The Vista Breakdown: Governor Stitt Delivers State of The State Address

Gov. Kevin Stitt delivered the State of the State address on Monday, where he discussed legislation passed during the previous session and outlined his hopes for the upcoming session. 

During the previous session, he cut taxes by $1.6 billion. 

Stitt said Oklahoma maintained one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oklahoma’s unemployment rate was 3.6% as of December 2025.

With 6,200 new bills being introduced this session, Stitt discussed his anticipations for some of these bills.

Ballot Questions

To maintain the Path to Zero income tax, there will be a state question on the ballot to impose a 3% annual cap on recurring spending growth. 

“This keeps the growth of government in check and protects the Oklahoma taxpayers,” he said. 

He also has plans to implement checks and balances to government assistance programs. With his new executive order to increase work requirements for Medicaid, SNAP, and other federal welfare programs, he plans to send a question to the ballot to let voters decide whether to allow adjustments to Medicaid expansion.

“Government dependency is a trap. It robs self-reliance and balloons budgets,” Gov. Stitt said.

He continued, “I always say government programs should be a trampoline, not a hammock, but too often that is not the case. Medicaid is Exhibit A – driving massive spending growth while enabling waste. In 10 years, Medicaid is projected to eat up 37% of our annual budget – $6 billion.”

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority did not respond to a message seeking comment.

Another state question will decide whether to freeze property tax growth across the board. He said that as people move into the state, businesses will grow and so will property values.

Fiscal Impacts

Stitt also implores legislatures to create the Taxpayer Endowment Fund. This fund would be created with $750 million of existing savings. He said that an investment of $750 million would become $3.2 billion in 20 years. Other states like Alaska, Wyoming, and Texas also have this model and are doing it successfully, he said. 

During his address, Gov. Stitt discussed the Invest America Trump Accounts, an initiative that allows parents or guardians to establish a retirement account for their children. This initiative will launch July 5. 

Reappropriating $12 million of existing funds can add $250 each year to every Oklahoman child’s account this year, he said. 

Education

In 2021, Stitt passed the Open Transfer Act, which altered the requirements needed for transferring to different schools. Now, students can transfer to any public school district as long as the district has not exceeded the transfer limit and the student has not had any previous disciplinary issues. 

Stitt said it is time to “eliminate” the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association in order to progress with open transfer initiatives.

“At the end of it all, a student can transfer to a new school, but if they want to excel in athletics, their opportunity may be blocked by an unelected and unaccountable high school sports association, the OSSAA,” he said. 

OSSAA has released a statement regarding the Governor’s comments.

“While we are disappointed that Governor Stitt did not reach out to learn more about how the OSSAA operates, we welcome the opportunity to visit with him anytime,” Executive Director David Jackson said in a statement. “We would be glad to help him better understand our member-governed structure and the work our schools do collectively to support students across Oklahoma.” 

Stitt also wants to allow charter schools to consult the statewide board of education to open, rather than being blocked by local school districts. 

He also wants the next Governor to have the authority to appoint the State Superintendent rather than having one elected. 

Marijuana

“One of the greatest threats to public safety is the out-of-control marijuana industry,” he said. 

He wants to send the legalization of marijuana back to the voters to “shut it down.” He said dispensaries enable cartel activity and human trafficking. 

Tribal Communities

Stitt also said he wants to stop any efforts that federalize half of Oklahoma.

“We either believe in equal rights for all, or we don’t, and it’s time to choose,” he said. “This issue will continue to split our state both literally and figuratively, unless we address it head-on.”

He said there should be no exception to the law. All Oklahomans should follow the law, pay taxes, and be tried accordingly, regardless of race.