ODOT head Tim Gatz to retire, Stitt appoints TJ Dill as interim director

Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz

Governor Stitt Thanks Secretary Tim Gatz for 37 Years of Service, Appoints TJ Dill as Interim Director

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 7, 2026) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced that Secretary of Transportation and Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Executive Director Tim Gatz will retire from the agency, effective October 31, 2026.

"Tim has been with my administration since the very beginning, and he's been my go-to on every road, bridge, and turnpike question for nearly eight years," said Governor Stitt. "When we took office, we said we wanted Oklahoma to be a Top Ten state, and Tim took that personally. Today, Oklahoma ranks fourth in the nation for bridge conditions, a long way from where we were two decades ago. I wish him the best in this next chapter."

Rep. Gann: Greater reforms needed to deliver true property-tax relief

Rep. Gann: Greater Reforms Needed to Deliver True Property-Tax Relief

INOLA, OK (Sept. 28) – State Rep. Tom Gann today said State Question 847 may slow future increases in taxable property values, but Oklahoma cannot deliver true property-tax relief without reforming the corporate exemptions, reimbursements and tax increment financing districts that shift public costs onto homeowners and other taxpayers.

Beginning in 2027, SQ 847 would reduce the maximum annual increase in taxable value from 3% to 1.75% for homestead and agricultural property and from 5% to 4% for most other real property. It also would establish lower, income-based valuation caps for certain homeowners age 65 and older.

“SQ 847 may slow the property-tax escalator, but it does not turn it off,” Gann said. “It will not reduce anyone’s current tax bill, cap millage rates or prevent new bond levies. More importantly, it does not address the preferential tax treatment government provides to selected businesses.”

Mazzei launches first general election ad

Mike Mazzei Launches First General Election Ad: “Trusted”

Tulsa, OK (Oct. 6th) — Mike Mazzei has spent his life making life more affordable for Oklahomans, and today he released his first general election ad highlighting his plan to continue making life more affordable by eliminating the income tax and abolishing property taxes for seniors and veterans.

Bad to worse: City manager lists options for Muskogee's repayment of $29.25M judgment

Muskogee is in a world of hurt over past decisions to kick the can down the road regarding three lawsuits from 2007 over the city's improper condemnation and demolition of derelict properties in 2005 and 2006. Now, the original property damages have ballooned to almost thirty million dollars with interest and legal fees.

City Manager Kendal Francis, the man with an unenviable job at the moment, wrote an open letter to Muskogee residents detailing the options the City has for repayment of the $29.25M judgments. They range from bad to worse based on the limited options the City has available to raise revenue. Read 'em and weep:

City Manager Kendal Francis Details Repayment Options for Court Judgments

September 28, 2026

Dear Citizens of Muskogee,

I recently wrote to you about three court judgments against the City totaling $29.25 million. I promised to explain our options as we worked through them. We now have a clearer picture of those options and the path forward.

The judgments are a legal obligation of the City. The question is no longer whether they must be paid, but how do we pay them and how much of that cost falls on Muskogee property owners each year.

There is no painless option. Each choice has a cost. My goal is to explain the four options in plain language so you can understand what each one could mean for you.

Congressman Brecheen's office still accepting 2026 service academy nomination requests

Service Academy Nominations

(Tuesday, Sept. 22nd) – The office of Congressman Josh Brecheen is still accepting service academy nomination requests. 

The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

OETA debate still on; Mazzei, Munson will pre-tape before Trump rally

One of the first questions political reporters and observers had after the announcement of President Trump's October 1st rally in Durant was whether the previously scheduled OETA gubernatorial debate between Republican nominee Mike Mazzei and Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson would still take place, after it was also announced that Mazzei would be joining the president at his Midterm Rally.

