OKLVHOMV CITY, Oklv.- The Oklahoma Supreme Court announced their decision in Treat v. Stitt on April 2. The ruling found that the Oklahoma state legislature has the authority to make tribal compact negotiations. The unanimous ruling also clarified that the legislature can lawfully override the governor’s veto during special sessions.
Stitt filed the case last year against Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall after a legislative veto override occurred during a special session. The legislature had passed bills on several existing tribal compact agreements over license plates and tobacco sales during the regular session. Stitt then vetoed the compacts at the end of the session, and in order to override the vetoes the legislature called a special session.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill made the following statement, “We’re pleased to see that the Oklahoma Supreme Court saw past baseless claims and affirmed the authority of the state legislation when it comes to compacts. Unfortunately, these futile political maneuvers have delayed opportunities to work collaboratively as governments. And it’s a shame that millions of dollars in taxpayer monies have been wasted on unproductive litigation. Hopefully, the future holds a willingness to respect our sovereignty, the law, and move forward with the reality that we can collaborate in respect and good faith for the betterment of all.”
Governor Stitt said in a statement following the announcement, “Now that we know that tribal governments can go to the Governor or the Legislature to negotiate compacts, I hope the Legislature agrees with me that we need to collect from every tag that drives on our toll roads. Regardless of the outcome of this case, Oklahoma knows that I am a Governor that is going to stand up for fairness for all four million Oklahomans.”
State Attorney General Genter Drummound who represented the Legislature in the suit echoed remarks made by tribal leaders and issued a statement after the ruling, “Gov. Stitt has repeatedly abused his office to wage baseless legal battles against our Native American tribes, wasting millions of dollars in state resources. This ruling makes clear that the Governor’s compacting authority is statutory only, subject to intervention by the Legislature when the Governor fails or refuses to act in the best interest of all four million Oklahomans.”
In a press conference on April 4, Treat made the following remarks, “…the Stitt litigation went down 9-nothing, I know he said he was glad to have clarification but we were all pretty clear, the House and Senate knew what the law was, the Attorney General knew what the law was and nine justices knew what the law was already. Now we have that behind us we can actually move forward. I am, actually, got some hope now that he’s made some agreements with some of our tribes. Now we can turn a page and be glad to have that behind us. That was frivolous litigation.”
Governor of all 4 million Oklahomans??? That is laughable. Talk to your LGBT constituents , Governor, or your teacher constituents, I do not for one second believe you care about all 4 million Oklahomans. We see what the tribes think of you !! I will be glad when you are done and take the scab Ryan Walters with you! I think Oklahoma will be so much better off without both of you !
I completely agree and tired of the embarrassment of Walter’s!!
completely agree he is a corrupt as van be. mortgage fraud in 3 states and they still voted him back in. stupid hillbillies.
Agree 100%
agreed! Stitt and Walters.are cancers…and cancer has got to go!
The Tribal Nations are Not “of a Statehood”. All affairs of Tribal Nations are Congressional Matters.
Tribal Nations cannot, legally, do any deals with Statehood or local governments.
For proof see Original Enrollee Documents recorded 1886 thru 1906 a.d.
Time to change them and introduce the law to a more humanized law. What about the treaties??? Were they all fulfilled???
How dare any of you (Stitt) speak for or about are tribes. First of all? Everything is legit people! Why do you always want to follow people that want JUST MONEY!?!? Like people are saying quit embarrassing are “Indian people” and ESPECIALLY QUIT EMBARRASSING YOURSELF (STITT).
I do not understand what the governor has against our Native Americans! It makes no sense to me! I agree with Greg. I’ll be so glad when he and Walters are gone. Ever since they were elected there has been nothing but turmoil.
unfortunately the real truth lies in our state as a whole. We must change our leadership, to people who are sincere about our State and our citizens well being.regardless of the gender, age , race or monetary wealth or lack of. We are all Human Beings. People need to VOTE for the chance to make a difference. At least we still have that right.
I will also be glad when Gov. Stitt is gone, however, Mr. Walters has put our Schools back in order and the right for the Children to learn and grow without the ideology of Trans, DEI and this woke business. Now that sciences has finally given the consciences of how wrong the senseless nazism (abuse) of these surgeries on the children are.
No! Walter’s needs to go too. The faster the better. He has not helped our schools at all.
exavtly he needs to go! i domt feel safe for my kids with him as SI of anywhere, let alome here. cancer has got to go and do fo phobic biggots!
Stitt has been against the Natives and has done nothing but try his best to take everything away from us. He is the worst and I for one will be happy when he is relieved from his position. Let’s start taking away from him and see if he still thinks it’s okay. He’s nothing but a bully.
I agree.
Time for Stitt and Walter’s to go! What an embarrassment to our state that these men are our leaders. Get them out of office!
I agree my children have native american blood but can’t prove it because there ancestor sold there roll number. I haven’t liked stitt since covid when most other states were getting more stemulus checks then we were but he was lining his pocket
If you don’t support Native Indigenous Aboriginal Sovereignty and Reparation of broken Treaties…then you are an OPPRESSOR…
I think since part of the toll roads run across reservation, maybe the state should pay the tribes for the tolls running across our land.