OK Policy Blog

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…and two steps back. First look at the state’s FY 2021 budget and what must happen next

By: Paul Shinn
June 2, 2020 // Updated: June 2, 2020
In what was likely the most unusual — and contentious — budget process in state history, the Legislature passed the state budget for FY 2021, which starts on July 1. Most allocations to agencies are in the state’s General Appropriations bill (SB 1922), which the Legislature passed despite the Governor’s veto. More...

Recent Posts

The Weekly Wonk: COVID-19 in Oklahoma prisons is a moral emergency | Interim studies examine police reform | Building community unity

By: Dave Hamby
September 27, 2020 // Updated: September 27, 2020
COVID-19 in Oklahoma prisons is a moral emergency; Policy Matters: Fulfilling our moral responsibility; Interim studies examine police reform measures; Building Community Unity. [More...]

Oklahoma City man experiences health care disparities first hand

By: Miguel Rios
September 24, 2020 // Updated: September 24, 2020
Ricardo Chavez has been helping his family navigate through health care access since he could walk. After relying on Medicaid himself years later, he witnessed firsthand the disparity that exists between those with quality access to health care and those without. [More...]

Interim studies examine police reform measures (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
September 23, 2020 // Updated: September 26, 2020
It is an open question whether any sort of law enforcement reform will make it across the finish line during the session next year. The call for reform increased exponentially after the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota and other… Read more [More...]

Too many Oklahomans live in poverty, but addressing it takes multifaceted approach (Weekly Wonk)

By: Dave Hamby
September 20, 2020 // Updated: September 19, 2020
Census data show Oklahoma still lags nation in poverty rate; Policy Matters: Poverty is an issue, now more than ever; Education Secretary appointment may set up interesting dynamic; State has a moral and legal duty to protect inmates from COVID-19. [More...]

COVID-19 in Oklahoma prisons is a moral emergency

By: Damion Shade
September 19, 2020 // Updated: September 22, 2020
Numerous prisons in this state are battling growing outbreaks, but Oklahoma’s policymakers still have time to act. [More...]

Census data show Oklahoma still lags nation in poverty rate

By: Oklahoma Policy Institute
September 17, 2020 // Updated: September 18, 2020
Proposed policy solutions • Second federal relief package • Implement Oklahoma’s Medicaid expansion quickly • Enforce federal eviction moratorium • Rent assistance New Census data released today show Oklahoma’s poverty rate remained higher than the national average in 2019 but… Read more [More...]

Education Secretary appointment may set up interesting dynamic (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
September 14, 2020 // Updated: September 14, 2020
Gov. Kevin Stitt recently announced the appointment of Ryan Walters, a young former classroom teacher from McAlester, as his new Secretary of Education. Walters, who was McAlester Teacher of the Year in 2015 and a finalist for State Teacher of… Read more [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: Congress needs to deliver bipartisan relief bill | State moving away from private prisons | More

By: Dave Hamby
September 12, 2020 // Updated: September 12, 2020
Policy Matters: ‘Skinny’ relief bill is inadequate; Oklahoma’s move away from private prisons (Capitol Update); Oklahomans deserve transparency from state leaders. [More...]

For this community-focused family, Medicaid coverage is essential

By: Miguel Rios
September 9, 2020 // Updated: September 9, 2020
Registered nurse Ginger Glory and her family are dedicated to serving their community in any way they can. However, they also rely on Medicaid to help provide necessary specialty care to their family that is unavailable within the tribal health system. [More...]

Oklahoma’s move away from private prisons (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
September 8, 2020 // Updated: September 8, 2020
Due to a $24.4 million budget cut for FY 2021, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) cancelled its contract with the Cimarron Correctional Facility, a private prison in Cushing. During negotiations, ODOC offered to decrease the number of beds in… Read more [More...]

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