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In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. Subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.
New from OK Policy
Election shakeups, leaderships changes will make for interesting ’25 Legislative session (Capitol Update): The loss of seven incumbent legislators is unusual for the typically non-volatile Oklahoma legislative electoral scene. Between incumbent losses, term limits, retirements, and the complete change in leadership in both chambers, the next session will surely be interesting. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
New law on car tags takes effect Sunday: How does it work?: Oklahomans won’t have to pay any additional costs or invest much time learning about a new wrinkle in the way license plates are handled after a new law takes effect Sunday. But officials say the law is something that people who buy or sell vehicles need to know about. [Tulsa World]
State Government News
Judge: Proposed consent decree in mental health lawsuit violates state law: A provision in a proposed consent decree that would establish an outpatient pilot program to provide mental health competency restoration services for detainees held in county jails across Oklahoma would violate state law, a federal judge ruled late Friday. [NonDoc]
Legislators learn about unapproved medical exams during interim study: House legislators may look to address involuntary pelvic exams performed on unconscious patients next session. Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, organized the interim study on exams conducted without informed consent. [Journal Record]
State sales tax grocery cut now in effect: ‘A win for us all’: The state axed its tax on grocery sales last week following passage earlier this year of House Bill 1955 by the Oklahoma Legislature. The law applied to the state’s tax on food, food ingredient items and certain prepared foods, but not all. [Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: Fact Check: Will Oklahoma families save $800 a year from eliminating the state portion of the grocery sales tax?
Stitt, McGirt, Walters and infrastructure: Takeaways from Tulsa’s 2024 ‘State of the State’ event: Oklahoma’s current and future legislative leaders answered questions Thursday about Gov. Kevin Stitt, tribal relations, education and more at Tulsa Regional Chamber’s ‘State of the State’ event at Cox Business Center. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Turnpike authority to cancel frontage roads in response to Norman toll road opposition: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is canceling plans to build frontage roads and other amenities discussed in connection with new toll roads to be built through Norman and adjacent communities in response to rejection of the project by the Norman City Council. [The Oklahoman]
Deputy Secretary of State to lead new Oklahoma Department of Commerce division: Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed new leadership for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, which is going through a major change intended to improve the state’s economic development. [The Oklahoman]
Political notebook: New DHS chief among Stitt administration changes: Gov. Stitt announced several appointments last week, including a new director of the Department of Human Services. Jeffrey Cartmell shifted to DHS from the Office of Juvenile Affairs, where he’d been since last year. The Governor’s Office also said it is shifting Katie DeMuth to DHS from her current job as interim director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. [Tulsa World]
Federal Government News
D.C. Digest: U.S. Sen. James Lankford objects to becoming Democratic talking point: U.S. Sen. James Lankford is not pleased that Democrats are using the border bill he and two other senators negotiated as a talking point in current election campaigns. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: The public airwaves belong to all of us. It’s time to reclaim them for the public good: For decades, America’s biggest wireless carriers have been playing a clever shell game with policymakers in Washington. The script is always the same: The carriers insist they desperately need access to more spectrum — the radio frequencies that carry our wireless signals. They argue that without exclusive access to this vital resource, America’s wireless networks will fall behind and innovation will stagnate. [John R.H. Collison / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Cherokee chief says no matter what Stitt decides, tribe will provide Tribal vehicle tags: Cherokee Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said Saturday that his tribe will continue to provide car tags to its citizens, even if Gov. Kevin Stitt does not renew its state compact. [Tulsa World]
Patients suffer when Indian Health Service doesn’t pay for outside care: When the Indian Health Service can’t provide medical care to Native Americans, the federal agency can refer them elsewhere. But each year, it rejects tens of thousands of requests to fund those appointments, forcing patients to go without treatment or pay daunting medical bills out of their own pockets. [The Oklahoman]
