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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
Vote no on SQ 844 and SQ 846: Protect Oklahoma’s Constitution: On August 25, all Oklahoma voters can help decide on two proposed changes to the state Constitution. Even if you are registered as an independent or don’t have a candidate on your primary runoff ballot, you can still vote on State Questions 844 and 846. The Oklahoma Policy Institute rarely takes positions on state questions. But, after carefully reviewing both proposals, OK Policy is urging voters to vote NO on both state questions. These measures deal with different topics, but they share a big problem. They ask voters to approve changes to the Constitution without knowing how those changes will be implemented in the future. Instead, they leave key details to be determined later by the Legislature. [OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
SQ 844: Property tax reimbursement reform has educators uneasy: A state question on Oklahoma’s Aug. 25 ballots would change how counties are reimbursed for ad valorem tax revenue when properties qualify for manufacturing exemptions, a complicated and long-simmering issue now causing angst for some in the education sphere. [NonDoc]
Oklahoma voters to see two state questions on August 25 ballot: All Oklahoma voters will have two state questions on their ballot on August 25. State Question 844 and State Question 846 were both born from resolutions that the Oklahoma legislature passed during the most recent legislative session. [Fox 25]
State Government News
Investigation ordered by Oklahoma governor will demonize Muslim people, expert says: Gov. Kevin Stitt’s latest effort targeting Muslim groups is “political theater” meant to tap into a broader undercurrent of Islamophobia and create unwarranted fears during an election year, experts said. [Oklahoma Voice]
Amid infrastructure cyber threats, Oklahoma Corporation Commission steps up security efforts: Recent cyberattacks on water systems in at least seven states may have exposed vulnerabilities not just in those states — and not just to water infrastructure but also to oil and gas pipelines and other types of critical infrastructure. [Tulsa World]
Will Oklahoma join more than 30 other states regulating AI in elections?: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is weighing the need for new rules around the use of artificial intelligence-generated campaign advertisements. But new ethics regulations involve political will, and while other states have addressed the issue, Oklahoma lawmakers have yet to act. [KOSU]
Ethics Commission finds cause to investigate Rep. Danny Williams: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is investigating allegations that Republican Rep. Danny Williams violated conflicts of interest rules. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma Secretary of State Benjamin Lepak arrested by Edmond police Friday night: Oklahoma’s Secretary of State, Benjamin Lepak, was arrested by Edmond Police on Friday. Lepak was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication. According to a police report, an officer found Lepak standing at the drive-through window of McDonald’s shortly before 11 p.m. on Friday. [Fox 25]
- Oklahoma official arrested on suspicion of being drunk outside McDonald’s [The Oklahoman]
- AG Drummond urges Stitt to put Secretary of State Lepak on leave after arrest [Fox 25]
Voting and Election News
Election Roundup
- Mazzei releases drug test in Oklahoma gubernatorial race. His opponent immediately cries foul [Oklahoma Voice]
- Drummond, Mazzei release health records in Republican race for governor [The Oklahoman]
- GOP insurance commissioner runoff has become contentious ahead of election day [The Oklahoman]
- Two Oklahoma lawmakers face off in under-the-radar labor commissioner race [The Oklahoman]
- SD 34 runoff: Dana Prieto, Aaron Forst talk Freedom Caucus future, childcare, projects [NonDoc]
- New PAC Linked to Dr. Corinice Wilson Campaign May Not Disclose Donors Before Tulsa City Council District 1 Election [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Who’s on the ballot in Oklahoma runoffs? See election guide, candidates [The Oklahoman]
Education News
Oklahoma teachers voice frustration over longer school days: Students and teachers across the state are now back in school, but many teachers are feeling “demoralized” after the new school times that went into effect. [KFOR]
Health News
Oklahoma Kids Use Drugs at Higher Rates Than the National Average. A New Initiative Wants to Change That: Children in Oklahoma have higher substance use rates than the national average in many categories, including cigarettes, marijuana, illicit drugs and opioids, according to the 2021-2023 Behavioral Health Barometer. The only category that is below the national average is alcohol use. [Oklahoma Watch]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma company that operates Iowa nursing homes faces second lawsuit alleging unpaid bills: One of Iowa’s largest nursing home chains — Accura Healthcare, an Oklahoma company that operates 27 senior-care facilities within Iowa — is facing new lawsuits alleging nonpayment of bills and wrongful death. [Oklahoma Voice]
Community News
Broken Arrow’s Latino community is growing. So are the ways the city is embracing the culture: From making an annual festival more culturally authentic to offering a citizens police academy in Spanish, Broken Arrow leaders have thrown their support behind resources in recent years to support the city’s growing Latino and Hispanic community. [Tulsa Flyer]
Local Headlines
- Oklahoma City Council to revisit controversial Flock camera contract after weeks of delays [Fox 25]
- Sales tax to fund new Oklahoma County jail will be on the November ballot [KOSU]
- Tulsa city councilors expected to interview police chief candidates in executive session Wednesday [Tulsa World]
- Edmond City Council says no to another car wash. Here’s why [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“I think people need to know, hey, (passing SQ 844) could have an impact on your own personal property taxes because if other values drop, of other businesses or companies, even during that five-year period, that sinking fund money is going to have to come from somewhere. Guess who it comes from — the homeowner.”
-Minco Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Sims, speaking about how State Question 844 could affect homeowners. SQ 844 — which is on the Aug. 25 ballot statewide — would let the legislature change how schools and local governments are reimbursed for a state economic development incentive that uses property tax exemptions. If the state lowers its reimbursement, schools and local governments might struggle to meet their bond obligations. If there is not enough money to pay these obligations, district residents could see an automatic property tax increase. [NonDoc]
Number of the Day
$14.3 billion
The amount Oklahoma received in federal grants in 2024 to support child care, transportation, law enforcement, housing, food security, health care, and more. Because the state takes in far more federal dollars than it sends in taxes, federal cuts — combined with state tax reductions — could have an outsized impact on Oklahoma communities. [Oklahoma Policy Institute]
Policy Note
Most States’ Tax Revenue Falls Below Long-Term Trends Amid Federal Uncertainties: Most states are collecting less tax revenue than their long-term historical patterns would predict, reflecting a broader slowdown in fiscal performance and pushing budgets into tighter territory. This decline constrains state capacity to deliver expanded public services, prepare for recession, or implement tax relief, especially as one-off pandemic-era aid fades and uncertainty at the federal level persists. Without renewed revenue, states may face difficult trade-offs in funding priorities. Sound budget planning now depends on rebuilding fiscal resilience and ensuring sustainability in the face of ongoing volatility. [The Pew Charitable Trusts]
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