OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Governor Kevin Stitt delivered his seventh State of the State address yesterday, outlining a conservative agenda that he argues will protect the American dream in Oklahoma—a dream he acknowledged isn’t guaranteed for everyone.
Stitt called for tax cuts, proposing a half-percent reduction in individual and business income taxes, alongside efforts to shrink state government by creating a new Department of Government Efficiency.
He championed fossil fuel production, pushed to end the Green New Deal and DEI programs, and advocated banning cell phones in schools. Additionally, he emphasized big business investment and framed the “fatherlessness crisis” as a key societal issue, promoting traditional family structures as a solution.
With these priorities—favoring corporations and industries like oil and gas while rolling back diversity and social programs—Stitt and Oklahoma’s Republican-controlled legislature set the stage for policies that could have far-reaching effects on BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across the state.
Tax cuts
One of the central themes of the State of the Stitt was his plan to cut taxes while reshaping the size and scope of the government. He proposed a half-percent cut on individual and business income tax with a “path to zero,” arguing that Oklahomans should keep more of their earnings rather than funnel them into government programs.
Stitt framed this move as a way to stay competitive with other republican states like Texas and Florida, which have no income tax, saying they spend less on their citizens per capita. “States like Texas and Florida spend less per person than any other state,” Stitt said.
According to data from the Urban Institute, Oklahoma’s government pays roughly $8,559 per capita (per average person). This is slightly lower than data on Texas, $9,579, and Florida, $8,816.
“They also have no income tax. And you don’t hear anyone complaining about their roads, schools, or hospitals,” he said.
Some of our neighboring states have income and corporate taxes comparable to what many Oklahomans are used to. For example, Oklahoma’s income tax rate varies between 0.25% and 4.75%, with a state sales tax rate of 4.50%. Missouri’s sales tax is 4.225%. However, Arkansas and Kansas have a state sales tax rate of 6.50%.
DOGE-OK
To fortify a limited government, Stitt announced the creation of DOGE OK. Not to be confused with Dogecoin, DOGE stands for Department of Government Efficiency. This new federal body, headed by Elon Musk, is not a federal agency but a part of White House operations. Stitt hopes to mimic this work at the state level.
According to a press release from the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus, House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson expressed concern that Governor Stitt is more focused on appeasing the President than solving problems for everyday Oklahomans.
Further attacking DEI
In 2023, Stitt signed an Executive Order to “defund discrimination.” The order requires state higher education institutions to review and report their current DEI departments and eliminate non-critical personnel.
In his 2025 address, he criticized DEI efforts as divisive and unnecessary “government mandates,” aligning with President Donald Trump’s broader national movement to dismantle policies to address systemic inequalities.
Stitt’s rhetoric signals a legislative push to remove DEI initiatives from schools, workplaces, and government agencies–a move that could have far-reaching consequences for historically marginalized communities in the state.
Promoting education reform
Stitt championed Oklahoma’s education freedom movement, boasting that Oklahoma ranks #4 nationally for education freedom. The Heritage Foundation, a Conservative think-tank, named Florida, Arizona, Utah, Louisiana, and Iowa the top five states for religious freedom. In reality, Oklahoma is ranked #13 for education freedom.
He celebrated policies that use public funds for private and religious schools, including the nation’s first-ever religious charter school. While this may be true, the US Supreme Court is scheduled to decide on the constitutionality of the matter. In June 2024, Oklahoma’s Supreme Court ruled 7-1 that the proposed catholic charter school would violate the First Amendment.
Reforming criminal justice and immigration
In November 2024, Stitt launched “Operation Guardian” to assist with federal immigration enforcement. Its purpose is to expel those in the Department of Corrections who are illegally in the state/country.
In June 2024, he sent Oklahoma National Guard troops to Texas to help secure the border following a stalemate in action from the federal government.
Oklahoma’s own Senator James Lankford authored federal legislation to address the ongoing crisis at the US-Mexico border. However, his Republican colleagues refused to push the matter after a recommendation from Trump.
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State Republicans have rallied together to restrict illegal immigration in Oklahoma. Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has vowed to support President Trump’s anti-immigration policies. Last year, Stitt signed House Bill 4196 to criminalize illegal immigration. A federal court blocked its enforcement.
Business, industry and workforce growth
While discussing the state’s business and workforce growth, Stitt claimed that 274 companies moved to Oklahoma. However, according to data from Oklahoma Commerce, the state only saw 75 new and expanding companies in 2024.
Stitt touted several businesses, declaring 2025 the year of energy abundance and vowing to protect and expand Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry. However, he did not mention growing renewables, which account for 45% of all energy used in the state.
Stitt criticized federal regulations and called for this year’s legislative session to unleash Oklahoma’s energy potential.
“When free from politically motivated barriers and overregulation, our energy industry can power the nation and the world,” he said.
As President Trump pulls the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreements again, this focus on fossil fuels follows a Republican-led trend of ignoring climate change concerns and limiting opportunities for cleaner, sustainable energy in the US.
The “fatherlessness crisis.”
Stitt framed fatherless families as a societal “crisis our nation is experiencing,” arguing that strong families are key to a strong economy and safe communities. He called for Oklahomans to recommit to traditional family structures.
Children who grow up without a father figure are predisposed to certain shortcomings. However, according to a study from the National Health Institute, children who grow up with a father are more likely to succeed in school. The quality of parenting plays a significant role in these outcomes.
Stitt’s emphasis on family structure raises concerns about how new policies on the table, like Senate Bill 328, might neglect or harm LGBTQ+ families and non-traditional households.
With just one year left in office, Stitt’s final term could deepen the existing oppression of queer and BIPOC Oklahomans. His State of the Stitt ensures that the American Dream is guaranteed achievable only for those who can thrive in a Republican utopia.
As his Republican-led legislature moves to enact his agenda, Oklahomans will be watching closely to see whether these policies truly benefit all or only a select few.
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