Let's Pod This

Andy & Emily discuss how late-night lawmaking and budget maneuvers reduce transparency, then unpack a pressing—and persistent—Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services funding gap that prompted agency heads to hold a “premature” press conference about consolidating ODMHSAS into the Department of Health, despite concerns that consolidation won’t solve a roughly $20–30 million shortfall. They also talk property tax sticker shock, strategic party registration for the gubernatorial primary, and promote CIVICS CON (April 9–10 at Rose State College).

Almost no one living person has spent more time at the Oklahoma State Capitol than longtime capitol reporter Shawn Ashley. From being a public television journalist to owning a bill tracking and news service (Quorum Call), Shawn has spent 30 years listening, writing, and laughing about what happens in those halls of power, and he joined us this week to reflect on his tenure and discuss what's unique about this session.

We're joined by Dr. Christine Pappas, Professor and Chair of the Department of Politics, Law and Society at East Central University, to discuss the SAVE Act (aka the SAVE America Act, aka the Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act) and it's potential impact on elections in Oklahoma and across the country.

Dr. Emily Stacey returns to the show, but this time as our new co-host. This episode is really about getting to know her so that listeners have some background for future episodes.

We're back for a lightning-round episode to catch you up on the State of the State, voter registration numbers, election dates, and even a little bit of national politics (which is insane).

Andy visits with Colleen McCarty, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, about the role and responsibilities of District Attorneys. Hint: They're more important than you think.

We take a look back at some of the highlights (and lowlights) of 2025, and lay the groundwork for the year ahead.

Keith and Andy discuss the electoral reform movement, Oklahoma Independents being blocked from participating in ALL primary elections, and, somewhat surprisingly, the great state of Texas.

As 2025 begins to wind down, Andy reflects on what he's thankful for and offers some encouragement for the year ahead.

Keith Gaddie returns to give us the history of White House architecture, how it connects to grievance politics, and how we can help ensure your fellow Americans have access to food when Congress fails.

Andy visits with Kyle Loveless of EyesOver, a data analytics firm that monitors public sentiment on the internet and uses it to analyze and predict electoral outcomes, to discuss how polling has worked in the past, why that model is struggling, and what the future of the industry may look like.

[Editor's note: Sorry about the audio. One of the mics - mine, actually - malfunctioned in this episode.] In the spring 2025, the Oklahoma legislature passed SB1207 which made sweeping changes to the state's initiative petition process. A legal challenge was filed, and oral arguments are set to be heard on November 18, 2025. Andy speaks with local political operative Amber England has been involved in multiple initiative petition campaigns.

Let's talk about hope - where to find it, and why we need it. And hey OKC - don't forget to vote on Oct 14th!

Keith Gaddie returns to discuss the rise of grievance politics, how it plays out with different groups of voters, and whether or not a return to hopeful politics is possible.

On October 14th, voters in Oklahoma City will vote on a new general obligation municipal bond to fund city operations. New city councilperson representing Ward 7, Camal Pennington, joins Andy to explain why this is important.Visit vision.okc.gov for more information on the GO bond.

Andy talks with Rachael Crawford, executive director of the Plaza District Association and Plaza Business Alliance, about how arts-driven small business districts build belonging, counter apathy, and strengthen civic life in OKC. They also preview the 26th Annual Plaza District Festival

