Category: Capitol Updates

New federal grant should strengthen state policy for youth justice efforts (Capitol Update)

The Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) has received a $1.1 million grant from the National Institute of Justice to examine the effects of Oklahoma's legislative and administrative reforms in the field of juvenile justice, which have resulted in an increased utilization of community-based services. [More...]

Law change in 2011 put power over public education effectively under governor’s control (Capitol Update)

Since passage of the 2011 law, the real power to govern public education in Oklahoma is in the hands of the governor because he appoints the board, and the board serves at his pleasure. If a board member does not vote the way he wants the governor can remove the member and appoint someone who will comply, which Gov. Stitt has done. [More...]

More than 100 interim studies slated for Oklahoma House in 2024 (Capitol Update)

Last week, Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall approved and assigned to committees more than 100 interim study requests by House members to be held before the next legislative session. Once again, the requests reflect the breadth of interests and issues addressed - or sometimes not addressed - by members of the legislature. [More...]

The history of the Sales Tax Relief Credit (Capitol Update)

An interim study this year would examining the benefits of modernizing the state Sales Tax Relief Credit to expand eligibility and raise the amount of the credit for middle and low-income Oklahomans.  [More...]

What are community schools? (Capitol Update)

Community schools represent a place-based strategy in which schools partner with community agencies and allocate resources to provide an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. [More...]

Implementing community schools would better serve child well-being in Oklahoma (Capitol Update)

There are numerous things that would benefit Oklahoma's 49th place education system, beginning with better funding. Adopting community schools would give many children a chance to overcome some of what life has dealt them. [More...]

Dispute over settlement proposal for mental health lawsuit points out incongruities (Capitol Update)

In Oklahoma (as in the rest of the country) criminal defendants are considered incompetent to stand trial if they are found by a court to be unable to appreciate the nature of the charges against them and/or are unable to consult with their lawyer and rationally assist in the preparation of their defense. [More...]

Looking at budget items after legislative dust has settled (Capitol Update)

The 15-day deadline for bill signing expired last week and Gov. Kevin Stitt largely honored the deal he made with legislative leaders to not veto the state budget if they did four things. [More...]

Court ruling on cabinet secretaries provides lesson in unintended consequences (Capitol Update)

The ruling of Oklahoma County District Judge Richard Ogden in a case filed by Gov. Kevin Stitt against Attorney General Gentner Drummond provides an interesting lesson in unintended consequences. [More...]

Criminal justice reform in Oklahoma seems to come in small doses (Capitol Update)

Senate Bill 325, which passed this session, improves the timeline for case completion by amending the Oklahoma Speedy Trial Act. Prior to passage of SB 325, the Act required a felony case to be tried within one year if the defendant is confined in jail. [More...]