Hope in sight for Oklahoma Superfund site thanks to efforts by Quapaw Nation: The ghost town of Picher is known for its dark and disheartening history. But the Quapaw Nation is actively working to change that narrative. [KGOU]
Tribal roundup: Ponca, Wichita tribes hold elections; Muscogee Nation, City of Okmulgee cross-deputize: The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes both chose new leadership recently in elections featuring candidates with pending charges. Meanwhile, after months of delays and an unusual announcement of charges against candidate Carla Carney, Ponca voters finally elected four members of the tribe’s Business Committee. [NonDoc]
KOSU was at the Cherokee National Holiday. Here’s what our reporters heard: The 72nd Cherokee National Holiday kicked off on Friday in Tahlequah over the Labor Day weekend. The three-day event draws an average of 160,000 visitors per year for what is considered the official Cherokee homecoming and reunion. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Tulsa mayoral election recount to cost $12,000 per day, officials estimate: Tulsa candidate for mayor Brent VanNorman paid the Tulsa County Election Board $12,000 on Friday to do a manual recount of Tuesday’s general election results. For area taxpayers, the bill will likely be much higher. Election Board officials estimate that it will cost $12,000 a day to conduct the recount and that it likely will take several days. [Tulsa World]
- Democratic candidates in mayoral runoff share their message for Republican voters [Tulsa World]
- Video: Reaction to Tulsa mayor and council races going to runoff [Ginnie Graham and Barry Friedman / Tulsa World]
Education News
Attempts to remove judge from Epic embezzlement case fail again: An attempt to have a judge thrown off the major embezzlement case against the Epic Charter School co-founders has been rejected again. Oklahoma County District Judge Richard Ogden decided after a hearing Friday afternoon that he would not disqualify district Judge Susan Stallings from overseeing the case. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma schools hope cellphone bans will keep focus on learning: More than a decade ago, a small school district in southeast Oklahoma banned students from using cellphones during the school day. Warner Superintendent David Vinson said the cellphone ban has been integral to the school’s academic success. He said the zero-tolerance policy removed distractions from the classroom, cut down on bullying and discipline issues, and encouraged students to build camaraderie face-to-face. [Oklahoma Voice]
Delay in state accreditation forces Tulsa Public Schools to push back charters’ deadline: In light of delayed accreditation action by the Oklahoma State Board of Education, Tulsa Public Schools is adjusting a reporting deadline for its charter schools. [Tulsa World]
‘A personal political gimmick’: Oklahoma superintendents say no to Walters’ Bible directive: Dozens of school district superintendents across the state say they will not change their instructional practices to accommodate State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ classroom Bible directive. [KGOU]
Opinion, Bixby School Superintendent: Teachers at a disadvantage when asked to improve test scores: The pressure is immense. Teachers, like coaches, face the constant threat of poor evaluations impacting their job security and future opportunities. The joy of teaching, the passion for helping students, is often overshadowed by the relentless focus on standardized testing and performance metrics. [Rob Miller / Tulsa World]
Opinion, Tulsa Public School Board President: Stop mandating that Tulsa Public Schools give state board presentations: At the Aug. 22 state school board meeting, a discussion about the mandate for Tulsa Public Schools to continue giving monthly in-person reports was not only audacious and disingenuous, but it was also honestly devastating. [Stacey Woolley / Tulsa World]
Health News
TSET helps fund efforts to stop underage tobacco, vape use in Oklahoma: The TSET Board of Directors approved more than $50,000 in funds for the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission to prevent people under 21 from accessing tobacco and vape products, including through door-to-door delivery services. [KOSU]
Criminal Justice News
Cleveland County jail reports another inmate death in string of recent fatalities: Another inmate has died at the Cleveland County Detention Center in Norman after an inmate attempted suicide, authorities say. It’s the second death out of the jail this week. [The Oklahoman]
Hinton Reopened its Prison, But It’s Not Paying Off: Since 1999, The GEO Group has leased the Great Plains Correctional Facility from the Hinton Economic Development Authority and paid the trust $1 to $1.25 per prisoner per day when the facility is occupied. The money, nearly $1 million annually, has spearheaded several infrastructure projects over the past three decades. But The GEO Group claims it’s no longer obligated to pay the per diem. If they’re right, it could dramatically change Hinton’s future. [Oklahoma Watch]
