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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
Policy Matters: Hiding federal data hurts all of us: Imagine driving through a dense fog. No street signs, no headlights, no GPS—just guesswork and vibes. That’s what is happening to us right now as the federal government has hidden, removed, and stopped collecting crucial data and information, especially about public health. It’s not just a bureaucratic shuffle; it’s a direct threat to our well-being. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
Oklahoma News
Proposal to replace tax brackets with ‘flat’ 4.75% rate gets Senate committee’s OK: A tax reform bill authored by Tulsa Republican Sen. Dave Rader, calculated to save typical single filers about $150 a year and couples filing jointly just north of $200, has earned passage through the Senate’s Revenue and Taxation Committee. [Tulsa World]
State Government News
Walters’ attorney: KFOR lawyers not entitled to recover fees after First Amendment lawsuit: In a fiery court filing, an Oklahoma State Department of Education attorney wrote that her counterparts who successfully represented Oklahoma City television station KFOR in a First Amendment lawsuit late last year are not entitled to recover attorney fees from state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters and his former spokesman, Dan Isett. [The Oklahoman]
Will there be no tax on overtime in Oklahoma? What to know about House Budget 2025 bill: Unfortunately for those wanting Congressional action to eliminate tax on overtime pay and tips, the resolution adopted by the House on Tuesday doesn’t mention either. [The Oklahoman]
Lawmakers aim to expand Oklahoma foster parent rights amid concerns bill could harm LGBTQ youth: The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow people with strongly held beliefs on sexual orientation or gender identity to adopt or foster children despite concerns it could harm LGBTQ youth. [Oklahoma Voice]
Bill to raise age of consent in Oklahoma passes committee, advocates react: A bill to raise the age of consent is working its way through the Oklahoma legislature, and local child advocates expressed on Wednesday that it is a step in the right direction. Senate Bill 445 passed unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 19. [News 9]
Black History Day takes over at Oklahoma State Capitol as DEI cuts continue: While Black History Day at the Capitol was a moment of celebration, it was also a statement—a direct response to ongoing legislative efforts to erase Black history and dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the state. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Federal Government News
‘That’s part of life’: Stitt addresses Tinker Air Force Base layoff rumors: Federal employees facing potential layoffs at Tinker Air Force Base will have to reinvent themselves and find a different job, said Gov. Kevin Stitt during his weekly news conference. [The Oklahoman]
- As more firings loom, 2 Oklahomans laid off from federal jobs share their stories [KOSU]
Local Catholic Charities CEO responds to JD Vance’s remarks about immigration work: “He doesn’t understand the program, and he’s brand new. And so let’s cut him some slack and not take it personally,” Sartorius said in response to questions from the Tulsa World. Sartorius explained that Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma operates two programs to assist individuals entering the country: a refugee resettlement program and an immigration legal services program. Neither results in Catholic Charities making money, Sartorius said, nor is that the intent. [Tulsa World]
Tulsa’s Ukrainian community gathers amid growing refugee concerns: Faith communities came together over the weekend to pray for Ukraine. The gathering came at a troubling time for those who fled the ongoing war. The unknown is temporary protected status for Ukrainians. [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Editorial: Oklahoma congressional delegation’s silence on Ukraine fails historic moment [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
Opinion: Chaos is bad for business, just like it’s bad for government and politics: Markets thrive on predictability. Investors and corporations make long-term decisions based on expectations. By forfeiting stability with erratic policymaking, we erode the very foundation of our economic success. Regardless of one’s political views, the principle remains: A nation, like a business, cannot function effectively without a coherent, predictable strategy. [Violet Victoria / Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Federal budget cuts ‘cause real harm to tribal communities’: Nearly 100 tribal leaders or representatives are testifying in appropriations hearings for three consecutive days to share their worries over federal funding for tribal programs and to air their concerns of the Trump administration’s policies in the last few weeks. [ICT News]
