THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ACTIVEL SET UP SCHOOLS, BOTH IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND K 12 WITH THE INSTITUTION TO SPREAD COMMUNISM AND UNDERMINE THE UNITED STATES TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOL'S NEW INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT TAKES CH JOHNSON - ".

WE HAVE TO BE RESULTS ORIENTED AND WE WILL BE, THERE'S A LOT OF EXPECTATION THAT WE PLACE ON OURSELVES, AS WE SHOULD."

OKLAHOMA CITY BUS RIDERS ARE ENJOYING A MAJOR UPGRADE IN SER FINANCIALLY IT'S HUGE AND JUST BEING ABLE TO SCHEDULE RIDES IS HUGE SINCE I DON'T HAVE TO FEEL TRAPPED IN MY APARTMENT ALL OF THE TIME."

>>> THOSE STORIES PLUS A LOOK AT THE OKLAHOMA REPORT.

>>> HEY, EVERYONE WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

IN A JUST RELEASED REPORT THEY ESTIMATE 620,000 OKLAHOMANS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY.

THIS INCLUDES ONE AND FIVE OF OKLAHOMA'S children.

JASON DOYLE HAS MORE ON THE REPORT'S FINDINGS AND WHAT'S BEING DONE TO ADDRESS THEM.

?RETURN TO INDEX OF STORIES >> IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH.

>> SHE'S NOT SURPRISED TO SEE THE ANNUAL POVERTY REPORT.

>> WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN NUMBERS IS A RESULT OF A LOT OF COVID-19 ERA PROGRAMS ENDING AND WE ARE DEFINITELY SEEING THE SQUEEZE OF INFLATION HAPPENING.

SO, CALL VOLUME IS STAYING REALLY HIGH.

>> POVERTY IS HAVING AN IMPACT ON OKLAHOMA'S CHILDREN TOO.

>> AS A STATE, WE HAVE STRUGGLED TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE IN POVERTY SO, IT'S NOT SURPRISING TO ME TO SEE THESE HIGH RATES OF POVERTY, PARTICLARLY AMONG CHILDREN.

>> LEADING TO OTHER ISSUES.

THE MEASURE OF TRAMA CALLED ADVERSE TRAMA EXPERIENCE SAID POVERTY HAS A LONG-TERM IMPACT ON KIDS.

>> CHILDREN HAVE A LOT OF HIGH ACE SCORES.

IT SHOULDN'T COME AS A SURPRISE WHEN WE HAVE CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HIGH RATES OF TRAMA WE ALSO SEE HIGH RATES OF CHILDREN IN POVERTY AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE CHILDREN BECOMING ADULTS THAT EXPERIENCE POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS.

>> ONE OF THE MANY REASONS OKLAHOMA'S KIDS STRUGGLE WITH POVERTY IS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM HAVE ONE OR BOTH PARENTS INCARCERATED.

>> GRANDPARENTS ARE RAISING THEIR GRANDCHILDREN.

OKLAHOMA IS TOP TEN IN THE NATION THAT ARE RAISING THEIR GRANDCHILDREN DUE TO HIGH INCARCERATION RATE OF MEN AND WOMEN.

>> THEY WILL OFFER HELP IN SEVERAL WAYS.

>> MANY OF THE CHILDREN IN THE CENTERS QUALIFY FOR SUBSIDY.

THEY ARE ABLE TO ATTEND THE CENTERS AND THEIR PARENTS ARE ABLE TO WORK, SOMETIMES PARENTS WORK ONE JOB.

SOMETIMES THEY WORK TWO JOBS.

>> THE AGENCIES HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM.

THE POVERTY RATE IS ABOVE THE NATIONAL 65 AGE AT 15.8% VERSES 11.5%.

BOTH OF THOSE RATES ARE HIGHER THAN WHAT WE EXPERIENCED BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BEGAN.

ANOTHER FACTOR PLAYING A ROLE I MORE OKLAHOMA'S STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.IS A DROP IN HOUSEHOLD INCOME.WHILE INFLATIO HAS BECOME A MAJOR ISSUE FOR CO OKLAHOMA'S REAL MEDIAN HOUSEHOL INCOME DROPPED LAST YEAR FROM 2021'S LEVELS BY NEARLY $1,400.

AND OKLAHOMA'S HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS WELL BELOW THE NATIONAL AVER GABRIELA RAMIREZ-PEREZ WITH THE OKLAHOMA POLICY INSTITUTE HAS RUN THE NUMBERS FROM THE US CENSUS BUREAU.

>> THIS SHOWS OUR RANKS HAVEN'T CHANGED AND THAT OUR CURRENT POLICIES ARE NOT EFFECTIVE enough.

AND SO WE NEED CHANGE AND OUR POLICY MAKERS TO LOOK AT ADDITIONAL POLICIES OR WAY TO, TO FUND OR EXPAND OUR EXISTING POLICIES IN A MORE ROBUST WAY THAT CAN ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE."

>> PEREZ CONTENDS.SAFETY NET PROGRAMS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION ARE AL INTERRELATED IN TRYING TO ABATE >> ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER AND IF WE IMPROVE ALL OF OUR METRICS, THEN NOT JUST OUR POVERTY LEVELS WILL IMPROVE, BU ALSO STANDARDS OF LIVING OKLAHOMANS WILL HAVE AN EASIER TIME LIVING HERE IN OUR STATE."

FOR THOSE STRUGGLING NOW.THE >> FOR THOSE STRUGGLING NOW.TH STATE OF OKLAHOMA ALSO HAS A SLATE OF POVERTY ABATEMENT PROG SO AMY, WHAT KIND OF PROGRAMS D WE HAVE?

>> QUESTION HAVE LOW INCOME pro CARE OR MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLE POPULATION, SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE OR SNAP, FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOOD STAMPS.

AND THEN THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDING FAMILIES WHICH IS TANF.

>> THE HIGHEST DEMAND STATE GOVERNMENT HAD FOR THESE TYPES OF SAFETY NET PROGRAMS PEAKED IN APRIL OF 202 AS THE COVID PANDEMIC TOOK HOLD IN THE U.S.

THE DEMAND IS STARTING TO SHOW SIGNS OF SLOWI OKLAHOMA'S HIGH POVERTY RATE.

>> THINGS STAYED HIGH FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT WE HAVE SEEN IT IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS DECREASING ALMOST BACK T NORMAL LEVELS.

IT IS STILL PROBABLY ABOVE PRE COVID NUMBERS, BUT IT IS, IT IS KIND OF STEADYING OUT THERE AND OUT GETTING BACK CLOSER TO THE PRE COVID NUMBERS.

>> A LONGER TERM SOLUTION AT GETTING MORE OKLAHOMANS TO RISE ABOVE POVERTY.COULD COME IN THE FORM OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.ACCORDING TO STATE CHAMBER CEO CHAD WARMINGTON.THA MEANS SHOWING STUDENTS SEVERAL PATHWAYS TO GOOD JOBS.

