>>> GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT WEIGHS IN ON THE POSSIBLE ELIMINATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

> THEY MAY BE CUTTING THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

WELL THAT SOUNDS SCARY.

IT'S NOT SCARY AT ALL FOR OKLAHOMA.

>>> THE NEW INTERIM CEO OF THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL, EXPLAINS WHAT HE'LL DO TO FIX THE MANY PROBLEMS INSIDE.

>> YOU KNOW WE ARE TRYING TO BE AS CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE AS WE CAN BE TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.

>>> ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE 6TH RICHEST MAN IN OKLAHOMA, DETERMINED TO GIVE MOST OF THAT MONEY AWAY >> I LIKE TO GIVE TO CAUSES THAT ARE SPECIAL TO ME AND HAVE MEANING FOR ME.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO GIVE.

>>> FEDERAL BUILDINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY MAY SOON BE UP FOR SALE.

WHAT THAT COULD MEAN FOR OKLAHOMA.

>> THERE IS WITHOUT QUESTION A LOT OF PLACES THAT NEED TO BE REALIGNED OR CLOSED, BUT THIS ONE'S MOVING PRETTY FAST SO YOU BETTER BE PRETTY NIMBLE.

>>> AN INDEPTH CONVERSATION ON THE COMING CUTS TO FEDERAL V.A.

STAFFING HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WE'LL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.

>>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS A LOOK AT SOME OF OUR STATE'S MOST RESILIENT CITIZENS, NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LENZ.

THIS WEEK, U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION LINDA MCMAHON SLASHED THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S 4,000 PERSON FEDERAL WORKFORCE ALMOST IN HALF-- WITH A STATED GOAL OF ELIMINATING THE DEPARTMENT ALL TOGETHER.

WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN FOR OKLAHOMA SCHOOL CHILDREN?

FOR EXAMPLE, WOULD PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT "SPECIAL NEEDS" STUDENTS BE CUT, AS SOME EDUCATORS FEAR?

AT HIS WEEKLY NEWS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT SAID PARENTS AND STUDENTS HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR.

>> AND AS YOU'RE HEARING ON THE NEWS, THEY MAY BE CUTTING THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

WELL THAT SOUNDS SCARY.

IT'S NOT SCARY AT ALL FOR OKLAHOMA.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IN, WE EDUCATE OUR KIDS IN OKLAHOMA, WE PAY OUR TEACHERS, WE BUILD THE SCHOOLS.

IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN THAT IN RHODE ISLAND OR FLORIDA OR TEXAS.

IT'S THE STATES THAT ARE DOING THE EDUCATING OF OUR, OF OUR KIDS.

SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DO?

THEY MANAGE A FUNDING FORMULA, BUT AS LONG AS THE STATE'S GETTING THE BLOCK GRANTS OR THE FLEXIBILITY TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS, AREN'T WE CLOSER TO WHAT OKLAHOMANS NEED AND WHAT IS THE WORKFORCE THAT WE NEED TO TRAIN OUR KIDS FOR THAN SOMEBODY IN WASHINGTON DC?

>> THE GOVERNOR ALSO DEFENDED SCHOOL CHOICE TAX CREDITS THAT HAVE EXPANDED IN RECENT YEARS--- SAYING MONEY TO PAY FOR THOSE PROGRAMS IS NOT BEING TAKEN OUT OF THE FUNDING FORMULA FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> 80% OF KIDS ARE GONNA STAY AND GO TO THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL.

SO THAT'S WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS WE'VE EVER DONE.

BUT I SET A SEPARATE SET OF MONEY OVER HERE, TOTALLY SEPARATE FROM THE PUBLIC EDUCATION MONEY.

AND SO IF A KID IS NOT LEARNING AT THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL OR THEY'RE GETTING BULLIED OR MILLION DIFFERENT REASONS, A PARENT CHOOSES THIS OPTION OVER HERE, IT ACTUALLY PER PUPIL FUNDING GOES UP AT THE PUBLIC SCHOOL, AND SO WHY RICH PEOPLE ALREADY HAD SCHOOL CHOICE, WE JUST GAVE SCHOOL CHOICE TO EVERY SINGLE WORKING FAMILY IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THE OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION REPORTS AS OF JANUARY OF THIS YEAR ALMOST $92 MILLION IN TAX CREDITS HAVE BEEN PAID TO PRIVATE AND HOME SCHOOL PARENTS.

THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION IS RECOMMENDING PROSECUTORS INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE CRIMINAL WRONG-DOING BY STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS.

THE COMMISSIONERS DID NOT ELABORATE ON WHAT POSSIBLE CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS WERE VIOLATED.

IT IS ALSO UNCLEAR IF OKLAHOMA COUNTY DA VICKI BEHENNA OR ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND WILL HANDLE THE REQUEST.

THE COMMISSION ALSO APPROVED A SETTLEMENT OVER WALTERS USE OF OFFICIAL SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS TO PROMOTE PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN.

>>> PAUL TIMMONS, THE INTERIM CEO OF THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL HAS BEEN ON THE JOB FOR JUST OVER A MONTH NOW.

HOW'S IT GOING AND WHAT'S THE LATEST ON THE LOCATION AND CONSTRUCTION DATE FOR A NEW JAIL TO REPLACE THE OLD ONE?

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH AN UPDATE.

STEVE?

>>> RICH, FROM THE AGE OF SIX YEARS OLD, PAUL TIMMON'S PARLAYED HIS PASSION TO BE AN OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROLMAN INTO A 34-YEAR CAREER.

FOR MANY YEARS I KNEW TIMMONS AS OHP'S SPOKESMAN UNTIL HE RETIRED IN 2022.

YOU'D THINK A GUY IN THAT POSITION WOULD WANT TO TAKE IT EASY.

>> DO YOU THINK THIS WOULD WORK BETTER?

>> PAUL TIMMONS IS EASY TO ROOT FOR.

PAUL THE FIRST QUESTION IS WHY IN THE WORLD DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS?

>> WELL FOR ME I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO DO IT FOR ALL OF THE RIGHT REASONS.

HEARD ALL OF THE STORIES, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE ABOUT LIKE WHAT GOES ON HERE IN THE JAIL AND A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEMS, BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE STEPPED UP TO TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH THOSE PROBLEMS?

>> THIS 13 STORY STAIN IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY STARTED SHOWING ITSELF LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER IT OPENED 34 YEARS AGO.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAD IT BUILT ON THE EXTREME CHEAP.

THE COUNTY AND ITS REPUTATION HAS PAID DEARLY EVER SINCE.

THIS FACILITY HAS A NATIONAL REPUTATION AS ONE OF THE DEADLIEST JAILS IN THE U.S. AT LEAST 54 INMATES DIED IN THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

PAUL TIMMONS RETIRED FROM THE OHP THREE YEARS AGO.

A YEAR LATER HE WENT TO WORK AS CHIEF INVESTIGATOR AT THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL.

TWO MONTHS AGO, WHEN BRANDI GARNER RESIGNED AS DIRECTOR, THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL TRUST NAMED PAUL TIMMONS INTERIM DIRECTOR.

>> HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO YOURSELF UNDERSTAND WHY YOU THINK THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY DEATHS IN THIS JAIL?

>> OH FOR SURE.

>>WHAT IS IT?

>> WELL I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF THINGS.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT COME HERE ARE IN POOR HEALTH ANYWAY TO BEGIN WITH.

AND THEY HAVE SOME KIND OF ADDICTION PROBLEM, WHETHER IS BE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS SO THEIR HEALTH IS NOT GREAT TO BEGIN WITH.

