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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’s mental health system is at a crossroad. Will we choose deepened neglect or compassion?: There are moments in public life when policy decisions unfold not as abstractions, but as ruptures in the lives of ordinary people. Oklahoma now stands in the midst of such a rupture. As the state’s mental health authority threatens significant cuts in its review of nearly 800 provider contracts — while withholding details of just how deep the reductions will go — one truth remains certain: residents will feel the consequences in ways too personal and too devastating to be tallied on any spreadsheet. [Kati Malicoate / Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma Supreme Court finds ‘business courts’ bill unconstitutional: In a five-justice majority opinion released Tuesday afternoon, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that “several aspects of Senate Bill 632 violate the Oklahoma Constitution,” a decision that derails efforts to establish the so-called “business courts” that Gov. Kevin Stitt had convinced state lawmakers to approve during budget negotiations in the 2024 regular session. [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court rules special legal system for businesses unconstitutional [The Oklahoman]
New report pinpoints the missing middle between poverty and stability in Oklahoma: The report from Tulsa Area United Way (TAUW) uses a measure called ALICE — households that are asset-limited and income-constrained but employed. Using data from 2023, it found 16% of Oklahoma households live in poverty based on federal data. But that number jumps to 29% under the ALICE model. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Read the full report: The State of ALICE in Oklahoma
State Government News
Oklahoma’s new state superintendent lays out vision for next 15 months in office: Oklahoma’s newly sworn-in state superintendent said he intends his brief 15 months in office to be “more than just a stopgap.” [Oklahoma Voice]
- New state superintendent promises 15-month ‘sprint’ to leave education in better shape [Tulsa World]
- New Superintendent sworn in; details three-phase plan to ‘turn around’ OSDE [KFOR]
- State Superintendent Fields aims to set new tone in Oklahoma education [KOSU]
Oklahoma moves to drop Ryan Walters’ suit demanding $474M from federal government: Two high-profile federal lawsuits involving former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters aren’t going to move forward now that he’s left office, court filings show. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma Ethics Commission investigating Ryan Walters again over possible ethics violations: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is investigating Ryan Walters — again. In a public statement on Oct. 7, the Ethics Commission revealed it is actively investigating potential violations of its conflict of interest rule “as related to … Walters’ departure.” [The Oklahoman]
- Walters being investigated for conflict of interest [KFOR]
Oklahoma governor’s pick for Secretary of State says she’s ineligble for role: In September, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt named a new Secretary of State. Last week, Stitt’s pick said she was ineligible for the role. [KFOR]
OK AG highlights Domestic Violence Awareness month at state capitol: October is well-known for being breast cancer awareness month, but it also brings attention to another important topic, and that’s domestic violence. At the state capitol Tuesday morning, people were recognized for helping victims and holding offenders accountable. [KFOR]
Ex-lawmaker claims OHP trooper delayed medical care to son injured in car crash: The retired leader of the Oklahoma Senate is suing the state and Canadian County, claiming troopers delayed aid to his 16-year-old son after a truck slammed into the teen’s car during a traffic stop. [The Oklahoman]
Bill to invest in professional women’s sports: The push to get women in professional sports the same opportunities as men in their professional sports. Lawmakers held a study on Tuesday morning examining how female sports teams help the state and the players’ professional careers, as well as discussing a bill that they’re hopeful will pass to address the issue. [KFOR]
Federal Government News
Government shutdown continues with talks over health care at an impasse: President Donald Trump sent mixed messages Monday about whether he would negotiate a deal with Democrats to extend the enhanced tax credits for people who get their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, one of the main issues that led to the government shutdown. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Trump says he’s open to health care deal but government must reopen first [AP via KFOR]
- What you need to know about the healthcare subsidies at the heart of the shutdown (audio) [NPR via KOSU]
Trump administration threatens no back pay for federal workers in shutdown: President Donald Trump’s administration warned on Tuesday of no guaranteed back pay for federal workers during a government shutdown, reversing what has been long-standing policy for some 750,000 furloughed employees, according to a memo being circulated by the White House. [Associated Press]
