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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
Why Oklahoma shouldn’t put kids under 12 in court | Youth justice explained: Oklahoma has no minimum age for bringing children into the youth justice system — and the data shows it’s not working. OK Policy’s Youth Policy Analyst Jill Mencke breaks down some of the current legislation, why developmental science matters for public policy, and what smarter alternatives actually look like. [Jill Mencke / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma passes new data privacy law targeting big tech, data brokers: It’s nearly impossible to go online without websites collecting tiny bits of data about you, your location and habits. A new Oklahoma law is trying to give users more control over who can access that information. [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
House lawmakers approve measures to send Medicaid expansion back to ballot: House lawmakers advanced a measure to ask voters to remove Medicaid expansion from the state Constitution despite concerns that it could result in hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans losing health care. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma lawmakers eye constitutional convention: Oklahoma Republicans are moving a bill through the legislature that would allow residents to vote on altering the state constitution. But some lawmakers worry about who exactly would have a say in the process. [KOSU]
- Oklahoma House proposes state constitutional convention [The Journal Record]
Republicans seek to enshrine voter identification requirement into Oklahoma Constitution: A measure seeking to enshrine into the state Constitution a requirement that voters provide identification at the polls is a political stunt, critics said. [Oklahoma Voice]
Lawmakers advance major changes for Oklahoma schools chief, state Board of Education: Measures to dramatically change the selection of Oklahoma’s state superintendent and top school board have advanced past the state House. [Oklahoma Voice]
Why far-right lawmakers are trying to ‘slow down’ the Oklahoma Senate: Lengthy debates, extensive questioning and hours of bills being recited aloud have painted the picture at the Oklahoma Capitol, as a far-right coalition of lawmakers tries to stall progress on proposed laws. [The Oklahoman]
- Sen. Shane Jett accuses Sen. Todd Gollihare of copying his Medicaid bill (video) [The Oklahoman]
Is it legal to lower the minimum wage in Oklahoma? Yes. Every U.S. state, including Oklahoma, can generally lower their minimum wage, but stipulations apply. [Oklahoma Watch]
- From OK Policy: What you need to know about the minimum wage in Oklahoma
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, tribal hunting and fishing, voter information and more (podcast): The panelists talk about the confirmation of Markwayne Mullin as the new Homeland Security Secretary, Gov. Kevin Stitt’s pick of Tulsa energy executive Alan Armstrong to fill the rest of Mullin’s term and the State Supreme Court siding with Attorney General Gentner Drummond in a fight over hunting and fishing on tribal lands. [KOSU]
Opinion: SQ 843 would dismantle Oklahoma’s essential services: Oklahoma is once again facing a decision that will shape the future of our communities for decades to come. State Question 843, which proposes eliminating property taxes — also known as ad valorem taxes — may sound appealing at first glance. Who wouldn’t want lower taxes? But beneath that simple promise lies a dangerous reality: a massive and permanent loss of funding with no clear plan to replace it. [Caedmon Brooks / The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
US Senate turns down photo ID requirement for voting, slammed by Dems as ‘theatrics’: The U.S. Senate was unable to agree Thursday whether to require photo identification to vote in federal elections, as the chamber debated a larger bill that would make several changes to how Americans register and cast ballots. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Cherokee Nation, Muscogee Nation to offer Summer EBT: The Cherokee Nation and Muscogee Nation separately affirmed that they will participate in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer EBT program this year, which provides any child who is eligible for free or reduced-price school meals with $40 per month for June, July and August on a pre-loaded debit card to help their family purchase groceries. [Tulsa World]
Federal grants will pay for tribal nation transportation projects across Oklahoma: A dozen tribal nations in Oklahoma will receive more than $2 million in federal transportation safety grants, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. [KOSU]
Muscogee (Creek) National Council rejects proposal to send executive term limits amendment to voters: The Muscogee (Creek) Nation National Council voted down a proposal that would have allowed citizens to vote on term limits for the nation’s principal and second chiefs. [Documenters / Tulsa Flyer]