AND THEN BEING LOCKED IN HERE UH THAT DOESN'T HELP EITHER.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONTACT FAMILY OR ANYBODY THAT IS CLOSE TO YOU AND I THINK SOME TIMES THAT KIND OF WEIGHS ON PEOPLE A LOT.

>> THEY JUST GIVE UP.

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE SEEN THAT IN SOME ATTEMPTED SUICIDES HERE.

>> TIMMONS SAYS JOB NUMBER ONE HAS BEEN TO CURTAIL THE FLOW OF DRUGS, WEAPONS, AND CELLPHONES.

>> YOU KNOW, WE ARE TRYING TO BE AS CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE AS WE CAN BE TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX AND FIGURE OUT WAYS THAT WE CAN MITIGATE THE INTRODUCTION OF CONTRABAND INTO THE FACILITY.

AND THEN I THINK NUMBER TWO IS ADVOCATING FOR THE EMPLOYEES HERE.

>> HE SAYS THE TRAINING ACADEMY FOR GUARDS IN THE PAST YEAR HAS INCREASED FROM TWO TO EIGHT WEEKS.

STARTING PAY FOR GUARDS HAS INCREASED FROM 37,000 TWO YEARS AGO TO 40,000, WHICH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MYLES DAVIDSON ADMITS STILL FALLS SHORT.

>> WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE TYPE OF WAGE TO BRING IN THE BEST TDO'S THAT WE CAN.

BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING THAT.

NO WE ARE CURRENTLY UH WE'RE JUST NOT PAYING ENOUGH.

WHEN'S THAT GOING TO CHANGE?

LONG HOURS.

OVERTIME.

WHEN'S THAT GONNA CHANGE?

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT.

SO AS A COUNTY WE ONLY GET 9% OF EVERY AD VALOREM DOLLAR.

9%.

SO WE HAVE AN OPERATING BUDGET OF ABOUT $120 MILLION.

OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR IS SIX BILLION FOR OKLAHOMA CITY.

UH, THEY HAVE 800,000 CITIZENS THAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

I HAVE OVER 900,000.

>> SEAN CUMMINGS IS A LONG-TIME RESTAURANT OWNER IN THE VILLAGE AND LONG-TIME CRITIC OF THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY COMMISSION.

HE SAYS HE WANTS THE JAIL TO SUCCEED.

HE ALSO BELIEVES OKLAHOMA CITY SHOULD PAY MORE.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS WHO LAND IN IN THE JAIL ARE FROM.

>> HOLD EM HOSTAGE.

THIS IS BUSINESS.

IF YOUR CITY IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF YOUR COUNTY, THE COUNTY NEEDS TO STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES.

SO I MEAN, EASY SOLUTION.

>> YEAH SO I AM A LITTLE SYMPATHETIC TO THE COUNTY WHEN IT COMES TO THIS.

>> I AM TOO.

LOOK I DON'T BLAME THE COUNTY FOR NOT HAVING MONEY.

I DO BLAME THEM FOR NOT HIRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

BUT YOU KNOW WE ALL MAKE THOSE MISTAKES OVER TIME.

WE ARE SUPPOSED TO LEARN FROM THEM AND DO BETTER.

SO I AM HOPING TIMMONS IS THE SOLUTION.

BUT THE OTHER SOLUTION IS OKLAHOMA CITY NEEDS TO PAY.

>> THREE WEEKS AGO THE COUNTY BROKE GROUND ON A NEW COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE CENTER HERE AT 1901 EAST GRAND IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> COUNTY COMMISSIONER DAVIDSON SAYS HOPEFULLY IN THREE YEARS THIS NEW OKLAHOMA COUNTY DETENTION CENTER WILL OPEN NEXT TO THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER.

RIGHT NOW, DAVIDSON ADMITTED TO ME LAST WEEK, THE COUNTY IS $500 MILLION SHORT.

>> HOPEFULLY HERE PRETTY QUICK WE WILL BE ABLE TO FIND A WAY TO FUND AND PAY FOR THE OPERATIONS OF A NEW JAIL, CAUSE THE WAY THAT IT IS CURRENTLY DONE WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT $260 MILLION THAT THE TAXPAYERS APPROVED FROM PROPERTY TAXES.

THE PREVIOUS COMMISSIONERS DID NOT WANT TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO.

AND NOW WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT THAT FUNDING GAP.

>> DAVIDSON SAYS THE COUNTY WILL ASK THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR PERMISSION TO ASK VOTERS FOR A MARIJUANA, ALCOHOL, AND TOBACCO SALES TAX TO RAISE THAT MONEY.

PAUL TIMMONS ISN'T CONCERNED WITH ANY OF THAT.

HE'S GOT A JAIL TO RUN.

RICH.

>>> DOGE, WHICH AGAIN STANDS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY IS ALSO SETTING ITS SIGHTS ON CUTTING STAFF FROM THE FEDERAL VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, AND THEY'RE BIG CUTS: 15% OF THE CURRENT V.A.

WORKFORCE.

WHAT IMPACT WILL THAT HAVE ON THE HEALTHCARE VETERANS RECEIVE?

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF OUR UPCOMING "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> OH, I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GONNA SEE A WHOLE LOT OF CHANGES REALLY ON THE OVERALL PICTURE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT I HEAR EVERY DAY FROM ALL THE VETERANS THAT WE ENCOUNTER, THEY'RE HAPPY, THEY LIKE THEIR HEALTHCARE.

AND SO THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE.

>> I THINK IT'S GONNA OPEN UP EVEN MORE OPPORTUNITIES.

I KINDA LIKE SCOTTY, I THINK CHANGE ARE GONNA CHANGE IN A POSITIVE WAY TO WHERE THERE'S GONNA BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO GET THE HEALTHCARE THAT THEY TRULY NEED AND TO TRULY DESERVE, LET ALONE THE FACT THAT THE CARE, AGAIN, HAS TO CONTINUE.

SO WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT BETTER IS WHAT WE'RE GONNA STRIVE TO DO.

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

>>> PAYCOM FOUNDER CHAD RICHISON IS ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST AND MOST GENEROUS PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA.

WITH A NET WORTH IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF A BILLION-AND-A HALF DOLLARS, RICHISON HAS VOWED TO GIVE MOST OF HIS FORTUNE AWAY-- SOMETHING HE RARELY TALKS ABOUT.

BUT THIS WEEK, RICHISON GRANTED JASON DOYLE AN EXCLUSIVE ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW.

WE WANTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HIS GIFT-GIVING, BUT ALSO, HIS BUSINESS AND WHERE HE SEES IT HEADING IN THE FUTURE.

JASON JOINS US NOW.

JASON?

>> RICH, THIS WEEK, CHAD RICHISON'S EFFORTS TO GIVE BACK WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.

IT'S DURING THAT CEREMONY I CAUGHT UP WITH ONE OF THE TITANS OF OKLAHOMA INDUSTRY.

>> SO IT IS MY HONOR RIGHT NOW TO COME ON UP, CHAD, TO PRESENT CHAD RICHARDSON WITH A AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ST. GEORGE AWARD FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR MISSION.

>> PAYCOM FOUNDER AND CEO CHAD RICHISON ON TUESDAY RECEIVED RECOGNITION FOR HIS MAJOR DONATION TO HELP GET THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S HOPE LODGE UP AND RUNNING IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> I'M PROUD THAT IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS OF OPERATION, THE HOPE LODGE WE'RE IN TODAY HAS SERVED SO MANY PEOPLE PROVIDING A SAFE AND SUPPORTING SPACE DURING A DIFFICULT TIME.

>> THE HOPE LODGE PROVIDES FREE LODGING TO PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY METRO AREA WHO ARE RECEIVING CANCER TREATMENT HERE.

RICHISON'S $5 MILLION GIFT PUSHED THE $16.5 MILLION PROJECT FORWARD.

