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In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. Subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.
State Government News
Legislative leaders on both sides have concerns about Stitt’s tax cut plan: While they usually don’t agree on too many issues, Democrats and Republican leaders in the Oklahoma Legislature reached the same conclusion during a legislative luncheon sponsored by the Oklahoma Press Association. The agreement? Nobody is sure that a plan being touted by Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt to cut the personal income tax rate, now at 4.75%, is viable. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: How would the governor’s proposal to cut, eliminate personal income tax affect Oklahoma?
House members looking to rein in executive agencies with administrative rule changes: Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives are looking to rein in executive agencies by changing the way administrative rules are passed. Administrative rules are created by government agencies to implement statutes passed by the Legislature. Rules that have gotten the most attention recently are from the Oklahoma State Department of Education. [Tulsa World]
- State lawmaker wants new requirements to run for State Superintendent [KFOR]
Is SB 1017 really dead? What to know about Oklahoma’s legislative process, Deevers’ bill: Just days after an Oklahoma state senator introduced legislation that could have ended school-based Individualized Education Program (IEP) services like speech and physical therapy when deemed not “educationally necessary,” he said he would pull the bill from consideration. The legislature, however, is a complex machine with arcane rules driven by politics. Could the bill be resurrected? [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma eyes FEMA reform proposal: Reforming federal disaster response operations could benefit Oklahoma and ensure more money goes directly to those who need it, a state official said. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Trump wants states to handle disasters without FEMA. They say they can’t. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma Democrats’ agenda focused on cost of living, education, health care: Despite the fact they are a small minority functioning in a Capitol overflowing with Republicans, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives’ Democratic Caucus said recently they have a progressive, smart agenda for the 2025 legislative session. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion, Capitol Insider: Legislators consider governor’s call for tax cuts: Governor Kevin Stitt presented his State of the State address and executive budget last Monday. The centerpiece of his plan for the year is a cut in the individual and corporate income tax rates. How is that being received in the legislature? [KGOU]
Opinion, Your Vote Counts: Oklahoma lawmakers react to State of the State, budget shortfall, and federal spending: As the second week of Oklahoma’s legislative session begins, state leaders reflect on Gov. Kevin Stitt’s State of the State address, the state budget, and how federal spending decisions impact Oklahoma. [News 9]
Opinion: Oklahomans schooled GOP lawmaker on what he should have known: Not to pick on kids with disabilities: Irate parents taught an Oklahoma lawmaker a life lesson I bet he’ll never forget: Do not mess with the education of public school children who have been diagnosed with a disability. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
The cost of giving care: Thousands of Oklahoma veterans and caregivers struggle amid cuts to VA: Thousands of veterans in Oklahoma remain without the care they need. Out of the total 286,002 veterans living in the state, 37,863 lacked adequate care, or around 15%, compared to 34,977 who had a caregiver, according to a 10-year study conducted by RAND, a nonprofit research organization. Findings showed that up to 35% of those veterans receiving care live under the 135% poverty line. [The Oklahoman]
- Anxiety, fear at Oklahoma City Veterans Hospital over Trump, Musk ‘Fork in the Road’ letters [The Oklahoman]
Black federal employees targeted in rightwing DEI watchlist: Outside conservative groups continue their escapade of outing and attacking Black federal employees under the guise of dismantling DEI. [The Black Wall Street Times]
U.S. Senate confirms Russ Vought, a Project 2025 author, to manage the nation’s budget: The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to confirm Russ Vought as director of the Office of Management and Budget, giving support to one of the architects of Project 2025 and someone who hopes to erode Congress’ control over government spending. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Trump appoints Oklahoman Scott Mason IV as EPA regional administrator [KOSU]
Opinion: Trump’s foreign policy shift turns U.S. into predator over enemies and allies: With Donald Trump’s ascendancy to the U.S. presidency, something revolutionary is happening in post-World War II U.S. foreign policy. The president is threatening two countries that pose no threat to U.S. national security. [Gaurav Kampani / Tulsa World]
