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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
Dental Therapy Act (HB 2921) can help address our dental care needs: The Dental Therapy Act would expand basic preventive and restorative dental treatment to children and adults in Oklahoma. A model that has been successfully been used in other states, it would be an additional solution to addressing Oklahoma’s dental health outcomes and address the significant unmet need for dental care. [Vivian Morris / OK Policy]
A look at HB 1008, a new abortion bill (Capitol Update): House Bill 1008 by Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, would permit abortions in Oklahoma in cases where an abortion is required to save the life of the mother. The bill passed out of the House Health and Human Services Oversight Committee last Wednesday on a partisan 9-3 vote. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Tax cuts or road and bridge repairs? This is what Oklahomans want the most according to poll: Buried in add-on questions, the poll asked its participants if they would rather see the state invest money in roads or bridges, or spend a similar amount on a cut in the personal income tax rate. With data showing strong support for infrastructure spending over a tax cut, Oklahomans are worried about the conditions of the roads, bridges and dams across the state. [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Oklahoma Treasurer Expands Anti-DEI Campaign to Amazon, Google, Netflix and More: Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ is taking his crusade against so-called woke investing from major banks and the state’s pension systems to the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, a $2 billion fund created by voters to address the health-care and human costs from smoking-related illnesses. [Oklahoma Watch]
Senate approves measure to resolve landmark suit against Oklahoma: A settlement agreement to resolve a landmark mental health lawsuit against the state cleared its final hurdle Tuesday with Senate approval. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Senate approves contested mental health settlement [KOSU]
Oklahoma Supreme Court urged to block Supt. Ryan Walters’ Bible mandate: Oklahoma’s far-right State Superintendent Ryan Walters is once again facing legal pushback as parents, teachers, and faith leaders demand the state’s highest court block his latest attempt to force Bibles and Bible-based curriculum into public schools. [The Black Wall Street Times]
- State Department of Education bid solicitation for Biblical curriculum challenged [Tulsa World]
- New legal challenges filed against latest OSDE proposal for Bible-based lessons [KFOR]
Bill doing away with DEI in higher education moves forward: The bill states that no college or university in Oklahoma “shall utilize state funds, property, or resources to: grant or support diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, departments, activities, procedures, or programs.” [KFOR]
Senate committee rejects Oklahoma bill forbidding teacher paycheck deductions for union dues: A Senate committee on Tuesday struck down a bill that attempted to ban a common way teacher unions collect dues from their members. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Senate Education Committee rejects attempt to make it harder to pay teachers’ union dues [The Oklahoman]
Panel kills bill to reduce Oklahoma penalties for cockfighting: A Senate panel on Tuesday killed a bill that sought to reduce the penalty and fine for those convicted of cockfighting on a first offense. [Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
Oklahoma City Federal Building could be sold as Trump administration works to cut ‘non-core’ assets: With about a month left before the 30th anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, the Trump administration has designated the facility that replaced it as one of hundreds of “non-core” federal government assets slated to be “disposed” of. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Trump Administration considers selling Oklahoma City Federal Building [KOSU]
- What we know about the potential closure of National Weather Service’s radar center in Norman [KOSU]
Oklahoma’s Governor Wants More Say in What Federal Funding Gets Cut: Oklahoma’s Kevin Stitt is arguing governors — like him — should play a role in helping the Trump administration decide when and how to shut off the flow of money into states’ budgets. [NOTUS]
House Republicans advised to avoid in-person town halls amid protests: House Republicans are being encouraged to avoid in-person town halls in favor of phone and livestreamed versions, advice that comes after constituents and activists rocked recent GOP events by expressing outrage about the Trump administration’s dramatic moves to reshape the federal government. [The Hill]
Ukraine, DOGE among protesters’ concerns at 50501 rally downtown: About 65 people spent their noon hours in front of Tulsa City Hall on Tuesday chanting “Stop the Coup!” and waving homemade signs protesting the dizzying changes the country is undergoing in the first weeks of the Trump administration. [Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Bill targets unpaid Oklahoma turnpike tolls owed by those with tribal tags: A Senate panel on Tuesday passed a measure aimed at helping the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority collect tolls owed by owners of vehicles with tribal tags. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Senate to vote on bill addressing turnpike tolls, tribal tags: ‘A fairness issue’ [Tulsa World]
Tribal leaders in Oklahoma scramble to keep BIA services afloat amidst DOGE closures: Under the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency, Bureau of Indian Affairs offices are undergoing sudden and unexpected layoffs and closures across the state. Tribal leaders are taking matters into their own hands to mitigate the impact on their citizens. [KOSU]
Tribes make ‘some progress’ in talks with Congress, Trump administration: Approximately 100 tribal witnesses testified at several consecutive days of hearings held by the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee from Feb. 25 to Feb. 27 last week. The goal was to educate new members of Congress and President Donald Trump’s appointees about the history of political classifications, treaties and trusts, banishing any notion that tribal programs funded by the feds are related to diversity, equity and inclusion. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Court stays order to remove Osage County wind farm as its owner appeals: The ruling ended more than 10 years of federal litigation over whether Enel and its subsidiaries trespassed on tribal land when it built the wind farm without obtaining the proper permits. [Tulsa World]
