Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has reiterated his stance on rejecting an initiative proposed by the state's top education official to disclose students' immigration status during school registration.
In an interview at POLITICO's Governors Summit, Stitt criticized the move as politically motivated, emphasizing the unnecessary targeting of young children based on their immigration status.
Stitt's Opposition to Immigration Data Collection
In January, the Oklahoma State Board of Education approved a plan requiring school districts to gather immigration status data from enrolling students. However, Governor Stitt has adamantly opposed this initiative and vowed to halt its implementation.
Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a vocal advocate against certain ideologies in K-12 education, has been a key proponent of the proposed measure. Speculation surrounds Walters' potential gubernatorial candidacy in the upcoming election year.
Despite internal disagreements, Governor Stitt commended former President Donald Trump's border security efforts and advocated for increased gubernatorial control over workforce visas.
Additionally, Stitt lauded the cost-cutting initiatives led by Elon Musk in the Department of Government Efficiency, emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility in government spending.
Stitt's Vision for Government Efficiency
Building on his admiration for the efficiency drive, Stitt established a state-level commission, DOGE-OK, inspired by the success of the federal Department of Government Efficiency. He highlighted the importance of state autonomy in allocating resources effectively, particularly in areas like education and healthcare.
Expressing a preference for federal funding through block grants, Stitt advocated for greater flexibility in decision-making at the state level, aiming to streamline bureaucratic processes and enhance resource allocation efficiency.
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