>> THERE'S NO NEED FOR ANY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TO LEAVE THE 12 12 SYSTEM AND NOT HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA ON A CAREER PATHWAY THAT THEY CAN BE ON, THAT THEY'VE ACTUALLY BEEN WORKING O WHILE THEY'VE BEEN IN THE K 12 SYSTEM SO THAT THEY CAN ENTER THE, INTO THE WORKFORCE STRAIGH AWAY FROM HIGH SCHOOL, MAKING A REALLY GOOD FAMILY SUSTAINING W AND THEN THERE'S JUST NOTHING BUT UPWARD POTENTIAL FORM FROM >> BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED FOR SKILLED WORKERS NOW.THERE IS A PATH FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING POVERTY TO A HIGHER PAYING JOB.

>> RE-SKILLING AND UPSKILLING HAS GOT A BIG, BIG PART OF, OF KIND OF OUR WORKFORCE EFFORTS I THE SENSE THAT THERE'S PLENTY O JOBS OUT THERE WITH JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE COLLEGE CREDIT OR JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE CAREE TECH TRAINING.

PEOPLE CAN MOVE UP INTO THESE OTHER POSITIONS.

>> JASON DOYLE.THE OKLAHOMA NEW REPORT.

?RETURN TO INDEX OF >> JASON, THANK YOU.

>>> DR. EBONY JOHNSON IS WRAPPING UP HER FIRST FULL WEEK AS THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT O TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

.

WHETHER SHE'S BE HIRED TO REPLACE DR. DEBORAH GIST REMAIN TO BE SEEN.

.

AND IT WILL PROBABLY DEPEND ON THE PROGRESS SHE MAKES IN RAISING TEST SCORES AND OTHER STANDARDS DEMANDED BY STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS, WH HAS VOWED TO TAKE OVER THE TPS SYSTEM IF THINGS DON'T IMPROVE.

>> WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THEIR NEEDS, THEIR ACADEMIC NEEDS, THEIR SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS.

THAT'S, THAT'S A CRITICAL PIECE OF OUR WORK AND WE'RE UP FOR TH I THINK THE NEXT THING FOR US T BE MINDFUL OF AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE SECOND R WOULD BE THAT WE HAVE TO BE RESULTS ORIENTED AND WE WILL BE, THERE' A LOT OF EXPECTATION THAT WE PLACE ON OURSELVES AS WE SHOULD REGARDING OUR STUDENTS MEETING PROFICIENCY IN MEETING THE MARK WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE'S EXPECTATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO US AS WELL BY OUR STAT >> EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON SAT DOWN WITH DR. JOHNSON FOR AN INDEPTH INTERVIE THIS WEEK, AND WE WILL SHARE THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOU NEXT FRIDAY.

>> WAS THAT TERES HAS BEEN KEEPING CLOSE TAPS ON TPS.

HE'S ALSO BEEN BUSY elsewhere.

ON TUESDAY, WALTERS TESTIFIED BEFORE THE "U.S. HOUSE COMMITTE ON EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE" TO DISCUSS WHAT HE BELIEVES IS THE UNDO INFLUENCE OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS.

>> I URGE THAT CONGRESS PASS A LAW TO BAN SCHOOLS FROM ACCEPTING MONEY FROM HOSTILE FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND TO PROHIBIT SCHOOLS FROM ENTERING INTO DATA SHARING AGREEMENTS WITH HOSTILE FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS.

AT THE STATE LEVEL, STATE EDUCATION AGENCIES SHOULD REQUIRE DISTRICTS TO REPORT ANY FOREIGN MONEY THEY ACCEPT IN AN NONPROFIT MONEY THEY ACCEPT.

AT OUR LAST STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING, WE PASS THIS MEASURE AND IT WILL ALLOW US TO CONDUCT A MORE THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO FOREIGN INFLUENCE INTO OUR SCHOOLS, AND PROVIDE MORE TRANSPARENCY TO OKLAHOMA TAXPAYERS.

>> WALTERS ALSO TESTIFIED THAT HE HAD UNCOVERED A "DISTURBING CONNECTION" BETWEEN CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY NON-PROFITS OFFERING CONTENT TO THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM THRU A PROGRAM CALLED, " THE CONFUSCIOUS CLASSROOMS".

>>> A MAN CONVICTED OF KILLING AN OU STUDENT IN 1996 WAS EXECUTED ON THURSDAY MORNING AT THE STATE PENITENTIARY IN MCALESTER 44-YEAR OLD ANTHONY SANCHEZ WAS CONVICTED BASED ON D.N.A.

EVIDENCE FOR THE MURDER OF 21-YEAR OLD JULI BUSKEN.

HE IS THE 10TH PERSON TO BE EXECUTED SINCE OKLAHOMA RESUMED THE DEATH PENALTY IN 2021.

?RETURN TO INDEX OF STORIES HISPANIC HE >>> SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL "HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH", AND THANKS TO REPORTER JOEL FILOMENO, IN RECENT MONTHS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE A SERIES OF EXCELLENT REPORTS ON OUR STATE'S FASTEST-GROWING DEM THIS WEEK, JOEL REPORTS ON PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO HELP HISPANIC NEWSCOMERS GET ACCLIMATED AND SUCCEED IN THE SOONER STATE.

>> MEXICAN RESIDENTS IN OKLAHOMA CAN GET NEW ADVICE THROUGH THE NEW OPENED CONSOLATE.

>> EVERY WEEK WE TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT SUBJECTS LIKE HOME BUYS, CREDIT REPAIR.

LIKE I MENTIONED, HOW TO START YOUR BUSINESS.

THERE IS ALSO INFORMATION SO PEOPLE CAN SEND MONEY TO MEXICO THROUGH A PROGRAM IN PLACE.

>> THEY PARTNERED TO CREATE THE ADVISORY WINDOW.

>> WE AGREE WITH OUR ALLIES.

LOCAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE LOCALLY HERE IN OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA TO AT PEOPLE AND INFORM THEM ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS FIRST OF ALL AND ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH FINANCIAL ADVISORY.

>> SANCHEZ SAID THE HOPE FOR THE ADVISORY WINDOW IS TO ASSIST MEXICANS LIVING AND WORKING IN OKLAHOMA TO TAKE CHARGE OF FINANCES.

>> THEY KNOW HOW TO WORK, YOU KNOW, HOW TO OVERCOME MANY BARRIERS.

WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCIAL EDUCATION, IT'S SOMETHING THEY DON'T HAVE.

>> VERY VANESSA MIGRATED NINE YEARS AGO AND WOULD LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT SENDING MONEY BACK.

>> IT'S ALWAYS NICE TO SEND SOMETHING TO MY PARENTS MORE NOW AS THE TIMES ARE.

NOT ONLY IN MEXICO BUT THE UNITED STATES AS WELL.

EVERYTHING IS SO EXPENSIVE.

A DOLLARS HERE IS WORTH MORE.

IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT TO BE HERE AND SEND THEM HELP.

A STRONG SUPPORTER IS OKLAHOMA STATE SENATOR MICHEAL BROOKS.

>> UNDERSTANDING HOW IMPORTANT MAINTAINING GOOD CREDIT AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES AND BEING ABLE TO DEAL WITH REPUTABLE SERVICES COMPANIES ARE IMPORTANT.

>> MANY WORKERS ARE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BECAUSE OF LACK OF FINANCIAL LITERACY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DEFRAUDED OVER THE YEARS.

WHETHER IT'S A SIGNIFICANCE SITUATION THEY THINK THEY ARE BUYING A HOUSE.

