Recent Articles

In The Know: ‘Mask’ becomes a four-letter word? | Conversations on race, policing | Impacts from historic court ruling

Why 'mask' has become a four-letter word; Black officers encourage conversations about race, cultural differences; Norman Pastor Clarence Hill offers guide on how to improve racial relations; [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: Children are Oklahoma’s best investment | An early look at requested House interim studies

Children – the best investment we can make; An early look at requested interim studies in the House; State and nation lack leadership and resources to do what's necessary to stop virus spread - test, trace, isolate. [More...]

In The Know: Supreme Court rules much of eastern Oklahoma remains tribal land | Mask debate continues as hot topic for state

‘We hold the government to its word’: SCOTUS affirms Creek Nation reservation; State officials unveil color-coded COVID alert system; Gov. Stitt says Oklahoma won't be a 'mask-shamer' as he touts robust hospital capacity amid COVID-19 surge; [More...]

In The Know: Virus cases soar after Trump rally, related events | Superintendent addresses school reopening | Racism impacts health outcomes

'Connect the dots': Tulsa County COVID-19 cases soaring weeks after Trump rally, related large-scale events; Hofmeister says Trump threats to penalize states if schools choose not to open 'aren't helpful'; Panel: Trauma, systemic racism cause lower health outcomes for Black community; Children – the best investment we can make. [More...]

Oklahomans pass SQ 802 | State should accommodate vote by mail (The Weekly Wonk)

Passing SQ 802 – next step to a stronger Oklahoma; Medicaid expansion can address Oklahoma’s mental health and criminal justice needs; Oklahomans show they can vote by mail, and the state should accommodate them. [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: Oklahomans decide SQ 802 on Tuesday | Information, resources and analysis

New analyses from OK Policy and Families USA quantify benefits of Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma; SQ 802 will dramatically improve financial well-being in Oklahoma; SQ 802 is a win for criminal justice reform in Oklahoma; KIDS COUNT 2020: Oklahoma ranks 45th for child well-being. [More...]

Statement: Gov. Stitt press conference about June 25 Medicaid audit findings

Below is the Oklahoma Policy Institute’s statement regarding Gov. Stitt’s press conference today about the Medicaid audit he ordered nearly 16 months ago:  “The Oklahoma Health Care Authority provides quality care, delivered efficiently, to hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans. The… Read more [More...]

New analyses from OK Policy and Families USA quantify benefits of Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma

Organizations show impact of proposed initiative to cover more people and draw down more federal dollars Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma will create jobs, help the state budget and change lives, according to two new reports released by the Oklahoma Policy… Read more [More...]

KIDS COUNT 2020: Oklahoma ranks 45th for child well-being

Oklahoma children continue to lag behind most states when it comes to major health and well-being indicators, according to the 2020 edition of the KIDS COUNT® Data Book published annually by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Oklahoma ranks 45th overall… Read more [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: Job training in prisons | Police reform | Black Wall Street’s legacy

During this economic crisis we want people to work. Let’s give them the tools to do it; Current events demonstrate need for task force reviewing community policing standards; Accurate census count vital to business, industry; Black Wall Street's legacy. [More...]