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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
Groundbreaking report reveals more than $200 million in savings from Oklahoma justice reform: A new report shows how Oklahoma voters’ decision to prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration has resulted in a dramatic drop in crime, a 47 percent reduction in prison sentences, and the largest local mental health and substance abuse investment in state history. The report — “Investing in Justice: The Promise and Progress of Oklahoma’s SQ 781 Community Safety Fund” — examines the potential of Oklahoma’s Community Safety Fund, created by State Question 781. The report provides a data-driven analysis of SQ 781’s impact and outlines a path forward to fulfill the vision voters approved in 2016. [Learn more]
- The report was published by Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform in collaboration with Arnold Ventures, Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, OK Policy, and DataWorks.
Oklahoma News
At a restaurant in Oklahoma, white nationalist tells of their growing influence: While the Aryan Freedom Network and other neo-Nazi groups remain on the outermost edges of American politics, broadly regarded as toxic by conservatives and mainstream America, they are increasingly at the center of far-right public demonstrations and acts of violence, according to interviews with a dozen members of extremist groups, nine experts on political extremism and a review of data on far-right violence. [Reuters]
State Government News
Ryan Walters wants to end Oklahoma statewide standardized tests. Can he do that?: State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters says the Oklahoma State Department of Education will allow school districts to use alternative benchmark assessments approved by the agency in place of current so-called “high-stakes” testing in math and English language arts in grades 3-8. Walters, however, does not have the authority to unilaterally make such a decision. [The Oklahoman]
- Supt. Walters echoes calls from teachers’ unions for reduced statewide testing [KFOR]
- Oklahoma State Department of Education tries for federal testing waiver [Tulsa World]
- Ryan Walters promised ‘serious changes’ in Oklahoma schools. This might be the biggest yet [Oklahoma Voice]
- Ryan Walters proposes pulling Oklahoma’s testing requirement, department asking for federal approval [KGOU]
- Opinion: Real testing reform requires more than a press release [Rob Miller / Tulsa World]
Demonstrators call for Ryan Walters’ ouster citing controversies instead of better outcomes: Many demonstrators said they wanted the state superintendent impeached because of several controversies, most notably for a recent firestorm surrounding images of nude women on a television screen in the state official’s office. Several protestors also held up signs calling for Walters’ ouster because of the state’s next-to-last-place education ranking. [The Oklahoman]
- Hundreds gather at Oklahoma Capitol for rally calling to impeach Superintendent Ryan Walters [KOSU]
- Hundreds at Oklahoma Capitol rally call for Ryan Walters to be impeached [Tulsa World]
- Rally calls for impeachment of state superintendent Ryan Walters [News on 6]
- Lawmakers suggest Ryan Walters should apologize to board members, Stitt for critical comments [The Oklahoman]
- Opinion: Impeach Ryan Walters: Oklahoma’s Future Depends on It [Nehemiah Frank / The Black Wall Street Times]
After TV saga, what comes next for Ryan Walters?: No stranger to political fights, even state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has acknowledged the uniqueness of the controversy he now faces — one involving images of naked women appearing on a television in his office during a closed meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education. Against that backdrop, he is now charting his next political move, one that he was widely expected to announce this summer. Will the controversy change the trajectory of his political career, or could he somehow turn it into a political advantage? [The Oklahoman]
Leaders reflect on state revenue one year after grocery sales tax cut: A year after Oklahoma dropped its sales tax on groceries, Republican and Democratic leaders agreed Friday that the cut helped everyday Oklahomans, but some called for keeping a watchful eye on state revenue and for caution going forward to guard against threats in funding for vital services. OK Policy’s fiscal policy analyst questioned how much of a difference the grocery sales tax cut has really made to Oklahomans. She said savings might add up to just a couple of dollars a week for many with modest incomes and that the small gain would be outweighed by their potential loss of state services. [Tulsa World]
Ethics Commission Issues Draft Guidance on Officeholder Security Expenses: Oklahoma lawmakers should be allowed to use campaign funds to cover reasonable home and digital security costs, according to a draft opinion from the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. [Oklahoma Watch]
Political notebook: State general revenue ends fiscal year 2025 above expectations: Fiscal year 2025 ended June 30 with general revenue exceeding expectations and FY 2024’s total, despite elimination of the 4.5% sales tax on groceries that took effect early in the cycle. Despite the uptick, general revenue remained about $300 million below the FY 2023 record of just over $9 billion. While the report was received as good news, it is worth noting the overall increase of 3.3% barely matched inflation. [Tulsa World]
Capitol Insider: U.S. jobs report stuns, but Oklahoma economy shows encouraging signs: Dr. Robert Dauffenbach, Professor Emeritus at the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma, speaks about the recent jobs report as well as state and local economic conditions. [KGOU]
