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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
Black Health: Dying in Oklahoma (Commentary): For Black Oklahomans, lack of access to health care quickly turns into a death sentence. According to a 2021 report from the Oklahoma State Department of Health Equity and Minority Health, Blacks in Oklahoma experienced higher rates of illness and death compared to whites when it comes to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. [Kandis West / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
State leaders honor former Gov. David Boren’s decades-long dedication to serving Oklahoma: Tributes poured in Thursday from Oklahoma state officials following the death of former governor and U.S. senator David Boren. [Oklahoma Voice]
- ‘A superb leader.’ State, national leaders praise David Boren’s public service, commitment to education [The Oklahoman]
- David Boren, an Oklahoma Eminence as Governor and Senator, Dies at 83 [New York Times]
State Government News
29 state groups ask House Speaker Hilbert to join Stitt in opposing Ryan Walters’ immigration rule: Twenty-nine statewide and local organizations released a joint statement on Thursday that praised Gov. Kevin Stitt and state Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton for recent comments the groups believe affirmed the importance of all students feeling safe in Oklahoma classrooms — and asked House Speaker Kyle Hilbert to join them. [The Oklahoman]
- Letter: Community joint statement opposing rule to require schools to collect immigration data
- Kevin Stitt: Oklahoma education official being ‘a little bit political’ on order collecting students’ immigration status [Politico]
Demand for private school tax credits continues amid state efforts to recapture $5 million: Amid efforts to recapture $5 million from the 2024 tax year, the Oklahoma Tax Commission opened up applications for the Parental Choice Tax Credit Program to cover private school tuition and fees for the 2025-26 academic year. [Tulsa World]
House leaders revive wind farm setback proposal one day after similar bill failed: If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. Leaders of the Oklahoma House of Representatives channeled the wisdom of Billy Joe Shaver today, running a revised version of a stringent wind farm setback bill in the Utilities Committee one day after an even more industry-prohibitive version failed to pass in the Energy Committee. [NonDoc]
‘Something I was concerned about’: House committee backs bill to enhance tenant safety: On Tuesday, the Oklahoma House Civil Judiciary Committee Committee unanimously approved a bill to bolster tenant safety by mandating employee background checks and maintaining key logs for operators of five or more rental or hotel units. [Fox 25]
- Bills to protect Oklahoma renters pass through first House committee [Tulsa World]
Leadership-backed bills favoring natural gas pushed through committee: House leadership on Thursday hustled through committee a package of far-reaching energy legislation that included a reworked version of a bill that failed in another committee a day earlier. [Tulsa World]
Bill to prohibit state contracts with businesses that discriminate against firearms advances in committee: The firearm industry would get some special protection against discrimination under a bill that has gained momentum in the Oklahoma Legislature. [Tulsa World]
Push advances for people to have more say surrounding OTA: One of several bills pushing for more public control surrounding the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority passed committee on Thursday. [KFOR]
Ten Commandments legislation could bring Old Testament posters to Oklahoma classrooms: House Bill 1006 would display the Ten Commandments on posters visible to all students. The Oklahoma bill says the commandments need to be displayed on a poster that is 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Three conservative bills by Sen. Dusty Deevers fail committee with bipartisan disapproval: For over two hours Wednesday, the senator presented three bills to the Senate Judiciary Committee, seeking to create covenant marriages, place restrictions on divorce and equate Oklahomans who have an abortion to murderers. All three bills failed 6-2 in committee, with bipartisan disapproval. [The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
IRS layoffs could hurt revenue collection and foil efforts to go after rich tax dodgers, experts say: The layoffs of roughly 7,000 IRS probationary workers beginning this week likely mean the end of the agency’s plan to go after high-wealth tax dodgers and could spell disaster for revenue collections, experts say. [Associated Press]
Markwayne Mullin Has Made Trump Administration Nominees His Social Media Brand: Sen. Markwayne Mullin has been ceaselessly tweeting the last few weeks, providing real-time updates on nominees confirmed to President Donald Trump’s administration. Mullin’s X posts read like Senate cloakroom scheduling announcements, detailing when the Senate would vote on them. [Oklahoma Watch]
Opinion: Musk’s math isn’t adding up. DOGE lies about federal cuts and focuses on grudges: It was completely predictable that Musk, one of those public provocateurs who reflexively plays the victim of any critical reaction, would use his newfound power atop the “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE, to exact revenge on journalistic institutions that examine his businesses while rejoicing in cuts to federal regulators that have done their jobs, fielding complaints from Musk’s customers. [Chris Brennan / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Democratic Senators Send Letter to Homeland Security Demanding End Wrongful ICE Searches & Harassment of Tribal Members: In their letter, the lawmakers expressed concern over reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been stopping and harassing U.S.-born citizens under suspicion of being undocumented migrants. These incidents, which have escalated since President Trump’s Executive Order aimed at ending birthright citizenship, have instilled fear and anxiety among Tribal citizens living both on and off reservation lands. [Native News Online]
