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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
Survey: Business leaders prioritize investment in infrastructure, education over tax cuts (Capitol Update): The State Chamber Research Foundation recently published its 2024 Business Leaders Poll, the result of its survey of 325 business owners and executives in Oklahoma, taken over four weeks early this summer. In its “top findings” of the survey, the State Chamber Research Foundation asserts that “78 percent of business leaders favor reducing or eliminating the state income tax.” But when you read the survey itself, the results are much more nuanced. For example, the report says “though supportive of income tax reform, business leaders generally do not wish to see tax cuts come at the expense of spending on core government services such as education, mental health programs, and infrastructure.” [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
KFOR files federal lawsuit against Walters for denying access to board meetings, press conferences: Oklahoma City TV news station KFOR filed a suit in federal court Monday against State Superintendent Ryan Walters and Dan Isett, who serves as the State Department of Education’s communications director. The suit alleges Walters and Isett violated First Amendment rights to free speech and press, and engaged in viewpoint discrimination against the news outlet. [KOSU]
- KFOR sues Ryan Walters, spokesman over exclusion from meetings, news conferences [The Oklahoman]
- OKC TV station sues State Superintendent Ryan Walters over access to meetings [Tulsa World]
- State Superintendent, OSDE staff accused of violating First Amendment by local TV station [FOX25]
- KFOR takes State Superintendent Ryan Walters to court [KFOR]
State Government News
Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust calls for ‘meaningful increase’ in state tobacco tax: Oklahomans who smoke may have to pay more for cigarettes in the future if lawmakers take a cue from the board of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority: watch out for scam texts: Oklahoma Turnpike Authority customers are the new target for scammers.
Scammers send customers a text message showing a toll invoice and a link to what seems to be OTA’s website. [KOSU]
Turnpike officials award contract to build new Oklahoma service plaza, widen lanes: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority on Monday awarded a $38.5 million contract to widen a portion of the Turner Turnpike and build a service plaza. Becco Contractors was awarded the contract which includes 1.5 miles of six-lane widening, realignment of the westbound turnpike lanes and construction of a new Stroud service plaza, said Darian Butler, OTA director of engineering. [Oklahoma Voice]
Is more than 20% of Oklahoma’s state revenue from the federal government?: According to an analysis of the latest U.S. Census data, Oklahoma’s state government received 43% of its 2022 revenue from federal grants. [Oklahoma Watch]
Trebor Worthen departure means new chief of staff for AG Gentner Drummond: Attorney General Gentner Drummond has a new chief of staff after his longtime political adviser, Trebor Worthen, departed the AG’s Office near the end of August. Worthen has been replaced by one of his closest political friends, former Kingfisher Sen. Rob Johnson, who had been Drummond’s general counsel since he was sworn into office in January 2023. Worthen and Johnson served together in the Oklahoma House of Representatives 20 years ago. [NonDoc]
Federal Government News
Oklahoma asks federal appeals court to let it enforce controversial immigration law: Oklahoma’s attorney general is asking a federal appeals court to allow the state to enforce a controversial new immigration law, House Bill 4156. [The Oklahoman]
- Drummond appeals judge’s ruling on Oklahoma immigration law [Tulsa World]
U.S. House passes ‘anti-woke’ bill aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion in higher ed: The End Woke Higher Education Act — which succeeded 213-201 — marks one of several so-called anti-woke initiatives and messaging bills from Republican lawmakers to hit the House floor this week. [Oklahoma Voice]
Migration is more complex than politics show: Historically, immigrants or people with temporary protected status come to the U.S. to work and often take jobs that Americans reject, filling a need in the workforce as older generations retire and fewer babies are born. And many American cities’ cultural, economic and religious identities were shaped by migrants. “Most Americans are fundamentally immigrants, and so it’s always just kind of crazy when this gets called into question, and there’s some idea that immigration is not a strength,” said Republican Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. [Border Report]
Tribal Nations News
Delaware Nation to digitize dozens of artifacts with OU Libraries: The Delaware Nation is partnering with University of Oklahoma Libraries to create 3D high-resolution models of the nation’s artifacts, saving items from physical degradation and offering a new way to experience their history. [KOSU]
NSU, NEO awarded $2M grant to recruit, retain, support Native American nursing students: Northeastern State University, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College and Inter-Tribal Council Inc. were recently awarded a $2 million grant through a cooperative agreement with Indian Health Services to support the success of Native American nursing students in Oklahoma. [Enid News & Eagle]
