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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
Politics and budget constraints stalled needed criminal justice reforms: The 2026 Oklahoma legislative session saw disappointingly few needed criminal justice reforms become law. Over the past few years, the legislature and the governor have built momentum for positive criminal justice reforms, but those efforts fell flat this year. Between self-imposed budget constraints, interchamber feuds, and the looming pressures of election season, there was relatively little appetite for major reforms to pass. In the end, Oklahoma saw little movement either forward or backward. Oklahomans deserve bold reforms, and lawmakers should prioritize delivering them in the next session. [Cole Allen / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Oklahomans cast their ballots Thursday as early voting begins: Voters headed to the Oklahoma County Election Board on Thursday to cast their votes ahead of Election Day, many of whom had political division heavy on their minds. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Early voting for primary elections and SQ 832 continues today, tomorrow [Tulsa World]
- Early voting kicks off in Oklahoma. ‘You can’t change things sitting at home’ [The Oklahoman]
- Early voting starts Thursday for Oklahoma primary. Hours, election info [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma voters explain why they showed up to cast their ballot early for June primary election (video) [The Oklahoman]
- To find sample ballots, polling locations, and related voting information, check the Oklahoma Voter Portal
Oklahoma voters may choose to raise minimum wage: Rarely would anyone be given a chance to vote themselves a pay raise. But that’s exactly what will happen on Tuesday when Oklahomans head to the polls to decide the fate of State Question 832. If it passes, it would order a raise of the state’s minimum wage to $12 an hour beginning in 2027, then to $13.50 in 2028 and to $15 an hour in 2029. After that, future increases would be triggered by a federal measure of inflation. [Tulsa World]
- Would SQ 832 make it more difficult for businesses to continue to claim tax breaks for the number of employees they have on government assistance programs? No. [Oklahoma Watch]
- From OK Policy: SQ 832: Minimum Wage Increase | Information and Resources
Thousands of Oklahoma immigrants in line to lose food assistance and Medicaid coverage under federal eligibility changes: Changes tied to Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act will strip Medicaid and SNAP eligibility from many immigrants with humanitarian protections, while Oklahoma nonprofits helping refugees face steep staffing and funding cuts. [The Frontier]
State Government News
Oklahoma plans ‘bold’ booth for Freedom 250 Great American State Fair: When Oklahoma shows up to the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., this month, the message will be “bold.” Specifically, the tagline on Oklahoma’s booth is “Bold Belongs Here.” [The Oklahoman]
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Oklahoma’s 2026 Elections, AI campaign ads, Chickasaw Gov. Anoatubby retiring and more: The panel talks about June’s primary election featuring State Question 832 to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029, the governor’s primary with nine Republicans and three Democrats and other statewide and local races of interest. The trio also discusses the Ethics Commission addressing the use of campaign ads generated by artificial intelligence and Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby announcing his retirement nearly 40 years on the job. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
Opinion: American families deserve meaningful paid leave policy: As every parent knows, making the choice between working to provide for your family and spending time with loved ones feels impossible. Even on an average day, parents across the state are forced to miss soccer games, talent shows and other events due to their work schedules. In more extreme choices, like the birth or adoption of a child, parents should never have to make the choice between being there for key moments and putting food on the table. [AJ Griffin / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
As America celebrates 250th birthday, Gilcrease Museum examines Native nations and the Revolution: As America celebrates a milestone birthday, Gilcrease Museum officials have dug through the archives to host “Indigenous Independence,” an exhibit examining the struggle between Native nations and colonists during the American Revolution. [Tulsa Flyer]
- Tulsa art exhibit shows role of Indigenous Americans in U.S. history [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
These races are drawing the most money ahead of Oklahoma primary election: Across several races for statewide office, candidates have relied heavily on political action committee contributions and personal loans to finance their campaigns. Both in-state and out-of-state PACs are contributing money, reflecting broad involvement from business groups, trade associations and political organizations before voters cast their ballots. The high-profile contest for governor has attracted the most spending, with candidates injecting a total of $23.9 million into the race before the Republican and Democratic primaries. [The Oklahoman]
- Education Watch: How much has been spent in the race for state superintendent? [Oklahoma Watch]
Election Roundup
- McCall considers his legislative record a road map to governorship [Tulsa World]
- Twenty-two years later, Mazzei’s message mostly the same [Tulsa World]
- ‘Other five’ try to break through in GOP gubernatorial primary [Tulsa World]
- Cheat sheet: GOP quartet seeks open SD 17 seat in Shawnee, Harrah area [NonDoc]
- SD 20: Incumbent Chuck Hall faces Mark LeMarr in winner-take-all primary [NonDoc]
- SD 42: Incumbent Brenda Stanley, challenger Malana Bracht clash over past votes, posts [NonDoc]
- Cheat sheet: Open HD 54 race in Moore, south OKC draws Navy SEALs image complaint [NonDoc]
