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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
Eliminating property taxes would devastate crucial local services: Property values have increased nationally since the pandemic, leading to higher property taxes. This has created a financial strain on some lower- and middle-income households. The need for effective solutions is real, but eliminating property taxes – as some state legislators are pushing – isn’t the answer. In Oklahoma, property taxes account for 56 percent of local tax revenue and fund critical services like fire response, law enforcement, emergency responders, trash collection, libraries, and schools. While some Oklahomans do need help with rising property taxes so that they can keep their homes, there are more fiscally responsible ways to provide targeted relief without threatening the services every community depends on. [Aanahita Ervin & Sabine Brown / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma’s Republican Governor Criticizes National Guard Deployment in Chicago: Gov. Kevin Stitt, the current chairman of the National Governors Association, broke with Texas, saying, “Oklahomans would lose their mind” if Illinois sent troops to their red state. [New York Times]
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt objects to Texas troops in Illinois [KFOR]
- Stitt Becomes First Republican Governor to Break With Trump on National Guard Deployments [NOTUS via Oklahoma Watch]
Green Card Holder Helping US Homeless in Tulsa Reportedly Detained by ICE: A nonprofit founder known for her work feeding the homeless in Tulsa was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following what began as a routine traffic stop, according to a close family friend. Charity Mukamuri, who operates the Isaiah 54 Project, a local nonprofit providing meals to Tulsa’s homeless community, was pulled over while driving from Tulsa to Jenks, Oklahoma, on August 27, a family friend said. [Newsweek]
State Government News
‘Turning education around’: Fields, OSBE work to clear backlog in first meeting post-Walters: Thursday’s meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education looked different than it had during the tenure of departed Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters: Open blinds welcomed sunlight, empty halls lacked protesters, and the public and board members were no longer separated by a physical barrier. [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting ‘lighter, happier’ after superintendent change [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma State Board of Education is back in action with new state superintendent [KOSU]
- Education Watch: Superintendent Fields Establishes Priorities for Next 15 Months [Oklahoma Watch]
- State Board of Education wades through backlog at Fields’ first meeting [Tulsa World]
- Ryan Walters leaves months worth of work for new superintendent [KFOR]
- Walters’ former chief of staff out at Oklahoma State Department of Education [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma teachers celebrate the end of Ryan Walters era with paper shredders, food trucks [KOSU]
Oklahoma Medicaid director ‘transitioning out’ of role following appointment of new OHCA director: This comes amid new leadership at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), with Director Clay Bullard taking the place of former agency CEO Ellen Buettner, who departed to assume the role of CEO at the Regional University System of Oklahoma. [KGOU]
Red tape, charter school funding issues topic of Oklahoma Capitol study: Public charter schools in Oklahoma must deal with bureaucratic red tape and funding challenges that can be obstacles to their success, Tulsa Rep. Rob Hall said Wednesday. [Tulsa World]
Is Indigenous Peoples Day, Columbus Day recognized in Oklahoma? What to know about 2025 day: In Oklahoma, the state, cities and counties each recognize – or don’t recognize – the holiday in different ways. Here’s what to know about how each level of Oklahoma’s government acknowledges Indigenous Peoples Day or Columbus Day. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Policy Matters: Indigenous Peoples Day should remind us that we’re stronger together
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: New state superintendent, private prison, OKC bond vote and more (podcast): The panel members talk about new State Superintendent Lindel Fields taking over the Department of Education, former State Superintendent Ryan Walters facing an investigation from the Ethics Commission and Gov. Kevin Stitt making other changes to education in Oklahoma. The trio also discuss the state entering into a $100 million contract with a private prison group to house undocumented migrants and OKC voters deciding on a $2.7 billion bond. [KOSU]
Opinion: More power for Stitt does not help students: Seven years in, Gov. Kevin Stitt still hasn’t learned how to get out of his own way. Take last week, for example, when the governor introduced his pick to replace state Superintendent Ryan Walters. Lindel Fields‘ selection was precisely what Stitt needed to begin scrubbing – in the voters’ minds, at least – his complicity in Walters’ reign of error. Yet, rather than bask in the glow of a widely heralded choice, Stitt opted to push for more gubernatorial power – to argue governors, not voters, should select the state superintendent. [Arnold Hamilton / The Journal Record]
