OKPOLICY.ORG
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
Policy Matters: We all do better when we all do better: It’s easy to focus on what’s right in front of us — our own families, homes, and needs. But if we want Oklahoma to truly thrive, we must look beyond our own fence line and recognize this simple truth: when our neighbors do better, we all do better. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
Oklahoma News
Bill capping petition signatures from a single county advances from Oklahoma House: State House lawmakers have advanced a version of a closely-watched bill that would overhaul Oklahoma’s initiative petition process. Versions of Senate Bill 1027 have now passed both the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives, but the Senate now has the final say on whether to send the bill to the governor. [The Oklahoman]
- Bill restricting gathering signatures for Oklahoma ballot initiatives heads back to Senate [Oklahoma Voice]
- House passes bill to make initiative petition process ‘really tough, if not impossible’ [Tulsa World]
- Restrictions to Initiative Petition process passes another hurdle [KFOR]
- GOP-led states are passing new restrictions for voters to get issues on the ballot [NPR]
- From OK Policy: SB 1027 would exclude millions of registered voters from signing initiative petitions
Oklahoma Agencies Publish Private School Tax Credit Recipients Under Transparency Law: The Tax Commission last week released its latest snapshot of the recipients of the Parental Choice Tax Credit. It showed just 2,963 of the 36,921 students approved for the tax credit so far this year were enrolled in public school the previous semester. [Oklahoma Watch]
- New report shows 25% of school tax credit recipients earn $250k or more annually [Fox 25]
- From OK Policy: Private school tax credits will give everyone’s taxes to people who don’t need our help
State Government News
‘Just inappropriate’: Lawsuit claims OSDE social studies standards approved without due process: During a last-minute press conference this morning, former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced a lawsuit against the State Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters regarding the board’s handling of controversial social studies standards, which seven plaintiffs argue were approved without following proper due process procedures. [NonDoc]
- Ryan Walters, education board sued over social studies standards approval process [The Oklahoman]
- Former Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter sues State Board of Education over academic standards [KOSU]
- Former Oklahoma AG files lawsuit to invalidate new social studies standards [Oklahoma Voice]
- Lawsuit filed to challenge controversial social studies standards [Tulsa World]
- Education Watch: Lawsuit Seeks to Nullify Social Studies Standards [Oklahoma Watch]
- WATCH: News Conference on legal challenge against Oklahoma State Board of Education [Fox 25]
Panel cans Oklahoma education rules dealing with immigration status and naturalization tests: A bipartisan Senate panel on Wednesday voted to toss out two rules backed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters that dealt with monitoring student immigration status and that would require teachers to take the U.S. Naturalization Test. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Ryan Walters’ immigration-check proposal hits roadblock in Oklahoma Senate [The Oklahoman]
- Senate committee rejects immigration rules for Oklahoma schools [KFOR]
Lawmakers could override veto of mammogram coverage bill: A bill that would expand diagnostic mammography access was vetoed by Gov. Kevin Stitt Wednesday, but strong bipartisan support for it could mean an override in the last weeks of the 2025 session. [The Journal Record]
- Lawmaker battling breast cancer vows to challenge Oklahoma governor’s veto on diagnostic screening [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma governor rejects measure requiring insurers to cover more breast cancer tests [The Oklahoman]
- Gov. Stitt vetoes bill to provide better access to mammograms; bill’s author battling breast cancer [KOCO]
- Opinion: Gov. Stitt not so pro-life when it comes to women [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoes bill to extend eviction process: A bill that proposed to give people who are late on their rent more time to resolve problems before facing eviction earned bipartisan support in the Legislature but met with the veto pen of the governor. [Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: Statement: Gov.’s veto of SB 128 rejects bipartisan solution that would have helped landlords and kept Oklahomans in their homes
Emerson Kate Cole Act passes in Oklahoma legislature: The new legislation will improve emergency response to severe allergic reactions in schools. It requires 911 be called as soon as epinephrine is administered to a student and ensures all school personnel can administer the life saving medication. [News Channel 10]
Oklahoma Lawmakers Secure Right to Appeal Against Major Utility Rate Hike in Supreme Court: In a recent development in Oklahoma’s legal scene, Rep. Tom Gann, alongside other lawmakers, has won the right to proceed with an appeal against a hefty utility rate increase enacted by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). [Hoodline]
Why some Oklahoma lawmakers want more control over judicial selection: The Oklahoma Supreme Court has the ultimate and final power of arbitration over Oklahoma’s civil statutes, before federal courts get to interpret the laws instead. That’s what makes it such an important and powerful state government institution. It’s why Gov. Kevin Stitt wants to have as much influence as possible over who serves on the courts. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
Proposed cuts to SNAP would shift ‘huge costs’ to states: With a goal of cutting spending and promoting “self-sufficiency,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wants to overhaul the nation’s largest federal food assistance program by requiring states to pay a bigger share, starting with 5% more a year until states take on 50% of the costs. [Oklahoma Voice]
House GOP backing off some Medicaid cuts as report shows millions of people would lose health care: House Republicans appear to be backing off some, but not all, of the steep reductions to the Medicaid program as part of their big tax breaks bill, as they run into resistance from more centrist GOP lawmakers opposed to ending nearly-free health care coverage for their constituents back home. [AP]
