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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
The history of the Sales Tax Relief Credit (Capitol Update): House Minority Leader Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, has requested an interim study this year aimed at examining the benefits of modernizing the state Sales Tax Relief Credit. The credit is meant to help low-income workers partially offset the sales tax paid during the year. The study will look at the benefits of expanding eligibility and raising the amount of the credit for middle and low-income Oklahomans. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Both sides appealing federal judge’s ruling on law banning teaching some racial, gender topics: A federal judge’s ruling that limits enforcement of House Bill 1775, banning the teaching of certain racial and gender topics in Oklahoma classrooms, is being appealed to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals – by both sides. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma attorney general appeals HB 1775 court ruling [Oklahoma Voice]
State Government News
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority cuts staff, citing short allocation, lower licensing: The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority cut its staff Tuesday by 10%, letting go between 25 and 30 employees, a reflection of the shrinking industry. [The Oklahoman]
- OMMA reduces its staff size, cites restructuring need [KFOR]
- Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority lays off 10% of staff [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett apologizes for drunken behavior: Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett said he is getting help for an alcohol affliction after being told he acted inappropriately at a conference in Minnesota last month. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma banking executive appointed to 9th term, becomes longest serving commissioner in nation: Mick Thompson, who has served about 30 years in the role, was reappointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt and the state Senate confirmed him. His term will expire Sept. 1, 2028. Thompson said Tuesday that he hopes his reappointment will be reassuring to Oklahomans. [Oklahoma Voice]
Here’s what you need to know about interim studies at the Oklahoma capitol: In the fall, many Oklahoma lawmakers return to the statehouse to conduct public interim studies to figure out where they can help Oklahomans next. Want to attend a study? Here is what you need to know. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
Opinion: The threat of an assassination was made real. We must all agree democracy is our goal: The poisonous recipe of prolonged violent political rhetoric, divisive language and a refusal to commit to common-sense gun laws has contributed to a toxic environment that has brought us dangerously close to an assassination attempt. This is not a situation that occurred by chance; it is a culmination of factors that have festered over time. [Alicia Andrews / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Cherokee Nation celebrates new housing for tribal citizens: The day before Independence Day, several Cherokee families carried their lives in boxes into new homes in a first-of-its-kind Cherokee Nation housing subdivision. The Warrior Addition is the tribe’s first subdivision to be built under the tribe’s historic Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act. [ICT]
Voting and Election News
Here’s the order political parties will appear on Oklahoma ballots: The Secretary of the State Election Board, Paul Ziriax, held a public drawing on Tuesday to determine the order candidates and parties will appear on November’s ballot. [KOSU]
Oklahoma delegates to GOP Convention united in praising JD Vance as VP choice for Trump: While Donald Trump’s announcement that U.S. Sen. JD Vance would be his running mate in the presidential election has been greeted with surprise and skepticism in some quarters, Oklahoma delegates to the Republican National Convention praised Trump’s choice, calling it a home run by the former president. [The Oklahoman]
- Supt. Walters attends Republican National Convention [KFOR]
Health News
OU Health becomes only site in Oklahoma to participate in new Medicare dementia care model: OU Health was selected as the only medical provider in Oklahoma among 400 sites nationally to participate in a new program from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), meant to support people with dementia and their caregivers. [StateImpact Oklahoma/KGOU]
Oklahoma nonprofit pushes for improved mental health care accessibility: Healthy Minds is a nonprofit focused on increasing access to health care across Oklahoma. This week, Healthy Minds released a list of policy suggestions for Oklahoma. [KOSU]
Criminal Justice News
Jiaai Zeng died weeks after starting work at an Oklahoma marijuana farm. His family wants answers.: The farmworker’s story gives a glimpse into the harsh and often abusive conditions endured by the tens of thousands of Chinese immigrants who have quietly become the backbone of many U.S. marijuana operations. [The Frontier / ProPublica]
New detention rates approved by Oklahoma Board of Juvenile Affairs: The Oklahoma Board of Juvenile Affairs approved raising detention rates as much as $47 a day at a board meeting Tuesday. [Oklahoma Voice]
Operation and equipment grants available for Oklahoma sheriffs: Grant funding is available for county sheriffs to bolster services. Passed last session, House Bill 2914 created the $18 million Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program administered through the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office. [Oklahoma Voice]
- State offers grants to benefit sheriffs’ departments [Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma’s annual tax free weekend begins soon: What to know: Since 2007, state legislators have mandated that retailers waive sales tax for one weekend per year, helping families save on essential items. This year’s tax-free weekend in Oklahoma kicks off in the first week of August, offering parents a great opportunity to stock up on back-to-school supplies. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma’s sales tax holiday costs about $7 million in state revenue annually, and it has not been shown to promote economic growth of increase spending.
Opinion: ‘Twisters,’ ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ highlight Oklahoma’s growing film industry: Some might say Oklahoma is experiencing a Hollywood moment, but it’s more than that. This is about shaping our identity as Oklahomans. Just like the Thunder and NBA put Oklahoma City on the global map, the film industry is doing the same ― and that is something we all should celebrate. [Matt Payne / The Oklahoman]
Education News
2024 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year known to ‘take people under her wing’: An Ada High School teacher known as a mentor to her colleagues and students has been crowned the 2024 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. Rachel Keith was announced the winner of the prestigious award on Monday night among a group of 10 finalists. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Rachel Keith from Ada High School named Oklahoma’s Teacher of the year for 2024 [The Oklahoman]
- Ada High School teacher named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year [Fox 23]
- Ada educator named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year [Tulsa World]
What was said during politicized breakout sessions at Ryan Walters’ teacher conference in Tulsa: At the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s annual summer professional development conference for teachers, at least two politicized breakout sessions saw some participants walk out in anger or engage in heated discussion with the presenters from activist groups aligned with State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ rhetoric and policies. [Tulsa World]
Community News
The Battle of Honey Springs, Oklahoma’s overlooked ‘Gettysburg of the West’: Long before it became a state, Oklahoma became a battleground where some of the earliest steps toward Black civil rights took shape and tribal nations’ already tenuous relationship with the federal government further strained amid gun smoke and cannon fire. [NonDoc]
Local Headlines
- She participated in sit-ins and was OKC’s first Black female TV journalist. Her work isn’t done yet [The Oklahoman]
- Tulsa BMX Headquarters hosts riders preparing for Paris Olympics [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“I started my whole life over whenever I went to rehab. I have been sober and living in an Oxford house (sober living housing for women and children) for a while now, and this just gives me that next step toward getting completely better.”
– Cherokee citizen Jennifer Shrum, one of the first tenants to lease a home in The Warrior Addition – the Cherokee Nation’s first subdivision to be built under the tribe’s historic Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act. [ICT]
Number of the Day
576,000
Estimated number of Oklahoma households that would be eligible for a tax reduction if Oklahoma modernized its Sales Tax Relief Credit. Nearly half of those households would be seniors. [OK Policy]
Policy Note
Beyond the Crystal Ball: State Revenue Forecasts before, during, and after the COVID-19 Pandemic: State revenue forecasters face multifaceted challenges in projecting revenues, especially amid rapid and significant economic, demographic, and technological changes. The report highlights the variability in forecasting accuracy across different states and tax categories, with notable discrepancies arising from economic volatility, changes in federal and state policies, and unforeseen global events. [Tax Policy Center] | [Full Report]
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