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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.
Oklahoma News
Federal deportation efforts are underway in Oklahoma as state, local agencies help: Halfway through the 2024 legislative session, Stitt signed House Bill 4156, criminalizing anyone in the state without legal immigration status. The new law has been blocked in federal court before it could be fully enforced, twice. [KOSU]
Trump budget bill could make it harder for Oklahomans to access health care, hospitals say: Oklahoma hospital leaders are warning that proposed Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” could cripple rural hospitals throughout the state, forcing some to close or cut services. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Hospital Leaders Warn of Dire Consequences from Proposed Medicaid Cuts in Big Beautiful Bill [Hoodline]
- Oklahoma hospital leaders sound alarm on potential Medicaid funding loss impacts [Fox 25]
- Medicaid Cuts: What do they mean for Oklahomans? (video) [News on 6]
State Government News
Attorneys challenge new Oklahoma business courts: A group of Oklahoma City attorneys filed a lawsuit against Gov. Kevin Stitt this week, requesting the Oklahoma Supreme Court prevent the creation of a business court system they consider unconstitutional. They argue the bill unconstitutionally creates a barrier to services through a $1,565 filing fee, which they say violates Oklahoma law. [KOSU]
‘It’s a lot’: As investigations linger, ODMHSAS declines to release reports approved by board: Despite months of public drama about fiscal chaos at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the agency is declining to release four new reports about internal audits and inspections approved by its governing board June 26. [NonDoc]
Group claims ‘gamefowl’ PAC leaders seen on secret video at rural Oklahoma cockfight: In videos secretly captured in 2025, two leaders of the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission political action committee were reportedly seen at a cockfight in rural Oklahoma. [The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
Senators kick off debate on Trump’s major tax, Medicaid, border bill: The Senate is getting closer to voting on President Donald Trump’s package of legislative priorities as Republicans try to thread the needle for tax cuts, Medicaid reforms and border security funding with a narrow majority. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma Policy Institute condemns U.S. House passage of federal budget bill that harms vulnerable Oklahomans
Senate’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ faces serious headwinds in the House: The Senate’s version of the “big, beautiful bill” is facing serious headwinds in the House with The Hill learning that at least six House Republicans are currently a “no” on the framework, a daunting sign for GOP leadership as the Senate races towards a vote. [The Hill]
Oklahoma nonprofits brace for major federal funding cuts: Oklahoma’s nonprofit sector is anxiously awaiting action on the budget bill championed by President Donald Trump that cuts billions of dollars from federal government programs including Medicaid and SNAP food stamps. [The Journal Record]
Republican Senator Mullin says babies born in US should be deported if parents are: Republican U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin said on Sunday he believes babies born in the United States to immigrants living in the country illegally should be deported alongside their parents if the adults are removed. [Reuters]
Opinion: Medicaid cuts will worsen the caregiver crisis. We’ve already seen the warning signs: Recent budget discussions include massive cuts to Medicaid — the very lifeline that makes caregiving even remotely possible for families like the ones we serve. Cutting Medicaid doesn’t just reduce benefits. It rips away the fragile scaffolding holding these families together. [Lisa Kelly / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Donald Trump is far from being the most profane president: Trump may be flawed, but he’s far from the most crude of presidents. That title belongs to President Lyndon Johnson. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma officials stand in solidarity with Florida tribal nations against ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, is joining forces with the two federally recognized tribes in Florida in the fight against Ron DeSantis and Florida’s rapid efforts to build a migrant detention center set to house 5,000 beds. [KOSU]
Cherokee Tribal Council approves funding for new Claremore medical facility: The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council approved a multimillion-dollar appropriation Thursday afternoon to pay for a new health care facility in Claremore. Slated to replace the Claremore Indian Hospital in 2027, the $255.5 million facility would include a wellness center, outpatient services and an emergency room. [Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Cheat sheet: Open Choctaw Nation District 5 seat draws 7 candidates: Seven candidates are competing in a July 12 special election to represent District 5 on the Choctaw Nation Tribal Council. The district covers the northeast corner of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, including parts of Haskell County and LeFlore County. [NonDoc]
Education News
‘Remember these are kids’ Educators speak out about how immigration policies are affecting students: Some kindergartners toted something a bit unusual amid the jumbo crayons, glue and pencils in the backpacks they carried to school this year: their birth certificates. Typically safeguarded at home, the important documents were being sent to school with some children because fear of family separation is running rampant in local immigrant communities. [The Oklahoman]
