Author: Kandis West

Kandis West // kwest@okpolicy.org

Kandis West served as OK Policy's Communications Associate from October 2023 through February 2025. She previously 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. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism.

Recent Articles

In The Know: Gov. pushes back on AG’s settlement for mental health lawsuit | Oklahoma Corporation Commission to consider historic OG&E rate hike | Lawmakers boost police pension system benefits

By: Kandis West
June 18, 2024 // Updated: June 18, 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 maintains low national ranking in annual child well-being study | Stitt calls Senate special session | Oklahoma State Department of Education announces new teacher signing bonus

By: Kandis West
June 11, 2024 // Updated: June 11, 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 ranks 46th overall for child well-being | Oklahoma’s primary election for federal, local seats are June 18 | Cherokee Nation modernizing rural communities | OG&E consumers may be facing a historic rate hike

By: Kandis West
June 10, 2024 // Updated: June 10, 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: Request for investigation into alleged ghost employee at OSDE | Oklahoma doctors raise the alarm about Medicaid managed care rollout ‘disaster’ | Oklahoma County lawsuit fighting Catholic charter school advances | Oklahoma needs leaders who prioritize people, not politics

By: Kandis West
June 6, 2024 // Updated: June 6, 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: Lawmakers request bipartisan investigation of state superintendent | Women’s Bill of Rights’ goes to Stitt after heated debate | Oklahoma task force on Tribal reservation safety lacked Tribal input | Bill to allow students to get off-site religious instruction goes to Gov. Stitt | Steps to improve budget transparency next session

By: Kandis West
May 30, 2024 // Updated: May 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: Senate confirmations get political | Lawmakers give energy industry $50 Million gift | Budget agreement adds funds to public education | New law could help domestic violence victims | Governor, Tribes negotiate tolls, compacts

By: Kandis West
May 28, 2024 // Updated: May 28, 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: Republican leaders agree on budget with no income tax cut | U.S. Department of Justice sues Oklahoma over immigration law | Supt. Ryan Walters further restricts public comment at board meetings | Poverty is a policy choice

By: Kandis West
May 23, 2024 // Updated: May 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: Feds warn Oklahoma officials not to enforce immigration law | Lawmakers look to expand religion in schools | School textbooks require ‘traditional’ gender roles, respect for religion | License plate dust up causes heartburn with Tribes

By: Kandis West
May 21, 2024 // Updated: May 21, 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: 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...]