT MANY BEDS, SO IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT WE HAVE THIS DISCUSSION.

SO BEHIND EVERY DOLLAR IS A PERSON, AND I REALIZE IN FRONT OF EVERY PERSON -- IN FRONT OF EVERY DOLLAR IS A TAXPAYER.

I GET THAT.

SO OUR JOB IS TO LOOK AT TAXPAYER DOLLARS, TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY, BE ACCOUNTABLE, AND MAKE SURE WE'RE SERVING THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US, SENATOR JULIE KIRK AND SENATOR ROGER SOMP SON.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE CONVERSATION, CASSIDY.

>> IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A TRIP DOWN TO NEW ORLEANS TO EXPLORE THE CABILDO LOCATED IN ICONIC JACKSON SQUARE AND ORIGINALLY THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT WHEN THE SPANISH RULED SOUTH LOUISIANA.

WE LEARN MORE FROM OUR PBS FRIENDS AT LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>> MUSICIANS AND TOURISTS MINGLE ON A TYPICAL DAY IN FRONT OF THE MUSEUM, A POPULAR ATTRACTION AND GATHERING SPOT IN THE FRENCH QUARTERS JACKSON SQUARE.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED BUILDINGS IN LOUISIANA WHERE NEW ORLEANS PAST AND PRESENT CONVERSION.

>> IT'S REALLY ONE OF THE GREATEST OPTIONS, IF NOT THE GREATEST OBJECT IN OUR COLLECTION.

THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT THING FOR THE WHOLE REGION.

>> STEVEN MCCLAN SKI IS OUR TOUR GUIDE AS WE WALK THESE HALLOWED WALLS, RETRACING FOOTSTEPS OF FAMOUS PEOPLE AND PIVOTAL HISTORY.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST HISTORIC AND SIGNIFICANT ROOMS IN ONE OF THE MOST HISTORIC AND SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS.

THIS IS WHERE THE TRANSFER PAPERS EXECUTED THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE, TOOK PLACE RIGHT HERE, RIGHT IN THIS STATE.

AND SIMILARLY, THIS WAS ALSO ONCE THE HOME FOR LOUISIANA SUPREME COURT, AND IN THIS VERY SPACE IS WHERE THE PLESSY VERSUS FERGUSON CASE WAS ADJUDICATED RIGHT HERE.

>> OVER THE YEARS, THE CABILDO HAS HOSTED MANY DIGNITARIES AND ROYALS.

IN RECENT HISTORY, FRENCH PRESIDENT MANUEL MACRON AND THE KING AND QUEEN OF SPAIN.

>> RIGHT OUT THESE WINDOWS, FOR EXAMPLE, PRESIDENT HARRISON, WHEN HE VISITED NEW ORLEANS, GAVE HIS HELLO TO THE ADORING CROWD BELOW.

AND SIMILARLY, GENERAL LAFAYETTE, ONE OF THE GREAT HEROES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE CITY ON HIS GRAND TOUR IN 1825, HE ALSO ADDRESSED AND WELCOMED THE CROWD FROM THOSE VERY DOORS.

>> THE CABILDO GETS ITS NAME FROM THE SPANISH WORD FOR COUNSEL AND DATES BACK TO 1795 BUILT UNDER SPANISH RULE.

IT SERVED AS THE CENTER OF NEW ORLEANS GOVERNMENT BEFORE BURNING TO THE GROUND IN 1788.

IT WAS REBUILT, AND IN 1908 BECAME A LOUISIANA STATE MUSEUM.

THE CABILDO CAUGHT FIRE AGAIN IN 1988, CLOSING FOR RENOVATIONS UNTIL 1994.

TODAY THE BUILDING FEATURES THREE FLOORS OF EXHIBITS.

THE SECOND FLOOR FOCUSES ON LOUISIANA'S HISTORY, INCLUDING THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS.

THE GROUND FLOOR IS AN OMEGE TO NEW ORLEANS AND THE THIRD FLOOR SHOWCASES LIMITED RUN EXHIBITS, SUCH AS THIS RETROSPECTIVE.

THIS ARTIST IS KNOWN FOR HIS SIGNATURE BUNNY RABBIT PAINTINGS.

>> I OFTEN SAY A MUSEUM IS A PLACE WHERE HISTORY AND LEGACY INTERSECT.

WE'RE LOOKING BACK, BUT WE'RE ALSO THINKING ABOUT OUR FUTURE, AND ONE OF THE WAYS TO DO THAT IS TO ANNUALIZE OUR PRESENCE, AND THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT CONTEMPORARY ARTIST, SO THOSE THREE PARTS FIT TOGETHER QUITE WELL.

YOU SEE THE BUNNIES, BUTTERFLIES, AND FEATURED IN THIS EXHIBITION ARE SOME EXTRAORDINARY LANDSCAPES THAT HE'S DONE OF NEW ORLEANS AND OF LOUISIANA.

>> THE CABILDO ATTACHES TO ANOTHER HISTORIC STRUCTURE CALLED THE ARSENAL.

ON THE DAYS WE VISITED, THERE WERE WORKS ON DISPLAY BY A NEW ORLEANS PHOTOGRAPHER AND SELF-TAUGHT FOLKLORE PAINTER CLEMENTINE HUNTER.

>> WE HAVE AN INTERESTING LITTLE HIGHLIGHT TO THE SHOW AS WELL, BECAUSE NOT ONLY IS THE ROOM FILLED WITH THE AUTHENTIC WORK OF CLEMENTINE HUNTER, BUT THERE ARE INTERESTING STORIES TO TELL ABOUT SOME ELABORATE FORGERIES WHICH WERE MADE OF HER WORK BUT UNCOVERED BIT F.B.I.

>> MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES LATER, THE CABILDO ATTRACTS THE CROWD FOR ITS SPANISH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE AND FRENCH QUARTER ENERGY, STANDING NEXT TO ITS ARCHITECTURAL TWIN AND ALONGSIDE THE ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL.

TOGETHER, THEY ARE A TRIO OF NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND ENDURING SYMBOLS OF LOUISIANA.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, WE'LL PRESENT THE FINAL INSTALLMENT OF OUR 13-PART, YEAR-LONG SERIES ON OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC BLACK TOWNS.

JASON DOYLE PROFILES LIMA, AS IN LIMESTONE, A KEY TO THE TOWN'S ONCE THRIVING PAST.

TAKE THE TRIP WITH US DOWN INTERSTATE 270 TO SEMINOLE COUNTY NEXT FRIDAY AT 7.

WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A STROLL THRU A FOGGY NIGHT IN OKLAHOMA PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY THE OETA PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT.

PLEASE REMEMBER, YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE, OETA.TV.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER BY SEARCHING "OETA ONR."

AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

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

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

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