Hi friends, Andy Moore here with Let's Fix this. Um, like many of you, I've been sitting in front of my computer on my phone for the last several days, um, reading news about political violence in America again. Um, on Wednesday when Charlie Kirk was murdered. I was in Washington DC um, in a meeting, uh, of organizations, uh, organizational leaders from, uh, cross partisan networks who work on everything from electoral reform to, uh, bridge building to university presidents, to um, uh, young legislators, state and congressional legislators across the country.There were. A wide range of folks politically in the room. Uh, and when text messages started pinging people's phones about the violence that had erupted in Utah, um, one woman was, um, moved to tears because her children attend a university that is, I guess, adjacent to UVU where the shooting occurred. And it hasn't happened often in my life that.I've that I've been directly impacted by violence like this, and it probably hasn't happened to most of us. Even still, when you are faced with someone else who feels like they or their loved ones or immediately threatened, it's scarring even that way. Uh, and I'm sure like many of you, I've somewhat struggled looking for.The leaders, the voices, right, the comfort that our country needs in times of hurt, um, in times of fear and anxiety. And we've certainly been living in those times for a long time now, I would say even for me, the past. Nine months or so of this year, of 2025 have been some of the most existentially, stressful and draining that I can remember.Um, you know, I will admit that there were aspects of Trump's first term that were deeply concerning to me, and then certainly living through the COVID-19 pandemic, um, and losing my mother, um, to it were deeply, deeply difficult. Um. I think I keep hoping every day, right, that the dam will break, that something will give that a fundamental shift in the direction our country is headed will happen and it'll feel immediately relieving and it hasn't happened yet.Um, the last few days, you know, I've been looking for, I don't know, Mr. Rogers, someone, someone to offer a comforting word. And in fact, I saw a headline the other day, um, about maybe just this morning, I think in on Politico actually, that said, Charlie Kirk's death exposes an absence of a leader to Calm America.And the headline alone hit me like. A gut punch and also like an affirming hand on my shoulder, I guess, right? That this is, that I'm probably not alone in feeling like we're looking for something. I don't know if things will change after this, but I do think it is important for us to pause, if only briefly, to reflect on.Where we are right now and how we might move forward as a country, as a state, as a local community. I'm recording this on Fridays Eptember 12th. We've already released, uh, a podcast for this week, but I felt responsible, I guess, in some way to share a good word or what I hope is a good word. In just a few hours, we will convene nearby at Skydance Brewing for our monthly democracy drinks happy hour like we do every month.I look forward to seeing old friends and new. Um, I look forward to finding or forcing a laugh at something, and I hope there's hugs, honestly. If you're, if you happen to listen to this before you come, I'm probably gonna hug you, or I am welcome to hug you. Uh, I am open to it. If you are, it's okay if you're not, but like sometimes, like nothing else feels quite right, like the warm embrace of someone that you know cares.And so even if you aren't there or you listen to this afterwards, I hope that in some way this audio or this video, if you're watching, is a bit of that. I, I do wanna read some words from two other people that I consider influential in our world. Um, there don't get it. Write all the time, but I thought what they had to say was helpful.Um, the first is from the, um, publisher or CEO of Axios, uh, which is a, a news outlet. And I read this because, um, my good friend Scott's sent it to me and some others this morning. Axios CEO Jim VandeHei writes:Break the fever. Or it might break us.Why it matters: The gruesome killing of Charlie Kirk, on top of the killings or assassination attempts of so many others, gives 340 million of us Americans a chance to reflect — and act.Reflect with sadness — and disgust — on senseless violence. Every time. Without pause or caveat.And act to prevent murderers — and the small, but loud idiots who applaud — from wholly defining our politics.Do we let a few crazies define the 44 million registered Democrats? Or a few lunatics define 37 million registered Republicans? Do we let all of this define us?It need not. Here are six ways we can help break that fever:1. Wake up. This is getting worse — and dangerous. Presidents, congressional leaders and lawmakers, cultural leaders like Kirk, state officials and ordinary Americans are getting shot at and gunned down at an a

Keith Gaddie returns to the Democracy Den Studios to discuss the evolution of liberalism and conservatism in American politics from the New Deal to present day, exploring identity politics, economic challenges, and the shift towards club goods.00:00 Welcome and Introductions01:14 A Conversation on American Politics03:25 The New Deal and Its Legacy07:31 Challenges of Modern Liberalism14:45 Evolving Political Coalitions21:57 Fearmongering and Political Strategies22:15 Liberalism and the Abundance Mindset24:02 Public Goods and Externalities28:19 Conservatism and Community Responsibility37:29 The Era of Club Goods40:22 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions

National political reporter Grant Hermes joins Andy to unpack media literacy in a chaos-speed news cycle. We dig into how Grant chooses stories, his “harm principle” for coverage, and why tariffs are probably overcovered while the quiet loss of good government data (census, labor, health, weather) is dangerously undercovered. We also talk DC’s National Guard optics, crime stats confusion, and how algorithms silo our news diets.Plus: why “nerds with clipboards” keep your groceries, schools, and weather forecasts on track; a quick tour of bias tools like AllSides; and practical tips for building a saner, more reality-based media routine.Listen to Grant’s podcast and Substack, Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes, and follow him on social: @granthermes (Bluesky/X/IG/TikTok) and @GrantHermesTV.

We're joined by Paul Monies, reporter at Oklahoma Watch, to discuss the issue of money in candidate races and how the State Treasurer, Todd Russ, is attempting to use Oklahoma's Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to influence corporate policy.Articles discussed: Show Me the Money: Some Oklahoma Candidates Carry Huge Campaign DebtsOklahoma Treasurer Making Another Attempt to Change Corporate Policies

Our new intern, Lena, joins the show to discuss campaign finance issues and to do a "Gerrymandering 101" conversation with Andy. **SUPPORT LET'S FIX THIS** News stories mentioned: After Minnesota murder, Oklahoma Ethics Commission to let lawmakers use campaign funds for security (NonDoc)Show Me the Money: Some Oklahoma Candidates Carry Huge Campaign Debts (Oklahoma Watch)Mullin’s Late Disclosures Show Millions More in Stock and Bond Sales (Oklahoma Watch)

Andy visits with Dr. Keith Gaddie to discuss gerrymandering, why it's suddenly back in the news, and what we can do to prevent it.Books discussed: Democracy's Meanings by Davis, Goidel, & GaddieBragging Rites by Keith Gaddie

Scott's back; he and Andy reflect on 8 years, 300 episodes, and where we find ourselves in American history.

This week it's Trump vs. Musk, last week it was Gov. Stitt vs. the Legislature, and the perpetual Ryan Walters vs seemingly everyone, we can't help but wonder - are men too emotional to be in leadership positions?

The legislature has adjourned sine die, but before they did, they voted to override more than 2/3rds of Governor Stitt's vetos and oust one his appointee who lead the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).

We're just a week away from the Oklahoma Legislature adjourning sine die, and that means (1) they have a budget and (2) they're going to ram through a few more contentious bills, like SB1027, which makes significant changes to the initiative petition process.

Governor Stitt vetoed two good (and popular) bills - but why? Also, ODMHSAS troubles somehow continue to deepen, and a train is running out of track, so to speak.

Andy's niece, Penny, provides some severe weather reminders, and then we discuss the new social studies standards, the wildfire task force report, and what to expect with the state budget.

Updates to the social studies standards, ongoing ODMHSAS situation, and more, followed by a recording from Andy's recent speech to the Edmond Democratic Women.

It seems that once a decade, a major state agency has a mysterious budget crisis. In 2012 it was OKDHS, in 2018 it was OSDH, and in 2025 it's ODMHSAS. What is going on? And what can we do about it?

Sure, the stock market's in free fall and the First Amendment is under attack, but sometimes you gotta pull back from that and focus on the good stuff - like when a regular, everyday woman decides to run for city council. We visit with Valerie Moore, recent candidate for Harrah City Council, to hear what she learned along the way.

When people show you who they really are, believe them. Especially if they can't work a group chat.