Opinion: What you should know about the Constitution’s limits on presidential powers: As President Donald Trump begins his second term, his actions are once again challenging the limits of presidential power. The contours of presidential power remain undefined largely because the U.S. Supreme Court holds the ultimate authority to interpret the U.S. Constitution. [Carla D. Pratt / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Oklahoma senators must reject RFK Jr.’s nomination to lead a public health agency: The American Medical Association, major hospital groups, and other healthcare organizations should be sounding the alarm louder about RFK Jr.’s nomination to be HHS secretary. [Fahad Khan / The Oklahoman]
Editorial: Three Trump picks who Oklahoma U.S. senators ought not confirm: The U.S. Senate faces another test as a bulwark against executive overreach next week in considering President Donald Trump’s choices to run critical top federal agencies. A few nominees are clearly unqualified and shouldn’t be confirmed. [Editorial / Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Gov. Stitt’s post about tribal speed limit sign is a “meme,” spokesperson says: Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt posted an image showing a 100 mph “tribal speed limit” sign was a “meme,” according to his press staff. A Muscogee Creek Nation spokesperson called the fake image “gross ignorance and frankly, dangerous and sensational rhetoric. [KFOR]
Tribes unite to restore buffalo to Native lands: The Euchee Butterfly Farm in Bixby held an intertribal conference Wednesday and Thursday to help bring bison back to Native land. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Charles Wilkes enters race for Cherokee Nation Council District 5: Freedman descendant Charles Wilkes aims to make history in Cherokee Nation’s newly drawn District 5. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Opinion: Stop Confusing Tribal Sovereignty with Race: The federal government’s understanding of Tribal Nations often requires basic education with each new administration. Within Native communities, this process is often referred to as “Indians 101,” acknowledging the frequent lack of understanding among non-Natives regarding tribal issues and concerns. [Levi Rickert / Native News Online]
- From OK Policy: Tribal-State Policy 101: Tribal Citizenship
Voting and Election News
Election roundup:
- Oklahoma elections 2025: City, county officials on the ballot Feb. 11. Here’s what to know [The Oklahoman]
- Norman Ward 3: Incumbent Bree Montoya faces Sandra Artman [NonDoc]
- Norman Ward 7: Kimberly Blodgett, Amanda Chaffin vie to succeed Holman [NonDoc]
- Candidates for Oklahoma City Public School Board chair outline their agendas [KOCO]
- Cheat sheet: Open Tulsa Public Schools seat sees 4 aim to replace Jennettie Marshall [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma City metro voters to consider multiple bond proposals for local schools [The Oklahoman]
- How much money have county commissioner candidates raised? A look at financial reports [The Oklahoman]
Education News
As lawmakers await answers, Jim Hess named interim OSU president: After Wednesday’s abrupt announcement that Dr. Kayse Shrum had resigned as Oklahoma State University president, the university’s governing board appointed vice provost of the OSU Center for Health Sciences Jim Hess as interim president today amid unanswered questions about apparent financial issues members thus far have declined to discuss. [NonDoc]
- OSU regents name interim president, remain quiet on Kayse Shrum’s departure [The Oklahoman]
- OSU officials name interim president, but don’t vote to launch search for next leader [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma State University regents tap Jim Hess as interim president [KOSU]
Ryan Walters the defendant in 4 lawsuits set for trial: Four lawsuits against Walters have jury trials scheduled for later this year. In this roundup, find updates on the jury trials Walters could face in the coming months, as well as an update on the criminal jury trial starting today against former Ringling principal and coach Phil Koons. [NonDoc]
‘What’s best for the kids’: Teachers union president reflects on career, advocacy for public education: Norman educator Cari Elledge began teaching elementary school 19 years ago. Now, she is the president of Oklahoma’s largest teachers union. [OU Daily]
Listen to KGOU’s Future of Oklahoma: Education event (audio): KGOU managing editor Logan Layden leads a discussion about education policy and issues in Oklahoma with a panel of education journalists. [KGOU]
Donterrio Marzett’s Journey to Superintendent of KIPP Tulsa Schools: Donterrio Marzett had many career interests as a child; with his interest in music, lawyers, and doctors, he could have grown up to be the next Quincy Jones, Damario Solomon-Simmons, Esq., or world-renowned doctor to advance medicine — before discovering his true calling: education. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Opinion: Lifelong learning important for aging population: In some ways, lifelong learning is apparent: the process of learning and developing skills and knowledge throughout life. According to Miya Narushima, in a piece published for the National Institutes of Health, “Lifelong learning enhances mental development and cognitive health as people age.” [Chris Elliott / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Schools should embrace technology to improve learning: The debate over whether students should have cellphones in schools is ongoing, with limited data but nearly infinite opinions. At Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy, we have found innovative ways to leverage technology to enhance education, offering real-time value to students. [Jordan Jensen / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Military service can turn around lackluster education performance: A key problem is the reluctance to say the most obvious thing, namely, that a primary reason education is failing in our country is because many parents don’t care. I know this from personal experience. [Preston Jones / Tulsa World]
