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.
Oklahoma News
Serial Evictions, Rent-to-Own Deals and $58 Filing Fees: How a Colorado Company Profits From Oklahoma’s Weak Tenant Laws: The Westmoor Mobile Home Park is a serial evictor and is starting to push rent-to-own deals on residents, in which a portion of a tenant’s monthly rent builds towards the purchase price of the mobile home. The serial eviction filings have left tenants stuck there, unable to move up the economic ladder, and legal experts contend that rent-to-own deals are little more than a profitability scheme that rarely benefit tenants. [Oklahoma Watch]
State Government News
Angry crowd confronts Oklahoma water regulators over dams: Dozens of angry property owners on Tuesday filled a state agency board room demanding the removal of dams that they said are draining their way of life. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tulsa-area lawmakers propose studies on school discipline, police criminal procedures: Legislative studies proposed by Tulsa-area lawmakers this year reflect desires to improve discipline in schools, do more to protect crime victims and solve cold cases, and strengthen the Oklahoma economy by, among other things, reining in inflation. [Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: What’s That? Interim Study
Federal Government News
US Education Department veterans blast Trump plan to transfer programs: Former U.S. Department of Education officials in Republican and Democratic administrations sounded the alarm Monday over the agency’s efforts to outsource its special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Opinion: How tribal nations can reshape Oklahoma farming: In an age of artificial intelligence and increasingly mobile industries, Oklahoma stands at a crossroads. Manufacturing plants, distribution centers and even high-tech facilities can relocate as technology, costs, incentives and global supply chains evolve. But fertile soil, dependable water, abundant sunshine and generations of knowledge about working the land cannot be outsourced. [Sandip J. Chauhan / The Oklahoman]
Voting and Election News
Brennan Center report predicts mass voter challenges likely in midterm elections: Mass voter challenges are likely to occur in the 2026 midterm elections, the Brennan Center for Justice warned Tuesday, with the potential to “undermine the democratic process.” [Oklahoma Voice]
Kevin West, John Pfeiffer set for labor commissioner debate in McAlester: Ahead of Oklahoma’s runoff election, Republican commissioner of labor candidates Kevin West and John Pfeiffer have agreed to a public debate in McAlester at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19. [NonDoc]
Who’s vying for the GOP nomination to be Oklahoma’s next state Insurance Commissioner?: With August runoffs fast approaching, two Republicans are facing off for their party’s nomination to be insurance commissioner, but not without a little bit of election season drama. [KOSU]
Health News
Have hospital prices increased nearly 300% since 2000, outpacing inflation and wages, as Rep. Hern claimed?: Yes. Multiple sources report that hospital prices have risen substantially since 2000, with one citing a 281% increase, outpacing general inflation and wage growth, among other things. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma’s cyclosporiasis cases double in one week: The number of cyclosporiasis reports in Oklahoma has more than doubled this week to 172 cases with 12 hospitalizations. The parasite cyclospora, which can cause cases of so-called “explosive diarrhea,” appears to be spreading in the United States. In Oklahoma, there were only 56 cases reported to the Oklahoma State Department of Health as of a week ago. [The Oklahoman]
- Reported cyclosporiasis cases double in Oklahoma [OPMX via KGOU]
Justice System News
Desmond Mason charged with fraud for alleged failure to deliver art pieces: Desmond Mason, a former NBA and Oklahoma State University basketball player, was charged with four felony fraud counts Monday by Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna. [NonDoc]
- Ex-NBA player Desmond Mason faces new felony charges [The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma income tax revenue jumps despite quarter-point tax rate cut: Despite cutting the individual income tax rate by a quarter point, the state collected 12.5% more in individual income tax revenue in 2026 than the previous year, a result experts say speaks to Oklahoma’s economic growth. [The Oklahoman]
New agroforestry program pays Oklahoma farmers to plant trees, shrubs: Oklahoma farmers and ranchers can apply for a portion of a $39 million pot intended to expand agroforestry. The agricultural practice involves planting trees or shrubs to improve soil health, provide shade to livestock and give shelter and food to wildlife. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
Oklahoma agriculture leaders praise FTC ‘right to repair’ settlement with John Deere: The Federal Trade Commission and five states have announced a settlement in an antitrust lawsuit against Deere & Company, commonly known as John Deere. The lawsuit alleges the company used unlawful practices to restrict farmers and independent repairers’ ability to fix Deere farm equipment. [KOSU]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa Police Department Chief Larsen to retire [Public Radio Tulsa]
- From roads to retail, Tulsa City Council candidates lay out visions for District 3 [Tulsa Flyer]
- A year after opening, Santa Fe Square doubles down on bid to bring more foot traffic to downtown Tulsa [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Hochatown sues Airbnb, says lodging taxes were wrongly sent to Broken Bow [KOSU]
Quote of the Day
“When we hit that valley and those taxes have been cut and there’s no way to replace that, that’s when we’re going to feel it.”
Senator Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, discussing the Legislature’s income tax overhaul, which merges tax brackets and includes automatic triggers that could further reduce the state’s income tax rate over time. He noted that while the oil and gas industry is in a strong position today, future downturns are inevitable. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: You shouldn’t have to touch a hot stove twice: Triggered tax cuts are bad for Oklahoma
Number of the Day
$9
The estimated annual tax savings for Oklahomans in the bottom 20% of incomes under a quarter-point income tax cut, compared with $2,936 for those in the top 1%. [OK Policy]
Policy Note
The Changing Landscape of State Tax Rates: Overall, historical data reveal a shift in how states raise revenue. Many states have repeatedly cut top personal and corporate income tax rates in recent years, sometimes while also approving higher sales tax rates. Because sales taxes fall more heavily on working families, this shift has generally made many state tax systems more regressive. Other states, however, have charted a very different course and have moved to increase taxes on higher-income households to fund public services. These trends underscore a key policy choice facing states today. As federal support for state programs retracts and economic inequality reaches record highs, decisions about tax structure will shape who pays for essential public services. Strengthening progressive revenue sources — through higher rates on high-income households and corporations — offers states a way to maintain and strengthen public investments that improve the lives of working families. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy]
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