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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
Modernizing the Sales Tax Relief Credit: It’s never too late to do the right thing (Capitol Update): The House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Finance held a study last week on modernizing the state Sales Tax Relief Credit, which is an income tax credit for low-income people to recover some of the money they pay in state sales tax. The study was requested by House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, based on House Bill 3987 that she introduced last session. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma lawmakers discuss mental health crisis in jails, seek solutions: State lawmakers took a look at issues within the jail system in Oklahoma, specifically relating to inmate mental health. Speakers at the study on Monday said on a per capita basis, Oklahoma is one of the worst spending states on mental health and addiction crisis. [FOX25]
- Oklahoma lawmakers want to address inmate mental health [The Journal Record]
- Lawmakers delve into mental health, justice issues [Tulsa World]
- Lawmakers discuss fixing Oklahoma jails’ ‘flawed’ pretrial release system [KOCO]
State Government News
New laws taking effect: Protection for poultry producers, porn website requirement: Oklahomans should be aware of several new laws taking effect Friday, including age verification requirements for porn-themed websites and legal protections benefiting the poultry industry. [Tulsa World]
Oklahomans are more in need of social services, but the state is shuttering county services. Why?: Soon, dealing with unclaimed bodies and the deceased indigent, usually by cremation, will be the only duty to the poor left to counties in Oklahoma. Lawmakers took away almost all of counties’ other legal obligations last spring. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma lawmaker calls for grand jury investigation into Department of Human Services: Saying Oklahoma needs to take new steps to better protect its children, a state representative on Monday called for a grand jury investigation into the Department of Human Services. [The Oklahoman]
ITEP’s Eli Byerly-Duke on Oklahoma’s Sales Tax Relief Credit: ITEP Policy Analyst Eli Byerly-Duke presented to an interim study in the Oklahoma House focused on modernizing the Sales Tax Relief Credit. [ITEP]
As Ryan Walters’ right-wing star rose, critics say Oklahoma Education Department fell apart: Fans liken his efforts to a ‘spiritual battle,” but even some GOP lawmakers say he mismanaged and neglected his central role: state schools chief. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma chief information officer resigned after entering settlement agreement over ethics rules: The state’s chief information officer resigned shortly after signing a settlement agreement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. Paul L. “Joe” McIntosh resigned Oct. 20 from his post with the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, where he earned $235,000 a year, according to an OMES spokesperson. [Oklahoma Voice]
Company plans to leave troubled Oklahoma center for people with developmental disabilities: Liberty of Oklahoma said it would end management services at two Oklahoma facilities in the coming months “due to external challenges.” The announcement comes after Robert M. Greer Center in Enid has been cited repeatedly for health and safety violations. [The Frontier]
- After abuse allegations surface, Oklahoma officials search for new Greer Center operator [The Oklahoman]
Roundup: Theme park delayed, energy issues percolate, OKC-area projects inch along: You can learn about all of those news items, some energy industry updates and more in the following roundup. [NonDoc]
Opinion: Society was once a place of democratic refuge. Increased incivility has eliminated our safe places: The concept of civil society is critical for a robust and well-functioning democracy. It only works if the people participate in good faith, show a willingness to embrace compromise, and are genuinely invested in the common good. [Emily Stacey / Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Funding stalled for federal Native diabetes program: Public health experts credit the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, launched in 1997 with bipartisan congressional support, with reducing diabetes among Native Americans from 2004 to 2024 [ICT]
Voting and Election News
Early voting for Nov. 5 election begins Wednesday in Oklahoma: “Early voting” – officially known as in-person absentee voting – for the Nov. 5th General Election begins this week in Oklahoma. State Board Election Secretary Paul Ziriax says Oklahomans have an extra day of early voting this time. [KGOU]
- Early Voting Begins Wednesday [Oklahoma Watch]
- Where to vote early: Beat the Election Day rush by voting before Nov. 5 [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa County law enforcement agencies ready to ensure safe, secure Election Day: More than 400,000 county residents have registered to vote ahead of this Election Day, the most ever for the county. [Tulsa World]
Tulsa County Election Board to use $42,875 in existing funds to pay for Aug. 27 recounts: The Tulsa County Budget Board earlier this month decided to use more than $40,000 in existing county Election Board funds to pay for two city of Tulsa election recounts. [Tulsa World]
Election Roundup
- State House District 64 candidates [The Lawton Constitution]
- State House District 63 candidates [The Lawton Constitution]
- State House District 62 candidates [The Lawton Constitution]
- Comanche County Sheriff candidates [The Lawton Constitution]
- Oklahoma Corporation Commission faces election shake-up amid Hiett controversy [The Oklahoman]
