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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
Stitt’s tenure ban tests the limits of executive power (Capitol Update): Following the recent federal government model, it seems that Governor Kevin Stitt has expanded the practice of ruling by executive order. Rather than proposing a law, working to get it passed by the Legislature, then executing it as provided in the Oklahoma Constitution, it’s easier to just issue an executive order. That way, there’s no need to consult, explain, convince, or compromise with a troublesome group of elected legislators. Just order it done, and it’s done — unless the executive order is challenged in court, an expensive proposition both financially and, for most anyone, perhaps job security. It seems like the lazy way to govern. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
State Government News
‘Wait and see’: House Rules Committee meets with Rep. Danny Williams about investigation: Members of the House Rules Committee met privately for more than eight hours today about the “serious allegations” of “improper behavior” that surfaced against Rep. Danny Williams this summer. While the committee’s chairman said no action was taken and no decisions were made, Williams himself spoke to his colleagues for about 90 minutes, entering and exiting through the House’s rear stairwell as security and media sat outside a sequestered second-floor hallway. [NonDoc]
- House panel takes no action on Oklahoma lawmaker’s alleged misconduct, sets another meeting [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma lawmakers weigh future of Rep. Danny Williams in closed meeting [The Oklahoman]
Lawsuit filed to stop Oklahoma Constitutional Convention vote: A former Republican lawmaker has challenged Gov. Kevin Stitt’s power to call a constitutional convention. Former Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, on Tuesday asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to rule that only the Legislature can submit a referendum to the people for a constitutional convention. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Former Oklahoma lawmaker sues Stitt over call for constitutional convention state question [KOSU]
- Former lawmaker asks court to stop Governor Stitt’s constitutional convention vote [News on 6]
Federal Government News
There’s been a lot of big claims about the Inola smelter. Here’s what the facts show: The Trump administration’s plans to build a smelter in Inola have generated big claims. Here’s what we know — and what we don’t. [The Frontier]
Opinion: Proposed defense budget changes threaten veteran care: Mark Twain famously noted that history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes. For America’s military community, a dangerous refrain is playing out right now in Congress, echoing a breach of trust from decades ago. [Fred Shakeshaft / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
10th Circuit expands state authority to arrest in Indian Country, remands Shawn Walden civil rights suit: Oklahoma tribal citizens received a hint as to whether they have the same federal civil rights protections as non-Indians after the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals issued a new ruling in favor of Choctaw citizen Shawn Walden. [NonDoc]
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Hoskin delivers final State of the Nation address: Attendees at this past weekend’s 74th annual Cherokee Nation holiday in Tahlequah may have witnessed an historical moment – the eighth and final state of the nation address by the current Cherokee Nation principal chief. [Public Radio Tulsa]
- 5 things Cherokee Nation’s Hoskin highlighted in final State of the Nation address [KOSU]
Batton praises economic, artistic impact of Choctaw people in State of Nation speech: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton gave his state of the nation speech during the tribe’s Labor Day Festival, highlighting language and culture preservation and protecting sovereignty. [KOSU]
Education News
OSU announces sites for new veterinary hospital, agronomy center: Locations for two major taxpayer-supported construction projects at Oklahoma State University were revealed Tuesday. A $330 million veterinary teaching hospital and a $50 million Agronomy Discovery Center will be built west of OSU’s Stillwater campus in a farmland area, the university announced. [Oklahoma Voice]
“It’s Hard to Stay Afloat”: Oklahoma Borrowers Describe Life Under the New Student Loan System: Starting July 1, loan servicers began sending out 90-day notices for SAVE enrollees, urging them to enroll in a new payment plan. The Income-Based Repayment plan will remain available for borrowers who took out loans before July 1, but the PAYE and Income-Contingent Repayment plans will be phased out by July 1, 2028. [Oklahoma Watch]
Health News
Is lettuce safe to eat now? Experts weigh in after summer of cyclospora: It’s been almost two months since the summer cyclosporiasis craze that infiltrated the American food market, and lettuce is still on the produce shelf, but is it safe to eat at this point? [The Oklahoman]
Justice System News
Cleveland County approves a $20 million settlement in the death of Shannon Hanchett: Cleveland County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $20-million settlement for the family of Norman resident Shannon Hanchett, who died in the county jail during a mental health crisis in 2022. [The Frontier]
- Norman baker’s jail death leads to $20M settlement from county [The Oklahoman]
Parole denied for Sirloin Stockade murderer Verna Stafford: Admitted murderer Verna Stafford has been denied parole from her life sentence for her role in the 1978 massacre at the Sirloin Stockade steakhouse in Oklahoma City. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma judge used AI on order that cited cases that don’t exist: A southeastern Oklahoma judge has admitted that he used an artificial intelligence tool to prepare a court order that ended up having citations to two cases that do not exist. [The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Do Canadian investors own more agricultural land in Oklahoma than Chinese investors?: Yes. Canadian investors own 1,093,171 acres of land in Oklahoma, far more than the 2,575 acres of Chinese-held land, all of which are owned by Smithfield Foods. [Oklahoma Watch]
Community News
Opinion: How music at the Oklahoma State Fair unites people: When I got on stage at the Oklahoma State Fair Lounge, I thought I was just going to sing some songs. But I saw something else, too. I saw people connecting with one another. [Trevor Renteria / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Gateway to Prevention & Recovery closing in Shawnee after 42 years [The Oklahoman]
- Flock Camera concerns aired at Tulsa Town Hall [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Tulsa Public Schools invites community to planning, information sessions [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa Public Schools considering closures and salary freezes as district shares an update on budget woes [Tulsa Flyer]
- Multiple bridge projects underway in west Tulsa, Sand Springs [Tulsa World]
- Edmond launches monthly ‘Parent Café’ to build community, share mental health resources [KOSU]
Quote of the Day
“People are losing sleep at night over their student loans. People are very worried that they’re going to have their wages garnished, that they’re going to lose their job if they have public employment. There’s a lot of powers that the Department of Education has over the citizens that could really make this a very brutal year and even further down the road.”
– Alan Collinge, founder of Student Loan Justice, explaining how changes to federal student loan repayment plans and the potential resumption of involuntary collections are creating fear and financial uncertainty for borrowers. [Oklahoma Watch]
Number of the Day
$17.1 billion
The collective federal student loan debt owed by Oklahoma borrowers. About 16.1 percent of Oklahoma adults have federal student loans, although the average balance per borrower is 15.5 percent below the national average. [Education Data Initiative]
Policy Note
What Comes Next for Student Loan Policy?: Over the past six years, the federal student loan program has been substantially altered by pandemic and policy changes, disrupting payments and creating confusion for borrowers. These changes include regulatory and statutory reforms that have dramatically altered student loan access, repayment, and forgiveness options for borrowers. As these policy changes phase out and phase in, researchers, advocates, and policymakers should consider and study these effects and other possible reforms that might be necessary. [Urban Institute]
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