- Cheat sheet: 6 Republicans compete to succeed Pfeiffer in crowded HD 38 race [NonDoc]
- Attorneys Sam Wargin Grimaldo, Vicki Werneke seek HD 92 seat in double-ballot duel [NonDoc]
- Republican primary to decide Tulsa County district attorney race [Tulsa World]
- Who is running for Tulsa City Council in 2026? Get a look at the 20 candidates. [Tulsa Flyer]
Education News
Durant teacher with unconventional classroom wins Oklahoma Teacher of the Year: Rather than having desks and chairs, Kasey Bennett’s classroom is “one giant makerspace.” The 2026 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year has a long work station in her room at Northwest Heights Elementary in Durant where her students learn robotics, electrical circuits, computer coding, agriculture and other hands-on projects where “they never know they’re learning, and they have the best time.” [Oklahoma Voice]
Health News
Nearly half of adults struggled to afford healthcare last year, survey finds: Forty-six percent of U.S. adults — regardless of insurance type — reported struggling to afford healthcare last year, according to a report released Wednesday by the Urban Institute, a nonprofit research think tank. [Oklahoma Voice]
Justice System News
Opinion: Oklahoma County Veterans Treatment Court as a public service: The transition from military service to civilian life forces major change. The structure, purpose, and camaraderie of military life evaporate overnight. For some that void can become full of chaos, substance use, and eventually, a criminal charge. This isn’t a moral failing, it’s a wound. June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time to honor individuals with unique circumstances, like veterans, and foster greater support and access to the resources they deserve. [Melissa Walton / The Journal Record]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Encampment Sweeps, a Shelter Shutdown and Nowhere Left to Go: Norman’s Homeless Crisis Deepens: While a wave of anti-homeless policy and rhetoric has swept through Norman and the state, the State Fire Marshal on Monday temporarily shut down the Norman Night Shelter for code violations, a move that put more than 50 people at risk of sleeping outside. [Oklahoma Watch]
Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is grappling with record fuel costs as it races to feed kids this summer: During the summer months when children are out of school, food insecurity tends to see a spike. This year, the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma is also feeling the squeeze. [Tulsa Flyer]
Economy & Business News
With Assist From Trump Administration, GRDA Sticks With Coal Power: With help from the Trump administration, the Grand River Dam Authority shelved its plan to stop generating electricity at its last remaining coal unit in Chouteau and will instead spend millions on upgrades to keep it running for the next several years. The state-backed utility was among 12 coal-generating plants securing grants from President Donald Trump’s $500 million plan to keep the domestic coal industry afloat. [Oklahoma Watch]
Community News
Report finds Tulsa is closing the gap on several key disparities. But many remain: Between 2024 and 2025, Tulsa saw improvement in disparities between racial groups on things like chronic absenteeism and business ownership. The city also closed a gap between the number of south and north Tulsa residents filing housing complaints. But Tulsa is still struggling with food deserts, officer use of force by race and homicide victims by race. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Tulsa kids celebrate becoming U.S. citizens at Gathering Place ceremony: For the sixth year, the Gathering Place was home to the City of Tulsa’s children’s citizenship ceremony. Twenty-two children from 12 countries took their oaths of allegiance to the U.S. Countries represented in the ceremony included Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. [Tulsa Flyer]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa utility bills going up in October as city council passes rate hikes, delays budget vote [Tulsa Flyer]
- Mayor defends utility rate increases at north Tulsa Community Conversation [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa transit authority votes to sell downtown bus station, citing homelessness as factor [Tulsa World]
- Jail, all county departments get full funding in new Oklahoma County budget [The Oklahoman]
- Yukon data center deal sparks mayor recall effort [The Journal Record]
Quote of the Day
“If you don’t like what’s going on and you didn’t vote, you don’t have a voice to complain about it.”
– Mart Barclay, who voted early for the upcoming primary and state question election, speaking about voting as a civic responsibility. Early voting locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. [Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
42nd
Oklahoma’s national ranking for the percentage of children living in poverty, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book. An estimated 19% of Oklahoma children live below the federal poverty line, placing the state among the lowest-ranked in the nation on this measure. [2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book]
Policy Note
Building an Economy That Supports All Children Requires Raising the Minimum Wage: In a country where millions of children live in poverty, it is clear that the economic status quo is not working for families. Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of children were falling through the cracks, and policies that redress longstanding inequities must be considered to address this crisis. That includes providing direct support for families, transforming America’s fragile safety net into one that works for all, and raising wages to ease financial burdens. Gradually raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, along with eliminating the subminimum wage for tipped workers and people with disabilities, would help low-wage workers and would play a part in ensuring that their children can live healthier, better lives. [Center on American Progress]
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