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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
‘Transparency is always good’: OSDE funding report panned by Walters, valued by legislators: A report reviewing five segments of Oklahoma State Department of Education funding released by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency [Tuesday] found concerns about communication with public school districts but “did not observe any activities” that “warranted referral to law enforcement entities for criminal investigation.” [NonDoc]
- LOFT Report: Oklahoma State Department of Education Disbursements of Funds [Oklahoma Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency]
- Legislative Watchdog Details Lack of Communication in Sending Funds to Schools [Oklahoma Watch]
- Investigation finds consistent communication issues at Walters’ Education Department [Oklahoma Voice]
- LOFT report finds communications issues, but no criminal activity by OSDE [The Journal Record]
- Two Oklahoma lawmakers want a bigger investigation into spending by Ryan Walters, OSDE [The Oklahoman]
- Investigative report on State Department of Education met with defiance from Ryan Walters [Tulsa World]
- Lawmakers say LOFT did not investigate several concerns over OSDE, Walters [KFOR]
- Report on Oklahoma Department of Education finds no criminal action, stresses need for communication [KGOU]
- LOFT blames miscommunication for Oklahoma State Department of Education’s misspending allegations [KOCO]
- Oklahoma education funding probe finds no criminal activity, raises communication concerns [Fox 25]
- LOFT finds no wrongdoing after investigation into Oklahoma State Department of Education’s spending [KOCO]
- LOFT Releases Report On OSDE’s Funding, Recommends Policy Improvement [News 9]
State Government News
Oklahoma lawmaker suggests legislation that could give undocumented immigrants life sentences: Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, said at an interim study that the legislation would allow undocumented immigrants the option of being deported in lieu of life in prison. [Oklahoma Voice]
Few attend Oklahoma lawmaker’s session on sentencing reform: The Bureau of Justice Statistics found Oklahoma has the 4th highest incarceration rate in the nation. Representative Danny Williams, a Republican from the 28th District, conducted a study at the state capitol to discuss ways to rethink prison sentences. However, the messages designed to be heard by lawmakers during this study did not get a large audience. [2 News]
Long Story Short: GOP Lawmakers Remain Committed to Anti-ESG Law (audio): Paul Monies has an update on the state’s law that forbids pension funds and others from using banks and financial firms perceived to be boycotting the oil and gas industry. [Oklahoma Watch]
Meet the state senator in the spotlight on the future of Oklahoma’s abortion law: Julie Daniels, who has been fascinated with politics since she was a schoolgirl, may yet grow up to be one of the highest-ranking women ever to serve in the Oklahoma Senate. [The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
Senate shift to GOP could boost stature of Oklahoma’s senators: While control of the House of Representatives is a toss-up heading into the November 5 election, control of the Senate is leaning toward the Republican party. Republican control of the Senate would give Oklahoma’s two senators a bump in influence. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Tribal Nations News
Choctaw Nation celebrates Native November: The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a month-long series of cultural, informative and fun activities for all ages. Native November honors Indigenous people’s rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories while recognizing their invaluable contributions to the United States and communities. [The Journal Record]
Voting and Election News
Early voting in Oklahoma begins amid national election unrest concerns: OK Policy’s Cole Allen said Oklahoma hasn’t had any issues related to ballot security or ballots not being counted, but he says that if you do have any concerns, to contact your county election board or the state election board. “Oklahoma has some of the most accurate and secure elections in the country,” he said. [KTUL]
- In-person early voting for Oklahoma’s Nov. 5 election begins Wednesday [Oklahoma Voice]
- Early voting in Oklahoma starts today: Here’s where to vote in-person for Nov. 5 election [The Oklahoman]
- What’s on the ballot for the Nov. 5 election in Oklahoma [KOSU]
- Election day: What races are we watching? [Cherokee Phoenix]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma’s 2024 general election | Resources and other information you need to know
Oklahoma County Sheriff race: Tommie Johnson, Wayland Cubit face off again: Incumbent Republican Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson believes he has earned a second term thanks to improvements within the department, including acquiring body cameras for deputies. Meanwhile, Democratic challenger Wayland Cubit sees a department that is fraught with questionable leadership at the top. [NonDoc]
AG Drummond pushes Supreme Court to back Virginia on voter roll purge: Just days before the presidential election, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and 25 other state attorneys general are calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to allow Virginia to remove non-citizens from its voter rolls. [KOAM]
