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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
SQ 847 could undermine local school investments: To be clear, SQ 847 isn’t a tax cut. No one’s property tax bill will be cut if SQ 847 passes. Your taxes will continue to grow for the most part, just at a slower rate. What will happen is that revenue growth for local services — including public schools, libraries, Career Techs, sheriff departments, EMS and many other services — will decrease. Most of the major improvements, including buildings, for these services come from property tax revenue. Inflation will likely increase quicker than property values can keep up with. This means the cost of providing the services will increase, while the revenue to fund those services erodes. [Read the full commentary from Zach Murray, a teacher from Ponca City] | Read more voices of Oklahomans speaking out against SQ 847
Opinion: Why SQ 847 may raise Oklahoma tax bills instead of lowering them: It’s important for voters to know what SQ 847 does not do. It does not lower anyone’s current property tax bill. Instead, it only limits how fast assessed property values can go up in the future. These are two different things. SQ 847 also brings up a bigger question about local control. Local voters can approve bonds for things like schools, roads, public safety and other needs. When this revenue and bonding capacity are reduced by SQ 847, local governments and schools will have to rely more on funding from state lawmakers in Oklahoma City. [Aanahita Irani Ervin / The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma SQ 847 proposes decreasing cap on property tax growth: State Question 847 is one of two measures Oklahomans can vote on during the Nov. 3 elections. If approved, it would decrease the cap on property tax growth per year. [KGOU]
- Oklahoma leaders, Norman Public Schools on State Question 847 [OU Daily]
- 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
Oklahoma charter board votes to appeal a court order it asked for and won: The Statewide Charter School Board voted to file notice of appeal of a federal court order it requested and received, as its religious freedom attorneys ponder next move in quest to open Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School with taxpayer dollars. [KGOU]
- Oklahoma Charter Board Votes to Appeal a Court Order It Asked For and Won [Oklahoma Watch]
- Oklahoma board skips vote on Jewish charter school, fight heads to appeals court [The Oklahoman]
- Proposal for Jewish charter school appears headed back to court [Tulsa World]
- AG Drummond calls State Charter School Board’s decision ‘strange’ [KFOR]
- Oklahoma AG opinion prevents extra vote on Jewish charter school [Oklahoma Voice]
Drummond seeks release of emissions data in Inola aluminum smelter case: Delaying discovery in Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond‘s case against the two companies behind a proposed aluminum smelter in Inola could let construction begin before the state can prove the harm it alleges, Drummond argues. [The Journal Record]
- Political notebook: Drummond wants discovery in smelter case [Tulsa World]
OSDE proposes $123 million boost to education funds: It’s no question that Oklahoma’s education system has been struggling, but on Thursday, the Oklahoma State Department of Education(OSDE) met to address some of those issues. One of those resolutions was a $123 million increase in funding for the 2028 fiscal year. That’s up almost three percent from FY27’s appropriation of over $4.2 billion. [KFOR]
Oklahoma lawmakers weigh legality of automatic license plate readers: Lawmakers are questioning how the use of automatic license plate readers align with Oklahoma’s state laws. [KFOR]
Federal Government News
Oklahoma reports one of the nation’s lowest Medicaid payment error rates: Oklahoma’s Medicaid payment error rate is one of the lowest in the nation, according to new data published by the Health Care Authority. The state Medicaid agency said in a press release that it is working to maintain this number with new fraud-prevention tools. [KGOU]
Sotomayor, Gorsuch question double prosecution of immigrant in Oklahoma: U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch have called the government’s prosecution of a Mexican immigrant in eastern Oklahoma a “constitutional absurdity” questioning how one reentry spawned two criminal prosecutions. [The Oklahoman]
D.C. Digest: Mullin in Congressional Democrats’ sights: If Democrats control the House of Representatives in the next Congress, one of the first Trump administration officials going on the grill will be Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Politico reported. [Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Federal monitors to observe elections in three Oklahoma counties: Three Oklahoma counties will have an extra set of eyes when voters go to the polls Nov. 3. The U.S. Department of Justice notified the Oklahoma State Election Board this month that it will be sending monitors to Tulsa, Oklahoma and Muskogee counties. The agency will be monitoring compliance with federal voting rights laws, including the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act and the Voting Accessibility for Elderly and Handicapped Act. [Oklahoma Voice]
