Local lawmakers are reacting to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of House Bill 2820, which unless overridden, would defund the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) and force it to shut down operations.
Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, voted for the bill because she believes the station is a valuable asset to the state.
“I agree that OETA provides valuable educational content and emergency outreach services that are helpful to Oklahoma residents,” Conley said. “At the same time, I understand some of the governor’s concerns about spending taxpayer dollars on content that may not align with most Oklahoman values.”
Stitt has said he vetoed the bill because OETA “overly sexualizes” children, according to news reports. He has said that programming that promotes LGBTQ+ narratives should not be subsidized by the Oklahoma government.
“I want to make a point here, adults are free to watch what they like and parents should always show what their kids are watching, listening to, playing, etc.,” Conley said. “But when we get into areas of public funding, the people the public elects have a say in how those dollars are spent.”
Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, said he can imagine the bill being overturned since it is popular with many Republicans because it impacts all Oklahomans, particularly those who live in rural communities.
“The decision to defund OETA by vetoing HB 2820 is another example of how out of touch this governor is with the majority of Oklahomans,” Rosecrants said. “People fondly remember watching informative educational programs on OETA and for decades it has been considered a great source of education and entertainment, especially in rural communities.”
Conley said the Public Broadcasting Service, which creates OETA’s programming, has introduced LGBTQ+ characters on “Sesame Street,” “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and made documentaries about pornography, such as an episode of “Frontline”, published February 7, 2002.
“These examples, and I know there are others, can be interpreted as a form of indoctrination for those who choose not to allow their children to see content that contains opinions contrary to their beliefs, which by definition is the process of teaching a person or group. to accept a set of beliefs uncritically,” he said.
Rosecrants said the veto has left many constituents asking questions, since the station’s primary goal is to provide free educational programming.
“Not only is this veto confusing to many of us, but the gaslighting and misinformation surrounding the veto’s reasoning has angered many of my constituents in Norman and beyond,” he said.
Rosecrants said without state funding, OETA has little chance of remaining in operation.
“Although state funding is not the only revenue that keeps OETA operational, make no mistake, defunding it will lead to its ultimate demise,” he said. “Judging from the conversations I’ve had with many legislators across the political spectrum, this is not popular.
“I urge Oklahomans to continue to contact their state representatives and state senators to urge an override of the veto on HB 2820. “With the chaotic environment on Capitol Hill this session, everything is possible, including an annulment of this veto, but also including the veto to present itself”.
If Congress does not override the veto, it will cease operations on July 1, COnley said.