Opinion: If some food are too bad for poor people to eat, then no one should eat it: Oklahoma got approval for wealthier people to tell low-income people what to eat based on the notion they know best. If some foods are so bad that low-income families shouldn’t access them, then ban those items for everyone. Otherwise, policies of nitpicking what SNAP foods are allowed is just a judgmental policy. These stigmatize people in need and send the message they are not worthy of making the same choices as those blessed with bigger bank accounts. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Opinion: School’s back in session, but Oklahoma education leaders don’t seem to be worried about the kids: Our children return from summer breaks suffering from some of the highest rates of adverse childhood experiences related to abuse, neglect and mental health struggles. Many of them are hungry. And they’re not excelling in school. But the adults whose job is championing strategies to improve our kids’ futures are too busy bickering about their own adverse adult experience involving images of nude women shown on Superintendent Ryan Walters’ office television. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Editorial: Oklahoma’s last place in education will get worse with new standards: The Oklahoma Supreme Court without comment told the State Department of Education it could move forward with new social studies standards that are unlike any in the nation. That’s not a good thing. The court isn’t to blame; that lies with the Oklahoma Legislature, which refused to halt the standards despite requests by state school board members to do so. [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
Federal Government News
Trump administration asks judge to end policy on protections for immigrant children in custody: A decades-old policy on protections for immigrant children in federal custody is inhibiting the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, government attorneys told a judge Friday. [Public Radio Tulsa]
States scramble to complete renewable energy projects before tax credits expire: The abrupt termination of tax credits for clean energy projects is perhaps the most drastic blow that President Donald Trump has struck in his campaign against wind and solar electricity. As states brace for the uncertainty ahead, they are scrambling to get pending projects off the ground before the tax credits expire. [Oklahoma Voice]
DC Digest: Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s revised financial disclosures attract attention: U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin filed an amended 2023 financial disclosure statement on July 30 that attracted some attention. The Tulsa World found several dozen changes from the original, but whether they materially altered the overall substance of the report is debatable. The bottom line is that both disclosures show Mullin to be one of Congress’ most active stock traders and a very wealthy man. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: America is like the aging rock star who thinks yelling louder will work: After WWII, the U.S. trained the future leaders of rival nations right here at home. We built cultural channels that normalized ideas of freedom and collaboration. We were imperfect (see Korea, Vietnam, Iraq), but compared to hard power, soft investments offered actual return on investment. And now? We’ve traded persuasion for provocation, collaboration for confrontation. We’re like the aging rock star who thinks yelling louder will recapture the vibe. [Gary Szabo / Tulsa World]
Opinion: America needs immigration reform that honors both security and humanity: We’ve made progress in securing the border and funding enforcement. That is good and necessary. But border security alone doesn’t fix a system that is outdated, inconsistent, and often inhumane. The people caught inside — immigrants, employers and communities — are paying the price. Let’s get this straight: Immigration reform is not just a political issue. It is a moral one. I talk to many Christians who recognize the moral weight of issues like abortion, yet dismiss immigration as merely political. That’s a mistake. [Joel Kersey / Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Listen Frontier: ‘We’ve lost five years’: Cherokee Chief says next governor must rebuild tribal relations (podcast): In an interview with The Frontier, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Hoskin Jr. pushed back on critics who claim the McGirt decision led to “legal chaos.” He also reflected on the strained relationship between tribal nations and Gov. Kevin Stitt, discussed how he hopes the next governor will mend that relationship, and talked about how the Cherokee Nation is working to lift long-neglected communities while simultaneously facing the challenges that come with increased jurisdictional authority. [The Frontier]
Osage Nation seeks federal approval for casino-resort at Missouri’s Lake of Ozarks: The Osage Nation is attempting to build the first tribally-owned and operated gaming facility in Missouri under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The Osage Casino is estimated to cost $100 million and will span 40,000 square feet on the tribe’s historic homelands. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Election guide August 2025: city government changes and school bonds: Oklahomans in 22 counties can cast their ballots in upcoming August elections. School districts are proposing bonds, and cities are considering updates to their operations. Election day is August 12, and polls are also open on Friday for early voting. [KOSU]
- To see a sample ballot and find your polling location, visit the Oklahoma voter portal.
