OK Policy Blog

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2023 Census data: Oklahoma ranks as sixth poorest state

By: Oklahoma Policy Institute
September 12, 2024 // Updated: September 12, 2024
Lawmakers have options to improve Oklahomans’ well-being, access to prosperity Data from the Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey released Sept. 12 show that Oklahoma’s poverty rate was 15.9 percent, which was the nation’s sixth highest. The national poverty rate… Read more More...

Recent Posts

Policy Matters: Senate’s budget transparency pledge is step in right direction

By: Shiloh Kantz
December 14, 2023 // Updated: December 14, 2023
Senate leaders last week shared their intention to make the annual budget process more transparent. This is a welcome first step towards making this vital process more inclusive and democratic. But more can be done. [More...]

Last year’s voucher push prompts Senate to commit to budget transparency 

By: Steve Lewis
December 11, 2023 // Updated: December 11, 2023
It’s going to be interesting to see how the new, more transparent appropriations process works in the Senate next session. Dissatisfaction with the process seemed to reach a high-water mark in the Senate last session.  [More...]

Weekly Wonk: State questions are foundation of Oklahoma’s democracy | Overreliance on incarceration increasing prison population | Holiday giving with intent and purpose

By: Dave Hamby
December 9, 2023 // Updated: December 9, 2023
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...]

Join our team as a Regional Organizer for Central Oklahoma

By: Oklahoma Policy Institute
December 7, 2023 // Updated: December 8, 2023
The Oklahoma Policy Institute is currently hiring for:  Regional Organizer, Central Oklahoma Our Regional Organizer supports OK Policy by providing structured leadership in the development and implementation of community-based advocacy actions that further policy goals identified by OK Policy, and… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s overreliance on incarceration is increasing prison population (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
December 4, 2023 // Updated: December 4, 2023
Oklahoma's justice system remains heavily tilted toward overincarceration. Even unnecessarily lengthy deferred and suspended sentences are often only a precursor to a lengthy prison sentence. As the prison numbers are now beginning to go back up, other essential state services are being shortchanged to support overincarceration. [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Attracting a new generation of teachers | Help Oklahoma get covered, stay covered | The value of shopping local | More

By: Dave Hamby
December 2, 2023 // Updated: December 2, 2023
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...]

Attracting a new generation of teachers (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
November 28, 2023 // Updated: November 28, 2023
If a blue ribbon study were conducted today, it’s likely the most urgent threats to America’s schools would be (1) not enough people want to be a teacher, and (2) too many students are chronically absent from school. Solutions would be difficult both to agree upon and to implement.  [More...]

Weekly Wonk: A look at tribal-state policy issues | No Oklahoman should go hungry | Capitol Update | More

By: Dave Hamby
November 25, 2023 // Updated: November 25, 2023
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...]

Updated youth justice campus in Tecumseh provides opportunities for Oklahoma kids (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
November 22, 2023 // Updated: November 22, 2023
It was recently announced by the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) that the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC), located in Tecumseh, completed its American Correctional Association (ACA) audit and received a 100 percent compliance score of the 38 mandatory files… Read more [More...]

The 2023 legislative session included significant tribal-state bills and a respect for tribal sovereignty from state lawmakers

By: Vivian Morris
November 21, 2023 // Updated: November 22, 2023
Oklahoma has the second-highest share of tribal citizens of any state, which helps shape the fabric of our state’s culture and communities. This year, the Oklahoma legislature demonstrated this influence by including and valuing Native Oklahomans and tribal leaders in… Read more [More...]

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