IT OPENED IN MAY OF 2023.

IN MY CONVERSATION WITH RICHISON BEFORE RECEIVING THE AWARD TUESDAY MORNING, HE SIGNALED HIS APPRECIATION FOR THE ST. GEORGE NATIONAL AWARD.

>> I'M GRATEFUL TO RECEIVE IT.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GIVE BACK WHEN YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY.

I LIKE TO GIVE TO CAUSES THAT ARE SPECIAL TO ME AND HAVE MEANING FOR ME.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO GIVE.

THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ONLY GIVES TEN OF THESE AWARDS EACH YEAR.

>> CHAD IS JOINING AN AMAZING >> RICHISON SAYS IT WAS A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WHICH LED HIM TO GIVE TO THE HOPE LODGE PROJECT.

>> I ACTUALLY TOURED TO HOPE LODGE FIRST IN DALLAS.

ONE OF MY FRIENDS WAS GOING THROUGH CHEMO AT THE TIME AND SO I WAS SPENDING TIME WITH HIM AS HE WAS GOING THROUGH THAT AND KIND OF TOURED THE HOPE LODGE THERE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I WAS ASKED TO BE A PART OF THIS AND, AND I WAS HAPPY TO DO THAT AND, AND WALKING THROUGH THIS NOW, YOU KNOW, JUST KIND OF HOW YOU, YOU'RE ABLE TO KIND OF SEE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IMPACTED AS YOU WALK THROUGH HERE AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT FACILITY.

I THINK IT'S, IT'S NICE HOW IT LOOKS, BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT IT PROVIDES HERE.

>> THE HOPE LODGE IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE OF RICHISON'S PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS.

HE HAS SIGNED THE GIVING PLEDGE.

IT'S A PROGRAM CREATED BY WARREN BUFFETT AND BILL GATES ENCOURAGING BILLIONAIRES TO GIVE THE MAJORITY OF THEIR WEALTH TO CHARITABLE CAUSES.

>> WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO SIGN ON TO THE GIVING PLEDGE?

>> I THINK WHEN YOU GET TO A CERTAIN LEVEL OF WEALTH, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH, CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU.

I THINK THAT I WOULD SAY THIS, I MEAN THE ONLY MONEY WE GET TO TAKE WITH US IS WHAT WE GIVE AWAY.

I, I BELIEVE THAT.

AND SO THE IMPACT THAT YOU CAN MAKE WHILE YOU'RE HERE AND I WAS HAPPY TO DO THAT AND I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE.

>> RICHISON ALSO CREATED THE GREEN SHOE FOUNDATION IN 2015.

>> IT'S A MENTAL HEALTH RETREAT TO HELP FUNCTIONING ADULTS LIVE A LIFE OF PEACE AND MATURITY.

SO YOU GO THROUGH A PROCESS, IT'S A FIVE DAY, A FIVE DAY COURSE.

>> OF COURSE, TO MAKE ALL OF THIS HAPPEN, RICHISON EARNED HIS WEALTH THROUGH THE CREATION OF HIS HUMAN RESOURCES SOFTWARE COMPANY, PAYCOM.

>> ACTUALLY AS I STARTED MY COMPANY, I, I DID IT WITH 13 CREDIT CARDS AND AN SBA LOAN.

>> FROM THAT BEGINNING IN 1998 IN OKLAHOMA CITY, PAYCOM HAS GROWN TO A COMPANY ON THE VERGE OF GENERATING REVENUES OF $2 BILLION ANNUALLY.

THE IDEA WAS TO BRING PAYROLL SERVES TO THE INTERNET.

PAYCOM WAS THE FIRST TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL.

>> BEING THE FIRST INTERNET BASED PAYROLL SERVICE ISN'T THE ONLY HALLMARK FOR PAYCOM.

THE COMPANY WAS THE FIRST TO CREATE A SINGLE DATA-BASE SOLUTION IN THE HR TECH INDUSTRY, CREATING EFFICIENCIES FOR COMPANIES, PAYCOM ALSO CREATED THE FIRST APP FOR EMPLOYEES TO INPUT INFORMATION INTO THEIR OWN PAYROLL, AND FOR THEIR CLIENTS A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT TO ASK FOR SERVICE HELP, INSTEAD OF CALLING A NUMBER AND GETTING A RANDOM TECH.

>> I'M GRATEFUL THAT I'M IN THE POSITION THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO, TO START PAYCOM AND TO AND TO BRING US TO WHERE WE'RE ALL WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT DONE.

WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK IN FRONT OF US AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE HAVING A LOT OF FUN DOING IT.

>> RICHISON AND PAYCOM HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THAT WORK BY EXPANDING THE OKLAHOMA CITY HEADQUARTERS CAMPUS RECENTLY.

>> IT'S FINISHED ACTUALLY RIGHT NOW WE'RE ACTUALLY WORKING ON A PARKING GARAGE SO THAT WE CAN BRING SOME OF OUR WORKERS THAT ARE DISPERSED THROUGHOUT OKLAHOMA CITY TO CAMPUS.

>> AS OF DECEMBER 2024, PAYCOM EMPLOYS MORE THAN 7300 PEOPLE.

A SOFTWARE COMPANY, OF COURSE, NEEDS CODERS AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERS.

>> IT'S HARD TO FIND CODERS AROUND HERE.

HOW DOES PAYCOM DO THAT?

HOW DO YOU RECRUIT THOSE TYPE OF FOLKS THAT CAN TAKE YOUR PRODUCTS TO THE NEXT LEVEL?

>> YOU START EARLY.

SO WHEN, WHEN IT COMES TO SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS, OFTENTIMES WE START RECRUITING THEM WHEN THEY'RE FRESHMEN IN, IN COLLEGE.

YOU KNOW, WE, OUR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LOCATIONS BOTH HERE AS WELL AS IN GRAPEVINE OR DALLAS, ACTUALLY, IT'S IN LAS COLINAS.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BOTH FACILITIES THAT WE REALLY ATTRACT SOFTWARE TALENT TO.

AND SO WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS DOING THAT.

>> RICHISON SAYS PAYCOM PLANS ITS DRIVE TO CONTINUE TO INNOVATE HR SOFTWARE AND PRACTICES.

>> THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY'S CHANGING JUST HOW WE ALL INTERACT WITH TECHNOLOGY'S CHANGING.

THE SPEED OF THE RESPONSE IS CHANGING.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THE FUTURE FOR US IS REALLY KIND OF MOVING INTO FULL AUTOMATION OF OUR PRODUCT.

>> AS HIS COMPANY CONTINUES TO GROW, RICHISON ALSO PLANS TO CONTINUE TO GIVE TO THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE.

>> I'VE ALWAYS LIKED TO GIVE AND, AND GIVE IN A NON-TOXIC WAY.

I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE AND SOMETHING THAT CAN TO, TO SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SUSTAINABLE AND REALLY IMPACT OTHERS.

>> ACCORDING TO THE LATEST EARNINGS REPORT FROM PAYCOM, THE COMPANY IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE MORE THAN $2 BILLION IN REVENUE FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.

RICH.

>>> THE 31ST ANNUAL PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AWARENESS DAY WAS HELD AT THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY IN OKLAHOMA CITY THIS WEEK.

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WERE ON HAND TO HONOR 12 INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WHO HELP EDUCATE, TRAIN, AND SUPPORT THE DISABLED.

THE EVENT, WHICH IS HOSTED BY THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES, INCLUDED A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FROM THE OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND AND DEAF.

10TH GRADER PIPER CONNOR WAS ONE OF THIS YEAR'S HONOREES.

