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
Replacing property taxes with sales taxes would hurt everyday Oklahomans (Commentary): Communities hoping to keep services intact once property tax revenue decreases would need to find other funding. For cities and counties in Oklahoma, the options are limited. They cannot raise income taxes, and bonds can only pay for specific projects — not ongoing services. In practice, that leaves only one other option for recurring revenue: sales taxes. And that’s where the real problem starts: sales taxes shift more of the cost onto the people who can least afford it. [Kati Malicoate / OK Policy]
State Government News
Caldwell seeks ‘TSET reset’ to expand Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, but some concerned: Since it was approved by voters in 2000, the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust has sought to improve “the health and quality of life” of Oklahomans. Now, after a high-profile dispute over a request to fund a hospital last legislative session, a leading House member wants a “TSET reset” that would move the mission of the $2 billion fund toward expanding access to higher education. [NonDoc]
- From OK Policy: What’s That? Oklahoma’s Promise (OHLAP)
Critics question the fairness of Oklahoma liability insurance bill: The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that would require those holding a special event license to carry liability insurance, despite concerns over fairness. Senate Bill 2178 would require the licensee to carry general liability insurance, including liquor liability coverage, of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million total. [Oklahoma Voice]
Legislative Roundup:
- Oklahoma Senate unanimously passes bill allowing expert testimony in trafficking cases [KFOR]
- Bill would make fireworks more accessible to Oklahomans [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Senate advances measure to double elementary recess time [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
Opinion: Medicaid expansion is good for Oklahoma. Don’t pass HJR 1067: Medicaid expansion is good for Oklahoma. It is one of the few things that stands between rural communities and their losing their local hospitals. House Joint Resolution 1067, which seeks to end Medicaid expansion, should not be passed by the Legislature. [Lubna Mirza / The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
Watch live: Markwayne Mullin at Senate committee hearing for DHS secretary: Sen. Markwayne Mullin is scheduled to appear before a Senate committee Wednesday, March 18 in the first step of his confirmation for Department of Homeland Security secretary. [The Oklahoman]
- Markwayne Mullin faces Senate confirmation hearing for DHS role: How it works [The Oklahoman]
- Sen. Mullin faces confirmation hearing to lead Homeland Security Department [KOSU]
- Oklahoma attorney general leads support for Markwayne Mullin as homeland security head [The Journal Record]
- Sen. Lankford joins News 4 for interview ahead of Mullin confirmation hearing [KFOR]
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt discusses Sen. Mullin’s appointment in Washington [KOCO]
Markwayne Mullin’s committee to support political allies has spent nearly $1.5 million on travel, events and other expenses: Federal rules do not require Oklahoma’s U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin to shut down his leadership PAC if he is confirmed to lead the Department of Homeland Security. The committee has spent money on flights on private jets, limousine rentals and luxury hotels. [The Frontier]
Fast Food, Farming and Market Gambles: How Oklahoma’s Congressional Delegation Got Rich: The Oklahoma congressional delegation’s wealth lies not so much in stocks and bonds as it does in real estate and personal business interests that range from consulting firms to agriculture to McDonald’s franchises. [Oklahoma Watch]
US Senate Republicans launch debate on SAVE Act requiring photo ID to vote: U.S. Senate Republicans pressed forward Tuesday with a bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to cast a ballot, despite long odds the legislation will ever become law amid bipartisan opposition. [Oklahoma Voice]
Do 70% of immigrants deported from ICE custody have pending criminal charges or criminal convictions, as Sen. Mullin claimed?: Available data does not corroborate the claim that 70% of immigrants deported by ICE have criminal convictions or pending criminal charges. According to the Cato Institute’s analysis of ICE data, 57% of individuals deported from ICE custody in November 2025 fell into those categories, and almost half of them had only pending charges; 70% of all deported individuals had no criminal convictions. [Oklahoma Watch]
Tribal Nations News