Opinion: Rep. Ron Stewart: Black freedmen are both Native and African, yet treated as neither: Oklahoma’s identity is built on the histories of both Native and Black people. Yet, for freedmen — descendants of Black individuals once enslaved by Native tribes — this identity has too often been denied. They are both African and Native, yet in the eyes of many, they are neither. [Rep. Ron Stewart / Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Democracy Watch: House Committee Advances Bill to End No-Excuse Absentee Voting: A proposal to end no-excuse absentee voting in Oklahoma narrowly advanced 4-3 through the House Elections and Ethics Committee last week. Critics fear the measure could discourage voter participation and fuel election fraud paranoia. [Oklahoma Watch]
Republicans want return to partisan municipal elections, Tulsa County GOP official says: Tulsa City Councilors Christian Bengel and Anthony Archie made news Monday night without speaking a word. In response to a question regarding what county Republicans are doing to return the city of Tulsa to partisan elections, Marcus said they’ve got a plan and thanked Bengel and Archie for helping gather information on the process. [Tulsa World]
Former lawmaker announces bid for Oklahoma attorney general: Former lawmaker Jon Echols on Wednesday announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for Oklahoma attorney general. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Former House Rep. Jon Echols announces bid for AG [NonDoc]
Education News
Oklahoma Education Board to vote on new curriculum standards with expanded Bible, Tribal history: The Oklahoma State Board of Education will meet Thursday to review and approve newly revised Science and Social Studies standards, which are updated every five years. [News on 6]
- State Superintendent Ryan Walters says Bible curriculum in elementary schools’ proposal about American history [KOCO]
- Education Watch: Questions Raised by Education Department’s Latest Bible Request [Oklahoma Watch]
- Ryan Walters to face 3 new members appointed by Stitt during state education board meeting [The Oklahoman]
Bills could limit education board’s ability to revoke teaching licenses, lower accreditation: Through a series of bills, a prominent Republican state senator is working to set guidelines and limit the Oklahoma State Board of Education’s ability to revoke teaching licenses and lower the accreditation statuses of school districts. [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa Public Schools audit highlights ‘significant’ financial discrepancies, mismanagement: More than two years after Gov. Kevin Stitt requested the examination, Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd released a special audit of the Tulsa Public Schools District on Wednesday, finding “a systemic lack of internal controls and administration” over purchasing, while also revealing new details about un-indicted co-conspirators in a high-profile embezzlement scheme. [NonDoc]
- Forensic audit of Tulsa Public Schools finds ‘concerning’ details, state auditor says [Tulsa World]
- State audit finds culture of poor financial transparency at Tulsa Public Schools [Oklahoma Voice]
- Audit shows financial mismanagement at TPS; district pushes back on diversity complaints [Public Radio Tulsa]
Health News
Lawmakers unsure how to fund Oklahoma’s 988 mental health lines as federal funding expected to end: Despite pressure from mental health advocates to find a replacement for federal dollars to fund Oklahoma’s 988 emergency line, Republicans earlier this week rebuffed an effort to pay for it by creating a new monthly surcharge of less than $1 on Oklahomans’ phone lines. [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: Proposed Medicaid cuts would be devastating to Oklahoma’s most vulnerable: In a move that threatens to upend the lives of millions of Americans, Congress is poised to slash $800 billion from Medicaid. Oklahomans cannot afford to stay silent on this issue. We must urge our representatives in Congress to reject these devastating cuts and protect Medicaid. [Jena Nelson / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Timeline: Decades of twists and turns in Oklahoma’s attempt to execute Richard Glossip: After more than a quarter century on death row, Richard Eugene Glossip has won a chance at a new trial in the 1997 murder of Oklahoma City business owner Barry Van Treese. Here is a look back at the major developments in the case, which bounced between courtrooms in Oklahoma and Washington, D.C. as Glossip maintained his innocence and Oklahoma struggled with its execution process. [The Oklahoman]
Prostitution arrests at Edmond massage parlors spur legislation, stigmatize lawful massage: The issue of illicit massage and sex trafficking has even become a campaign point for one of Edmond’s mayoral candidates, and the pattern is a driving force behind proposed legislation that would change how municipalities can regulate massage businesses within their borders. [NonDoc]
