Recent Articles

2020 Focus Areas

OK Policy has determined its focus areas for Oklahoma’s upcoming legislative session based on the organization’s original research, analysis, and feedback from state residents. [More...]

Statement about Proposed Medicaid Expansion Alternative in Oklahoma

The plan includes elements that will inevitably draw lawsuits from health care organizations and advocates who fight to protect the rights and coverage low-income residents. [More...]

In The Know: Highlights of bills for upcoming legislative session, historical look at state’s gaming and horse racing industries, and more

Highlights among the 2,243 bills and resolutions Oklahoma lawmakers filed for the 2020 session, which begins Feb. 3; The state's primary motivation for Vegas-style gambling at Oklahoma's Indian casinos was to save Oklahoma's then-struggling horse racing industry. [More...]

In The Know: Transportation agency consolidation proposed, criminal justice reform conference held, and more

Gov. Kevin Stitt wants to consolidate the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. Combining the two state agencies makes sense because they both focus on improving transportation in Oklahoma. The daylong event brought together more than 100 law enforcement officers, public defenders, prosecutors, judges, nonprofit workers, students, law school faculty and others involved in the criminal justice arena. [More...]

Together Oklahoma seeking Census partner organizations

Together Oklahoma, an advocacy program of the Oklahoma Policy Institute, is working to ensure that every Oklahoman is counted during the upcoming 2020 Census by identifying partner organizations to reach hard-to-count residents. To aid in this, Together Oklahoma is seeking community partners across the state to strengthen 2020 Census outreach efforts and ensure a more accurate count of all Oklahomans. [More...]

Schumann joins OK Policy board

The Oklahoma Policy Institute is honored to announce that University of Oklahoma-Tulsa President John H. Schumann, MD, has joined its board of directors. “We’re excited to have someone with Dr. Schumann’s significant experience that strengthens our board’s expertise, especially in… Read more [More...]

OK Policy comments on revenue certification

Oklahoma lawmakers should have about $206.8 million, or 2.5 percent, more available funds for essential state services during the budget year that starts July 1, 2020, based on estimated revenue numbers released Friday by the Oklahoma Board of Equalization. The estimated revenue figures certified Friday show the state should expect a modest increase in revenue. When those figures are run through the state’s budget formula, however, it shows a substantially higher availability of new budget dollars than might initially appear.  [More...]

In The Know: Continued analysis on Oklahoma’s education report cards, Claremore teacher wins ‘Oscars of teaching,’ and more

New state report cards show Oklahoma schools' grades are slipping; One-third of Oklahoma schools require ‘heavy focus’; Claremore teacher surprised with prestigious Milken Educator Award [More...]

New report shows number of uninsured children rising in Oklahoma

The report found that 8.2 percent of Oklahoma children in 2018 did not have health insurance, up from 8.1 percent the previous year. [More...]