Voting and Election News
Election roundup
- Trump endorses T.W. Shannon in Oklahoma lieutenant governor race [The Oklahoman]
- Edmond Public Schools District 1: Incumbent Lee Ann Kuhlman challenged by Codie Tiffin [NonDoc]
- Tulsa Public Schools District 7: Incumbent Susan Lamkin faces Michael Phillips [NonDoc]
Education News
Ad Blitz: Parents Targeted in Push for Early Literacy Overhaul: Oklahoma parents are on the receiving end of a full-court press about how children here are among the nation’s worst readers. Who’s behind the public awareness campaign filling up Facebook and Instagram feeds and spaces in local television, radio and print media right now? A philanthropist and retired oil and gas operator in Tulsa. [Oklahoma Watch]
New social studies standards pass Oklahoma State Board of Education vote: After a year of controversy and upheaval, a more neutral set of academic standards for social studies instruction will advance to the state Legislature after receiving approval from the Oklahoma State Board of Education. [Oklahoma Voice]
- OSBE unanimously approves new social studies standards [Tulsa World]
Health News
Oklahoma health care officials ask lawmakers for more funding, to restructure mental health agency: Oklahoma officials are proposing major structural changes to the state’s health care system, including privatizing some mental health facilities or shifting them to new agency control. [Tulsa Flyer]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Curbside to spin off from Homeless Alliance after 13 years: After more than a decade of incubation, Curbside Enterprises is launching as an independent nonprofit organization, separating from the Homeless Alliance beginning in April. [The Journal Record]
Economy & Business News
Data center debate reaches east Tulsa, where residents question what’s coming: Some east Tulsans are worried about a major data center proposal — Project Anthem — will overuse city water and cause pollution. They have also raised questions about transparency around the developer and possible utility increases for residents. PartnerTulsa, the city’s economic development arm, has not yet revealed who is behind the project. [Tulsa Flyer]
Hundreds turn out for Inola smelter informational open house: Officials with companies building a planned $4 billion aluminum smelter at the Port of Inola and others with Tulsa Ports answered questions amid many local and area residents. [Tulsa World]
Community News
Sharia, mosques, politics. Who is stoking fear of Muslims and why now?: A wave of anti-Muslim sentiment surging in pockets of the country, from a group of Republican congressional leaders and several Oklahoma legislators taking aim at sharia law — a framework for ethical, moral and legal behavior based on Islam — to the campaign rhetoric of two high-profile Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates. Local Muslim leaders say there’s a certain timing to the current barrage of Islamophobia, whether it is coming from Congress, the statehouse, political campaigns or citizens’ rhetoric at municipal government meetings. [The Oklahoman]
Female Tulsa leaders seek to break barriers, create thriving communities: Sustainable communities are created by women who challenge systems built on inequities. That was the message Wednesday from some of Tulsa’s most prominent female leaders during a Women’s History Month panel. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Quote of the Day
“Given the way we’re running government right now, I sure think it’d be a dangerous time to have a constitutional convention. You have to have a thoughtful plan. You have to truly include people.”
-Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt of Oklahoma City, sharing concern over the lack of bipartisan representation among delegates to a state constitutional convention should House Joint Resolution 1087 proceed to the ballot and be approved by voters. [The Journal Record]
Number of the Day
0
The number of non-elected officials who would be part of a proposed state constitutional convention under the current language in House Joint Resolution 1089. The bill is intended to give voters the chance to approve a constitutional convention meant to modernize and reform the Oklahoma Constitution by May 2028. Under the bill, the delegates drafting the new or revised constitution would be composed entirely of actively serving lawmakers, instead of an even split between lawmakers and representatives of the state’s tribal nations. [KOSU]
Policy Note
The history of Oklahoma’s Constitutional Convention: The history of Oklahoma’s Constitutional Convention begins with conditions leading up to statehood. The area known as Oklahoma was originally called Indian Territory. After the 1889 opening of the Unassigned Lands within Indian Territory to settlement by non-Indians, in 1890 the western portion of present Oklahoma was created as Oklahoma Territory. Together, the two regions were commonly known as the Twin Territories. [Oklahoma Historical Society]
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