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
Statement: Oklahomans deserve to see the full budget process, not just the final result: A state budget deal announced on April 1 raises a few eyebrows, but the real concern to Oklahoma taxpayers isn’t the timing — it’s the process. Once again, legislative leaders are keeping Oklahoma’s budget process among the least transparent in the nation. A handful of lawmakers have negotiated in closed rooms how they intend to spend billions of taxpayer dollars. These decisions were made in private, shutting out the public and most lawmakers, including members of their own party. [Shiloh Kantz / OK Policy]
Policy Matters: Are lawmakers solving Oklahoma’s real problems?: With last week’s major legislative deadline, it’s a good time to ask a simple question: Are our lawmakers working on the issues that actually shape everyday life in Oklahoma? In one of the nation’s poorest states, our friends and neighbors are struggling — yet much of the focus at the Capitol has been on issues that won’t meaningfully improve daily life. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
Oklahoma News
Legislature strikes early FY ’27 budget deal with mostly flat budgets, teacher pay hike, COLAs: In a significant step toward avoiding a repeat of the 2024 budget negotiation debacle that kept lawmakers at the Capitol through May and away from their districts during reelection campaigns, Oklahoma legislative leaders joined Gov. Kevin Stitt in a press conference today announcing a Fiscal Year 2027 budget agreement largely aimed at avoiding cuts, attempting to fill a mental health agency funding gap and funding a $2,000 pay raise for most teachers. [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma officials announce $12B budget deal [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Republican leaders reach $12.8B deal to fund state government [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Republican lawmakers unveil $12.8 billion state budget [KOSU]
- Republican leaders say deal has been reached on state budget [KFOR]
- Republican leaders release $12.8B budget; Democrats voice education, health funding concerns [KOCO]
- Oklahoma legislative leaders reach $12.7 billion budget agreement [News 9]
State Government News
Oklahoma Medicaid fraud unit concludes investigations into health care providers across 10 counties: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has concluded investigations in 10 counties, covering instances of fraud and abuse by health care providers. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
- Medicaid fraud unit wraps probes across 10 Oklahoma counties in Operation Sooner Shield [Fox 25]
An Oklahoma family says oil is polluting their home. The state says its hands are tied: A fluid leak has created a months-long dispute between a family and regulators over how the state is responding to what the family says is an oil-based substance seeping into their home. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
Federal Government News
Deal to end Homeland Security shutdown reached, GOP leaders say: The Department of Homeland Security funding crisis that has plagued Washington and the country for nearly seven weeks – upending airports, jeopardizing Americans’ safety and ultimately becoming the longest-ever partial government shutdown – is finally on track to end. [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
US Supreme Court justices skeptical of Trump attempt to end birthright citizenship: The U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday seemed poised to reject the Trump administration’s attempt to redefine the constitutional right to birthright citizenship, and instead uphold the country’s long understanding of citizenship by birth on American soil. [Oklahoma Voice]
Trump signs order seeking to curb vote-by-mail in bid to control state election laws: President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on Tuesday that attempts to restrict mail-in voting, a White House priority certain to face significant legal challenges. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Democrats sue to block Trump’s ‘unconstitutional’ mail ballot order [Oklahoma Voice]
Trump order to block NPR, PBS funding was unlawful, judge rules: A federal judge ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority when he signed an executive order last year that blocked funding from going to the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio. [Oklahoma Voice]
Voting and Election News
Full of enthusiasm and hope, candidates line up to file for Oklahoma political office: They came full of optimism. Some brought friends, family and campaign consultants. Others stood alone. Many had run before, but there were also plenty of newcomers seeking political offices for the first time. By the time the first day of candidate filing opened at 8 a.m. Wednesday, the line stretched nearly out to the Capitol entrance on the ground floor. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Watch as hundreds of candidates file for upcoming Oklahoma elections (video) [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Charles McCall holds rally: Standing atop a truck bed between the U.S. and Oklahoma flags, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall addressed more than 100 rallygoers on Wednesday after filing as a candidate for governor. [The Journal Record]
