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Proposed changes to the judicial nominating process are unnecessary and increase politicization (Capitol Update)

The Judicial Nominating Commission assures qualified candidates for appellate judicial offices who are vetted on their merits, their judgment, and their perceived ability to interpret the law and constitution, not their association with a politician or one of his friends or donors. Competence counts. [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Fact Check: Has Oklahoma’s larceny rate skyrocketed since SQ 780 was passed in 2016? | Budget transparency progressing, but needs all players on board | The people’s legislative authority

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...]

Fact Check: Has Oklahoma’s larceny rate skyrocketed since SQ 780 was passed in 2016? No. 

Some lawmakers and others have shared OSBI data purporting to show a dramatic increase in larceny, shoplifting, or other property crimes. OSBI has said those spikes were created by changes in data reporting, not increases in crime.  [More...]

Oklahoma Constitution allows for people to legislate themselves through initiative petition (Capitol Update)

Initiative Petition 446 is a classic case of why the members of the state constitutional convention included the initiative petition in our state constitution. The state legislature, like Congress, will not act on some issues in the face of powerful interests or fear of divided public opinion, as with some hot-button issues. In those instances, the people have a right to legislate themselves through the initiative process.  [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Every voice matters when shaping public policy | Rolling back SQ 780 would be expensive and ineffective | 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...]

Rolling back SQ 780 would be expensive and not address underlying problems (Capitol Update)

There is no doubt that retail businesses are vulnerable to theft. A perfect solution has yet to be found anywhere in any state. But one must wonder if the solution Oklahomans passed in SQ 780 has been given a fair chance to work. [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Nex Benedict’s death shows policy failures, harms from inaction | Lengthening Oklahoma’s eviction timeline | Senate budget transparency efforts continue

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...]

Lengthening the eviction timeline will increase access to justice for Oklahoma renters (SB 1575)

Extending the eviction timeline in Oklahoma will help tenants exercise their legal rights and prevent housing instability and homelessness. [More...]

Senate’s efforts on budget transparency continue, but final budget will still rely on end-of-session negotiations (Capitol Update)

It is a noble effort to try to make the appropriations process more transparent and open to all senators. However, the state budget is almost always going to depend on other revenue and spending policy decisions made earlier in the session. [More...]

Nex Benedict’s death shows policy failures, harms from inaction (Commentary)

The recent death of Nex Benedict — a nonbinary student from Owasso High School who died a day after a confrontation with bullies — has garnered worldwide attention because advocates have been warning that the recent uptick in hateful anti-2SLQBTQ+ laws would create an atmosphere where people could be hurt or killed. Year over year, bills targeting transgender individuals have surged across the country, particularly in Oklahoma which leads the nation in such measures. [More...]

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