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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.
New from OK Policy
OK Policy Valentine’s Day 2025: This Valentine’s Day, OK Policy wanted to express our passion for state policy issues here at the intersection of love and advocacy. We’re excited to present a collection of policy-themed Valentine’s Day messages that you can share with your friends and loved ones. [OK Policy]
State Government News
Oklahoma panel advances three sports betting bills amid concerns about tribal exclusivity rights: Bills that would legalize sports betting, including one that would allow the Oklahoma City Thunder to obtain a gaming license, advanced Thursday from a Senate committee despite concerns that at least one measure could violate existing compacts with the state’s tribes. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Senate committee advances three sports betting bills, including Thunder-specific proposal [Fox 25]
Oklahoma business leaders turning against Ryan Walters: ‘We’ve got to get rid of this guy’: Economic development and business recruitment is looming large in the growing battle between Gov. Kevin Stitt and state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, with at least one self-described “super conservative” calling for Walters’ removal from office. [The Oklahoman]
- ‘Enough is enough’: Stitt draws line with Superintendent Ryan Walters [The Journal Record]
- Opinion: Finally, Gov. Stitt joins critics of Ryan Walters. Will it help Oklahoma students? [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]
- Editorial: Gov. Stitt did right thing in pushing back at Superintendent Ryan Walters [Editorial / Tulsa World]
Drummond warns, advises new state ed board members: Oklahoma’s top prosecutor — who’s also running for governor — publicized on Thursday a letter addressed to to Chris Van Denhende, Michael Tinney, and Ryan Deatherage. The trio was tapped by Stitt on Tuesday to join the state ed board. [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Oklahoma attorney general criticizes Stitt, Walters, and has a warning for new ed board nominees [KGOU]
- Drummond wades into the Stitt-Walters feud with letter to new education board members [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma AG Drummond to OSBE appointees: “You must act independently” [KFOR]
Lawmakers expected to endorse settlement between state, mental health clients: After more than a year of wrangling, a legislative resolution that lays out a settlement between the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and a group of plaintiffs who sued the state, will go to both houses of the Oklahoma Legislature, where it’s expected to be approved. [The Oklahoman]
‘DOGE-ing in Oklahoma since January of 2019’: Will DOGE-OK differ from existing efforts?: On Thursday, the head of the Oklahoma State Senate raised questions over the necessity of DOGE-OK to cut government waste. [Fox 25]
- Lawmakers voice concern after DOGE-OK announcement [KFOR]
Legislative Roundup
- School cellphone ban passes Oklahoma House as lawmakers debate library book bans, policies [The Oklahoman]
- House passes legislation to help schools regulate cellphone use [Tulsa World]
- Senate bill seeking to move school board elections to November passes committee [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma legislature considers bills on nuclear energy [KGOU]
- Water bills making a splash in legislative committees this week [KOSU]
Records reveal thousands of taxpayer dollars spent to build brand of state agency leader: A new Open Records Request revealed thousands of documents and thousands of dollars spent to “build the brand” of Executive Director Shelley Zumwalt, who stepped down last October. [Fox 25]
Oklahoma lawmakers hire LOFT director: House and Senate lawmakers on Thursday named a new director to run the nonpartisan agency that provides them budgetary recommendations. Lawmakers unanimously voted to hire Regina Birchum as executive director of the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency. [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Board of Education shakeup, Tulsa Public Schools audit, Stitt’s tax cut plan and more (audio): The panel discusses Gov. Kevin Stitt firing three members of the State Board of Education and nominating three replacements and an audit of the Tulsa Public School District, legislative leaders pulling back on Stitt’s tax cut plan, and Operation Guardian to identify, arrest and deport illegal immigrants gets underway. [KOSU]
Opinion, Past Ethics Commission Chair: Oklahoma’s Ethics Commission has proposed rules changes that make sense: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has come a long way in recent years, and I think Oklahomans need to know the truth about its progress. Earlier this year, I completed my service as an ethics commissioner, ending it as chair. I witnessed a renewing of confidence in the Ethics Commission. [Jarred Brejcha / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Contacting lawmakers to make change works. Just ask Sen. Dusty Deevers: For anyone thinking it’s pointless to contact your lawmaker, remember state Sen. Dusty Deevers. He proposed a mean-spirited bill this legislative session to cut services to special education students, resulting in a quick groundswell of opposition that had him backtracking. It’s a lesson on how grassroots work can be successful. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: Find your elected officials