Air traffic control delays ripple across U.S. for a 2nd day amid government shutdown (audio): Flights across the U.S. are being delayed again today because of a shortage of air traffic controllers. Federal regulators say staffing shortages were to blame for ground delays last night at busy airports serving New York, Los Angeles and Denver, and that is just one of the ways the ongoing government shutdown may affect commercial aviation. [NPR via KOSU]
- Tulsa, OKC airports report no delays amid shutdown, essential workers go unpaid [Fox 25]
Trump administration defends nationwide rapid deportations at appeals hearing: Judges on a federal appeals court panel seemed skeptical that the Trump administration’s expanded use of a fast-track deportation procedure didn’t violate the due-process rights of immigrants during oral arguments Monday. [Oklahoma Voice]
A combative AG Pam Bondi confronts US Senate Judiciary over Trump crackdown: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi aimed heated rhetoric at Democratic senators on Capitol Hill Tuesday as she faced questions over the administration’s surge of federal agents to blue cities, as well as a litany of controversial issues surrounding the Department of Justice. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Attorney General Bondi talks at Senate Judiciary [NPR via KOSU]
Trump troop deployment to Oregon, Illinois intensifies confrontation with Democratic-led states: The White House slammed a President Donald Trump-appointed federal judge Monday for blocking the deployment of National Guard troops to Oregon, as hostilities escalate between the administration and Democratic states where Trump has begun sending in troops over governors’ objections. [Oklahoma Voice]
- GOP senators increasingly anxious about Trump’s aggressive use of National Guard [KFOR]
Harvest of stress: Soybean farmers await help as tariff dispute closes China market: Spending 12 hours a day in his combine this week, harvesting amber rows of soybeans he planted in the spring, Andrew Streff has time to think — and it’s hard not to think about the ongoing trade dispute with China. The country is boycotting purchases of U.S. soybeans in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
U.S. Supreme Court could decide whether some tribal members pay state income taxes: The legal fight over tribal sovereignty inside Oklahoma has once again reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Five years ago, the court’s landmark McGirt ruling recognized that some treaty-approved tribal reservations still exist, at least with regard to criminal law. Now, a tribal citizen is asking the nation’s highest court to recognize that because she lives and works inside the reservation, she shouldn’t have to pay the state’s income tax. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Tribal-State Policy 101: What is Tribal sovereignty?
Judge hears evidence regarding city of Henryetta ticketing tribal members: A judge is deciding whether to issue a preliminary injunction that would block the city of Henryetta from citing tribal members for traffic violations after the Muscogee Nation went to court to challenge the practice. [Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Oklahoma energy secretary announces bid for attorney general: Oklahoma’s secretary of energy and environment has entered the race to be the state’s next attorney general. Jeff Starling said his private sector background and experience as a litigator at the national level sets him apart from other candidates running for statewide office. [Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
Newly released test scores show Oklahoma students falling short in reading and math: State test scores for students in Oklahoma were released Monday night, showing a significant shortfall in reading and math compared to the year before. [KFOR]
Oklahoma moves to close ‘honesty gap’ in student test scores: The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability (CEQA) have released this year’s state test results, saying scores this year look lower, but that isn’t necessarily the case. [News 9]
Opinion: Led by Superintendent Fields & team, Oklahoma has real chance to reverse course: It’s no secret that Oklahoma’s education system has long been in crisis. Year after year, our students’ academic performance lags behind most other states. The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results make it painfully clear: Our fourth-graders rank 47th in reading and 44th in math, and eighth-graders rank 48th in reading and 45th in math. These numbers tell a story we can’t ignore. [Brent Bushey / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner warns of changes to health insurance, higher premiums: Oklahomans are expected to be impacted when making health insurance decisions for 2026 because of rising healthcare costs and recent policy decisions at the federal level. [KFOR]
