OKPOLICY.ORG
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
Senators request interim study to rethink how Oklahoma cities are funded (Capitol Update): A couple of freshmen senators from Oklahoma’s two largest metro areas have made a bipartisan request for a legislative interim study to look for ways to “stabilize” municipal funding in Oklahoma. For years, Oklahoma’s cities and towns have struggled to find the means of maintaining adequate municipal services. Their revenue mainly comes from city sales tax, use taxes on out-of-city purchases, hotel taxes, and service fees. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma Supreme Court puts business court measure touted by governor on hold: The Oklahoma Supreme Court late Tuesday put on hold a law that would create the state’s first business court system. During oral arguments, justices appeared skeptical about the legality of the measure, which was to become effective Sept. 1 and was strongly supported by Gov. Kevin Stitt. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court quickly stays new law that would establish business courts [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Shelley Zumwalt settlement: Former official to pay $20,000, not hold office for 2 years: As part of a finalized settlement agreement released Monday by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, former Oklahoma Employment Security Commission executive director Shelley Zumwalt has agreed to pay $20,000 in fines and not hold a public position for two years owing to a violation of conflict of interest rules. [NonDoc]
- Former tourism chief Shelley Zumwalt to pay civil penalty for ethics violation [The Oklahoman]
Can campaign funds be used for private security? OK leaders ask for clarification after Minnesota deaths: Democratic and Republican legislative leaders are asking the Oklahoma Ethics Commission whether lawmakers can use campaign funds to pay for personal security measures after a Minnesota representative and her family were killed in their home. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma goes digital with car titles: What vehicle owners need to know: After more than a century of using paper car titles, Oklahoma is officially going digital. As of July 1, the state now issues electronic vehicle titles through a state-run database. While the change won’t impact every driver immediately, it could make a difference the next time you buy, sell, or transfer a vehicle. [News 9]
Long Story Short: Walters’ School Meal Plan Draws Criticism (audio): Jennifer Palmer with reactions to a new directive from State Superintendent Ryan Walters about the cost of school meals. Paul Monies investigated which oil and gas companies are applying for a share of a $50 million rebate program to make upgrades that limit their methane emissions. J.C. Hallman about a medical parole story he first wrote in March, which the Oklahoma Supreme Court has weighed in on. [Oklahoma Watch]
Federal Government News
Oklahoma school districts brace for budget cuts amid federal funding freeze: While Oklahoma is not among the 24 states suing the Trump administration over the federal government’s freeze on $6.8 billion in education funding, districts across the state are still bracing for major impacts. [2 News Oklahoma]
US Supreme Court allows Trump to carry out plan to dismantle Education Department for now: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Trump administration, for now, to proceed with mass layoffs and a plan to dramatically downsize the Education Department ordered earlier this year. [Oklahoma Voice]
- How Trump plans to dismantle the Education Department after Supreme Court ruling [The Black Wall Street Times]
More ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ centers to be built by states flush with cash, experts predict: Former top immigration officials from the Biden administration warned Tuesday that billions for immigration enforcement signed into law earlier this month will escalate the rapid detention and deportations of immigrants. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Miccosukee Tribe Joins Lawsuit Against State of Florida & Federal Government Over “Alligator Alcatraz” [Native News Online]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma shouldn’t allow private prisons to reopen as immigration detention centers. Here are 6 reasons why.
In Depth: New gambling tax will hit you in both Las Vegas and Oklahoma tribal casinos (video): The Nevada Congressional delegation and professional gamblers have taken to social media and the halls of Congress to sound the alarm on what they say is an ugly tax provision tucked away inside ‘The Big Beautiful Bill’. [Fox 23]
Is Oklahoma getting rid of daylight saving? What a change would look like, according to Trump: Daylight saving time doesn’t end for another few months, but legislation regarding it could make this an interesting fallback period this autumn. Several states, including Oklahoma, have individually decided to end daylight saving time if federal action is taken; however, no congressional measures have yet crossed the finish line. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: CDC Injury Center helped Oklahoma after the 1995 bombing. Now it’s under attack: The president’s budget proposes to eliminate all Injury Center funding, which also include programs for the prevention of suicide, drownings, older adult falls, domestic violence and child abuse. [Shelli Stephens-Stidham / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Choctaw Freedmen criticize tribe’s recently passed constitutional amendment: Descendants of people formerly enslaved by the Choctaw Nation are criticizing a Constitutional change by the tribe. Despite a letter of opposition to the Department of the Interior, Amendment Five removes the need to seek federal approval when making changes to the Choctaw Nation’s constitution. [KOSU]
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association conference explores sports betting potential: The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association’s annual conference in Oklahoma City is showcasing the latest games and technology set to appear in casinos across the state. [KOCO]
Education News
Oklahoma Charter School Board approves Epic audit after financial crisis, mass layoffs: The Statewide Charter School Board is calling for an investigative audit of Epic Charter Schools. Board financial compliance officer Skyler Lusnia said Epic’s two rounds of layoffs over the last school year were due to over projections of enrollment and federal revenue. [StateImpact via KGOU]
- Epic Charter Schools to use $30M private loan for July payroll amid financial struggles [KFOR]
