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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
State-level immigration enforcement officially kicks off in Oklahoma: Top-down, all-around federal immigration enforcement at the state level is rolling out across Oklahoma. The state’s top public safety official discussed the details at a Tuesday press conference. [KOSU]
- From OK Policy: Anti-immigration raids harm all communities (Commentary)
Senate advances bill to ban use of corporal punishment on disabled Oklahoma school children: A bill that would ban schools from using corporal punishment on students with disabilities passed the Senate on Tuesday despite concerns it removes local control and could go against parental wishes. [Oklahoma Voice]
Long-term funding bill for 988 suicide prevention line in Oklahoma fails in committee: A bill that would establish long-term funding for Oklahoma’s 988 suicide crisis hotline failed in committee this week. Totaling 60 cents per line a year, the tax would fund 988 when federal dollars are no longer being dedicated to the hotline. [KOSU]
Retirement benefit hikes eyed for some Oklahoma retirees: A Senate panel on Tuesday passed five bills to start the process of giving some retirees a 2% cost-of-living adjustment. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tax-free Weekend: Bill would make school supplies tax-exempt: Senate Bill 231, which would make other items tax-exempt that weekend — like athletic gear, basic school supplies like pencils or notebooks, art supplies, and even computer items. [KJRH]
- From OK Policy: Tax-free weekends have not been proven to promote economic growth or increase spending
Oklahoma broadband leaders forge ahead despite federal uncertainties: Recent federal funding changes have paused some programs or grants but the Oklahoma Broadband Office appears to be in good shape. [KOSU]
Will storm chasers need a license in Oklahoma? Here’s what a proposed bill would regulate: A bill under consideration in the Oklahoma House of Representatives would create a special license for some storm chasers, expanding their rights to use flashing lights and enter restricted areas. [The Oklahoman]
REAL ID deadline coming soon: How do I know I have one? Do minors need one? What to know: There’s only two months left before Oklahomans will need a state-issued REAL ID or U.S. passport to board an airplane or visit secured federal buildings. [The Oklahoman]
As DA tenure ends, Greg Mashburn hired to lead OSBI: 1The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Commission today hired longtime District Attorney Greg Mashburn to head the OSBI less than a month after commissioners accepted the resignation of the agency’s previous director amid continued rumors about employee unrest. [NonDoc]
Lawmakers to celebrate Oklahoma Black history at state Capitol (video): The Oklahoma House of Representatives recognized Black History Month and the impact of Black Oklahomans on Tuesday. [KOCO]
- Oklahoma House Recognizes Black History Month [News Release]
Rally at state capitol for Public Schools Day and Oklahoma Education: Parents and Oklahoma education advocates are rallying at the state capitol Tuesday morning for Public Schools Day. It’s a part of Public Schools Week from Feb. 24-28 and is a chance for parents and students to meet with lawmakers about the legislation they feel could help, or hurt, classrooms. [Fox 25]
- See moments from the Public Schools Day rally at the Oklahoma Capitol [The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
With potential layoffs coming to Tinker, here’s what to know about its history, operations: With potential layoffs coming to Tinker Air Force Base, the OKC and Midwest City communities are concerned about the loss of so many jobs. Tinker Air Force Base is the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma, with more than 27,000 military and civilian employees. The base provides an estimated annual statewide economic impact of $6.7 billion, according to the fiscal year 2023 economic impact statement, and creates another 26,000 indirect jobs. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Oklahoma enters the FAFO stage of Trump’s authoritarian agenda: Oklahoma has been previewing and promoting Trump’s agenda long before his second presidential term began in January, but it appears the chickens are finally coming home to roost as the state absorbs the impact of potential cuts to federal funding and jobs. [Deon Osborne / The Black Wall Street Times]
Tribal Nations News
In dispute over O’Brien decision, beef brews between Kunzweiler, Nichols: In a growing disagreement over who should prosecute tribal citizens, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler has threatened to “drop a bunch of freedom of information requests” on the City of Tulsa as new Mayor Monroe Nichols’ administration has pushed to send more cases to tribal courts. [NonDoc]
Voting and Election News
Bixby schools leader Rob Miller announces campaign for state superintendent: The race for state superintendent has begun with the first candidate announcing his campaign Tuesday. Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller, a Republican, said he is running for the post in the 2026 election. Miller said he will retire from Bixby at the end of the school year. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Superintendent suing Ryan Walters runs for his post [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Bixby Superintendent Rob Miller announces candidacy for state superintendent [Tulsa World]
Education News
Supt. Walters seeks AG clarification on Trump’s executive order on federal education money: On Monday, Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced a formal request has been made to Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond’s office regarding the impact in the state of President Trump’s executive order on federal dollars for Oklahoma schools. [KFOR]
- Walters requests AG opinion on impact of Trump immigration order on Oklahoma schools [The Oklahoman]
Haste seeks expanded NSU offerings in Broken Arrow: A Broken Arrow lawmaker on Tuesday filed legislation to expand Northeastern State University’s role in his city, one day after a House committee advanced a bill that would have lifted all statutory geographic and programmatic restrictions on the state’s higher education system. [Tulsa World]
Average CareerTech pay increased 3.3% in past year. Search the salary database: The average base salary for Oklahoma CareerTech employees increased 3.3% in the past year to $64,254, according to a Tulsa World analysis of salary data from the state agency. [Tulsa World]
Health News
Anti-abortion bill passes out of Oklahoma House Public Health Committee: A bill that would grant protections to fetuses and classify abortion as a felony for providers passed out of the Oklahoma House Public Health Committee Monday with a vote of 5-1. [KGOU]