Oklahoma political campaigns have spent nearly $20 million so far this election cycle: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission updated its campaign expenditure numbers this week with the last batch of required financial disclosures by candidates, lobbyists and political action committees before the General Election. Nearly $20 million have been pumped into political races in Oklahoma this year. [KOSU]
Opinion: Oklahoma is under attack by ‘dark money’ organizations that must be stopped: This election year, Oklahoma is under attack by dark money special interest groups — organizations with secret contributors who can give unlimited amounts. Now, in a last-minute, Pearl-Harbor-like media attack, they seek to drive three well-respected Oklahoma Supreme Court justices from office. [Neal Leader / The Oklahoman]
Education News
UCO receives $4.98M grant from USDE to address student mental health: The grant will address the mental health needs of students while offering educators at Moore Public Schools opportunities to advance their professional qualifications. UCO is the only university in Oklahoma to receive funding for school-based, mental health services. [The Journal Record]
Health News
Wildfires across Oklahoma destroy homes, cause evacuations: Wildfires destroyed homes and caused residents to evacuate in several counties across Oklahoma on Tuesday. Several wildfires sparked near Cushing, Chickasha, Cimmaron City, Wellston and in Seiling. [KOCO]
- Oklahoma wildfires: No growth on Rush Fire, fires break out in Logan County, across state [The Oklahoman]
- Area south of Pawhuska told to evacuate as wildfire spreads [The Oklahoman]
- Residents Faced With Back-To-Back Evacuation Orders As Fire Crews Suppress Logan Co. Wildfires [News 9]
- Fire east of Cushing contained, evacuation notice lifted [Fox 25]
Criminal Justice News
Groups work together to give previously incarcerated women second chances: Maria Morris is the founder of Carabelle’s Eats and Treats, a catering company with a mission. “We hire and train women in the culinary field who have been previously incarcerated,” Morris said of the business, which is named in memory of her late daughter. [Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
City leaders to present plan for spending $75 million in housing funds: The city of Tulsa is proposing to spend two-thirds of the $75 million in housing funds approved by voters last year on a housing grant fund and housing infrastructure, according to a plan to be presented to city councilors on Wednesday. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Oklahoma can do more to encourage consumer-driven renewable energy investments: Oklahoma has an opportunity to encourage more consumers to invest in renewable energy sources with a change in polices and price ratings. It would lead to more affordable and more efficient delivery of energy to our homes. [Jason M. Walter / Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Construction stalls on $2.5B American Heartland Theme Park: One year after the Oct. 30 groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of a planned $2.5 billion travel destination in northeast Oklahoma, construction hasn’t begun. [The Journal Record]
Creating legacies: OKC Latino businesses showcase progress with program’s help: StitchCrew, a local nonprofit, recently hosted an event to showcase the work of the fourth Latino Accelerator cohort, a program aimed at helping the entrepreneurs reach $1 million in revenue for their small businesses. [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“Incarceration only works for a certain type of offender, the type of offender we are really afraid of, that we need to separate from society for whatever reason. That’s not most offenders. Most people just need help.”
– Colleen McCarty, Executive Director for the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, speaking during an interim study on sentencing reform about the state’s over reliance on prison rather than treatment options for justice-involved Oklahomans. [2 News]
Number of the Day
73%
In a 2024 survey, 73% of voters say that elections across the U.S. will be run and administered at least somewhat well. This is 11 points higher than the share who said this in 2020, but 8 points lower than the share in 2018. [Pew Research Center]
Policy Note
Black Youth Are Invested in their Communities but Encounter Barriers to Voting: The civic participation of Black youth in recent years has been complex, with both bright spots and challenges. For example, young Black women, alongside other young women of color, have often been at the forefront of activism and civic action. But Black youth, and especially young Black men, have voted at lower rates and remain underrepresented in the electorate. This analysis of Black youth ages 18-34 who participated in our 2024 pre-election poll re-emphasizes that Black youth are not a monolith regarding civic engagement. They possess a wide range of motivations, ideas, and perceptions about the electoral and civic process. A better understanding of these dynamics can help us support their participation and eliminate inequities in voter turnout. [Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement]
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