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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.
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma Chronicle: State Question 847 dives into how much government can raise property taxes (video): How much should the government be able to raise your property taxes each year? That’s the question at the center of one of the state questions on every Oklahoman’s ballot at the midterm election. [KOCO]
- Another property tax vote that could affect school funding: How SQ 847 would work [Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: SQ 847 Fact Sheet | SQ 847 Explainer Video
- From OK Policy: What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma?
Opinion: Oklahoma’s GOP Legislature left out key info on property taxes state question: the financial impact: Lawmakers, in their zest to convince us they are cutting taxes as inflation rages on, decided that taking the time to suss out how eliminating a chunk of revenue via State Question 847 will affect senior citizens, public schools, CareerTechs, counties and some municipalities wasn’t as important as having a talking point on the campaign trail. Because that’s where our property taxes go. Reminder: property taxes typically fund the functions of municipal and county governments. State government doesn’t get a dime from these taxes. Maybe that’s why they weren’t sure about the fiscal impact? [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
State Government News
Oklahoma AG drops lawsuit after Ben Gamla Jewish charter school denied: Another chapter in the quest to launch a taxpayer-funded Jewish charter school in Oklahoma has ended. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has dismissed a lawsuit he filed against the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board regarding the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation’s application. [The Oklahoman]
Gentner Drummond drops lawsuit that accused Gov. Stitt of ‘smear campaign’: Gentner Drummond is dropping his lawsuit against Gov. Kevin Stitt and a network of shadowy political groups that he accused of targeting his Republican bid for governor with a “malicious smear campaign.” [The Oklahoman]
‘How much money does it take to buy a dream?’ The reality of home loss to eminent domain: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has estimated its construction of the ACCESS Oklahoma Turnpike will destroy 75 homes. [KGOU]
Kratom-derived products: Heartbreaking stories shared with Oklahoma lawmakers: Lawmakers who heard heartbreaking stories this week about the impacts of dangerous kratom derivative products on the lives of Oklahomans may be poised to pass new laws to ban the products, which have been widely available for over-the-counter sales. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Laws differ on how and when utilities can raise rates: Utilities are not immune to supply chain and labor increases and must respond to weather while ensuring their product is reliable and resilient. Utility assistance regularly ranks within the top five needs reported via the 211 helpline; however, laws differ for how and when these service providers may raise rates. [Jennifer Springer / Tulsa World]
Federal Government News
Oklahoma senator warns Trump against lifting Russian diesel sanctions: Donald Trump’s desire to lift wartime sanctions on Russia and allow its diesel to be sold on the world market is a “gift” that lets Russian President Vladimir Putin finance his invasion of Ukraine and support regimes like North Korea and Iran, Oklahoma’s appointed U.S. senator wrote in a letter to the president. [The Oklahoman]
- Lankford backs Trump’s Russia diesel deal, breaking with Armstrong [The Oklahoman]
- D.C. Digest: Armstrong, Stitt ding Trump on Russian diesel [Tulsa World]
Port Authority OKs lawsuit in response to Inola smelter moratorium: A planned $6.9 billion aluminum smelter near Inola has triggered another lawsuit. The city of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority on Thursday authorized its legal counsel to file a lawsuit challenging the town of Inola’s moratorium on industrial permits, a spokesperson for the board confirmed. [Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Court backs EPA giving Oklahoma authority over environmental rules on tribal lands: A divided federal appeals court on Friday upheld a Trump administration decision to unconditionally grant Oklahoma authority over environmental programs on tribal lands within the state. [Reuters]
Osage Nation chief rejects funding for closed school; emergency meeting set: Osage Nation Principal Chief Joe Tillman has pocket vetoed a measure that would reinstate funding to the tribe’s closed private school. [Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Trump promised a swing district blitz. He’s going to a lot of very red states: Rather than focus on swing states and swing districts as the president said he would, his travel schedule has taken him to a lot of Republican territory, including Oklahoma. [NPR via KOSU]
