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: Senate unveils budget | House advances tax cuts | Mid-sized cities face affordable housing and homelessness challenges | Initiative petition process should be preserved

By: Kandis West
March 19, 2024 // Updated: March 19, 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: Nex Benedict’s death ruled a suicide | Oklahoma tax dollars fund national promotion of State Supt. Walters | State grocery tax cut could stifle city repairs | Every voice matters when shaping public policy

By: Kandis West
March 14, 2024 // Updated: March 14, 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: Budget debates ahead on addressing infrastructure, state needs | Watchdog agency: Supt. slow to comply with open records | Owasso School Board hears bullying concerns | Expanded child tax credit

By: Kandis West
March 12, 2024 // Updated: March 12, 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: Nex Benedict’s death shows policy failures, harms from inaction | House bill reverses will of voters on justice reform | Gov. signs compact with Cherokee Nation

By: Kandis West
March 7, 2024 // Updated: March 7, 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 minimum wage petition moves forward | Hilbert tapped as next House speaker | What you need to know for Super Tuesday

By: Kandis West
March 5, 2024 // Updated: March 5, 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: State Sen. Tom Woods stands behind his anti-LGBTQ+ ‘filth’ comment | Owasso students walk out over Nex Benedict’s death | Justice-involved individuals continue to die in Oklahoma jails | Cutting grocery sales tax not enough for families, seniors

By: Kandis West
February 27, 2024 // Updated: February 27, 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: Police: Nex Benedict ‘did not die as a result of trauma,’ search warrants issued | Senate approves elimination of state portion of grocery sales tax | Grand Boulevard site picked for new Oklahoma County Jail | Rethinking our zoning laws

By: Kandis West
February 22, 2024 // Updated: February 22, 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: Colleges still navigating governor’s DEI ban | Owasso police investigating death of non-binary student | Supreme Court to hear case on how cities manage homelessness | Capitol Update

By: Kandis West
February 20, 2024 // Updated: February 20, 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 faces $25B in overdue infrastructure repairs amidst calls for tax cuts | Lawmakers consider ban on contraceptives | Living wage remains out of reach for many Oklahomans | More

By: Kandis West
February 15, 2024 // Updated: February 15, 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: OK Senate selects new leader | State’s AG dismisses governor’s latest attempt to sue ClassWallet | Lawmakers push ban on ranked-choice voting in Oklahoma | Capitol Update

By: Kandis West
February 13, 2024 // Updated: February 13, 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...]