Author: Steve Lewis

Oklahoma lawmakers examine alternatives to unnecessary pretrial detention (Capitol Update)

Last week, the House Public Safety Committee, chaired by Rep. David Hardin, R-Stilwell, held an interim study on criminal pretrial procedures, with Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, presenting. Harris said that, with the overcrowded conditions in Oklahoma’s jails and corrections system,… Read more [More...]

Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau highlights services and outcomes in 2025 (Capitol Update)

I recently received the Tulsa County Juvenile Bureau Annual Report for 2025. Generally, a youth who is arrested or referred to authorities for conduct that would be a criminal offense if committed by an adult is first seen by the… Read more [More...]

Digital services raise new tax questions for Oklahoma (Capitol Update)

Taxes are a topic that will always generate a vigorous discussion. That’s what happened last week when the House Appropriations Finance Subcommittee took up an interim study requested by Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore. Lepak, who won’t be in the Legislature… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma lawmakers examine child safety and community violence in three interim studies (Capitol Update)

Three separate interim studies last week highlighted cultural violence or the way we deal with it. The House Criminal Judiciary Committee conducted an interim study on “child-sensitive arrest policies and practices in Oklahoma,” requested by Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta. Turner,… Read more [More...]

Legislative interim study highlights risks of SQ 847 (Capitol Update)

The House County and Municipal Government Committee held an interim study (IS 26-50) last week requested by Rep. Mike Kelley, R-Yukon, to study the growing challenges for counties in Oklahoma to balance increasing service demands with constrained revenue. Kelley is… Read more [More...]

New SoonerCare work requirements threaten coverage for Oklahomans (Capitol Update)

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) recently used a letter written on yellow paper to begin notifying certain SoonerCare (Medicaid) members to begin preparing for new federal work requirements that could impact their coverage beginning January 1, 2027. SoonerCare is… Read more [More...]

Stitt’s tenure ban tests the limits of executive power (Capitol Update)

Following the recent federal government model, it seems that Governor Kevin Stitt has expanded the practice of ruling by executive order.  Rather than proposing a law, working to get it passed by the Legislature, then executing it as provided in… Read more [More...]

Lawmakers consider new approaches to Oklahoma’s domestic violence crisis (Capitol Update)

Last week, the Criminal Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, held an interim study led by Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, on Oklahoma’s persistent and growing domestic violence problem. The study was combined with a request led by… Read more [More...]

Norman encampment cleared again amid broader homelessness crisis (Capitol Update)

Sen. Lisa Strandridge, R-Norman, issued a press release last week thanking Gov. Stitt for his work in clearing a state-owned property site in Norman of a homeless encampment. Standridge said the Oklahoma Highway Patrol has now cleared the encampment three… Read more [More...]

Inola aluminum smelter raises health, environmental and security concerns (Capitol Update)

With the first interim study of this year scheduled for next week, and most legislators preoccupied with their own election, a friend’s election, or who they will have to work with in the governor’s office next year, there’s not much… Read more [More...]