Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed 20 Senate bills this week to send a message to the Oklahoma Senate to pass his proposed education spending plan or he’ll continue to veto Senate bills.
The House on Wednesday amended bills to approve Stitt’s $800 million proposal which increases funding to education, provides for a teacher pay raise, and creates tax credits for parents who send their kids to private schools or home school.
Stitt used the same message in his vetoes of the Senate bills. He wants the Senate to pass his education proposal and cut taxes. “I am vetoing this unrelated policy and will continue to veto any and all legislation authored by Senators who have not stood with the people of Oklahoma and supported his plan,” wrote Stitt.
After a late start and a long day on Thursday, the Senate Rules Committee rejected two of Stitt’s nominees. Chad Mariska was nominated as Secretary of Commerce. Stitt wanted Oklahoma Health Care Authority CEO Kevin Corbitt to be his next Secretary of Health and Mental Health.
The Rules Committee rejected both nominations by a vote of zero to 19.
