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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.
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma evictions are fast and cheap. Legislation aims to change that: Homelessness is on the rise in Oklahoma. And while there are several reasons for the upward trend, service providers cite eviction as a common catalyst. Oklahoma has one of the fastest eviction processes in the country, with some of the cheapest filing fees. Only Alaska, Arizona and North Carolina have shorter timelines. [The Frontier]
- Bill seeks to help those behind on rent get more time to pay to avoid eviction [KJRH]
- From Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation: Lengthening the eviction timeline will increase access to justice for Oklahoma renters
Data reveals Oklahoma school choice program sending significant share of funds to wealthiest families: Oklahoma’s school choice program was billed, in large part, as a way to help low-income families get their kids the best education possible, but new state data shows a major share of its funds are going to the state’s wealthiest families, while the share going to families making below the average income remains unclear. [KFOR]
State Government News
Bill would repeal controversial immigration law, create new felony for undocumented Oklahomans: As immigration remains a priority of Republicans statewide and nationally, a bill headed to the floor of the Oklahoma House would create a new felony for being in the country illegally. House Bill 1362 would allow an undocumented immigrant to be arrested and charged with a felony punishable by five years in prison, or in lieu of imprisonment, they could agree to be returned to their country of origin if they have no other felony charges or previous convictions for a violent offense. The measure passed 8-3 vote along party lines. [Oklahoma Voice]
- From OK Policy: Anti-immigration raids harm all communities (Commentary)
Senate delays vote on consent decree over competency treatment for arrestees: The Senate delayed a key vote Thursday on a consent decree to resolve a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the state over its handling of mental health treatment of incarcerated individuals. [Tulsa World]
Senate panel passes bills aimed at protecting Oklahoma kids on social media: A Senate panel on Thursday passed measures designed to protect minors from the harmful effects of social media, despite concerns that enforcement might be difficult. [Oklahoma Voice]
Bills on plugging abandoned wells, increasing oil and gas bonds pass Oklahoma legislative committee: House Bill 1369 would create a tier for amounts paid to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) based on the number of wells owned by an operator starting in November 2025. [KGOU]
Oklahoma House committee advances meat-labeling bill: An Oklahoma House bill prohibiting the marketing of manufactured-protein food products as traditional meat can now be considered on the chamber’s floor. [The Journal Record]
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Oklahoma immigration agreement, Gov. Stitt lawsuit, private school tax credit and more (audio): The panel discuss Gov. Stitt’s announcement concerning an immigration enforcement partnership between Oklahoma and the federal government, a lawsuit against Stitt over his order for state employees to return to in-office work, and State Superintendent Ryan Walters asks for a legal opinion from Attorney General Gentner Drummond regarding a Trump executive order on federal funding for undocumented students. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
National Weather Center employees in Norman among those fired Thursday in purge of federal workers: Employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Norman were informed of the layoffs Thursday afternoon. [KOSU]
- Trump’s federal employee layoffs hit National Weather Service workers [The Oklahoman]
- Federal offices closing across Oklahoma under Trump cost-cutting plan [News 9]
- ‘No transparency’: Oklahoma’s federal lawmakers mostly quiet amid federal layoffs [KFOR]
US transportation secretary announces plan to ‘supercharge’ air traffic controller hiring: The Federal Aviation Administration Academy in Oklahoma City is the agency’s principal training facility for air traffic controllers. It is located at MMAC, which also houses many important agency functions. The new supercharged process will bring more of America’s best and brightest into the aviation safety community, national Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in an Oklahoma stop. [The Oklahoman]
House GOP passes budget resolution, raising questions about Medicaid cuts: House GOP leaders have agreed that the House Energy and Commerce Committee will need to come up with $880 billion in spending cuts, over 10 years, a significant amount that Democrats and many Republicans believe can only be achieved through major cuts to Medicaid, which is under the committee’s jurisdiction. Representatives Kevin Hern (R-OK1) and Josh Brecheen (R-OK2) discussed the possibility of cuts to Medicaid. [News 9]
- From Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: House Budget Would Increase Costs and Hardship for Many While Providing Huge Tax Breaks for a Wealthy Few
Tribal Nations News
Stitt vows to veto Oklahoma sports betting bills that give tribes exclusivity: A multitude of sports betting bills have been introduced to the legislature, with three advancing in the Senate. In a press conference on Wednesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt reaffirmed his stance on sports betting. He wants it for the state minus tribal involvement. [KOSU]
Freedmen Descendants to host meeting on Tribal rights in Tulsa: The Descendants of Freedmen of the Five Tribes Association will hold their next public meeting on Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Tulsa. The meeting is free and open to the public, continuing the organization’s ongoing mission to fight for the rights of Freedmen and their descendants. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Voting and Election News
Opinion: Dealing with my election PTSD by dissecting last election: From my experience, winning election candidates/supporters are so euphoric they often cannot clearly identify the components of why they won. Conversely, the losing side is so shocked and demoralized that they doubt every decision and utterance they made. Usually, neither side is entirely correct. [Russ Roach / Tulsa World]
Editorial: Republicans upset about the Tulsa mayoral race should find stronger candidates: Tulsa voters decided about 15 years ago they wanted local elections to be free of party politics, focused instead on a candidate’s ideas on how best to solve the city’s problems. It’s proven to be the ultimate free marketplace of ideas, ushering in an era of progress and stability within city government. [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
Education News
‘Why am I here?’: New Board of Education members frustrated with agenda access, immigration rule: Following Gov. Stitt’s decision to shake up the Oklahoma State Board of Education, three new appointees clashed with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters over controversial, but previously approved, immigration administrative rules and concerns about board oversight during a meeting today. The exchanges marked the first real pushback Walters has received from the State Board of Education since he took office. “Why am I here?” newly appointed board member Ryan Deatherage asked in apparent frustration toward the end of the meeting. [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma Board of Ed approves proposed social studies standards, new members push back on procedures [KOSU]