THE CREDIT UNION PARTNERS WITH THE FINANCIAL ADVISORY WINDOW BY LENDING EXPERTISE TO THE CONSOLATE.

>> WE PROVIDE RESOURCES TO HELP PEOPLE GO THROUGH.

WE ARE JUST TRYING TO EDUCATE AND INFORM AND HELP FOLKS REALLY, REALLY, UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES OF MANAGING FINANCES.

>> PRESIDENT CARPENTER SAID THEY OFFER EDUCATION TO THOSE WITH AN INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER INCLUDING MIGRANT WORKERS.

>> WE SERVE FOLKS THAT HAVE I 10s.

THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT FUNCTIONALITY TO HELP THOSE.

>> THEY HAVE HELPED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SINCE OPENING THEIR DOORS IN MAY.

>> WE OFFER OVER 30 DIFFERENT SERVICES INCLUDING DOCUMENTATION SO WE CAN SERVE 230 APARTMENTS PER DAY.

>> THE CONSOLATE IS OPEN FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. >> WE HAVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS REGARDING HELP, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, AND EDUCATION IN GENERAL TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THERE ARE THREE ADVISORY PROGRAMS AT THE FACILITY ARE FREE OF CHARGE AND NO ADVANCED APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED.

>> LAST YEAR, TEXAS TRADED $282 BILLION WITH MEXICO.

OKLAHOMA TRADED ONLY 9.

SO, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC AND TRADE RELATIONSHIP TO KEEP GOING.

>> THE CONSOLATE HANDLES DOCUMENTATION.

>> STARTING FROM PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THEIR DOCUMENTS TALKING ABOUT A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

THEY CAN ASK FOR AN ITM NUMBER AND WORK WITH THAT NUMBER TO CREATE A FINANCIAL STABILITY.

>> SENATOR BROOKS SAID 33,000 MIGRANTS HAVE PAID $26 MILLION IN STATE TAXES.

>> BEING ABLE TO GET THAT WORD OUT TO OTHERS THAT COULD BE PAYING TAXES BUT AREN'T YET, YOU KNOW, AND CREATING ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ECONOMY.

>> VANESSA SAID THANKS TO THE NEW CONSOLATE WE CAN KEEP I.

>> IT'S FASTER FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK.

THEY MAKE THE APPOINTMENTS SUPER QUICKLY BEFORE WHEN WE TRAVELED TO DALLAS, WE HAD TO WAIT A WEEK TO GET AN APPOINTMENT, THAT'S A GOOD THING.

>> THE CONSOLATE HAS EXPANDED SERVICES TO TRAIN WOMEN IN STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS.

>> ONE MAIN REASON THEY WANTED TO HAVE A CONSOLATE OF MEXICO HERE THEY KNOW THE WORK WE DO HELPS THEM DEVELOP IN A BETTER WAY.

BE BETTER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THEY BELONG TO.

>> THANK you.

>>> A "SPECIAL SESSION" OF THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE IS SET TO CONVENE ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3RD TO DISCUSS TAX CUTS FAVORED BY GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT.

THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF HAS BEEN INVITED TO APPEAR BEFORE A SENATE COMMITTEE TO PITCH HIS P AND WHILE ITS STILL NOT CLEAR I WE WILL DO THAT TAX CUTS ARE THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

HERE IS A PREVIEW.

>> THERE ARE SOME I HAVE HEARD WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN INCOME TAX REDUCTION, AND MAYBE SET US ON BUT KEEP IN MIND IF WE JUST SIMPLY RUN THROUGH LIKE A THREE QUARTER PERCENT REDUCTION OF OU INCOME TAX IT'S ABOUT SEVEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

AND I'VE NOT BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THAT, I'M NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THAT TODAY IF WE LOOK AT THE NEEDS OF THE WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE FORWARD IN THE STATE AND KEEP IN MIND, AGAIN, THAT STATE QUESTION 640, WHEN YOU DO AWAY WITH THIS REVENUE; WHERE ARE YOU GONNA GET IT BACK AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'VE GOT A PLAN TO ADDRESS THOSE CHALLENGES.

WE'VE GOT NURSING HOMES WITHIN MY DISTRICT THAT HAVE CLOSED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HIRE ANYBODY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WAGES WE PAY OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY OPEN, OUR HOSPITALS STAY OPEN.

THOSE ARE THE NEEDS OF THE STATE OF THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

SO I OFTEN ASK, 'DO YOU WANNA MAKE A POINT OR DO YOU WANNA MAKE A DI ' IF YOU WANNA MAKE A POINT THAT'S FINE THE GOVERNOR'S CALL MAKES A POINT.

IF YOU WANNA MAKE A DIFFERENCE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA."

>>THE REST OF THAT INFORMATIVE CONVERSATION, COMING UP LATER I THIS NEWSCAST.

?RETURN TO INDEX >>> FOR THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMA CITY RESIDENTS, THE PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM IS THEIR ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION- .

AND NOW, THANKS TO A PAIR OF LARGE FEDERAL GRANTS, THE CITY'S FLEET OF "EMBARK" BUSES IS ABOU TO GET A MAJOR, AND MUCH NEEDED UPGRADE.

STEVE HAS MORE.

>> RICH, LAST YEAR, EMBARK'S REGULAR FIXED ROUTE BUS SYSTEM SAW A RIDERSHIP OF 2.6 MILLION.WHICH WAS 400,000 MORE THAN 2021.

TEN MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL GRANT MONEY NOW ALLOWS EMBARK TO TAKE AN IMPORTANT NEXT STEP.

>> CASEY GAME LEGALLY BLIND AFTER REMOVING A CANCEROUS TUMOR FROM HIS BRAIN.

NONE OF THAT DEFINED HIM.

HE TEACHES WHAT'S KNOWN AS ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY.

THIS IS AT THE STATEWIDE NONPROFIT AT 43 AND CLASSIN HE SERVES PEOPLE THAT ARE EITHER LOSING THEIR EYESIGHT OR ALREADY BLIND.

THEY HAVE CLINICS AND CENTERS IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA.

A FEW MONTHS AGO THEY FINISHED A LARGE NEW BUS STOP RIGHT IN FRONT OF NEW VIEW'S BUILDING.

IT'S ONE OF 32 NEW RAPID BUS SERVICE STOPS.

MBARK CONSTRUCTED THEM TO COVER NINE MILES AND CONNECT DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY AND NORTHWEST EXPRESSWAY TO MERIDIAN.

MBARK DID THAT WITH THE FEDERAL GRANT MONEY THEY RECEIVED 4 YEARS AGO.

THE NEW BUS STOPS ARE DIFFERENT.

THEY FUTURE LEVEL BOARDING LIKE THE CITY STREETCAR SYSTEM.

HAVE OF THE GRANT ALLOWED M BARK TO PURCHASE NINE NEW BUSES COSTING MORE THAN HALF COMPARED TO THE DIESEL FUEL EMBARK'S CURRENT BUSES RUN ON.

THE NEW BUSES WILL TRAVEL THE NEW RAPID ROUTE WHEN THE SYSTEM OFFICIALLY STARTS THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER.

