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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
New data shows Oklahoma’s housing crisis is worsening: New data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition confirms what Oklahomans already know: our housing crisis is getting worse. Oklahoma needs nearly 85,000 rental homes to meet the needs of extremely low-income renters. [Sabine Brown / OK Policy]
State Government News
Legislature removes Allie Friesen as mental health commissioner: In the late hours of what was functionally its final day of regular session, the Oklahoma Legislature voted in supermajorities to remove Allie Friesen as commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The inherently tense situation escalated past the point of no return when Gov. Kevin Stitt issued a statement targeting the wife of a senator — leading some legislators to question if the governor was any more fit to lead than Friesen. [NonDoc]
- Lawmakers fire Oklahoma mental health commissioner against governor’s wishes [Oklahoma Voice]
- Legislature passes resolution seeking to oust Oklahoma mental health commissioner [The Oklahoman]
- Legislature fires mental health commissioner after Gov. Stitt tries to block veto overrides [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma lawmakers remove mental health commissioner [KOSU]
Oklahoma lawmakers overturn vetoes on dozens of measures, including mammograms, records transparency: Despite a nearly five hour delay in the Senate, a bill expanding access to mammograms for early breast cancer detection was one of nearly four dozen vetoes the House and Senate overturned on the penultimate day of session as they worked past midnight and into Friday morning before adjourning. Lawmakers moved to overturn the majority of Stitt’s vetoes. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma lawmakers move to overturn dozens of Gov. Stitt vetoes in last-minute push [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma lawmakers were trying to finish for the year. Then everything stopped over this bill [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma lawmakers override string of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s vetoes [KOSU]
- Oklahoma lawmakers close 2025 session with veto overrides [The Journal Record]
- From OK Policy: The governor’s agenda isn’t a plan — it’s a power grab
Oklahoma governor signs income tax cut deal: What to know: Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed an income tax cut into law, accomplishing his main goal of the legislative session with days to spare. The quarter-point cut will reduce Oklahoma’s income tax rate to 4.5% for most earners, while costing the state between $160 million and $300 million a year in lost revenue, according to varying estimates. [The Oklahoman]
TSET board plans to sue to stop a new Oklahoma law restructuring its membership: A constitutionally created board charged with overseeing billions of taxpayer dollars plans to sue to block a new law that allows state leaders to alter its makeup at any time. [Oklahoma Voice]
Collection of student immigration data in Oklahoma public schools blocked: A controversial proposed rule from Oklahoma’s chief education official to require schools to collect immigration status of students will not take effect. [Oklahoma Voice]
President Trump wants to slash funds for NPR and PBS: What that means to Oklahoma TV and radio: Making good on his longstanding threats to cut funding for the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio, Trump’s executive order endangers America’s largest public broadcasters and hundreds of associated local and regional radio and television channels. In Oklahoma, that includes public radio stations KOSU and KGOU as well as the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, or OETA. [The Oklahoman]
Morel hunting to hospital prices: 5 new Oklahoma laws you might have missed: Out of the hundreds of new laws that will go into effect in 2025, here are five that you might not have heard about yet. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Income tax cut signed, Catholic charter school blocked, social studies standards and more (audio): The panel talks about the governor signing a bill to reduce the top income tax bracket by .25%, a legal challenge coming to a new law restricting initiative petitions and the U.S. Supreme Court blocking a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma. Also discussed, a waiver issued by parents and advocates for students to opt-out of materials championed by State Superintendent Ryan Walters and lawmakers providing a $100,000 bonus to prosecutors who a fighting an ongoing battle over tribal sovereignty. [KOSU]
