In the latest episode of Your Vote Counts, Sen. Paul Rosino and Jason Dunnington joined Scott Mitchell to break down another eventful week at the Oklahoma State Capitol — from controversy over social studies standards to major budget requests from the state’s most prominent universities.
Social Studies Standards Stir Controversy
The State Department of Education (OSDE) is once again at the center of controversy, this time over newly proposed social studies standards. Governor Stitt and members of the legislature have raised concerns about the standards, with calls to send them back for revision growing louder.
Senator Rosino explained the process:
- OSDE proposes new standards.
- The legislature must either certify or reject them.
- If rejected, they are sent back for further work.
With just one week left in the session to act, lawmakers must quickly decide whether to intervene — or allow the controversial standards to take effect automatically.
Massive Budget Requests from OU and OSU
Meanwhile, budget negotiations are heating up. The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University have submitted major funding requests:
- OSU is seeking more than $300 million for upgrades to its veterinary medicine school.
- OU is asking for $150–200 million to support a new cardiac hospital for children.
While these would be one-time appropriations, the total — nearly half a billion dollars — complicates the broader discussion about tax cuts. Legislators must weigh investing in critical medical and educational infrastructure against promises for tax relief.
Senator Rosino emphasized the importance of these projects:
- OSU’s veterinary school risks losing its national standing without significant investment.
- OU’s pediatric cardiac program has already produced life-saving transplant surgeries for young patients.
Still, balancing these priorities with fiscal responsibility will be a major challenge in the closing days of the session.
