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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
INTEGRIS Health plans clinic closures across Oklahoma citing $130M funding loss: Uncertainty is growing for employees and patients after INTEGRIS Health confirmed it is preparing workforce reductions and clinic closures across Oklahoma. In a statement, INTEGRIS said the decisions are tied to cuts to Medicaid and Medicare funding included in the federal legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The health system says those funding reductions are expected to result in a $130 million loss for the medical group. [News 9]
- Integris Health braces for major cuts to doctors, clinics and patient care in Oklahoma [Fox 25]
- Cuts in Medicaid, Medicare causes cuts at Integris Health Medical Group [KFOR]
- INTEGRIS Health confirms layoffs, clinic closures [Fox 25]
- From OK Policy: H.R. 1 could push Oklahoma’s health care system past its breaking point
Lost identity: How an Oklahoma policy change made ID renewals harder for the unhoused: Until a few months ago, the process for getting a replacement state identification was easier: Visit a local tag agency, scan your fingerprint and instantly receive a temporary ID, with an official one arriving by mail within a couple of weeks. But last year, state lawmakers removed the fingerprint option, meaning a replacement ID now requires a birth certificate or another personal document, which can be hard to obtain for many unhoused Oklahomans. [KOSU]
How many people live in Oklahoma? See population growth over time: Oklahoma’s population has been making a steady climb, having grown by an estimated 400,000 over the last decade and a half. The decennial census last came through Oklahoma in 2020, making all population numbers released by the federal census just estimates, yet we can still use the numbers to learn about how Oklahoma’s population is changing over the years. [The Oklahoman]
Families grieve their lost ones at OKC bombing memorial ceremony: The terrorist attack that destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City 31 years ago is among the most infamous acts of violence in United States history. To Roy Sells and the other loved ones of the 168 left dead from the bombing, it feels like it happened yesterday. [The Oklahoman]
- Hundreds gather at OKC Memorial for April 19 observance [Tulsa World]
State Government News
State-tribal relations strain in dispute between Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma House Speaker: Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chuck Hoskin Jr. is no longer welcome to speak on the House floor, after he advocated for Medicaid expansion during the tribe’s legislative day on April 8. An Indigenous policy expert said this move highlights a gray area of rules in what is acceptable on the House floor during a day set aside to recognize a specific tribal nation. And it further highlights a strained relationship between state leadership and the tribes, who have had several recent, public spats with Gov. Kevin Stitt. [KOSU]
- Political notebook: Dispute with Hilbert gets Hoskin banned from House floor [Tulsa World]
Despite tribal boundary disagreement, lawmakers try to tee up a sports betting deal: Whether the Oklahoma Legislature reveals and advances a bill to legalize sports wagering might be the biggest proposition bet left on this session’s ledger. [NonDoc]
- From OK Policy: Strong Tribal–state partnerships benefit all Oklahomans
Legislature Sets August Election Date for Voter ID Question: Oklahoma voters are being asked to enshrine the state’s voter identification requirements into the constitution. The House advanced Senate Joint Resolution 47, which passed the Senate last month, on Wednesday. They also approved a special election provision, which requires a two-thirds majority, to place the resolution before voters in August instead of November. [Oklahoma Watch]
Legislative Roundup
- 5 things to know about the $12.78 billion state budget for fiscal year 2027 [Tulsa World]
- Lawmakers consider expanding abortion-prevention program shown to have fiscal issues [Tulsa World]
- Work comes to close for state’s pandemic-era relief aid committee [Tulsa World]
- Senate advances Stitt priorities on Trump Accounts, sovereign wealth fund [The Journal Record]
- Monday Minute: Place your wagers on deadline week [NonDoc]
- Capitol Insider: With appropriations done, lawmakers move toward possible early adjournment [KGOU]
Opinion: It’s time for Oklahoma lawmakers to stop covering for their colleagues who harm women, children: The good ol’ boy system is alive and well in the halls of our state Capitol, and there’s a continued culture of male legislators on both sides of the aisle feeling entitled to victimize women and children once they get into power. There seems to be an ever-growing list of these folks. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
Pushback leads Homeland Security to compromise on some warehouse detention centers for immigrants: Some of the Trump administration’s controversial new warehouse immigration detention centers are getting scaled back and postponed as states and cities fight back and new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reviews actions taken by his ousted predecessor, Kristi Noem. [Oklahoma Voice]
Homeland Security’s SAVE program divides election officials as November nears: As the midterms approach, Republican and Democratic election officials are split over a powerful federal computer program at the center of President Donald Trump’s quest to expose noncitizen voters and compile lists of voting-age Americans. [Oklahoma Voice]
Trump proposal to streamline jobs program funding would cut funding to states: Tucked into President Donald Trump’s new budget request is a plan that could dramatically change — and, critics say, slash — how much money and help states provide to people needing jobs and training. [Oklahoma Voice]
D.C. Digest: Cole praises Army leaders at odds with Hegseth: Fourth District Congressman and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole sent what could be interpreted as a not terribly subtle hint to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week. [Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Far from the revolution, Oklahoma nonetheless shaped by 1776: The Declaration of Independence sent ripples across the North American continent and around the world, and over time it drew the boundaries and defined the character of the 46th state. While all around states were marked off and added to the union, the loose ends were drawn together in the place we call Oklahoma. [Tulsa World]
An American tragedy still echoes along historic route: Traveling through New Echota, Georgia, requires passing over land and water routes that have long been labeled “The Trail of Tears.” Yet somehow, that name seems too small to capture the tragedy. It suggests emotion, but says nothing of the fear, pain, anger and hatred bubbling under its skin. [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