Opinion: Oklahoma’s income tax cuts will be anything but a relief for seniors: Oklahoma’s $250 million income tax cut and flat agency funding are framed as “relief,” but for many older Oklahomans, they translate into lost services, longer waits and greater vulnerability. This budget tells older Oklahomans: We can afford tax cuts for the wealthy, but not meals, home care, or protection for you. [Karen A. Poteet Brewer / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: The party of parents — unless they disagree: For years, the GOP promoted itself as chief protector of parents’ rights. Don’t want your kids exposed to sex ed in school? Or forced to read certain books? Statehouse Republicans fought to establish opt out provisions. Now, a grassroots group calling itself We’re Oklahoma Education – or WOKE – is demanding the same power for parents who don’t want their students force-fed Bible lessons, rightwing PragerU materials, or Superintendent Ryan Walters‘ social studies standards that include election denialism. [Arnold Hamilton / The Journal Record]
Editorial: Oklahomans wanting say in policies may have only one hope: Vote Republicans out: Opponents to SB 1027 noted it includes provisions that were previously struck down in federal court. However, a lawsuit has yet to be filed, and the legal process to overturn the law is complicated, lengthy and uncertain to be successful. The only certain option the people of Oklahoma have at this point is to convince their elected representatives to change course or throw them out of office. That will require a level of involvement and participation in the political system that has been lacking. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Federal Government News
EPA excluded, then restored, data on Black people who live closest to toxic sites: A Streetlight investigation found most EPA data on factories, Superfund sites, and other sites the agency regulates excluded how many Black people live closest to the sites. This applied to the majority-Black JFK neighborhood in Oklahoma City and 80 sites in eight majority-Black cities, including Jackson, Mississippi; Memphis, Tennessee; and Baltimore, Maryland. The “ghost data” made it falsely appear that zero Black residents lived within one mile of the sites and white people were most impacted by these facilities. [Streetlight]
Immigrants in U.S. without permanent legal status grew to 12.2 million, study finds: The Center for Migration Studies Thursday released a report finding the population of people in the United States without permanent legal status increased to 12.2 million in 2023, using the most recent Census Bureau American Community Survey data. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
More than 4,100 Oklahomans have yet to claim Native American settlement awards: Heirs of over 17,000 deceased Individual Indian Money account holders have until June 30 to claim compensation. Descendants of Individual Indian Money account holders who should have received money in a class action lawsuit have until June 30 to submit probate information for compensation. [KGOU]
Power List: Native American Leaders 2025: At a time when Native voices are more vital than ever, these leaders stand as powerful examples of what it means to lead with purpose and vision. We hope they inspire you as much as they’ve inspired us. It is an honor to celebrate their contributions to Oklahoma — and to the broader narrative of Native excellence across the nation. [Journal Record]
Education News
Marathon court hearing in social studies standards lawsuit ends without immediate ruling: At the end of a court hearing that lasted more than two hours, an Oklahoma County judge gave no indication when he might rule on dueling requests from attorneys in a lawsuit filed over the process used to develop and pass the state’s new social studies academic standards. [The Oklahoman]
Stitt signs bill that could lead to expanded course offerings at Tulsa-area colleges: A new law in Oklahoma may allow college students in Tulsa to take a broader range of courses at their institutions. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 701, authorizing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to approve proposals made by colleges to expand their undergraduate and graduate course offerings and degree programs. [Tulsa World]
OSU receives historic $250 million from state to build new veterinary teaching hospital: A$250 million state appropriation and the new veterinary hospital it will help fund should solve the facility concerns that have continued to dog Oklahoma State University’s animal medicine program, officials say. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Christian nationalism is being forced into Oklahoma schools. It’s a war on reality: Oklahoma Republicans are staging a war on reality in their public schools, and every American who cares about religious freedom and democracy should be ashamed. State officials are trying to force the Bible and the Christian nationalist “1776 Commission” report into public classrooms, turning education into religious and political indoctrination. [Kevin Bolling / The Oklahoman]
Health News