- New State Board of Education members question their oversight ability under Ryan Walters [Tulsa World]
- New board members push back, question immigration rule during first meeting with Ryan Walters [The Oklahoman]
- ‘Why am I here:’ New Board of Education members spar with Superintendent Walters over agenda process, immigration policy [News 9]
- Stitt-appointed OSBE members clash with Supt. Walters [KFOR]
- Oklahoma education board suspends teaching license of Hugo special ed teacher accused of abuse [The Oklahoman]
- Immigration debate hits legal roadblock at Oklahoma state school board meeting (video) [The Oklahoman]
- Opinion: Finally, board members stand up to State Superintendent Ryan Walters [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Oklahoma education officials pass pro-Bible social studies standards: Oklahoma’s top school board has advanced new academic standards that would require public schools to teach about the Bible and American patriotism. Academic standards, which are reviewed every six years, set a mandatory list of topics schools must teach. Schools and teachers decide their own lesson plans for how to teach the required topics. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Board of Education Approves Controversial Social Studies Standards [Oklahoma Watch]
- Oklahoma education board approves controversial social studies standards with one ‘nay’ vote [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa schools audit finds widespread financial mismanagement: A forensic audit of Tulsa Public Schools by State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd found a systemic lack of financial oversight and transparency, fraudulent transactions, conflicts of interest, and policy violations over nearly a decade. [The Frontier]
- State auditor says ball is in AG’s court on possible criminal charges in TPS audit [Tulsa World]
- Editorial: TPS audit ought to prompt swift changes but also shows political bias [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington football coach apparently placed on administrative leave by school district: After one season in the top position in the Booker T. Washington football program, Dan Bitson apparently has been placed on administrative leave by Tulsa Public Schools. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Focus on early childhood education would help Oklahoma’s low test scores: Oklahoma’s students remain far behind national averages in reading and math. This sobering reminder from the latest results of the Nation’s Report Card by National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) underscores a persistent challenge in our state and highlights the critical need to invest in early childhood education, particularly for children from birth to age five. At Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness (OPSR), these findings only deepen our commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive. [Carrie Williams / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Measles cases are climbing in Texas: Here’s what Oklahomans need to know: Last week, the Oklahoma State Department of Health sent out a health alert advising clinicians in Oklahoma to consider measles among patients with compatible symptoms amid a measles outbreak in Texas that’s now infected at least 124 people since late January. [KGOU]
Opinion: This bill was supposed to help OK patients. It fattens hospital wallets instead: Lower prices on medicines. Who wouldn’t want that? In the Oklahoma Legislature, House Bill 2048 aims to expand a federal law known as 340B, which is meant to help people afford their prescriptions. Unfortunately, a loophole in the law allows hospital systems and pharmacy chains to keep for themselves the financial benefits that are meant for patients. [Kent Kaiser / The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Financial stress weighs heavy on Oklahomans’ health: There is a growing national trend on the profound impact of financial stress on Americans’ health and well-being. Nearly one in three Americans now say their household debt is affecting their health, according to a new nationally representative survey by WalletHub, highlighting the relationship between financial and physical wellness. [The Journal Record]
Community News
Opinion: Create an opportunity. And watch our city thrive: What kind of city do you want to call home? I want my city to be a place of opportunity. I want a Tulsa where there is not just opportunity for some but for all. [Ashli Sims / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Op-ed: I Have A Dream for Black Women: I am a Black woman, and I have a dream; I dream of a day when Black women are celebrated for our strength, tenacity, and resilience, instead of being misjudged or reduced to negative stereotypes. [Lisa Goshon / The Black Wall Street Times]
Local Headlines
- Many Tulsa firefighters concerned about city’s 911 system, fire union survey finds [Tulsa World]
- AG’s office: Property ownership requirement to hold Edmond office is unconstitutional [NonDoc]
- Neighbors Object to Youth Homeless Shelter Expansion [Oklahoma Watch]
- New MAPS 4 animal shelter to be named after late advocate Louisa McCune [The Oklahoman]
- OKC breaks ground on new $42M animal shelter [The Journal Record]
- Watch: Oklahoma wind turbine mysteriously collapses on clear, windless day [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“So a lot of times with this legislation, we’ll see how far it goes, but with these types of legislation the impact is the fear. And even if the law doesn’t change, people’s behavior may change in that they just carry fear, and they can’t be the best version of themselves. And we don’t want that, you know, and it is not determined on whether that person is documented or not. It impacts all of us.”
-House Minority Leader Rep. Cyndi Munson of Oklahoma City, speaking about the fear created by rhetoric from the governor and other elected officials surrounding immigration issues in Oklahoma. [Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
$62,000
The Republican Congressional plan to extend federal tax cuts is projected to provide a $62,000 benefit for those who make $743,000 or more a year. The tax cut for these wealthy households is greater than the annual family incomes for most of the 72 million people — 1 in 5 people in the U.S. — who have health coverage through Medicaid. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
Policy Note
The era of cheap cynicism about government is over: The cynical response to the illegal firings and impoundments pursued by DOGE has been, “So what? Government doesn’t do anything useful anyhow.” But that’s far too cheap a response given the stakes involved. The federal government performs functions that are vital for a decent society. It performs a number of them suboptimally and could use a good faith drive to improve its efficiency and step up its capacity. But compared with the other big centers of power in the U.S. economy—say the tech or finance sector—its employees do far more valuable work for far less money. Relative to these sectors, it is the epitome of efficiency. [Economic Policy Institute]
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