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: Education, health care, immigration, industry set for shake-up with second Trump presidency | Nichols to become Tulsa’s first Black mayor | Policy Matters: Prioritize people, not politics

By: Kandis West
November 7, 2024 // Updated: November 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: More Oklahomans voted early. What will Election Day turnout look like? | Detainees at the Oklahoma County jail got to vote this year | New OJA director good fit to address needs for state youth

By: Kandis West
November 5, 2024 // Updated: November 5, 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 lawmakers discuss mental health crisis in jails | Early Voting Begins Wednesday | Capitol Update: Modernizing the Sales Tax Relief Credit

By: Kandis West
October 29, 2024 // Updated: October 29, 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 graduation rates at risk of dropping under new federal order | Policy Matters: Report shows work needed to support justice-involved youth | Oklahoma lawmakers study statewide ban on cell phones in public schools

By: Kandis West
October 24, 2024 // Updated: October 24, 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: Gov says AG ‘weaponized a grand jury’ | Lawmakers study impact of undocumented workers | Lawmakers study poverty solutions

By: Kandis West
October 17, 2024 // Updated: October 17, 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: Tribal leaders send message on Native American Day: Vote | Lawmakers study ways to reduce poverty | Gov.’s new counsel has ties to Catholic charter school push

By: Kandis West
October 15, 2024 // Updated: October 15, 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: Higher education officials name Oklahoma’s new chancellor | U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in Glossip death penalty case | Here are the state questions you’ll see on Oklahoma ballots

By: Kandis West
October 10, 2024 // Updated: October 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: U.S. Supreme Court to decide if Oklahoma must execute Richard Glossip | Oklahoma charter school board requests U.S. Supreme Court make final decision on religious school | Lawmaker asks for AG opinion on funding for Walters’ classroom Bibles

By: Kandis West
October 8, 2024 // Updated: October 8, 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...]

SQ 833: Public Infrastructure Districts

By: Kandis West
October 3, 2024 // Updated: October 3, 2024
State Question 833 will be on the ballot on November 5, 2024.  Click below to jump to section: The Gist Background Information Ballot Language Supporters Say…   Opponents Say…  Deadlines Ballot Language  More about State Question 833 Download this fact sheet… Read more [More...]

In The Know: Oklahoma AG criticizes state education department for delays in school inhaler purchases | Lawmakers discuss AI legislation, industry uses | Policy Matters: Nobody wins when we treat politics as sport

By: Kandis West
// Updated: October 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...]