OKLAHOMA CITY — Tribal sovereignty is expected to once again be a top issue facing lawmakers and Gov. Kevin Stitt when they return Monday to begin the 2024 legislative session.
Stitt, a Republican and himself a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, has had a contentious relationship with tribal leaders that began with a dispute during his first year in office over casino revenues and was exacerbated by conflicts over agreements on tobacco sales, motor vehicle license plates, taxes and criminal justice.
The governor, now in his second term, has frequently criticized expanded tribal sovereignty and the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 2020 decision that ruled that prosecutors have no criminal jurisdiction over certain crimes committed in Indian Country committed.
In an interview with The Associated Press last week, Stitt said his role is to represent all four million Oklahomans and prevent tribal citizens from getting an unfair advantage. He thinks this could happen if the Oklahoma Supreme Court were to rule in favor of a Native American woman who claims she doesn’t have to pay income taxes because she lives and works on a tribal reservation.
“There’s no way I would be doing my job as governor if I said, ‘Oh, African Americans pay taxes, white people and Asians (pay taxes), but American Indians don’t,’” Stitt said. “It’s like I’m in a twilight zone and have to explain this to people.”
Stitt will deliver his State of the State address to the Legislature on Monday and release his proposed spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Last year, the Legislature met in a special session to override the governor’s veto of a bill to renew agreements on tribal tobacco sales and motor vehicle license plates. The issue is expected to come up again during the hearing that starts on Monday.
Many lawmakers hope the relationship between the tribes and Stitt has thawed somewhat following an agreement the governor reached last month with the Chickasaw Nation for a 10-year agreement.
“I see it as a very good indication that the state and the tribes will be able to work together,” said Sen. Brent Howard, chairman of the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations.
Among the other issues lawmakers are expected to tackle is a possible income tax cut, a top priority for Stitt. The House of Representatives approved a 0.25% rate cut last week, but Senate leaders have said such a move is premature as final revenue figures have not yet been released.