- Anti-immigration raids harm all communities (Commentary) [OK Policy]
Bureau of Indian Affairs announces new Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples initiative: Operation Spirit Return will fall under the BIA’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous People’s Unit. A similar program was enacted during President Trump’s first term called Operation Lady Justice. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Oklahoma lawmakers advance bills altering mail-in voting, election calendar and more: A series of bills that would alter voting procedures have advanced in Oklahoma’s legislative process. Since the start of the legislative session on Feb. 3, the House Elections and Ethics Committee has taken action on various bills, moving them onto oversight committees. [KOSU]
Health News
From maternal mortality to mental health: Black women’s fight for healthcare equity: Black women continue to live under the immense pressure of being everything to everybody, whether as mothers, daughters, workers, caregivers, leaders, or community pillars. This constant balancing act, driven by societal expectations, cultural norms, and the historical burden of systemic racism, takes a profound toll on our physical health, especially in relation to heart disease and stroke. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Opinion: Oklahoma doesn’t have enough pharmacists. That’s a public health issue: As a community pharmacist, I wake up every day aware of the challenges that our profession is facing ― especially the growing shortage of pharmacists. Job growth for pharmacists is projected at 5% annually, while pharmacy schools are expected to graduate only 8,000 students in 2026 ― 60% of what’s needed to fill gaps. [KayDee Judd / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Number of Oklahomans killed in domestic violence incidents jumps 16%: Oklahoma domestic violence homicides hit a record high in 2023, according to figures released Thursday. Domestic homicide numbers increased 16% from the prior year with a total of 121 victims, according to numbers released by the Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Record number of people died of domestic violence in Oklahoma in 2023, report finds [The Oklahoman]
Criminal networks continue to thrive in Oklahoma’s marijuana industry as lawmakers weigh new measures: Sheriff’s deputies in Oklahoma report similar patterns: after raids on marijuana farms, criminal groups often consolidate their operations at other licensed sites. These cases highlight how six years after legalization, powerful Chinese mafias continue to thrive in Oklahoma’s marijuana industry, exploiting legal loopholes and quietly outmaneuvering the state’s efforts to crackdown. [The Frontier]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Report recommends ‘smart growth’ strategy to address Tulsa’s housing goals: If the city hopes to meet its housing goals, it must implement planning strategies for specific areas that also take into account the accompanying infrastructure and transportation needed to support such development, according to a study released Thursday by Smart Growth America. [Tulsa World]
Tulsa County faces scrutiny over fast evictions as lawmakers propose Fair Housing bills: Tulsa County tenants are evicted more quickly than most counties in the country, according to data collected by the Tulsa Eviction Data Working Group. Numerous lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have drafted potential legislation this session to try to shift practices to improve outcomes for renters. [KTUL]
- From Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation: Lengthening the eviction timeline will increase access to justice for Oklahoma renters
Economy & Business News
Why are egg prices so high? Will egg prices go down? What to know about bird flu shortage: The cost of this classic breakfast item, as well as an ingredient for many of your favorite baked goods, is getting egg-spensive. The average price of a dozen grade-A, large eggs skyrocketed in the United States for the month of January. [The Oklahoman]
Community News
Opinion: Take a resident-centered approach to revitalization: As we focus on revitalizing neighborhoods in north Tulsa, Northside Neighbors is committed to a place-based approach. We will continue to collaborate with local partners and build allies and stakeholders, but most importantly, we will engage neighborhood residents. This will increase the social and economic well-being of north Tulsa neighborhoods. [Reggie Ivey / Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- Jenks sees huge boost in sales tax revenue since outlet mall opening [Tulsa World]
- A program in Oklahoma will pay Cleveland and Oklahoma county residents to grow native plants [KGOU]
Quote of the Day
“I think we have to keep recognizing that poverty is part of that challenge, and we have to make sure we’re giving women the opportunity to get high-paying jobs, so that they could pursue their own life when they want to.”
-Sen. Julia Kirt of Oklahoma City, talking about the rise in domestic violence reports in the state. She said Oklahoma has a long way to go in taking domestic violence seriously. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
15.8%
People in rural areas would be particularly hard hit by any cuts in SNAP (the nation’s largest food assistance program) since its participation rates are higher in rural areas than in metropolitan areas. In Oklahoma, the rural participation rate for SNAP is 15.8%, while it’s 13.8% in small towns and 11.6% in urban areas. [Food Research and Action Center]
Policy Note
2025 Budget Stakes: Rural Communities Would Be Hurt by Proposed Policies and Cuts: Republican proposals that Congress could consider this year would harm people living in rural areas. People in rural — defined here as non-metropolitan — areas tend to have lower incomes and higher rates of material hardship. A range of proposals, including a menu of spending cuts that House Republicans are reportedly considering, would take away or reduce health coverage, help buying groceries, and other critical assistance from people in rural communities. [Center on Budget & Policy Priorities]
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