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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
Digital services raise new tax questions for Oklahoma (Capitol Update): Taxes are a topic that will always generate a vigorous discussion. That’s what happened last week when the House Appropriations Finance Subcommittee took up an interim study requested by Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore. Lepak, who won’t be in the Legislature next year due to term limits, has introduced multiple tax cut proposals during his 12-year tenure in the Legislature. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma Supreme Court declares tax property state question unconstitutional: In a 5-4 decision, the Oklahoma Supreme Court declared an initiative petition that would have phased out certain property taxes is unconstitutional. Justices in the majority wrote that State Question 843 conflicts with an article in Oklahoma Constitution requiring real property not to be assessed for ad valorem taxes less than 11% of its fair cash value. [KOSU]
- Okla. Supreme Court rules State Question 843 unconstitutional [KFOR]
What would Oklahoma State Question 847 change about property taxes?: Oklahoma voters will decide State Question 847 on Nov. 3, 2026, on a proposed constitutional amendment that would lower annual limits on increases in property values used for tax calculations beginning in 2027 and change property-tax assessment rules for homeowners age 65 and older. [KOTV]
- From OK Policy: SQ 847 Fact Sheet | What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma?
- Register for OK Policy’s Oct. 20 town hall on SQ 845, SQ 847
Oklahoma cleared homeless encampments. A year later, some people are back.: The state spent more than $899,000 clearing camps in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Figures aren’t available yet for how much the state spent repeatedly clearing one camp in Norman. Providers say many people displaced by the sweeps had nowhere to go. [The Frontier]
- From OK Policy: Bulldozers won’t solve homelessness
State Government News
State lawmakers confront billions in costs for needed water system upgrades: More than half of Oklahoma’s rural water systems don’t generate enough revenue to cover their operational expenses, let alone make investments in critically needed infrastructure upgrades. As a result, many decades-old systems are failing, and costs to address immediate and emerging needs statewide have been estimated in the range of $24 billion. [Tulsa World]
The signs offer quick cash for homes. But states, including Oklahoma, want more oversight.: The signs, text messages and mailers promise cash, quick sales and a seamless means of unloading unwanted homes. But advocates say the business of buying homes for cash can confuse vulnerable homeowners and rob them of home equity. And now, many states are cracking down. [Oklahoma Voice]
Power grid study leads to OG&E rate hike proposal, nuclear power option: There is a growing need for power in Oklahoma. It has lawmakers asking questions about the strength of the electrical grid, and whether adding nuclear energy into the mix is a good idea. Oklahoma is in the running to be a hub for nuclear power. However, last month, legislators questioned, how would they work alongside our existing power company’s, and what would potential cost look like for ratepayers? [KFOR]
Tim Gatz retiring as ODOT director after 37 years in state highways: Tim Gatz, a veteran state highway official who once simultaneously held the titles of Secretary of Transportation and executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, announced Monday that he is going to retire at the end of October. [The Oklahoman]
- Tim Gatz to retire at the end of October [KFOR]
Federal Government News
Federal funds for local police enforcement accelerated Trump immigration crackdown: This summer, arrests of immigrants in the United States soared to the highest levels since President Donald Trump returned to office. An unprecedented increase in cooperation between local and state law enforcement and federal immigration officers through collaborations known as 287(g) agreements helped drive numbers up. [Oklahoma Voice]
- From OK Policy: Entering into 287(g) agreements harms Oklahoma families and communities | Which Oklahoma counties, cities and agencies have federal 287(g) agreements for immigration enforcement?
Tribal Nations News
Suspension lifted for Kickapoo Tribe Chairman after lack of evidence for criminal investigation: The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma Chairman, Marlon Frye, is no longer suspended from his leadership duties, according to a statement from the tribe on Oct. 4. [KOSU]
Osage Congress votes to have say in data center discussion, fund immersion school: The Osage Nation Congress approved bills Monday that could reopen the tribe’s private immersion school and give the legislature a say in data center discussions. [KOSU]
- Bill passes requiring Congressional approval of data centers [Osage News]
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes institute 3-year data center ban: The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Council approved a three-year ban on data centers within tribal lands on Saturday. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Anxiety is growing Trump may try to disrupt the midterm elections. States are prepping.: Interviews and public comments by more than a dozen current and former election officials, legal experts, lawmakers and others ahead of the midterms reveal anxiety over what Trump may do. Election administrators often plan for natural disasters, bomb threats and other possible problems, but this year many are also thinking about possible disruptions driven by the federal government. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Trump drops longtime aversion to mail-in voting with GOP trailing in polls [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma’s voter registration deadline is Friday. Here’s how to participate this midterm election: The November midterm election is less than a month away. That means the voter registration deadline is this week. Here is what you need to know if you still need to register. [KOSU]
- Deadlines approaching to register to vote in Oklahoma general elections, request absentee ballots [Oklahoma Voice]
When can Oklahoma felons vote? New law tries to end the confusion: The Oklahoma law that says when convicted felons can vote again has been simplified this year after repeated complaints that it’s too confusing. [The Oklahoman]
Election Roundup
