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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
‘It would never have passed’ Some Oklahoma lawmakers say private school tax credit system not operating as expected: Several Oklahoma lawmakers say the way the state is paying out families taking part in Oklahoma’s “Parental Choice” private school tax credit is not how it was described when they voted on the program. Those lawmakers tell News 4 they were surprised to learn private school families taking part in Oklahoma’s Parental Choice Tax Credit system were receiving their tax credit funds through checks that the state mailed to their kids’ private school, and not through a tax refund. [KFOR]
- From OK Policy: Private school tax credits will give everyone’s taxes to people who don’t need our help
As Ryan Walters’ Right-Wing Star Rose, Critics Say Oklahoma Ed Dept. 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. [The 74]
- The 74 examines Ryan Walters’ dual roles as culture warrior and agency head [KGOU]
- Gross Misconduct: A Comprehensive Compilation of Ryan Walters’ Misdeeds in Office [Oklahoma Appleseed]
Some states are turning miscarriages and stillbirths into criminal cases against women: Oklahoma and other states across the country have been using a series of laws and court rulings in the past decade to criminalize how women react to pregnancy loss. Legal experts say the fear and suspicion following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that allowed states to ban abortion may be making things worse. [The Frontier & The Marshall Project]
State Government News
Oklahoma’s newest laws include changes to the marijuana industry. Here’s what they affect: New state laws have triggered changes to both sides of Oklahoma’s marijuana industry. Starting in November, transferring a business license will require authorization from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. Then in June, customers will only be able to buy cannabis flower if it’s pre-packaged. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma now requires age verification to access porn sites. Critics say it makes the internet more dangerous: One of the biggest pornography websites will no longer be available in Oklahoma after the state Legislature blocked businesses from distributing adult content without verifying a person’s age. Pornhub’s parent company said it decided to restrict access for folks from the Sooner State because of privacy concerns tied to obtaining the personal information of people who visit the site. [The Oklahoman]
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]
Lawmakers examine Oklahoma pension systems, consider reform options: The House Banking Financial Services and Pensions Committee discussed the funding status of Oklahoma pension systems Thursday. State Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, said he scheduled the study examining future reforms because it’s the state’s responsibility to keep pensions and their returns secure. [The Journal Record]
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Oklahoma Department of Education report, campaign spending, new laws and more: The panel talks about a new report following an investigation against the State Department of Education and Superintendent Ryan Walters, an update on campaign expenditures showing how much has been spent so far this election cycle and Oklahoma’s Chief Information Officer resigns after entering a settlement agreement with the Ethics Commission. [KOSU]
Opinion: Let’s protect Oklahoma’s fully funded public pension system: Pension policy has an important, but often hidden, impact on the finances of state governments. The issue of increasing pension unfunded liabilities flies under the radar for most Oklahomans. [Bradley Ward / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Osage County cabin lost to wildfire was home to man who legend tells came back from the dead: The cabin of Ho-tah-moie (Roaring Thunderer), also famously known as John Stink, was one of the casualties of the wildfire that raged south of Pawhuska on Tuesday, Oct. 29, near the Osage County Fairgrounds. [KOSU]
Cherokee Nation partners with Amazon to provide tuition-free film courses: The Cherokee Nation is partnering with online retail giant Amazon to provide opportunities for blossoming filmmakers. The multi-million dollar investment will waive the tuition for the Cherokee Film Institute’s 25 inaugural students to reduce economic barriers across the reservation. [KOSU]
Native voters could swing US elections, but they’re asking politicians: What have you done for us?: Native voters like him who could be key to winning Arizona and some of the most contested swing states in November. In 2020, Arizona voted for a Democratic president for the first time in decades, with President Joe Biden winning the race by around 10,500 votes. [Associated Press]
Voting and Election News
PAC spent $633,180 attacking Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson, supporting his foe: Blue Horizon PAC has reported spending $633,180 against the incumbent Oklahoma County sheriff and in support of his opponent just since mid-October. The so-called independent expenditures have gone to 30-second TV ads and mailers. [The Oklahoman]
When will we know who is elected president? What to know about 2024 election results: While Oklahoma election results will be available on election night, we might not know the winner of the presidential election until the morning, or even for days. Here’s what to know about the results of the 2024 presidential election. [The Oklahoman]
‘They’re standing in line for hours’: Does Oklahoma County need more early voting spots?: Oklahoma is in the swing of election season and voters have already started heading to the polls. Early voting started on Wednesday and continues until 2 p.m. on Saturday. However, some Oklahoma County residents have said they’ve had to wait hours in line to vote early. [Fox 25]
- Note from OK Policy: Oklahoma has the shortest in-person early voting period of any state that allows early voting. (Alabama and New Hampshire are the only states that don’t allow early voting.) Most states opened early voting a week or two ago, with some states opening it up as early as Sept. 20. You can see a comparison of early voting dates from the U.S. Vote Foundation.
