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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
Legislative committee investigating finances for state mental health agency (Capitol Update): It’s hard to know from the outside exactly how the funding picture got muddled and why mental health and substance abuse services have possibly been damaged. Publicly available information indicates that ODMHSAS has faced consistent underfunding and has sometimes utilized internal fund transfers to manage its expenses without requesting additional funding when required. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
GOP bill would block 94% of Oklahoma voters from citizen petitions: Republican state lawmakers are inching closer to pushing through Senate Bill 1027, a measure that would drastically limit the number of Oklahoma residents eligible to sign citizen petitions. The most controversial aspect of the bill involves limiting how many voters from any Oklahoma county can be counted on a citizen petition. [The Black Wall Street Times]
- From OK Policy: SB 1027 would exclude millions of registered voters from signing initiative petitions | Speak out against SB 1027 today by contacting your lawmakers
State Government News
New OSDE chief of staff paid nearly $50K in first month, still listed as active employee for Florida company: The Oklahoma State Department of Education was unable to explain to News 4 why it paid State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ newly-hired chief of staff nearly $50,000 during his first month on the job, despite a Florida company also listing him as an active, full-time employee. [KFOR]
Oklahoma Treasurer’s Office Faces Scrutiny Over Use of Signal in Anti-ESG Coordination: The chief of staff for Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ used messaging app Signal to communicate and coordinate policy with groups opposed to environmental, social and governance standards, according to an open records lawsuit. [Oklahoma Watch]
Legislative Roundup
- Panel advances bill banning delivery of abortion-inducing drugs in Oklahoma [Oklahoma Voice]
- Bill targeting abortion-inducing pills heads to Oklahoma Senate [Tulsa World]
- Bill to let consumers sue health insurers over ‘bad faith’ denials stalls despite unanimous House approval [The Oklahoman]
- Bill increasing requirements to close businesses during a pandemic heads to Oklahoma governor [Oklahoma Voice]
- Bill limiting governor’s emergency powers awaits Stitt’s signature [Tulsa World]
- Committee advances bill blocking utility surcharge fees [The Journal Record]
- TAX CUT?: OK lawmakers aim to repeal law marking up 6% tax on gas, groceries [2 News]
- Oklahoma bill seeks mandatory marijuana education for physicians [7 News]
- Oklahoma bill would make it illegal to use or sell kratom under certain conditions [Fox 25]
Federal Government News
How will tariffs impact Oklahoma’s agriculture industry?: As farmers and ranchers have seen high input prices and lower commodity prices, producers also have a wary eye on tariffs. Economists say there is a lot of uncertainty, but people will feel the impact of the trade move. [KOSU]
Advocates urge restart of suspended refugee resettlement program: State and local leaders and advocates from across the country called on the Trump administration Monday to immediately restart the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, saying the program’s suspension has harmed communities. [Oklahoma Voice]
EPA gives some Oklahoma coal-fired power plants extensions to meet pollution requirements: Following an order from President Donald Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency gave dozens of coal plants an extra two years to comply with its latest Clean Air Act policies. Some of them are in Oklahoma. [KGOU]
U.S. Supreme Court pauses deportations under wartime law: The U.S. Supreme Court early Saturday temporarily blocked a new round of deportations under the wartime Alien Enemies Act until the high court considers the case of several migrants in Texas whose lawyers say are at risk for “imminent removal.” [Oklahoma Voice]
Real ID deadline is coming up: Tips and tricks for getting yours quickly in Oklahoma: Although Congress passed the REAL ID Act 20 years ago, Oklahoma and several other states have been slow to adopt the new standards. The deadline has been pushed back for years due to a backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s what you need to know about how to quickly get a Real ID in Oklahoma. [The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Indian boarding school preservation efforts halted after Trump administration cuts funding: The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, known as NABS, is losing critical grant funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities due to cuts made by the Trump administration. [KOSU]
- Opinion: Trump Cuts to NEH Funding Threaten to Erase Indian Boarding School History [Levi Rickert / Native News Online]
First Watch: Stuff You Should Know: President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget seeks a significant reduction in funding for the Indian Health Service, cutting the agency’s budget by 30%. The plan would roll back funding to $4.6 billion, down from $6.9 billion in FY 2023, according to a White House budget document. [Oklahoma Watch]
Every day is Earth Day for Indigenous people: Since 1970, people all around the world have set aside April 22 as Earth Day, pausing to focus on caring for the planet. Since time immemorial, of course, Indigenous peoples have been doing the same thing. Every day. [ICT]
Voting and Election News
Republican state senator announces bid for Oklahoma lieutenant governor: Sen. Darrell Weaver on Monday announced he will run as a Republican for lieutenant governor in 2026. [Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
As accreditation probation ends, OSU seeks $295 for new College of Veterinary Medicine: One of the largest asks pending before the Oklahoma Legislature this session proposes a new OSU College of Veterinary Medicine complex in the hopes of restoring the school’s former glory, meeting a major state workforce need and avoiding the embarrassing calamity of losing national accreditation. [NonDoc]
