Jessica joined OK Policy as a Communications Associate in January 2018. A Mexican immigrant, she was a Clara Luper Scholar at Oklahoma City University where she obtained a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy. Prior to joining OK Policy, Jessica worked at a digital marketing agency in Oklahoma City. She is an alumna of both the National Education for Women (N.E.W.) Leadership Institute (2013) and OK Policy's Summer Policy Institute (2015). In addition to her role at OK Policy, Jessica serves as a board member for Dream Action Oklahoma in OKC and communications director for Dream Alliance Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Gov. Stitt criticizes House Public Health Committee’s challenge to his Medicaid privatization effort; Oklahoma opens COVID-19 vaccinations to all states; T.W. Shannon concerned ‘political pressure’ may be delaying tribal highway projects; [More...]
Oklahoma public school districts band together to fight charter school funding equalization; Legislation to negate state school board decision would send medical marijuana money to some charter schools; Oklahoma will see a jump in COVID-19 cases and deaths reported Wednesday — here's why; [More...]
Charter school funding fallout: Sand Springs, Lawton, Yukon among first districts to consider additional legal action to oppose settlement deal; Lawmakers scrap controversial clawback provision in Oklahoma's Promise bill; Coronavirus in Oklahoma: The Latest; [More...]
In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support… Read more [More...]
Gov. Kevin Stitt signs controversial education funding change; First legal challenge to charter school funding move by State Board of Education is filed; Oklahoma County jail officials blame short staffing, poor infrastructure after inmate killed; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
March 31, 2021 // Updated: March 31, 2021
‘It’s a damn mess’: Fiscal impact, future of charter school funding resolution unclear; Oklahoma governor hires $120K-per-year Washington staffer; Bedbugs, moldy showers: Dozens of health violations found at troubled Oklahoma County jail; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
March 30, 2021 // Updated: March 30, 2021
Turn Key Health to Oklahoma County Jail: Staff up or we’re out; Kevin Stitt celebrates move to Phase 4 of state's vaccination plan with his own shot; TPS demands state board rescind vote on state funding lawsuit; Stitt commends board's action; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
March 29, 2021 // Updated: March 29, 2021
Congress gives Oklahoma cash infusion for expanding Medicaid; Company in contract with Oklahoma for managed care being sued in Ohio; What we know about the Oklahoma County jail hostage situation and conditions for inmates; State epidemiologist offers two separate mea culpas after COVID-19 data controversies, expresses confidence in improving reporting capabilities; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
March 26, 2021 // Updated: March 26, 2021
Contact tracing investment yielded no COVID-19 insights, report finds; Oklahoma charter schools granted local tax revenue in 'seismic' settlement; Oklahoma hospitals receive ‘exorbitant’ gas bills after winter storm; [More...]
By: Jessica Vazquez
March 25, 2021 // Updated: March 25, 2021
With fewer than 100 days to Medicaid expansion, think tank recommends starting enrollment now; Oklahoma hopes coronavirus relief money will help slow a coming tide of evictions, homelessness; Cases declining; experts fear public getting lax; [More...]