- Corporation Commission candidates differ on Oklahoma data center regulation, utility rates [Oklahoma Voice]
- Insurance commissioner candidates MacIntyre, Sullivan hear concerns across Oklahoma [NonDoc]
- HD 9: Andrea Biscardi, Scotty Stokes discuss public service experiences, smelter, education [NonDoc]
Education News
TPS and Tulsa Tech partner up to turn Central High into a career-focused polytechnic school next year: Tulsa’s Central High School is soon to become a polytechnic high school in an expanded partnership with Tulsa Tech beginning next school year. The new application-based partnership will incorporate CareerTech programming into Central’s offerings for juniors and seniors, including health and emergency services or automotive skills. It’s set to be the first high school of its kind developed between a public district and CareerTech Oklahoma. [Tulsa Flyer]
- TPS, Tulsa Tech announce Central to become polytechnic high school [Tulsa World]
Tulsa Public School board weighs school closure proposal amidst budget concerns: Tulsa Public Schools’ board members shared their questions and concerns Monday night about additional specifics on a school closure proposal meant to help address a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall. [Tulsa World]
With new high school, educational choices return to downtown OKC: John Rex Charter Schools is set to add a high school, giving it a pre-K through 12th grade educational pipeline in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. [The Oklahoman]
Health News
Oklahoma Mother’s Lawsuit Joins Dozens of Others Across the Nation: Since the Dobbs decision, the number of lawsuits against states with strict abortion bans has steadily increased. The Center for Reproductive Rights has challenged abortion bans in 11 states since the decision. [Oklahoma Watch]
Justice System News
‘Indiscriminate mass surveillance’: Judge says ALPR search violated Fourth Amendment in meth case: In a case involving about 100 pounds of methamphetamine, U.S. District Judge Sara Hill ruled in favor of a motion to suppress evidence obtained after Tulsa County Deputy Sheriff Freddie Alaniz ran the license plate of Melisa Susan Kyle through two automated readers before detaining her and searching her vehicle. The decision tees up a potential challenge by prosecutors that could see federal appellate courts address the growing constitutional questions surrounding Flock Safety and other automated camera systems. [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma federal judge rules deputy’s unwarranted Flock camera searches violated Fourth Amendment [KOSU]
- Oklahoma federal judge rules Flock camera search unconstitutional [The Oklahoman]
Woman alleges Oklahoma trooper stopped her over U-turn then broke her arm: A woman is accusing an Oklahoma Highway Patrol state trooper of using excessive force during a 2024 traffic stop in Shawnee after she says the officer forced her out of her car and broke her arm. [The Oklahoman]
Signature-gathering OK’d in petition for grand jury investigation of Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiler: judge granted final approval Monday to an amended petition that aims to convene a grand jury investigation of Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler and the operations of his office. [Tulsa World]
- Document: Petition to impanel a grand jury to investigate Steve Kunzweiler [Tulsa World]
Editorial: Should tax hike for Oklahoma County jail be OK’d? Our take: Oklahoma County voters are being asked on the Nov. 3 general election whether they approve a 0.4-cent sales tax for the next 25 years to finish construction of a new jail. [The Oklahoman]
Community News
Oklahoma oil company plugs disposal well that posed threat to city’s drinking water: n Oklahoma oil and gas company plugged a well that disposes of oil production’s toxic byproduct after an investigation by The Frontier and ProPublica revealed that regulators had approved the well in violation of state rules meant to protect public groundwater supplies. [The Frontier]
Local Headlines
- Judge hears arguments in Inola smelter lawsuit [Tulsa World]
- Cleveland County commissioners approve new patrol deputies for people experiencing homelessness [OU Daily]
Quote of the Day
“I’m reminded of the old saying, ‘everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.’ By that I mean, everyone would like to find a way to help the cities and towns, but no one wants to take a political risk to do it. The tax ‘reforms’ I see on the horizon seem to be coming from people whose motivation is to stifle growth in public revenue.”
-Former House Speaker Steve Lewis, writing that most lawmakers want to cut taxes, but raising other taxes to offset those cuts is unpopular. A recent interim study explored ways to update Oklahoma’s tax code to keep up with the shift from buying physical goods to digital services. Since many digital purchases are not taxed, state revenue has not kept pace with economic growth. Because of Oklahoma’s SQ 640, the Legislature can pass a tax cut with a simple majority, but a new tax would need approval by three-quarters of all legislators or a statewide public vote. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Number of the Day
2
Number of times Oklahoma has increased taxes since 1992 when voters approved State Question 640. Under SQ 640, raising taxes has required either a three-fourths vote in both legislative chambers and the Governor’s signature, or majority approval by voters in a statewide election. Since then, voters have approved only one tax increase, SQ 713, which raised the tobacco tax in 2004. Lawmakers have only met the three-fourths threshold once, with HB 1010xx, passed in response to the education protests in 2018. [OK Policy]
- From OK Policy: SQ 640 – Roadblock or solution?
Policy Note
What Principles Should Guide State and Local Tax Policy?: An adequate tax system raises enough funds to sustain the public services required for any healthy and successful community, like public education, roads and bridges, health care, and public safety. Conversely, an inadequate tax system undermines public services, harming everyone, often with particularly dire consequences for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations, and often making it harder for families and businesses to succeed. Since states and localities have laws requiring them to balance their budgets, they need to make sure there’s enough revenue to fund public services in the coming year. But it’s not enough just to look at present-day needs. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy]
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