- DOJ voting monitors will be in Tulsa County on Nov. 3, county officials told [Tulsa World]
A record number of women are running for state legislatures this year: Across the 46 states with legislative seats on the ballot, a total of 3,824 women are running — up from 2022’s previous record of 3,621 women candidates, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. Women make up 35.5% of all state legislative candidates this cycle. [Oklahoma Voice]
Trump’s approval continues to fall in Oklahoma, but state holds strong: President Donald Trump’s approval rating continues to drop as the nation is 10 days away from a midterm election that could change leadership in the state and flip Congress. [The Oklahoman]
Capitol Update: Making a plan for voting in the general election: State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax talks about the upcoming midterm elections. [KGOU]
Election Roundup
- Democratic socialist Thomas challenges Hern for Oklahoma U.S. Senate seat [The Oklahoman]
- Democrat Jena Nelson, 2 independents challenge Republican Stephanie Bice for Oklahoma’s CD5 seat [KGOU]
- Can Democrat Jena Nelson unseat Republican Stephanie Bice in Oklahoma?: [The Oklahoman]
- Munson hopes frustrated voters make history, elect Democrat to chart new course as governor [Tulsa World]
- Mazzei confident voters will favor his ‘commonsense, conservative’ agenda [Tulsa World]
- How do Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates’ time in the legislature match their campaign agenda? [KOSU]
- T.W. Shannon backs school choice in Oklahoma lieutenant governor race [News on 6]
- Oklahoma AG candidates spar on death penalty, smelter in debate [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahomans to pick next attorney general in Nov. 3 elections [KGOU]
- Oklahoma AG candidates criticize Swadley sentencing [NonDoc]
- Unconventional political alliances shape Oklahoma superintendent race [Tulsa World]
- Democrats’ former chair ends affiliation with superintendent candidate [The Oklahoman]
- How Oklahoma’s candidates for insurance commissioner say they’ll lower home premiums [KGOU]
- Brad Boles, Rhonda Eastman race for Oklahoma Corporation Commission seat [NonDoc]
- Who’s on the November ballot for Oklahoma’s next corporation commissioner? [KOSU]
- State legislator, political newcomer seek Corporation Commission seat [The Oklahoman]
- Who’s running to be Oklahoma’s next Commissioner of Labor? [KGOU]
- Oklahomans will select a new state treasurer next month. Here are their options [KGOU]
- Democrats target Oklahoma House seats controlled by Republicans [The Oklahoman]
- HD 16: Rosie Lynch, David Nelson compete for open Okmulgee-area seat [NonDoc]
- Incumbent Stein, Gibbons trade barbs in Oklahoma County Assessor race [The Oklahoman]
- Loretta Radford, Dustin Allen compete for Tulsa County district judge seat [NonDoc]
- Diane Vaughan, Sierra Pfeiffer run for Logan County associate district judge [NonDoc]
- Yukon mayor recall election fueled by data center angst, transparency concerns [NonDoc]
- Tulsa City Council District 1: Vanessa Hall-Harper seeks 6th term against Corinice Wilson [NonDoc]
- McAlester, Pittsburg County voters asked to weigh separate lodging tax proposals [NonDoc]
- Key questions on proposed downtown convention hotel linger ahead of Tulsa tax vote [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma 2026 midterms: Your guide to the biggest races on the Nov. 3 ballot [The Oklahoman]
- Guide for Tulsa-area voters ahead of Nov. 3 general election [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Oklahoma voters can pick between disparate views for governor, but down ballot races matter, too: The governor can recommend an agenda, but ultimately it’s our legislators who give it the thumbs up or down. This year a staggering number of 55 out of the 101 House seats have at least two candidates running on Nov. 3. On the Senate side, 14 of the 25 seats that are eligible to appear feature a competitive general election. That’s great news for Oklahomans because now they can vote for the candidate that best aligns with their vision for the future, instead of being stuck with the one selected by only Democrats or Republicans. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
From electric bills to enrollment rates, Tulsa-area schools face budget squeeze: Just like everyday renters and homeowners, Tulsa-area school districts are feeling the squeeze on utility bills. It comes at an already precarious time for public schools. The district’s utility bill was around $489,000 in September. In fiscal year 2020, its electric cost was around $1.26 million for the whole district. Last year, it was a little over $3 million, not simply caused by added square footage. Market- and weather-driven increases are just another hurdle for districts dealing with declining birth rates, competition with private schools and declines in student enrollment that affect state funding. [Tulsa Flyer]