‘Labor of love’: Northeastern State University gets $2.3 million to train social work grad students: A new effort to strengthen behavioral health services in rural Oklahoma is underway, thanks to a $2.3 million grant awarded to Northeastern State University’s School of Social Work by the Health Resources and Services Administration. [KOSU]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma Grand Jury decides not to charge officer in June fatal SE OKC shooting: An Oklahoma Grand Jury ruled to take no action in a use-of-force case of an Oklahoma City police officer in a June fatal officer-involved shooting. [KFOR]
OKC Council votes to hire defense for ex-officer involved in use of force suit: The Oklahoma City Council voted to hire a legal firm to represent the officer who was involved in a use of force incident with a 71-year-old man. [Fox 25]
10 years after the Bever murders in Broken Arrow: A Tulsa World Special Report: On the night of July 22, 2015, a quiet Broken Arrow neighborhood was the scene of a shocking quintuple homicide that made international headlines. A narrative retelling of the events of the night of July 22, 2015, uses previous reports, trial coverage and available records from the disturbing Broken Arrow familicide case. [Tulsa World]
Are guns allowed at work, schools or bars? Here’s what Oklahoma laws say about open carry: There are restrictions in place on where people can possess their guns, such as schools, certain government buildings, and others. But what about if it’s your job? [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Oklahoma Has Nation’s Highest Average Homeowners Insurance Premiums: According to a June 9 Lending Tree report, Oklahoma has the highest average homeowners insurance premium in the country at $6,133 per year, 2.2 times the national average of $2,801. Rates in Oklahoma have climbed 50.8% from 2019 through 2024, rising faster than the national average of 40.4% the report said. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma among 18 states that stops cities from enacting paid leave standards, report finds: Across most of the South and Midwest, state laws bar local governments from requiring employers to provide paid sick leave, effectively stripping cities of the power to enact their own labor protections. [Oklahoma Voice]
‘Our whole life is blowing up’: Tulsans face eviction over rent hikes: For three years, Gable Hills Apartments have been home for Sylvia Aguilar and her six-year-old son. At the end of June, she found a notice taped to her door, alerting her to her lease being terminated in just 60 days. The notice attributes it to rental increases that Tulsa Housing Authority, who gives Aguilar rental assistance, refuses to pay. [2 News Oklahoma]
- From OK Policy: New data shows Oklahoma’s housing crisis is worsening
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma rethinks employment options for people with disabilities: A federal policy allows employers to pay workers with disabilities below minimum wage. Oklahoma passed legislation this year to form a task force to study how the state could transition its more than 1,200 subminimum-wage workers into minimum wage jobs or day programs. [The Frontier]
Tinker Air Force Base expansion to add 1,000+ new jobs: More than 1,000 new jobs will come to Tinker Air Force Base as the result of a new land purchase by the base. This strategic purchase enhances the Air Force’s capacity for complex aircraft depot maintenance, addresses shortages in hangar and ramp space, and supports Tinker AFB‘s long-term mission. [The Journal Record]
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority council calls for action on ‘rogue’ THC products made from hemp: Members of an advisory council to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority have called for action to remove unregulated, hemp-derived gummies, candies and other products designed to make people high from gas stations and other stores. [Tulsa World]
Community News
Oklahoma sends aid to New Mexico, additional support to Texas to help with flood recovery: Oklahoma has sent a support team to New Mexico to help with recovery from flash flooding that occurred last week. The state also sent more swift water rescue teams to Texas to help that state recover from deadly flooding. [Oklahoma Voice]
Competition schedule announced for 2028 LA Olympic events held in OKC: Officials say OKC will host Olympic events for 16 days straight, with medals awarded on seven of those days. The first Summer Olympics competition ever held in OKC will be 9 a.m. on July 14, 2028, with canoe slalom at OKC’s white water facility. [KFOR]
Robert Funk Sr., Express Employment co-founder, OKC philanthropist, dead at 85: Robert A. Funk Sr., co-founder and executive chairman of Express Employment International, passed away Tuesday at Express Ranches, his longtime home in Yukon. He was 85. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Council denies long-litigated Edmond Walmart proposal as legal ‘consequences’ loom [NonDoc]
- Yukon City Council drops plans for proposed Sunset Amphitheater [News 9]
- Oklahoma Turnpike Authority hopes to wrap up I-35 access project sooner than expected [Oklahoma Voice]
- OKC Council sets $2.7B infrastructure bond vote for Oct. 14 [The Journal Record]
- Water main breaks in Oklahoma City are increasing. What’s happening? [The Oklahoman]
- How Tulsa’s flood planning could help it withstand threat of federal cuts [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Tulsa Area United Way expanding to Rogers, Mayes and Delaware counties [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“I mean, we have Tulsa Housing help for a reason, and I’m a single mom, I can’t work a whole lot of hours. My son’s school is out here, his counseling is out here, my job is out here, so I feel like our whole life is blowing up and I don’t know what to do, I don’t know where were going to live.”
– Sylvia Aguilar, a 3-year tenant of Gable Hills Apartments and recipient of housing assistance through the Tulsa Housing Authority. Aguilar, along with many of her neighbors, received an eviction notice last month informing her that because of a lack of federal funding, the Tulsa Housing Authority could no longer fulfill rent increase requests. [2 News Oklahoma]
Number of the Day
14%
The median rent (including utilities) for an apartment in Oklahoma was $1,020/month in 2023, a 14 percent increase since 2001. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
Policy Note
Cuts to Health Care, Food Assistance, and Income Support to Fund Tax Cuts for the Wealthy Would Worsen Housing Instability and Homelessness: In the wealthiest nation in the world, we have the resources to ensure everyone can afford necessities, including a safe, affordable place to live, enough food, and access to quality health care. But Republican budget proposals to deeply cut health coverage, food assistance, and income support to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy would do the opposite. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