The debate is still on. OETA and the candidates will be pre-taping it earlier in the day, and airing it twice over the next few days:

Mike Mazzei Agrees to October 1 OETA Debate Following Schedule Accommodation

Tulsa, OK — With President Donald Trump scheduled to visit Oklahoma on Thursday, October 1, OETA has graciously agreed to pre-tape the gubernatorial debate earlier that day, allowing the debate to move forward as planned. The debate will air Thursday, October 1, 2026, and re-air Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Rep. Gann calls for transparency, voter rights in Inola smelter dispute

Gann Calls for Transparency, Voter Rights in Inola Smelter  Dispute 

Inola, OK (Sept. 22nd) – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, today called for full transparency surrounding the  proposed aluminum smelter at the Tulsa Port of Inola and criticized efforts by the City of Tulsa– Rogers County Port Authority to challenge a citizen-led initiative petition allowing Inola voters  to decide whether primary-aluminum smelting should be permitted in their town. 

“Oklahoma taxpayers are being asked to support a multibillion-dollar industrial project they were  never allowed to fully examine,” Gann said. “Now a public authority is preparing to use  governmental power against citizens who are asking for a vote. That is not representative  government. That is government turning its machinery on the people it is supposed to serve.” 

President Trump holding Oct. 1st Midterm Rally in Durant

President Donald Trump is coming to Oklahoma next week.

The president will be speaking at a Midterm Rally held in Durant at the Choctaw Event Center on Thursday, October 1st.

Tickets may be reserved at this link. The rally will start at 6pm, with doors opening at 2pm.

Nat'l State Auditors Association gives Oklahoma's Cindy Byrd highest possible rating

NATIONAL STATE AUDITORS ASSOCIATION GIVES CINDY BYRD HIGHEST POSSIBLE RATING

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (September 24, 2026) – The National State Auditors Association (NSAA) gave top marks to the Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector’s Office (SAI) in its External Peer Review. The review evaluates whether SAI's system of quality control is designed to meet professional standards and is effectively complying with those standards.

SAI received the highest rating possible.

“Yes, even the Auditor’s Office gets audited,” State Auditor Cindy Byrd said. “This review reflects the professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail that I expect from our entire staff. I am incredibly proud of our team and of the accountability this review represents. We hold ourselves to the same standards of transparency, oversight, and accountability that we expect from the agencies we examine. We will always safeguard taxpayer money with the same excellence that earned us this recognition.”

Rep. Gann applauds Inola trustees’ unanimous vote to extend smelter moratorium

Gann Applauds Inola Trustees’ Unanimous Vote to Extend Smelter Moratorium

INOLA, OKLAHOMA (Sept. 15th) — State Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, today praised the Inola Board of Trustees for unanimously extending the town’s moratorium concerning the proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter through April 7, 2027.

Gann said the vote represents an important exercise of local self-government and protects the right of Inola citizens to help determine the future of their own community.

Muskogee faces $29.25M judgment, weighing options on taxpayer impact

The City of Muskogee is paying the piper for some awful management decisions nearly twenty years ago. The City is about to be on the hook for over $29,000,000 in judgments on three lawsuits over derelict properties that were condemned and demolished by the city in 2007.

Apparently, multiple mayors and city councils have punted on wrapping these particular cases up, to the point that what was probably "damages" well under a million dollars have now turned into over twenty nine million dollars that Muskogee taxpayers are now somehow going to have to pay. I wonder how much of that sum is interest – and legal fees. 

The impact to Muskogee taxpayers, and property owners in particular, could be extreme. Among the options some have floated include a temporary 25% property tax hike.

Here's a letter explaining the situation from the man with the most unenviable job in town right now, City Manager Kendal Francis:

Muskogee Public Schools seeks input on proposed 2027 Bond projects

MPS Seeks Input On Proposed 2027 Bond Projects

MUSKOGEE (August 24, 2026) – Muskogee Public Schools is seeking public input from patrons as it considers projects and priorities for a proposed 2027 bond issue. The district’s Long-Range Planning Committee, composed of community members, district leadership, staff, and other stakeholders, has been intentional in considering both the district's needs and the financial impact on local taxpayers.

A community survey will be available August 24 through September 4, 2026, allowing patrons to provide feedback on potential bond priorities and help the committee determine which needs should be prioritized.  Patrons may take the community survey at https://forms.gle/cbFc7iJPeRzAhso79