Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-OK) vetoed a bipartisan-supported bill to allow students to wear indigenous garb at graduation ceremonies, arguing that it would open a "Pandora's box."
The veto comes amid a wider pattern of the governor using his veto power to pressure state legislators to pass bills of his desire, such as those regarding school choice and tax cuts. He dismissed the bills the legislature was trying to pass as catering to "lobbyists and special interest groups" and has continued to show his willingness to veto nearly everything sent his way until the legislature caves. He vetoed 20 different Senate bills over the course of one week last week.
OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR USES VETO POWER TO PICK FIGHT WITH STATE LAWMAKERS
His newest veto was of Senate Bill 429, which would allow indigenous students to wear traditional attire, including beadwork, shoes, jewelry, clothing, and eagle feathers and eagle plumes at school graduation ceremonies. Despite passing in a 135-1 vote in the House, Stitt vetoed the bill, arguing that the matter should be left to individual schools.
Stitt, who himself is a member of the Cherokee nation, has been embroiled in a long-running feud with the tribes of Oklahoma, stemming from his efforts to get their casinos to pay a higher revenue rate. Nearly all of the 49 tribes united against the governor during the last gubernatorial election, the New York Times reported.
In his veto message, Stitt said that passing the bill would open a “proverbial Pandora’s box” for groups to “demand special favor to wear whatever they please to a formal ceremony,” Tulsa World reported.
“If school districts want to allow students to wear tribal regalia at graduation, good on them; but if schools prefer students to wear only traditional cap and gown, the legislature shouldn’t stand in their way,” he added.
SB 429 was authored by two Republicans, State Sen. John Michael Montgomery, and State Rep. Trey Caldwell, who expressed surprise at the veto.
“I was a little bit surprised (by the veto) on some level,” Montgomery said. “I think we definitely tried to come up with a really good work product.”
He added that they are looking into overriding the veto, which requires a two-thirds majority.
Various American Indian leaders expressed dismay over the bill.
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“This bill, which would have allowed all Native American students in Oklahoma to wear tribal regalia at school ceremonies, is not controversial. It allows the students to honor their native culture and traditions. In fact, only one member of the Legislature voted against it,” Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton said in a statement to Native News.
He continued, “This is a popular, common-sense measure with no costs for the state or schools. We hope the House and the Senate will quickly override the veto to provide more freedom for Oklahoma students who want to honor their heritage.”