Oklahoma federal judge decides state cannot intervene in Tulsa, Muscogee Nation settlement: An Oklahoma federal judge decided the state cannot intervene in a jurisdictional settlement between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation in an opinion filed Monday. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Here’s how a 2024 law may have helped sink Oklahoma’s SQ 836: Days after the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s office announced the failure of State Question 836, it filed a certification summary with the Oklahoma Supreme Court. That summary helps explain why voters won’t see the initiative on a ballot. [KOSU]
Education News
Opinion: Oklahoma public schools can’t solve challenges alone: Oklahoma’s students deserve strong schools with better outcomes, and honest conversations about how to achieve those goals are important. As a veteran educator and parent of two public school students, I have spent my career working alongside Oklahoma families and educators. That perspective is why I feel compelled to provide additional context after Rep. Chad Caldwell’s recent column about education in our state. [Jason Perez / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
When Oklahoma police officers suspected of misconduct move between agencies, the public can’t track them: Charges against one officer illustrate how confidential records can hide when officers accused of wrongdoing move between departments. [The Frontier]
OK County officials to consider funding to bridge $5M budget shortfall: Oklahoma County’s elected officials have scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday, March 18, to vote on additional funding for the jail to prevent a massive layoff. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma County DA warns of public safety risk amid budget cut concerns [KOCO]
Tulsan’s life after incarceration has become a story of redemption and inspiration: Raittia Rogers’ childhood was filled with little moments of joy. But it was the moments of struggle that ultimately shaped her. Rogers recently shared her story with students at Tulsa’s McLain High School, offering insight into the realities of her past. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma gas prices spike 40% in a month as energy costs squeeze households nationwide: Oklahomans are paying significantly more to fill their tanks than they were just a month ago, and electricity bills across the country climbed sharply in 2025, delivering a one-two punch to household budgets already strained by broader inflation. [The Journal Record]
Opinion: Oklahoma long-term care is an overlooked economic engine: When most Oklahomans think about nursing homes and long term care facilities, they think about health care — and rightly so. But a new economic study shows something many rural communities have understood for years: Long-term care facilities are not only health care providers. They are among the most important economic engines keeping rural Oklahoma alive. [The Oklahoman]
Community News
Volunteer fire departments facing staffing shortages across Oklahoma: The majority of firefighters across Oklahoma are volunteers, and many departments are facing staffing shortages. [KFOR]
Local Headlines
- Union Public Schools names Jeff Landes as its next chief financial officer [Tulsa World]
- Former Sapulpa church administrator admits to bank fraud [Tulsa World]
- Broken Arrow bets on $415M bond and a temporary sales tax hike to fund streets, sports complexes and more [Tulsa Flyer]
- City of OKC to revamp Walker Ave to include new sidewalks, rain gardens and 57 new trees [The Journal Record]
Quote of the Day
“When policymakers and educators focus on solutions such as investing in teachers, supporting families and prioritizing what research shows helps students learn, meaningful progress becomes possible.”
– Jason Perez, superintendent of Deer Creek Public Schools, arguing that lasting improvements in student outcomes require a broader, coordinated approach that goes beyond the classroom and addresses both instructional quality and the underlying conditions affecting students’ ability to learn. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
1 in 7
The share of U.S. public school teachers who either changed schools or left the profession between the 2020–21 and 2021–22 school years. Turnover was especially high among early-career teachers and those working in high-need subjects and schools, raising concerns about staffing stability and student support. [Learning Policy Institute]
Policy Note
Teacher Turnover in the United States: Who Moves, Who Leaves, and Why: Teacher turnover in the U.S. is a major driver of teacher shortages, with most open positions each year caused by teachers leaving rather than a lack of new hires. Yet most teachers leave do so for reasons other than retirement — often citing low pay, poor working conditions, and lack of support. High turnover is especially concentrated in high-poverty schools and hard-to-staff subjects, which worsens inequities for students. Reducing turnover — by improving compensation, preparation, and working conditions — is just as important as recruiting new teachers to stabilize the workforce. [Learning Policy Institute]
You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
