Q&A: Governor Kevin Stitt reflects on final term at Chamber’s State Spotlight

At the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s State Spotlight event on March 4, 2026, Governor Kevin Stitt joined Chamber Chair Mike Ross for a fireside conversation reflecting on his administration’s accomplishments and outlining priorities for the 2026 legislative session during his final term as governor. 

What accomplishments of your administration stand out most, and what impact do you hope your policies have had on Oklahoma? 

When I first ran for governor in 2018, Oklahoma was in a very different place. We had teacher walkouts, very little money in savings and significant budget deficits. 

My approach was to bring a business mindset to state government and focus on fiscal discipline. Since then, we’ve built historic savings, at one point reaching about $5.5 billion, and today we still maintainroughly $3.8 billion in reserves. We’ve also cut about $1.6 billion in taxes, reduced the income tax rate and eliminated the grocery tax. 

None of that happened alone. The Legislature, the business community and organizations like the Chamber all helped move these initiatives forward. But overall, I believe we’ve put Oklahoma on stronger financial footing and created a more competitive environment for growth. 

How do your policies on energy, infrastructure and industrial growth position Oklahoma for continued business investment and long-term economic competitiveness? 

Energy is incredibly important to Oklahoma, and that became even clearer as I began meeting with ambassadors and leaders around the world. Almost every conversation comes back to the same questions: What does your energy grid look like, and is it reliable and affordable? 

Oklahoma is blessed with abundant natural resources. We are a major producer of both oil and natural gas, and we’re also a national leader in wind energy. That mix has allowed us to maintain a reliable and affordable energy grid. 

For companies considering investment, dependable energy at competitive prices is critical. By maintaining that strength and allowing the private sector to innovate, Oklahoma is well positioned to continue attracting new industry and economic growth. 

How could municipal utility districts help address housing development and growth across Oklahoma? 

The proposal we’re discussing, often referred to as the Build Act, is modeled after systems used in more than 20 other states. In Texas, they’re known as municipal utility districts. 

These districts allow developers to build large projects and install their own infrastructure, such as water and sewer systems, rather than relying entirely on existing municipal utilities. 

Right now, cities often don’t have the capacity to support large-scale developments, which can make housing projects difficult to move forward. Municipal utility districts allow developers to finance those improvements and recover the costs over time through the development itself. 

If we pass this legislation, it could become a major catalyst for new housing and long-term growth in communities across Oklahoma. 

How would a statewide property tax freeze and a $750 million Taxpayer Endowment Fund contribute to long-term financial stability? 

The idea behind the Taxpayer Endowment Fund is similar to the sovereign wealth funds used in other energy-producing states. Oklahoma has built strong savings, but those accounts are capped, which means additional revenue can be spent rather than preserved. 

My proposal would place about $750 million into a long-term fund so those resources can grow and support Oklahomans in the future. 

The property tax discussion is about stability for homeowners. Many families, especially seniors on fixed incomes, struggle with rising property taxes. Freezing or limiting increases would provide more predictability while the Legislature continues exploring long-term solutions. 

How do your education proposals aim to improve accountability and outcomes for students? 

School choice became a major focus during the COVID pandemic. I heard from parents whose children were falling behind because their schools were closed or operating remotely, and many families didn’thave the ability to move or pay for private school. 

That experience reinforced the importance of giving parents more options. We passed open transfer policies that allow students to attend schools outside their home district if space is available. We also created a tax credit program that helps families afford private school if they choose that option. 

I also support charter schools because they provide additional opportunities within the public system. When families have options, it encourages all schools to improve and better serve students. 

How would changing how the state superintendent is selected improve leadership and accountability in Oklahoma education? 

My proposal is to allow the governor to appoint the state superintendent, similar to how many other states structure the role. 

Currently, the superintendent is elected separately from the governor, which can create conflicting priorities and make it difficult to move forward with a unified strategy for education. 

Allowing the governor to appoint the superintendent would create clearer accountability. Voters would know who is responsible for education outcomes, and the governor could build a team aligned around a consistent vision for improving schools. 

What do you hope Oklahomans remember most about your leadership as governor? 

More than anything, I hope people remember that we worked to change the culture in Oklahoma. 

When I was younger, it often felt like other states had the momentum and many people were leaving Oklahoma for opportunities elsewhere. One of my goals was to help shift that mindset and encourage people to believe in what our state can accomplish. 

Today we’re seeing more people moving to Oklahoma and a stronger sense of pride in our communities. If that confidence continues to grow for the next generation, that’s something I would be very proud of.