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SB 870 establishes strict liability for failing to report misconduct in youth detention (Capitol Update)

A new law passed this session will establish stringent new reporting requirements for any employee, contractor, volunteer, or third party “working in or around” (1) a state-run juvenile facility, (2) a private contractor or group home under the supervision of… Read more [More...]

A Surprisingly Not Terrible Year for Criminal Justice Policy in Oklahoma

This year, legislators advanced a number of bills that will improve the criminal justice system in Oklahoma, and largely managed to avoid undoing previous work. Going into the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers should continue to prioritize building upon progress rather than tearing down policies that work. [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Report: Oklahoma ranks 46th in child well-being | Oklahomans should be watching LA immigration raid protests with concern | SB 1168 expands liability for government-caused injuries, property damage

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...]

Oklahomans should be watching LA immigration raid protests with concern (Commentary)

The federal government's use of tear gas and National Guard troops against protestors in Los Angeles should sound an alarm for residents in every state — including places like Oklahoma that are far from a border. These tactics may start in Los Angeles, but history tells us they won't stay there. [More...]

SB 1168 expands liability for government-caused injuries and property damage (Capitol Update)

One of the more positive results of the leveraging between policy and budget issues at the end of the legislative session was the passage of SB 1168, which deals with the perplexing issue of sovereign immunity [More...]

Oklahoma ranks 46th in 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, highlighting lawmakers’ misplaced priorities

New report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation finds Oklahoma remained among the worst states for child well-being, reflecting the failure of state leaders to invest in a better future for our children. • 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book •… Read more [More...]

Weekly Wonk: Immigration, housing, Tribal-state policy highlights from 2025 #okleg session | Contentious budget negotiations opened door for governor’s business court plans | When lawmakers cut budgets, it rolls downhill

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 legislature missed key opportunities to address housing crisis

Oklahoma’s housing crisis is worsening. During the 2025 legislative session, state lawmakers had multiple opportunities to reduce evictions, update the Landlord-Tenant Act, and increase Oklahoma’s supply of housing stock. They punted on nearly all of them: Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed… Read more [More...]

Policy Matters: When lawmakers cut budgets, it rolls downhill

In government, just like in nature, everything rolls downhill. And when budget cuts start cascading downwards, it’s not the mountaintop that feels the hit – it’s the town in the valley. [More...]

Lessons learned from SB 675 shed light on the importance of Tribal-state policy

There is a continued need for shared, strategic decisions that will shape the state's current and future policy-making with Tribal nations. For example, the processes, or lack thereof, surrounding Senate Bill 675 shed light on both lessons that should be learned around respecting Tribal sovereignty and engaging in direct Tribal consultation before making decisions that directly affect Tribal Nations. [More...]

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