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Installment loans not the answer to financial hardship

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. [More...]

Burglary reclassification is another measurable win for criminal justice reform

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.  [More...]

Much to consider in reform movements for criminal justice and police (Capitol Update)

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… Read more [More...]

Providing legal representation could begin to fix Oklahoma’s broken eviction process

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.  [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: Investing in student needs | Protecting the Census | Criminal justice system: Policy notes & numbers

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. [More...]

Undedicated higher education CARES funding should be invested in students’ immediate needs

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. [More...]

OK Policy statement cutting short Census field operations

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… Read more [More...]

Reflecting on public service and ‘the highest calling’ (Capitol Update)

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,… Read more [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: Gov.’s education funding doesn’t serve most Oklahoma children | Legislative discussion about Medicaid expansion

Rather than optimize federal relief dollars to reach as many school aged children as possible, the Governor’s plan directs almost half of all GEER funding ($18 million) to less than 1 percent of all students in the state. [More...]

Gov. Stitt’s GEER plan widens the gap in access to technology and online learning for low-income students and students of color

Unfortunately, our Governor squandered an opportunity to use federal dollars to mitigate this harm. As a result, these decisions have left the vast majority of low-income students without the resources they need to access a safe and quality education this coming school year. [More...]

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