Education News
Ryan Walters is Doubling Down in Support of a Conservative Online School: Ryan Walters, the state superintendent of Oklahoma schools who garnered national attention for wanting Bibles in the state’s public classrooms, will continue to push for tax credits for tuition-paying parents who want to send their children to a conservative online school, despite the school being deemed ineligible for the credits by the state’s tax commission. [Oklahoma Watch]
OSU student becomes first Inasmuch Foundation Community Fellow with Down syndrome: Josie Kohn is making history this summer as the first person with Down syndrome to participate in the Inasmuch Foundation Community Fellowship program. The program works to connect college undergraduate and graduate students with nonprofit organizations in Oklahoma City for a paid summer internship. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion, Oklahoma City Schools Superintendent: Thanks to many, our school district is making strong progress: Throughout this past year, the heartbeat of Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) has echoed in hallways, cafeterias, boardrooms and community spaces. Civic and faith leaders, parents, educators and students alike have shown a shared determination, resilient, unified, confident and full of hope. [Dr. Jamie Polk / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Opinion: Healthy Start saves lives and we must fight to keep it funded: Oklahoma consistently ranks among the worst states in the nation for maternal mortality and morbidity, and Tulsa County bears a disproportionate burden. Black, Indigenous and low-income families are hit hardest. This is not a partisan problem. It’s a public health emergency and a moral failing. But we have a proven solution that’s quietly, steadily making a difference: Healthy Start. [December Maxwell / Tulsa World]
Criminal Justice News
US crime rates fell nationwide in 2024, FBI report says: Violent crime in the United States fell 4.5% in 2024, according to a new FBI report, while property crime dropped 8.1% from the previous year. The declines continue a trend seen since crime surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when homicides jumped nearly 30% in 2020 — one of the largest one-year increases since the FBI began keeping records in 1930. By 2022, violent crime had fallen close to pre-pandemic levels. [Oklahoma Voice]
How TEEM has saved Oklahoma County $9.4M while keeping defendants out of jail: TEEM’s supervision of criminal defendants, keeping them out of jail, saved Oklahoma County $9.4 million the past year. Just 2% of TEEM participants wound up going to prison, according to the first-ever annual report from nonprofit TEEM — The Education and Employment Ministry, presented recently to the county Court Services Advisory Board. [The Oklahoman]
With Trump back in office, death penalty sought in second federal murder case in Oklahoma: The U.S. government is seeking the death penalty again in Oklahoma. Prosecutors in July gave notice they would pursue the death penalty against Marielle Smith and Jason Javon Franklin over the fatal shooting of a government witness. The two are charged with murder and other offenses in federal court in Muskogee. [The Oklahoman]
Editorial: Half a step on a new county jail may be better than standing still: Plans for a new Oklahoma County jail have taken an unexpected twist ― but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Myles Davidson, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, has announced that county officials are considering constructing a new jail intake center on the new jail site, where work is underway on the jail’s Behavioral Care Center. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
‘We’d rather have rocks’: Former homeless man speaks about living on Tulsa’s streets: In a conversation with KWGS’ Zach Boblitt, a man who was formerly homeless shares what life was really like on the streets and how recent city efforts, like placing boulders at downtown bus stops to deter loitering, are impacting Tulsa’s unhoused community. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Homeownership a struggle for young Tulsans as economic obstacles grow: Owning a home, once seen as an eventual reward for people who went to college, earned a degree and worked a full-time job, has become less attainable for young Tulsans. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Tiny homes, not boulders, are the best solution for homelessness: It’s time for Tulsa to do more than just talking about “solving” homelessness and putting up huge, ugly boulders along a downtown sidewalk. Really? That’s going to help solve homelessness? We continue to just kick the can down the road while hoping the problem goes away. All the while, our homeless population continues to climb, with more people trying to survive on the streets. [Brad Johnson / Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- Former Edmond city council member gets personal in book on downtown urban development [The Oklahoman]
- America’s first Black-owned gas station on Route 66 earns historic monument [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy purchases Price Tower artifacts, avoids ‘further legal action’ [Tulsa World]
- Reading Partners shift: Tulsa Public Schools’ loss is Union Public Schools’ gain [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“When Oklahoma voters passed SQ 780 and 781, they wanted to see the savings from less incarceration be used for investments in mental health and substance use treatments because they’ve seen the very need in their own communities. Implementation has been slow in part due to disagreements on how to calculate the savings, but those have mostly been resolved.”
– Anthony Flores, Research Director for OK Policy, writing about a new report that shows how voter-approved justice reforms that prioritized rehabilitation over incarceration are working in Oklahoma. [Investing in Justice: The Promise and Progress of Oklahoma’s SQ 781 Community Safety Fund]
Number of the Day
$202.3 million
The state of Oklahoma has saved about $202.3 million in savings as the result of reduced incarceration from 2018 to 2025. SQ 780, approved by voters in 2016, reclassified certain low-level drug and property offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, reducing the number of individuals eligible for lengthy prison sentences. Annual savings are to be invested into community-level treatment programs through the Community Safety Fund. [OK Policy analysis]
Policy Note
We Can’t Afford It: Mass Incarceration and the Family Tax: For too long, the economic impact of America’s high incarceration rate has been framed in terms of the $89 billion taxpayers spend on jails and prisons. But the true cost is far greater and falls most heavily on families already struggling to make ends meet. New research from FWD.us shows that incarceration costs families nearly $350 billion each year, primarily in lost wages and increased out-of-pocket spending. [FWD.us]
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