Why Mike Mazzei’s campaign loans are facing new scrutiny: For months, Republican nominee for governor Mike Mazzei has faced questions surrounding his campaign fundraising, as most of his spending was carried by $11 million in personal loans. Mazzei’s campaign says his political opposition is pulling false “fire alarms” about his finances as he prepares to run against Democrat Cyndi Munson. But he has also declined to provide any details about the loans. [The Oklahoman]
‘No Kings’ rallies push Oklahoma voters to polls: Organizers for the “No Kings” rallies are encouraging residents in the Oklahoma City metro to vote early as part of a nationwide movement voicing dissent with President Donald Trump’s administration. [The Oklahoman]
- Photos: No Kings rally in midtown Tulsa [Tulsa World]
Capitol Insider: Voter registration ends as general election nears: This year’s general election is just over two weeks away, and if you haven’t registered to vote, it’s too late. Registration ended October 9th with a surge. [KGOU]
Election Roundup
- Attention grows on Oklahoma governor’s race between Mazzei, Munson [The Oklahoman]
- Mike Mazzei defends plan to cut income, property taxes during Facebook Live [The Oklahoman]
- Mazzei, Munson walk fine line on Oklahoma’s marijuana freefall [The Oklahoman]
- Lieutenant governor: Kelly Forbes, T.W. Shannon run friendly race for state tourism head [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma’s superintendent candidates focused on policy, not politics [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma state superintendent candidates seek more unified approach to education [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma treasurer’s race pits veteran against newcomer [Oklahoma Voice]
- How Oklahoma’s candidates for insurance commissioner say they’ll lower home premiums [KOSU]
- SD 34: After ousting incumbent, Aaron Forst faces Amy Hossain for Tulsa-area seat [NonDoc]
- HD 28: Amid harassment, ethics inquiries, Danny Williams challenged by Blake Cummings [NonDoc]
- Ricky Marsh challenged by Kyle Eastwood in Kiowa County judicial race [NonDoc]
- Yukon residents will decide to keep city mayor or elect a new one [KOSU]
- Tedford and Croisant take different approaches in Oklahoma’s 1st District race [Tulsa World]
- Political notebook: GOP money advantage 20-1 in state congressional races [Tulsa World]
- Opinion: After 40 years, it’s time to increase Tulsa hotel guest tax [Renee McKenney / Tulsa World]
Education News
FREE explores private school vouchers impact on the public school system through forum: Education is always in the headlines and on the minds of voters – especially parents. And, to provide some answers, The Foundation for Real Economic Emancipation, or FREE, is holding another forum with expert panelists – this time, the focus centers around education in Oklahoma and the impact of school vouchers. [Public Radio Tulsa]
- From OK Policy: Vouchers: Another Wrong Turn for Oklahoma Schools
Tulsa school closures: Board members weigh tough choices ahead of vote: Tulsa Public Schools’ board of education is slated to vote Monday on a proposal that would potentially close 17 schools and reassign more than 5,000 students next year. [Tulsa World]
Health News
Through new memoir, Tulsa attorney offers sexual assault survivors a path toward healing: Tulsa attorney, author and survivor advocate Rhiannon Thoreson is sharing her “big, deep, dark secret” in her new memoir, “My Beauty from Ashes: Enduring the Fire, Becoming the Light.” Released Oct. 15, Thoreson’s memoir recounts her decades-long journey healing from a brutal kidnapping and sexual assault she experienced at 19 years old. [Tulsa Flyer]
Justice System News
Driver’s License Suspensions for Court Debt Draw Scrutiny: Reform advocates said Oklahoma should stop suspending driver’s licenses over unpaid court fines and fees. Lawmakers examined the issue during an interim study at the state capitol on Oct. 13. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma County jail beyond saving, commissioner says after tour: County Commissioner Brian Maughan’s annual tour of the troubled Oklahoma County Detention Center left him pleased to see improvements, but reinforced his insistence that the jail is beyond saving. [The Oklahoman]
- Why some officials are asking Oklahoma County to say ‘yes’ to new jail funding sales tax [KOSU]
