Author: Kandis West

Kandis West // kwest@okpolicy.org

Kandis West is a communications professional with more than 15 years of experience. Most recently, she served as the Communications Director for the Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus. She spent nine years in the Olympia/Tacoma area of Washington organizing compensation campaigns for teachers for the Washington Education Association. Kandis has a proven track record of increasing community engagement, public awareness and media exposure around the most pressing issues that impact citizens. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism.

Recent Articles

In The Know: Oklahomans rally to protest new immigration law | Poorest Oklahomans need actions, not words | Budget talks continue without Gov. Stitt | Dept. of Justice steps in Muscogee Creek Nation lawsuit against Tulsa

By: Kandis West
May 16, 2024 // Updated: May 16, 2024
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Oklahoma leaders continue to clash over income tax cuts | Flat income tax would slash revenue | Oklahoma’s only HBCU underfunded | State’s anti-ESG law filled with twists, turns

By: Kandis West
May 14, 2024 // Updated: May 14, 2024
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Oklahoma’s budget impasse continues | Outcry over OU’s anti-DEI actions | Oklahoma City’s Police Chief discusses problems with anti-immigration law

By: Kandis West
May 9, 2024 // Updated: May 9, 2024
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… Read more [More...]

OK Policy Institute to Host FREE Sales Tax Relief Credit Virtual Town Hall Meeting Thursday, May 9

By: Kandis West
May 8, 2024 // Updated: May 8, 2024
Oklahoma has a tax credit on the books designed to help low- and middle-income families, but the amount of the credit hasn't been adjusted in more than three decades. OK Policy and TogetherOK will host a virtual town hall on Thursday, May 9, so Oklahomans can learn how they can increase the value of their Sales Tax Relief Credit for tax savings.  [More...]

In The Know: State Superintendent, Attorney General challenge new Title IX rules with lawsuits | Disagreements apparent as Stitt, state leaders meet on budget | Violent tornadoes leave thousands without power | Gov. Stitt signs bill to reduce maternal death rates

By: Kandis West
May 7, 2024 // Updated: May 7, 2024
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Instability around budget talks escalates in Senate | President Biden approves federal disaster declaration for 3 counties in OK | Minimum wage petitioners working on signature gathering | Bill protecting private school tax credits from state garnishment heads to governor | Stitt vetoes bill requiring farmers and ranchers to track water use | Mammograms should start at age 40

By: Kandis West
May 3, 2024 // Updated: May 3, 2024
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Oklahoma rebuilds after 25 tornadoes | Tornadoes likely to impact state budget talks | Restrictive zoning laws add to affordable housing crisis | 90-day countdown begins for SQ 832 | Rural hospital closures shortens lifespan for Native American women

By: Kandis West
April 30, 2024 // Updated: April 30, 2024
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: U.S. Supreme Court to decide if states can criminalize homelessness | OKC’s Mexican diplomat speaks out against anti-immigrant bill | Oklahoma Hispanics, Blacks have worse health outcomes | Capitol Update

By: Kandis West
April 23, 2024 // Updated: April 23, 2024
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: #OKLeg stalemate: Senate and House clash over state budget numbers | Southeast Oklahoma prepares for total eclipse | Oklahoma voters deserve choices at the polls

By: Kandis West
April 4, 2024 // Updated: April 4, 2024
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… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Medical examiner releases report of Nex Benedict’s death | Ties, electrical cord used to lock OK State Dept. of Ed entrance | Immigrants are vital to Oklahoma’s well-being

By: Kandis West
March 28, 2024 // Updated: March 28, 2024
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...]