AS PART OF THAT BUS RAPID TRANSIT TEAM NOT ONLY IS THERE A BUS STOP IN FRONT OF NEARVIEW, A BRAND-NEW CROSSWALK AND STREETLIGHTS AT 4d ALLOWING FOLKS TO TAKE THE BUS SAFELY CROSS SIX LANES OF TRAFFIC.

IT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE LIKE CASEY TO USE EMBARK TO MUCH MORE EASILY GET AROUND.

>> I'D BE FORCED TO UBER WHICH IS TWO TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> OR MORE.

>> YEAH, PROBABLY.

FINANCIALLY IT'S HUGE.

JUST BEING ABLE TO SCHEDULE A RIDE IS ALSO HUGE.

I DON'T FEEL TRAPPED.

>> WE SERVE A FEW THOUSAND ANNUALLY AND ALSO THE LARGEST EMPLOYER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND.

>> LAUREN IS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF NEW VIEW OKLAHOMA.

SHE SAID, SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE STAFF AND CLIENTS USE WHAT'S KNOWN AS EMBARKS SIXTH ROUTE BUS SERVICE.

THE NEW RAPID SERVICE WILL BE MUCH BETTER.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

OUR PEOPLE ARE SO EXCITED BECAUSE NOW THEY WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO REALLY UTILIZE THE SYSTEM TO GET TO AND FROM OUR FACILITY HERE BECAUSE THEY CAN CROSS THE STREET SAFELY.

>> SOME THINGS WE'LL DO TO MAKE THIS MORE RAPID IS THE PRIORITIZATION OR TSP ALLOWING FOR EVERY TIME A BUS IS COMING TO SIGNAL WE GET THE GREEN LIGHT SO WE ARE NOT SLOWED DOWN WITH RED LIGHTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> IT'S A BIG DEAL.

THE PRIMARY REASON IS ONE CLASSIN AND NORTHWEST EXPRESSWAY SERVES THE DENSE POPULATIONS IN TERMS OF ROOFTOPS AND EMPLOYMENT.

WE NEVER REALLY HAD BUS SERVICE ALONG THE NORTHWEST EXPRESSWAY.

THAT'S A MULTIPLE LANE EXPRESSWAY.

AUTOMOBILES ARE TRAVELING AT RELATIVELY HIGH SPEEDS COMPARED TO THE OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE WE SEVERED RESIDENTS.

>> EMBARKS BREAD AND BUTTER IS THEIR FIXED ROUTE SERVICE THAT HAS ROUTES ALL OVER.

THE OTHER HALF OF THE $10 MILLION GRANT WILL BE USED TO ENHANCE THAT FIXED ROUTE SERVICE.

THE DIRECTOR SAYS JUST UNDER 9500 PEOPLE USE EMBARK BUSES DAILY DURING THE WEEK.

HALF OF THAT ON WEEKENDS.

>> PEOPLE LIKE STEVEN MARROW, CHAIR OF THE HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT 7 MILES SOUTHWEST OF DOWNTOWN.

>> I'D LIKE TO BE HEREBY 8:00.

IF I GET ON THE 7:15 7:15 S I'M IN GOOD SHAPE.

>> THIS IS WHERE MARROW LIVES BUT USED EMBARK TO GET TO WORK FOR THE PAST 16 YEARS.

>> I'LL NEVER GO BACK.

>> THIS IS A BREAKDOWN TAKING EMBARK COSTS COMPARED TO USING A VEHICLE TO GET TO AND FROM WORK.

ASSUMING IT GETS 24 MILES FOR EACH GALLON OF GAS AND TRAVEL 20 MILES ROUND-TRIP 5 DAYS PER WEEK.

TAKING EMBARK COSTS $840 PER YEAR.

WHICH IS BASICALLY HALF IF YOU TAKE AN AUTOMOBILE.

WE ARE NOT INCLUDING CAR INSURANCE.

FOR STEVEN MARROW IT'S EVEN BETTER.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

I WOULDN'T TELL YOU HOW OLD I AM BUT I GET THE DISCOUNT.

THAT GIVES ME $25 PER MONTH PASS, RIGHT, 30 DAYS.

THE BUS DRIVERS ARE TRUST WORTHY.

I GET TO RUB ELBOWS WITH PEOPLE I HAVEN'T SEEN IN A FANCY CAR WITH HEATED SEATS.

IT OPENS MY MIND TO OTHER PEOPLE.

>> I REACHED OUT TO TULSA A cou OF DIFFERENT TIMES ABOUT THEIR "AERO" CITY BUS SYSTEM.AND ANY PROGRESS THEY'VE MADE.

A SPOKESMAN TOLD ME SOMEONE WOULD GET BACK TO ME.

AND THEY HAVE NOT.

RICH.

>>> OCCC ONE ACCORD EVENT-CAM VO OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE SERVES NEARLY 18-THOUSAND STUDENTS.

IT'S A BIG SCHOOL THAT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE 1972 AND ON MONDAY, THEY HOSTED THEIR "ONE ACCORD" COMMUNITY EVENT TO MAKE THOSE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES FEEL WELCOME- THERE WAS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, LOTS OF DIFFERENT GAMES AND PLENTY OF FOOD.

"O-TRIPLE-C" SAYS THE AIM OF THE EVENT IS TO CELEBRATE UNITY AND DIVERSITY ON CAMPUS.

?RETURN TO I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR AN INSTITUTION TO SAY TO A MINORITY POPULATION THAT WE'RE HAPPY THAT YOU'RE HERE.

WE WANT TO DO SOME THINGS THAT WE KNOW THAT ARE FUN TO YOU, THINGS THAT ARE EXCITING TO YOU THINGS THAT YOU ENJOY.

WE WANT TO EMBRACE YOU IN THAT AREA.

SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTAN FOR THE SCHOOL TO DO THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY.

I THINK OUR STUDENTS ARE BLESSED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET NEW PEOPLE.

THEY GET A CHANCE TO SEE FACULT AND STAFF IN A MORE RELAXED SET THEY GET THE CHANCE TO HAVE, LIKE YOU SAID, GREATER COMRADER WITH EACH OTHER AND ABOVE ALL, THEY GET A CHANCE TO FEEL THAT THE INSTITUTION CARES ABOUT THE >> THIS IS THE 2ND YEAR OKLAHOM CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE HAS HELD THE ONE ACCORD EVENT FOR STUDENTS.

>>> WHILE THE U.S. CONTINUES T LEAD THE WORLD IN THE QUALITY O IT'S HIGHER-ED "STEM" DEGREES.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERIN AND MATH.

MANY OF THE STUDENTS THOSE DEGREES ARE COMING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO "STUDY ABROA AT THE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, THE U.S. IS FALLING BEHIND IN MATH AND SCIE TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WIT MORE ON AN EVENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY THIS WEEK, THAT'S DESIGNED TO CHANGE THAT.

>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY INNOVATION DISTRICT IS INVESTED IN SHOWING YOUNG STUDENTS STEM CAREER OPPORTUNITIES EARLY ON WITH HOPES TO GROW THE STEM WORKFORC IN OKLAHOMA?RETURN TO INDEX OF S >> THIS WEEK MORE THAN 900 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN INNOVATION WEEK.