3 years into OKC’s police reform program, critics say progress has stalled: Oklahoma City officials marked the three-year anniversary of its Public Safety Partnership by summarizing implementations for the City Council, but some key participants and city leaders feel that the reform efforts have been stagnant, failing to reach their full potential. [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa Police plans public meeting, Q&A on Flock cameras Monday: The Tulsa Police Department is seeking community questions in advance to address Monday in a public meeting about its use of Flock Safety cameras as the controversial AI-driven surveillance technology captures headlines. [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa Police Department public meeting tonight explores flock camera use, residents will need to submit questions prior to meeting via online form [Public Radio Tulsa]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
This Is What America’s Utility Bill Crisis Looks Like: As fall sets in across the country, the bill is coming due for the hottest summer on record in the United States. The last three months were about three degrees above average, hotter than the Dust Bowl summer of 1936 and the heat dome of 2021, and tens of millions of people can’t afford to pay for the air-conditioning that helped keep them safe in the deadly heat. About one in six U.S. households is already behind on its utility bills, according to federal data. More than a dozen hot-weather states like Arizona, Georgia, Virginia and Oklahoma restrict shut-offs during the most dangerous heat, so disconnections tend to peak in October, when a climate crisis turns into a collection notice. [The New York Times]
Economy & Business News
Data centers are now the largest financial bet in US history: The sheer size of investment in data centers is drawing concern as it surpasses all other historical booms and crowds out other more job-creating ventures. Until now, no industry had driven the U.S. economy with such force since the railroad expansion of the late 1800s, when titans battled one another to lay the transcontinental tracks that would connect America from coast to coast. [Oklahoma Voice]
American hay growers face triple whammy of drought, pests and high fuel costs: Farmers are cutting less hay this year due to persistent drought, the soaring price of fuel and a new pest. That’s driving up the cost for livestock producers, who often rely on hay to feed their animals during the winter. [KOSU]
Entrepreneurship center for immigrants helps grow Tulsa’s Global District: An eastside Tulsa market has been a community staple for more than 30 years and will soon boast the Bank of Oklahoma Eastside Center for Entrepreneurship, a 15,000-square-foot facility with affordable workspace, technical assistance, mentorship and programming for entrepreneurs — anything from co-working spaces to legal and financial consulting. Groundbreaking for the hub was last week, and it’s set to be completed in fall 2027. [Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- Edmond holds third meeting on city attorney’s job, still no answers: [The Oklahoman]
- Amid staff cuts, TU president wants to maintain Gilcrease Museum management [Tulsa Flyer]
- Manna tests Tulsa’s appetite for drone delivery, from Cherry Street to the eastside [Tulsa Flyer]
- Photos: Tulsa Pride brings color, community and LGBTQ+ celebration to downtown [Tulsa Flyer]
Quote of the Day
“So instead of cutting expenses at the state government level that they control, lawmakers plan to force those cuts on local governments. How is that fair?”
-Oklahoma Voice Editor Janelle Stecklein, writing about the impacts that SQ 847 — on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot — could have on the ability for local communities to invest in themselves. SQ 847 would lower Oklahoma’s assessment caps for property taxes. In turn, this could limit revenue used by local schools and county government to fund essential services. As a result, communities will become more dependent on state lawmakers by giving them more control to decide what gets funded and which communities get help. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
4 in 5
In 2024, property taxes in Oklahoma brought in $3.9 billion for local governments and made up at least half of the budget in 62 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, or more than 4 in 5 counties. [ITEP via OK Policy]
Policy Note
How Do Real Property Taxes Work?: Property taxes on land and buildings are the oldest and still the largest major revenue source for state and local governments. They fund schools, health care, public safety, and other services. They are collected mostly by cities, counties, school districts, and other types of local government, but states typically make the rules for assessing the value of property and imposing the tax, with major implications for tax fairness and adequacy. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy]
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