Recent Articles

The Weekly Wonk: All children have right to education | Law change in 2011 gives public education control to governor | OK Policy, Together OK virtual listening sessions next week

What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Undocumented immigrants in OK contribute $227M in state, local taxes a year | Tribal-state legislative wrap-up | Don’t roll back progress on justice reform | Capitol Update

What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In… Read more [More...]

Statement: All children have the fundamental right to an education – July 31, 2024

the state superintendent announced that the Oklahoma Department of Education would be issuing guidance to school districts to identify costs and resources associated with educating undocumented immigrant children. OK Policy wants to ensure that Oklahomans understand the historical context — see Plyler v Doe (1982) — about the right of every child in this country to receive a free, public education. [More...]

What you need to know about the minimum wage in Oklahoma

For more information about the SQ 832 ballot initiation that would raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage, visit OK Policy’s SQ 832 Information and Resources page. – – – The minimum wage impacts more than just workers. Children, parents, and loved ones… Read more [More...]

2024 Summer Listening Sessions Data and Sources

Stay informed: Subscribe to updates from the Oklahoma Policy Institute and Together Oklahoma.   Economic Opportunity High Poverty: okpolicy.org/2022-census-data-oklahoma-remains-among-the-nations-poorest-states-policy-solutions-can-help-reverse-this-trend/#:~:text=%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%93,$23%2C000%20or%20less%20in%202022 Low Pay and Affordable Housing: okpolicy.org/a-job-isnt-enough-to-afford-housing-in-oklahoma/ [More on economic opportunity from OK Policy]   Voting and Elections okpolicy.org/the-2022-midterms-reveal-our-democracy-is-still-inaccessible-to-many-oklahoma-voters/ [More on voting… Read more [More...]

Too Far from Top Ten: Oklahoma Ranks 46th in 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book as OK Policy Urges Legislators to Invest in Children

For the 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, Oklahoma ranked 46th overall for child well-being. The data show Oklahoma leaders must do more to position Oklahoma children and families for success. [More...]

2024 Legislative Wrap-ups

Welcome to the Oklahoma Policy Institute’s annual legislative session wrap-up. Each year, we provide comprehensive summaries for each of our key policy areas. Learn about the major legislation introduced during the 2024 regular session with clear insights into the latest… Read more [More...]

We’re hiring for two positions: Development Associate and Administrative & Office Coordinator (May 2024)

OK Policy is now hiring for a Development Associate and an Administrative and Office Coordinator. Deadline to apply is May 20, 2024. [More...]

Lengthening the eviction timeline will increase access to justice for Oklahoma renters (SB 1575)

Extending the eviction timeline in Oklahoma will help tenants exercise their legal rights and prevent housing instability and homelessness. [More...]

Nex Benedict’s death shows policy failures, harms from inaction (Commentary)

The recent death of Nex Benedict — a nonbinary student from Owasso High School who died a day after a confrontation with bullies — has garnered worldwide attention because advocates have been warning that the recent uptick in hateful anti-2SLQBTQ+ laws would create an atmosphere where people could be hurt or killed. Year over year, bills targeting transgender individuals have surged across the country, particularly in Oklahoma which leads the nation in such measures. [More...]