Health News
Opinion: Vaccines are safe. Don’t let fear and misinformation mislead you: Misinformation and disinformation are growing, accelerated by some relentless anti-vax activists attacking all vaccines ― smallpox, polio, mumps, measles, rubella, tetanus, pertussis, etc. Actual science is slower and less attention-grabbing. For example, multiple long-term, massive studies have shown no relationship between vaccines and autism. Yet that claim persists. [Ron Stratton / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Health care is key for youths getting out of prison. A new law helps them get it: A new federal law aims to better connect incarcerated children and young adults who are eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program to services before their release. The goal is to help prevent them from developing a health crisis or reoffending as they work to reestablish themselves. [NPR via KOSU]
Oklahoma County tries to stop jail expenses from continuing to grow: Moody’s score determines the county’s bond rates. At stake is the interest owed on a $260 million bond package passed in 2022 to pay for construction of a new jail and any other bonded debt used to finance the facility, plus potential “public-private partnerships” the county enters involving private investors. [KOSU]
Oklahoma lawmaker works to make higher education more accessible for former inmates: An Oklahoma lawmaker is working to give former inmates access to higher education. State Rep. Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater) tells Fox 25 she wants former inmates to be able to get their degree online. [Fox 25]
Oklahoma bill aims to raise compensation for those wrongfully convicted: If you were wrongfully convicted of a crime in Oklahoma and got released today, the state would give you a maximum of $175,000. However, that could soon change to $50,000 for every year the person was behind bars if HB2235, authored by House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, becomes law. [Fox 25]
Rogers County deputy involved in fatal chase had less than 2 years of continuous experience: At a preliminary hearing Thursday, a Rogers County Sheriff’s deputy hired in 2023 detailed in court a police chase that led to the death of a 23-year-old innocent bystander. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Oklahoma Legislators to Consider Eviction Reform Bills: Evictions in Oklahoma may be on the decline and several lawmakers are focusing on legislation to further lower the number of eviction cases filed in the state. [Oklahoma Watch]
Tulsa Public Schools provides supports, resources for its housing-insecure students: Originally authorized in 1987, the McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that requires public school districts to offer specific services and supports for students and their families who do not have a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. Tulsa Public Schools actively provides resources for almost 1,500 housing-insecure students across all grades and campuses. [Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma’s grocery costs remain high despite tax relief: Nearly six months after the state sales tax on groceries was lifted, Oklahoma remains one of the most expensive states for grocery shopping, according to a study released this month. Research by price-tracking website PriceListo reveals what portion of their income Americans spent on groceries in 2024, and Oklahoma came in fifth at 25.79%. [The Journal Record]
State Chamber of Oklahoma releases 2025 legislative agenda: The State Chamber of Oklahoma will focus its lobbying efforts on workforce development, tort reform and tax policy during the 2025 legislative session. [The Journal Record]
Community News
Latino community plans for mass deportations as Trump immigration policies pushed in Oklahoma: Fear is rising as politicians nationwide target immigrants with their Trump-inspired rhetoric and policies. Oklahoma’s Latino immigrant community has been stirred into a panic. [KOSU]
Why Hobby Lobby CEO David Green helped fund ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl commercials: Whether they’re funny, touching or solemn, the multimillion dollar commercials that run during the Super Bowl often spark conversation long after the big game is over, and a Christian-themed ad series — that a prominent Oklahoma family helped finance — is no different. [The Oklahoman]
