What a week: And it's only Wednesday

Drama inside and outside the Capitol has been on FULL display

Governor Stitt v. Ryan Walters

Video from KFOR News 4, with Spencer Humphrey.

The Nationalists are fighting. And although Governor Stitt appears to be taking the “high road” and publicly tamping down on “political drama”, as if it hasn’t been true for over three years now, the timing is interesting. Remember in a previous article where I shared THIS NEWS STORY? Walters’ Campaign Finance Records from his 2022 Superintendent run have been subpoenaed. Records for which, Walters served as his own Treasurer. The timing of this is certainly interesting, and I’m not the only one wondering if the Governor is distancing himself because of things that will come out in those findings. I mean, he already did such a dandy job with the GEER Funds, what could possible be wrong here?

Sidebar, declared Gubernatorial candidate Gentner Drummond appears to have taken Walters’ side in the squabble.

Of note, Drummond tagging Trump… Drummond running around with OCPAC… Drummond shifting further towards MAGA? I guess we’ll see.

Chaplain issues at OK House

On Monday, two days ago, I received word that the House Chaplain was having Pages pass out Bibles to members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. I was confused. When I followed up to clarify they meant Joel Harder, I was told it was some “new guy”. Friends, I have had to have too many conversations and actions around issues with this Chaplaincy program since 2018, when I was a brand new executive director. If you’ll recall, the House refused to let Imam Imad Enchassi lead the prayer, even though he was rightfully nominated to do so by then State Rep Jason Dunnington. The compromise from the House was that they would move to a model where the House has one designated chaplain and named Harder in this role, in capacity with a new nonprofit, Office of Capitol Culture.

The website is still up. You can see that he was appointed by Speaker McCall in 2018. On another page, Dr. Harder is still referred to as the House Chaplain.

Cue confusion. Is this organization still in existence? At one point, this office was tasked with production of the Annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, which had a price tag of approximately $170,000 last time I checked.

After some digging, “new guy” appears to be Ronnie Wilson, with the Capitol Commission. Check out the packet of stuff handed out to the Reps! Apparently, the Bibles were gifted from a Louisiana based organization called Understanding the Word Ministries.

Shoutout to Rep. Mickey Dollens for sharing!

So, Capitol Commission… apparently that’s what is happening now. I swear, this stuff can truly feel like whack a mole, with new orgs popping up left and right. Christian Nationalism has truly mastered the art of rename and rebrand. However, it appears this organization has been doing this for a while in multiple states. It makes me wonder why this commission wasn’t the immediate go-to in 2018? This is especially valid when articles at the time were saying it would likely be them to take over. The word grift is coming to mind, but I digress.

Here’s some details on Capitol Commission from GuideStar.

Although Ronnie Wilson works for Capitol Commission, it is definitely at the invitation of the Speaker of the House. I wonder, if ANY nonprofit of ANY faith would be equally welcome to come into the Capitol and extol their religious virtues? I feel like we know the answer.

Deevers Plays Defense (and not well)

Yesterday, Dusty Deevers presented SB 550 to the Senate Public Safety Committee. This bill seeks to ban Drag Shows in public where minors might be present. Senators Goodwin and Brooks both asked great follow ups regarding the vagueness of the bill’s language, definitions not provided, etc. and Senator Deevers was not brushed up on his talking points. Citing court case after court case that had absolutely NOTHING to do with the questions being asked of him. One particularly delightful moment was this exchange between Senator Brooks and Senator Deevers. I share it here to bring us some joy on this wintry Wednesday. (the bill passed committee 6-2 on a party line vote)

I continue to monitor bills as they are added to committee agendas and will keep you posted! In the meantime, stay well!