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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
Oklahoma destined to remain poor state without investments (Capitol Update): It is almost certain those running our state are making a serious mistake with the $340 million tax cut passed by the legislature last week. The best evidence of that is the debate made by the chairman of the Senate Revenue and Tax Committee, Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, on the floor of the State Senate against House Bill 2764, Gov. Kevin Stitt’s tax cut and “path to zero” plan. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Legal challenge expected after Oklahoma governor approves initiative petition restrictions: A legal challenge is expected after Gov. Kevin signed a measure that puts more restrictions on the process voters use to get issues on the ballot. Critics said Senate Bill 1027, by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is an unconstitutional effort to limit Oklahomans’ ability to utilize the state’s initiative petition process, while supporters said it is necessary to ensure more input from rural counties and to prevent fraud. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Legal challenge to come against Oklahoma bill capping initiative petition signatures [The Oklahoman]
- Gov. Kevin Stitt signs law adding restrictions to initiative petition process [Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: SB 1027 would exclude millions of registered voters from signing initiative petitions
Oklahomans could see cheaper groceries, gas this fall: Oklahoma retailers will no longer be required to mark up products after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill amending the Unfair Sales Act. The law strikes language that required retailers to include a 6% markup on products to cover the cost of doing business. [Oklahoma Voice]
State Government News
One week of lawmaking left in Oklahoma: here’s what’s signed into law, vetoed and left to finish: Lawmakers are wrapping up Oklahoma’s 60th legislative session this week. From tax cuts to classroom cellphone bans and the end of the board ensuring people are buried properly, 504 bills had been sent to the governor heading into the Memorial Day weekend. [KOSU]
Oklahoma Senate approves governor’s new education board members: The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday confirmed Gov. Kevin Stitt’s four new appointees to the State Board of Education along with picks for several other state leadership posts. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Senate confirms Gov. Kevin Stitt’s four new state Board of Education nominees [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Senate confirms education board appointees — Here’s how the process works [News 9]
- Senate confirms new State Board of Education members [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma lawmakers seek oversight after mental health budget turmoil: Since March of 2025, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has thrown lawmakers in every direction with their budget. House Bill 2785 would keep an eye on the agency’s budget while they are out of session. Prior to that, they didn’t have financial oversight. [2 News Oklahoma]
Oklahoma Close to Sealing Enhanced Trade Relations with Taiwan as Bill Advances to Governor’s Desk: Oklahoma lawmakers are putting the wheels in motion to establish a more robust international economic presence, as a bill aimed at setting up a Taiwan Regional Trade Office advances to the governor’s desk. [Hoodline]
Meeting over new ACCESS Oklahoma turnpike path gets heated in Norman: Officials with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority asked for public opinion on where to build the controversial southern turnpike extension near Norman. However, that meeting had some tense moments. [KOCO]
Long Story Short: Oklahoma’s Pending Purchase of Lawton Prison Brings Hope of Reduced Violence (audio): Keaton Ross examined how the state’s pending purchase of the Lawton Correctional Facility could impact the people who live and work there. Jennifer Palmer’s latest story dives into the public school enrollment numbers for the 24-25 school year. Paul Monies has an update on Gov. Kevin Stitt’s executive order mandating that state employees return to the office. [Oklahoma Watch]
Federal Government News
How Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ could force cuts to Oklahoma’s SoonerCare program: State lawmakers will have to make tough decisions about Medicaid if President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill” becomes law, including whether to cut health care coverage for low-income and disabled Oklahomans, cut reimbursements to doctors or find other ways to pay for the program known as SoonerCare. [The Oklahoman]
- Republicans target a tax that keeps state Medicaid programs running [Oklahoma Voice]
- Proposed federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP could cost Oklahoma $1 billion [News 9]
- Oklahoma leader urges Congress to reconsider cuts to programs used by local families [KOCO]
- Statement from OK Policy: Oklahoma Policy Institute condemns U.S. House passage of federal budget bill that harms vulnerable Oklahomans