Alleged ‘straw ownership’ of Oklahoma marijuana operations leads to indictments: The state’s multicounty grand jury has indicted two Tulsa County men and a third person for their alleged involvement in illegal marijuana operations, state Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office announced Monday. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Top Oklahoma Republicans acted out an unserious scene on a serious issue: mental health in jails: Our state is facing allegations that we’re violating the constitutional rights of indigent defendants who are deemed incompetent to stand trial. We’re accused of warehousing them like goods in our county jails and ignoring the necessity of court-ordered competency restoration so that they can assist in their own defense. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Some worry SCOTUS ruling could embolden cities to criminalize homelessness: Like most big cities across the country, Oklahoma City is grappling with homeless encampments that some consider eyesores and crime magnets in need of elimination either through programs that reduce homelessness or law enforcement sweeps that can send homeless people to jail. Thanks to a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling, local municipalities have more options than ever, and some believe that will only exacerbate the problem. [NonDoc]
Economy & Business News
Facing natural disasters, more lawmakers around the nation look to make oil companies pay for the damage: Vermont is the first state trying a new approach to climate policy: charging fossil fuel companies money to cover the damages caused by natural disasters worsened by climate change. Other states could be close behind. [Stateline via Oklahoma Voice]
Paycom shrugged off the impact of COVID, nearly doubling its workforce in the last 5 years: While many companies continue to recover from labor losses after the pandemic, OKC-based Paycom opened doors to its expanded headquarters this year after more than doubling its local workforce. [The Oklahoman]
Community News
Need help paying summer utility bills? These Oklahoma resources could help keep you cool: Several programs throughout Oklahoma City try to make it easier for households to pay their gas and electric bills in a moment of need. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Animal welfare is a community problem: As I write this commentary, Oklahoma City Animal Welfare is at 152 percent shelter capacity for dogs and 100 percent capacity for cats (the lowest I’ve seen it in weeks). Overcrowding in the city shelter can mean a few things. [Megan Prather / NonDoc]
Opinion: Louisa McCune loved her way through life ― a great example for all: On Aug. 10, 2024, Oklahoma lost one of its greatest daughters. Louisa McCune, executive director of the Kirkpatrick Foundation, lost a courageous battle with cancer. Until almost the very end, she was working for the good of her community, state and world. [Nancy Snow / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Barrier-breaking campaigns ought to nurture spark for youth leadership: We are at a powerful juncture in both Tulsa’s history and our nation’s. A moment speaking directly to our youth about the endless possibilities that lie ahead. [Carlisha Williams Bradley / Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- Budget reductions almost meant a northeast OKC park center would change operators. What now? [The Oklahoman]
- Tulsa to solicit developers for downtown convention center headquarters hotel [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“Punitive regulations are not the answer to homelessness, housing is. Introducing more fines on our unhoused individuals only perpetuates poverty and pushes them further away from stability, and it ultimately costs taxpayers more money to arrest and jail people than to provide strategic, humane and long-term solutions.”
-Kelly Dyer Fry, Mental Health Association Oklahoma director of OKC operations, speaking about the additional problems created by municipal ordinances that criminalize the existence of the unhoused. [NonDoc]
Number of the Day
110
Estimated number of hours per week a minimum wage worker has to work in order to afford a two-bedroom rental in Oklahoma. [National Low Income Housing Coalition]
Policy Note
How Better Health Strategies Could Reduce Juvenile Crime: Many states and cities have passed or are considering laws aimed at deterring delinquency, such as curfews and stiffer penalties. But punitive approaches often ignore the relationship between psychological trauma and adolescent brain development, and how such trauma can increase the probability of criminal behavior as well as depression and other mental health conditions. [Journal of American Medical Association]
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