Oklahoma Governor's Ongoing Feud with Native American Tribes Sparks Special Session and Lawsuit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's feud with Native American tribes over revenue agreements, known as compacts, has escalated to the point where fellow Republicans in the Legislature and the state's attorney general are considering sidelining him from tribal negotiations. The compacts, which divide revenue from gambling, vehicle tags, and the sale of tobacco and motor fuel on tribal land, have been a major source of income for both the state and tribes. Stitt's contentious relationship with tribal leaders has strained the long-standing rapport between the state and tribes, with Republican leaders expressing concern over the financial and diplomatic consequences. The dispute has now spilled into the Republican-controlled Legislature, which plans to override Stitt's vetoes of bills extending tribal compacts. The governor's office historically handles compact negotiations, but the Legislature and Attorney General Gentner Drummond are critical of Stitt's approach and may assume control.