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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
Lawmakers’ FY 2027 state spending decisions did not put Oklahomans first: How lawmakers choose to spend taxpayer dollars via the state budget indicates their priorities. This session, lawmakers made their priorities clear: rather than adequately investing in education or healthcare, lawmakers chose to spend large sums of money on priorities that were less impactful but more politically popular. All the while, they are trying to severely restrict local revenue generation while simultaneously lacking sufficient revenue to meet the needs of everyday Oklahomans. [Aanahita Irani Ervin / OK Policy]
SQ 846 Explained: How would it change voting in Oklahoma? (video): On ballots statewide Aug 25, SQ 846 would broaden voter ID requirements in the Oklahoma Constitution and give the Oklahoma Legislature expanded power to decide exactly what those are. This could have big implications for mail-in and provisional ballots. Buckle up. Here’s what’s actually in the amendment. [Cole Allen / OK Policy]
- From OK Policy: SQ 846 Fact Sheet | What’s on the ballot for the August 25, 2026 elections in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma school leaders, state lawmakers at odds over State Question 844: A nonpartisan state question appearing on Aug. 25 runoff ballots, which has vocal support from the state Capitol, has raised concerns that it could come at a cost to public schools. State Question 844 would give the Oklahoma Legislature the authority to recalculate how much it should pay to local government entities, including school districts and counties, in reimbursements for a manufacturing tax incentive. [Oklahoma Voice]
State Government News
Oklahoma AG launches investigation into whether Dr. Anthony Fauci broke state law: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is directing his office to investigate whether Oklahoma law was violated in connection with Dr. Anthony Fauci’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
Tribal Nations News
Choctaw Nation announces $30 million for Sardis Lake water treatment facility: The Choctaw Nation announced Tuesday the Sardis Lake Water Authority is planning a new water treatment facility after receiving $30 million in federal funding. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Drummond, Mazzei debate highlights health talk: In a conversation that turned chaotic at times, Mike Mazzei and Gentner Drummond traded familiar blows and tussled on topics like marijuana money, health care and how the “hay capital of the world” will be affected by the planned aluminum smelter that has become Oklahoma’s hottest political foil. [NonDoc]
- Drummond, Mazzei sling insults in Oklahoma GOP governor’s race debate [The Oklahoman]
- Mazzei attacks Drummond over Biden donation at latest Oklahoma debate [The Oklahoman]
- From Roger Stone to the Inola Smelter: Fact-Checking the Oklahoma Governor’s Runoff Debate [Oklahoma Watch]
Prayer led both Robert Franklin and James Taylor to the state superintendent race. That’s where the similarities end: At first, Robert Franklin and James Taylor were reluctant contenders for Oklahoma’s next superintendent of public instruction. Prayer brought them both to the ballot. The Republicans are headed for a statewide runoff election Aug. 25 following a crowded June primary. Though both describe themselves as conservative, Christian candidates for the state’s top education seat, they offer different visions for Oklahoma’s public schools. [Tulsa Flyer]
- Legal experts say state superintendent candidate James Taylor’s campaign video may have violated ethics rules [KFOR]
Polls, prediction markets and Oklahoma politics: What you need to know this election season: Oklahoma’s primary runoffs are weeks away, but people are already placing bets on who will win. Here is how prediction markets could impact our elections. [KOSU]
Yukon voters force mayor into recall election over data center: Voters in the city of Yukon will get a chance to oust or keep their mayor following backlash from a data center project. [The Oklahoman]
- Despite recall efforts, Yukon Mayor eligible to run again [KFOR]
The Interview: Can Erin Brewer help turn around the underdog Democrats?: In December, Erin Brewer was named the chair of the Oklahoma Democratic party, becoming the fourth chair in 10 years to hold the post. A daunting challenge to be sure. Oklahoma hasn’t elected a Democratic governor since Brad Henry in 2002 and 2006, two decades ago. And the last Democratic presidential candidate to carry Oklahoma was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. [The Oklahoman]
Election Roundup
- Insurance commissioner race: Marty Quinn declines runoff debate invite [NonDoc]