>> INNOVATION WEEK, WE BRING OUR PARTNERS AN WE THOUGHT OF HOW CAN WE GET SO MANY STUDENTS INTO THE DIFFERENT CAREERS HERE IN Oklahoma.

>> CAREERS LIKE WEB DEVELOPER OR A BIOCHEMIST.

>> I THINK WE ALWAYS HAVE THE CONVERSATION THAT TALENT IS LEAVING OKLAHOMA AND WE HAVE SO MANY TALENTED STUDENTS THAT GROW UP HERE, GO TO COLLEGE HERE, AND THEN GO OFF SOMEWHERE FOR ANOTHER JOB.

BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE OVER 30 PARTNERS HERE WHO ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO HIRE HERE LOCALLY.

AND SO WE WANT TO SHOW STUDENTS AT AN EARLY AGE THAT THERE'S COOL THINGS TO DO HERE IN THE CITY AND GET THEM EXCITED ABOUT STAYING HERE.

INNOVATION WEEK IS GEARED TOWARDS STUDENTS MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE CONSIDER A >> THEY COME FROM REALLY SOCIO-ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGE BACKGROUNDS, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CATERIN TO OUR CITY'S MAKEUP.

AND WE HAD KIDS RUN UP TO THEIR TEACHERS SAYING, I CAN'T BELIEV I DID.

YOU KNOW, I COULD BE A S OR I COULD BE AN ENGINEER."

IN 2021 THE OKLAHOMA CITY >> IN 2021 THE OKLAHOMA CITY INNOVATION DISTRICT CREATED A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE ALLOCATION OF $1 MILLION DOLLARS IN AVAILABLE FUNDING TO GROW STEM EDUCATION WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY INNOVATION DISTRICT IS 1.3 SQUARE MILE KIN OF CAMPUS, JUST NORTHEAST OF OKLAHOMA CITY.

AND WE'RE REALLY HERE TO CREATE KIND OF THIS ECONOMIC ENGINE, A NEW ECONOMIC ENGINE IN OKLAHOMA CIT AND SO WE FOCUS A LOT ON BIOPHA MANUFACTURING, AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE, ESPECIALLY AROUND UNMANNED SYSTEMS, ENERGY DIVERSIFICATION, ADVANCED MANUFACTURING, AND THEN BUSINES REALLY TRYING TO RECRUIT COMPANIES HERE AND ALSO GROW.

IN 2022 THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS OR NEAP SCORES REVEALED THE LARGEST SCORE DECLINE IN 4TH AND 8TH >> IN 2022 THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS OR NEAP SCORES REVEALE THE LARGEST SCORE DECLINE IN 4T AND 8TH GRADE MATH SINCE NEAP BEGAN IN THE 1990'S.

MATH COMPETENCY IS A KEY COMPONENT T A SUCCESSFUL STEM CAREER.

EVENT LIKE INNOVATION WEEK HELP EXPOS YOUNG STUDENTS TO UNIQUE CAREER PATHS- AND HOPEFULLY SPUR AN INTEREST IN MATH AND SCIENCE CU >> TODAY WE HAVE ABOUT 15 DIFFERENT INTERACTIVE THINGS THAT KIDS CAN DO ANYWHERE FROM EVERY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AND TOWER TO, WE HAVE DRONE SIMULATORS, GENERAL AIRCRAFT, SPACE STATIONS, ROADER CRAFT.

WE ALSO HAVE VIRTUAL REALITY AN FIREFIGHTING INSIDE AN AIRCRAFT AND TOXICOLOGY.

SO ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE IN AVIATION IS here.

>> GUNNER SAYS THIS WAS HIS FIRST TIME USING VIRTUAL REALITY.

HE GOT TO EXPERIENCE FIREFIGHTING >> THERE WERE THREE OF THE FIRES THAT I HAD TO PUT OUT A,B, AND >> SO HOW DID YOU PUT THEM OUT DID YOU PUT WATER ON IT?

HOW DID THAT WORK?

>> IT WORKED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER >> THERE WERE PLENTY OF INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES TO KEEP STUDENTS ENGAGED IN FORENSICS TO ROBOTICS.

FIRST ROBOTICS IS A STEM EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR K 12TH GRADES.

>> WE HAVE VARIED PROGRAMS FOR DIFFERENT AGE GROU SO WITH THE LITTLES, WE HAVE DUPLOS THAT ARE FOR DISCOVERY.

WE ALSO HAVE REGULAR LEGOS, LEG ROBOTS USING SPIKE PRIME FOR OU SECOND THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE TWO OTHER PROGRAMS FOR OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH IS FIRST TECH CHALLENGE.

AND OUR HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH ARE THE BIG >> AT THE FIRST ROBOTICS BOOTH STUDENTS LEARNED HOW TO OPERATE >> WE WANT THEM TO EXPERIENCE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO DRIVE A ROBOT AS WELL AS THINK A LITTLE BIT C WE ALSO HAVE PAPER AIRPLANES SE FOR THE BUILDING.

ONE OF OUR GAMES THIS YEAR ACTUALLY HAS PAPER AIRPLANES IN, ITS WHERE YOU HAVE TO DESIGN ONE THAT WILL ACTUALLY GET TO A SPECIFIC PLACE OUTSIDE THE FIEL FOR THE I MOST AMOUNT OF POINTS AND SO WE WANNA EXPOSE THEM TO WHAT ARE POSSIBILITIES THAT THE CAN DO RIGHT NOW, NOT JUST IN STEM CAREERS, BUT WHAT THEY CAN DO RIGHT NOW WITH WHATEVER AGE GROUP THEY'RE INVOLVED IN."

>> F.D MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS MISHERRICE JAMES AND PARISHA JONES HOPE THIS WEEKS EXPERIENC WILL ALLOW STUDENTS TO BROADEN THEIR HORIZON.

>> THERE'S NOT JUST A BOX THEY HAVE TO FIT IN.

THEY CAN OPEN THE BOX SPREAD OU AND DO SO MANY THINGS, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE TECHNOLOGY THAT'S COMING OUT NO THERE'S SO MANY JOBS THAT HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN INVENTED YET.

>> THEY, YOU SEE THE REAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE IN STEM THE EARLIER YOU GET IN IT, THE BETTER, THE MORE PRACTICE YOU CAN HAVE, THE MORE DIVERSE YOUR SKILL SET CAN BE ARE AND IT REALLY ALLOWS YOU TO BE, IT'S GOOD FOR THEM NOT ONLY TO JUST TALK ABOUT IT, BUT BE ABLE TO HAVE ANY OF THEM BE DIVULGED IN TO IT.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC OFFERS STEM-RELATED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND ACTIVIES FOR STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR >> I HAVE DIFFERENT STATIONS, I HAVE AEROSPACE, SO THEY GET T MAKE A PLANE ONLINE AND THEY GE TO FLY IT OR WE HAVE, THEY THEI ON IT OR WE HAVE A MACHINE WHER THEY GET TO DO WOODWORK AND THE GET TO CUT THE WOOD.

WE HAVE ANOTHER MACHINE WHERE THEY CAN PUT THEIR NAMES OR IT OR ANY TYPE OF IMAGE AND THEN THEY GET TO SEE THE MACHINE, DO THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE.

>> STUDENTS HAD A BLAST WITH THE HANDS-ON experience.

