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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
Oklahoma enters Fiscal Year 2027 with billions in reserves and surplus cash (Capitol Update): As Oklahoma settles into Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, which began July 1, advocates for education, health care, public safety, and other state services will begin trying to determine how much funding may become available for appropriation. This job has become more complicated in recent years because the Legislature has created various “reserve accounts” where they deposit money instead of appropriating most available funding to state services. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Experts warn Oklahomans should expect health insurance costs to spike: As Oklahoma’s state employees face potential double-digit hikes in health insurance premiums, experts are warning that all Oklahomans should brace for a similar shock this year. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma law requires data breaches to be disclosed. Is that happening?: Three schools have notified the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office of major cybersecurity breaches this year as required by a new state law. Some cyber experts believe several more cases have gone unreported by businesses and other entities. [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Oklahoma lawmakers propose expanding tax-free weekend to include school supplies and athletic gear: Bipartisan lawmakers in Oklahoma are advocating for changes to the state’s tax-free weekend to include school supplies and athletic gear, though the proposal faces opposition from municipal groups. [KOCO]
Here are the most collaborative interim studies ahead of Oklahoma’s 2027 legislative session: Interim studies are publicly held meetings meant to inform lawmakers and the public about an impending political or social issue. This year, there are about 90 approved studies in each chamber. Several overlap topically, suggesting where lawmakers’ priorities lie ahead of the next legislative session. [KOSU]
- From OK Policy: What’s That? Interim Study
Federal Government News
At CoreCivic, immigration crackdowns are good for business: Revenue grew more than 27% for private prison operator CoreCivic as the Tennessee company profited from contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement that support the Trump administration’s mass detention and deportation agenda, according to a shareholders’ report released last week. [Oklahoma Voice]
- From OK Policy: CoreCivic profits from incarcerating our loved ones and exploiting rural towns. Oklahomans have the opportunity to push back.
US Senate leaves town for recess after passing stopgap spending bill, blocking photo ID for voting: The U.S. Senate adjourned for its summer recess early Saturday after approving a stopgap spending bill but declining to advance legislation that would require photo ID for voting. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Todd Blanche confirmed by the US Senate as attorney general; Collins, Murkowski vote no [Oklahoma Voice]
- US Senate confirms FEMA administrator alongside dozens of nominees [Oklahoma Voice]
Trump announces $180M for mining education as administration recommits to coal: President Donald Trump said Friday the federal government will fund $180 million in grants for mining schools across the country as part of his administration’s goal of rebuilding the U.S. coal industry. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Watchdog for $46 Billion Tribal Gambling Industry Can’t Enforce the Law Without a Chairperson: The last chairperson of the National Indian Gaming Commission stepped down from the role in January. President Donald Trump has not nominated anyone to fill the vacancy. Absent a chair, the commission is unable to perform some key responsibilities, like enforcing legal and safety violations, approving new tribal gambling laws and certifying management agreements between tribes and casino operators. [AP via Oklahoma Watch]
- Operations stalled for Harrah’s casino in wake of Trump Administration decision [KFOR]
Here’s how Osage Nation zeroed out entries into foster care for 6 months: Hoping to counter fearful perceptions of punitive child welfare workers, Osage Nation’s social services tried to project a different, more supportive image. The tribe embraced what staff called a “whatever-it-takes” approach to improve on their goal of preventing foster care entries and reducing trauma. [The Imprint via KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Oklahomans to decide on adding voter ID requirements to state constitution: If State Question 846 is approved by a majority of voters, the Oklahoma Constitution would be amended to require proof of identity for any method of voting and to allow the Legislature to enact any laws necessary to specify the ID requirements. [Oklahoma Voice]
- From OK Policy: SQ 846 Fact Sheet | SQ 846 Explainer video
Election Roundup
- Oklahoma Republicans to pick candidates for labor, insurance commissioner in runoff [Tulsa Flyer]
- District 3 OK County runoff: Jessica Clayton, Alex Warren constructing plans for jail [NonDoc]
- HD 99 runoff: Herschel Brown, Carlos Robinson campaign on healthcare, economic growth [NonDoc]
Education News
Tulsa to take part in State Chamber’s literacy education initiative: The State Chamber of Oklahoma, which has become increasingly vocal in its campaign to strengthen public education to improve the state’s economic outlook, has launched a privately funded initiative to enhance literacy instruction in Tulsa and several other school districts. [Tulsa World]
Health News
Trump signs order calling for fewer childhood vaccines and ‘more vaccine flexibility’: President Donald Trump signed an executive order “calling for more vaccine flexibility and research” and fewer childhood vaccinations, in addition to splitting the childhood measles, mumps and rubella vaccine into three shots and delivering them at separate medical visits. [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
Justice System News
Oklahoma man gets prison time for posting on X that ICE agents should be shot: A jury in April convicted the former casino worker over five of 10 posts that the government deemed illegal threats. He was sentenced on Monday, Aug. 10, in federal court in Tulsa. An appeal on free speech grounds is expected. [The Oklahoman]
- Skiatook man gets federal prison sentence in ICE threats case [Tulsa World]
Verna Stafford asks for parole for her part in 1978 Sirloin Stockade murders: Verna Stafford, the wife of Sirloin Stockade spree killer Roger Dale Stafford, will stand before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board this week seeking clemency for her role in the spree killing. [The Oklahoman]
- ‘Reliving horror:’ Families request denial of parole for Verna Stafford [KFOR]
Economy & Business News
Battery energy storage ramps up in Oklahoma after state regulator approval: To help meet growing electricity demand, Oklahoma’s largest utilities are investing in battery energy storage systems. The facilities store extra energy and discharge it when the grid needs it. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
Local Headlines
- OK County blindsided by city’s proposed master plan for downtown, jail [The Oklahoman]
- HeyDay closing to make way for Norman turnpike construction [The Oklahoman]
- Two internal candidates for Tulsa Police chief identified [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa Honor Academy unanimously approved for elementary expansion [Tulsa World]
- Coweta city manager hoping cyberattack will be resolved soon [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“But I do think the more likely scenario is that this restricts access to the ballot for people who are legal voters who simply can’t get their hands on or don’t have the time to go to the DMV to get a driver’s license… or can’t afford to get a passport, or don’t know where their birth certificate is.”
— Cole Allen, Justice Policy Analyst for OK Policy, on the constitutional amendment proposed by State Question 846, a measure on the August 25 ballot that gives the state Legislature broader authority over voter ID requirements. Oklahoma already has strict voter identification requirements in state law, and opponents argue that new laws could restrict access to the ballot box for eligible Oklahoma voters. [Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
>20 million
Over 20 million Americans do not have a driver’s license, with Black (18%) and Hispanic (15%) people being more likely to lack a driver’s license. Thirty-percent of Black people aged 18-29 did not have a license — more than any other population in the survey. [Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement]
Policy Note
Survey Shows Millions Lack ID as Voter ID Laws Spread to More States: As voter ID laws have spread and gained public support, the danger of ID based disenfranchisement — eligible voters being denied their right to vote because they cannot meet or are confused about a state ID requirement — potentially grows. Many voter ID laws are written with the implicit assumption that nearly everyone can use a driver’s license to comply with them. This survey shows that over 20 million Americans do not have a driver’s license. [Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement]
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