- Tulsa District 7 city council candidates break down positions on policing, tax increases and more [Tulsa Flyer]
- Tulsa District 7 City Council candidates answer questions at forum [Tulsa World]
Education News
Oklahoma Jewish Charter Case Heads to Court as Debate Spreads to Other States: The founders of a proposed Jewish charter school in Oklahoma will appear in federal court Wednesday to argue that the school should be able to open even though the state charter board turned down its application. [The 74]
Oklahoma schools to pilot privately-funded literacy coach program: About $1.5 million in private donations are being used to train literacy coaches in 10 locations across Oklahoma as part of an effort to improve students’ reading proficiency, officials announced Tuesday. [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: Back to school starts with family, belonging: The most important preparation for a successful school year cannot be placed inside a backpack. Children need to know they belong. [Kuwantu Cammon / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Oklahoma confirms 400 cyclosporiasis cases, 25 hospitalizations so far this year: Oklahoma has confirmed 50 new cases of cyclosporiasis, bringing the state’s total number to over 400 cases. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health dashboard, there have been 426 cases of the stomach-churning illness, often known to cause “explosive diarrhea,” reported in Oklahoma so far this year. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma cyclosporiasis total cases reach 426 with 25 hospitalizations [KFOR]
OU Health secures $750,000 grant for state’s first comprehensive pediatric behavioral health center: The James M. Cox Foundation is investing $750,000 toward the state’s first comprehensive pediatric behavioral health center, which is set to open in December. OU Health officials celebrated the grant Tuesday, which will support the project’s general fund. [KGOU]
Justice System News
Former Stitt adviser implicated by co-defendant in medical marijuana case: A real estate broker has pleaded guilty to involvement in a drug conspiracy and implicated his co-defendant, a politically connected attorney who was an adviser to Gov. Kevin Stitt during the pandemic. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma County jail plan advances with proposed sales tax and $600 million funding push: The Citizens Bond Oversight Committee has recommended a four-tenths of one percent sales tax lasting up to 30 years to fund a new Oklahoma County jail, with added measures for accountability. [KOCO]
Local Headlines
- Where business meets the Bible: Inside the plans for a $100M campus in north Tulsa [Tulsa Flyer]
- Oklahoma County settles oil rights at new jail site [The Oklahoman]
- University of Oklahoma president wades into turnpike interchange fight [Oklahoma Voice]
- As Tulsa faces big challenges, city councilors to review their powers under City Charter [Tulsa World]
- Community members question mayor on hiring of next Tulsa police chief [Tulsa World]
- Popular Oklahoma Toy & Action Figure Museum closing [KFOR]
Quote of the Day
“The Legislature created this (manufacturing incentive program), and they’re trying to create a solution. Schools and counties are pretty negatively impacted, in my opinion, from that solution.”
-Minco Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Sims, speaking about SQ 844 as the Legislature’s proposed solution to changing how the state pays back local schools and communities for some manufacturing property tax exemptions. He said if the program is too expensive, the Legislature over the years should have put more limits on who could qualify for the tax exemption. School and city leaders across the state are concerned that lawmakers might not fully cover the local revenue lost through this program. SQ 844 will be on the ballot on Aug. 25. [Oklahoma Voice]
- From OK Policy:
Number of the Day
37.5%
Personal income tax accounts for about 37.5% of Oklahoma’s state government revenue. [Pew Research]
Policy Note
States Played Defense This Year but Bigger Fiscal Tradeoffs Ahead: State policymakers adjusted their budgets this year in response to many of the immediate federal funding cuts and policy changes affecting tax codes, healthcare, and nutrition aid programs. But more significant cost increases outlined in last year’s federal reconciliation law are scheduled to take effect in fiscal 2028. Meanwhile, more states this year turned to one-time maneuvers to balance their budgets. The question that the next few months may begin to answer is whether the spending and revenue decisions that lawmakers made in 2026 left enough flexibility for next year’s more difficult tradeoffs. [Pew Research]
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