Gov. Stitt orders review of policies on religious exclusion in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has issued an executive order to position the state as a leading defender of religious liberty, requiring state agencies to eliminate laws that exclude religious entities from public programs, funds, or benefits. This order precedes a U.S. Supreme Court case concerning the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, which involves the establishment of a Catholic charter school. Stitt asserts that religious freedom is a fundamental right that government must protect, and that faith-based organizations should not be marginalized. However, critics argue this could lead to state funding for a variety of religious schools, including those with radical teachings. The executive order also mandates a comprehensive review of state regulations to ensure compliance with religious freedom principles, as reinforced by the 2023 amendment to Oklahoma's Religious Freedom Act. This move has sparked a debate about the separation of church and state and the implications for public education funding.