Medicare scam reportedly targets Oklahoma seniors with fake enrollment postcards: Oklahoma seniors are being warned about a new scam involving fake Medicare enrollment postcards. [Fox 25]
Oklahoma mobile clinics offer vital flu shots for uninsured and Medicaid-eligible kids: As flu season ramps up, the Oklahoma Caring Vans are hitting the road to help protect children across the state. [KTUL]
Criminal Justice News
Tyesha Long’s request for resentencing denied: A major ruling came down Tuesday afternoon in a case involving Oklahoma’s Survivors’ Act. This act gives people convicted of murdering their partners a chance at a lesser sentence if they prove abuse played a role. A judge denied the request for Tyesha Long, who killed her ex-boyfriend at a Bricktown Hotel in 2020. [KFOR]
New tablets aim to improve behavior at Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Center: The 30 juveniles now residing in the Family Center for Juvenile Justice all have access to new electronic tablets. The goal is to use the tablets and “screen time” to help modify behavior, reduce stress and violence, while saving money for Tulsa County. [News on 6]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Why is OKC 20 years behind addressing growing affordable housing shortage?: A growing number of people not just in Oklahoma City but nationwide are being squeezed by rising housing costs. The latest Multiple Listing Service data reports home prices hit a new local record with the average home selling for $275,000. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma City Housing Authority director explains why it can’t fund as many vouchers as it has (video) [The Oklahoman]
- ‘We need thousands of homes in Oklahoma City.’ Housing Strategy Implementation manager explains why [The Oklahoman]
- Public housing homes off of Martin Luther King Ave sit empty after stalled development (photos) [The Oklahoman]
- After paying over $2K a month for a small apartment, this OKC family is finally moving into their new home (video) [The Oklahoman]
- Opinion: Homelessness is increasing in Oklahoma City. What to know about programs to reduce it [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: New data shows Oklahoma’s housing crisis is worsening
Community News
I-35 bridges over Oklahoma River, dozens of highway projects hit with rising costs, delays: Dozens of state highway projects, including the reconstruction of the Interstate 35 bridges over the Oklahoma River, are facing years-long delays due to what state transportation officials say is an unprecedented increase in costs. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa celebrating heritage and resilience with Native American Day festivities [News on 6]
- 15,000-plus Tulsans at risk of losing food benefits if government shutdown continues [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Oklahoma City residents to vote on $2.7 billion bond for infrastructure, multiuse stadium [KOCO]
- ‘Economic opportunity’: Brownfields grant seeks greener pastures in northeast OKC [NonDoc]
- Edmond is looking at zoning to save trees and concentrate development. How it would work [The Oklahoman]
- Massive 600+ acre development planned east of Edmond. Everything we know so far. [The Oklahoman]
- A Walmart still looms over a congested Edmond crossing. Is the developer ‘judge-shopping’? [The Oklahoman]
- Stillwater community comes together for Barktoberfest celebration at Stonecloud [KOSU]
- City of McAlester announces million-dollar partnership [KFOR]
Quote of the Day
“Mental health cannot be treated as a discretionary expense, a casualty when balance sheets grow strained. It is core infrastructure — without it, classrooms struggle, workplaces falter, hospitals overflow, and even public safety erodes.”
– OK Policy’s Kati Malicoate, addressing the the looming cuts to provider contracts at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. She stressed that these cuts are dangerous because mental health care is essential to Oklahoma, yet lawmakers continue to prioritize tax breaks over funding critical programs. [Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
209,547
The number of Oklahomans who received behavioral health services through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in FY 2024. These services — funded through Medicaid, state appropriations, grants, and federal dollars — rely on provider contracts that are now facing cuts, putting access to care for hundreds of thousands at risk. [Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Use Services]
Policy Note
The Twin Problems of Mental Health Care: Access and Affordability: Mental health care is uniquely challenged by dual barriers — many people cannot find providers they trust or reach, and many others cannot afford the services or medications they need. These obstacles persist across insurance types — including employer, marketplace, and Medicaid plans — so “coverage” alone does not guarantee access. Tackling this requires policy solutions that improve provider networks, expand affordability protections, enforce mental health parity more rigorously, and build capacity to meet unmet demand. [KFF]
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