Federal Government News
State lawmakers embrace RFK Jr.’s health policies: Republican lawmakers in more than a dozen states have introduced bills to change their vaccine rules, including in Oklahoma. Under the MAHA banner, state lawmakers are working to regulate candy and soda purchases under social welfare programs, remove fluoride from public water systems, roll back state vaccination requirements, and remove ultra-processed food from schools. [Oklahoma Voice]
Norman residents protest Rep. Tom Cole over Elon Musk’s government ties: Norman residents gathered outside Representative Tom Cole’s office to protest what they say is the growing influence of billionaire Elon Musk in government decisions—with former President Donald Trump allowing it. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Linda McMahon won’t commit to civil rights protections as Ed. Sec.: Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Education, wouldn’t commit to using the department to protect the civil rights of students. McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), is nominated at a time Trump wants to do away with the Department of Education altogether. [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Democrats Assail ‘Elegant Gaslighting’ as McMahon Softens Calls to Close Education Department [The 74]
Black Lawmakers Reignite HR 40 Reparations Push: As Black History Month unfolds, the Black lawmakers reintroduce HR 40. The bill would create a federal commission to study slavery’s impact and develop reparations proposals. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) picked up the fight after the late Sheila Jackson Lee championed the cause for years. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Tribal Nations News
Unanimous Indian Country ruling has 5 separate opinions, hints at civil jurisdiction divide: In an 8-0 decision that still indicates a divide over unanswered civil jurisdiction questions, the Oklahoma Supreme Court affirmed a Rogers County District Court ruling that children living in Claremore are domiciled within the Cherokee Nation Reservation and therefore live within Indian Country for purposes of the Indian Child Welfare Act. The court explicitly narrowed its holding only to ICWA’s civil jurisdiction in relation to the Cherokee Nation and left other uncertainty over broader reservation questions to be decided at a later date. [NonDoc]
Native Organizations’ Leaders Defend Tribal Sovereignty Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs: On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs conducted an oversight hearing to review the priorities of Native communities for the 119th Congress. Prominent leaders from Indian Country highlighted the most pressing issues for the year. [Native News Online]
From a tiny hotel to a $400M resort: OKANA was 50 years in the making for Chickasaw Nation: The $400 million OKANA resort that is about to open along the Oklahoma River will represent a powerful boost to Oklahoma City’s tourism industry. But for the Chickasaws who made it a reality, the investment is also a reminder of how far they’ve come from when they started their first business, a humble motel, more than 50 years ago. [The Oklahoman]
$2.1 million grant bolsters Myaamia Center’s Indigenous language revitalization efforts: The last Miami language speaker walked on more than a half-century ago. But because of efforts made by Daryl Baldwin, a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, and others passionate about reviving what was thought to be an extinct Algonquian language, it is once again being passed down. [KOSU]
Education News
House advances bill mandating Oklahoma school cellphone bans to the Senate: The Oklahoma House on Thursday overwhelmingly approved its first bill of the session, a measure that would require public schools to ban students from using cellphones and smart watches while on campus. [Oklahoma Voice]
Health News
Flu cases and hospitalizations in Oklahoma are trending down after monthlong surge: The flu is trending down after having been on the rise in Oklahoma for weeks, amid a national flu season that is at or near the highest levels in 15 years. Have we finally seen the peak of this year’s flu season? [The Oklahoman]
Ascension St. John to award $15 million in health equity grants to community groups: Over $15 million in grants intended to improve health equity across the Tulsa area will be announced on Friday, with 40 community organizations set to benefit. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Lawmaker risks public health with freeze on Oklahoma’s air quality standards for trash incineration: SB 621 would freeze air quality standards and regulations as they currently exist and exempt such facilities from any subsequent regulation regardless of changed conditions. The end result is a bill that supports incineration, a dirty and unsafe technology that does nothing to safeguard either your health or the environment. [Mike Altshuler / Oklahoma Voice]