Oklahoma higher education chancellor discusses workforce needs for proposed Inola smelter: Oklahoma’s higher education system could play a major role in preparing workers for the proposed multibillion-dollar aluminum smelter in Inola, a project that could bring new jobs and industries to the state. [News on 6]
Health News
The percentage of people without health insurance is growing: [The percentage of working-age adults without health insurance has increased in the past two years, largely because many people can no longer afford Obamacare coverage after Congress allowed federal subsidies to expire at the end of last year. Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma’s ACA premiums are going up again. Here’s what you need to know ahead of November enrollment. [Tulsa Flyer]
Oklahoma flu cases triple in a month as flu season takes hold: Oklahoma doctors are diagnosing flu at an increasing rate as the nation heads further into flu season. During the week of Oct. 17, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 241 positive flu tests. Just one month earlier, there were only 76 cases. [The Oklahoman]
$50M mental health center may sit empty if Oklahoma County tax fails: If Oklahoma County voters reject the proposed county public safety sales tax on Nov. 3, the county jail-related Behavioral Care Center will be finished but probably mothballed for lack of funds to operate it, Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan said. [The Oklahoman]
OU receives more than $5M for maternal health research: The University of Oklahoma‘s Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing has received more than $5 million in additional National Institutes of Health funding for four maternal health research projects over the next four years. [The Journal Record]
Justice System News
Oklahoma law requires judges to waive court debt for poor defendants. Some refuse.: A 2023 state law was intended to help low-income people escape fines and fees they can’t afford. But an Oklahoma County judge argues the law is unconstitutional. A state Supreme Court ruling could affect defendants across Oklahoma. [The Frontier]
Oklahoma’s rape kit backlog is larger than previously reported. A survivor wants deadlines.: A sexual assault survivor and state evidence board member is urging lawmakers to establish deadlines for testing rape kits, saying DNA evidence has helped investigators connect cases across the country and internationally. [The Frontier]
Tulsa Police have tighter license plate reader rules than sheriff as privacy concerns grow: The Tulsa Police Department places tighter restrictions on use of automated license plate reader technology than the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office does, according to a Tulsa World review of the two agencies’ policies. [Tulsa World]
- City of Tulsa hosts series of Community Conversations focused on public safety [Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Pressure on Oklahoma to support aerospace, other tech-driven industries, new study shows: To maintain the momentum of Tulsa’s thriving aerospace industry and other tech-driven industries across Oklahoma, the state must do a better job coordinating strategic investments made in innovation, education, entrepreneurship and workforce development. [Tulsa World]
- Study identifies tech sector strengths, challenges [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“It is a path out of a vicious cycle. There is a cycle of poverty that criminal fines and fees can exacerbate.”
-Anthony Severin, an attorney with the legal defense organization Still She Rises, speaking about a 2023 state law that requires judges to consider a defendant’s ability to pay their fines and fees. If the defendant receives certain government assistance, including SNAP benefits, or makes significantly below the poverty level, the judge must reduce their debt or clear it completely. But an Oklahoma County judge, who was part of the committee that wrote the law, has argued the law is unconstitutional. The issue has been taken to the Oklahoma Supreme Court for consideration. [The Frontier]
Number of the Day
2 in 3
In nearly 2 out of 3 cases, family members of justice-involved people carry the primary burden of paying court costs, often forgoing rent, medical bills, and other necessities to help cover their loved one’s fees. [OK Policy]
Policy Note
Debt Sentence: How Fines And Fees Hurt Working Families: Court-imposed debt impacts working families across all racial groups, political affiliations, and income levels. In the past ten years, a third of Americans have been directly affected by fines or fees related to traffic, criminal, juvenile, or municipal court. This report is the first national survey to examine how court-imposed fines and fees affect individuals and families. Researchers found that fines and fees debt creates hardships in people’s daily lives. Many respondents reported experiencing serious hardship, being impacted in three or more aspects of daily life. [Fines and Fees Justice Center]
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