Opinion: Oklahoma lawmakers should not restrict access to birth control medications: Oklahomans should not find themselves without critical treatments because of political decisions that overlook the many health benefits of contraception. [Dr. Dana Stone / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: If you’re Black and sick, the deck is stacked against you for many reasons: Due to mistrust and disparities in treatment, many individuals in communities of color are wary of the medical establishment and, in some cases, those in need of medical intervention are often unwilling to seek treatment. Or they seek out health care providers they feel might be more attuned to their needs. [Valarie Traynham / The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Black Health: Dying in Oklahoma (Commentary)
Criminal Justice News
Trooper shot at fleeing car as innocent motorists passed. How does OHP use guns in chases?: A Tulsa World investigation has found at least five instances of troopers shooting guns at vehicles with innocent people in harm’s way or cocking rifles in their laps during high-speed pursuits in which they weren’t being shot at or threatened with firearms — drawing questions about institutional firearm tactics, training and safety. [Tulsa World]
U.S. Supreme Court tosses conviction of Oklahoma death row inmate Richard Glossip: The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday tossed the murder conviction of an Oklahoma death row inmate, who has insisted he’s innocent, and ruled that he’s entitled to a new trial. [Oklahoma Voice]
- SCOTUS throws out Glossip conviction, prosecutors to decide on new trial [NonDoc]
- Following Supreme Court ruling, what’s next for former death row inmate Richard Glossip? [The Frontier]
- Listen Frontier: Death row inmate Richard Glossip’s murder conviction is vacated (audio) [The Frontier]
Beyond Apology Commission: A Shift from Debate To Action: Tulsa’s Black leaders have elevated their efforts to repair the harm caused by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, calling upon City officials to use existing city funds designated for housing initiatives to respond to the damage done and help Tulsans restore generational wealth. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Long Story Short: Court Fines and Fees Reform Has Broad Support, But Fiscal Questions Persist (audio): Keaton Ross wrote about the push to reduce court fines and fees and how lawmakers are approaching the issue. Jennifer Palmer talks about OSDE is now trying to buy instructional materials that weave Bible lessons into character education. Keaton rejoins to discuss a new lawsuit challenging Gov. Kevin Stitt’s return-to-office mandate for state employees. [Oklahoma Watch]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Mayor Nichols signs order to streamline housing permits, incentivize tackling blight: Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols signed an executive order Monday aimed at prioritizing the construction of affordable housing units. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Tulsa ‘cohousing’ needs affordability boost as Americans become more isolated, supporters say: Cohousing is designed to maintain privacy while boosting engagement. Privately owned houses are clustered in a way to encourage chatting and walking. Residents have their own kitchens but often eat together. Everyone is expected to pitch in for a certain number of hours a month. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Community News
MLK Jr. Commemoration Society Recognizes Local 46th Anniversary With Prayer Service: Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society held its 46th anniversary of the local observance of the famed civil rights leader’s birthdate, Jan. 13-20. This year’s theme was “Tulsa: The Dream in Motion.” [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Opinion: DEI is pro-opportunity. CRT is pro-truth. They benefit all, regardless of race: History is our understanding of the past, its present legacy and its future prospects, ideally grounded in objective facts. While it boasts considerable beauty, it is often messy and muddled, and sometimes malevolent. We do it no justice by denying its hard truths. [Hannibal B. Johnson / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Ashley Harris Philippsen on Tulsa’s Future: Couple commemoration with collective action: The success of our children is a shared responsibility. Families and schools are pivotal, but student success requires collective action — from business leaders, policymakers, faith communities and philanthropic organizations. This ethos mirrors the legacy of Greenwood, where Black Wall Street thrived through cooperation, economic networks and mutual investment. Freedmen land allotments provided a foundation for prosperity, proving that when resources and opportunity align, Black communities flourish. [Ashley Harris Phillippsen / Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- Moore Norman Technology Center district will vote March 4 on a $90 million bond [The Journal Record]
- Moore Norman Tech Bond: Breaking down the $90M proposal [Norman Transcript]
- Oklahoma City tourism drives job growth, generates $85M in sales tax [The Journal Record]
- Scrapyard expansion in Oklahoma City’s JFK neighborhood sparks uproar [The Oklahoman]
- Sales tax slump has Edmond locking in a no-growth city budget for 2025-26 [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“This moment is not just about policy. It’s about people. It’s about the survivors, the descendants and the north Tulsa community who have fought long for justice and the repair that they deserve. It’s about honoring the past while foregoing a future where equity and opportunity are not just words but our reality.”
-Vernon A.M.E. member Chief Egunwale Amusan, talking about the City of Tulsa’s Beyond Apology Commission working to repair generational damages caused by the Tulsa Race Massacre. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Number of the Day
73%
About 73% of Oklahoma families who received the private school tax credit/voucher for the spring 2025 semester had household incomes above $75,000. Oklahoma’s median household income — representing the middle point of all income earners, where half earn more and half earn less — was about $63,600. [Oklahoma Tax Commission]
Policy Note
How to Protect Democratic Institutions: It’s important to understand what’s going on. It’s important to understand the unitary executive theory that presidents have few constraints on their power, the risks that a president will ignore court orders, and so on. Yes, it’s a power grab. But what can people as individuals do about it? [Brennan Center for Justice]
- From OK Policy: One moment of courage (Commentary)
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