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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
Oklahoma Policy Institute: ‘Big, beautiful bill’ would add more hoops for Oklahomans with Medicaid: The nonpartisan Oklahoma Policy Institute said the bill would add more hoops to jump through for people on Medicaid, and that will leave more people without care. It’s just one impact of the more than 1,000-page bill. [KOCO]
- Oklahoma healthcare leaders sound the alarm about “Big Beautiful Bill” [KFOR]
- Top 1% would see tax cuts of $1.4 billion in Oklahoma under ‘big, beautiful bill,’ analyst says [KOCO]
- Possible federal food assistance cuts impact to Oklahoma by the numbers [News on 6]
- Half of Oklahoma could lose insurance from President Trump’s proposed tax cuts [KFOR]
- Big, Beautiful Bill: Insurance broker explains possible changes for Medicaid, Medicare [News 9]
- Are rural hospitals in Oklahoma at risk of closing? Yes. [Oklahoma Watch]
- Oklahoma legislators address Medicaid concerns surrounding the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” [The Norman Transcript]
- From OK Policy: The proposed federal budget bill slashes essential health care and food programs while creating tax shelters for the wealthiest Americans.
State Government News
Stroble decision: OK Supreme Court rejects income tax appeal, declines to extend McGirt to civil law: The Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a decision by the Oklahoma Tax Commission today and found that Muscogee Nation citizen Alicia Stroble is subject to state income taxation, declining to extend the McGirt v. Oklahoma decision’s application to matters of civil jurisdiction, such as taxes and regulations. [NonDoc]
- Stitt praises Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling preserving taxes imposed on certain tribal members [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court rules against tribal citizen fighting state income tax [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court rules tribal citizens on reservations must pay state taxes [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court rules McGirt precedent doesn’t apply in state income tax protest [KOSU]
Court ordered to reconsider Oklahoma birth certificate gender policy, Title X funding case: The U.S. Supreme Court has tossed two high-profile court decisions involving Oklahoma and directed a lower court to reconsider the cases. [The Oklahoman]
- US Supreme Court tosses rulings that favored transgender people [Reuters]
AG Opinion: Door Badge Swipes are Public Records: After the Department of Education withheld information on a top official’s key card swipes to enter the agency’s offices, Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office affirmed the data is subject to disclosure under the state’s open records law. [Oklahoma Watch]
Judge rules Ryan Walters has immunity in wrongful termination lawsuit: A federal judge has given state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters a legal win in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed in 2023 by a former employee of the Oklahoma State Department of Education. [The Oklahoman]
TSET sues Oklahoma leaders over new law it says threatens its independence: The constitutionally created Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) board overseeing nearly $2 billion in public dollars on Tuesday asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to overturn a recent state law saying it threatens its independence. [Oklahoma Voice]
State Treasurer: Oklahoma has $1.4 billion in unclaimed assets: The State Treasurer’s Office is encouraging residents to search for financial assets that may have been forgotten, misplaced or simply overlooked. The office has more than $1.4 billion in unclaimed assets. [KGOU]
Opinion: Oklahoma lawmakers love to grade schools. Here’s a taste of their own medicine: A report card.: Covering Oklahoma’s Legislature for over a decade, it’s difficult not to feel cynical about the end of session and all the work left undone because they focused on inconsequential or unnecessary priorities. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
US Senate narrowly passes GOP megabill after overnight session, sending it to House: U.S. Senate Republicans approved their signature tax break and spending cuts package Tuesday with a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President JD Vance, following days of tense, closed-door negotiations that went until the few last minutes of a marathon amendment voting session. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma leaders react to passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” [News 9]
- Senate Passes Trump’s ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ in Razor-Thin Vote [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Rural hospitals, SNAP cuts, Medicaid: Democrats force tough votes on GOP megabill [Oklahoma Voice]
