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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
Supreme Court, Oklahoma lawmakers weigh church-state boundaries (Capitol Update): While the legislature was plowing its way through multiple bills toward this week’s deadline for floor passage of bills originating in the opposite chamber, issues of private religious faith in the public sector worked their way toward a conclusion. It has been a cardinal rule that public funding of private schools is prohibited by the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Immigration protests in Oklahoma lose steam as enforcement, fear picks up: Hundreds of immigrant Latinos and their supporters rallied in protest of immigration enforcement policies in Oklahoma City on Sunday. But despite the warm sunny day, hundreds more were chilled from making an appearance. [KOSU]
State Government News
In fiery testimony, Friesen says ODMHSAS has ‘likely’ been plagued by ‘corruption’: Testifying for the second time in front of a House investigative committee examining the agency she leads, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Allie Friesen went on the attack this morning, accusing former department officials of “abuse, negligence and likely corruption” that has led to the payroll problems revealed to legislators last week. [NonDoc]
- Executive director back on hot seat as Mental Health Department’s finances remain murky [Tulsa World]
- State official asks for help determining Oklahoma mental health agency’s financial shortfalls [Oklahoma Voice]
- ‘We’re running out of time’: Department of Mental Health probe raises payroll questions [The Journal Record]
- Oklahoma mental health agency reasserts payroll shortage, lawmakers say time is running out [KOSU]
- Frustration with ODMHSAS grows after agency heads tell state lawmakers they don’t know extent of debt [Fox 23]
Oklahoma Republicans propose block on citizenship checks in schools: Republican lawmakers have suggested rejecting a controversial proposal to have Oklahoma public schools ask for proof of U.S. citizenship during enrollment. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Proposal Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Enroll Children in Public School Ignites GOP Infighting [Latin Times]
- From OK Policy: Statement: All children have the fundamental right to an education (July 31, 2024)
Far-right Oklahoma senator calls for reversal of court decision allowing gay marriage: A far-right Oklahoma state senator has filed a resolution calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a landmark 2015 decision that legalized gay marriage throughout the nation. The resolution was filed May 1. It’s unclear if it will be heard in the state Senate, which cannot direct the actions of the nation’s highest court. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma Ethics Commission dismisses complaints against Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett: During its May 1 meeting, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted to dismiss two complaints against Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett. The votes came after an investigation into whether Hiett had conflicts of interest in his role. [KGOU]
Legislature looks to protect cattle business from solar industry: Depending on who is asked, SB 915 is either an honest attempt to bring together agriculturalists and solar power developers, or a ploy to keep solar from taking up any more of the 726,000 state-owned acres managed by the Commissioners of the Land Office. [Tulsa World]
As Oklahoma Forestry Services’ disaster response role evolves, Wildland Fire Working Group has suggestions: After wildfires burned hundreds of thousands of acres across Oklahoma in March, Gov. Kevin Stitt fired the head of the Oklahoma Forestry Services and floated the concept of dissolving the agency entirely. [KOSU]
Roundup: Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office criticized, OFS scrutinized, OK County land swap jeopardized: The state has had no shortage of rainy days over the past few weeks, but a new report from State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd shows the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office has not saved up for one. Learn more about the audit, along with updates on Oklahoma Forestry Services’ response to wildfires in March, a handful of issues in Oklahoma County and more in the roundup. [NonDoc]
Federal Government News
DHS offers $1,000 to immigrants without legal status who self-deport: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Monday that the agency will provide $1,000 in what it called “travel assistance” to people in the United States without permanent legal status if they self deport. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma agency that feeds, supports seniors faces federal funding uncertainties: An organization that provides Oklahoma seniors with resources like meals and transportation is facing uncertainty about the future of its federal funding. The group receives funding through the Older Americans Act, which seeks to support older Americans’ ability to live at home and in the community longer. [KGOU]
Trump budget puts clean-energy spending in crosshairs: President Donald Trump’s budget request for the next fiscal year proposes deep cuts to renewable energy programs and other climate spending as the administration seeks to shift U.S. energy production to encourage more fossil fuels and push the focus away from reducing climate change. [Oklahoma Voice]
- States’ nuclear energy growth needs federal action to follow Trump’s vocal support [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma senator applauds Alcatraz move: ‘I don’t believe in keeping them comfortable’: Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) applauded President Trump’s order to reopen the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, saying he doesn’t believe in keeping prisoners comfortable. [The Hill]
- Trump Wants to Rebuild and Reopen Alcatraz Prison [Native News Online]
Majority of Oklahomans don’t have Real ID ahead of May 7 deadline: The Real ID, which has a gold star, will be needed for domestic air travel, entering certain federal buildings and military bases starting May 7. The agency said as of May 5, the state had a 44% compliance rate. [KOSU]
- Oklahoma senator files resolution against federal real ID rules [KXII]