Sheriff’s office seeks expanded ICE contract: The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office is working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold undocumented detainees for longer periods of time. The sheriff’s office participates in ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows them to hold David L. Moss Detention Center detainees for 72 hours. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Under half of Oklahomans have a REAL ID. Do I need one? Here’s how to decide: Didn’t get your REAL ID before the May 7 deadline? The majority of Oklahoma hasn’t either. [The Oklahoman]
- Second thoughts on REAL ID? Here’s how Oklahomans can change back to a standard license [The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Stitt vetoes Ida’s Law expansion to help Missing Murdered Indigenous People: The legislation was named after 29-year-old Ida Beard, a Cheyenne and Arapaho woman who disappeared in 2015. It would have mandated the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to create the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons with federal dollars. [The Black Wall Street Times]
- From OK Policy archive: No more delayed justice, HB 1077 is good tribal-state policy (2023)
Voting and Election News
SD 8: Trio seeks eastern Oklahoma seat in tense Senate: Voters in eastern Oklahoma south of Tulsa will have the choice between Republican Bryan Logan, Democrat Nathan Brewer and independent Steve Sanford at the polls Tuesday to represent them in State Senate District 8. [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma Senate Candidate Wants to End Employer Insurance—and Privatize Social Security [MTN]
HD 74 Republican runoff: Kevin Norwood, Sheila Vancuren discuss education, development: Realtor Sheila Vancuren and minister Kevin Norwood both have been active in the Owasso community for decades, and after the May 13 Republican runoff election, one of them will become the frontrunner to represent the conservative-leaning House District 74. [NonDoc]
Oklahoma Senate Passes Bill Allowing Military Police Service to Qualify for County Sheriff Candidacy: In a recent legislative decision that shifts the landscape for electoral qualifications, the Oklahoma Senate has unanimously approved House Bill 1414, a measure allowing military police service to count towards the required experience for running as a county sheriff candidate. [Hoodline]
Education News
New Oklahoma law requires districts to enforce cell phone ban during school hours: The Oklahoma State School Board Association is tasked with figuring out the implementation of the bill, which requires a one-year full ban on cell phone use in Oklahoma public schools, with exceptions for emergencies and students with health issues. [KOCO]
Health News
Oklahoma health officials ask schools to warn vax-exempted families about measles outbreak: As the U.S. closes in on 1,000 confirmed measles cases in the past four months, Oklahoma health officials are asking schools to be more proactive about warning parents about the spread of the disease — especially those who have chosen not vaccinate their children. [The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma board denies clemency for George John Hanson: An Oklahoma board denied clemency on Wednesday for a man convicted of killing a Tulsa woman in 1999, clearing the way for his execution next month after the Trump administration expedited his transfer from a federal prison. [The Journal Record]
- Panel denies clemency for Oklahoma killer [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma death row inmate John Fitzgerald Hanson denied clemency in 3-2 vote [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board denies clemency for George Hanson [KGOU]
- Clemency denied for John Hanson in Tulsa woman’s 1999 murder [Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: Death Penalty Tracker
Community News
Oklahomans cast a big shadow in 60-year history of ACM Awards: Country music’s first major awards program — the Academy of Country Music Awards — is celebrating a milestone. In commemoration of the 60th ACM Awards, here are 10 things to chew on regarding Oklahoma’s rich ACM Awards history. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Black Future News: Black Wall Street Thriving for 10th Year in a Row: For the 10th year in a row, the modern, sprawling Black Wall Street has reported a net growth in both Black-owned businesses and Black household wealth in its core zones, spanning several states — from Tulsa to Jackson, from Birmingham to Buffalo. [Tianna Mañón / The Black Wall Street Times]
Local Headlines
- New OKC program diverts 911 mental health calls [The Journal Record]
- No-growth city budget a relatively new thing for Edmond, city services [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“When state questions are proposed, whether we propose them or the people propose them, ultimately the people decide. This body should be making it easier for people to put something on the ballot. This particular measure should have gone to a vote of the people. If we’re going to take away their power, they should decide that – not us.”
– Rep. Andy Fugate (Oklahoma City) argued during House floor debate on Senate Bill 1027 that the bill harms Oklahomans’ ability to change their own laws. SB 1027, a measure that limits how many signatures can be collected from voters living in each county, passed the House 69-23 and now heads back to the Senate. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: SB 1027 would exclude millions of registered voters from signing initiative petitions
Number of the Day
$921 million
State agencies in Oklahoma at the beginning of this year said they needed an extra $921 million in the coming year to deliver its services to the people of Oklahoma. [News 9]
Policy Note
Growing Trend to Phase in or Trigger State Tax Cuts Is Irresponsible, Skirts Accountability: Policymakers in many state capitols are pushing irresponsible plans for automatic, deep, and costly income tax cuts to be implemented several years after their enactment — obscuring the effect of tax changes that primarily benefit wealthy households and corporations but ultimately damage most people and communities. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
