Minority Leader Munson calls for legislature to override OETA funding bill veto
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — On Wednesday, Oklahoma House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson (D-Oklahoma City) called for both chambers at the Oklahoma State Capitol to override Gov. Kevin Stitt's veto of HB 2820.
The bill concerns the state's relationship with the Oklahoma Education Television Authority, a Public Broadcasting Service network.
The measure would extend funding and the state's involvement with the OETA until Jul. 1, 2026. Without the extension, the the state's relationship with the network would expire on Jul. 1, 2023.
According to Minority Leader Munson, the clock is ticking if lawmakers want to turn that around— with only three weeks remaining.
The 2023 legislative session ends on May 26.
According to Minority Leader Munson, the OETA is a vital resource, "especially in rural Oklahoma, 'cause this is the channel they use to get their news sources, tons of educational programming, and then all of the emergency response services that OETA provides as well."
During the summer 2022 special legislative session, lawmakers proposed $8,185,000 for improvements to the network's infrastructure for emergency alert capabilities.
On Friday, Gov. Stitt asserted that he's looking out for the taxpayer — and questioned how much the network contributes to public safety.
"That to me is an outdated system. It may have had its place in 1957... why are we spending taxpayer dollars to prop up the OETA? It makes no sense to me," he shared.
The governor also criticized some of the programming available on the network.
He explained that, "When you further look at the programming, I don't think Oklahomans want to use their tax dollars to indoctrinate kids. And some of the stuff... that they're showing just overly sexualizes our kids."
Minority Leader Munson responded to the governor's comments, arguing, "There are going to be shows and programming and things that he disagrees with, and quite frankly that Oklahomans disagree with, or maybe don't want to watch, that's okay."
Bob Spinks, founding board member and first board chair of the Friends of OETA Foundation, shared the following statement with FOX 25 on Minority Leader Munson's request:
For nearly a week, Friends of OETA Foundation has been seeking public support for a veto override in the legislature regarding the reauthorization of funding for OETA. It is heartening to see and hear support from all parts of the state and from a multitude of political and community leaders who believe in the work OETA does to provide educational, civic, and public safety programming for all Oklahomans throughout our 77 counties. Everyone's help is deeply appreciated as we continue our efforts to keep public television alive in our entire state.
Munson stressed that the ongoing battle between the House and Senate over education legislation could mean the question over the OETA could fall through the cracks— leaving the governor's veto in place.
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