Federal Government News
GOP senators worry Trump is undercutting their shutdown strategy: Senate Republicans are grumbling that President Trump undercut their strategy for ending the government shutdown when he said that he’s willing to cut “the right deal” with Democrats on health care. [The Hill]
- Troops will miss paychecks next week without action on the government shutdown [Associated Press]
Tribal Nations News
Tulsa County defends its prosecution of tribal members: Another federal judge is deciding whether to issue an injunction halting the state prosecution of some tribal members who are accused of crimes within the Muscogee Nation’s Reservation while a lawsuit associated with the injunction proceeds. [Tulsa World]
Do tribal citizens need state-issued hunting, fishing licenses off trust lands? Oklahoma officials say yes: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation shared a press release on Wednesday, drawing disapproval from several tribal leaders of the five largest tribes in Oklahoma and tribal lawyers. It highlighted a gray area of where tribal citizens can hunt and fish with tribally issued licenses. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Five Republicans, one Democrat will compete for HD 35 seat after Rep. Ty Burns resigned: In a special election, five Republicans and one Democrat will compete to replace Rep. Ty Burns, who resigned after being convicted of domestic abuse and assault. The primary election for the vacant House District 35 seat is scheduled for Dec. 9. [The Oklahoman]
Education News
Education Department Releases Student Test Scores: What the Data Show: The new scores show about a quarter of Oklahoma students hit grade-level targets in English language arts. In math, about a third of students met expectations in elementary school but the rates dropped to a quarter in sixth and seventh grades and 17% in eighth grade. [Oklahoma Watch]
OSU leaders say they plan to expand university’s offerings in Tulsa: This spring, the Oklahoma Legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt took most restrictions off public higher education in the Tulsa metro. On Thursday, Oklahoma State University signaled it intends to make use of that freedom. [Tulsa World]
OU to tighten security for ‘The Turning Point Tour’ amid national concern for event safety: OU Turning Point USA confirmed there will be increased security measures taken ahead of Turning Point USA’s visit to OU as part of its “The Turning Point Tour.” [OU Daily]
Opinion: Former Oklahoma school chief’s push to end standardized testing not likely to happen: Even though I would love to get rid of testing for accountability, as opposed to diagnostic purposes, it’s not going to happen soon. Too many politicians have bought into the claim that state standardized tests are reliable and valid measures of student learning. Too many education leaders are still not ready to explain why the use of standardized tests for accountability purposes has done more harm than good for students. [John Thompson / Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: At historically Black universities like Langston, we’re prioritizing innovation: From where I sit in Oklahoma, leading a business school at a public HBCU, I see a different story unfolding: one of resilience and innovation. [Daryl D. Green / The Oklahoman]
Health News
‘Isn’t that wonderful?’: Intergenerational programs combat loneliness, create purpose for seniors: Intergenerational programming works to bring different age groups together through ongoing, mutually beneficial activities. They’re designed to achieve program-specific goals and promote greater understanding and respect among different generations. [KOSU]
Opinion: Seeking health information you can trust? Your family doctor is here: As medicine evolves and headlines change overnight, one thing remains steady: evidence-based, commonsense advice from your family physician. [Dr. Jen Brull / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Crusade against mRNA technology puts lives, US security at risk: mRNA vaccines are neither dangerous nor untested. They are among the most important medical advancements in recent history. [Sally C. Pipes / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Commissioner says his unannounced OK County jail check yielded some ‘surprises’: County Commissioner Brian Maughan conducted a nighttime spot inspection of the long-troubled Oklahoma County jail, and he said the main surprise came from detainees commenting on improvements and offering “praise.” [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa launches fifth excavation for 1921 Race Massacre victims: Tulsa officials announced Wednesday a fifth excavation in search of 1921 Race Massacre victims. It will once again take place at Oaklawn Cemetery starting next week. Crews could already be seen setting up temporary facilities at Oaklawn Wednesday afternoon. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
