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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: Hands off our ‘power reserved for the people’: Oklahoma’s Constitution explicitly names the initiative petition and referendum process (which allows citizens to put state questions on the ballot) as “the first power reserved to the people.” This right exists to guard against government overreach and ensure that legislative authority ultimately rests with the people. Senate Bill 1027 guts this vital safeguard. Oklahomans should be outraged. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
Oklahoma News
Walters Awarded Staff Nearly $600,000 in Bonuses: Most employees received an amount equal to 2.5% of their annual salary, an average of $1,700. A few received significantly higher amounts, payroll data shows. They include the department’s chief academic officer, Walters’ executive assistant, the director of social studies and the open records coordinator. [Oklahoma Watch]
State Government News
Ryan Walters rejects requests to include new board members’ agenda items: State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, locked in a political fight over control of meeting agendas for the Oklahoma State Board of Education, has rejected requests from three new board members to place items on the agenda for the board’s regular monthly meeting on Thursday. [The Oklahoman]
OSDE to discuss lowering number of days in school year at Thursday meeting: Among several items on the agenda for the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Thursday meeting, a request from multiple school districts across the state asks to cut 15 days from the school year. [News on 6]
Lifting cap on Oklahoma’s School Choice Tax Credit could have high cost: Several bills related to the Parental Choice Tax Credit program we discussed this legislative session. However, lawmakers voiced concern that there are close to none that serve to provide accountability or oversight. [KFOR]
- From OK Policy: Private school tax credits will give everyone’s taxes to people who don’t need our help
Governor reveals Oklahoma’s Chief Forester is out of job after wildfires sweep across state: Just weeks after devastating fires ravaged Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt revealed the man in charge of the state’s forest management is out of a job. Mark Goeller has roughly 40 years of forestry experience and has worked as Oklahoma’s State Forester since 2018. [KOSU]
Lawmakers advance bill giving Oklahoma AG power to enforce Open Records Act violations: House Bill 2163 establishes the Public Access Counselor Unit within the Attorney General’s Office and allows people to file a report with the office with a written request. The measure is not expected to have an impact on the state budget. [Oklahoma Voice]
Bill advances requiring fewer trips to the pharmacy for women’s contraception: The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would make it easier for women to obtain contraceptives despite opposition from a small bloc of Republicans who put up a lengthy argument that it results in murder. [Oklahoma Voice]
Two Oklahoma bills aim to reduce state’s 6% markup on groceries, gas: As Oklahoma has some of thehighest average grocery bills in the country in 2024, two bills working their way through the Oklahoma Legislature aim to reduce a 6% markup on groceries that’s been in place since the 1950s. [The Oklahoman]
House advances bill tightening wind turbine rules: Oklahoma House lawmakers on Wednesday voted to advance a measure increasing wind turbine regulations. House Bill 2751, authored by state Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, aims to regulate wind energy setbacks in Oklahoma. [The Journal Record]
Sports betting bills may face long odds as governor expresses skepticism: A so-called “Thunder bill” that would put the Oklahoma City Thunder and Native American tribes in position to administer sports betting in Oklahoma has passed in the Senate, but it’s certainly not a slam dunk that Gov. Kevin Stitt would sign it. [Tulsa World]
Former Oklahoma Congressman Wes Watkins remembered for his service, passion for OSU: Former U.S. Rep. Wes Watkins died Wednesday in Stillwater. He was 86. Watkins represented the state’s Third Congressional District for 20 years as both a Democrat and as a Republican. [Oklahoma Voice]
- ‘He overcame so much’: Former U.S. Rep. Wes Watkins dies at 86 [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma’s former 3rd District Congressman Wes Watkins dead at 86 [The Oklahoman]
Opinion, Joe Dorman: For the Children – Understanding the budget process and how to read legislation: As we approach the end of March, this week marks the second major in-session deadline for legislation at the Oklahoma Legislature. The budget is still a source of concern as lawmakers have less money this year to pay for the services Oklahomans need and expect than they did last year. [Joe Dorman / The Duncan Banner]
Federal Government News