Meet two candidates raised in south OKC running for school board seat: Political fervor is high on the south side of Oklahoma City as two young Latina candidates vie for a historically uncontested school board seat, riding a wave of community support. [The Oklahoman]
- OKCPS candidates speak about ICE and OKC’s Latino community (video) [The Oklahoman]
Education News
Education Watch: Who’s behind the reading ad blitz?: There’s a good chance you’ve seen the ads popping up on Facebook or Instagram. Some feature photos of doe-eyed children and deliver messages about the state’s dire reading statistics. They urge action, too. Read to your children. Let retired teachers become reading coaches. Talk to your lawmaker. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma residents seek to join fight against Jewish charter school: A coalition of Jewish clergy, teachers and families is joining in opposition against a Florida-based Jewish organization’s efforts to open a religious charter school in Oklahoma. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma families, clergy look to join lawsuit over proposed Jewish charter school [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
Bill could close funding gap for Oklahoma public charter schools: Educators have said community-driven models drive academic success. The charters are creating positive student outcomes despite having about 30% less funding than traditional schools, Barry Schmelzenbach, director of the Oklahoma Public Charter School Association, said. [The Journal Record]
TCC program serving low-income, first-generation students braces for potential Trump cuts: Federal support for Oklahoma’s low-income and first-generation college students is at risk as the Trump administration continues cutting TRIO program funds. [Tulsa Flyer]
Editorial: Teachers need a raise, and OK needs bold education investment: At the half-way mark, taxes and education have dominated this session of the Oklahoma Legislature. In a year of flat revenue and an uncertain economy, those priorities are colliding. Improving our near last-place education ranking will take bold action and sustained investment. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Health News
Oklahoma opioid board approves first round of funding for colleges, weighs future requests: The latest round of applications for a share of Oklahoma’s opioid settlement money closed Tuesday. Now, members of the Opioid Abatement Board will review grant applications from counties, municipalities and public trusts that wish to address addiction at the community level. [KOSU]
‘Uphill in a snowstorm’: How one rural Oklahoma county is fighting the opioid epidemic: Local governments in Oklahoma are taking an active role in funding mental health care with opioid settlement funds, but some are struggling to manage new responsibilities while existing services are cut. [OPMX via KGOU]
Criminal Justice News
Judge orders Oklahoma County jail to notify her of all detainee deaths: A judge has ordered the Oklahoma County jail to notify her whenever someone dies in its custody — a mandate that surprised jail and county officials and gratified activists calling for more transparency. [The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Global Machine Company expands Muskogee operations with new jobs and capacity: Global Machine Company, a precision metal fabrication and machine shop that has operated in Muskogee since 2004, has announced an expansion of its local operations to increase production capacity and create new skilled jobs. [The Journal Record]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa Community Development Committee awards $50K to Meals on Wheels [Tulsa Flyer]
- City of Tulsa Annual Action Plan recommends $0 for disabilities assistance, domestic violence programs and mental health treatment [Tulsa Flyer]
- Tulsa’s Route 66 musical road has arrived, with a taxpayer price tag of $110K [Tulsa Flyer]
- Tulsa Public Schools board sets hearing date for proposed contract changes [Tulsa World]
- Three Sand Springs city councilors could face recall over data center vote [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“Oklahomans deserve a real chance to see what’s in the budget and speak up before it’s final. Anything less falls short of the trust taxpayers place in their leaders.”
– Shiloh Kantz, executive director of OK Policy, criticizing the state’s opaque budget process and arguing that meaningful public input and transparency are essential for accountability when allocating taxpayer dollars. [OK Policy]
Number of the Day
$12.79 billion
Lawmakers’ proposed FY 2027 appropriated budget totals $12.79 billion — a 1.3% increase from last year that falls short of what many agencies say they need to maintain services. [Oklahoma House of Representatives Budget Portal]
Policy Note
State Budgets Basics: State budgets determine how money is raised and spent on things people rely on every day, like schools, health care, roads, and public safety. They are mostly funded through state taxes — especially income and sales taxes — and must generally be balanced, meaning states can’t spend more than they bring in. The process typically starts with a governor’s proposal and is shaped by the legislature, with opportunities for public input along the way. Because budgets reflect priorities, they play a major role in shaping economic opportunity, public services, and disparities across communities. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
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