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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While local law enforcement agencies ramp up immigration enforcement in Oklahoma, federal authorities have already started deporting unauthorized immigrants across the state. -
As an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling looms on whether voters will have the chance to open state primary elections to all, the state Republican Party is working to convince its members that State Question 836 is a bad deal. But political rhetoric differs from the argument in court. -
Oklahoma lawmakers filed more than 3,200 bills during this year's legislative session. Less than one in five of those are slated to become law. -
Thousands of Oklahomans rallied across the state to protest President Donald Trump Saturday morning. While the protest in Oklahoma City wasn't without a few so-called agitators – and a lot of rain – the event remained peaceful. -
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is pre-empting a possible outbreak of civil unrest ahead of organized demonstrations planned across Oklahoma on Saturday. But while Stitt is committed to stopping potential lawbreakers, rally organizers say they are planning for peace. -
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.
