by Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy and Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist
We wish you glad tidings in our final edition of Capitol Insider 2025! This year has been eventful, and we appreciate that you have read along through this constantly changing policy environment. We’re looking forward to exploring new opportunities, innovating to overcome challenges, and fostering a strong movement to end hunger in the new year.
State Updates
State agencies are asking lawmakers for more than $1.60 billion in new appropriations for fiscal year 2027, information provided to the House shows. Gov. Kevin Stitt and the Legislature do not yet know how much money they will have to spend during the 2026 legislative session for the FY2027 budget. The Board of Equalization is scheduled to meet December 19, when it is expected to consider its first FY2027 revenue estimate. Gov. Stitt will use that as the basis for his eighth and last executive budget and state of the state address, and lawmakers can begin using it in their budget discussions with state agencies.
The Governor has set special elections to fill two legislative vacancies – HD 92 seat, formerly held by Rep. Forrest Bennett, and SD 17, following Senator Shane Jett reaching term limits. These special election dates correspond with the 2026 election dates.
- June 16, 2026: Special Primary Election for HD 92 and SD 17
- August 25, 2026: Special Runoff Primary for HD 92 and SD 17 or Special General Election for HD 92
- November 3, 2026: Special General Election for SD 17 and HD 92
The first of three elections to fill a vacant legislative post west of Tulsa, House District 35, took place on December 9. This seat was vacated by former Rep. Ty Burns. Candidates Dillon Travis and Mike Waters advanced to a Republican primary runoff. Republican voters will return to the polls January 13 to determine who will face Democratic nominee Luke Kruse in the general election.
- December 9, 2025: Special Primary Election for House District 35
- January 13, 2026: Special Runoff Primary Election.
- February 10, 2026: Special General Election
Registration for Anti-Hunger Day at the Capitol is live! REGISTER HERE to join us February 24, 2026, to raise awareness about hunger and food insecurity with lawmakers.
Federal Updates
Congress has nine remaining fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills to negotiate. Three, including Agriculture, were enacted in the continuing resolution (CR) that ended last month’s government shutdown. Lawmakers have until January 30 to move them as a series of minibuses, individual bills, or another CR. Some advocates are calling on Congress to utilize these negotiations as a vehicle to reverse the SNAP cuts in the budget reconciliation law (H.R. 1) and protect school meals.
On November 19, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that, if enacted, would rescind a rule put in place in 2022 that defines what could be considered in making a public charge determination for people seeking a U.S. green card or visa. If enacted, officials reviewing the applications could consider participation in any federal assistance program (like SNAP, Medicaid, or WIC) as cause to deny someone because they would be considered a “public charge.” You can read more about public charge here, the new proposed rule, its potential effects, and what you can do to help combat it, including submitting comments to the Federal Register by December 19.
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