The April 3 Legislative Forum hosted by the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce delivered a candid exchange between state lawmakers and citizens, shedding light on everything from gold-backed debit cards to school board controversies. Held monthly during the legislative session, these forums allow local residents to hear directly from those shaping Oklahoma’s laws and policies.

Representative Scott Fetgatter and Senator David Bullard discussed numerous issues: --- A Look Inside the Legislative Pipeline Senator David Bullard opened the discussion with an overview of legislative progress, noting that both chambers have now passed hundreds of bills - 321 from the Senate and 436 from the House.

“We’ve hit the deadline to move bills off the floor,” he explained. “But remember - just because a bill didn’t move this year doesn’t mean it’s dead. It can come back.”

Bullard encouraged residents to stay alert: “Never go to sleep on bills. They’ll go to sleep on you and wake up when you least expect it.” emphasising the fact that during the legislative process bills can remain alive and potentially be revived in future legislative sessions.

--- Reforming the Initiative Petition Process

One of Senator Bullard’s key efforts this session targets Oklahoma’s initiative petition process SB 1027. His bill aims to prevent misleading ballot language and tighten signature gathering rules:

• Petitions must clearly state tax impact

• Signers must be informed of total costs

• Signature collectors must be registered Oklahoma voters

• Payment per signature would be prohibited

• Only 20% of signatures may come from OKC or Tulsa “The urban centers shouldn’t be able to push through laws without consulting rural voices,” Bullard said. “They don’t ask for your opinion they don’t care about your opinion.”

Proponents argue that these changes will protect the integrity of the initiative process from external influences and ensure that measures have broad support across the state. Critics, however, contend that the bill imposes undue restrictions on the petition process, potentially hindering grassroots movements and limiting citizens’ ability to effect change through direct democracy.

--- Gold-Backed Spending

Another Bullard proposal could make Oklahoma the first state in the U.S. to adopt gold and silver as legal tender via a state-backed debit card. Citizens could purchase gold from the State Treasurer and use it to buy goods through a debit system tied to companies like Glint.

While Senator David Bullard’s gold and silver legal tender bill may seem revolutionary, the concept actually has deep constitutional roots.

Article I, Section 10, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution states: “No State shall ... make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts...”

This clause was intended by the framers to ensure a stable and honest monetary system by preventing states from issuing their own paper money or accepting anything other than precious metals for debt repayment. While the federal government was granted authority to “coin money” under Article I, Section 8, this clause specifically restricts states to gold and silver as tender.

For much of U.S. history, paper currency backed by gold and silver (such as the Gold Standard) was common, but the practice waned in the 20th century. Still, the constitutional language remains.

Senator Bullard’s proposal to create a goldbacked debit card system, managed through the Oklahoma State Treasurer’s office, aims to bring this rarely-invoked clause into practical, modern- day use. Oklahoma and Texas are currently competing to become the first states to implement such a system, citing this constitutional provision as their legal basis.

Calling it “one of the neatest bills” he’s ever encountered, Bullard emphasized its constitutional legitimacy and stated confidently, “We’re going to get this one done.” He added, “It’s time for Oklahoma to lead in something good.”

--- A Candid Debate on

Policy Development & Education Senator Bullard briefly addressed the backlash surrounding Senate Bill 44, which now limits the establishment of new homeless shelters in towns with fewer than 3,000 residents. While the bill’s language was amended to reduce its original restrictions, some still worry about the impact on rural aid efforts.

Few topics generated more conversation than education funding and performance metrics.

Both lawmakers took aim at misleading national rankings. “People say we’re 49th in the nation, but that’s based on flawed ACT comparisons and selective data,” Bullard said. “Every Oklahoma student takes the ACT most states only test their top 20%.”

Representative Scott Fetgatter emphasized the complexity of Oklahoma’s funding formula, explaining how school districts sometimes lose money not from state cuts, but from student transfers. “If you lose students, your budget will shrink. That’s not a legislative cut - that’s a leadership issue.”

They emphasized that most education funding comes from local ad valorem taxes - not the state. “We’ve given multiple teacher pay raises, two of which were the largest in Oklahoma history,” Bullard added.

Fetgatter criticized the practice of schools using “ghost students” to receive funding for students who had transferred out. Recent reforms have shortened this buffer period from three years to two. “Eventually, we need to move to one year,” Fetgatter said.

The legislators also disagreed on recent efforts to limit virtual learning days. Bullard opposed the restriction, citing the need for local control. Fetgatter, who has grandchildren in Okmulgee Public Schools, expressed concern over absenteeism and misuse of virtual learning days. “Leadership matters. You can send a kid to school six or seven days a week, but if there’s poor leadership, the school will still underperform,” Bullard echoed.”

--- School Boards Under the Microscope

Fetgatter became visibly frustrated when discussing dysfunction within the Okmulgee Public Schools system, including allegations of ineffective leadership and board members with questionable backgrounds.

“I never thought I’d say this, but we may need state intervention,” he said, referencing State Superintendent Ryan Walters. “There are children failing - not because they can’t learn, but because no one is doing their job.”

Both legislators voiced support for school board reform, including relocating school board elections to the November ballot and preventing individuals fired for cause from serving on school boards.

--- A Firestorm of Criticism for Stitt

Fetgatter didn’t hold back as he addressed alarming proposals from Governor Stitt’s office to cut fulltime employees (FTEs) at state agencies and defund essential public services. Fetgatter warned that such cuts could have devastating impacts on the Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS), the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and senior nutrition programs.

“Forestry and Fire is a critical service in Oklahoma,” he said. “To suggest the director could’ve somehow prevented one of the worst wildfire disasters in state history is just asinine. And now we’re talking about eliminating them?”

Fetgatter explained that OFS plays a vital role in responding to rural wildfires and in coordinating mutual aid between states. Cutting or eliminating this service could make Oklahoma ineligible to receive wildfire support from other states during times of crisis.

Regarding mental health services, Fetgatter revealed that the Department of Mental Health is facing a $43 million budget shortfall, resulting in cuts to contracts with crisis service providers. For example, Tulsa’s Family and Children’s Services lost $2.6 million in funding, affecting programs like COPES and the CrisisCare Center.

Fetgatter also objected to replacing FTEs with third-party contractors. “You cut full-time employees who cost $65 an hour and replace them with contractors charging $200? That’s not conservative - that’s reckless.”

The discussion turned somber when Fetgatter addressed proposed cuts to senior food programs, such as Meals on Wheels. “We spend $6 a day per person to keep vulnerable seniors fed and independent,” he said. “Cut that, and they’ll end up in nursing homes at $200 a day. It’s fiscally irresponsible.”

“These aren’t just bad policies. They’re reckless and disconnected from the people they impact.”

--- Wind Energy: A Matter of Local Rights

Both Bullard and Fetgatter addressed the hot-button issue of wind energy regulation, with the House recently passing a bill to limit turbine placement near homes and property lines. The bill also gives counties the option to ban wind projects through a public vote.

Bullard voiced hesitation about any state-mandated setbacks, favoring local referendums.

“Government closest to the people governs best. Let counties decide.”

--- Final Thoughts

Despite moments of heated debate, Bullard and Fetgatter showed respect for one another’s perspectives and emphasized the value of constructive disagreement.

“This is a Republic. You hired us to argue,” Bullard said.

“You want leaders who will stand up, ask questions and fight for what’s right.”

The next Legislative Forum is scheduled for Friday, May 3, at 8:30 a.m., offering residents another opportunity to participate in the democratic process, voice concerns and stay informed on the policies that shape Oklahoma.