>> IT'S AMAZING, IT'S AMAZING, AND IT FEELS ME WITH LIKE SO MUCH, IT'S JUST SO MUCH JOY AND LIKE ENERGY AND IT MAKES ME FEEL REALLY CONFIDENT IN KNOWING THAT I CAN CONTINUE DOING THINGS THAT I HAVE DONE AND THAT THEY'VE MADE AN IMPACT ALREADY.

I SPENT EIGHT YEARS AS A HERMIT BEING TOLD I WOULD HAVE NOTHING BECAUSE I WAS BLIND AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THE WORLD COULD DO TO ME OR DO FOR ME.

AND TO FIND OUT THAT WE LITERALLY HAVE OUR OWN DAY TO SPREAD AWARENESS AND LET OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME OUT THERE KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT ALONE.

>> IT DEPENDS ON IF YOU'RE TRYING TO GET TO WORK, GRADUATE, BE EDUCATED, OR IF YOU'RE TRYING TO GET ON DISABILITY.

SO YOU CAN COME TO OUR AGENCY AND WE PROVIDE A, A WEALTH OF SERVICES FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS.

ALSO THIS YEAR, JODY HARLAN RECEIVED THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR HER DECADES OF SERVICE WORKING WITH DISABLED OKLAHOMANS.

>>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS SIGNALED THAT IT BELIEVES THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF FEDERAL BUILDINGS THAT ARE EITHER EMPTY OR UNDER UTILIZED AND SHOULD BE LEASED OR SOLD OFF.

ARE ANY OF THEM IN OKLAHOMA?

REPORTER NOAH MACK HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO THAT AND JOINS US NOW.

NOAH, WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT?

>> RICH.

THIS LIST HAS SINCE BEEN TAKEN DOWN AND IS UNDER FURTHER REVIEW --- SO ALL OF THIS IS STILL UP IN THE AIR.

ONE OF THE BUILDINGS THAT WAS ON THAT LIST SITS IN THE SHADOW OF ONE OF OKLAHOMA'S DARKEST DAYS.

>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY FEDERAL BUILDING.

>> I THINK IT'S -- IN THIS COUNTRY OR THE STATE TO CONTROL THE ACTIONS THAT WE TAKE.

>> OPENED TEN YEARS AFTER THE BOMBING OF THE PREVIOUS -- AND NOW SITS ADJACENT OF THE MEMORIAL OF THE 168 PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON APRIL 19, 1995.

>> IT WAS A BOLD MOVE BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CITY LEADERS TO EMBRACE PUTTING THE BUILDING SO CLOSE TO THE BUILDING, BUT IT SENT A MESSAGE.

>> IT PUBLISHED A LIST OF OVER 400 PROPERTIES THAT ARE NONCORE ASSETS.

PUTTING IT AT RISK TO BE SOLD OFF.

THE DEMOCRAT FROM OKLAHOMA CITY, THINKS THIS DECISION WAS IN HIS WORDS, TONE DEAF.

>> WHEN THE LIST CAME OUT, IT WAS OBVIOUS TO ME LOOKING AT THE FACT THAT THE FEDERAL BUILDING WAS ON THE LIST THAT NO ONE THAT REALLY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING OR ACTUALLY DID A DEEP DIVE CREATED THAT LIST.

>> THIS IS A MONTH AWAY FROM THE 30TH THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK.

>> EVEN IF THEY DISPOSE OF THE -- >> THERE'S OVER 3,250 EMPLOYEES CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE FOUR STORY BUILDING, AND THERE'S NERVES SURROUNDING THE FUTURE OF THE OFFICE SPACE.

>> I HAVE TALKED TO EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE WORKED IN THE BUILDING THAT WERE A BIT CONCERNED WHEN IT CAME OUT THAT DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THE BUILDING.

KEEP IN MIND, THAT BUILDING IS BUILT TO WITHSTAND THE TYPE OF ATTACK THAT DESTROYED THE -- BUILDING.

BLAST PROOF WINDOWS, IT'S DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND.

>> THE LIST HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE WEBSITE AFTER RECEIVING PUBLIC FEEDBACK NOW INDICATING THE LIST WILL BE COMING SOON.

THEY SAID IN A STATEMENT, THE LIST WILL BE REPUBLISHED IN THE FUTURE AFTER WE REEVALUATE -- TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE STAKE HOLDERS TO UNDERSTAND THE NUANCES.

THAT I WILL WILL CONTINUOUSLY TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE LIST.

>> THE FACT THAT IT'S NOW DOWN AND NOT ON THE WEBSITE IS ENCOURAGING, AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE STEPS, THIS DOGE GROUP HAS BEEN DOING IN WASHINGTON, THEY'RE BEGINNING TO PULL BACK BECAUSE OF THE PUBLIC OUT CRY.

>> DOGE STANDS FOR DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

THEY'VE BEEN MAKING HEADLINES AS PRESIDENT TRUMP SEEKS TO SLASH FEDERAL SPENDING.

IN THE EFFORTS, DOGE HAS TARGETED OTHER LEASES IN OKLAHOMA.

THE REPRESENTATIVE OF MOORE, OKLAHOMA, WHO IS A REPUBLICAN HAS TAKEN ACTION TO DEFEND THE PROPERTIES.

>> WE WENT THROUGH THE REASONS OF WHY WE THOUGHT THIS WAS A POOR DECISION, AND THEY AGREE.

>> THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN, AND THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES OFFICE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> SOCIAL SECURITY BUILDING, THERE'S NOTHING WITHIN A HUNDRED MILES IN ANY DIRECTION, IT'S A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED AND USED BUILDING.

PROVIDES SERVICES AND THEY FOUND THAT CONVINCING.

NOT VERY HARD IN OKLAHOMA TO POINT OUT WHY YOU NEED INDIAN HOSPITALS IN THE STATE OR THE LARGEST NATIVE AMERICAN POPULATION IN THE COUNTRY AND THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN IN ANY STATE EXCEPT ALASKA.

AND THEN NOT TOUGH TO DEFEND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, THERE'S ONLY ONE.

AND THE ENTIRE COUNTRY HAS AN INTEREST IN KNOWING WHEN BAD WEATHER IS COMING.

>> IT'S CRUCIAL THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS MAINTAIN AN OPEN DIALOGUE WITH DOGE, HE HAS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FEDERAL OFFICES IN HIS OWN STATE.

>> I KNOW VERY WELL, WHO'S WORKING THERE, WHAT THE FUNCTION IS, WHAT'S GOING ON.

THAT'S A LOT DIFFERENT THAN SOMEBODY IN WASHINGTON, DC, LOOKING AT NUMBERS.

>> HOWEVER, HE BELIEVES THAT SOME OF THE CUTS ARE NECESSARY.

>> THERE IS WITHOUT QUESTION, A LOT OF PLACES THAT NEED TO BE REALIGNED OR CLOSED.

THIS ONE IS MOVING PRETTY FAST, SO YOU BETTER BE NIMBLE IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN SOMETHING THEY LAID OUT.

I RECENTLY MET ELON MUSK, AND HE SAID, WE KNOW WE MAKE MISTAKES, WE NEED PEOPLE POINTING THAT OUT AND WE'LL FIX THE MISTAKE.

>> HE DIDN'T MENTION THE BUILDING DIRECTLY, BUT HE'S OPEN TO HELPING AND WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE IT CLOSED.

THE FATE OF THE BUILDING REMAINS IN LIMBO.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO RELY ON THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, ESPECIALLY THE TWO SENATORS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

>> GSA WANTS TO STRESS THAT EVEN THOUGH A PROPERTY POPS UP ON THE LIST DOES NOT MEAN IT IS IMMEDIATELY UP FOR SALE.

BUT ADDED THAT THEY WILL CONSIDER COMPELLING OFFERS.

RICH.