HHS presses health care providers, hospitals to curb gender-affirming treatments for kids: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urged health care providers Wednesday to stop several treatments for children with gender dysphoria, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma veterans face care gap despite strong benefits: A quarter of a million veterans – more than one-third who served in the Vietnam era – call Oklahoma home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Oklahoma offers them a good economic environment and quality of life but falls short when it comes to health care, according to a new ranking of the best states for military retirees. [The Journal Record]
Opinion, Oklahoma oil and gas drillers face few regulations amid lingering concerns about health impact: The oil and gas industry is a major economic engine in Oklahoma, contributing significantly to jobs and tax revenue. But, we are paying for this lucrative driver of our economy with environmental degradation and harm to community health. [Mike Altshuler / Oklahoma Voice]
Criminal Justice News
Will the 154 people arrested at an alleged street takeover face charges?: Nearly two weeks after a controversial mass arrest of 154 mostly young people at an alleged street takeover event, confusion remains about what comes next as leaders in Oklahoma City still can’t seem to agree on how to move forward. [The Oklahoman]
Prosecutor training focuses on animal cruelty, domestic violence: The training session is part of a three-day program being presented by the Tulsa County DA’s office for rookie prosecutors across the region, focusing on how to handle domestic violence and animal cruelty cases. [Tulsa World]
Former OKCPD officer who slammed Lich Vu to the ground approved for disability: On Wednesday, the state board overseeing police pension and retirement approved a former officer’s disability pay after he was caught on camera slamming an elderly man to the ground. [KFOR]
A Look Back: Funding for Oklahoma victims’ compensation drops after justice reforms: While the number of victims of violent crime who apply for compensation has fallen significantly over the past several years, the denial rate for payments also increased. [The Frontier]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Tulsa Park Board to discuss using Newblock Park for transitional housing for homeless: The Tulsa Parks and Recreation Board on Tuesday will discuss and possibly act on the city’s recommendation to use a portion of Newblock Park for transitional housing for the homeless. [Tulsa World]
Dorset Place to house homeless veterans in OKC: Veterans experiencing homelessness will soon have a new permanent housing option thanks to the Oklahoma City Housing Authority (OCHA) and MAPS 4. [The Journal Record]
Economy & Business News
DEI: ‘We don’t need anyone’s permission to do what’s right’: Despite rollbacks on diversity, equity and inclusion policies by some politicians, it is vital for businesses to continue to seek out employees from a variety of backgrounds, the keynote speaker at a Tulsa Regional Chamber event said Thursday. [Tulsa World]
Community News
Opinion: I love my church. Disaffiliating to avoid LGBTQ+ exclusion was the right move: We’ve always welcomed anyone sincerely interested in learning more about God, worshipping him, studying what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and serving our community, including LGBTQ+ persons. [Matthew Curtis Fleischer / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Strong Neighborhoods Initiative drives housing, art and parks in OKC [The Journal Record]
- Cleveland County faces $15 million budget cut challenge [KOCO]
Quote of the Day
“If Oklahoma truly values older Oklahomans, our budget should reflect that. It’s time to put people before percentages and dignity before dollars. We should be strengthening the foundations that allow people to age with dignity — not eroding them for short-term tax wins.”
– Karen A. Poteet Brewer, a former Aging Services Director for the State of Oklahoma, writing in an op-ed about how the state’s budget — with flat agency funding and hundreds of millions in lost revenue from tax cuts — will fail to meet the needs of Oklahoma’s aging population. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
84,718
The number of affordable and available rental units needed in Oklahoma to meet the needs of residents who are considered extremely low income. This includes people with incomes at or below either the federal poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income, whichever is greater. [National Low Income Housing Coalition]
Policy Note
The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes: The nation’s lowest-income renters face a long-standing, systemic shortage of affordable and accessible housing attributable to the inherent limitations of the private market and inadequate public subsidies. This shortage of affordable housing impacts nearly every community in the U.S. and constitutes a crisis that is detrimental to the wellbeing of millions of people, including low-wage workers, seniors, people with disabilities, and single-adult caregivers of young children and family members with disabilities. [National Low Income Housing Coalition] | [PDF, Full Report]
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