Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said he plans to use his final legislative session to pursue major structural reforms, including giving future governors authority to appoint additional statewide positions and finishing major pieces of his tax and education agenda.

In an exclusive interview on the Hot Seat, Stitt also discussed his work as chair of the National Governors Association, ongoing disputes over tribal jurisdiction and the future of Oklahoma’s energy and agriculture sectors.

State finances and tax priorities

Stitt said Oklahoma has moved from billion-dollar budget deficits to record savings since he first ran for office.

“Remember the teacher walkouts? Billion dollar deficits. No money in savings,” Stitt said. “Really proud of where we’re at today. We have the largest savings account we’ve ever had. I’ve cut over $1 billion in taxes.”

Stitt said education remains his top priority as he prepares his final budget proposal

Stitt renews push to permit appointment of the State Superintendent

Stitt said he will again ask lawmakers to send voters a proposal that would allow future governors to appoint the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Stitt argued the position should function like a cabinet-level appointment instead of an elected office with its own political base.

“You elect a governor, you say, ‘Go improve education.’ Let the governor appoint the very best person to run that,” Stitt said. “Too often our politicians are worried about the next election instead of the next generation.”

Stitt said he would support the same structure for positions such as attorney general, insurance commissioner and labor commissioner.

Election reform: Stitt opposes open primaries

Stitt said he opposes opening Oklahoma’s primary elections to all voters, arguing that approach would have prevented his own election.

“I like the fact that Republicans are choosing who they want to put forward, and Democrats are choosing who they want to put their person forward,” Stitt said.

Energy policy: supporting AI growth and opposing federal mandates

Stitt highlighted Oklahoma’s low electricity costs and said the state must continue expanding power generation to support new data centers and AI-driven industries.

Stitt said he supports “behind-the-meter” energy options and opposes federal rules that impose uniform energy regulation across states.

“We don’t want the federal government to come in and tell states how to regulate,” Stitt said. “Oklahoma is different from Texas and different from New York.”

As chair of the National Governors Association, Stitt said he is working with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on bipartisan permitting reform to shorten timelines for major infrastructure projects.

Tribal jurisdiction: hunting lawsuit and enforcement disputes

Stitt criticized recent moves to dismiss hunting cases on state-owned land, saying Oklahoma must maintain a single legal standard for all residents regardless of tribal citizenship.

“We can’t have two sets of rules based on your race,” Stitt said. “This is state-owned land that is for the benefit of all Oklahomans.”

Stitt said a pending tribal lawsuit will help determine whether the state continues to own and regulate land in eastern Oklahoma, calling the ruling significant in creating a single legal standard between tribes and the state.

Agriculture: poultry lawsuit and rural impacts

Stitt also criticized the attorney general’s approach in a longstanding poultry pollution lawsuit involving eastern Oklahoma waterways, saying retroactive penalties could drive companies out of the region.

Stitt said Tyson Foods has warned farmers it may leave eastern Oklahoma if a proposed settlement is finalized.

“If the permit needs to change, no problem. Get to the legislature,” Stitt said. “But if somebody has a permit, don’t come back ten years later and say, ‘Yeah, I know you follow the permit, but we really don’t like it.’”

NGA chairmanship and the nation’s 250th anniversary

Stitt said his national intiative as NGA chair, called “Reigniting the American Dream,” will focus on expanding opportunity and mobility.

Stitt confirmed all 50 governors are expected to attend events in Oklahoma City next summer during the nation’s 250th anniversary observance.

“This is the greatest country in the world,” Stitt said. “We want that idea to permeate to the next generation.”