THE OKC INNOVATION DISTRICT WRAPPED UP INNOVATION WEEK ON T. >> LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF FUN.

>>> COMPLETION OF THE NEW GILCREASE ART MUSEUM IN TULSA HAS BEEN SECURED WITH AN ADDITIONAL $20-MILLION DOLLARS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDING.

TULSA VOTED APPROVED $10-MILLIO DOLLARS IN AUGUST, AND THAT NUMBER HAS BEEN MATCHED BY PRIVATE DONATIONS.

THE MONEY WAS NEEDED DUE TO RISING CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS NOW AROUND $140-MILLION DOLLARS.

>> THE NEW FACILITY WILL OPEN SOMETIME IN 2026.

>>> THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANUFACTURER "CANOO" MAKES A DEAL WITH AN OKLAHOMA TRIBE.

JASON DOYLE HAS THE DETAILS IN THIS WEEK'S "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW".

>> CANOO AND THE PAWNEE NATION HAVE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO INDENTIFY AND DEVELOP BUSINESS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY.

THE AGREEMENT FOCUSES ON FOUR AREAS.BUILDING WORKFORCE SKILLS IN ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES, DEVELOPING SUPPLIERS OF PARTS AND SERVICES FOR THE ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE INDUSTRY, SUPPORT STEM EDUCATION BY CONNECTING PAWNEE STUDENTS TO OPPORTUNITIES IN CLEAN ENERGY FIELDS, AND PAWNEE NATION WILL PLACE AN ORDER FOR CANOO VEHICLES BUILT IN OKLAHOMA.

BLUE WHALE MATERIALS WILL BUILD ITS FIRST LITHIUM ION BATTERY PROCESSING FACILITY IN BARTLESVILLE.

THE COMMERCIAL SCALE FACILITY WILL BE ON 35 ACRES WITH 150,000 SQUARE FEET OF WAREHOUSE SPACE AT THE BARTLESVILLE INDUSTRIAL PARK.

THE FACILITY WILL RECYCLE LITHIUM ION BATTERIES.AND IS EXPECTED TO CREATE 90 NEW JOBS.

BLUE WHALE EXPECTS TO OPEN THE RECYCLING PLANT IN LATE 2024.

LITHIUM ION BATTERIES ARE USED IN EVERYTHING FROM ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO LAPTOPS AND SMARTPH OKLAHOMA CITY BASED GULFPORT ENERGY IS EXPANDING ITS COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM BY 63 PERCENT.

THAT MEANS THE COMPANY WILL SPEND UP TO $650 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUY BACK ITS STOCK FROM INVESTORS.

SO FAR, GULFPORT ENERGY HAS REPURCHASED ABOUT 3.9 MILLION SHARES FOR MORE THAN 331-MILLIO GULFPORT PLANS TO KEEP THE STOC REPURCHASE PROGRAM OPEN THROUGH NEXT YEAR.

WHILE OKLAHOMA STILL HAS SOME OF THE CHEAPEST GAS IN THE US.DRIVERS ARE STILL PAYING MORE IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER.

ACCORDING TO TRIPLE A THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR UNLEADED COSTS AROUND 3.74.

LAST MONTH.THAT AVERAGE PRICE WAS 3.

TRIPLE A DOES EXPECT PRICES TO GO DOWN SOON DUE TO LOWER DEMAN FOR GASOLINE DURING THE FALL AN WINTER MONTHS.

HOWEVER, CUTBACK BY RUSSIA AND SAUDI ARABIA COUL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE HIGHER PRICES AT THE PUMP.

THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION HAS NAMED OKLAHOMA CITY BASED PAYCOM SOFTWARE AS ITS PREFERRED CYBERSECURITY PROVIDER FOR SECURE PAYROLL AND HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE.MAKING IT THE ONLY PAYROLL PROVIDER IN THE PROGRAM THE ASSOCIATION VETTED PAYCOM'S SOFTWARE FOR SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION AS PART OF THE DUE DILIGENCE FOR THE DESIG JASON DOYLE.THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

>>> GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT WILL TRY FOR A 3RD TIME TO GET A PACKAGE OF TAX CUTS PASSED BY LAWMAKERS WHEN A SPECIAL SESSIO CONVENES ON OCTOBER 3RD.

HIS PAST EFFORTS HAVE FAILED TO GAIN SUPPORT WITH LEGISLATIVE L WILL THINGS BE DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION, WITH MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT.

>> ALSO PORTIONS OF CREEK COUNTY.

HE SHARES THE SENATE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE DEALING WITH ALL THINGS BUDGETARY.

WE DID INVITE THEM TO JOIN BUT THEY WEREN'T AVAILABILITY.

RIGHT NOW IS THE PLAN WITH THE PLAN.

YOU HAVE BEEN THE CHAIR FOR HOW LONG?

>> FIVE YEARS GOING INTO MY SIXTH YEAR.

>> WE HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION COMING UP.

LET'S JUMP IN AND EXPLAIN WHAT IS THIS SPECIAL SESSION ABOUT?

>> THE GOVERNOR CALLED THIS SESSION BASED ON THREE POINTS.

THE FIRST POINT IS IF THERE IS A LAWSUIT WON BY A RACE OR NATION WHATEVER TAX THEY DO AWAY WITH THE TAX GOES AWAY.

SECOND OPPONENT IS REDUCTION IN INCOME TAX.

THIRD POINT IS HOW WE DO THE BUDGET IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> UH-HUH.

>> I'M HAPPY TO DISCUSS ANY OF THOSE THREE.

THIS HAS BEEN CALLED FOR OCTOBER 3.

AIDEDPY BY THE LEGISLATURE.

>> GREG INVITED THE GOVERNOR TO SPEAK TO YOUR COMMITTEE AFTER THE SPECIAL SESSION CALLED?

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

WE WILL HAVE A FULL APPROPRIATION MEETING AND THE.

GOV NONAT 10:00 P.M.

HASN'T CONFIRMED IF HE WILL BE THERE.

THIS IS OUR CHIEF FISCAL OFFICER FOR THE STATE SENATE.

HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE IN SAVINGS.

THESE ARE THE CHALLENGES.

FOLLOWING THAT WE BRING IN THE TREASURER.

ESPECIALLY THE THREE MONTHS.

THEY GO INTO THE GENERAL FUND.

BRING THE TAX COMMISSION IN AND SAID IT WILL BE THE IMPACT TAX CUT.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT A CASE OF RACE AND NATIONAL AFFILIATION.

LET'S GO BACK IN TIME.

THIS IS THE OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION, WHICH IS REALLY BORN OUT OF THE 2020 MCGURT DECISION IF YOU ARE ONAL LAND OR WORK FOR AN ENTITY YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY STATE TAXES.

>> IF YOU WORK FOR A TRIBAL INDUSTRY YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY INCOME TAXES.

WHEN THE JULY RULING CAME DOWN, THAT EXPANDED.

WHAT IS INDIAN COUNTRY.

YOU HAVE 11 COUNTIES.

IF YOU EXTRAPOLATE THE NUMBER MAYBE AN INCOME LOSS OF $120 MILLION.

EVERYONE WILL TAKE THAT.

>> SUCH A GOVERNOR.

>> IT HASN'T.

