Category: Press Releases & Statements

FY2024 state budget proposal has promise, but could do more for everyday Oklahomans

OK Policy shares a first look at the FY2024 budget with wins, missed opportunities, and decisions that don't center the needs of everyday Oklahomans. [More...]

2023 State Budget Update from OK Policy (Online)

To help Oklahomans better understand Oklahoma’s state budget picture — and what we might expect from this year’s legislative budget negotiations — OK Policy is hosting a 2023 State Budget Update online.  2023 State Budget Update Friday, March 31, 2023… Read more [More...]

In What Ways Can the Federal Government Make the Economy Work For Oklahomans?

Written Testimony Presented to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Field Hearing on the “State of the American Economy: The Heartland” Yukon, Oklahoma | March 7, 2023 Shiloh Kantz, Executive Director for the Oklahoma Policy Institute, was invited to… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma residents who use SoonerCare need to take action to keep their coverage

[See this announcement in Spanish] [Informational Handout – English, PDF] | [Informational Handout – Spanish, PDF] – – – Rules are changing for SoonerCare, which provides health care insurance for many Oklahoma residents and their families.  Starting April 1, 2023,… Read more [More...]

2022 in Review

  Reports A Better Path Forward: Focus on Transparency (Oklahoma’s Budget Process) Better Tomorrows: A Landscape Analysis of Oklahoma’s Youth Justice System and Suggested Reforms Medicaid Expansion in Oklahoma: Year One   Research and Analysis Medicaid expansion improved access to… Read more [More...]

OK Policy Names Shiloh Kantz as Executive Director

The Oklahoma Policy Institute Board of Directors has named Shiloh Kantz — the organization’s longest tenured staff member — as its executive director to lead the organization as it fulfills its mission to deliver non-partisan research, data analysis, and advocacy… Read more [More...]

Statement about recommendations to expand pregnancy coverage, postpartum care

Expanding health care access for pregnant Oklahomans is an important next step to help ensure the health and well-being for our state’s children and families.  OK Policy applauds the proposals made by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and recommended by… Read more [More...]

OK Policy announces new board leadership, interim executive director 

The Oklahoma Policy Institute is excited to announce new board leadership and an interim executive director following the recent departure of former executive director Ahniwake Rose for a position at a national organization. The new leadership for the OK Policy… Read more [More...]

OK Policy statement on legislature’s FY23 appropriations bills

The budget bills approved today by lawmakers — and now forwarded to the governor for consideration — reflect some good investments in Oklahoma, especially for youth and their families involved in the justice system and the hundreds of Oklahomans with intellectual and developmental disabilities who currently face a 13-year wait for services.  [More...]

New report examines Oklahoma’s youth justice system, proposes reforms 

A new report from the Oklahoma Policy Institute shows that issues with Oklahoma’s youth justice system mirror problems seen in its adult justice system, most notably that children of color are overrepresented and the state’s overreliance on fines and fees to fund core operations damages families and communities.  [More...]