>> AS WE DO EACH WEEK DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WE WELCOME OUR CONTENT PARTNERS AT QUORUM CALL TO BREAK DOWN THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL.

JOINING US NOW, QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY AND SHAWN, THE DEADLINE TO PASS BILLS OUT OF COMMITTEE IS OVER.

WHAT DID THAT DO TO THE NUMBER OF BILLS THAT ARE STILL ALIVE FOR CONSIDERATION?

>> WELL, LAWMAKERS BEGAN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH ABOUT 3,100 PIECES OF, OF, OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS TO CONSIDER AFTER THAT FIRST DEADLINE.

THEY'RE DOWN TO ABOUT A THOUSAND REMAINING TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE MARCH 27 DEADLINE FOR BILLS TO BE HEARD IN THE FLOOR OF THEIR CHAMBER HOUSE BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS IN THE SENATE.

>> NOW, SHAWN, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS FACING A SIGNIFICANT SHORTFALL IN FUNDING.

HOW MUCH, AND DO WE KNOW WHY THAT HAPPENED?

>> WELL, BOTH THOSE QUESTIONS REMAIN TO BE ANSWERED.

THE INITIAL RESPONSE HAS BEEN THAT THERE'S ABOUT $60 MILLION THAT THE DEPARTMENT OWES THE OKLAHOMA HEALTHCARE AUTHORITY FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER MEDICAID.

THE OKLAHOMA HEALTHCARE AUTHORITY, OF COURSE, IS THE STATE'S MEDICAID AGENCIES AND MAKES THOSE PAYMENTS TO PROVIDERS.

WHAT LAWMAKERS DON'T KNOW IS EXACTLY HOW BIG WHAT KYLE HILBERT CALLED THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT IS HOW THEY GOT INTO THAT PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO THEY'RE ASKING THE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE OF PHYSICAL TRANSPARENCY TO LOOK INTO THAT SO THAT THEY CAN BOTH FIX THE PROBLEM AND PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> SHAWN, THERE'S ALSO A BILL BEING DISCUSSED IN THE SENATE THAT WOULD ALLOW RECALL ELECTIONS WITH POSSIBLY BOTH THE PUBLIC AND LAWMAKERS INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS.

EXPLAIN THAT TO US?

YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

SENATE BILL-990 BY SENATOR BILL COLEMAN, A REPUBLICAN FROM PONCA CITY, WOULD ALLOW FOR THE RECALL OF STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

NOW, AS YOU SAID, THIS WOULD INVOLVE BOTH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE PUBLIC.

THE LEGISLATURE WOULD CALL FOR THE RECALL ELECTION, AND THEN OF COURSE THE VOTERS WOULD GO TO THE POLLS TO DECIDE WHETHER THAT PERSON REMAINS IN OFFICE OR IS REMOVED.

THE BILL HAS YET TO BE HEARD ON THE SENATE FLOOR, BUT ONCE IT DOES, IT THEN MOVES TO THE HOUSE FOR POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION.

>> HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS HAVE CREATED A NEW JOINT COMMITTEE ON PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDING.

WHAT ARE THEY TASKED WITH DOING?

>> WELL, THIS COMMITTEE IS SORT OF A REBRANDING OF A COMMITTEE THAT BEGAN IN 2021 TO HELP DISTRIBUTE THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS THAT THE STATE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ABOUT $1.87 BILLION IN FUNDING.

NOW, THE NEW VERSION OF THE COMMITTEE IS GOING TO LOOK TO SEE IF THOSE FUNDS ARE BEING PROPERLY SPENT, AND WHETHER ANY MONEY IS LEFT OVER THAT THEN NEEDS TO BE REAPPROPRIATED.

>> SHAWN, I ALSO NOTICED THIS WEEK THAT YOU WERE REPORTING IN QUORUM CALL ABOUT THE FIRST NEW CASES OF THE MEASLES IN OKLAHOMA.

SO GO AHEAD AND SHARE SOME OF THAT REPORTING WITH US?

>> YES.

ON TUESDAY, THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REFERRED, REPORTED THE FIRST TWO CASES OF MEASLES AS A RESULT OF THE TEXAS OUTBREAK AND MADE THEIR WAY INTO OKLAHOMA.

NOW, THE DEPARTMENT DID NOT INDICATE WHERE THOSE CASES WERE, BUT IT DID SAY THAT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE INFECTED, QUARANTINED THEMSELVES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE AND NO ADDITIONAL CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

>> AND SHAWN, VERY QUICKLY, NEXT WEEK'S A SHORT WEEK?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, LAWMAKERS WILL MEET MONDAY AND TUESDAY AND THEN TAKE OFF WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FOR SPRING BREAK, A COUPLE OF DARK DAYS FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

>> ONCE AGAIN, SHAWN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, SIR.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE OSU BOARD OF REGENTS IS STANDING BY THE RESULTS OF AN AUDIT THAT LED TO THE RESIGNATION OF FORMER PRESIDENT, DR. KAYSE SHRUM.

SHRUM SAYS THE AUDIT IS INACCURATE, WHILE BOARD MEMBER JENNIFER CALLAHAN SAYS MISTAKES WERE MADE AND ARE NOW BEING CORRECTED.

EDUCATION REPORTER, TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, ACCORDING TO THE AUDIT, MONEY THAT WAS INTENDED FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH WAS USED FOR OTHER EXPENSES INSTEAD OF WHAT WAS INTENDED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

>> I OBSERVED A MEETING OF THE FOUNDATION AND WAS CONCERNED.

>> OSU A&M REGENT JENNIFER CALLAHAN WHO CHAIRS THE OSU A&M BOARD OF GOVERNANCE REVIEW TASK FORCE SAYS HER MAIN CONCERNS WERE THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE OPEN MEETING ACT.

THESE CONCERNS PLUS EMPLOYEE TIPS EVENTUALLY LED TO AN INTERNAL AUDIT THAT WAS MADE PUBLIC LAEEK.

-- LAST WEEK.

>> IN JUNE, OSU EMPLOYEES CAME FORWARD WITH CONFIDENTIAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOW THESE FUNDS AND OTHER APPROPRIATED DOLLARS WERE BEING REDIRECTED.

>> CALLAHAN SAYS THE UNIVERSITY IS NOW WORKING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WE'RE WORKING HARD TO RECTIFY THINGS AND TO FIX SOME OF THESE ISSUES BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO KEEP OUR MISSION IN PLACE AND YOU KNOW DO IT IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT WE MOVE CORRECTLY.

>> THE AUDIT'S FINDINGS HAVE OSU ALUMNI CONCERNED.

>> I WAS SHOCKED REALLY?

CAUSE I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THAT FROM THE, MY ALMA MATER.

>> OSU ALUMNUS ADAM MARTIN WISHES FORMER PRESIDENT KAYSE SHRUM HADN'T RESIGNED.

>> I PERSONALLY FEEL LIKE I WISH SHE COULD HAVE STUCK AROUND, YOU KNOW, TO FIGHT THIS AND, YOU KNOW, TO EXPLAIN HERSELF.

'CAUSE AS A OSU FAMILY, WE HAD BEEN THROUGH A LOT THAT, THAT TOWN, THAT UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT AND WE'VE OVERCOME IT.

RIGHT.

AND SO I THINK THIS WAS VERY BIG AND I THINK THE INSIDE PEOPLE WITH HER, YOU KNOW, LET HER KNOW LIKE, THIS AIN'T GONNA LOOK GOOD ONCE IT'S, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC AND SHE MADE THE DECISION TO STEP DOWN.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> SHRUM HASN'T TALKED TO THE MEDIA MUCH SINCE RESIGNING, BUT DID ISSUE A STATEMENT TO THE TULSA WORLD DISPUTING THE FINDINGS AND SAYS THAT SHE HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY LAWS THAT WERE BROKEN.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY RECEIVED $41 MILLION FROM THE LEGISLATURE DURING FISCAL YEAR 2023 THROUGH 2025.

