By:
Steve Lewis
October 12, 2021 // Updated: October 12, 2021
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/Oklahoma-Policy-Institute-Capitol-Update-Former-House-Speaker-Steve-Lewis-2020.png?fit=375%2C196&ssl=1)
It’s still early to know if major criminal legal reform is going to be on the legislative agenda for next session. I think there is a sincere desire by legislators to bring Oklahoma’s prison population to a more rational level…
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By:
Dave Hamby
October 9, 2021 // Updated: October 9, 2021
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/WW-Graphics_TWW-Full-Size.png?fit=375%2C211&ssl=1)
Policy Matters: Reversing Native erasure; Interim study looks at services, resources for troubled children, families (Capitol Update); Save The Date, Oct. 27: A Better Path Forward: OK Policy will be hosting a presentation about improving Oklahoma's budget and tax systems to work on behalf of all Oklahomans.
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By:
Steve Lewis
October 5, 2021 // Updated: October 5, 2021
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Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, hosted an interim study in the House Children, Family, and Youth Committee chaired by Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa, last week to look at the feasibility of adding a “Family in Need of Services (FINS)” category to…
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By:
Dave Hamby
October 2, 2021 // Updated: October 2, 2021
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/WW-Graphics_TWW-Full-Size.png?fit=375%2C211&ssl=1)
Interim study examines how to increase access to expungement (Capitol Update); Policy Matters: A Call for Civility; Government must play a role in fixing child care system
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By:
Steve Lewis
September 28, 2021 // Updated: September 28, 2021
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Recently Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, hosted an interim study in the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee on potential criminal record expungement reform. The purpose of criminal justice is to separate offenders from society where necessary for protection, to deter future criminal misconduct,…
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By:
Dave Hamby
September 25, 2021 // Updated: September 25, 2021
![](https://i0.wp.com/okpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/WW-Graphics_TWW-Full-Size.png?fit=375%2C211&ssl=1)
Thanks to Oklahoma voters, the state is already reaping the benefits of Medicaid expansion; Interim study examines legislative transparency (Capitol Update); Policy Matters: Justice reform issues showcase bipartisanship
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By:
Emma Morris
September 23, 2021 // Updated: September 22, 2021
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Medicaid expansion went into effect just over two months ago, and some of these benefits are already playing out in the state. Oklahoma has historically had a very high uninsured rate, ranking second highest in the nation with 14.3 percent of the population without health insurance.
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By:
Steve Lewis
September 21, 2021 // Updated: September 21, 2021
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Many legislative decisions, large and small, are made in discussions behind closed doors. The public, and even some fellow legislators, never hear about the decisions until it’s too late to make an effective challenge.
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By:
Dave Hamby
September 18, 2021 // Updated: September 18, 2021
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COVID-19 leave supports employees, protects communities; Interim study examines using fines and fees to fund court operations; COVID relief helped address poverty in Oklahoma; Mental health and jails, prisons
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By:
Steve Lewis
September 13, 2021 // Updated: September 13, 2021
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Last week Rep. Chris Kannady, R-OKC, Chairman of the Judiciary-Civil Committee, held an interim study hosted by Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, on the issue of excessive court costs, fees, and assessments in criminal cases. When a person is sentenced, in…
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