Lionel Ramos
State Government ReporterLionel Ramos covers state government for a consortium of Oklahoma’s public radio stations.
Previously, Ramos has reported for investigative news site Oklahoma Watch covering race and equity, reporting on the rising political capital of Latinos in Oklahoma, the resettlement of Afghan refugees, the stakes for Indigenous Oklahomans in the Supreme Court's 2023 Brackeen v. Haaland decision, unemployment, housing, and veterans’ issues.
Born into the circus, Ramos traveled across the country in an RV with his family for the first half of his life. He eventually landed in San Antonio, Texas, where he attended high school and community college before transferring to Texas State University in San Marcos. He holds a bachelor's degree in English with a focus on creative writing. While a student at Texas State, he covered local and student government for the college newspaper, The University Star.
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State Superintendent Ryan Walters says he's proud of the new social studies standards coming next school year. He spoke at a Republican Party event late last Thursday to reflect on the legislative session and rally his base. -
America started the new year reeling from the news of a terrorist attack in New Orleans. Two weeks later, Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order launching the Secure Oklahoma Now Initiative and advisory council. They released their first public guidelines for large event organizers Thursday afternoon. -
Oklahoma lawmakers approved a quarter of a percent income tax cut this legislative session, complete with Gov. Kevin Stitt’s signature, and despite some big budgetary questions. Here’s a rundown of what happened to key bills and other legislative initiatives this year. -
In the wake of a record number of vetoes by Gov. Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma lawmakers decided they wanted to pass many of their measures without his blessing. -
Lawmakers are wrapping up Oklahoma's 60th legislative session this week. From tax cuts to classroom cellphone bans and the end of the board ensuring people are buried properly, 504 bills had been sent to the governor heading into the Memorial Day weekend. -
Oklahoma lawmakers have entered the final two weeks of the 60th regular legislative session. Hundreds of bills have been sent to Gov. Kevin Stitt, and he's already acted on some. Still looming: budget negotiations. -
Legislative efforts to reform the judicial selection process in Oklahoma have gone on for the better part of the last decade. And this year, just like in years past, they’ve failed, even with the support of the governor. -
Former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is suing the State Board of Education on behalf of half a dozen plaintiffs. Hunter is questioning the board's approval of the latest proposed academic standards. -
Oklahoma lawmakers are allowing a set of newly proposed social studies education standards to take effect without any action. Opposed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, the rules are criticized for focusing on 2020 election denialism and could have been rejected with a resolution. Democrats call the inaction a failure. -
Flat budgets, tax cuts and priorities: lawmakers balance agendas with finances, economic uncertaintyLawmakers are in the final stretch of Oklahoma's 60th regular legislative session and state budget talks are ramping up. However, concerns over state agency spending and federal funding cuts mean uncertainty lies ahead, along with differing ideas on where tax dollars should be prioritized.