LITIGATION AND LEGISLATION BASED ON IT.

>> WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE FULL IMPACT.

AS MUCH AS 120 MILLION.

WE TAKEAWAY THE INCOME TAX.

THAT'S FOUR BILLION DOLLARS.

>> THIS GOES BACK TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS.

IF ONE PERSON THAT'S WHERE WE LOSE THE 4 BILLION IF THE LEGISLATURE APPROVES THIS IDEA?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

I DON'T SEE THAT BEING APPROVED.

FIRST OF ALL THE SUPREME COURT SAID THE RESERVATION STILL ALONG AND STILL HAVE RESERVATION STATUS.

WE MIGHT NOT LIKE IT AT ALL.

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE MONEY.

YOUR MIND GOES IN HIGH GEAR.

>> YOU WILL TAKE THE MONEY.

IT'S APPROPRIATED INTO HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES.

WHICH ONE DO WE DO AWAY WITH.

YOU CAN'T TAKE THE $4 BILLION OUT AND EXPECT SERVICES TO CONTINUE WHERE THEY ARE.

>> IF THEY HAD A PLAN CAN YOU SEE FOR THE FIVE YEARS ANY WAY AROUND MAKING THIS HAPPEN?

WE HAVE TO ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL OR KEEP THE GROCERY TAX IN PLACE.

>> YOU BRING UP GOOD ISSUES.

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH TO ROB COLLECTIVELY.

I THINK THE PEOPLE REALIZE ABOUT THE TOTAL.

AT MY HOMETOWN HAS A 10% TAX.

5.5% ON THE GROCERIES.

THAT ALOAN.

>> IF THE INCOME TAX IS TAKEN AWAY, WHERE COULD THE STATE RAISE TAXES?

IS IT ONLY SALES TAX?

IS THERE ANOTHER AVENUE?

>> KEEP IN MIND THEY PASSED THAT 640 IN 1992.

IT TACKS THE LEGISLATURE TO RAISE TAXES OR MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA.

WHERE DO WE GET IT.

ALSO IT STANDS INDIVIDUALLY.

IT WILL TAKE 75%.

THE QUESTION WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM.

I'D LIKE TO TALK THE GOVERNOR.

>> EVERYONE IS NO INCOME TAX BUT IT'S NOT GREAT.

OKLAHOMA IS FIFTH OVERALL NATIONWIDE IN CITIZEN TAX BURDEN, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES.

YES.

WHAT WE LOOK AT IS HOW WE ARE TAXED.

OUR OVERALL BURDEN IS 25th .

YOU LOOK AT THE INCOME TAX RATE IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

THEY PICK AND CHOSE ALL LEVEL.

>> THE GOVERNOR COMPARES US TO TEXAS ALL OF THE TIME AND THEY DON'T HAVE AN INCOME TAX.

NO STATE HAS EVER ELIMINATED INCOME TAX.

THE STATES WITHOUT IT NEVER HAD ONE.

THE IDEA TO ELIMINATE ONE THEY PAY PROPERTY TAXES.

IF YOU MOVE TO TEXAS YOU PAY 6% OF THE SALES PORTION.

SERVICES MUST CONTINUE.

>> DON'T WE HAVE THE SURPLUS MONEY?

>> WE DO.

THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE OVER $4 BILLION.

1.2BILLION IN THE RAINY DAY FUND.

REVENUE FALLS MAKE SURE WE KEEP THE RATES OUT.

WE HAVE $1.4 BILLION THAT WE HAVEN'T CARRIED OVER.

KEEP IN MIND WE ARE AN APPROPRIATED STATE OF 12 BILLION.

WE ARE A $35 BILLION BUSINESS.

WHEN WE SAY WE MIGHT HAVE $4 BILLION IN MY BANK ACCOUNT THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

IN THE STATES BANK ACCOUNT WE SPEND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS PER DAY IT CAN GO AWAY IN A HURRY.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSAL CHANGE THE BUDGET PROCESS TO MAKE IT MORE TRANSPARENT TO HAVE THREE DAYS WHERE THE BUDGET IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

IS THAT DOABLE?

IT'S KNOT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE ARE DOING.

THE LEGISLATURE THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO DO IS TELL THEM HOW TO DO THEIR JOB AND VIOLATION OF ARTICLE FIVE.

TODAY OUR MEETING IS PUBLIC AND THEY ARE THERE.

IT'S IN PUBLIC.

WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THE PROCESS IS VERY DYNAMIC.

AS WE GO THROUGH THERE ARE NUMBERS THAT MIGHT CHANGE.

IT'S ALREADY AN OPEN PROCESS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> SO, WHAT'S THE TALK YOU ARE HEARING FOR YOUR COLLEAGUES AT THE STATE CAPITOL ABOUT THIS?

>> ON THE GOVERNORS CALL FOR THE SESSION AND PROPOSED PLAN.

>> ON POINT NUMBER ONE AND THREE IT'S DIFFICULT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.

POINT NUMBER ONE WE CAN'T DO AWAY WITH ALL OF THE INCOME TAX THIS IS HOW WE RIDE THE BUDGET ON POINT NUMBER TWOSOME I HEARD WE'D LIKE TO SEE AN INCOME TAX REDUCTION AND SEND US ON A PATH.

WE THROUGH A REDUCTION.

I'M NOT SUPPORTIVE OF THAT TODAY.

HOW DO WE PAY FOR THE HIGHWAY.

HYBRID AND ELECTRIC CARS ARE COMING OUT.

FUEL TAXES ARE GOING DOWN.

COUNTIES ARE LOOKING FOR MORE MONEY.

WE HAVE TO USE OUR INCOME TAX MONEY.

THAT'S MY BELIEF NOT THE BELIEF OF ANYONE ELSE.

WE LOOK AT WHAT CAME OUT THIS LAST WEEK AT LANGSTON UNIVERSITY.

WE DO AWAY WITH THE REVENUE.

WE NEED A PLAN TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE NURSING HOMES THAT CLOSED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HIRE ANYBODY.

WE NEED TO MAKETURE IS HOSPITALS STAY OPEN.

THOSE ARE THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE.

THEY WILL MAKE A POINT OR DIFFERENCE.

YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT IF NATIVE FOLKS, IF THIS IS STILL A DECISION APPROVED BY THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

>> THAT'S ALSO A GREAT QUESTION.

THE NATION OF LAWS AND SUPREME COURT SAYS FOR RESERVATION STATUS IT'S STILL THERE AND OPERATE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK.

THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE.

OUR NATIVE-AMERICAN PARTNERS ARE GREAT.

WE HAVE WORKED WITH FEMA AND THE TRIBE.

THEY WILL ALSO TELL YOU WE ARE OKLAHOMAN.

THEY WANT WHAT IS RIGHT.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A WILLING PARTNER AND HAVE THAT IN PERSON.

>> COMING BACK TO THE SPECIAL SESSION COMING UP ON OCTOBER 3 A FEW WEEKS AWAY.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM THE GOVERNOR ABOUT HIS PROPOSAL?

>> IT'S EASY TO MAKE A PROPOSAL TO DO AWAY WITH INCOME TAX.

I'D LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT HIS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

CUT $4 BILLION I'D LIKE TO ARTICULATE THAT.

