Oklahoma – On April 8, 2025, Governor J. Kevin Stitt signed Executive Order 2025-09, aimed at protecting taxpayer dollars while ensuring transparency and accountability across state agencies.
This executive order emphasizes the Governor’s goal to reduce the number of state employees by the end of his term compared to 2019 levels, but explicitly rules out transitioning full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to independent contractors as a way to meet those numbers.
“Agencies must be fiscally responsible and transparent,” Governor Stitt stated. “Transforming staff roles into independent contractors that cost taxpayers more is unacceptable. Oklahomans want smaller government, not government that hides behind gimmicks. We can continue to serve Oklahomans while ensuring that every dollar is spent efficiently.”
Executive Order 2025-09 mandates that all state agencies submit a detailed report to the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) by April 15, 2025. The report will require agencies to provide detailed information on any full-time positions that have been converted to independent contractor roles within the last 12 months. The following specifics must be included in the report:
– The number of FTE positions and vacancies in the state agency as of December 17, 2024, and as of the date of the Executive Order.
– A complete list of all instances where agency FTE count was reduced or where positions remained vacant due to the use of independent contractors or outside contracts in the past year.
– The total compensation, including benefits, for each FTE position that was eliminated or replaced by contractors.
– The total cost of each contract, including benefits if applicable, that led to a reduction in FTE positions or allowed positions to remain vacant.
– A financial analysis of whether these changes resulted in net savings or net costs to taxpayers.
This executive order further reinforces Governor Stitt’s commitment to reducing government size and ensuring taxpayer money is spent efficiently, enhancing transparency within state agencies.
