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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
Fact check: SB 484 that would limit homelessness services in Oklahoma communities: On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the Oklahoma State Senate passed Senate Bill 484, by Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman. SB 484 now advances to the House. SB 484 would prohibit any Oklahoma city with a population less than 300,000 from building a homeless shelter within 3,000 feet of a school. The following is a fact check of statements made during the debate. [Sabine Brown / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Lawmakers balk at suggestion to eliminate Oklahoma Forestry Service after historic wildfires: Legislative leaders on Thursday panned Gov. Kevin Stitt’s proposal to eliminate the state Forestry Service after the Republican criticized its response to wildfires last month. The legislative remarks came a day after Stitt told reporters he wanted to axe the agency amid frustrations about its response to wind-fueled wildfires that ripped through parts of the state, damaging or destroying over 400 homes. Stitt said he lost a ranch in the blaze. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Fire dept. calls for Stitt’s impeachment and lawmakers condemn Stitt’s statement [KFOR]
- Governor Stitt’s proposal to eliminate forestry department sparks confusion and criticism [Fox 25]
How will Trump tariffs affect Oklahoma? These industries may see greatest impact: The effects of sweeping tariffs announced by President Donald Trump could ultimately touch every Oklahoma industry that relies on products from other countries. In all, Oklahoma buyers receive products from 142 nations and territories from around the world. [The Oklahoman]
- ‘Time will tell’ how Trump tariffs will impact billions of dollars in Oklahoma imports [The Oklahoman]
- How Trump’s tariffs could affect Oklahoma’s economy [The Journal Record]
- Oklahoma grocery store owners, chefs concerned over tariff impacts [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma car dealers react to President Trump’s auto tariffs [News 9]
- Stocks crater as nations vow to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs [USA Today]
- Opinion: Tariffs are an act of war. What is Trump actually trying to accomplish? [Ron Stratton / The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Oklahoma’s DOGE report proposes major cuts to federal health services: A new report by Oklahoma’s Division of Government Efficiency lays out several major policy shifts for the state. Ideas include eliminating $157 million of federal health care support, much to the consternation of policy experts and some Republicans. [KOSU]
- Okla. lawmakers express concern over potential loss of $157M in health grant funding [Fox 25]
- From OK Policy: Taxpayer dollars should be spent wisely, but cutting health care funds is both counterproductive and harmful.
Stitt renews call for tax cut, wants investigation of wildfire response: Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt doubled down on his call for a personal income tax cut, hinted at an investigation of the state’s forestry division over its operation during recent wildfires and expressed his support for the beleaguered state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services during a briefing with reporters Wednesday at the State Capitol. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Fact check: How would the governor’s proposal to cut, eliminate personal income tax affect Oklahoma?
Retired Cops Sound Alarm on Pension Board Shift: A group of retired police officers are questioning the qualifications of a new appointee to the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement Board amid worries it could tip the balance of the board to a powerful police union. [Oklahoma Watch]
State Employee Association challenges Stitt’s financial priorities: An association representing the interests of Oklahoma state employees warns a continued reduction in public workers could lead to increased insurance rates and leave the sector’s remaining workforce overburdened. [The Journal Record]
Wind and solar power opponents make headway in state legislatures: In Oklahoma, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has been urged to issue an executive order halting new wind and solar projects. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Bill calls for study of nuclear power generation [Tulsa World]
- Report: As coal declines, Oklahoma continues to replace it with renewable [KGOU]
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: SBE agenda delay, Ryan Walters’ lawsuit, Stitt under fire and more (audio): The panelists discuss the State Board of Education meeting canceled over concerns of violating the Open Meetings Act, Democrats at the State Capitol filing resolutions to reject social studies standards from the SBE and Superintendent Ryan Walters suing a national watchdog group over religion in public schools. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
U.S. House Dems say NOAA cuts will harm weather forecasting, fisheries, Navy operations: Democrats on the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee and a panel of experts on Wednesday blasted the Trump administration’s reduction to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s budget and workforce, citing consequences for everyday weather data, national security and affected industries. [Oklahoma Voice]
‘A devastating loss’: DOGE cuts to National Endowment for the Humanities includes Oklahoma: The Department of Government Efficiency has directed the National Endowment for the Humanities to terminate general operating support grants to humanities councils across the country, including in Oklahoma. [KGOU]
