OK Policy Blog

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Criminalizing homelessness is harmful and ineffective

By: Sabine Brown
March 30, 2024 // Updated: April 1, 2024
Proposals to criminalize homelessness are harmful and counterproductive. Research shows us that the best way to combat homelessness is to increase access to affordable housing. More...

Recent Posts

Episode 32: Danielle Allen, from South Central Los Angeles to the Declaration of Independence

By: Gene Perry
June 26, 2018 // Updated: May 2, 2019
You can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or RSS. The podcast theme music is by Zébre. If you have any questions for the OK PolicyCast, topics you’d like us to cover, or people you want us to interview, you can reach us at policycast@okpolicy.org. We’ve got… Read more [More...]

A connection between the nation’s highest incarceration and refusal to expand Medicaid? (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
June 25, 2018 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. The latest state-by-state comparison for incarceration rates drew headlines in Oklahoma because we are now number one… Read more [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: OK Policy to host KIDS COUNT, problems with House Farm Bill, the radicals in criminal justice debate

By: Jessica Vazquez
June 23, 2018 // Updated: June 24, 2018
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...]

Bipartisan Senate farm bill is a better way forward for families that struggle with food insecurity

By: Courtney Cullison
June 21, 2018 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Last month, we shared our concerns about the farm bill proposal being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill proposes deep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) that could put 97,000… Read more [More...]

Accepting our highest-in-the-world incarceration rate means believing that Oklahomans are the worst people

By: Ryan Gentzler
June 19, 2018 // Updated: February 21, 2020
Update: Recent criminal justice reforms have moved Oklahoma’s incarceration rate back to second in the world.    We knew the day would come when Oklahoma surpassed Louisiana as the highest-incarcerating state in the highest-incarcerating country in the world. After Louisiana’s… Read more [More...]

As election day approaches, support for SQ 788 may be narrowing (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
June 18, 2018 // Updated: June 18, 2018
Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. The June 26 primary elections are coming on quickly now. A lot of candidates, both new political… Read more [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: Medical cannabis & SQ 788, immigration rhetoric v. facts, and the ongoing battle to reduce incarceration

By: Jessica Vazquez
June 17, 2018 // Updated: June 17, 2018
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...]

On immigration rhetoric, consider the facts

By: Ryan Gentzler
June 13, 2018 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Undocumented Oklahomans are woven into the fabric of our communities in countless ways. Many have lived here for decades as they raise U.S.-born children, and they often work difficult, labor-intensive jobs that few legal residents will take. As the race… Read more [More...]

Episode 31: Elizabeth Nichols on medical cannabis and SQ 788

By: Gene Perry
June 12, 2018 // Updated: January 19, 2019
You can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or RSS. The theme music is by Zébre. The OK PolicyCast is hosted by Gene Perry with production assistance by Jessica Vazquez. If you have any questions for the OK PolicyCast, topics you’d like us to cover,… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s battle to reduce incarceration and increase justice will continue (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
June 11, 2018 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. At the end of last session, one had to wonder if, having passed several criminal justice reform… Read more [More...]

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