ACCORDING TO THE AUDIT UNIVERSITY DID NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE APPROPRIATED FUNDS ACCORDING TO THE RESTRICTIONS IN THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN OSU A&M BOARD AND OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL AUTHORITY.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER JULIA KIRT DID FIND IT TROUBLING HOW SOME THINGS WERE FUNDED THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY'S VARIOUS ENTITIES.

>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT HOW WE FUND THINGS THROUGH THE UHAT AND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL TRUST AND THROUGH OSU HOSPITALS OF COURSE IT MAKES SENSE WHEN ITS SPECIFIC TO THAT HOSPITAL BUT IT WORRIES ME WHEN WE START ADDING OTHER PROJECTS.

>> 20.5 MILLION OF THE $41 MILLION WAS COMMINGLED WITH OTHER FUNDS WHICH IS PROHIBITED BY UNIVERSITY POLICY.

$11.5 MILLION WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE INNOVATION FOUNDATION WITHOUT A WRITTEN REQUEST APPROVED BY THE OKLAHOMA A&M BOARD.

AUDITORS ALSO FOUND THAT THE FOUNDATION DID NOT ACCURATELY ACCOUNT FOR 6.3 MILLION IN FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR RESTRICTED PURPOSE WHICH INCLUDE - 4.9 MILLION RESTRICTED FOR OAIRE WAS GIVEN TO AN HPNRI FUND.

1.4 MILLION RESTRICTED FOR OAIRE WAS GIVEN TO SUPPORT THE INNOVATION FOUNDATION INC. FACILITIES AND OPERATING COST.

OAIRE STANDS FOR THE OKLAHOMA STATE AEROSPACE INSTITUTE.

THE AUDIT ALSO REVEALED THAT $55.5 MILLION FOR THE OKLAHOMA STATE MEDICAL AUTHORITY WAS NOT FULLY PRESENTED TO THE BOARD FOR BUDGET APPROVAL.

LASTLY, AUDITORS SAY THERE WERE MULTIPLE POINTS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DUE TO CERTAIN OSU EXECUTIVES SERVING IN SIMULTANEOUS ROLES FOR EXAMPLE, THE OSU SYSTEM PRESIDENT ALSO SERVED AS THE BOARD CHAIR AND MEMBER OF THE INNOVATION FOUNDATION,INC.

KIRT SAYS LAWMAKERS SHOULD KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON HOW THEY ARE FUNDING OSU'S PROGRAMS.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE MISSION OF THOSE ENTITIES AND KEEP OUR APPROPRIATIONS TO THEM FOCUSED ON THOSE MISSIONS.

>> UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS SAY THE FOCUS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON RESEARCH AND STUDENTS SAYING IN A STATEMENT: OSU REMAINS FOCUSED ON ITS LAND-GRANT MISSION TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION, CONDUCT GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH, GROW THE STATE'S WORKFORCE, AND DELIVER HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR OKLAHOMANS.

NEWLY APPOINTED INTERIM PRESIDENT DR. JIM HESS IS TAKING SWIFT ACTION, ALONG WITH THE OSU/A&M BOARD OF REGENTS, TO ADDRESS THESE MATTERS.

DR. HESS HAS UNDERSCORED THAT WHILE THE FINANCIAL DECISIONS AND TRANSACTIONS THAT OCCURRED ARE CONCERNING, THEY WERE ISOLATED AND DO NOT IMPACT OSU'S OVERALL FINANCIAL FOUNDATION, WHICH REMAINS THE STRONGEST AMONG OKLAHOMA'S INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

AUDITORS RECOMMEND THAT THE FOUNDATION FULLY REIMBURSE TO FULFILL THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AMOUNTS.

OSU ALUMNUS MARTIN HOPES THE AUDIT FINDINGS WON'T TARNISH THE COWBOYS REPUTATION.

>> I JUST DON'T WANT THIS TO BE A STAIN ON THE UNIVERSITY.

I WANT US TO BE, CAN, CAN, I WANT OUR ALUMNI TO CONTINUE TO GIVE AND TO REACH OUT AND GET THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BECAUSE THEY DO A VERY GOOD JOB.

THEY SEND ME STUFF IN THE MAIL ASKING, YOU KNOW, ARE YOU, CAN YOU GIVE AND DONATE TO THIS?

OR WHATEVER IT IS.

AND THEY'RE VERY TRANSPARENT AND I'M HOPING THAT DOESN'T GET LOST IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB AT THE UNIVERSITIES.

>> THIS WEEK OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT APPOINTED CHRIS KUWITZKY AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR THE OSU SYSTEM.

THE APPOINTMENT WILL TAKE EFFECT MONDAY MARCH 17.

RICH?

>> WE NOW KNOW WHO WILL BUILD THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER'S NEW BILLION DOLLAR ARENA.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATE-WIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW, WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> THE NEXT HOME FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER .WILL BE BUILT BY CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES FLINTCO AND MORTENSON.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THE CONTRACT WITH THE TWO COMPANIES ON TUESDAY BY BRINGING THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES INTO THE MIX NOW CITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL WORK WITH THE DESIGNERS OF THE NEARLY $1 BILLION ARENA.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR.

GOOGLE IS TEAMING UP WITH BOSTON COMPANY INDIGO AG FOR A REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE PROJECT NEAR ITS DATA CENTER IN PRYOR.

GOOGLE IS GIVING $1.5 MILLION TOWARD ENROLLING FARMS IN OKLAHOMA TO TAKE PART IN THE PROGRAM.

GOOGLE AND INDIGO AG BELIEVE THE PRACTICES WILL INCREASE SOIL MOISTURE AND WATER RETENTION MAKING FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE FARM LAND.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED J&R EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE OWEN FAMILY OF COMPANIES IN WASHINGTON STATE.

J&R EQUIPMENT IS A DISTRIBUTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND REFUSE EQUIPMENT THINGS LIKE GARBAGE TRUCKS AND STREET SWEEPERS.

OWEN'S CEO SAYS THE ACQUISITION WILL EXPAND THE COMPANY'S FOOTPRINT AND BETTER SERVE A GROWING CUSTOMER BASE.

THE LIST OF NAMES FOR OKLAHOMA CITY'S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER CLUB HAS BEEN NARROWED DOWN TO FIVE AND THE ORGANIZATION NOW WANTS THE PUBLIC'S INPUT.

THE FIVE NAMES ARE BISON, LIGHTNING, THUNDERBIRD, UNITED, AND WIND.

SOCCER FANS CAN ALSO HELP PICK THE TEAM COLOR.

INFORMATION IS ON THE CLUB'S WEBSITE OKCFORSOCCER.COM.

THE COMMUNITY CAN WEIGH IN UNTIL MARCH 24.

THE CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY IS ON THE VERGE OF BUILDING A MULTI-USE STADIUM WHICH WILL BE THE NEW HOME OF THE OKC SOCCER CLUB.

JASON DOYLE THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> FORMER GEORGIA CONGRESSMAN DOUG COLLINS IS NOW THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

HE RECENTLY POSTED AN ONLINE VIDEO OUTLINING HIS GOALS OF REDUCING THE V.A.

'S WORKFORCE BY 15%, AND THAT HAS A LOT OF PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF CARE VETERANS WILL RECEIVE GOING FORWARD.

WITH MORE ON COLLINS' COMMENTS AND THE LOCAL REACTION TO THEM, HERE'S "INDEPTH" MODERATOR, CASSIDY MUDD AND HER PANEL OF GUESTS.

CASSIDY?

