Tim Gatz News Today

Gov. Kevin Stitt had argued that state law allows him to appoint cabinet secretaries from among his agency heads and that they can serve in dual capacities.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A judge has sided with Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond in a dispute with the governor regarding whether cabinet secretaries can hold dual offices.

In an order dated May 31, District Judge Richard Ogden ruled that Cabinet secretaries are subject to Oklahomas dual office-holding statute.

Governor Kevin Stitt has until June 14th to sign bills passed in the final week of the Oklahoma legislative session. He quickly signed the "Women's Bill of Rights."

Senators approved Gov. Kevin Stitts picks for secretary of state, secretary of education and several agency directors.

Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, asked for an update when ODOT Director Tim Gatz met with a Senate committee. Gatz said an $85 million federal grant will help accelerate work.

His role at ODOT is still pending a vote of the full Senate.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Seeking to “eliminate any distractions” from her public service, the governor’s tourism secretary Shelley Zumwalt has withdrawn from her Cabinet position but will continue as a state

Zumwalt has led the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation since October 2022. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed her in January to be his Cabinet secretary of tourism, wildlife and heritage.

State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, who did not immediately return a request for comment Friday, released a scathing report on Tuesday that questioned how Oklahoma spent tens of millions