Some Oklahoma university, college tuition rates will increase: What to know: More than a dozen Oklahoma colleges and universities are raising tuition rates and mandatory fees this fall. Both large universities and community colleges will be affected by the increases, including the University of Oklahoma in Norman and University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. [The Oklahoman]
New law elevating dyslexia training takes effect July 1: A new law authored by Sen. Carri Hicks to better support children with dyslexia will go into effect on July 1, following unanimous approval during the 2025 legislative session. Speaker Pro Tem Anthony Moore served as the House principal author of the measure. [The Journal Record]
Opinion: Oklahoma lawmakers love to grade schools. Here’s a taste of their own medicine: A report card: If you’re keeping track, that brings the Oklahoma Legislature to about a C average grade for the session. Here’s hoping they can bring up their GPA and our state’s overall quality of life next year. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Health News
Executive order targets food additives and fluoride to improve health (audio): Governor Kevin Stitt has issued some high-profile executive orders over the last several months and the latest one came down on Thursday. This one was to implement what the governor calls a “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” initiative. [KGOU]
Oklahoma leaders renew push to ban food dyes in state-funded meals: State leaders are reviving efforts to eliminate certain food dyes from Oklahoma’s meals and schools after a series of related bills failed to gain traction earlier this year. Governor Kevin Stitt, joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced that he is directing state agencies to remove synthetic dyes from state-funded meals. [News 9]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma County jail trust faces multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, dodges dissolution: The beleaguered Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority was briefly at risk of being disbanded, but instead will continue its work in improving a notoriously deadly jail with new and ongoing money issues, trustees said. [The Oklahoman]
Under fire, Oklahoma County jail trust votes to evaluate its future: Facing increasing pressure to dissolve, the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority voted unanimously on Friday to launch a formal review of its performance. The evaluation will examine whether the authority is effective and sustainable, as demands persist for jail operations to be handed back to the county sheriff’s office. [KOSU]
More states are tracking rape kits. But key support for survivors may be slipping away: After years of pressure over lost or untested sexual assault kits, a growing number of states are adopting systems to track the kits — giving survivors a way to follow their evidence through the justice process. But despite nearly $400 million in federal support since 2015, backlogs persist, and some states still lack basic oversight. [Oklahoma Voice]
Editorial: We want security in an insecure world in light of fatal shootings. Know your role: Until everyone does their part, we will continue to call press conferences, create task forces and plead for this community to stand up when too many residents are laid to rest by gun violence. [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
New affordable apartment complex to be built on formerly blighted north Tulsa site: Construction will begin soon on a new multifamily apartment complex in north Tulsa, with a goal of placing more affordable housing options close to downtown. The complex will include 20 units designated for chronically homeless individuals funded by the city of Tulsa’s HOME American Rescue Plan Program funds. [Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
‘Behind the meter’ legislation sparks industrial park, data center development in Chickasha: The “behind the meter” bill passed the Oklahoma Legislature this year with unanimous support, allowing companies to build off-the-grid power plants. Supporters say the measure will boost economic growth by easing energy burdens on utilities and accelerate large-scale development projects in the state. [NonDoc]
Community News
PrideFest Parade caps off June in Oklahoma City: The Oklahoma Pride Alliance hosted its fifth annual event, complete with a weekend of activities. The parade route started near the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, then traveled south on Walker Avenue to Oklahoma City Boulevard, then east to South Robinson Avenue, ending at Scissortail Park. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa County wins award for efforts to fund county bridges, roads statewide [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa Public Schools, Teachers Retirement System settlement terms disclosed [Tulsa World]
- How does Edmond compare now to its leaders’ visions then? Take a look at recent progress [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“We need to be there for the most vulnerable, for the immigrant, for the stranger and the impoverished.”
– Rep. Arturo Alonso (Oklahoma City) emphasizing the importance of treating students and parents with dignity regardless of their immigration status. This matters more than ever, as harsh immigration policies are fueling fear and anxiety among families. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
$45 billion
The amount ICE could spend over two years on “Emergency Detention and Related Services,” paving the way for new privately run immigration detention centers amid plans to massively expand deportations. [National Immigrant Justice Center]
Policy Note
Takeaways from AP’s reporting on shuttered prisons, mass deportation push and no-bid contracts: As the federal government ramps up plans to detail and deport more immigrants, private prison companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group are revising shuttered facilities through no-bid or modified contracts — raising serious concerns about oversight, abuse, and local resistance. [Associated Press]
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