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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.
Oklahoma News
With HUD silent on shortfall funding, Tulsa Housing Authority fears ‘mass eviction event’: The Tulsa Housing Authority is preparing an emergency plan that could cancel vouchers for 690 tenants after rent increases led to a $3 million shortfall in voucher funding and a federal program seemed unresponsive. [NonDoc]
State Government News
State ends contracts for three large mental health services providers in Tulsa County: Three of Tulsa County’s four Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics receiving notice from the state that their contracts would be terminated effective May 10. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services issued a statement saying they would do everything they could to ensure that there are no interruptions in service. [Tulsa World]
- State to terminate contracts with 3 Tulsa County mental health providers [News 9]
Senate advances Oklahoma income tax cut bill: The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday advanced a bill that could lead to the elimination of the state’s income tax, despite concerns that it benefitted the wealthy. House Bill 1539 passed by a vote of 36-9 and returns to the House for consideration. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Senate approves bill that includes a trigger for an income tax cut [The Oklahoman]
- Tax reform bills continue to move through Oklahoma legislature [The Journal Record]
- From OK Policy: Lawmakers should choose targeted relief amidst budget uncertainty
- Contact Your Legislators: Tell lawmakers to oppose tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and risk critical services
Oklahoma Senate has no plans to reject proposed social studies standards, leader says: Academic standards that have been proposed for Oklahoma social studies education, which would include biblical content and suggestions of “discrepancies” in the 2020 presidential election, have a clearer path toward passage with one Republican leader saying his chamber isn’t preparing to reject them. [Oklahoma Voice]
Legislative round-up:
- Bill banning new homeless shelters near schools stalls in Oklahoma House committee [Oklahoma Voice]
- House committee discards bill that would require potty training before pre-K [KOSU]
- Lawmakers say Oklahoma storm chasing license measure on pause for now [KOSU]
- Bill to increase funding for fixing Oklahoma’s abandoned wells advances [The Journal Record]
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Stitt versus the Forestry Service, DOGE-OK report, recreational marijuana and more (audio): The panel discuss Gov. Kevin Stitt’s fight against the Oklahoma Forestry Service heating up, DOGE-OK release a report calling for major shifts in policy, and a mental health program in Tulsa gets funding after originally being cut by the state. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
ICE director envisions Amazon-like mass deportation system: ‘Prime, but with human beings’: The leader of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that his dream for the agency is squads of trucks rounding up immigrants for deportation the same way that Amazon trucks crisscross American cities delivering packages. [Oklahoma Voice]
Trump-supported budget squeaks by in U.S. House after GOP assurances of vast spending cuts: U.S. House Republicans adopted a budget resolution Thursday, clearing the way for both chambers of Congress to write a bill extending 2017 tax cuts and bolstering funding for border security and defense, though the blueprint set vastly different targets for spending cuts. [Oklahoma Voice]
- From the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Amid Rising Recession Risks and Tariff Price Hikes, House Republicans Advance Budget Plan That Would Raise Costs for Millions of Families
Opinion: Stories on immigration crackdown aren’t the whole picture: Recent federal actions around immigration have created a chilling effect, creating a deeper underground of vulnerable people within our communities and developing ill-will internationally. It paints a tough-on-immigration picture for the current administration. But that doesn’t appear to be an accurate picture. These anecdotes portray one story while the data show another. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma governor says he doesn’t have any control over revoked student visas situation [Fox 25]
Tribal Nations News
Measure ‘targeting tribes’ to collect vehicle tag data for toll collection halted by Oklahoma House: Oklahoma House members slammed the brakes on a bill that critics said attempts to force tribes to provide vehicle registration information to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority for toll collection. [Oklahoma Voice]
Muscogee Nation tobacco compact putting Oklahoma, tribal leaders at odds: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is lobbing accusations at the Muscogee Nation, saying the tribe and others worked together to kill Senate Bill 675, which died in committee on Wednesday. [KOSU]
Gov. Stitt cuts off all state tobacco reimbursements to Muscogee Creek Nation indefinitely, sources say: Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) is cutting off all tobacco reimbursements to the Muskogee Creek Nation indefinitely, FOX23 sources at the State Capitol said. [Fox 23]
Voting and Election News