Cherokee Nation leads Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Cherokee Nation and its businesses joined community members in a Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Tulsa Saturday, Sept. 21, raising funds and awareness to find a cure for the disease. [Enid News & Eagle]
Oklahoma Governor, Cherokee Nation At Impasse Over Car Tag Compact: Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. are at a standstill over a car tag compact that expires at the end of the year. The impasse threatens to leave thousands of Cherokee citizens driving illegally. [NEWS9]
Voting and Election News
What is the Electoral College? How does it work? What Oklahoma voters should know: The 2024 race for the White House appears to be a toss-up as we get closer to Election Day. Like the 2020 election, the race will likely be decided by a handful of swing states, and voters may rely on totals from the Electoral College to see who is the winner. So what is the Electoral College and what should Oklahoma voters know about how their votes will be counted? [The Oklahoman]
Education News
OSU gets federal funds to study low-altitude weather with small unmanned aircraft: The National Institute of Science and Technology is awarding $5.5 million to OSU to research local, low-altitude weather. The idea is to make it safe for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Advanced Air Mobility craft — colloquially called drones — to be a part of the federally regulated National Airspace System. [KOSU]
Tishomingo’s viral incident speaks to Oklahoma’s need for education, dialogue, expert says: Homecoming is a cherished tradition for Tishomingo High School in southeastern Oklahoma. But the tradition came to a halt when six high school students in the city of about 3,000 displayed an anti-Black racial slur in a now-viral image in the week before the football team’s homecoming game. [The Oklahoman]
Four Oklahoma schools earn top U.S. Blue Ribbon honor: U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona honored four Oklahoma schools Monday as National Blue Ribbon Schools. Schools are selected based on a nomination and application process that considers test scores, graduation rates and other performance metrics. [The Oklahoman]
Daughter of teacher targeted by Ryan Walters writes board about effect of online vitriol: The 16-year-old daughter of an Edmond Memorial High School teacher who’s been targeted for license revocation by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters says comments from Walters and his supporters on social media in recent weeks have negatively affected her, and she pleaded for people to not “spew hate.” [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: To boost Oklahoma student outcomes, retain teachers, we must rethink our use of high-stakes testing: The No Child Left Behind Act, which was signed into law in 2002 by former Republican President George W. Bush, increased the federal government’s influence in holding schools accountable for student performance. They ordered everyone to “be on the same page,” and even today press educators to “teach to the test.” I quickly discovered that this one-size-fits-all philosophy was disastrous for schools, teachers and students. And decades later, it still remains so. [John Thompson / Oklahoma Voice]
Health News
Oklahoma Community Health Centers to receive $3.5 million in federal funding: More than $3.5 million has been awarded to six community health centers in Oklahoma to expand mental health and substance use disorder services. The funding, announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aims to integrate primary and behavioral health care. [KOSU]
New public health kiosk program in Oklahoma City launches: The Oklahoma City-County Health Department(OCCHD) announced the launch of freepublic health kiosks throughout the Oklahoma City Metro Area. Kiosks will include the following and more: COVID-19 & Flu At-Home Rapid Tests,COVID-19 Antigen Home Tests, Emergency Mylar Blanket, Early Detection Pregnancy Tests, Naloxone HCL Nasal Spray (Narcan), Xylazine Test Strips and Fentanyl Test Strips. Income verification will not be required at the kiosks. [FOX25]
Oklahoma Health Care Authority expanding options for people exiting prison system: People transitioning from prison to society face many obstacles. Health care is one of those barriers, and a new collaboration in Oklahoma is working to expand those services. State leaders said there are too many gaps in health care services for people transitioning from the prison system back into the community. The state was chosen for a program to learn how to expand those options. [NEWS9]
CMS Partnering WIth Oklahoma on Provider Directory Pilot: The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are launching a first-of-its-kind provider directory pilot program for those participating in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP). [Healthcare Innovation]