University of Central Oklahoma taps former lawmaker Jason Nelson for associate VP post: Jason Nelson, who served as a Republican State representative from 2008 to 2016, will begin his role at the university April 28, UCO President Todd Lamb said. [The Oklahoman]
Health News
Possible measles exposures in Norman, Slaughterville under investigation: OSDH says a person with a confirmed case of measles visited Sooner Mall in Norman on April 14 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., including the Dillard’s and American Eagle, according to a public exposure release. Health officials said they identified another exposure event at the Slaughterville Town Hall scheduled for April 15 between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. [News 9]
Criminal Justice News
Democrats, GOP are working together to better compensate wrongfully convicted Oklahomans: A bill that could significantly increase compensation for the wrongfully convicted in Oklahoma has passed the House and is headed to the Senate. [The Oklahoman]
Gov. Stitt approves parole for an Oklahoma man locked up as a teenager for murder: Gov. Kevin Stitt has granted parole for Wayne Thompson, who was 15 when he murdered his sister’s abuser. Thompson, now 58, has spent more than four decades behind bars for the 1983 killing of Charles Keene, his sister Vickie’s ex-husband, in Grady County. [KOSU]
Richard Glossip moved to Oklahoma County Detention Center after decades on death row: Richard Glossip, who spent decades on death row and came close to the execution chamber several times, has been moved to the Oklahoma County Detention Center. [KOCO]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Oklahoma City considers making garage apartments easier to build, rent: It could soon be easier to build a little bonus home on the same plot of land as an existing house in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City Council is considering an ordinance to streamline the process of building and letting people build and live in accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. [KOSU]
Economy & Business News
Opinion: At first, I questioned the value of wind energy, but now I see its value: I remember the first time I learned a wind farm was coming to my community. While some landowners had voluntarily leased their land for the project, other neighbors weren’t sure a wind farm would be beneficial for our area. I wasn’t sure, either — so I did my research. [Dustin Ratliff / The Oklahoman]
Community News
‘The gift of Pope Francis:’ Oklahoma leaders share statements of hope in wake of pope’s death: Oklahoma Catholic leaders shared statements about Pope Francis, who died on Monday. He was 88. [The Oklahoman]
- A down-to-earth listener who spoke ‘off the cuff:’ Local priests remember Pope Francis [The Oklahoman]
- Holy Family Cathedral hosts memorial Mass for Pope Francis [Tulsa World]
- Parishioners attend Mass at Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in OKC following death of Pope Francis [The Oklahoman]
Families of Oklahoma City bombing victims turned away after ceremony hit capacity: Several families of victims and survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing are feeling frustrated after they weren’t able to attend the 30th Remembrance Ceremony when First Church reached capacity on Saturday. [The Oklahoman]
- OKC bombing victims angered, unable to enter church for ceremony [Fox 25]
- OKC National Memorial and Museum apologizes for challenges at 2025 Remembrance Ceremony [Fox 25]
2 Oklahoma properties added to National Register of Historic Places: The first property, the Baccus House, was constructed in 1989 as a railroad office. The building would later become associated with W.M. Baccus and the politics of Vernon, one of the remaining 13 All-Black towns in Oklahoma. The Robert J. LaFortune Tower was also added to the National Register of Historic Place. [Fox 23]
Local Headlines
- Bricktown food truck owner says OKC’s proposed ordinance would hurt late-night business [The Oklahoman]
- OKC Asian Chamber of Commerce hosts business growth summit [The Journal Record]
- ‘End the STIgma Block Party’ Targets Tulsa’s Soaring Sexually Transmitted Infection Rates [The Black Wall Street Times]
Quote of the Day
“In that last committee meeting on Senate Bill 1027, it was acknowledged several times that over 300 people have called and emailed in opposition to that bill. Yes, it still passed, but there were two Republicans who voted no. They’re aware that people aren’t just going to roll over and allow this to go through without making their voices heard.”
– Rep. Mickey Dollens (Oklahoma City) speaking about the response to SB 1027, a measure that could prevent up to 94% of eligible Oklahoma residents from signing citizen petitions, also known as state questions. [The Black Wall Street Times]
- From OK Policy: Speak out against SB 1027 today by contacting your lawmakers
Number of the Day
25.9%
More than 1 in 4 Oklahoma adults (25.9%) has a mental illness, which is the nation’s 14th highest rate. [2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) via Healthy Minds Policy Initiative]
Policy Note
With Economic Risks High, Here Are Three Facts to Remember About Recessions: Though President Trump’s April 9 announcement of a 90-day pause in many planned tariffs reduced fears of an imminent economic or financial crisis, many economists continue to warn that the Administration’s chaotic and drastic tariff policies may plunge the economy into a recession. While the Administration has downplayed these warnings, suggesting that any economic pain will be “worth it,” recessions are serious events. They not only affect the economy broadly but also impose tremendous harm on the households and businesses that experience them acutely, including altering their future trajectories. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
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