Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) State of the State #HonorTheTreaties
Channel: indianz
Date: 2020-08-06

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) discusses two recent court decisions during the State of the State address on August 5, 2020.

In McGirt v. Oklahoma, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the reservation promised to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation by treaty continues to exist. The July 9 decision was limited to criminal prosecutions but Stitt said, without offering evidence, that it could affect a wide range of other matters.

In a second case, a federal judge held that Class III gaming compacts in Oklahoma did not expire on January 1, 2020, as the governor had argued. The July 29 decision means tribes cannot be forced to negotiate new agreements but Stitt said he will continue to try to get them to share more of their revenues with the state.

"The courts have put Oklahoma in a position where we must face questions of constitutional proportions how will the state of Oklahoma or its municipalities regulate can the state ensure a level playing field for all businesses who will pay taxes, who won't, how will the state fund core public services that are assessed by all four million Oklahomans, no matter their race gender citizenship or socioeconomic status," Stitt said.

Video: Tulsa Regional Chamber