Opinion: I’m a Republican. OETA shaped me as a conservative.: Members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation have a strong track record of supporting the federal investment of $1.60 per American per year to help resource PBS stations like OETA. Oklahoma needs PBS stations like OETA. Our US reps, senators must protect it. [Garrett T. King / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Dozens appear at Oklahoma Capitol in support of MMIP Awareness Day: Tribal nations, advocacy organizations and state agencies gathered at the front steps of the Oklahoma State Capitol Monday to raise awareness and advocate for support of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) crisis. [KOSU]
- Indigenous people raise awareness about their missing and murdered [AP]
National Congress of American Indians Condemns Trump Administration’s Elimination of Boarding School Truth and Preservation Funding: The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) on Monday condemned the Trump administration’s decision to rescind critical federal funding for Native American boarding school research, education, and preservation announced last month. [Native News Online]
Voting and Election News
New Tulsa Democratic Party chair wants candidates who will ‘do the work’: The Tulsa County Democratic Party is under new leadership. Community organizer Sarah Gray was elected April 26 to chair the county party, replacing the outgoing chair, Bruce Niemi. In November, Gray ran for Tulsa County Commissioner, losing to Lonnie Sims by 1.64% of the vote. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Education News
OSDE offers free statewide training at no-cost to school districts: The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) announced it will be providing training for school board members at no cost to districts across the state. The training will focus on strengthening local school governance. [Fox 23]
- OSDE announces free, practical training for school boards [7 News]
Freshman Oklahoma lawmakers talk K-12 standards, higher education and CareerTech funding: From public school curriculum to higher education and workforce development, education policy remains a focal point at the Oklahoma Capitol, where lawmakers are tackling a range of issues with major implications for students, teachers and the state’s economy. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Tulsa school board OK’s policy extension allowing people without bachelor’s degrees to teach: After almost an hour of discussion, Tulsa Public Schools’ Board of Education voted 6-1 Monday night to reauthorize a program that allows for people without a bachelor’s degree to teach full-time in the district. [Tulsa World]
Editorial: Oklahoma lawmakers on the brink of making our struggling schools even worse: With less than a month to go in this year’s legislative session, hope is running out that any concrete action will be taken to improve our state’s public schools, which are among the worst in the nation. In fact, just the opposite may be happening. Legislators are on the brink of making our education crisis even worse. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Health News
Opinion: Oklahoma’s suicide rate is top 10 in the nation. It doesn’t have to be: If the same amount of attention were paid to every suicide as were given to every homicide, perhaps the public could grasp the severity of this tragedy. Instead, it remains largely out of sight. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma Death Row inmate John Hanson to seek clemency: Oklahoma Death Row inmate John Hanson will stand before the State Pardon and Parole Board on Wednesday to ask for clemency. Hanson was convicted of kidnapping and killing Mary Bowles after carjacking her in the parking lot of a Tulsa mall. [News 9]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma Death Penalty Tracker
Medical contractor with troubled history to leave Cleveland County jail: TK Health, formerly known as Turn Key Health Clinics, said in a letter dated March 6 that it would not renew its contract with Cleveland County. The company said it would leave the jail on June 30. There has been a history of complaints about access to medical care at the facility. [The Frontier]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma working moms still pay cost for career: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 74% of mothers with children under age 18 were in the workforce in 2024, juggling a career along with raising children. The burden is not equal across America because things like parental leave policies and cost-effective day care vary significantly by state, a new WalletHub study found. [The Journal Record]
Dollar Tree rebuilding Marietta distribution center: Dollar Tree will reopen its Marietta, OK, distribution center by 2027, restoring 400 jobs after the 2024 tornado. [The Journal Record]
Community News
Oklahoma-Texas passenger train route could be in jeopardy: Passenger rail service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth could end if Texas lawmakers decline to fund that state’s share, the Oklahoma Transportation Commission was told Monday. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Transportation chief warns Heartland Flyer service could end in June without Texas support [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- OKC stockyards will continue under proposed new ownership [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“A bill backed by Senate Education Committee Chair Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, to give teachers another raise to help address our critical shortage is being shelved. More important to legislators, it seems, is making sure enough money is available for a small percentage cut in the state income-tax rate that won’t be of much help to average Oklahomans.”
– The Oklahoman editorial board, responding to lawmakers shelving a teacher pay raise bill, in addition to state agency budget increases and funding for other public services, in favor of tax cuts that mainly benefit the wealthiest Oklahomans. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Number of the Day
- From OK Policy: Private school tax credits will give everyone’s taxes to people who don’t need our help
Policy Note
The five-alarm fire that public education is facing: Public schools remain one of the best tools we still have to build a prosperous, equitable country. Nearly 90% of all U.S. students attend public schools. The Trump administration, implementing ideas right out of Project 2025, is defunding public education to the point that it doesn’t work. Their “fix”? Private school vouchers as a solution to a problem of their own making. [Economic Policy Institute]
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