- Senate passes Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill as Vance breaks a 50-50 tie [AP]
- Senate votes 99-1 to remove AI moratorium from megabill [Oklahoma Voice]
- How the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ Betrays Black America [The Black Wall Street Times]
Latest NOAA budget plan would eliminate Severe Storms Lab, OU institute: A cooperative institute with more than 220 employees is studying ways to update weather radar facilities, investigate the dynamics of severe storms and more. But the years-long research projects are at risk of termination under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) most recent budget estimate. [KOSU]
Opinion: We declared our independence from monarchy long ago. Let’s celebrate!: This week, we celebrate our Declaration of Independence from a monarchy two and half centuries ago, and all the freedoms we enjoy as a result. [Ron Stratton / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Chickasaw Nation competing to build Coney Island casino, hotel in New York: The Chickasaw Nation is leading a proposal that, if approved, will transform New York’s iconic Coney Island with construction of a $3.4 billion casino and hotel. [Tulsa World]
- Chickasaws place a bet on proposed $3.4 billion Coney Island casino and hotel [The Oklahoman]
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma officials, Florida tribes join forces to fight ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: After learning about the proposed migrant detention center, often referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz,” Jake Tiger recognized that history is repeating itself. Tiger, a cultural specialist for the Seminole Nation, noted similarities between escalating immigrant detentions and the Holocaust concentration camps, as well as the U.S. Indian Removal Act of 1830. [Oklahoma Voice]
Voting and Election News
Waldron Replaces Andrews as Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair: What started as a weekend of powerful speeches about justice, equity, and the future of democracy ended in a decisive vote that removed the Oklahoma Democratic Party’s first Black woman chair from leadership. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Voices That Aren’t Ours: A Deepfake, Democracy, and a Dangerous Wake-Up Call: This past weekend in Tulsa, a voice that sounded like my former teacher and longtime mentor, Representative John Waldron, surfaced in a viral audio clip that painted him as someone deeply out of step with the values he’s spent his life embodying. But it wasn’t him. It wasn’t his voice—not really. It was a deepfake. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Mayor Monroe Nichols explains fundraising texts that went out to some Tulsans: That fundraising text you received from Mayor Monroe Nichols is real. But don’t be confused — he’s not asking you to contribute to the city’s coffers. It’s a pitch to donate from the Monroe for Mayor campaign. [Tulsa World]
Education News
New lawsuit claims social studies standards violate Oklahomans’ religious freedoms: A second lawsuit, this time appealing directly to the Oklahoma Supreme Court, aims to overturn the state’s new academic standards for social studies on religious freedom and procedural grounds. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Second lawsuit challenges Oklahoma social studies standards [Tulsa World]
- Ryan Walters faces new lawsuit over adding religion, 2020 election denial to classrooms [The Oklahoman]
- 33 Oklahomans file lawsuit; ask State Supreme Court to halt social studies standards [KFOR]
Oklahoma City Public Schools budget will top $400 million. Here are the biggest costs: The Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education has approved a budget of nearly $402 million for the upcoming school year and set its academic calendar for the 2026-27 school year. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma City Community College increases tuition for first time in 7 years: Oklahoma City Community College is one of the latest universities in the state to raise its tuition rates. It’s the university’s first tuition increase in seven years. Here is how much more students could pay per credit hour. [News 9]
Oklahoma Expands Promise Scholarship to Children of Public School Teachers, Aids Educator Retention: In a move to support the families of public school educators, Oklahoma is set to roll out a new scholarship opportunity. The Oklahoma Promise Scholarship program is extending its reach to include children of longtime public school teachers, as long as the household income remains below 700% of the federal poverty level. [Hoodline]
Health News
