By:
Steve Lewis
August 17, 2020 // Updated: August 17, 2020

One of the important but complex issues likely to come up next session is evictions. The economic dislocation occurring because of the coronavirus pandemic has illuminated this already existing crisis facing many Oklahomans. In a ranking of the top 100…
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By:
Dave Hamby
August 16, 2020 // Updated: August 16, 2020

Policy Matters: Federal relief funds help Oklahomans in need; Installment loans not the answer to financial hardship; Burglary reclassification is another measurable win for criminal justice reform; Providing legal representation could begin to fix Oklahoma’s broken eviction process.
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Oklahoma consumers should be aware of the potential dangers of these new installment loans. Just like the payday loans they replace, they are designed to trap borrowers in long-term debt.
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Our analysis suggests that SB 786 resulted in a substantive decrease in second-degree burglary charges and fewer prison sentences in the months following its November 2018 implementation. As Oklahoma continues efforts to reduce our prison population, this analysis reinforces how legislative reform can create swift and durable change.
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By:
Steve Lewis
August 10, 2020 // Updated: August 10, 2020

There are two movements going on today that are related but not the same thing. One could generically be called police reform, and the other is criminal justice reform. Criminal justice reform is in the midst of a near decade-long…
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While we cannot legislate away the pandemic, we can better structure and operate our justice system to ensure that every tenant knows their rights and understands the process.
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By:
Dave Hamby
August 9, 2020 // Updated: August 9, 2020

Investing in student needs; Businesses led change when elected officials didn't; Protecting the Census; Public service and 'the highest calling'; Criminal justice policy notes & numbers.
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Colleges and universities should dedicate CARES Act funding to help ensure students have access to necessities such as food and housing. This can significantly reduce the number of students forced to drop out of school due to financial hardship and help secure Oklahoma’s economic recovery in the aftermath of COVID-19.
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By:
Dave Hamby
August 4, 2020 // Updated: August 12, 2020

On August 3, the Census Bureau announced it would cut short its operations timeline as it works to ensure a full and complete count for everyone living in the United States. The Census Bureau previously announced it would have enumerators…
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By:
Steve Lewis
August 3, 2020 // Updated: August 3, 2020

I caught several portions of the various ceremonies celebrating the life of U.S. Rep. John Lewis this past week. Rep. Lewis was first elected to Congress in 1986 then re-elected 16 times before he died. His long service in Congress,…
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