Voting and Election News
Petition to get more lawmakers’ bills heard in committee OK’d for signature gathering: There was good news and bad news this week for organizers of separate initiative petitions who propose to make significant changes in how government works and is funded in Oklahoma. [Tulsa World]
Election Roundup
- Education Equation: GOP state superintendent candidate debate set [NonDoc]
- Education Equation: Democratic primary debate for state superintendent set: [NonDoc]
- Candidates flock to run for office in Oklahoma County: Who are they [The Oklahoman]
Education News
Mel Curth speaks out on OU essay debate in her first media interview: Mel Curth is still grappling with how she’s become a symbol in the polarizing fight over academic freedom, with some seeing her as an example of the injustice instructors face and others as a result of corruption on college campuses. [The Oklahoman]
Improving absenteeism: Rogers among six Tulsa Public Schools sites with significant gains: The halls are a little more crowded at Will Rogers Middle and High School this year, and Principal Cindy Largent-Williams is here for it. According to data provided last week by Tulsa Public Schools, the absenteeism rate for the midtown school’s high school grades has declined by 22.4% from last year. [Tulsa World]
Health News
10th anniversary of Black Maternal Health Week gives doulas a chance to celebrate progress and confront disparities: Black women in Oklahoma are three times more likely to die from pregnancy and birth-related complications than white women. This week during the 10th anniversary of Black Maternal Health Week, the Oklahoma Birth Equity Initiative celebrated the progress they’ve made in helping close that gap while reflecting on the work that remains. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Black Maternal Health Week at 10: Preventable Deaths Persist as Black Women Lead the Fight for Change [The Black Wall Street Times]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma County cuts jail monitoring staff to close a budget gap, meaning fewer eyes on detainees: The Oklahoma County Detention Center will soon have fewer people checking on detainees and ensuring their safety after jail officials canceled a contract with a staffing company to save money at the cash-strapped facility. [The Frontier]
Jail trust attorney wants judge recused from restraining order request: A nonprofit’s attempt to get a temporary restraining order against the Oklahoma County jail trust and Chairman Jim Holman is on hold to give them and their attorneys time to decide whether to push for the judge to be recused because her work includes regular interaction with the troubled jail and trust. [The Oklahoman]
Jury awards $2M in lawsuit over 2021 Oklahoma County jail death: A jury has awarded $2 million to the family of an Oklahoma County jail inmate who died of a perforated ulcer in 2021 after detention officers missed cell checks that might have saved him. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma Department of Corrections installs full-body scanners to prevent contraband: The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is increasing security measures at some of the state’s largest prisons to prevent the spread of contraband. [KOSU]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Norman homeless shelter an overdue ‘step forward’ for growing city, organizers say: After nearly six years of planning, Norman officials are moving forward with an effort to build a permanent low-barrier homeless shelter, a project Mayor Stephen Holman says is long overdue for the state’s third-largest city, where “homelessness isn’t going away.” [The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
As Hollywood Loses Ground, Oklahoma Plays the Long Game: There is a broader question facing Oklahoma as it invests heavily in film incentives: whether the state can build a lasting production ecosystem or risks chasing an industry that rarely stays in one place. [Oklahoma Watch]
- From OK Policy: The Oklahoma Incentive Evaluation Commission found that the state’s film industry returned only 52 cents in Oklahoma tax dollars for every dollar spent.
Community News
Opinion, America’s Moral Compass Has Always Been Black: America does not lose its way all at once. It happens in moments—when truth is bent, when power goes unchecked, when institutions meant to protect the vulnerable instead test their limits. And in those moments, the nation reveals something deeper: who is willing to stand for its ideals and serve as the moral compass when the powerful refuse to do so. [Nehemiah Frank / The Black Wall Street Times]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa moves forward with plans for possible city jail, municipal court construction [Tulsa World]
- Financial review continues as city considers building a downtown convention hotel [Tulsa World]
- How do average city of Tulsa salaries compare to county, state governments? [Tulsa World]
- Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s Tulsa visit packs Will Rogers gym [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“I think one of the important reasons to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States is to look back at that founding and to trace the impact, and to, I think, ask the question whether the country has lived up to its full potential. Part of that full potential is to make sure there’s reconciliation with marginalized populations, including Native peoples, and so I think that’s still a work in progress.”
-Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., speaking about America’s 250th anniversary as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on whether we have lived up to our values and goals. [Tulsa World]
Number of the Day
$130 million
Medicaid and Medicare cuts from H.R. 1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill) are expected to create an annual net revenue loss of $130 million for INTEGRIS Health, one of Oklahoma’s biggest health care systems. The company confirmed Friday that it would be closing some clinics and reducing staffing at other locations during the next three to six months in order to accommodate those funding cuts. [INTEGRIS via Fox 25]
Policy Note
Hospitals brace for new wave of federal cuts as GOP turns to reconciliation again: The Trump administration’s fiscal year 2027 budget, released April 3, adds another accelerant: It proposes $15.8 billion in Health and Human Services cuts — a 12.5% reduction from 2026 — with significant cuts to the National Institutes of Health, among other healthcare programs. Hospitals are already staring down the barrel of up to $25 billion in annual revenue losses stemming from OBBBA Medicaid cuts. With another reconciliation bill taking shape, the next question on hospital leaders’ minds is how much deeper — and faster — this next round of health care cuts could hit. [Becker’s Hospital Review]
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