Quotes of the Day

“While we applaud the RESTORE task force for recommending changes to the state’s unfair and outdated cash bail system and failed reentry policies and practices, we believe that this crisis is too urgent for further delay.”

-Kris Steele, executive director of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform [The Oklahoman] 

“Oklahoma hands down extremely long sentences for nonviolent offenses compared to the national average. Long prison sentences don’t just impact individuals serving time, but their entire family.”

– Sue Ann Arnall, president of Arnall Family Foundation and member of the Oklahoma County jail trust [Oklahoma Gazette]

“(Judge Kenneth Stoner) has set up a way of increasing the severity of sanctions and using jail as an ultimate consequence instead of the first tool. By doing that, he is keeping people out of jail, in the program and moving toward success. That results in people breaking addiction, keeping jobs and at home with their families.”

-Tim Tardibono, executive director of the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council, speaking about recent drug court reforms [The Oklahoman]

“When you get into the rural areas, something that’s becoming increasingly important is transit services … for individuals with disabilities or for folks who just need a ride or an alternative means of transportation.”

-ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz speaking about developing an Oklahoma Public Transit Policy Plan [The Journal Record????]

“Our priorities and resources will have to change within the state. Criminal justice reform is really beyond just criminal justice reform. It’s really a cultural reform.”

-Tricia Everest, ex-officio chair of the RESTORE criminal justice task force, which is expected to release its report this week [The Journal Record ????]

“Oklahomans deserve to be paid fairly so they can offset the rising costs of health care, housing and food. Closing the wage gap between the poverty line and middle class would have a tremendous impact on our economy by increasing consumer spending and generating more tax revenue for our municipalities and state.”

-State Sen. George Young speaking about his proposed legislation to increase Oklahoma’s minimum wage [Journal Record]

“Assuming that enrollment plateaus near current levels, Medicaid expansion will introduce approximately $350 million to $400 million of new spending to Montana’s economy each year. This spending ripples through Montana’s economy, generating approximately 5,000 jobs and $270 million in personal income in each year between 2018 and 2020.”

-A 2018 report from the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research demonstrates the effects Medicaid expansion had on that state after it accepted funding for about 100,000 working poor adults starting in 2015. [Tulsa World]

“There have got to be better evaluations and assistance. You can go to jail, and they ask if you have a mental health issue, and all you have to say is no, and they let you walk away.”

-A participant in an Oklahoma City public forum about addressing homelessness [The Oklahoman]

“The report also identifies 91 corporations—nearly a quarter of all the companies analyzed—that paid zero, or even less than zero, on their 2018 U.S. income last year. These companies include Amazon, Chevron, Halliburton, MGM Resorts and Netflix.”

– Matthew Gardner, a Senior Fellow at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy commenting on its recent report about the impact of new federal corporate tax laws [ITEP]

“But where are the sentencing reforms for a criminal justice system that unnecessarily locks up too many people for too long? Our harsh sentencing regime in Oklahoma has huge costs without significant payoff for public safety.”

– Former House Speaker Steve Lewis on the recommendations made by the Criminal Justice Reclassification Council [OK Policy]