Change of plans: Oklahoma County moves the new jail and care center (a bit) west: Oklahoma County commissioners have voted to move the new county jail — the one that hasn’t been built yet — shifting it west because the design firm didn’t know where the jail would be, and so didn’t know the lay of the land around the site at 1901 E Grand Blvd. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Oklahoma bill that would have limited homeless services amended, passes Senate committee: The first version of Oklahoma Sen. Lisa Standridge’s Senate Bill 484 garnered a lot of attention for its proposal to make it illegal for cities other than Oklahoma City or Tulsa to provide shelters or outreach to unhoused people. A new version of the bill, heard Tuesday in a Senate committee, proposed a different approach in the name of public safety. [The Oklahoman]
Neighbors Object to Youth Homeless Shelter Expansion: One of few shelters for homeless youth in the state, Sisu serves as a temporary home to between 20 and 35 young Oklahomans experiencing homelessness. But the shelter is experiencing growing pains. A group of crime-conscious neighbors are campaigning to derail the shelter’s plan to grow the facility. [Oklahoma Watch]
- From OK Policy: Homelessness in Oklahoma – Information and Resources
Opinion: Oklahoma lawmakers failed to protect housing market from hedge fund domination: Local builders are working hard to meet demand. However, an even greater underlying problem is robbing Oklahomans of homeownership: hedge funds monopolizing the housing market. [Jessi Stringer / Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Economic blackout: Activists call for Feb. 28 boycott. What does that mean in Oklahoma?: Some consumers are pushing for a 24-hour economic “blackout” this week, one of several boycotts planned by activists to protest against President Donald Trump’s economic policies and efforts to reverse diversity, equity and inclusion priorities made by corporate America over the past few years. [The Oklahoman]
Community News
Kari Watkins has made honoring the victims and survivors of the OKC bombing her life’s work: Kari Watkins was the first executive director and is now president and CEO of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year. It opened five years to the day after the bombing, April 19, 1995. [The Oklahoman]
An Oklahoma wildlife refuge has widespread abandoned oil, gas wells. This group is cleaning them up: Oil and gas production in the Deep Fork area slowed in the 1930s, according to FWS, and many of the forests’ trees were felled for timber. Still, the long-abandoned wells remain in the forest and submerged in water. [KGOU]
Opinion: City Councilor Carol Bush: Five easy steps to making a difference without having to run for office: Throughout my 10 years in public service, I’ve often encountered individuals who feel their voice isn’t being heard. The good news? You don’t need to run for office to make a meaningful impact in our democratic process. [Carol Bush / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Project Greenwood would boost Tulsa’s economy, heal its soul: Tulsa has yet to shake the dark shadow of the 1921 Race Massacre. That shadow hovers everywhere — casting a pall over our economy and our credibility as a community that believes in fairness, faith and the rule of law. But for the first time in 103 years, the sun is within sight. [Damario Solomon-Simmons / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Trey Thaxton on Tulsa’s Future: Create purposefully and inspire purpose in others: Like most people who I grew up with, I thought that I’d go off to college in a state far, far away and never look back. Twenty-five years, an amazing wife and two rockstar kids later, I’m still here! [Trey Thaxton / Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- Norman Regional Hospital looking for partnership or potential sale [The Oklahoman]
- Stillwater Medical unveils OnCue NICU for advanced infant care [The Journal Record]
- Performing Arts Center rolls out plans for expansion over the next 10 years [Tulsa World]
- Edmond hires firm to find next city manager [The Journal Record]
Quote of the Day
“These cuts will have far-reaching consequences, disproportionately affecting low-income families, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. As a state that has only recently embraced Medicaid expansion, Oklahoma cannot afford to go backward.”
– Jena Nelson, writing in an op-ed on the devastating impact to Oklahoma’s most vulnerable populations if proposed Medicaid (SoonerCare) cuts are passed in Congress. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
225,000
Estimated number of Oklahoma children — nearly 1 in 4 of all children in the state — who lived in households that were food insecure at some point during the year. [KIDS COUNT]
Policy Note
Disappearing Data: Why We Must Stop Trump’s Attempts to Erase Our Communities: Data are not just numbers — they represent real people, real experiences, and real disparities. Data tell the stories of our country. Data make visible communities who have long been stigmatized, discriminated against, and underserved in policymaking. These rollbacks not only threaten the integrity of scientific research but are a deliberate attempt to suppress visibility and recognition of underserved communities. [The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights]
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