OKPOLICY.ORG
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: Ready, fire, aim – Lawmakers shouldn’t pull trigger on property tax changes before knowing the impacts: Oklahoma lawmakers are debating sweeping changes to property taxes without knowing how much schools, roads, or emergency services would lose. More than 100 bills have been filed, but none explicitly explain how counties or schools would be affected. Without this information, lawmakers are making decisions in the dark and putting communities at risk. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
State Government News
Property tax freeze? Gov. Stitt’s proposal draws fans and foes: Gov. Stitt said he would like the Legislature to take steps toward freezing property taxes. He also suggested that lawmakers could cap the increase of property taxes to 1% or make it so that when homeowners buy property, they would continue to pay the property tax rate from when they bought the property, without yearly increases. [The Oklahoman]
- Changing Oklahoma property valuation structure would create disparities, critics say [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma seniors could get a pass on property taxes if lawmakers sign off on this resolution [Tulsa Flyer]
- Greater Oklahoma City Chamber panel calls for property tax ‘reforms’ over cuts [KOSU]
- Greater OKC Chamber State Spotlight focuses on property taxes (video) [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Property taxes are an essential funding source for public schools, first responders, libraries, and counties. We cannot cut our way to a solution. Oklahoma lawmakers must instead provide targeted relief to Oklahomans that need it most.
Turnpike audit: Byrd finds no ‘egregious wrongdoing,’ but legislators vow regulatory ‘action’: An investigative audit of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority did not find any violations of the law, but State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd called on legislators to begin regulating the OTA’s “extensive” authority and “revisiting” laws that define the OTA’s powers. [NonDoc]
- State Auditor Cindy Byrd discusses Oklahoma Turnpike Authority audit [KFOR]
- Oklahomans paying for turnpike agency’s questionable practices, but no laws broken, audit finds [Oklahoma Voice]
- Contractors named their own prices on ACCESS Oklahoma work, audit finds [The Oklahoman]
Resolution proposes state vote to make State Superintendent appointed position: Right now Oklahoma’s constitution outlines the State Superintendent position as an elected position. House Joint Resolution 1055 would direct the Secretary of State to refer to Oklahoma voters for their approval to amend the constitution. The amendment would make the State Superintendent a position appointed by the Governor, provide a process for appointing that individual and a process for removing them from office; if deemed necessary. [KFOR]
Legislative Roundup:
- Lawmakers move to protect Oklahoma ratepayers from effects of data centers [Oklahoma Voice]
- Bill targeting tenure for university professors passes through committee [Tulsa World]
- Two Oklahoma bills aimed at reducing grocery costs die in committee [The Oklahoman]
- Measure aims to extend Oklahoma’s bear hunting season [KOSU]
- Oklahoma bill aims to limit screen time for young students [KOCO]
- Oklahoma bill would prohibit non-disclosure agreements in child sexual abuse cases [KOCO]
- Oklahoma lawmakers advance bills to restrict funding, expand penalties for gender transition care [KOCO]
- Oklahoma governor repeals rules allowing sex marker change on state driver’s licenses [KOSU]
- Republicans push bills framed as protecting rights, Christian values [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma bill advances to oversee $223 million in federal rural health care funds [Fox 25]
Federal Government News
Republicans stand by Trump’s war against Iran, reject war powers role for Congress: Republican lawmakers said Tuesday after classified briefings on Capitol Hill they don’t intend to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to continue the war in Iran, though some said sending in ground troops would be a step too far. [Oklahoma Voice]
These Iranian Tulsans are thankful for U.S. intervention in Iran: U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran stretched into their fifth day Wednesday. Some Iranian Tulsans fear the death toll will climb higher, but ultimately believe U.S. intervention is necessary to save the country. [Tulsa Flyer]
Tribal Nations News
Cherokee Film Productions to release documentary on Cherokee Freedmen history: The Cherokee Nation recently announced its production company, Cherokee Film Productions, will release a feature-length documentary exploring the history of Cherokee Freedmen, offering an early look with a first-look trailer as part of its Black History Month observance. [The Journal Record]
Cherokee Nation expands budget, plans for new Claremore health center: Citing increased patient visits, the Cherokee Nation has expanded both the construction budget and its plans for its new health care facility in Claremore. [Tulsa World]
Education News
Education Watch: Epic Co-founders Await Judge’s Decision: An unusually long preliminary hearing concluded Friday for Epic Charter Schools’ co-founders David Chaney and Ben Harris. It’s now up to Oklahoma County Special Judge Jason Glidewell to determine whether there’s enough evidence for the racketeering and embezzlement case to move to trial. [Oklahoma Watch]
