Oklahoma gov prevents PBS from receiving tax dollars – accuses network of pushing LGBT propaganda that 'overly sexualizes our kids'

Oklahoma Republican Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed a bill last week that, if passed, would have continued to provide the statewide PBS stations with taxpayer funds.

Stitt explained that he cut off ongoing funding to the network in large part because some of its programs promote LGBT propaganda that "overly sexualizes our kids."

If passed, the bill would have provided the Oklahoma Education Television Authority, the network of public broadcasting service affiliates including PBS, with taxpayer funds through January 2026.

With Stitt's veto, the OETA will be cut off from taxpayer funding on July 1.

Stitt claimed that the state's deal with OETA was "an outdated system."

"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," he stated.

Within the last several years, PBS has begun broadcasting a number of shows that incorporate LGBT themes. For example, episodes of the children's shows "Sesame Street," "Clifford the Big Red Dog," and "Work It Out Wombats!" have introduced LGBT characters. Additionally, a "PBS Newshour" segment discussed '"gender-affirming care" for children.

"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," Stitt added.

Ken Busby, a board member of the nonprofit "Friends of OETA," claimed that not supporting the network could have serious consequences.

"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," Busby stated.

He also contended that cutting the network's funding could have a detrimental impact on Oklahoma's emergency response since OETA broadcasts alerts.

"Tornado warnings, Amber Alerts, those kinds of things. They're from our broadcast towers, which are scattered across the state," Busby explained.

OETA has more than 650,000 viewers per week, making it the most-watched PBS network in the nation, according to Busby.

In response to Busby's claims, Stitt said he does not believe cutting OETA's funding will impact the state's emergency readiness.

"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," Stitt stated.

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