Opinion: The safety of our country’s groundwater is in danger with EPA’s proposed closure of Oklahoma lab: The Environmental Protection Agency has long been a favorite target of the budget knife, but a new looming threat is different in magnitude and impact. The Office of Research and Development has long been the nerve center of the EPA, generating the critical research behind the action. [Christine Pappas / Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: Oklahoma delegation must show political courage to ease fears over Trump changes: Even when Trump’s administration makes a major error ― like sharing plans for a bombing attack on Yemen on a commercial messaging app and accidentally including a journalist ― they make lame excuses. [William Wertz / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Measles vaccination rates not high enough in Indian Country, expert says: As more cases of measles have been reported in Oklahoma, an expert is warning immunizations for the disease are not keeping pace in Native communities. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Cherokee Nation drives $3.1B impact on Oklahoma economy: The Cherokee Nation now pumps more than $3.1 billion annually into the Oklahoma economy. New research shows the tribe and its businesses continually expand their economic footprint through employment, labor income, production of goods and services and more. [The Journal Record]
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo discusses new book about grief, collaboration with Muscogee artist: KOSU’s Sarah Liese sat down with Joy Harjo to learn more about her poetry career, writing process and recent collaboration with Muscogee artist Dana Tiger. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Mike Mazzei launches bid for governor, vows education reform and tax cuts: Former state senator Mike Mazzei launched his campaign for Oklahoma’s 2026 gubernatorial election Thursday, pledging to overhaul education, cut taxes and protect Oklahoma land from foreign ownership. [KOSU]
Education News
States ordered by U.S. Education Department to certify school DEI ban or lose funds: The U.S. Department of Education demanded in a letter to state education leaders on Thursday that they certify all K-12 schools in their states are complying with an earlier Dear Colleague letter banning diversity, equity and inclusion practices if they want to keep receiving federal financial assistance. [Oklahoma Voice]
Health News
Health officials warn of possible measles exposure in Oklahoma City, Weatherford: As the number of measles cases increased to 10, state health officials warned that some people may have been exposed to the disease at an Oklahoma City children’s hospital and a Weatherford restaurant. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Measles in Oklahoma Reaches Ten Cases; Public Exposure Notices Issued [The Black Wall Street Times]
- OSDH identifies potential measles exposure at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health [KGOU]
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health freezes practitioner payments while facing $43 million shortfall: The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services announced no additional state funds will be distributed to partner health clinics until it receives spending reports from each agency. [KOSU]
- Nonprofit says governor’s salary remarks ‘surprising’ as funding for mental health services frozen [Public Radio Tulsa]
- ‘A lot of money’: Officials plan funding pause to mental health clinics amid scrutiny [Fox 25]
Opinion: Oklahoma’s mental health and substance abuse agency seems to be imploding: Oklahoma’s mental health and addiction infrastructure appears to be on the brink of a breakdown, with looming federal funding freezes, a state shortfall of up to $43 million, revenue withholdings from certain providers and a state agency meeting that had a commissioner in tears. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
What is considered middle class in Oklahoma? See if your income makes the cut: Oftentimes it feels like you’re living paycheck to paycheck even after your salary increases, thanks to inflation and the cost of things constantly going up. Have you ever wondered what “class” — lower, middle or upper — you are considered based on your income? [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“It’s in our economic best interest, beyond the moral interest of taking care of people that are sick. What about the economic cause of improving the business climate in our state? The best investment in our state, in our business climate, is to have a healthier population, because then businesses are more likely to come here.”
-Oklahoma State Medical Association President Dr. Sumit Nanda, speaking about a DOGE-OK proposal to return federal money that would support public health measures. [KOSU]
Number of the Day
$5.5 billion
Oklahoma reported more $5.5 billion in total exports from more than 2,989 Oklahoma exporters. Small- and medium-sized firms account for 85% of Oklahoma’s exporters. [Oklahoma Department of Commerce]
Policy Note
Republican Agenda’s “Triple Threat” to Low- and Moderate-Income Family Well-Being: The Trump Administration and Republican majorities in both houses of Congress are advancing a policy agenda that deeply threatens millions of families’ ability to afford the basics by making it harder for them to secure health coverage, buy groceries, or afford everyday goods — all while pursuing expensive tax cuts that are skewed toward the wealthy. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
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