Oklahoma Republican Party sues to block proposal to open state’s primary system: Critics of a proposed constitutional amendment that could open the state’s primary elections have asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to toss it out. The Oklahoma Republican Party and Ronda Vuillemont-Smith, former chair of the Tulsa County Republican Party, sued on Wednesday, the last day of the protest period, to block State Question 836. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma GOP fights to keep closed primaries, files challenge in Oklahoma Supreme Court [Fox 25]
Ethics Commission still asking for Ryan Walters’ campaign donor information: The Ethics Commission meeting wrapped up Thursday without an understanding of certain donors from State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ 2022 campaign committee. The committee voted to continue negotiating a settlement agreement with Walters, which almost became prosecution. [KFOR]
Education News
Education Watch: Legislature Advances Cell Phone Ban Bills: Two similar measures to ban student cellphone use in schools, one of the Legislature’s top education priorities, advanced this week. House and Senate lawmakers can now decide which measure to pursue for final approval from the full Legislature. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma federal judge tosses former teacher’s lawsuit against Walters: An Oklahoma City federal judge on Thursday threw out a lawsuit against state Superintendent Ryan Walters that accused him of defaming a former Norman High School teacher whose classroom display against book censorship made national news. [Oklahoma Voice]
OU Dance professor sues school, alleging discrimination because he is straight: Austin Hartel, associate professor at OU’s School of Dance, asked a federal court on Wednesday for at least $2 million in damages stemming from what he described as a lack of career promotion due to his sexual orientation, along with his advocacy against sexual harassment. [The Oklahoman]
Health News
OSDH identifies potential measles exposure site in OKC connected to confirmed case: The Oklahoma State Department of Health has identified a grocery store in northwest Oklahoma City as a potential exposure site connected to a confirmed measles case. OSDH says anyone who visited the Aldi Grocery Store at 6965 NW Expressway on April 6 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. may have been exposed. [KFOR]
Criminal Justice News
Lawsuit claims malpractice, wrongful death for inmate who died hours after arrest: The mother of a man who died in Oklahoma County jail custody has filed a wrongful death and malpractice claim in district court. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Dina Kirven, a 26-year-old man who reportedly died of an overdose within six hours after being brought to the Oklahoma County Detention Center. [The Oklahoman]
Lawsuit claims Oklahoma DOC misconduct, wrongful death of inmate Marquiel Ross: Family members of a Tulsa man who died while he was incarcerated at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the state and several employees. [The Oklahoman]
Diversion program for Oklahoma County mothers celebrates 7 new graduates: ReMerge is a nonprofit that serves high-risk, high-needs mothers facing non-violent felony offenses in Oklahoma County. Women can avoid prison time by participating in an intensive drug treatment, education and employment program. [KOSU]
Community News
Heartland Chapel near memorial gets restoration ahead of OKC bombing anniversary: A beloved structure built as a beacon of faith and hope after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing was rededicated on Thursday with prayers and messages of restoration. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion, Former President Bill Clinton: What can OKC teach us? Five years ago, Bill Clinton reflected on bombing anniversary: There are difficult and uncertain days ahead. In many ways, this is the perfect time to remember Oklahoma City, and to repeat the promise we made to them in 1995 to all Americans today: we have not lost each other, we have not lost America, and we will stand together for as many tomorrows as it takes. [Former President Bill Clinton / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Shawnee church accused of covering up child sexual abuse, stalking [The Oklahoman]
- The deadline to get your REAL ID is quickly approaching. Here’s how to get yours in Oklahoma [KOCO]
- Real ID deadline set for May 7 as Service Oklahoma opens more appointments [KOSU]
- Tulsans asked to participate in city audit [Public Radio Tulsa]
Quote of the Day
“Wouldn’t we be better off to allow the government-to-government solution where we have agreement, as opposed to us trying to force them to do things our way.”
-Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, saying Tribes are diligently working with the state on compacts related to the turnpikes in “good faith.” [Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
151,000
About 151,000 Oklahoma seniors (22.4%) live at least 45 miles roundtrip from their nearest Social Security field office. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
Policy Note
Revenue “Triggers” for State Tax Cuts Provide Illusion of Fiscal Responsibility: “Triggered” tax cuts — like other tax cuts enacted with a significantly delayed effective date — are sometimes portrayed as fiscally responsible; they are nothing of the sort. Lawmakers enacting them typically have no idea if they will be affordable or desirable when they take effect, and they can cause deep and lasting damage to a state’s ability to invest in its people and communities. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
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