"2 tiers of justice": leaders oppose Tulsa move to cede enforcement power over tribal citizens

Governor Stitt, State and Local Leaders, Push Back on Tulsa’s Move to Cede Enforcement Power

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 23, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt, in conjunction with county and local leaders and law enforcement, released the following statements concerning a proposed settlement agreement between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation which would cede all enforcement authority over tribal citizens to the Muscogee Nation.

“Tulsa is essentially making itself a sanctuary city for tribal members engaged in criminal activity. As elected leaders, it is our job to represent our constituents regardless of race, heritage, or political affiliation,” said Gov. Stitt. “This proposed move by Mayor Nichols sets a concerning precedent and will make it impossible for elected officials and Oklahoma law enforcement to protect their communities. I will take every action to reverse course and ensure the rule of law is the same for everyone.”

This settlement comes after a drawn out legal battle between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation regarding the authority of state and local police to investigate and prosecute crimes committed by and perpetrated against non-member Indians.

Gov. Stitt appoints Adria Berry as executive director of OK Medical Marijuana Authority

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS ADRIA BERRY AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OMMA

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct.18, 2022) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced Adria Berry has been appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) which will officially transition to an independent state agency on November 1, 2022, per SB 1543.

“For over a year Adria Berry has been leading Oklahoma’s efforts to enforce our laws and crack down on the marijuana black market,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “Now that OMMA is becoming a stand-alone agency, I am pleased to officially appoint Adria as executive director and have full confidence in her continued leadership and dedication to get the medical marijuana industry under control and keep our communities safe.”

Gov. Stitt appoints Tricia Everest as Secretary of Public Safety

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS TRICIA EVEREST AS SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY|

Everest to be fifth woman serving in Stitt Cabinet

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 22, 2021)— Governor Kevin Stitt today announced he has appointed attorney, nonprofit founder and philanthropist Tricia Everest as Secretary of Public Safety. Upon Senate confirmation, Everest will oversee over 55 agencies including the Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the Pardon and Parole Board, and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

“Tricia is a proven leader who has done a tremendous job over the last few years building successful relationships with law enforcement and delivering meaningful criminal justice reform for Oklahoma,” said Gov. Stitt. “I am confident Tricia’s wealth of experience and heartfelt passion for serving the state will translate into success in this role.”

“It is an honor to be appointed to serve in Governor Stitt’s Cabinet as Secretary of Public Safety,” said Everest. “As a native Oklahoman, I am deeply committed to the success of our state, especially when it comes to protecting our citizens and our communities, and I am ready to get to work to carry out Governor Stitt’s vision for a safe and just Oklahoma.”

'Oklahomans United Against 805' celebrate victory

“OKLAHOMANS UNITED AGAINST 805” RELEASES STATEMENT ON VICTORY FOR FELLOW OKLAHOMANS IN THE DEFEAT OF S.Q. 805

Oklahomans Value Public Safety, Reject Out-of-State Dollars

Oklahoma City — Oklahomans United against 805 released a statement upon the news that State Question 805 — which would have allowed repeat criminals out of prison sooner and endangered all law-abiding Oklahomans — has been defeated.

“Thank you to the voters. It proves that grassroots and Oklahomans control their own destiny. Our constitution cannot be bought by out-of-state interests.  It took an incredible team, not the least of which are our elected leaders, Governor Kevin Stitt, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, Attorney General Mike Hunter, and so many others.  When we started, it was an uphill battle, but these three leaders stood strong to do what was right -- not just that which appeared to be politically expedient.”
—    Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating

"Oklahomans have shown they do not take altering our constitution lightly.  I am very proud my fellow Oklahomans have recognized this, and it is my hope that future efforts fully exhaust legislative remedies before embarking on an amendment as did the out-of-state proponents of S.Q. 805.”
—    Marc Nuttle, Attorney & Treasurer, Oklahomans United against 805

Anti-crime group launches campaign against State Question 805

Opponents Launch Campaign against State Question 805, Which Would Lessen Penalties for Repeat Offenders and Violent Criminals

Oklahoma City - Today, “Oklahomans United against 805” launched their campaign against a state question which would lessen jail sentences for habitual offenders of very serious crimes like domestic violence in the presence of a child, animal cruelty, home burglary, arson or DUI that leaves someone maimed, and even some classifications of child trafficking. 

