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: OK Supreme Court hears arguments on taxing tribal citizens | Families fight ban on gender-affirming care | Should paid leave be added to Oklahoma’s Quality Jobs criteria? | Oklahoma needs solutions, not grandstanding

By: Kandis West
January 18, 2024 // Updated: January 18, 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...]

Dr. King’s dream of economic freedom (Commentary) 

By: Kandis West
January 13, 2024 // Updated: January 13, 2024
Dr. King understood, then as it is now, that income inequality binds Americans into a cycle of poverty that often becomes generational. Poverty lowers life expectancy as well as educational attainment, which is a predictor of wealth for all races.  [More...]

In The Know: A look inside proposed education budget | Fight for jurisdiction in ‘Indian Country’ continues | Reports reflect Oklahoma’s entrenched disparities | More

By: Kandis West
January 11, 2024 // Updated: January 11, 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...]

In The Know: Report: Oklahoma’s tax system worsens inequality | Tribes opt out of governor’s McGirt task force | House Speaker says Oklahoma can afford more tax cuts

By: Kandis West
January 9, 2024 // Updated: January 9, 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...]

In the Know: Oklahoma’s middle class is shrinking | Tribes step up with summer food programs | OG&E rate hike | Rule change by Pardon and Parole board threatens reform

By: Kandis West
January 4, 2024 // Updated: January 4, 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...]

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...]