Author: Steve Lewis

Proposed bill could increase support for children-focused nonprofits (Capitol Update)

Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson, has pre-filed Senate Bill 1398, an interesting and, I believe, good bill creating the “Children’s Promise Act.” The bill would create a 100 percent tax credit, up to 50 percent of a donor’s income tax liability,… Read more [More...]

SB 1381 aims to curb unnecessary pretrial detention (Capitol Update)

Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, has pre-filed Senate Bill 1381, to be known as the Pretrial Modernization Act of 2026. The bill, if passed, could help curb unnecessary detention in both county jail and Department of Corrections facilities. Oklahoma’s pretrial system… Read more [More...]

Is ‘stable revenue’ enough for Oklahoma’s future growth? (Capitol Update)

•Read the analysis from OK Policy’s Aanahita Ervin •Watch the Dec. 19, 2025 Board of Equalization meeting (YouTube) •Proposed FY 2027 Revenue Certification •Learn more about Revenue Certification On December 19, the Oklahoma State Board of Equalization certified an estimated… Read more [More...]

ClassWallet case highlights ongoing power struggle between Gov, AG (Capitol Update)

The sour relationship between Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond made news again last Friday when Drummond withdrew from Gov. Stitt’s lawsuit to recover COVID-19 era funds from Florida company ClassWallet. In 2020, the Trump Administration released $39.9… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma agencies outline big needs for next fiscal year (Capitol Update)

See OK Policy’s FY 2026 Budget Highlights In his last year in office, Governor Kevin Stitt’s usual admonition to state agencies to submit a flat budget, or budget cuts, for legislative consideration during the upcoming session seems to have had… Read more [More...]

Lawmakers file bills to help tackle Oklahoma’s teacher shortage (Capitol Update)

A couple of bills prefiled for the next legislative session by the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee are thoughtful efforts to meet the challenge of Oklahoma’s critical teacher shortage. The lack of certified teachers is most… Read more [More...]

Will rising health costs force legislative action? (Capitol Update)

With the legislative session set to begin in February, I’m wondering how or how much the upcoming health insurance crisis will affect the next legislative session. According to the American Hospital Association, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed… Read more [More...]

Conflict over executive power halts Stitt’s executive order (Capitol Update)

There are interesting goings on at the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority (OHCA) regarding Governor Kevin Stitt’s July 31, 2025, executive order requiring that OHCA “shall require, as a condition of participation in the SoonerCare program, that all providers submit a signed… Read more [More...]

Clara Luper Plaza dedication honors Oklahoma’s role in civil rights history (Capitol Update)

Opinion: Clara Luper resisted Oklahoma City segregation. What change will you make? [Former Sen. Angela Monson / The Oklahoman] Occasionally, something happens that makes you especially proud of your state. One of those moments occurred Saturday, November 1, when the… Read more [More...]

Charter school facilities take center stage in interim study (Capitol Update)

Recently, the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee — chaired by Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid — conducted an interim study looking at potential funding and the authorization process for charter school facilities in Oklahoma. The committee was told demand for charter… Read more [More...]