Senate Democrats Roll Out Legislative Priorities For 2025, Focusing On 4 Main Topics

Senate Democrats are rolling out their plans for the 2025 legislative session. They say they have four main priorities for the year: a great education for everyone, prosperity for all, longer and healthier lives, and open and fair government.

“We are ready to get to work,” said Sen. Julia Kirt, (D) Senate Minority Leader. “We know that Oklahomans are counting on us and they want us to listen to their real needs and address those.”

The state senate democratic caucus consists of eight of the 48 Oklahoma senators. The democratic caucus welcomed three new members this year, Sen. Nikki Nice, Sen. Mark Mann and Sen. Regina Goodwin. 

They will also be led by a new Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Julia Kirt.

“We're dedicated to a great education for good paying jobs for all for helping families have the resources they need to stay healthy and to make sure this government is serving the people not serving politicians and business,” said Sen. Julia Kirt.

“A Great Education for Everyone”

“When people don't have access to good health care or education it limits their opportunities, their freedom and their success,” said Sen. Carri Hicks, (D-OKC). “We have made no secret about where we stand on public education from the senate democrats perspective which is that we believe public dollars belong in public schools,” said Sen. Hicks.

Their three main goals in this category include:

1. Support teachers so every child can succeed.
2. Keep all students and teachers safe from harmful politics.
3. Make college and higher education possible for every Oklahoman.

They have introduced at least eight new legislative items geared toward education:

1. SB 142- Sen. Hicks: Increases teacher pay
2. SB 186- Sen. Mann: Reduces the teacher shortage 
3. SB 374 - Sen. Mann: Safeguards school accreditation
4. SB 407 - Sen. Brooks: Provides professional development for English Language Learner teachers 
5. SB 406 - Sen. Brooks: Increases participation in Oklahoma's Promise 
6. SB 408 - Sen. Boren: Improves access to higher education for pregnant students
7. Budget Request - Sen. Goodwin, Sen. Nice, Sen. Kirt: Significant funding infusion for Langston University

State Superintendent Ryan Walters meanwhile, rolled out a $3.95 billion education request for 2026. 

“There were several things that concerned me right off the bat: spending $3 million on bibles when we have other academic needs across the state that money could go to,” said Sen. Mark Mann. “There was half-a-million in the budget to train teachers to carry firearms in schools which I think we were safe to say we're opposed to that,” said Sen. Mann.

“Prosperity for All”

Their three main goals in this category include:

1. Increase the minimum wage so everyone can earn a fair living.
2. Give people more paid time off to care for their families.
3. Fix the housing market so everyone has a safe place to live.

They have introduced at least 8 new legislative items geared towards prosperity:

1. SB 35 - Sen. Hicks: Increases the minimum wage SB 55 - Sen. Nice: Increases the minimum wage SB 87 - Sen. Boren: Provides state employees with paid family leave
2. SB 254 - Sen. Dossett: Requires Dept. of Labor to study fiscal requirements of Family and Medical Leave Insurance
3. SB 262 - Sen. Nice: Creates Oklahoma Rental Assistance Grant Program
4. SB 275 - Sen. Kirt: Creates the Oklahoma Workforce Housing Commission
5. SB 277 - Sen. Dossett: Creates a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Fund
6. SB 470 - Sen. Kirt: Incentivizes companies to offer better pay and paid family leave

“We know lots of bills and proposals will be put forward that are gonna demand our attention and that possibly will divide our attention and we'll have to react and respond,” said Sen. Kirt. “Oklahoma Senate Democrats are very pragmatic and we are putting forward sometimes very small steps forward towards that vision because that's what we know we can accomplish.”

“Longer, Healthier Lives”

Their three main goals in this category include:

1. Make it easier for everyone to get the medicine, care and essentials they need.
2. Make health insurance companies treat all people fairly.
3. Support the health of all new moms and babies

Bills introduced in this category:

1. SB 34 - Sen. Hicks: Reduces medication costs
2. SB 155 - Sen. Hicks: Improves access to diabetes treatment
3. SB 226 - Sen. Hicks: Incentivizes hospitals to provide better care to new moms and babies
4. SB 362 - Sen. Nice: Creates Community Health Worker Certification

“Open and Fair Government” 

Their three main goals in this category include:

1. Ensure fair and honest rules for elections.
2. Make sure every eligible Oklahoman can vote without hassles.
3. Require more transparency for corporate tax incentives.

Bills introduced in this category:

1. SB 82 - Sen. Kirt: Requires legislators to receive ethics training
2. SB 94 - Sen. Nice: Creates the Oklahoma Commission on Race and Equality
3. SB 129 - Sen. Kirt: Increases early voting days SB 143 - Sen. Kirt: Creates automatic voter registration
4. SB 214 - Sen. Goodwin: Creates deadline for Governor to place initiatives on the ballot
5. SB 273 - Sen. Boren: Increases early voting days
6. SB 471 - Sen. Kirt: Increases requirements for business incentives

“Together we can create a brighter future for every family in our state.” 

The list of bills posted above does not encompass all of the legislation that has been or will be filed for the upcoming session.

The senate republicans are expected to roll out their education plan by the end of the month. The 2025 legislative session will begin on February 3rd.