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New from OK Policy
Fact Check: Will Oklahoma families save $800 a year from eliminating the state portion of the grocery sales tax?: On Aug. 14, Gov. Kevin Stitt said that Oklahoma would again not be participating in a summer food program for hungry schoolchildren. In that announcement, his spokesperson suggested it was not necessary, in part, because “Governor Stitt delivered for families by signing the grocery tax elimination bill, saving Oklahomans an average of about $800 per year at the grocery store.” Let’s take a closer look at the governor’s claim about savings from the elimination of the state portion of the grocery sales tax. [OK Policy]
- From OK Policy: Fact check: Will Oklahomans still pay sales tax on groceries after the grocery sales tax?
Share your opinions to help shape Oklahoma’s future – 2025 Legislative Priorities Survey: Together Oklahoma and OK Policy are asking all Oklahoma residents to share their opinions about the issues and policies that matter most to them and that impact communities statewide. Input from the surveys will shape OK Policy’s work during next year’s legislative session to advance policies that help establish safe communities, keep Oklahomans healthy, and ensure our families and neighbors can thrive. [OK Policy & Together Oklahoma]
Oklahoma News
As Oklahoma considers loosening campaign finance rules, outside groups run wild: Independent expenditure groups continue to shower Oklahoma politicians with millions as the state eyes ways to reign in the secretive groups’ spending. The financial support from these shadowy groups added up to more than the candidate spent through their own campaigns during the June 18 primary, Oklahoma Ethics Commission records show. [The Frontier]
Advocates and Cherokee Nation criticize Gov. Stitt for rejecting funds to feed children — again: Gov. Kevin Stitt is once again rejecting federal funds for a summer feeding program for children, drawing criticism from advocates and a state tribe that stepped in to provide food through the program this summer. [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma to opt out of federal child feeding program for second straight year [Fox 25]
- Oklahoma Gov. Stitt opted out of summer food program for the second year in a row [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Oklahoma State Department of Education to be investigated by state watchdog agency: Amid calls for a probe of state Superintendent Ryan Walters, Oklahoma lawmakers announced a legislative watchdog agency would investigate spending concerns at the state Department of Education, where Walters is chief. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Supt. Walters calls lawmakers “liberal Republicans” despite high CPAC conservative ratings [Fox 25]
- Oklahoma lawmakers to investigate ‘spending concerns’ at OSDE under Ryan Walters [The Oklahoman]
- LOFT will examine multiple allegations of financial issues in education department [The Oklahoman]
LEAD Committee reviews strategic plans for state growth: The Legislative Evaluation and Development Committee, formed through Senate Bill 1447 in the 2024 session, met Wednesday. The inaugural meeting was hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. [Journal Record]
Oklahoma DHS seeks bilingual case managers to grow disabilities department: As the Developmental Disabilities Services division of the state Oklahoma Department Services chips away at a 13-year wait list for its services, the agency is working to hire more case managers to help Oklahomans with disabilities connect with state support programs. [KOSU]
Oklahoma state retiree pension systems report investment gains: Pension funds relied upon by former teachers, police officers, judges and other retired state employees reported gains on their investments in the last fiscal year. [Tulsa World]
Aerospace program nets $1.9B in new investments since 2018 launch: The state’s Aerospace Commerce Economic Services Program, or ACES, has helped secure 54 projects generating $1.9 billion in new investments since its launch in 2018, according to 2023 state analysis. [Journal Record]
Roundup: Wallace leading OSDE inquiry, judge sticks in Epic case, Walters wants AG opinions: If you thought Oklahoma education news might slow down as folks focus on taking back-to-school photos in the drop-off line, think again. [NonDoc]
First Watch: Open Records Act ensures any member of the public can check on their government: The Open Records Act isn’t a journalist’s convenience; it ensures that any member of the public can easily check on what their elected representatives are up to and how their tax money is being spent. Its companion, the Open Meeting Act, ensures similar transparency. [Oklahoma Watch]
Federal Government News
Rep. Brecheen assigns staffer to work full time on McGirt solution: Second District Congressman Josh Brecheen said Wednesday he has assigned a staff member — former state Sen. Joseph Silk — to work full time on resolving McGirt decision-related issues. [Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Sports betting could be years away in Oklahoma. Here’s what tribal casinos are doing instead: Oklahoma’s tribal gaming industry appears to be growing despite an impasse with Gov. Kevin Stitt over legalizing sports betting. If the expansion continues, tribal leaders could be content waiting out Stitt’s final two years in office before working out a deal to bring sports wagering to the state. [The Oklahoman]
Education News
Bixby superintendent files defamation lawsuit against Ryan Walters: Another defamation lawsuit has been filed against Oklahoma’s top education official, this time by the superintendent of Bixby Public Schools. Bixby schools chief Rob Miller filed the lawsuit against state Superintendent Ryan Walters on Thursday in Tulsa County District Court. A former Norman High School teacher made similar allegations against Walters in a federal lawsuit filed last year. [Oklahoma Voice]
- What Bixby’s superintendent told News 4 about the comments he’s now suing Ryan Walters over [KFOR]
- Bixby Superintendent sues Ryan Walters for defamation [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Ryan Walters slapped with defamation suit over attacks on Bixby superintendent [Tulsa World]
- Bixby superintendent files defamation lawsuit against Ryan Walters after meeting comments [The Oklahoman]
Reimbursements from state for maternity leave not getting to schools, Education Committee chairman says: The state’s top Republican on common education matters says the Oklahoma State Department of Education failed to fully implement paid maternity leave for school employees, leaving school districts across the state in the lurch for untold thousands of dollars for the fiscal year that ended June 30. [Tulsa World]
