Oklahoma governor vetoes state PBS funding, accuses network of using 'tax dollars to indoctrinate kids'

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Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., recently vetoed a bill that would continue funding for the statewide PBS station, claiming that the national network has been indoctrinating young children with LGBTQ propaganda.

During a press conference last week, the Republican lawmaker defended his decision to veto ongoing funding for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), the state network of public broadcasting service affiliates. 

OETA broadcasts PBS, which now includes LGBTQ content in some of its programming. The governor pointed to that as the main reason he signed the veto last Wednesday.

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FILE - Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt delivers his State of the State address on Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Stitt stated at a press conference, "I don’t think Oklahomans want to use their tax dollars to indoctrinate kids. And some of the stuff that they’re showing, it just overly sexualizes our kids."

Show likes PBS staple "Sesame Street" have begun incorporating LGBTQ themes in recent years. In an episode of the long-beloved show that aired last year, young audiences were introduced to a character’s "brother and his husband."

The bill Stitt vetoed would have renewed OETA as the state’s public broadcaster until January 2026. Now that the bill dead, OETA’s place on Oklahoma television sets will disappear on July 1.

Stitt’s veto happened just days before he signed a bill Monday banning "all sex reassignment procedures for minors in the state, including irreversible gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies," as Fox News Digital reported.

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Elmo from "Sesame Street pictured. The long-running PBS show has introduced LGBTQ characters and themes to young viewers in recent years. (PBS)

In addition to slamming PBS’ LGBTQ propaganda, the Republican governor trashed the state’s deal with OETA as "outdated." He told the media, "That, to me, is an outdated system. It may have had its place in 1957. Why are we spending taxpayer dollars to prop up the OETA? It makes no sense to me."

The governor added, "If you want to watch that, that's fine. But why am I using taxpayer dollars to prop that up? I don't think we need that and I'm glad to veto that bill."

Of course, some locals disagree with Stitt’s decision. Ken Busby, a board member of the local non-profit organization "Friends of OETA," stated, "OETA is the most-watched PBS station in the country. Over 650,000 viewers a week are watching PBS in Oklahoma."

Busby then made a serious historical reference to further criticize Stitt’s move, saying, "No civilization since the Norman Conquest in 1066 has survived that did not support arts and culture. They’re all gone. Civilization is about its culture, its history, and its arts."

Oklahoma Gov.Kevin Stitt arrives on the House floor at the state Capitol for his State pf the State address Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in Oklahoma City.  (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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Busby also argued that cutting funding will hamper the state’s emergency readiness and response as OETA broadcasts emergency alerts. He added, "Tornado warnings, Amber Alerts, those kinds of things. They’re from our broadcast towers, which are scattered across the state."

In response to Busby raising this issue, Stitt said, "I don’t think that has anything to do with our public safety. And I’m not sure how much OETA is helping public safety."