- Who will fill the Oklahoma Corporation Commission seat held by Bob Anthony for 36 years? [KOSU]
Education News
Legislative watchdog report into OSDE spending under Ryan Walters set for Tuesday: A report into the spending practices of the Oklahoma State Department of Education under state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters will be released Tuesday, another potential pivot point in the tumultuous political saga that’s enveloped Walters since he took charge of the agency. [The Oklahoman]
- What watchdog report found about Oklahoma schools spending under Ryan Walters [The Oklahoman]
‘Nothing here to sugar coat’: Ninnekah residents press school board on sexual assault settlement: A special school board meeting was held in Ninnekah Wednesday night as board members sought community input on their handling of a multi-million-dollar settlement. [KFOR]
NOC leader credits communities with enrollment boost: Northern Oklahoma College President Diana Watkins credited local communities with an increase in enrollment at the school. NOC’s enrollment was up 4% in traditional students and 14% in concurrent students. [Enid News & Eagle]
Teacher terminated by Epic Charter Schools says she wants answers after layoffs: After some teachers at Epic Charter Schools were terminated last week, those who didn’t lose their jobs will see their paychecks cut. [KOCO]
From farm to fork: Tulsa students discover the journey of their food: Students from Tulsa Public Schools had a hands-on experience Monday morning learning about farming in the Sooner State. That included everything from petting a pig to learning about handling dairy cows. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Expanded efforts by Tulsa Public Schools lead to 141 students earning diplomas: It took her a little longer than expected, but Nayona Doss now has her high school diploma. Sporting a pink cap and gown and a stole from Tulsa Public Schools’ partner program for pregnant and parenting students, Doss was among the 141 students who officially graduated from high school Monday night due to expanded efforts launched over the summer by the district to provide additional opportunities for current and former students to complete their high school diplomas. [Tulsa World]
Health News
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientists to study how exercise combats aging: Two scientists from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) are studying how exercise can combat aging through a $7.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. [KGOU]
Economy & Business News
Metro home sales fall 20% in September: September home sales in the metro market dropped 20% from the previous month, according to data from the multiple listing service of the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors. [The Journal Record]
Giant Inola solar panel plant remains on hold a year and a half after announcement: Enel North America picked the Port of Inola to be the home of one of the largest solar cell and panel manufacturing plants in the nation, the company and its affiliate, 3Sun USA LLC, announced in May 2023. Plans for a large solar-panel manufacturing plant — described as the biggest economic development project in state history — remains on hold a year and a half after it was announced to much fanfare. [Tulsa World]
Community News
At El Reno’s World Gay Rodeo Finals, people compete with family: More than 100 people competed in rodeo events like team roping, barrel racing and goat dressing over the weekend. The finals are through the International Gay Rodeo Association, founded in 1985. While the rodeo is similar to others, it has camp events and different rules. For instance, women can ride bulls. [KOSU]
Thriving Riverbend Arts District ‘bringing people together,’ hosting first open house tour: WOMPA is an acronym for West of Main Producers Association, which for the past year or so has been providing creative types ranging from artists and filmmakers to theater companies and hair stylists, internet radio stations and commercial photographers to acupuncturists and bio-engineers with unique spaces in which to work. [Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- New OKC-area library CEO on his vision for the system, and the library ‘culture wars’ [The Oklahoman]
- 13 of our favorite things to do in Tulsa [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“Putting people in jail and prison just because they have mental illness isn’t right, and it’s only perpetuating cycles of trauma and also costing the state more money in the end.”
-Cole Allen, a policy analyst with the Oklahoma Policy Institute said while addressing lawmakers in an interim study on Monday looking into the current practice of jails serving as mental health institutions. [FOX25]
Number of the Day
30-to-1
The ratio of renter households to home for sale nationally in June 2024. The number of renters per homes for sale has been trending up since 2006, rising from less than 10 to above 30 renter households per home available. Therefore, not only do people seeking to buy their first home have to navigate an expensive market, but they also have to compete with more first-time buyers as supply continues to trail demand. [Freddie Mac]
Policy Note
Our Elections Are Not Fragile: We are hurtling toward Election Day, when 160 million people will choose our leaders, each of us with an equal vote. That this system works, election after election, is a modern miracle. So we should never lose our outrage over the way that democracy has come under cynical assault by partisans, armed with nothing but false rumors. But we should take heart that it is now increasingly clear that despite the clamor, in 2024 voters can cast their ballots in an election that is free and fair. [Brennan Center for Justice]
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