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: 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...]

In The Know: DOJ launches inquiry into 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre | Interim study focuses on cell phones in schools | Childcare a growing issue in Oklahoma

By: Kandis West
October 1, 2024 // Updated: October 1, 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...]