OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt on Monday directed state agencies to move forward identifying laws, regulations, and policies excluding religious individuals or institutions regarding programs, funds or benefits. The Executive Order is set to build on a U.S. Supreme Court rul ing that uphold that states cannot discriminate against religious entities in public life. According to the Governor's office, the action comes as the United States Supreme Court prepared to hear oral arguments in the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond. Oral arguments on April 30, 2025. 4Warn Storm Team tracking severe weather moving into Oklahoma “Religious freedom is foundational to our way of life in Oklahoma. It’s not a privilege handed out by the government—it’s a God-given right that the government must protect,” said Stitt. “We will not stand by while faith-based organizations—including faith-based schools—are pushed to the sidelines by activist bureaucrats or hostile politicians.” Governor Stitt filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the charter board and St. Isidore, noting faith-based institutions have the same right to participate in public programs as any other entity. This executive order mandates a full review and revision of any state law or regulation that excludes religious entities. Additionally, outdated provision areas under review will include: public education arts funding and historical preservation programs The Executive Order follows the Legislature’s 2023 amendment to Oklahoma’s Religious Freedom Act (RFA) which acknowledges denying access to government programs based solelyon religious character constitutes a substantial burden on the free exercise of religion, says Stitt. Attorney General Gentner Drummond released the following remarks after Gov. Stitt issued an executive order presuming to be about religious liberty. "Gov. Stitt has been clear that he supports our tax dollars funding radical Muslim schools teaching Sharia Law, and I couldn’t disagree with him more. If a taxpayer-funded religious charter school is allowed to open in Oklahoma, it will only be a matter of time before taxpayers are funding schools dedicated to Sharia law, Wicca indoctrination, Scientology instruction — even the Church of Satan. As a devoted Christian and a strong supporter of religious liberty, I can tell you that the only way to protect religious liberty is for the state not to sponsor any religion at all — just like our Founding Fathers intended.” Heads Up Oklahoma there’s a risk for severe thunderstorms this evening through tonight into early Wednesday morning. The full text of the Executive Order is available here. Read the amicus brief in full here. ...read more read less