Opinion: Oklahomans want student test scores that mean something: In 2024, Oklahoma’s then-Secretary of Education made it look like students were achieving higher scores than they actually were by lowering the cut score needed for students to be deemed “proficient.” That decision undermined the integrity of the state testing system. Rigorous expectations and strong accountability are only effective if it’s consistent, and policymakers need to make sure these kinds of about-faces don’t happen in the future. The good news: Parents are on their side. [Patricia Levesque / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: It’s time Oklahoma stopped defending education system as is: Oklahomans are tired of excuses. The future of our state depends on whether we’re willing to question habits that no longer serve students. We can keep defending the system as it is, or we can ask why, fix what isn’t working, and build something better. [State Rep. Chad Caldwell / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Opinion: The U.S. healthcare system can’t survive without more nurses: Americans are understandably frustrated with the state of healthcare in the United States. Stressors, bottlenecks and upside-down finances have further weakened a system already under strain. The public doesn’t know who to blame for soaring costs, lack of access to high-quality care, and other challenges. I am not here to wade into that debate, but rather to note that, as all this unfolds, we need to keep an eye on the ever-shortening fuse that threatens our system at its very foundations—our critical shortage of nurses. [Marilyn Staff / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
No sirens, no video: Tulsa mayor says no police footage exists of deadly shooting: A Tulsa woman thought she’d have to wait at least eight months to see police video of the shooting that killed her brother. Now, Karmen Glunt says she’s learned it doesn’t exist. [The Oklahoma Eagle via Tulsa Flyer]
Oklahoma process server arrested for coercing women into sex: An Oklahoma City process server was arrested on Monday for criminal complaints of sexual misconduct with clients, many of whom said they were coerced into giving sexual favors in return for cutting fees for delivering court papers, officials said. [Reuters]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Tenants complain of trash troubles as allegations against Vesta Realty grow: More allegations are emerging against the property management company, Vesta Realty, this time because of overflowing trash at the Drexel Flats apartments. It’s the latest in a growing number of complaints by tenants, contractors, and employees against Vesta Realty. [KFOR]
Community News
‘Fallen into the cracks’: Many territory-era Black settlements forgotten in record: Long before Cleveland County took shape and Norman and Lexington were fixed on the map, a small Black settlement stood along the Canadian River near Chouteau Creek. Surveyors recorded cabins there. Mapmakers labeled it. Residents farmed and worked along the frontier corridor in the late 19th century. Then, as white settlement expanded, the community faded from maps and memory. [NonDoc]
From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the Target Fast: Rev. Jamal Bryant and the Challenge of Economic Resistance: From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to today’s Target Fast, Black-led economic protest has long been a tool for challenging inequality—but the current political environment is testing the resolve of old boycott strategies. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Toby Keith Expressway name approved, set to open in 2033: The late country music superstar Toby Keith was honored last week, as state lawmakers supported naming a future Oklahoma roadway in his honor. [KOSU]
Local Headlines
- Mayor David Holt talks war with Iran, Oklahoma impacts [KFOR]
- Jones police chief placed on administrative leave despite calls for mayor to resign [KOCO]
Quote of the Day
“It’s time that we be honest with the voters. It’s time that we look at voters in the face and stop telling them that taxes are so bad for them.”
– Mike Fina, executive director of the Oklahoma Municipal League, pushing back on proposals to freeze or cap property taxes and arguing that the conversation around taxation should focus on whether public revenues are sufficient to fund essential local services like infrastructure, public safety, and community programs. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
68%
The share of Oklahoma property tax revenue that went to fund public schools in 2019. Property taxes are the single largest local funding source for education across the state. [Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector]
Policy Note
Untargeted Property Tax Cuts and Limits Shortchange Schools and Local Economies: Untargeted property tax cuts — such as broad rate reductions or caps on local taxing ability — often shift the tax burden away from wealthier homeowners while undermining local budgets for essential services. These policies can force communities to slash funding for schools, infrastructure, and other public goods, or resort to more regressive revenue sources. A more balanced approach relies on targeted relief (like income-based credits or circuit breakers), more equitable assessments, and preserving local fiscal flexibility to maintain service levels. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
