This week on Hot Seat, Scott Mitchell sits down in Tulsa with Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA), for a wide-ranging conversation that cuts straight to the core of Oklahoma’s future: its kids.

From Cinema to Capitol: A Call to Action

Dorman opened the conversation by highlighting a recent Circle Cinema screening of The Curse of Stigma, a powerful documentary from the Whitten-Newman Foundation. The film raises awareness of epilepsy, both globally and in Oklahoma — and it’s the inspiration behind Dylan’s Law, a bill aimed at saving lives and reducing stigma around epilepsy.

Oklahoma Still Ranks Low for Kids

OICA was formed in the 1980s after the landmark Terry D. lawsuit to advocate for children in state custody. Decades later, Dorman says Oklahoma is still near the bottom nationally for child well-being. Progress has been made this session, but challenges persist — and the state’s looming budget crisis threatens to reverse recent gains.

The Medicaid Mess

Federal budget proposals could drastically shift the Medicaid funding ratio from 90/10 to as low as 60/40 — a change that would cost Oklahoma hundreds of millions and force lawmakers to cut from areas like education, roads, and mental health. “That could mean devastating real-life consequences,” Dorman warns, especially for children and the elderly.

The LIHEAP Example

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which supports over 124,000 Oklahomans, is already in jeopardy. Dorman shares that his own mother relies on it — and that slashing such programs could lead to real harm.

Special Session Ahead?

With federal uncertainty and a tight budget deadline, Dorman believes a special session is inevitable. Depending on how federal cuts shake out, lawmakers may need to return this summer to “course correct.”

What You Can Do:

Want to follow Dylan’s Law and other child-focused bills? Head to OICA.org to see legislation in progress and sign up for their Thursday newsletter.

And don’t forget: The legendary Rush Springs Watermelon Festival returns the second Saturday of August. It’s small-town Oklahoma at its best.

📺 Catch the full episode at News9.com or NewsOn6.com and follow @MitchellTalks for more.