‘I literally cried’: Program offering free childcare to Oklahoma workers showing success: A new statewide program that’s aimed at addressing Oklahoma’s childcare crisis is already making a big difference. It’s called Oklahoma Strong Start, and it offers free childcare to those who work at a licensed childcare facility. [KFOR]
John 3:16 CEO talks homelessness in 24-hour bench event: Community leaders and others concerned about the subject of homelessness can chat one-on-one with the leader of one of Tulsa’s oldest homeless service agencies as part of a special event going on through Friday afternoon. Steven M. Whitaker, CEO of John 3:16 Mission, will be seated on a bench outside the organization’s downtown Tulsa shelter location for 24 hours through 2 p.m. Friday. The event, called “Conversations on a Bench,” is being livestreamed and is intended to promote teamwork on the issues of homelessness, addiction and mental health. [Tulsa World]
Metro apartment complex issuing eviction notices, ordering tenants to pay hundreds in matter of days: Families living at the Izzy Apartments are frustrated and concerned after receiving notice that they must pay management sums of money or move out in five days. Management at the Izzy Apartments owing the City of Oklahoma City $56K for past due water bills. City officials confirm the bill being paid in full, but now, tenants have started receiving eviction notices. [KFOR]
Economy & Business News
Could Keystone pipeline project return in Oklahoma? Trump reportedly open to revival: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney raised the prospect of reviving the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Alberta to the United States during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a source familiar with the discussions and a CBC News report on Wednesday, Oct. 8. [Reuters via The Oklahoman]
Why are beef prices so high in Oklahoma? Experts explain what’s happening, what to expect: Conversations between the owner of Rhett’s Meat Market and his customers about the rapidly rising price of beef are becoming increasingly common at his shop in northwest Oklahoma City. [The Oklahoman]
Community News
Pope Leo says faith and love for migrants are connected: In the first official document of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV placed the poor at the heart of the Catholic Church’s teaching, calling bishops around the world to take on the mantle of social justice in defense of the most vulnerable in society, including migrants. [NPR via KGOU]
- Tulsa ICE protesters take their message to county jailhouse [Public Radio Tulsa]
Opinion: Mayor David Holt heralds ‘The Oklahoma City Declaration.’ Is he living up to it?: Recently, Mayor David Holt, with great fanfare, heralded the signing of “The Oklahoma City Declaration,” a document signed by mayors from across the nation, which promised that those mayors, led by OKC Mayor Holt, would respect all viewpoints, and stand up for the rights of all people to exist peacefully despite our differences. Sadly, Mayor Holt fell short of that pledge on the very same post where he made those lofty promises. [Mark Faulk / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Former Norman Ward 5 Councilmember announces run for Cleveland County commissioner seat [OU Daily]
- After Isla’s and Fulton Street’s closing, Greenwood business owners in Tulsa wonder what’s next [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Missing SWOSU student found dead, OSBI officials say [KFOR]
- Arrest made in disappearance of SWOSU student Logan Musil, OSBI confirms [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“Oklahomans would lose their mind if (Illinois Gov.) Pritzker in Illinois sent troops down to Oklahoma during the Biden administration.”
-Gov. Kevin Stitt, saying the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to Illinois as a violation of his beliefs in federalism and “states’ rights.” He said he supported President Trump’s efforts to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and ensure “law and order” in cities like Chicago and Portland. But he worried about the precedent that was being set by the guard deployment and how it could be used by a president from another party. [New York Times]
Number of the Day
62
The number of Oklahoma counties (out of 77) where property taxes made up at least half of the local budget. With property taxes playing such a critical role, the state could not realistically step in to replace that funding without forcing deep cuts or shifting to more harmful revenue sources. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy]
Policy Note
There’s No Good Way to Pay for Property Tax Repeal: Eliminating property taxes altogether would create an enormous revenue gap for local governments, jeopardizing funding for schools, infrastructure, and other essential services. Replacing that revenue through other sources — such as higher sales or income taxes — would risk shifting burdens onto lower-income households and could distort housing markets or local fiscal accountability. A more balanced path is to reform property taxes rather than repeal them, using tools like circuit breakers targeted to income, levy limits to control growth, and assessment reforms to ensure fairness while maintaining the stability and efficiency of property-based revenue. [Tax Foundation]
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