Back to Africa movement: history, hope, and the diaspora: Since the days of forced removal from the motherland, displaced Africans have questioned the possibility of returning to Africa. Many independent and conjoining movements explored the idea throughout American and Western history. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Pro-basketball player gives back to Lawton youth with B2E Training: Tevin Foster’s professional basketball journey has taken him across the country and halfway around the world, from Oklahoma to Croatia and Serbia. Now, he’s using the skills he developed as a leader on the court to give back to youth in his hometown through B2E Training. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Tyrance Billingsley II shares his journey on In Depth With Deon Podcast (audio): When Tyrance Billingsley II, a descendant of Greenwood, first had the idea of transforming Black Wall Street into a premier tech hub, funders didn’t take him seriously. On the latest episode of In Depth With Deon Podcast, the founder of Black Tech Street breaks down how he turned doubters into believers. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Opinion: Looking for the next big Tulsa idea part of Community Advisory Board talk: Tulsa seems stuck without clear goals of what it wants to be and look like in 15 years. Too many residents, including faith communities, have retreated into bubbles that only fuel polarization. Inequities persist in life expectancy, health outcomes, economic metrics and school achievement. At the same time, Tulsa punches above its weight with vibrancy in the arts, music and culture scenes. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Angela Steele on Tulsa’s Future: Ensure our history and impact remain strong and visible: After graduating from Ohio State, I joined Teach for America and moved to Tulsa, where my students at East Central High opened my eyes to new realities and challenges for Black and Brown children — challenges I never experienced. They helped me understand how systems can create barriers, but also how shared stories and deep relationships can inspire change. [Angela Steele / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Corey Taylor on Tulsa’s Future: Redefine Tulsa’s artistic legacy: The celebration and reverence for the contributions of Black Americans throughout history have always been deeply connected to my identity and sense of self-worth — especially those from Tulsa. [Corey Taylor / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Ashlee Wilson on Tulsa’s Future: Restore Black women’s joy in birth, in postpartum: Looking forward, I want to restore Black joy. Black joy in birth, in postpartum, in Black women. I want to revive villages, community and safety. I want all Black women to feel and experience everything I did. To know that you are not alone and you have someone that is there to support you and be with you through every part of this parenting journey. [Ashlee Wilson / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Hope emerges as overarching lesson among hate, violence of Holocaust education: A four-letter word growing rapidly in the U.S. and around the world ought to move everyone into action — hate. The word translates into the worst of humanity: antisemitism, racial prejudice, Islamophobia, bashing of LGBTQ people and actions against other minorities, as well. It leads to cruel disrespect of others who hold different views and values from ourselves. It’s corrosive to our community and world. [Charlotte Schuman / Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- OK County credit crisis averted, again, as clerk vows to meet Moody’s Ratings deadline [The Oklahoman]
- Tulsa County employees saw average pay rise 7% from 2023 to 2024 [Tulsa World]
- Judge approves Price Tower sale to Tulsa developer for $1.4 million [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa’s Greenwood Rising offers free Friday admission for Oklahoma residents [The Black Wall Street Times]
Quote of the Day
“We have one of the shortest timelines in the country, and it skews heavily toward speed and encourages eviction.”
-Sen. Julia Kirt of Oklahoma City speaking about her proposed legislation that would help provide additional tenant protections during the eviction process. SB 128 would lengthen the time between when a tenant is served a court summons and their eviction hearing from five days to 10. [Oklahoma Watch]
- From the Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation: Lengthening the eviction timeline will increase access to justice for Oklahoma renters
Number of the Day
37%
Among tipped workers, 37% earn so little that they pay no federal income tax and so would not benefit from the tax cut that would exempt tips. Additionally, only 5% of workers in the bottom earnings quartile earn tips and could possibly benefit from the proposal. [Brookings]
Policy Note
“No tax on tips” will harm more workers than it helps: Now that lawmakers in a multitude of states have supported the idea of not taxing tips, it’s worth unpacking just how incredibly foolish and dangerous these proposals are. In summary, exempting tips from taxes would: 1) help very few workers and undermine pay increases for many more; 2) expand the use of tipped work—a system rife with discrimination and worker abuse— potentially leading to consumers being asked to tip on virtually every purchase; and 3) deplete state and federal budgets and create new avenues of tax avoidance, especially for high earners. [Economic Policy Institute]
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