NPR sues over Trump order cutting off its funding, citing First Amendment: The 43-page filing says the order that President Donald Trump signed earlier this month “violates the expressed will of Congress and the First Amendment’s bedrock guarantees of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of association, and also threatens the existence of a public radio system that millions of Americans across the country rely on for vital news and information.” [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma to ask for federal approval to regulate its own underground carbon injection wells: Researchers and private companies in the U.S. are seeking ways to limit emissions from burning fossil fuels through carbon storage. Although no federal permits for the wells are currently under review in Oklahoma, lawmakers are planning for the state to welcome the carbon sequestration industry. [KGOU]
Tribal Nations News
Stitt vetoes MMIP office funding; families push for override: Ida’s Law requires the OSBI to obtain federal funding in order to fully establish a liaison office dedicated to MMIP cases. House Bill 1137, authored by Choctaw Nation citizen Ronald Stewart, D-Tulsa, which passed overwhelmingly in both chambers with bipartisan support, amends the law, eliminates the federal funding requirement. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Ida’s Law in 2021, but opted to veto HB 1137 earlier this month. [The Journal Record]
- Oklahoma nonprofit pushes for veto override as legislative deadline looms [News Channel 8]
- Statement from OK Policy: OK Policy responds to governor’s misleading comments on SB 675
Cherokee Nation Marshal Service to bring MMIP education to communities: As May comes to an end, the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons crisis in Indian Country does not. May, which was declared as MMIP Month within the Cherokee Nation, is a reminder of those whose stories were cut short. It also gives way for exposure and education to help one of the tribe’s most vulnerable population – children and young adults. [Cherokee Phoenix]
Muscogee high court reschedules Freedmen oral arguments, quietly responds to hack: The Muscogee Nation Supreme Court has rescheduled oral arguments in the Muscogee Freedmen citizenship case for Tuesday, June 10, while also ordering the hearing be conducted via Zoom. [NonDoc]
Voting and Election News
HD 97 candidates set to debate June 3 for NEOKC seat: Oklahoma House District 97 candidates Aletia Timmons and JeKia Harrison have agreed to participate in a debate hosted by NonDoc and News 9 at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 3, at the Metro Tech District Center auditorium, 1900 Springlake Drive. The event is free to attend and open to the public. [NonDoc]
Education News
Oklahoma advocacy group debuts opt-out waivers for controversial social studies standards, more: A group of Oklahoma parents and advocates has released a waiver for material championed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters, but the state department says it is not enforceable. [KGOU]
- Public school parent-led group provides social studies curriculum opt-out form [KFOR]
- Nonprofit wants parents to be able to opt out of social studies curriculum [Fox 23]
Court drops ex-Shawnee superintendent’s case against Oklahoma State Board of Education: The Oklahoma State Board of Education has scored a legal win in a case filed by the now-former superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools. Aaron Espolt had tried to prevent the board, led by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, from taking action to suspend his teaching license. [The Oklahoman]
What Happened to Oklahoma’s Effort to Count Undocumented Students?: An effort led by Oklahoma’s state superintendent to require parents to provide proof of citizenship when enrolling their children in school failed in the state legislature this month. In February, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, also a Republican, announced he would block the rule from taking effect, calling it a political move. But the rule never made it to Stitt’s desk. The state’s House of Representatives rejected it. [EducationWeek]
OKCPS announces ‘goals and guardrails’ it hopes to use in implementation of strategic plan: As the Oklahoma City Public Schools district develops a strategic plan for the next five years, it has released a list of draft “goals and guardrails” it says will serve as performance benchmarks and protections to ensure progress doesn’t come at the expense of what it believes to be the community’s core values. [The Oklahoman]
Health News
Parts of Grand Lake, Illinois River have high levels of E. coli: Heavy rainfall across the state has swept high levels of bacteria into some of Oklahoma’s favorite recreational waters. The Grand River Dam Authority issued an E. coli advisory Saturday for Elk River at Grand Lake and Wolf Bay at Lake Hudson. [KOSU]
Opinion: 1 in 4 Oklahomans face a mental illness. We deserve access to affordable care.: I didn’t grow up in a generation that talked about therapy. I’m proudly Gen X. We fall down, dust ourselves off and keep going. Therapy was only whispered about, reserved for people who “couldn’t keep it together.” Gosh, I was wrong. [Keith Howard / The Oklahoman]
