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: A deeper look at subpoena of state superintendent | Sports betting bill faces pushback over tribal gaming rights | Media literacy needed now more than ever

By: Kandis West
December 21, 2023 // Updated: December 21, 2023
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...]

In The Know: Report: Okmulgee jail illegally held juveniles | Panasonic rebuffs Oklahoma … again | Should fines and fees fund justice? | More

By: Kandis West
December 19, 2023 // Updated: December 19, 2023
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...]

In The Know: SoonerCare renewals continue | Vouchers prompt Senate towards budget transparency | TPS names permanent superintendent, pushing for local control | OKC’s largest, oldest public housing project set for $500,000 refurbishment

By: Kandis West
December 12, 2023 // Updated: December 12, 2023
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...]

In The Know: Private school voucher program underway, Gov. reverses course on applying | Tribe launches mobile gaming | State gun laws and domestic violence | School board filings

By: Kandis West
December 7, 2023 // Updated: December 7, 2023
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...]

In The Know: Lawsuit against Oklahoma’s critical race theory ban begins | State Senate announces budget process overhaul in 2024 | Group pushes for new criminal justice reform as Oklahoma’s incarceration rate rises

By: Kandis West
December 5, 2023 // Updated: December 5, 2023
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...]

In The Know: $215 million affordable housing program in the works | Private school tax credit launches Friday | Help Oklahomans get covered, stay covered

By: Kandis West
November 30, 2023 // Updated: November 30, 2023
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...]

In The Know: Efforts to criminalize homelessness growing | Addressing the teacher shortage | Capitol Update

By: Kandis West
November 28, 2023 // Updated: November 28, 2023
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...]

In The Know: Childcare accessibility a major workforce issue | Treasurer’s office claiming investment exemptions | The history of Thanksgiving from a Native American perspective

By: Kandis West
November 22, 2023 // Updated: November 22, 2023
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...]

In The Know: Gov.’s ‘cheer’ for cockfighting organization draws criticism | Muscogee Nation sues Tulsa over traffic ticket enforcement | ‘Minding the gap’ for youth justice

By: Kandis West
November 16, 2023 // Updated: November 16, 2023
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...]

In The Know: Profitable private-public court debt collection scheme questioned | More questions about tribal tags in Oklahoma | Federal solutions to address child care needs | More

By: Kandis West
November 14, 2023 // Updated: November 14, 2023
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...]