Social Security change coming this week: How will new policy affect Oklahomans?: The Social Security Administration sent $72 billion in overpayments to beneficiaries between the years of 2015 and 2022. While the SSA is slowly recouping those funds, it is implementing a new policy to address future overpayments more quickly. [The Oklahoman]
As Republicans battle judiciary, Rep. Brecheen says Congress will reform courts: In a mild telephone town hall featuring few disagreements, Rep. Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District said Tuesday evening he believes Congress will soon reform the country’s court system. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Walters, GOP leaders propose Oklahoma — not DOE — decides how to spend federal education grants: State Superintendent Ryan Walters wants the recently imperiled U.S. Department of Education to shift to a different funding mechanism for certain federal funds for Oklahoma students. [KGOU]
Tribal Nations News
Some tribal members getting PlatePay bills; $13 million remains uncollected: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has started sending toll bills in the mail to many tribal members who have never received them before, but an estimated $13 million in tolls owed by members of 27 tribes remains uncollected, according to the OTA. [Tulsa World]
Cherokee Nation Community & At-large Languages Classes Scheduled: The Cherokee Nation Language Department is offering a series of free Cherokee language courses available both on the Cherokee Nation Reservation and in at-large communities. Classes will require either in-person participation or a blend of virtual and in-person attendance. [Native News Online]
Opinion, Former Osage Chief Jim Gray: Trump’s DEI erasure won’t erase Indian people or culture: As the Trump administration begins its third month in office, some things are coming into focus with respect to federal Indian policy. It appears to threaten both heart and mind in the Native community. [Former Osage Nation Chief Jim Gray / Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Election Preview: Legislative primaries, city council races and more on the ballot: Oklahomans in 71 of the state’s 77 counties will head to the polls on April 1 to decide on legislative primaries in both chambers, city council races, school board seats and more. [KOSU]
- Early voting begins across Oklahoma, voters cast ballots ahead of April 1 election [News 9]
- Cheat sheet: In a special election, 3 Republican women vie for chance to flip House District 71 [NonDoc]
- Cheat sheet: With $305,000 raised, 4 Democrats compete in expensive HD 71 primary [NonDoc]
- Norman Public Schools: Tori Collier challenges incumbent board president Tina Floyd [NonDoc]
- Jail troubles, criminal justice dominate race for Oklahoma County commissioner District 1 [The Oklahoman]
- Ward 7 candidate John Pettis Jr. says he wants to see more success stories in NE OKC [The Oklahoman]
- Ward 7 candidate Camal Pennington wants to see NE Oklahoma City grow for future generations [The Oklahoman]
- City finances drive one candidate, traffic vexes the other in Edmond mayoral race runoff [The Oklahoman]
Education News
Gov. Stitt names new member to Oklahoma State University’s governing board: Gov. Kevin Stitt named a new appointment Wednesday to the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents, the governing board that oversees five colleges and universities, including Oklahoma State University. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Tulsa attorney named to OSU Board of Regents [Tulsa World]
- Gov. Stitt nominates Tulsa venture capitalist to serve on OSU/A&M Board of Regents [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma could be next state to require schools to show fetal development video: “Baby Olivia” is a three-minute, high-definition, computer-generated animated ultrasound video from the anti-abortion group Live Action. House Bill 1603 by Rep. Emily Gise (R-Oklahoma City) passed the House Floor Monday. The bill would make viewing the video a graduation requirement, but only for students whose parents or guardians opt-in. [KOSU]
Health News
Measles spreading rapidly as case numbers grow in Oklahoma: Almost 400 cases have been reported in 2025, already eclipsing the fewer than 300 cases reported during all of 2024. The disease is resurging as a torrent of vaccine skepticism and misinformation leads to decreasing vaccination rates. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Opinion: Don’t fall for Big Pharma’s claims about a program benefiting Oklahomans: From the industry that brought America more than 300,000 prescription opioid deaths since 1999 and ever-rising retail drug prices, now the pharmaceutical industry seeks to discriminate against Oklahomans, both rural and urban, who benefit from the 340B discount drug program. [Rich Rasmussen / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Keep momentum around mental health going by addressing current challenges: I have been in the mental health field for over 20 years and have seen, and been a part of, many advances in the way we approach mental health care and wellness here in Oklahoma. [Josh Cantwell / Tulsa World]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma lawmakers move to regulate jails amid rising deaths: The bipartisan bill follows years of preventable deaths, lawsuits, and mounting public pressure to address inhumane jail conditions disproportionately affecting Black and marginalized Oklahomans. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Legal battle delays trial for Sperry teens in assault case: Attorneys for two Sperry teenagers charged as adults for rape by instrumentation continue to fight legal battles on behalf of their clients. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Opinion: Time to catch up with mental health science to address homelessness: Arecent trip to New York City and consultation with its Department of Homeless Services revealed a different approach to addressing unhoused, severely mentally ill people on its streets and in its subway system. Because of this model’s success, cities across the country are adopting this shift in frontline mental health treatment. [Mike Brose Community Advisory Board / Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Is Oklahoma among the states with the lowest wages?: Yes. According to 2023 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oklahoma ranked No. 46, with a median annual wage of $41,480. [Oklahoma Watch]
Why a tiny bit of oil can be a big deal: A tax rule called “percentage depletion” allows independent producers — but not big, diversified oil companies — to automatically deduct a big chunk of revenue from their taxes. It’s a multibillion dollar break that overwhelmingly benefits the nation’s marginal well owners. [NPR via KOSU]
Opinion: Oklahoma continues to feel the impact from Big Ag’s toxic legacy: Rather than taking steps to reign in the clout of the growing poultry industry and protect the public, Oklahoma lawmakers have chosen to further deregulate and shield it from legal attacks. [Mike Altshuler / Oklahoma Voice]
Community News
Oklahoma birders see fewer migrating species as extreme weather, development expands: Warming temperatures, extreme weather and development are among the suspected reasons for some birds not returning to their usual spots during cold months. [KOSU]
Something amazing is brewing: Meet the people and employees who dispense hope at coffee shops: A latte at Not Your Average Joe might not be produced as quickly as it would at a corporate chain, but Herbel’s staff of “superhero friends,” — employees with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities — are not only crafting award-winning quality coffee with latte art to match, they’re learning skills that are transforming their futures. And it’s worth the wait. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: OK needs your help to make it a great place to live – but you can start small: It’s my instinctive soapbox to harp on everyone I know participating outside the ballot box. Civic engagement is a key phrase that ensures election days aren’t in vain. It’s comprehensive. And they are only the beginning. [Krystal Yoseph / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Oklahoma City announces first direct international flight in decades [KOSU]
- Driver shortage forces Tulsa Union Public Schools to implement bus blackouts starting Monday [Tulsa World]
- State approves up to $138.9 million for city of Jenks infrastructure projects [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“We’re taking a whole bunch of children who were never going to be in a public district or charter school and now we’re subsidizing them. What these programs do is they primarily seem to elevate the needs of higher-income parents over the needs of lower-income parents.”
– Dave Wells, Research Director at the Grand Canyon Institute (GCI), which conducted research on Arizona’s “school choice” program, in which income cap were removed and contributed to a state budget deficit. The Oklahoma legislature is currently considering similar measures to lift income caps for the state’s private school tax credit program, which this spring awarded over 45% of its tax credits to recipients in households that earned more than $150,000, according to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. [KFOR]
Number of the Day
97%
Nearly all adults (97%) said Medicaid is at least somewhat important for people in their local community. [KFF]
Policy Note
We May Be Watching The Death Of The Federal Income Tax: The actions of President Trump combined with early policy initiatives in Congress threaten to kill the federal income tax. If these efforts continue unabated, the current revenue system could collapse, opening the door to two stated goals of many Trump supporters—deep federal spending cuts and some form of consumption tax. [Tax Policy Center]
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