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Oklahoma’s “failure to protect” law under scrutiny in new interim study (Capitol Update)

Last week, Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, announced that senators had requested 90 interim studies to be conducted while the legislature is out of session. In the Senate, interim studies are assigned to various standing committees, and the… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Statement from the OK Policy on passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” | True patriotism means speaking up | Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of new business court law | More

What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In… Read more [More...]

Statement from the Oklahoma Policy Institute on passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill”

On July 3, 2025, H.R.1 — also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — cleared both chambers of Congress and now heads to the President’s desk for final approval. Statement from OK Policy’s Executive Director Shiloh Kantz:  Today’s… Read more [More...]

Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of new business court law (Capitol Update)

It didn’t take long for a challenge to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new business courts to be filed in the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The lawsuit, filed last week,  asked the court to declare the law — which is scheduled to go… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Youth justice recap during this #okleg session | Protests get likes; voting gets results | Cash bail doesn’t make us safer, but pretrial reform can

What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In… Read more [More...]

Cash bail doesn’t make us safer, but pretrial reform can (Capitol Update)

It may be time for the legislature to take another look at pretrial release reform in Oklahoma. Cash bail bonds are typically based primarily on the charges filed and include little, if any, evidence-based assessment of flight risk or danger… Read more [More...]

One step forward for youth this session, two steps back on investment

Oklahoma lawmakers passed new legislation this year to help protect and support children, especially those in foster care, the legal system, and with special needs. While these changes aim to keep kids safe, support families, and improve access to state… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Oklahoma’s unsustainable budget | A not terrible year for justice reform | Medicaid cuts will endanger lives of Oklahomans

What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In… Read more [More...]

Tax cuts now, crisis later: Oklahoma’s unsustainable budget

As usual, Oklahoma’s legislative session ended with a flurry of fiscal and budget bills in the last two weeks of the session. The legislature has one constitutional requirement every year: pass a balanced budget. In doing so, the legislature decides… Read more [More...]

SB 870 establishes strict liability for failing to report misconduct in youth detention (Capitol Update)

A new law passed this session will establish stringent new reporting requirements for any employee, contractor, volunteer, or third party “working in or around” (1) a state-run juvenile facility, (2) a private contractor or group home under the supervision of… Read more [More...]

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