Criminal Justice News
U.S. Attorney General’s Office agrees to transfer prisoner from Louisiana for Oklahoma execution: An inmate facing execution in Oklahoma will be transferred back to the state from a federal prison in Louisiana to carry out his sentence after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi approved the move Thursday. [Oklahoma Voice]
- US Attorney General Pam Bondi orders murderer returned to Oklahoma for execution [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Efforts to ease zoning, parking laws for affordable housing in Oklahoma face defeat: One lawmaker’s efforts to pass legislation regarding the housing shortage in Oklahoma were shut down this week. Rep. Mickey Dollens of Oklahoma City filed several bills he had hoped would make it easier for Oklahomans to access affordable housing, but they did not make it out of committee. [Fox 25]
- From OK Policy: Addressing the housing crisis will require a multi-faceted approach and long-term solutions
Editorial: Don’t forget that homelessness includes thousands of Oklahoma children: Often lost in the discussions around the rise in homelessness are the thousands of Oklahoma children and youths going without shelter. People don’t see these kids, so they are out of mind. [Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: Homelessness in Oklahoma Information & Resources
Economy & Business News
Childcare providers say many centers serving ‘childcare deserts’ will close due to newly-adopted state regulations: Newly adopted changes to Oklahoma childcare regulations, which were given the green light by Gov. Kevin Stitt this week, have childcare providers across Oklahoma warning of widespread closures, particularly in low-income and rural areas already struggling with limited childcare options. [KFOR]
Community News
Greenwood is the third survivor: Oklahoma professor calls for action: Dr. Karlos Hill, a historian and professor at the University of Oklahoma’s Clara Luper Department of African and African American Studies, is on a mission to deepen public understanding of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in Greenwood and mobilize Oklahomans toward justice. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Trump’s executive order suspending refugee resettlement program felt in Tulsa: It may be awhile before Tulsa welcomes another refugee from a foreign country. At least that’s Deacon Kevin Sartorius’ view now that the Trump administration has suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for at least 90 days to determine whether it would be in the nation’s interests to resume it. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: The Bible teaches that following Jesus requires loving one another: Paul’s letter offered the Corinthians the opportunity to examine their witness and to take our faith seriously, which means: Love calls us to bear up, not to collapse; love calls us to believe, not abandon; love calls us to hope, not to despair; love calls us to endure, not to be overwhelmed. [The Rev. Lori Walke / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa County commissioners discuss proposal to create DOGE-like office; make no decision [Tulsa World]
- Dr. Robert Block, Tulsa pediatrician and child advocate, dies at 81 [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“We’re 77,000 or more houses behind, on the units needed for low-income folks and middle-class folks. We’re not gonna get there overnight… So, I’m working on a lot of efforts around strategic planning around housing.”
-Sen. Julia Kirt of Oklahoma City, speaking about bills that would address Oklahoma’s affordable housing crisis. [Fox 25]
Number of the Day
$1,530
The projected tax increase for middle income Americans if President Trump’s tax proposals were in effect in 2026. Under this proposal, the richest 1% would receive an average tax cut of about $36,300 and the next richest 4% would receive an average tax cut of about $7,200. All other groups would see a tax increase with the hike on the middle 20% at about $1,500 and the increase on the lowest-income 20% of Americans at about $800. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy]
Policy Note
There will be pain: Continuing low tax rates for the rich and corporations will hurt working families: Extending Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have painful trade-offs for the U.S. economy and most Americans. The “tax gap”—the amount of taxes owed but not paid each year—is currently larger than the overall fiscal gap. It is driven by the richest U.S. households and businesses cheating the law and underpaying taxes. [Economic Policy Institute]
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