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

Interim studies examine justice reform solutions (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
November 7, 2022 // Updated: November 7, 2022
Rep. J.J. Humphrey, R-Lane, is at it again with his criminal justice reform interim studies. He reviewed his recent studies in a press release last week describing the studies he’s completed in the past few weeks. One study included looking… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s parole process has helped safely lower the number of people in prison. Continued investments could build on this progress.

By: David Gateley
// Updated: November 6, 2022
Oklahoma’s parole process — which allows conditional early release from prison — has played a key role in lowering the number of Oklahomans behind bars. The use of parole has reunited families, protected public safety, and saved the state hundreds… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Improving the health of Oklahoma families | Justice reforms | Voting for tomorrow’s tomorrows

By: Hana Saad
November 5, 2022 // Updated: November 5, 2022
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...]

Enacting recommended expansion of pregnancy, postpartum care will represent a step forward for Oklahoma families

By: Emma Morris
November 2, 2022 // Updated: November 3, 2022
Oklahoma consistently ranks poorly on women’s and children’s health. While Oklahoma’s decision to expand Medicaid has significantly lowered the state’s uninsured rate, Oklahoma women have historically seen high rates of uninsurance. At 23.5 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, the… Read more [More...]

Interim study looks at retail theft, but lowering the felony threshold is not the solution (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
November 1, 2022 // Updated: November 1, 2022
Last week Representative Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, presented an interim study on organized theft from retail stores in his Judiciary-Criminal Committee that he chairs. Rep. Worthen was an assistant district attorney in Lawton for 29 years before being elected to the… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Interim studies on childcare, homelessness | Judges on the ballot | Make your voting plan for Nov. 8

By: Hana Saad
October 29, 2022 // Updated: October 29, 2022
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...]

Oklahoma’s 2022 General Elections

By: Cole Allen
October 25, 2022 // Updated: October 25, 2022
Oklahoma Candidates and Election Information Everything You Need to Know About Voting in Oklahoma (2022 General Election) [Together Oklahoma] 2022 Oklahoma Voter Guide [League of Women Voters of Oklahoma] 2022 Election Guide [Let’s Fix This] Oklahoma Retention Ballot of Judges… Read more [More...]

Interim studies address issues of lack of housing, childcare facilities (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
// Updated: October 25, 2022
Legislators continued their work last week with interim studies to look at issues they may want to address when session begins in February. Two important studies that caught my attention have to do with lack: Lack of affordable housing and… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Governor’s debate panel discussion | Capitol Update | New OK Policy Executive Director Named

By: Hana Saad
October 22, 2022 // Updated: October 22, 2022
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...]

Mansion fundraising controversy, and looking back at how past governors used the facility (Capitol Update)

By: Steve Lewis
October 18, 2022 // Updated: October 18, 2022
Something of a controversy has developed over Gov. Kevin Stitt’s plan to raise about $6.5 million in private funding and build a new governor’s mansion. According to reports, “Friends of the Mansion” has been accepting donations of up to $250,000… Read more [More...]

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