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: 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...]

In The Know: Lawmakers advance LGBTQ Pride display ban | Oklahomans need a REAL ID to fly in 2025 | How immigrants contribute to our economy | Policy Matters: We get what we pay for

By: Kandis West
February 8, 2024 // Updated: February 8, 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 of State address calls for tax cuts, flat budgets, more charter schools | Tribal leaders concerned with speech’s rhetoric | Legislative Black Caucus to combat attacks on diversity | Federal border bill

By: Kandis West
February 6, 2024 // Updated: February 6, 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: House approves tax cut down party lines; Senate remains cautious | Low wages make housing unaffordable in Oklahoma | Civil Rights Movement provided blueprint for early childhood education | Big changes in SoonerCare Medicaid

By: Kandis West
February 1, 2024 // Updated: February 1, 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: Special session lasts only 15 minutes on Day 1 | Teacher sues Walters, Ed Dept over teacher bonus | Lawmaker pushes for Ten Commandments monument at capitol

By: Kandis West
January 30, 2024 // Updated: January 30, 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...]