Let's Pod This

Session doesn't start until February but some members of the legislature are already plotting a course toward restricting voters' ability pass laws directly. Also, is "qualified" simply in the eyes of the beholder? Let's discuss.

This episode is...hard. Bailey lost her grandfather to Covid and Andy's mom is in the ICU on a ventilator. We stew on that and the glaring absence of political will by many elected officials to take the steps necessary to slow the spread and prevent *even more* Oklahomans from dying.

The newly-elected Oklahoma legislature has been busy - filing bills, scheduling meetings, and sending letters to other states telling them how to handle their elections. And, of course, there's the continued rampant community spread of Covid-19, which has finally made it's way into our homes. Links mentioned in this episode: Map of the legislature's redistricting town hall meetings Oklahoma using...

We're joined by Rep. Cyndi Munson to discuss OG&E's response to the recent ice storm and how Oklahomans can be more effective advocates for change regarding utilities oversight. We also give an update on Oklahoma County shenanigans (including Hooten's horn) and Scott leaves us with a very strange "Moment of Zen." (Spoiler: the Oklahoma Corporation Commission oversees utilities.) To file a comp...

In this special episode, we're sharing the "civic sermon" from our first virtual Civic Saturday event, which was held on October 17th, just a few weeks before Election Day. A video of the event and the full text of the sermon and "civic scriptures" can be found in this blog post. We'll be back next week with a full recap of the election.

No full episode this week since everyone is dealing with fallout from the ice storm. BUT! two reminders: (1) Don't forget to vote and (2) we're doing a liveblog on election night beginning at 6pm. Join us at letsfixthisok.org/blog.

The past year has brought numerous challenges for government at all levels, and that includes the county level. Oklahoma County, in particular, has repeatedly made headlines for decisions regarding the county jail, what they're doing (or not doing) with federal CARES funds, and their relationship with the Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. It's a complicated mess, and so we're joi...

Monday was a barn-burner of a news cycle when it comes to Oklahoma politics, with important developments about everything from pandemics to Medicaid managed care, from new cabinet & agency heads to Epic Charter School investigative audits, and a ribbon of Governor vs Legislature running through most issues. Links are below: Rep. Ryan Martinez (R-Edmond) announced plans to file legislation aime...

Criminal justice reform has been widely supported by most Oklahomans, but there seems to be a lot of division and uncertainty surrounding the latest CJR measure on the ballot. In this episode we speak with supporters Kris Steele and Jacqueline Blocker from Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform as well as opponent Pat McFerron to hear their perspectives on the issue. Read more: Supporters: YesOn80...

Of the two state questions on the ballot this year, SQ814 has received less attention from the media. In this episode we’ll chat with supporters & opponents of the measure to help you be a more informed voter.

On the ballot this year are several changes to Oklahoma City's governing document - the city charter. We're joined by City Councilors JoBeth Hamon and James Cooper, municipal attorney Laura McDevitt, and Generation Citizen's Elizabeth Sidler to discuss the nine proposed changes.

News9 just released the results of their most recent poll, and some of the results are downright surprising. We discuss them as well as the latest ad from Senator Jim Inhofe, which was also surprising (but for different reasons).

Happy Labor Day, listeners! We break from the usual format to pause & reflect on the origins of this holiday and share a "civic sermon" by Whitney Kimball Coe , which she delivered during our Civics Con event in May 2020.

We discuss some of the most notable results from this week's primary run-off election, including: (1) Bice squeaks out a win over Neese for CD5 nomination (and what happens to Bice's campaign now as she turns to face Congresswoman Horn in November), (2) Tommie Johnson bests incumbent PD Taylor for OK County Sheriff, thereby guaranteeing OK County will have its first black sheriff, and (3) three #o...

The DNC goes virtual, Oklahoma County commissioners go rogue, and contrary to what the Governor has said, apparently the White House does have a whole bunch recommendations for how Oklahoma should be responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Universities struggle to articulate what it is they offer to students and Oklahoma County has a budget board meeting go in an unexpected (and potentially unwise) direction.

While the usual partisan gridlock in Washington is holding up additional stimulus money for the entire country, we discuss whether or not Oklahoma really needs more money and some ideas on how to disrupt that two-party, partisan gridlock. Also: zombie insects. Links: Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop by Lee Drutman Zombie cicadas Zombie bees

We discuss how the state and federal government continue to struggle to respond to COVID-19 (despite how they frame it). Meanwhile, significant movement in the criminal justice space: a ballot initiative qualifies for the ballot, the director of the Pardon & Parole board resigns and, ironically, two men escape from the Oklahoma County jail. Also Scott apparently loves magicians. Helpful Links...

We discuss the possible reasoning behind and implications of the resignation of Governor Stitt's Chief of Staff, Michael Junk, the state legislature announces interim studies, and...apparently aliens may actually exist? Links mentioned in this episode: House interim studies Senate interim studies NYT article about aliens Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Summer Advocacy Bingo

Wow, what a week! Governor Stitt has COVID, cities are mandating masks, updates on SQ807 & SQ810, a lot of folks are down with PPP, the McGirt ruling breeds disagreement amongst the Five Tribes, and the food banks partnered with OESC to help help Oklahomans in need. During the episode we reference this legal filing regarding SQ807 as well as this article from The Frontier about PPP recipients...

The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that 19 million acres of Oklahoma is indeed part of an Indian reservation. Legal correspondent Brian Jones joins us to discuss the potential implications of the McGirt vs. Oklahoma ruling, the continued increase in COVID-19 cases, and the Governor's refusal to require masks. Things to read: Stephen Colbert’s “Truthiness” video clip McGirt majority o...

Bailey shares her experience being a first-time poll worker and we recap the results of the 2020 state primary election.

The number of COVID-19 cases is up, attendance at President Trump's campaign rally was down, problems with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission are up, and a reminder that there's an election going down...right now, actually.

Happy Juneteenth! We take a few minutes to discuss the history & significance of the holiday and then get into the big news of the week: COVID-19 numbers are WAY up and there's going to be a huge campaign rally tomorrow. What could go wrong? Also, remember to VOTE on or before June 30th - by mail, early in-person, or in-person on the day of the election.

It’s been three months since the NBA suspended their season following the announcement that a member of the Utah Jazz tested positive for the novel coronavirus, a day that effectively marks the beginning of a new era in our lives. At the time that happened, March 11th, Oklahoma only had two confirmed cases of COVID-19; now there are 7,848 confirmed cases and today, June 11th, 222 of which were rep...