Oklahoma doctors accused of fraud in massive DOJ investigation: Two Oklahoma doctors face criminal charges following a nationwide healthcare fraud investigation conducted by the Department of Justice. Ladd Clayton Atkins of Tulsa and Alexander Frank of Oklahoma City were among 324 defendants listed on the DOJ’s website as part of its “2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.” [KOSU]
- Tulsa doctor charged with distributing Adderall, Medicaid fraud [Public Radio Tulsa]
5 things to know about a new group in charge of millions in state money to help pregnant women: A new group, founded by a politically active minister and lobbyist representing Catholic bishops, is now in charge of distributing millions to pregnancy resource centers, faith-based groups and other nonprofits. It’s called the Oklahoma Life Foundation. [StateImpact & The Frontier via KGOU]
Oklahoma legislature passes law intended to protect 340B drug program: While some lobby groups and pharmaceutical companies are pushing for restrictions on the 340b federal drug pricing program, the Oklahoma legislature took steps to protect it this past session. [The Journal Record]
Criminal Justice News
19-year-old accused in Juneteenth shooting faces second-degree murder charge: The 19-year-old accused in the fatal shooting during Tulsa’s Juneteenth celebration has been charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutors filed charges Tuesday against Timetrious Shamar Moore in connection with the June 21 slaying of Isaiah Knight, 22. [Tulsa World]
- Greenwood group will ask city of Tulsa for event-permitting changes [Tulsa World]
Will the OK County jail run out of money at end of the month? Why Budget Board doubts it: The county jail trust startled and perplexed the county officials who approve its budget when it recently sent up a distress flare, in the form of a news release, calling for emergency help to meet expenses in July — the first month of the new fiscal year. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Oklahoma City implements ‘backyard dwellings’ ordinance: Officials say residents or property owners in OKC’s core can now build accessory dwellings, or backyard dwellings. [KFOR]
Economy & Business News
Prices for all Americans are set to unnecessarily rise under recent and proposed immigration policies impacting the U.S. labor force: Recent immigration policies proposed by President Trump, and already underway, such as revoking immigrant work permits, deporting millions of people, and limiting legal immigration, would directly undermine the goal to level out, or even lower, the costs of everyday and essential goods and services. [FWD.us]
Oklahoma lawmakers proud to host new Kratos defense facility: Kratos Defense is expanding its footprint in Oklahoma with a new jet engine plant in Bristow- an investment state leaders say reinforces Oklahoma’s rising status as a national security hub. [The Black Wall Street Times]
‘A Better Way’ comes to Norman from Tulsa, provides supportive employment opportunities: After finding success in Tulsa, a supportive employment program called “A Better Way” started operation in Norman last month. [KGOU]
Local Headlines
- Revenue shortfall: Despite cutbacks, OKC down $12M from projections [The Journal Record]
- New Norman mayor, city council members, sworn in [KGOU]
Quote of the Day
“The more bureaucracy you add to services, the harder it is to get them. The harder they are to obtain, the less frequently people apply for them. It’s a proven tactic.”
– OK Policy Executive Director Shiloh Kantz, explaining how the proposed changes to Medicaid work requirements included in the congressional megabill will cut people off from care rather than encourage them to work. Most Medicaid adults under age 65, about 64 percent, are working already without additional work requirements. Twenty-nine percent are not working due to school attendance, disabilities, or caregiving. Only about 8 percent say they are not working because they are retired or unable to find work. [KOCO]
Number of the Day
69%
The share of net tax cuts in the Senate’s budget bill that would go to the richest fifth of Americans in 2026 — compared to just 10% for the middle fifth and 1% for the poorest — highlighting the plan’s deeply unequal distribution of benefits. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy]
Policy Note
Tracking Senate Action on Tax and Budget Reconciliation Plan: The Senate’s tax and budget reconciliation plan would extend the 2017 tax cuts, raise the debt ceiling significantly, and introduce selective tax breaks, while offsetting those with deep cuts to Medicaid provider taxes, new Medicaid and SNAP work requirements, and reduced support for clean energy and food assistance. Analysts warn these measures could put millions at risk of losing Medicaid coverage and exacerbate economic and health disparities nationwide. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
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