Opponents of the measure are concerned about the core of State Question 805, which would ban a repeat criminal’s past crimes from being taken into consideration during sentencing. By taking away the ability to enhance a sentence based on past convictions, SQ 805 essentially treats habitual offenders as first-time offenders. 

State Question 805 would, therefore, lessen the punishment for those REPEATEDLY committing these serious crimes.

“It is very clear now that State Question 805 isn’t about providing ‘second chances’ for first-time criminals,” said Tricia Everest, a long-time community activist who has fought for diversion programs like drug courts and veterans’ courts to help break the cycle of crime that hits too many Oklahoma families.  “SQ805 will affect much more than standard drug crimes. It will lessen penalties for those repeatedly committing serious crimes ranging from child trafficking, domestic violence in the presence of a child, and animal cruelty, to property crimes like burglarizing homes.”

RESTORE Task Force issues summary report on criminal justice reform

RESTORE TASK FORCE ISSUES SUMMARY REPORT

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 10, 2020)— Governor Kevin Stitt today received the initial summary report from the Reentry, Supervision, Treatment and Opportunity Reform (RESTORE) Task Force chaired by Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating and Deputy Secretary Tricia Everest. 

The report highlights the proposals formed by the RESTORE Task Force Committee members, who conducted in-depth interviews and meetings with key stakeholders across the state over the course of six months.  A copy of the full report can be found here.

“I commend the governor’s vision and dedication to criminal justice reform in Oklahoma,” said Tricia Everest, ex-officio chair of the RESTORE Task Force. “The criminal justice system effects all aspects of the State and without proper comprehensive changes, Oklahoma will not improve incarceration rates, public safety, health ratings and the workforce. This first phase of effort brought together agencies from all branches of government, victim and survivor representation, and Oklahomans with personal knowledge of the system and diversion options. Criminal justice reform is cultural community reform and we have intertwined  the lifespan of those incarcerated to understand how we can prevent, train, treat and reduce barriers to creating competent citizens.”

“While far more work remains to be completed, we are pleased to submit this initial report of the RESTORE Task Force,” said Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating. “The cooperation, dedication and hard work of the members of the Task Force and its committees has been inspiring. They are proof that knowledgeable, passionate people from seemingly very different and opposing positions can, when given the opportunity, work together as Oklahomans first to find solutions to complex problems.”

In the report, the RESTORE Task Force made the following recommendations:

1. Recommended comprehensive reform of Oklahoma’s criminal code, a feat which has not been undertaken since the mid-1990s. The RESTORE Task Force requested a one-year extension to work in partnership with the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council to finalize the sentencing reform recommendations for the governor and the Legislature.
2. Recommended the state consider bail reform based on the positive outcomes being realized in the pilot programs in a number of Oklahoma counties, to include public-private partnerships.
3. Recommended a strategic focus on changing culture inside the prison facilities, requesting the Department of Corrections to create a “Chief Culture Officer” position inside the agency, sustain the recent re-entry fair initiative for inmates preparing their departure from prison, and pursue a partnership with a seminary to expand educational opportunities to inmates.
4. Recommended the Department of Corrections pursue and invest in pilots using technology to connect individuals with mental health professionals, supervision and probations services.

“I appreciate the RESTORE Task Force for their dogged commitment to dive into these important issues and develop ideas on how our state can continue to make progress on criminal justice reform,” said Gov. Stitt. “From this report, two things are abundantly clear. First, we must continue to focus on cultural change in the prisons, where state government is viewing an inmate as a person, and creating a plan to ensure they return as a productive and contributing member of our society. Second, we must implement bold reforms to our criminal code in order to provide more clarity around sentencing. I am committed to taking the necessary steps to move the needle and implement these reforms during my time in office.”

In May of 2019, Governor Kevin Stitt issued Executive Order 2019-22 to form the Criminal Justice Reentry, Supervision, Treatment and Opportunity Reform (RESTORE) Task Force.

The RESTORE Task Force was instructed to submit, by January 10, 2020, criminal justice reform recommendations for consideration during the 2020 Legislative session. The Executive Order specifically called for the task force to look at how to reduce Oklahoma’s incarceration rate, reduce the recidivism rate, and enhance and establish diversion programs. The Task Force worked in collaboration with the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council currently preparing a report to modernize and classify the criminal code, which will set the stage for additional sentencing reform and bail bond reform.

EO 2019-22 can be read by clicking here.