LEGISLATIVE
NEWSLETTER

Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Candidates

Four GOP hopefuls have officially announced their candidacy for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner in 2026: Marty Quinn, Chris Meredith, Bob Sullivan, and Greta Shuler. At this time, no Democratic candidates have entered the race. To help our members hear directly from those seeking to lead the department, we are planning an Insurance Candidate Forum at INSURCON this April. The forum will be hosted by Jeff Berrong during a main session and will provide valuable insight into each candidate’s priorities and perspectives as the election approaches.

SOCC/BLC Meet for Third Time

The newly created Statewide Official Compensation Committee (SOCC) and the Board on Legislative Compensation (BLC) held their third meeting November 18 after it was determined one of its board members (members are the same on both boards) was ineligible to serve and vote during the board’s previous two meetings in October and earlier this month. The board member, former state Senate and House member James Leewright, is currently a registered lobbyist for multiple entities. He has now been replaced by Speaker of the House Kyle Hilbert who originally appointed Leewright. State law prohibits registered lobbyists from serving. Members of the SOCC and BLC are appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tempore. The SOCC and BLC are required by state law to meet on the same day.

At last Tuesday’s meeting the SOCC amended the increased salaries for statewide elected officials that were approved at their November 12 meeting. The new salaries will take effect following the 2026 general election and are: Governor $185,000 (increased from $147,000), Lt. Governor $150,000 (increased from $114,713), Attorney General $175,000 (increased from $132, 825), State Superintendent $175,000 (increased from $124,373), State Treasurer $160,000 (increased from $114,713), State Auditor & Inspector $150,000 (increased from $114,713), Insurance Commissioner $150,000 (increased from $114,713), Labor Commissioner $130,000 (increased from $105,053) and Corporation Commission $150,000 (increased from $114,713). The last increase for statewide elected officials occurred in 2009 and took effect following the 2010 general election.

During the BLC meeting, the original October vote to not raise legislative salaries for the first time since 2019 was rescinded and the board approved raising salaries of state legislators to $54,900 (from $47,500) and increased annual stipends for the Speaker of the House and Senate President Pro Tempore of half their salary or $27,450. The board also approved annual stipends of $18,177 for other legislative leaders, including the majority floor leaders and minority leaders in each chamber, the Appropriations Committee chairs in each chamber, the House Speaker Pro Tempore, the House majority leader and majority whip and three Senate assistant majority floor leaders.

October Tax Collections Exceed $1.4 Billion

Oklahoma’s monthly tax collections rose 4.4 percent in October compared to the same month last year, according to the latest State Tax Revenue Report released by Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ. Total collections reached 1.45 billion dollars, a slight decline from September but part of a stable year marked by steady consumer spending and continued strength in the energy sector.

“Oklahoma’s economy remains balanced and resilient,” Russ said. “This month’s report shows a healthy rebound in sales and use tax collections, signaling steady consumer spending even as overall revenues eased slightly from September. Year over year growth remains positive, and the broader trends suggest stability.”

The report highlights several key categories driving October’s increases. Sales and use taxes climbed to 582 million dollars, up 6.5 percent from last year and 4.6 percent from September. Income tax collections reached 565.3 million dollars, a five percent increase from October 2024 following a surge in September receipts. Gross production taxes on oil and gas grew nearly 17 percent compared to last year, continuing a twelve-month trend of energy driven strength. Motor vehicle collections declined 6.8 percent, reflecting cooler vehicle sales across the state. Other revenue sources rose 13.5 percent from September across more than seventy smaller tax streams.

Over the past twelve months, Oklahoma has collected 17.03 billion dollars in state tax revenue, an increase of 81.4 million dollars. Russ said the modest year over year growth shows that both state and local governments can continue planning around a stable fiscal base supported by low unemployment and steady energy activity.

This month’s uptick in sales and use tax collections may offer some reassurance to cities and towns that rely heavily on those revenues. Earlier softening now appears to be more of a seasonal adjustment than a sign of weakness, according to the report.

“Oklahoma’s consistent growth and diversified economy show that we are managing the challenges of a shifting national economy,” Russ said.

October GRF Bests Monthly Estimate

Oklahoma’s General Revenue Fund brought in $695.9 million in October, finishing just above the monthly estimate but falling short of collections from the same month last year.