>> JOINING US -- AND SCOTTY, THE DIRECTOR, OF HONORING AMERICA'S WARRIORS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> U.S. OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, WE'LL RELEASE PARTS OF THE STATEMENT AND ALLOWING THE GUESTS TO RESPOND.

>> THE VA IS A PUNCHING BAG WITH THE -- THINGS NEED TO CHANGE.

WE ALL, SOLUTIONS, FOR MANY YEARS THE VETERANS ARE ASKING FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS A MANDATE FOR GENERATIONAL CHANGE FOR WASHINGTON, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'LL DELIVER TO THE VA. WE'LL MAKE THE DEPARTMENT WORK BETTER FOR THE VETERANS, FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS AND PROVIDERS.

>> SECRETARY COLINS SAYS IT'S BEEN A PUNCHING BAG FOR DETECTION.

AND THE VETERANS ARE ASKING FOR MORE ACCOUNTABLE SYSTEM.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG TIME, UNFAIRLY IN A LOT OF CASES, EVERYTHING THE VA HAS TO DO IS APPROVED BY CONGRESS.

THOSE ARE BILLS THAT ARE APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT.

SO FROM MY EXPERIENCES ALL THE PATIENTS THAT COMPETITIVE VA ARE -- EXIT VA IS VERY HAPPY.

>> HE FRAMES THIS AND THE CHANGES AS SOMETHING THAT VETERANS WANT.

DO YOU THINK THE CUTS WILL DELIVER THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE EFFICIENCY.

>> YOU HAVE TO LOOK WHERE THE CUTS ARE COMING FROM AND WHY THEY HAVE TO BE MADE.

IF YOU GO BACK TO 2017, THEY HAD THE MISSION ACT, AND THE PACT ACT, THAT WAS ALSO GOING OUT AND REACHING OUT TO FIND ELIGIBLE VETERANS NOT RECEIVING BENEFITS, THAT'S A LOT OF EXPENSE THERE.

I THINK THE POPULATIONS OF PATIENTS GREW 25% ON AVERAGE OF EVERY SINGLE VA HOSPITAL.

THEY FOUND THE ELIGIBLE VETERANS.

I THINK THAT INFLUX MIGHT BE OVER WITH NOW.

THEY CAN DIAL BACK, AND FOCUS ON SERVICES.

WE'LL SEE.

>> YOU MENTIONED A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT, DARREN, THE ACCOUNTABILITY IN OKLAHOMA, WE'RE SEEING AN UPTICK OF HIRING IN THE STATE.

IS THAT JUST FOR VETERANS OR VETERANS IN THE WORK FORCE?

>> PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE FOR US.

TO WHERE THE POTENTIAL SERVICES THAT WE'RE NEEDING FROM MEDICAL STAFF TO BASIC CARE STAFF, TO ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, THAT HIRING IS A NEED.

>> HOW WILL THE HIRING TRENDS WE'RE SEEING HERE IN OKLAHOMA, HOW DO THEY COMPARE TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

ARE WE SEEING HIRING TREND ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL?

>> AGAIN, I CAN'T SPEAK ABOUT THAT, BUT I DO KNOW THE MUSKOGEE OFFICE IS HIRING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE ESSENTIAL SIDE OF THE CARE, I DON'T THINK YOU'LL SEE CHANGES.

>> WHILE SUGGEST THE CUTS WILL NOT IMPACT HEALTH CARE, IT CAN AFFECT DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS, ARE WE EXPECTING THE AFFECT TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES?

>> NOT ON THE STATE SIDE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO.

THE BEST THING WE CAN DO IS GIVE THE PROVIDERS TO THE VETERANS.

AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT TO HELP VETERANS IN OKLAHOMA NAVIGATE THROUGH THE FEDERAL PROCESS.

BUT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE BIG VA AND THE STATE HOMES THE ABILITY TO GO OUT AND HIRE THE BEST POSSIBLE PROVIDERS THAT WE CAN FIND.

IT SEEMS THERE'S A PAY LEVEL THAT WE STOP.

I THINK WE MISS OUT ON TALENT THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS ACCESS TO.

WE NEED THE TALENT IN OUR FACILITY.

>> HOW DO WE SEE THAT HAPPENING.

HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER?

>> THE QUESTION, SOME OF THAT, IS THE PAY LEVELS.

AND THAT'S ONE THING WE'RE ACTIVELY LOOKING AT, TO INCREASE THE PAY TO INCREASE THE POOL OF THE CAREGIVERS.

WE'RE REACHING OUT TO NEWLY GRADUATING STUDENTS THAT NEED TO START SOMEWHERE, START WITH US.

WE HAVE GREAT FACILITIES AND SERVING THE GREATEST PEOPLE IN THE NATION.

>> HOW MUCH -- >> WE'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THAT, AND ALSO CHANGING SOME OTHER THINGS COMING UP TO IMPROVE THAT.

>> ACCORDING TO COLLINS, DESPITE THE MAJOR CUTS, SOME HEALTH CARE WILL NOT SUFFER.

LISTEN TO HOW HE COMPLAINS.

>> IN RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY, VA IS CONDUCTING A DEPARTMENT WIDE REVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATION, OPERATIONS AND STRUCTURE.

CENTRAL TO THE EFFORTS IS THE PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO WASTE AND BUREAUCRACY.

THIS WILL BE A THOROUGH AND THOUGHTFUL REVIEW BASED ON INPUT FROM THE EMPLOYEES, AND THE TOP VA LEADERS.

TO GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE EMPLOYMENT LEVELS, ROUGHLY 398,000 EMPLOYEES.

NOW THAT'S A 15% DECREASE.

WE'LL ACCOMPLISH THIS WITHOUT MAKING CUTS TO HEALTH CARE OR BENEFITS TO VETERANS AND THE VA BENEFICIARIES.

>> WHAT KIND OF RED TAPE DO THEY HAVE TO CUT?

>> IT'S PROBABLY JUST A MATTER OF STREAM LINING FOR EFFICIENCY.

AND OF COURSE, FORMER SENATOR, HE'S PRETTY EFFICIENT, IF YOU LOOK AT A LOT OF HIS APPROACHES TO LEGISLATION AND WHAT NOT.

SO WE'RE BLESSED IN OKLAHOMA.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A GREAT SYSTEM.

OUR DIRECTOR AT THE VA HEALTH FACILITY, IN OKLAHOMA CITY HAS DONE UP AMAZING JOB.

AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS EVERYONE IS TAKEN CARE OF.

I THINK THEY'LL MAKE IT BETTER.

>> AND MENTIONING HERE QUICK, TALKING ABOUT THE SPECIAL GUESTS, MS. TINKER, SHE'S SO CUTE.

SO SERVICES LIKE HONORING AMERICA'S WARRIORS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED?

>> NO WE RECEIVE THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDING FROM THE WOUNDED WARRIOR ACT.

IT PROVIDES THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DOD HAS UNIFORM SERVICES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MILITARY MEDICINE.

THERE'S 29 ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE UNITED STATES THAT ARE PART OF THE PROGRAM.

>> MANY ARE CONCERNED THAT HOW IT COULD AFFECT VETERANS.

HOW WOULD YOU SEE -- WHAT ROLE DO YOU SAY TO HIRING AND MAKE SURE THAT VETERANS ARE SUPPORTED.

>> ON OUR SIDE, AGAIN, IT'S ESSENTIAL CARE.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S ADDRESSED IN A CUT BACK, BECAUSE IT'S ESSENTIAL.

AND TAKING CARE OF THE VETERANS IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

>> COLLINS ALSO ADDRESSED CONCERNS OF HOW THE VA IS SPENDING MONEY.

LET'S LISTEN.

>> THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE CHANGES WE'RE MAKING AT THE VA. WHAT WE MOST -- MOST OF THEM ARE REALLY SAYING, KEEP DOING THE SAME THINGS THAT THE VA IS ALWAYS DONE.

NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

HOW MUCH MONEY IT SPENDS AND PEOPLE EMPLOYEES AND THE VETERANS IT HELPS ARE OVER.

HERE'S ONE EXAMPLE, WE'RE CONDUCTING A REVIEW OF THE 90,000 CONTRACTS THAT ARE WORTH MORE THAN $67 BILLION.

AFTER REVIEWING 2% OF THE CONTRACTS, WE WERE ABLE TO ELIMINATE -- TO SAVE $900 MILLION.

JUST IMAGINE HOW MUCH WE'LL SAVE AFTER REVIEWING THE REST OF THE CONTRACTS.

THE MONEY WE'RE SAVING, IS MONEY WE'LL REDIRECT TO VETERAN FACING HEALTH CARE, BENEFITS AND SERVICES.

RESULTING IN MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT.

>> CUTTING THE CONTRACTS WILL SAVE NEARLY $900 MILLION, DO WE THINK THERE'S THAT MUCH DUPLICATION?

>> WE'LL FIND OUT.

THERE'S SO MANY LAYERS, AND IT'S A CONVOLUTED SYSTEM.

FOR EXAMPLE, A PATIENT FOR A PROSTHETIC, YOU WILL HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE THE VA.

DENTAL CARE.

OUTSIDE OF THE VA. AT WHAT POINT, OKAY, GIVE EVERY VETERAN A HEALTH CARE CARD, NO OUT OF POCKET COST, NO PREEXISTING CONDITIONS, GO TO THE DOCTOR IS THIS YOU WANT, AND WE PAY FOR IT.

>> WE DON'T WANT THAT?

>> WHY NOT?

WE'RE ALREADY DOING IT TO A DEGREE?

LET'S JUST SAY WE CLOSED EVERY VA HOSPITAL IN THE UNITED STATES, AND NO MORE EMPLOYEES, YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE OVERHEAD AND ALL THAT MONEY WENT DIRECTLY TO THE POOL THAT PAID FOR THE HEALTH CARE FOR EVERY VETERAN, BEST CARE YOU CAN GIVE, THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN A POSSIBILITY.

>> DO WE SEE THAT HAPPENING WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION?

>> I THINK SO.

VA HAS DONE A GOOD JOB, AND WE CANNOT SPEND ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN.

IT'S WHERE THEY SPEND IT, YOU HAVE THE ISSUES.

AND I THINK ONCE THEY STREAM LINE THAT AND LOOK, THE CAN HAS BEEN KICKED DOWN THE ROAD FOR SO LONG.

NO ONE HAS LOOKED AT THE BOOKS, AND THE NUMBERS AND HOW TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT.

>> I THINK -- ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IS HOMELESSNESS FOR VETERANS.

IF WE CAN START TO HONE IN ON TAKING CARE OF THE HOMELESS VERPTS, THAT'LL BE A HUGE IMPACT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE IMPACT.

THEY'RE RECEIVING THEIR BENEFIT CHECK, WITHOUT A PERMANENT ADDRESS THEY CAN'T RECEIVE THAT.

THE FUNDS ARE STILL THERE, WE HAVE TO HAVE ACCESS.

>> AS YOU WRAPPED UP HIS REMARKS, HE ADDRESSED THE RECENT LAY OFFS DIRECTLY.

IT'S NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE VA.

THE CHANGES ARE JUST THE BEGINNING.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF NEWS COVERAGE RECENTLY.

WE REGRET ANYONE WHO LOSES THEIR JOB.

IT'S DIFFICULT, FOR ME ESPECIALLY AS A VA LEADER.

BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT EXIST TO EMPLOYEE PEOPLE.

IT EXISTS TO SERVE PEOPLE.

AT THE VA WE'RE FOCUSED ON SERVING VETERANS AS NEVER BEFORE.

CHANGING AND IMPROVING THE ORGANIZATION.

THE VA WAS NEVER PERFECT AND WILL NEVER BE PERFECT, BUT WE CAN AND WILL MAKE IT BETTER.

WE'LL COMMUNICATE WHAT WE'RE DOING TO THE PUBLIC.

THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW.

BUT WE'RE MAKING MAJOR CHANGES, SO GET USED TO IT.

>> WILL WE HAVE A MORE OPEN AND TRAEPT TRANSPARENT -- >> THEY'RE HOPE, AND LIKE THEIR HEALTH CARE.

-- HAPPY AND LIKE THEIR HEALTH CARE.

THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE.

>> AS WE SEE THE CHANGES, DO WE ENFORCE THE CUTS AND SHIFTS.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT'LL BE AN ISSUE.

IF ANYTHING, IT WOULD EXPAND TO PROVIDE BETTER COVERAGE.

I THINK THAT'S YOU CAN EXPECT.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE GROWING HIRING INITIATIVE IN THE STATE.

HOW ARE THE EFFORTS ALIGNED WITH THE VA'S CHANGING PRIORITIES?

>> IT'LL OPEN UP MORE OPPORTUNITIES.

THINGS WILL CHANGE IN A POSITIVE WAY, THERE'LL BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO GET THE HEALTH CARE THEY DESERVE.

>> THERE ARE NO CONCERNS THAT CARE WILL BE DISCONTINUED NO ISSUES OF GETTING THE HEALTH CARE YOU NEED.

>> RIGHT.

THE HEALTH CARE IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE.

THE BENEFITS WILL NOT CHANGE.

>> WITH THESE CHANGES HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, DO YOU THINK THAT VETERANS WILL SEE BETTER SERVICES ACROSS THE BOARD, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THE VETERANS AND FAMILIES SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR THE MONTH AHEAD.

>> THE HOMELESS VETERANS, THAT'S A POPULATION THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT.

BECAUSE, WHY ARE THEY HOMELESS?

THOSE ISSUES HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH.

IT'S ABOUT HELPING THEM TO REDIRECT THEIR LIFESTYLE, AND MANAGE THEIR OWN AFFAIRS WITHOUT LIVING ON THE STREET.

AND SO I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE BIG PUSHES IS TO TRY TO DRAW THE NUMBER DOWN AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.

YOU'LL HAVE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE HOMELESS.

THAT'S THEIR STREET FAMILY, THEY'RE HAPPY, YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT.

>> IT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET THE HEALTH CARE THEY NEED.

>> FINAL THOUGHTS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE THE CONNECTOR FOR THE VETERANS.

WE WANT TO CONNECT THEM WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO GET TO SERVICES THEY NEED.

EMPLOYMENT, WE HAVE AN EMPLOYMENT SIDE THAT HELPS THEM TO FIND JOBS.

WE HAVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP SIDE, WE HELP THEM THROUGH THE BUSINESS SIDE.

THAT'S BRINGING TAX DOLLARS INTO OKLAHOMA.

THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION SIDE.

WE WANT TO WORK WITH THEM AND TERRAIN THEM.

>> ANYTHING THAT VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR?

>> WE HAVE ACTIVITIES ALL THE TIME.

SIGN UP FOR BENEFITS, AND LEARN MORE OF WHAT WE CAN HELP THEM WITH.

>> AND VIEWERS CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE.

>> OKLAHOMA.GOV/VETERANS.

>> GENTLEMEN, THAT'S THE TIME WE HAVE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

A HALF AND A PATH.

THAT'S HOW THE GOVERNOR DESCRIBES HIS GOAL FOR AN INCOME TAX CUT.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

AND ARE MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY ON BOARD?

FRIDAY AT 7!

WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE BETTY PRICE GALLERY AT THE STATE CAPITOL-- PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OETA'S KACI FERGUSON.

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

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

O.N.R".

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, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!