Gov. Stitt addresses mental health, judicial reform in weekly press briefing

In his weekly press conference, Gov. Kevin Stitt addressed a wide range of state issues, from commemorating the Oklahoma City bombing anniversary to defending his administration’s mental health strategy and weighing in on potential judicial reforms.

Honoring the Oklahoma City Bombing Anniversary

Gov. Stitt began the briefing by recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. He praised the resilience and selflessness of Oklahomans who ran toward danger to help others in the aftermath. “Evil did not overcome,” he said, calling for unity and continued compassion across the state.

Mental Health Spending and Investigations

Responding to ongoing scrutiny of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), Gov. Stitt emphasized that no services are being cut. He stated that the state is maintaining funding levels, with nearly $800 million allocated to mental health services, approximately $387 million of which comes from state appropriations.

Gov. Stitt defended current Commissioner Allie Friesen, who he said exposed issues by removing longtime agency officials. “The rats are running,” Gov. Stitt said, describing entrenched bureaucracy resisting change. He reaffirmed support for redirecting funding from inefficient providers to higher-performing vendors.

He acknowledged concerns about cost disparities, noting some providers charge the state as much as $6,700 per patient per month, while others charge $2,700. Gov. Stitt said his administration is investigating such discrepancies to ensure efficient use of taxpayer money.

Pandemic Response and Business Closure Bill

Gov. Stitt voiced support for a bill that would prevent governors from closing businesses during a pandemic without strong justification. He recalled his response to COVID-19, stating that Oklahoma was one of the first states to reopen and that he never issued a statewide mask mandate.

“We’ve learned a lot from COVID,” Gov. Stitt said, adding that future decisions should be informed by local experts, not just federal guidance. He called the bill a protection of constitutional rights.

Agency Oversight and Executive Power

The governor reiterated his call for greater executive control over state agencies. He pointed out that while citizens expect the governor to hold agency leaders accountable, the current structure, where many agencies report to unelected boards, makes this difficult.

He used the analogy of hiring a football coach to make his case: “You let them hire their own staff.”

Education Department Pay Concerns

When asked about recent bonuses awarded within the State Department of Education, Gov. Stitt noted that the agency falls under a separately elected official and not his direct oversight. However, he encouraged further transparency and legislative review of such compensation decisions.

Wildfire Response Planning

Gov. Stitt confirmed that the state’s wildfire working group is meeting this week and is currently vetting interim leadership candidates for the forestry department. He praised the involvement of retired firefighters in helping guide the next steps.

Legislative Oversight of ODMHSAS

Gov. Stitt said he supports the House’s formation of a select committee to examine ODMHSAS finances, stating that any findings of inefficiency or wrongdoing will be addressed. “If someone is cheating Oklahomans, I’ll be the first one to cancel the contract,” he said.

Judicial Nominating Commission Reform

The governor discussed potential reforms to the Judicial Nominating Commission, including extending term limits and giving the governor more direct authority in selecting judicial nominees. While he noted the current system has yielded strong Supreme Court appointees, he argued that the federal model — where the executive appoints and the legislature confirms — could better serve the state’s future.

Closing Thoughts

Gov. Stitt concluded by reiterating his goals for government efficiency, transparency, and accountability. “We’re trying to get taxpayer dollars on target,” he said, underscoring his broader mission to make Oklahoma a “Top 10 state.”