Cherokee Nation launches $1M public health grant program: Beginning March 3, the program provides grants for eligible capital and operational projects impacting the Cherokee Nation Reservation. [The Journal Record]
Voting and Election News
Election Results Roundup
- SD 8 GOP primary: Bryan Logan, David Nelson advance to runoff [NonDoc]
- 2 advance to GOP Senate runoff, Moore-Norman Technology Center expansion bond fails [KOSU]
- Voters approve $90 million Moore Norman Technology Center bond proposal [The Oklahoman]
OKC Ward 7: Pennington, Pettis to debate March 11: NonDoc and News 9 are set to host an OKC City Council Ward 7 debate between candidates Camal Pennington and John Pettis Jr. at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the Metro Tech District Center in northeast Oklahoma City. [NonDoc]
Lawmakers continue to ‘nip’ at state question process with new bill, advocates say: A group hoping to ask Oklahomans if they’d like to participate in open primary elections is crying foul as lawmakers look to add requirements to the state question process. [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Bill to make changes to citizen-led petitions passes committee [KFOR]
- From OK Policy: Initiative petition process is vital to Oklahoma’s democracy: Lawmakers should keep it accessible
Education News
Update: OSDH confirms no measles case in Bartlesville after school district alert: What was at first thought to be a case of the measles that could have affected a Bartlesville school was determined Tuesday not to be the highly infectious disease. [Tulsa World]
Langston University joins elite ranks as a 2025 Carnegie Research College and University: Langston University, Oklahoma’s only Historically Black College and University (HBCU), has officially been named a Research College and University by the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education Institutions—a distinction that only 216 institutions nationwide can claim. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Meet a key advocate for parental support and early childhood education in Oklahoma: For more than four decades, Ray and Pat Potts were bulwarks of Oklahoma City’s philanthropic community. Ray passed away last year, but Pat, at 91, is continuing her work with the Potts Family Foundation, which focuses on early childhood education and also childhood trauma, which often begins even before children go to school. [The Oklahoman]
Health News
Could Diet Coke be banned in Oklahoma? What to know about bill targeting aspartame, red 40: A Senate bill that would ban 21 synthetic dyes from food products made and distributed in Oklahoma is advancing through the legislature, and many are wondering what could happen to their favorite diet sodas and snacks if it passes. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma bill would add mental health screenings to primary care: A bill designed to increase access to mental health care passed the Health and Human Services committee this week. Senate Bill 670 would require medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses to receive one hour of continuing education in integrated behavioral health care. [The Journal Record]
Criminal Justice News
Lawmakers grapple with stalking as domestic violence homicides hit record high: A state board supports repealing a requirement that warning letters be sent to people accused of stalking, but the author of the law says he’s proposed new legislation to fix issues with it. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Opinion: Bill seeks to reduce repeat incarceration through education: Over the past several years, criminal justice policy has moved towards long-term solutions to the problem of over-incarceration. This week, we hope to see further support in Oklahoma, as the Senate Public Safety Committee considers a bill that could empower incarcerated people to find success and stability outside of the justice system, through education. [Mike Jackson / The Journal Record]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma ranks No. 1 in profit per employee: By analyzing 2024 data from the Fortune 500, the team at DoFollow identified companies that are most and least productive in generating profit per employee and where these companies are headquartered. The analysis found Oklahoma is the most productive state in the nation with an average profit per employee of $1.2 million, 10 times higher than the national average of $126,824. [The Journal Record]
Local Headlines
- Over 5,000 Oklahoma City Public Schools students doubled their projected growth in reading [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“I was shocked by the dramatic decrease in support for a tax cut when I saw the results of that poll. It’s a little inspiring in my mind that Oklahomans are focused on trying to build a certain kind of state and not just driving for lower and lower taxes.”
– Bobby Stem, the executive director of the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors, speaking about a poll conducted in February showing Oklahomans prefer investing in infrastructure over tax cuts. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
110
Number of working hours per week at minimum wage to afford a two-bedroom rental in Oklahoma. [National Low Income Housing Coalition]
Policy Note
Congress is debating stricter SNAP and Medicaid work requirements—but research shows they don’t work: Proponents of work requirements argue that they incentivize employment and promote self-sufficiency. But decades of economic research tell a different story: Work requirements do little to increase employment and often strip essential benefits from society’s most vulnerable, while also adding bureaucratic barriers that disproportionately harm those already struggling. Other research consistently finds that stricter work requirements for both SNAP and Medicaid fail to increase labor market participation—undermining popular claims that they promote self-sufficiency. [Brookings]
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