Education Watch: Private schools capitalizing on tax credits with higher tuition: Many onlookers predicted the recent surge in private school tuition prices, reported this week by Oklahoma Watch intern Ruby Topalian. It happened in other states that approved private school subsidy programs. Critics of Oklahoma’s Parental Choice Tax Credit warned it would happen here, too. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma County judge overseeing Epic embezzlement case rejects call to recuse: A judge presiding over the major embezzlement case against the co-founders of Epic Charter School faces a call to recuse, with a defense attorney accusing her of being an “advocate for the prosecution.” [Oklahoma Voice]
- Criminal case against Epic Charter Schools co-founders remains in legal limbo [The Oklahoman]
‘Sorry son, you can’t come to this school’: Mid-Del families describe enrollment issues: Several Mid-Del Public Schools families shared with FOX 25 that they’re having issues with enrollment—even as students have already started classes. One parent is worried his son may not be going to the same school as he did last year. [Fox 25]
Health News
Rural Oklahoma county to break ground on hospital after losing its facility in 2016: A rural county in Southwest Oklahoma is one step closer to bringing a hospital back to its residents, who have had to drive about 40 miles to receive hospital-level care since it lost its facility in 2016. [KGOU]
Criminal Justice News
Some juvenile detention center staff accused of promoting, betting on ‘fight clubs’: Staff at the Tulsa County juvenile detention center are accused of encouraging detained youths to fight each other and betting on the results, according to a new court filing in a federal civil rights lawsuit. Staff incentivized juvenile residents with illegal drugs, snacks and cellphone privileges to encourage the fights, the filing alleges. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma prosecutors hear about violence against health care workers: Hospitals have seen a significant increase in violence against health care workers, prosecutors were told Thursday. “It is kind of getting to a tipping point,” said Maggie Martin, Oklahoma Hospital Association chief legal officer. [Oklahoma Voice]
Community News
Oklahoma governor encourages discussions across party lines: Gov. Kevin Stitt is urging Oklahomans to “disagree better” when they’re discussing controversial political topics or their differing faiths. At an event derived from the Disagree Better initiative started by the National Governors Association, the Republican governor pushed Oklahomans to engage in civil discourse in political discussions. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tulsa’s All Souls Unitarian Church Weighs In on Bible Policy in Schools: As students prepare for the new academic year, All Souls Unitarian Church will host its annual Back to School Blessing on Sunday, August 18, 2024. This special service aims to provide a supportive and encouraging send-off for students, teachers, and families as they prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the upcoming school year. [The Black Wall Street Times]
It didn’t start with Ryan Walters: Oklahoma has a long history of banning books and movies: State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters’ efforts to remove two best-selling, but controversial books from the school library in Edmond have sparked legal battles, a cultural skirmish and a long-running debate across the state about what materials schools should make available to students. [The Oklahoman]
New Partner Tulsa CEO wants city to be ‘a shining example’ to the world: In his new role at Partner Tulsa, the new CEO said the city needs a continued focus on identifying new and innovative ways to address the city’s housing shortage, spur economic growth, and promote equity and opportunities for all Tulsans. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Former Tulsa mayors reflect on their unexpected challenges and lessons learned: It’s the unexpected things that pop up that challenge elected leaders. These things — which can range from social unrest to natural disasters to even an unwanted strip club — aren’t captured in campaign platforms. Of Tulsa’s 40 mayors, only six have served in the current strong mayor system of city government. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
- Opinion, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum: Being mayor is an honor and completely life-consuming [Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum / Tulsa World]
Opinion, The Rev. Lori Allen Walke: Think you know the Bible? What Book says not always same as what’s taught: Some might be surprised that children who attend a school that strives to equip students to, “Know, understand and abide in the Word of God, and steadfastly defend the Gospel in a post-Christian culture,” aren’t quite up to speed about what’s actually in there. Don’t be. It is common for conservative religious institutions to teach students what to think, but not how to think. [The Rev. Lori Allen Walke / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- OCPD set to announce new police chief as sources confirm Deputy Chief Ron Bacy will take over [KOCO]
- DA clears Watonga officer from criminal charges in early July 4 use of force case [Fox 25]
- Oilton hit with federal lawsuit over police assault allegation [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa asks zoning board to OK residential care center site for the homeless near Mohawk Park [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“At the end of the day, in order for a democracy to function and for local politics and state politics to function, there needs to be more trust and nobody’s going to trust each other if we’re all calling each other heathens or, you know, evil doers.”
-Allyson Shortle, an associate professor of political science at University of Oklahoma, speaking about the growing distaste for hateful rhetoric in political discussions. [Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
1 in 5
More than 1 in 5 (208,110) Oklahoma children don’t get the food they need. [Hunger Free Oklahoma]
Policy Note
Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation: Summer Nutrition Status Report: A new report reveals a drop in children participating in the Summer Nutrition Programs following the loss of pandemic-era waivers. The report finds that 170,926 fewer children benefited from meals served through the Summer Nutrition Programs in 2023 compared to the previous year. Only 15.3 children received summer lunch for every 100 who received a free or reduced-price school lunch during the previous school year. [Food Research and Action Center]
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