List of Oklahoma Black Primary Care Providers goes viral: Across the nation, Black doctors make up less than 6% of all providers, creating barriers for Black patients who want their healthcare workers to reflect their experiences and concerns. This includes lowering the Black mortality rate, which lags behind White communities by three years. The maternal mortality rate for Black women is even more bleak, with Black women dying at 2.6 times the rate of White women. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma historian asks court to toss defamation lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania senator: An Oklahoma historian who criticized a Pennsylvania state senator’s academic research is in a court battle after the elected official accused him of defamation. This month in Oklahoma City federal court, attorneys for James P. Gregory Jr., who is also a museum curator pursuing his doctorate at the University of Oklahoma, asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Republican Sen. Doug Mastriano, who is a decorated veteran and author of numerous books and articles on military history and strategy, according to the lawsuit. [The Oklahoman]
VIDEO: Norman PD release footage refuting hate crime allegation: A video obtained from Norman PD in our open records request appears to corroborate their claim of a mutual fight, not a hate crime jumping. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Lawton City Council expected to move forward on anti-camping ordinance for the homeless: City of Lawton officials still want to make it illegal to camp on public property, but they also want some input about what options law enforcement can offer to those accused of the crime. [The Lawton Constitution]
LATS agreement will allow Lawton students to ride buses for free: An agreement that gives the students and staff of Lawton Public Schools free rides on Lawton’s mass transit system will go to the City Transit Trust for approval today. [The Lawton Constitution]
Fed’s big rate cut is likely just a small step towards affording a home: The Federal Reserve gave home shoppers what they hoped for this week: a big rate cut and a signal of more cuts to come. Even so, aspiring homebuyers and homeowners eager to refinance should temper their expectations of a big drop in mortgage rates from here. [The Journal Record]
CPN’s grant program boosts tribal homeownership: For the past 25 years, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s (CPN) One-Time Grant program has supported Tribal members in their quest for homeownership. As concerns about the cost of housing continue to rise, these funds create a lasting impact, making it possible for members of the Tribe to afford their forever home. [The Journal Record]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma wind turbines don’t last forever, but now they can find second life in Woodward: In Oklahoma, as the wind sweeps down the plain, it glides through dozens of wind farms. But what happens when the turbines on those farms are no longer in service? A new recycling center has opened in northwestern Oklahoma to give them new life. [KOSU]
Fed sees its inflation fight as a success. Will the public eventually agree?:With its larger-than-usual half-point cut to its key interest rate last week, the Federal Reserve underscored its belief that it’s all but conquered inflation after three long years. The public at large? Not so much. [Journal Record]
Community News
Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine hosts dancers from several states for festival: One by one, groups in colorful clothing swirled around the plaza at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine plaza as they moved to the steady rhythm of the drum beat. Dancers from Catholic churches across the region expressed their faith while displaying their talent at the first Festival de Matachines, held Sept. 21 at the Roman Catholic shrine in south Oklahoma City. [The Oklahoman]
Will Ferrell visits an Oklahoma bar with co-star in new documentary ‘Will & Harper’: What brought Will Ferrell to a small town in Oklahoma? Ferrell and friend Harper Steele popped in to socialize at a bar in Meeker while on a road trip across the United States. Three years ago, Steele sent letters to some of his closest friends with the intent of communicating “here’s something you should know about me.” That something was this: Steele decided to transition from man to woman. If you were, like Ferrell, one of those friends who received a letter, you might have questions. Steele loves road trips and loves her country. What better way to ask those questions than by going on a cross-country road trip together? [Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa Fire Department fleet upgrade addresses outdated equipment [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Science Museum Oklahoma takes a star turn with new Love’s Planetarium [KGOU]
- Wheeler District developer to build apartment community [The Journal Record]
Quote of the Day
“Most Americans are fundamentally immigrants, and so it’s always just kind of crazy when this gets called into question, and there’s some idea that immigration is not a strength.”
– Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, speaking about the cultural and economic benefits that immigrants provide to communities. [Border Report]
Number of the Day
12th
Oklahoma had the nation’s 12th lowest per capita tax collection of $3,267 in 2022. [Tax Foundation]
Policy Note
Eliminating Income Taxes Would Be an Expensive Giveaway: The idea that states can eliminate income taxes without eventually enduring devastating cuts to schools and vital services is a fantasy. And the inevitable shift from income taxes to more regressive sales taxes and fees would hit regular workers and families the hardest, while showering the wealthy with additional riches. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy]
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