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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
Policy Matters: SQ 845 – To know history is to not repeat it: One of the darkest chapters in our state’s history shaped Oklahoma’s system for selecting judges. In the 1960s, a bribery scandal involving Oklahoma Supreme Court justices rocked the state’s judicial system, eroded public trust, and prompted Oklahomans to reconsider how the state should select judges for its highest courts. Now, nearly 60 years later, voters are being asked to consider changes to that system with State Question 845. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
- From OK Policy: SQ 845 Fact Sheet | SQ 845 Explainer Video | Watch our State Questions Town Hall
It’s not bad luck to have a good plan (National Estate Planning Awareness Week | October 19–25, 2026): Nobody knows what the future holds. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan for it. At the Oklahoma Policy Institute, we believe constructing a better future takes more than luck. It calls for careful planning, deliberate choices, and a commitment to making Oklahoma a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. The same idea is true in our own lives. [OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Five things to know about Oklahoma’s role in immigration detention: The Frontier examined how state officials helped reopen the Diamondback Correctional Facility, how the Department of Corrections and a private prison company stand to profit, and what detainees and attorneys say about conditions inside. [The Frontier]
Opinion, OKC Mayor: ‘Yes’ vote on Oklahoma SQ 847 means less for streets, schools: On Tuesday, Nov. 3, you are being asked by the Oklahoma Legislature to consider significantly reducing the funding for streets and education. That’s not necessarily how State Question 847 is being described to you, but that’s the reality. You deserve to know what you’re actually considering. [Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt / The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: SQ 847 Fact Sheet | SQ 847 Explainer Video | What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma?
State Government News
OMMA chief Adria Berry resigns after 5 years leading marijuana agency: Adria Berry has resigned as head of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, ending a five-year tenure during which the authority became a standalone state agency and implemented an aggressive seed-to-sale tracking system. [The Oklahoman]
Long Story Short: Gubernatorial Loans, Data Center Pollution and DA Controversies (podcast): An update on the millions in personal loans fueling Republican Mike Mazzei’s campaign for governor, along with a breakdown of how expanding data centers could increase power plant pollution across Oklahoma. Plus, an exploration of the striking parallels between a GOP challenger’s campaign claims and a grand jury petition seeking to remove Tulsa County’s long-standing district attorney. [Oklahoma Watch]
Federal Government News
US Supreme Court allows gender-affirming care for trans people in federal prisons: The U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday denied the Trump administration’s emergency request to implement a rule that would terminate gender-affirming care for transgender people incarcerated in federal prisons. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
How a Cheyenne and Arapaho drum-making workshop safeguards songs, strengthens community: The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes are building community in Oklahoma City through a drum-making workshop. But the public event isn’t just about learning a new skill. It’s about preserving culture. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Election Roundup
- Mike Mazzei leans on Trump ties as he seeks Oklahoma governor’s office [The Oklahoman]
- Democrat Cyndi Munson builds momentum running for Oklahoma governor [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahomans to pick next attorney general in Nov. 3 elections [KOSU]
- Nick Coffey, Jon Echols clash in Oklahoma attorney general race [The Oklahoman]
- Jon Echols, the Republican nominee in the Oklahoma Attorney General race sits down at the Oklahoman newsroom (video) [The Oklahoman]
- Nick Coffey, the Democratic nominee in the Oklahoma Attorney General race sits down at the Oklahoman newsroom (video) [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahomans will select a new state treasurer next month. Here are their options [KOSU]
- Who’s running to be Oklahoma’s next Commissioner of Labor? [KOSU]
- Linda Branstetter, James Pfeffer face off in Nowata County associate district judge race [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma elections: Meet the House District 45 candidates [OU Daily]
Eye on Oklahoma: Preaching to Voters? (video): The Johnson Amendment prohibits tax-exempt religious and charitable organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Some Oklahoma churches have found a loophole: partnerships with other organizations let them reveal political alignments. [Oklahoma Watch]
Education News
Oklahoma board plans revote on Jewish charter school: An Oklahoma state board has scheduled an uncommon third vote on a first-in-the-nation Jewish charter school. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma board to vote a third time on Ben Gamla Jewish charter school [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma rolled out a competitive funding formula for higher ed. Who wins, and who loses?: A new formula from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education positions the state’s colleges and universities to compete for a percentage of their state funding allocations. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
Health News
INTEGRIS Health to join Kaiser Permanente-backed Risant Health: Oklahoma’s largest nonprofit health system and one of its biggest private employers will become the third health system to be acquired by Risant Health, pending regulatory approvals. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
- Integris Health to join national network backed by Kaiser Permanente [The Journal Record]
Justice System News
Lawsuit says Oklahoma County jail ignored signs of brain injury: A year ago, a young man stepped into the Oklahoma County Jail but left 19 hours later suffering the effects of a brain bleed that has left him with permanent brain damage. [The Oklahoman]
Coalition launches campaign for Oklahoma County jail sales tax: A coalition of business and community leaders has launched a campaign urging Oklahoma County voters to approve a sales tax to fund the county’s new justice center campus, now under construction in Oklahoma City. [The Journal Record]
Local Headlines
- Oklahoma’s first IKEA set to open Friday in Tulsa, with 5,000 products on display [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Judge overturns denial of Wagoner County solar farm [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“I don’t like paying taxes any more than anyone else, but I also like having streets, schools, police officers, firefighters, and many other amenities funded by taxation.”
– Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt highlighting the importance of tax revenue in supporting essential public services and warning that State Question 847 could lead to declining funding for streets and schools over time. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
$1,092
The difference in property taxes paid in 2025 between a newly purchased Tulsa home and one of similar value that has been owned for the average length of time in the city. The newly purchased home would face a $3,321 tax bill, compared to $2,229 for the longer-owned home — nearly 50% more despite having the same value. This disparity is largely driven by property tax assessment caps, which limit increases in assessed property values over time and can shift a greater tax burden onto newer homeowners. [Lincoln Institute of Land Policy | PDF]
Policy Note
The Unintended Consequences of Assessment Limits: Assessment limits are commonly used to reduce the impact of rising property values on tax bills, but they are among the least effective and most inequitable forms of property tax relief. These limits can result in homeowners paying significantly different taxes on properties of equal value, often benefiting long-term owners over recent buyers and owners in rapidly appreciating, wealthier areas over those in neighborhoods with stagnant or declining property values. In some cases, homeowners may even pay more in property taxes than they would without assessment limits. These disparities can distort housing markets, reduce local economic competitiveness, and become difficult to reverse once implemented. More equitable alternatives include circuit breakers, homestead exemptions, tax deferrals, and monthly payment options. Truth in Taxation programs can also help prevent unexpected tax increases when property values rise without corresponding adjustments to tax rates. [Lincoln Institute of Land Policy]
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