Ryan Walters pays the piper, politicians don't want Oklahomans to propose ballot initiatives, and we discuss how well the parties are (or are not) connecting with voters.Links mentioned: Walters settled with Ethics Commission for social media violationsBut…a lawmaker, Ellen Pogemiller, has asked the Attorney General to weigh in on Walters’ connection to a new “professional association” called “Teacher Freedom Alliance.“ She asked AG Drummond to “clarify the legality” of Walters’ conduct concerning the new “Teacher Freedom Alliance.” She also asked Drummond to “investigate the financial ties and contacts (Walters) has with TFA.” A law passed last year creating a new penalty for what it called “impermissible occupation” has been mostly cleared for enforcement by the US DOJ. A federal judge put a stay on the bill under Biden, but now the Trump Administration has dismissed it. Speaking of changes to federal policy, the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, Glen Mulready, who most of us forget exists, has issued a warning or a heads up to Oklahomans who have health insurance through the Marketplace (aka Obamacare) that their premiums will likely increase dramatically for 2026 if the federal enhanced Advanced Premium Tax Credits aren’t extended by December. David Shor, head of data science at Blue Rose Research, was on The Ezra Klein Show this week, and it’s fascinating to hear / watch. 

Supt. Ryan Walters is facing his third ethics violation in as many years, the future of the Judicial Nominating Commission is again uncertain, and Governor Stitt wants to have a say in federal funding decisions.

Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn returns to the show to discuss childcare, maternal health care, and how Oklahoma can - and should - properly invest in the future of our state's workforce.

We're joined by Rep. Andy Fugate (HD94-Del City) to discuss his priorities this session and the lawsuit he recently filed against Governor Stitt regarding his executive order that all state employees must end remote work and return to the office.

Every day I get asked "Wtf are we supposed to do?!" Thankfully, our friend, Eric Liu, with Citizen University, has a helpful framework: the "Five P's." Let's talk through them.

Andy discusses what happens when DOGE cuts federal programs AND DOGE-OK wants to cut state programs AND Governor Stitt wants to cut revenue. With all those cuts, Oklahoma will bleed out. We plead again: discuss the state budget more than one year at a time.

Governor Stitt delivered his State of the State, which calls for tax cuts and dipping into the state's savings account again. Haven't we been here before? Also, a reminder that elections occur all year, every year. Governor gave annual State of the State address, called for $1.4B in tax cutsLegislative leaders not so sureSen. Dusty Deevers retracts bill in response to public pressureGreat op-ed from former intern Preston Salameh on the value of Open PrimariesBut the civic action isn’t just at the federal and state level Next week, municipal elections abound! OKC Wards 3 & 7, Edmond & Norman Mayoral races. Also OK County Commissioner primary elections. And February is just the start! The next election will be April 1st, which will be the general elections for some of these (like OKCC) and could be the run-off for municipal races. April 1st will also be the general for other municipal races, like Harrah - I don’t know why those weren’t in February, too, along with the other municipal ones. April 1st will also be the primary election to fill two vacant seats in the state House - HD71 and HD74. HD71 is in Tulsa, just south of downtown and along the east side of the river, and was held by Rep. Amanda Swope who left the House to work for Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols. Seven candidates have filed, 4 Dems and 3 Republicans, so there will be primaries for both major parties.HD 74 is northeast of Tulsa, basically Owasso and the surrounding area. It was previously held by Mark Vancuren who resigned to accept a position as deputy county commissioner, working with another former house member, Lonnie Sims. Six candidates filed for HD74, five Republicans and one Democrat.So the primary election for these seats is on April 1st, it will be followed by, likely, a primary run-off on May 13 and then a general election on June 10th. But it could be different…if each primary has one winner who gets more than 50% of the vote, then there won’t be a run-off and the general will be held on May 13th. Why do we have so many elections?Talk about what we can do about *all this*Former State Rep. Ryan Kiesel passed away at age of 45

Uh...can we vent for just a sec? This week has been *a lot* and we all need to let it out a little bit, because next week is the Governor's State of the State address and the start of the legislative session. Deep breaths, friends. OCC investigation into Todd Hiett ends, says behavior was isolated. Ethics Commission investigation about conflict of interest is ongoing. SCOTUS taking up St. Isidore Oklahoma Catholic Virtual Charter School caseTeacher shortage continues, with more than 5,000 emergency certified teachers statewideOklahoma student achieve still very low, but Walters wants to focus on other thingsGovernor Stitt wants a tax cutLegislative leaders sound supportive, but it’s still earlyAnd he wants to send incarcerated undocumented out of OK, but there’s a catch…