Opinion, State Senator: SB 889 can protect Oklahomans from hospital price gouging, ruined credit scores: Oklahoma legislators have heard from our constituents loud and clear about the crushing cost of health care in our state. According to one measure, 20% of Oklahomans have medical debt in collections, the second-highest rate in the nation. More than half of Oklahoma patients say they can’t afford health care. That’s unacceptable. [Sen. Paul Rosino / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
OKC police seek nearly $300M in proposed budget; residents question spending priorities: Police are asking for nearly $300 million in funding as part of the proposed Oklahoma City budget for the next year amid ongoing demands for police reform and calls from residents for a say in the budget process. [The Oklahoman]
Genealogical project ‘We Are Greenwood’ honored for tracing Black descendants: For generations, descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have lived with holes in their family histories—names lost, records destroyed, bloodlines broken. Now, a groundbreaking initiative is working to restore what white supremacy tried to erase. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
What’s Next? Lawmakers, Policy Experts Say They Will Continue Fight To Reduce Evictions: In Oklahoma, much has changed since 2016. The population has increased and more people have moved to the state’s urban centers. Oklahoma’s Latino/Hispanic population is up, as is the state’s gross domestic product. Employment is high and the prison population has declined. Yet, eviction filings have skyrocketed. [Oklahoma Watch]
How an OKC family teaches state leaders the value of multigenerational housing: Researchers expect Oklahomans 65 and older to outnumber children a decade from now. State leaders are rethinking how they support their aging population. One Oklahoma City family has led the conversation through their story. [News 9]
Economy & Business News
‘Seismic shift’ coming for Wagoner County with $4-billion investment in Tulsa Port of Inola: Coweta city leaders are expecting a “seismic shift” in the Wagoner County economic landscape from a multibillion-dollar investment by an Emirates-based company. [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa Port of Inola selected for $4 billion aluminum project [The Black Wall Street Times]
Tulsa Mayor: Data centers have a place but not a ‘critical piece’ of city’s economic development: Mayor Monroe Nichols does not see data centers playing an integral role in Tulsa’s economic development future, he said Tuesday. A data center generally refers to a physical structure that houses a company’s digital data and includes such things as servers, storage drives and network equipment. [Tulsa World]
Summer jobs abound, but Tulsa beats OKC: For those still seeking summer employment, a new report offers good news: A labor shortage means this is a great time to join the workforce, although opportunities will be more widely available in some places than in others. Tulsa ranks 70th and Oklahoma City 95th among the best cities to find a summer job. [The Journal Record]
Community News
Biking Tulsa’s Black Wall Street to New York’s Wall Street: This summer, Osborne Celestain will be the only Tulsa rider joining the 1,645-mile Black Wall Street to Wall Street Ride for Equity — a weeks-long journey from the heart of historic Greenwood to the skyscrapers of New York’s financial district. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Local Headlines
- Reduced bus fares return this summer to help clear Tulsa’s ozone smog [The Black Wall Street Times]
Quote of the Day
“I frequently see people get evicted the same month they miss rent. It happens a lot in under 30 days. That creates a lot of due process issues. How are you supposed to get due process if you’re just running through the system and there really isn’t time for your case to be heard?”
– Victoria Wilson, an attorney for Oklahoma City University’s Tenant Rights Clinic, said that in addition to a low minimum wage and rapidly increasing rental costs, part of the state’s eviction problem is a lack of tenant rights and a very short eviction process. The legislature passed a bipartisan bill this session, SB 128, that would have lengthened the amount of time between eviction filings and court dates, but it was vetoed by the governor. [Oklahoma Watch]
- Statement from OK Policy: Gov.’s veto of SB 128 rejects bipartisan solution that would have helped landlords and kept Oklahomans in their homes
Number of the Day
92%
Share of Medicaid-covered adults under age 65 who are working full or part-time, or not working due to caregiving responsibilities, illness or disability, or school attendance. [KFF]
Policy Note
5 Key Facts About Medicaid Work Requirements: As debate heats up about Medicaid work requirements, data show most Medicaid adults are working or face barriers to work. Many Medicaid adults who are working low-wage jobs are employed by small firms and in industries that have low employer-sponsored insurance offer rates. [KFF]
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