Election roundup
- State Questions on Oklahoma’s November 2024 Ballot [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Hern, Brecheen, Cole and Bice face challengers in Oklahoma congressional races [NonDoc]
- Tulsa mayoral hopeful Monroe Nichols gains momentum from small donors ahead of Election Day [The Frontier]
- Tulsa Mayoral Candidates Face Off In Debate [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Karen Keith, Monroe Nichols talk to conservatives during KRMG radio debate [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa County law enforcement agencies ready to ensure safe, secure Election Day [Tulsa World]
- Edmond voters weigh the costs of over 14% property tax hike in Edmond GO Bond [Fox 25]
Opinion: My friend passed away, but I’m voting in her memory to further her efforts: Voting was never intended to be a right for far too many of us. A substantial number of our ancestors died before being able to cast a ballot. Sadly, my friend is now one of those ancestors. She knocked on doors and attended meetings to talk about the importance of Oklahomans voting. [Jacquelyne Finley / The Oklahoman]
Ginnie Graham: Motivate young voters by ending polarization: Perhaps voters believe that no matter who wins, nothing will change. Add in the amped up division and anger over elections, and more people are opting out. “I think it’s more than just voter apathy. I think it’s down to the point that simply says, ‘I am disengaging from this hostile, toxic environment because of polarization,’” Sen. Roger Thompson recently said. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Time for Oklahomans to embrace their voting power: Good news: There were long lines when nearly 77,000 showed up statewide for the first day of early in-person voting this week. Bad news: One-quarter of age-eligible Oklahomans still aren’t even registered to vote. More bad news: It’s cause for celebration when voter turnout exceeds just one-half – 50% – of those registered. Good grief – that’s only about one-third of those old enough to cast ballots. [Arnold Hamilton / The Journal Record]
- From OK Policy’s Shiloh Kantz: Let’s not be last
Education News
Education Watch: Epic Cuts Teacher Positions, Pay Weeks Into the School Year: Teachers are losing their jobs and others are facing pay cuts due to financial challenges at Epic Charter Schools, the state’s largest online charter school. [Oklahoma Watch]
- Epic Charter offers laid-off teachers a pay decrease instead [KFOR]
Opinion: Tulsa offers easy pathways into cybersecurity jobs for types of students: As more aspects of our lives are digitally connected, cyberattacks are escalating, and the need for trained cybersecurity professionals has never been greater. That’s where higher education comes in. Schools like Tulsa Community College and the University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute are stepping up to fill this skills gap by providing accessible education options for anyone looking to break into the field of cybersecurity. [Teri Reed and Travis White / Tulsa World]
Health News
Oklahoma kindergarten vaccination rates drop as exemptions continue to climb: Nearly 3,000 Oklahoma kindergartners had one or more exemptions for childhood vaccines during the past school year, according to the CDC. Oklahoma’s vaccine exemption rates among kindergartners have risen from 4.7% in the 2022-2023 school year to 5.7% the following year. Nationwide, coverage for state-required vaccinations for kindergartners declined to less than 93% for all vaccines. [KGOU]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
OKC Fails Housing Inspections, Tulsa Embraces HUD Transition: Oklahoma’s public housing this year is being inspected under a new protocol, National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate or NSPIRE. The operations director at Oklahoma City Housing Authority said NSPIRE inspection standards have the state’s largest housing authority grappling with staffing and budget limitations that make complying with the new standards a challenge. [Oklahoma Watch]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma’s wheat farmers face major losses from winter drought. A new program aims to help: State officials at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry have set aside millions of dollars aimed at helping agricultural producers throughout Oklahoma recover from unfavorable weather conditions. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Workforce shortages can be addressed by hiring people with disabilities: October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to recognize the invaluable workforce contributions of people with disabilities and to spotlight the ongoing barriers to employment they face. [Lauren Branch / Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: In 2023, a little more than 1 in 5 (22.6 percent) disabled Oklahomans were experiencing poverty.
Community News
How a Sales Tax Helped Oklahoma City Get a Piece of the Summer Olympics: Oklahoma City has invested the proceeds of a one-cent sales tax in dozens of projects in and around its downtown for the last 30 years. The 2028 Olympics will hold softball and canoe slalom events there, 1,300 miles away from the rest of the Games. [Governing]
168 Days of Remembrance begin for OKC bombing victims: The countdown to the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing begins Friday with the annual Day One Luncheon and Day of Giving. [The Journal Record]
Clocks ‘fall back’ one hour for daylight saving time in Oklahoma over the weekend: Daylight saving time ends Sunday with clocks going back one hour at 2 a.m. The Oklahoma Legislature passed a bill that was signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt in April that would make daylight saving time the standard time for the state if the federal government were to pass a law authorizing states to observe it year round. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma lawmaker calls for Congressional action on permanent Daylight Saving Time [KFOR]
Opinion: News isn’t free. We all pay the price if we don’t financially support unbiased, local reporting: The local citizen reading the paper for free certainly wouldn’t want people ripping off his business. But people don’t understand why they have to pay for news. And many don’t trust the media, particularly the national kind. Unfortunately, inaccurate reports and bias have eroded trust. How did we get here? [Rob Collins / Oklahoma Voice]
Local Headlines
- City of Geary’s entire police force resigns, officials say [KFOR]
- Many Geary police officers and two city council members resign [Fox 25]
- Oklahoma State University plans to move Tulsa County Extension office to OSU-Tulsa [KOSU]
Quote of the Day
“It would never have passed. We were all under the impression that at the end of the year when you filed taxes, that you had a tax credit on your tax return.”
-Rep. Mark McBride, saying that he and his fellow legislators who made a compromise to support the Parental Choice Tax Credit assumed that it would work like a tax credit that applied to a filer’s tax return. Instead, the Oklahoma Tax Commission is mailing checks in the amount of a student’s “tax credit” directly to the private schools they attend, then requiring parents to sign off on the checks. [KFOR]
Number of the Day
100%
Oklahoma’s voting system had a 100% match of the certified election results in the June 2024 primary elections. To test the system, election board officials conducted manual tabulation audits of ballots in randomly-selected races across the state during that election. [Oklahoma Election Board] | [Post-election Audit Report]
Policy Note
Audits and Recounts in 2024: What’s the Difference?: With November’s election here, we’ve received a lot of interest in understanding the difference between audits and recounts. Audits and recounts are two different post-election processes, but both are designed to build confidence in our elections—they help demonstrate that the winner won and the loser lost. [Verified Voting]
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