Stitt Calls On Congress To Act After SCOTUS Ruling Against Oklahoma

Governor Kevin Stitt said Thursday the U.S. Congress needs to act in response to a Supreme Court ruling against Oklahoma. The court ruled Thursday in McGirt v. Oklahoma that a large section of eastern Oklahoma remains an American Indian reservation and that the state “overstepped” its arrangement with native tribes, as defined by 19th century treaties.

Thursday, July 9th 2020, 9:59 pm

By: Barry Mangold

Governor Kevin Stitt said Thursday the U.S. Congress needs to act in response to a Supreme Court ruling against Oklahoma.

The court ruled Thursday in McGirt v. Oklahoma that a large section of eastern Oklahoma remains an American Indian reservation and that the state “overstepped” its arrangement with native tribes, as defined by 19th century treaties.

In addition to potentially threatening numerous convictions to local prosecutors, Stitt said it’s possible for other areas of state government to be impacted as well.

“Does it stop on the prosecution of crimes, or does it move into taxation? All those questions are things nobody really knows at this point,” Stitt said.

“This is a federal issue, it’s something that the (U.S) Congress needs to address to put some parameters and see how exactly we’re supposed to deal with this.”

Members of the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma also took note of the potential impacts of the ruling.

Brook Simmons, the president of the Petroleum Association of Oklahoma said the group is “disappointed” with the ruling, adding that its side-effects could be bad for business.

“New uncertainties can further disrupt investment in Oklahoma. I don’t think we need that right now, so that’s obviously part of the disappointment,” Simmons said.