The Office of Management and Enterprise Services reported that October’s total came in 0.8 percent above expectations, but 2.2 percent below October 2024. Through the first four months of fiscal year 2026, GRF collections have reached $2.7 billion. That amount is 4.4 percent above the year-to-date estimate and 0.3 percent below the same period in fiscal year 2025.

State Chief Operating Officer and interim OMES Director David Ostrowe said the numbers show continued economic stability. “Oklahoma’s finances remain strong and stable,” Ostrowe said. “Our steady economy allows us to keep delivering real results for Oklahomans and strengthen our standing as a national leader.”

The GRF is the state’s main spending account and receives a mix of income, sales, corporate, and other statewide taxes.

OSC Rules Against Dual Serving AG Opinion

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has reached a conclusion over whether the governor’s Cabinet members can serve a dual role as head of a state agency giving a victory to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt. OSC Vice-Chair Dana Kuehn, writing for the seven-member majority, said individuals serving as the head of an agency can also serve in the governor’s Cabinet, which is an advisory position that sometimes has authority over an agency.

The question began nearly two years ago when Norman Democrat Senator Mary Boren (SD 16) asked Republican Attorney General Gentner Drummond whether it was legal for then OTA Executive Director Tim Gatz to also serve in the same role at ODOT and serve as Stitt’s Cabinet Secretary of Transportation. In his February 2024 opinion, Drummond said Gatz’ appointment to the Cabinet post caused him to abandon the other two positions. Given the opinion, Gatz immediately resigned the OTA position and Cabinet post but retained his position as ODOT Executive Director, a job he holds currently. Both Stitt and Drummond praised the OSC for providing clarity to the issue.

Tulsa DA Announces Reelection Bid

Steve Kunzweiler has launched his campaign to seek another term as Tulsa County District Attorney. Kunzweiler has served as a prosecutor for more than 30 years and has led the office for the past decade.

“I was elected to do the job of finding truth and seeking justice for every member of our community, and I intend to keep Tulsa County safe for our children and grandchildren,” Kunzweiler said.

During his tenure, Kunzweiler established a Victim Witness Center and launched a therapy court dog program to support children involved in cases. He also partnered with the Child Advocacy Network to strengthen services for young victims.

Kunzweiler points to several major prosecutions and policy efforts during his time in office, including the successful prosecution of David Ware for the murder of Tulsa Police Sgt. Craig Johnston and his support for the Craig Johnston Act at the Oklahoma Legislature. He also supported legislation such as SB 607 to protect victims of abuse.

Kunzweiler served on the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Task Force and has maintained support for Oklahoma’s “Stand Your Ground” and “Castle Doctrine” self-defense provisions.

Kunzweiler said improving Oklahoma’s mental health system remains one of his core commitments. He described mental health reform as essential to both justice and public safety in Tulsa County.

OKC Legislator to Resign

Five-term Democrat state Rep. Forrest Bennett (HD 92) of Oklahoma City has announced he will resign December 1 in order to serve as the new president and lobbyist for the Oklahoma State AFL-CIO, Oklahoma’s largest labor union. Bennett will succeed longtime AFL-CIO president Jimmy Curry who has announced his retirement. Curry has served as president since 1997. Bennett, 36 and a double University of Oklahoma graduate, was first elected in 2016 and reelected in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024. Once Bennett’s resignation has officially been submitted, Governor Stitt will set special election dates to determine his successor. Bennett’s current term runs through the 2026 general election.

Former VP Cheney Passes

Former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney passed away November 3 at age 84 from complications of pneumonia and cardiovascular disease. Cheney served as VP under former President George W. Bush from 2001-2009 and as the 17th Secretary of Defense for former President George H.W. Bush from 1989-1993. He also served as Deputy White House Chief of Staff for former President Gerald Ford from 1974-1975 and Chief of Staff from 1975-1977. Prior to his executive branch assignments, Cheney served as U.S. Representative from Wyoming’s At-Large District from 1979-1989. Cheney is survived by his wife (Lynne), two daughters (Mary and Liz) and seven grandchildren.

Condolences

Condolences to the family of former longtime Oklahoma Legislature employee Mary Kay Niles of Yukon who passed away recently at age 85. Niles spent many years as an executive assistant within the Legislature, most notably for former Republican state Representative and current Third District U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas. Following Lucas’ 1994 election to Congress, Niles worked several years in his OKC field office before returning to the state Capitol where she served as a greeter and message coordinator during the legislative session.