IF THERE IS A DIFFERENT PLAN, I DON'T HEAR IT.

I DON'T SEE WHERE THE MONEY HAS COME FROM.

IT'S PORTIONED OUT AND IF THERE IS A PLAN I'D LIKE TO HAVE IT.

WE WANT TO DO AWAY WITH $4 BILLION WORTH OF FUNDING.

>> DO YOU SEE ANYWHERE WHERE TAXES CAN BE CUT TO GIVE RELIEF TO OKAYANS.

>> WELL, YES, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT INCOME TAXES IF YOU LIKE TO DO THAT.

WHAT'S INTERESTING TO ME, IN MY DISTRICT.

I HAVE FEW CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CUTTING TAXES.

I HAVE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SERVICES.

TAKING CARE OF MY MOM AND DAD AND MAKING SURE SCHOOLS STAY OPEN.

MAKING SURPLICE ARE ON THE STREET AND BE ABLE TO PROTECT US.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS I TALK ABOUT.

I SPOKE ABOUT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND OUR FAMILY GOES FORWARD.

I HAVE FEW CONVERSATIONS AND PEOPLE COMING UP.

I WAS LIKE MY TAX BURDEN IS TOO HIGH.

I THINK, IT LOOKS GOOD IN A POLITICAL CONVERSATION AND WE NEED TO HAVE THAT.

I'M TELLING YOU, BEHIND EVERY DOLLARS WE HAVE THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> WE ARE ALMOST AT THE END OF OUR TIME.

I'D LIKE YOU TO STATE ANYTHING ABOUT THE CONVERSATION YOU THINK THE FOLKS STATE WISE NEED-TO-KNOW ABOUT THE SPECIAL SESSION.

>> I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO STAY TUNE.

IMPACTS YOUR LIFE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT NATIONAL NEWS AND SOMETIMES WE CONFUSE THE TWO.

WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION THIS IS 23 AND LINCOLN.

THERE IS SOME REASON TO CUT TAXES AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE MORE MONEY.

>> WE DIDN'T USE ONE TIME MONEY.

YOU CUT A TAX.

ONGOING DEFENSE.

YOU MIGHT PAY FOR IT THE FIRST YEAR AND NOT THE SECOND AND THIRD YEAR.

>> IS THAT TRUE ON THE FIRST YEAR?

>> FOR ME, I WAS HERE.

I WAS HERE IN 2018.

>> HE HAD $110 MILLION.

THEY PUT MONEY BACK AND PAY THE BILLS.

I LIVED THROUGH THOSE TIMES.

>> I'M NOT WANTING TO LEAVE 23 AND LINCOLN.

I THINK WE NEED TO HOLD THEIR HANDS.

>> WE WILL END IT RIGHT THERE SENATOR THOMPSON.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> I'M GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> GREAT CONVERSATION.

LONG BEFORE MAN INVITED THE MICROWAVE OVEN OR DISCOVERED FIRE COOKED MEAT THERE WAS THE SUN AND IT TURNS OUT, YOU CAN PRETTY WELL WITH IT TOO, IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT.

IN THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW".

WE'LL TAKE YOU TO ARIZONA TO MEET SOME FOLKS WHO DO!

>> THIS STAR IS A GREAT COOKING TOOL THAT'S ABUN DENT ABUNDANT AND FREE.

>> SONYA SAID IT WAS OVEN EXPLORATION SHE HEARD ABOUT AN EVENT IN TUCSON.

THIS SPARKED AN INTEREST.

>> I REMEMBER ONE YEAR MY FATHER WAS ASKING ME WHAT COULD HE GET THE KIDS FOR CHRISTMAS.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANY GOOD IDEAS.

I SAID I KNOW WHAT YOU CAN GET ME FOR CHRISTMAS.

HE BROUGHT ME THE SOLAR OVEN.

I HAVE BEEN USING IT SINCE.

>> ANY TIMES BEFORE THE CLOUDS COME I TAKE ADVANTAGE.

>> JOE LIKES TO USE THE SOLAR OVEN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

HE FOUND IT ON CRAIGSLIST.

>> I GREW UP NEXT DOOR TO SONYA.

FOR AS LONG AS I REMEMBER SHE HAD ONE.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT INTERESTED ME.

WHEN I MOVED OUT AND GOT MY OWN PROCLAMATION I BROUGHT A SOLAR OVEN BEFORE A MICROWAVE.

>> OH, YEAH.

GET SOME OF THAT FOIL ON IT.

GO AHEAD AND OPEN THAT.

AND THEN, OH, GOSH, THAT SMELLS GREAT.

>> OH, WOW.

>> BOTH SAY THE PROCESS IS SIMPLE.

YOU HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SUN'S DIRECTION.

YOU MOVE THE OVENS WHEN NECESSARY.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING WE SHOULD DO WITH THE RICE.

DO WE NEED TO ANGLE IT BETTER OR STEEPER.

>> IT'S LESS CONVENIENT BUT WORTH THE EFFORT THEY SAY.

>> SOLAR COOKING SEEMS LIKE THE MOST NATURAL THING IN A PLACE WE HAVE ABUNDANCE OF SUN.

IT'S REALLY BENEFICIARY BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO TURN YOUR STOVE OR OVEN ON AND HEAT THE HOUSE UP MORE.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE MESSAGES PROMOTED AT THE ANNUAL SOLAR POTLUCK.

IT'S HELD AT CATLINA STATE PARK.

WE HAD MILD ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH A BLEND.

>> MY NAME IS PAT MURRY.

>> SOLAR OVENS ARE STAINLESS STEEL AND THE SUN IS REFLECTED INSIDE THE BOXES.

THESE OVENS ARE PROBABLY RUNNING ABOUT 375 WE SERVE THEM ON ITALIAN SAUSAGE.

IT'S SIMMERING RIGHT NOW.

THE KITCHEN STOVE AND LET IT GO THREE DAYS.

MUSHROOMS AND MEATBALLS.

>> THAT'S DELICIOUS.

>> I LOVE IT.

>> THERE ARE OVENS THAT ARE EXPENSIVE AND SOME THAT DO IS SAME THING THAT ARE NOT EXPENSIVE.

THE ONES WE USE HERE ARE IN THE PRICE RANGE OF 350 TO 400 DOLLARS.

>> BACK AT SONYA'S HOUSE THEY ARE SEVERING A FEAST AND INVITED GUESTS.

>> I ENDED UP WITH A MEAL PLEASING EVERYONE.

I'D LIKE TO SEE PEOPLE.

SO, IT'S REALLY FUN.

>> THIS WAS MY FIRST MEAL AND I WAS IMPRESSED.

IT HAD TASTE.

>> I'M FROM THE RESERVATION AND WE HAVE OUR OWN SYSTEM OF COOKING.

I CAN SEE THIS BEING INCORPORATED.

THE COST OF FUEL AND ELECTRIC IS GOOD GOING MORE EXPENSI.

>> I'M READY TO START dinner >>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

OKLAHOMA NURSING HOMES.

ARE FACING PROPOSED NEW FEDERAL REG WHAT THEY ARE AND WHY SOME NURSING HOMES SAY IT MIGHT PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.

AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE STATE FAIR OF OKL PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OETA'S BRANDON DOWNEY.

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