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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
Naming committee chairs is important decision before the upcoming session (Capitol Update): The most important leadership decisions left to be made before session are the committee chairs and vice chairs. Everyone with an interest in legislation is anxiously awaiting who will chair the committees that handle the bills in their area of interest. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice recuses herself from Walters’ Bible mandate case: The Oklahoma Supreme Court will be down a justice when it hears a case challenging State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ mandate to put a Bible in every public school classroom. [KOSU]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court justice recuses herself from suit over Ryan Walters’ Bible mandate. [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Bill filing starts in Oklahoma, tax cuts are first on the agenda for Senate: The first bills of Oklahoma’s 60th legislative session are filed. They already regulate a diverse range of topics, but it appears tax cuts will again be top of mind. [KOSU]
- From OK Policy archive: The needs of everyday Oklahomans outweigh tax cuts that benefit the wealthy (2023)
After longtime Oklahoma Senate leader Greg Treat exits, new Republican players emerge: First elected in 2011, Treat replaced Sen. Todd Lamb, who was elected lieutenant governor. Sen. Lonnie Paxton, an insurance agent and a native of Tuttle, will replace Treat in the pro tempore’s suite on the fourth floor of the Capitol. Most of the time, the transition from one Senate leader to another is seamless. Except for this year. [The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Osage Nation, federal government place 43,000 acres into trust: The Osage Nation on Monday made official the second largest transfer of tribal land into federal trust status in U.S. history. Formerly Ted Turner’s Bluestem Ranch, the land will continue to be used as the tribe’s ranch. [Tulsa World]
Tribal roundup: Wacoche elected UKB chief, Arkansas casino battle boils, new cross-deps approved: With the 2024 election season concluding, a few new tribal government officials are being sworn into office as well. Meanwhile, on Nov. 5, a constitutional amendment supported by the Choctaw Nation passed in Arkansas to revoke a Cherokee Nation Entertainment casino license for Pope County. Learn about those matters and more in the tribal roundup. [NonDoc]
Education News
Ryan Walters calls on Biden administration to reimburse state for illegal immigration, DEI costs: State Superintendent Ryan Walters calls on the Biden administration to reimburse Oklahoma for costs related to illegal immigration and DEI programs. [KOCO5]
- From OK Policy: All children have the fundamental right to an education
Court date set for dismissal motion in Bixby superintendent’s defamation case: A Tulsa County judge will hear arguments before Thanksgiving on a motion from State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ attorneys to dismiss a defamation lawsuit from a suburban school leader. [Tulsa World]
Captain, crew from new USS Oklahoma visit Tulsa schools: Crew members of the new USS Oklahoma are getting to know their namesake state. Navy Cmdr. Aaron Stutzman, captain of the nuclear submarine USS Oklahoma SSN 802, and a handful of his crew are marking their first visit to Tulsa this week. [Tulsa World]
Agreements allow CareerTech LPN students to get college credits: Licensed practical nursing students at Tulsa Technology Center and other CareerTechs in Oklahoma may have a new incentive to continue training for careers as registered nurses. [Tulsa World]
Health News
Oklahoma TSET to offer $3 million in grants for community health projects: The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) will soon open two grant opportunities to fund community health projects. Grant funding is available to nonprofits, public agencies, tribal nations and schools in Oklahoma. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Criminal Justice News
Mental health suit stays on track for final approval early next year: Settlement of a federal class-action lawsuit over the treatment of some mentally ill patients held in the state’s jails remained on schedule Monday after a status conference with U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell in Tulsa. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma killer facing execution seeks clemency for child’s murder: A Purcell man convicted of murdering and trying to decapitate a 10-year-old girl is asking for mercy. [Oklahoma Voice]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
As Tulsa’s next mayor, Monroe Nichols wants to increase housing, decommission homeless encampments: Nichols has ambitious plans to build new housing, cut crime and improve roads when he takes office next month. [The Frontier]
OHS extends deadline for SNAP replacement applications: Oklahomans in counties impacted by the severe storms from Nov. 3-4 can apply to replace Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits lost due to tornadoes or extended power outages. [The Journal Record]
Local Headlines
- A bond package is expected for OKC voters in 2025. City planners want your feedback [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“My focus early is on getting bed space from an emergency and transitional standpoint, getting that up quick, making sure we have services online, and then working on decommissioning encampments.”
-Tulsa Mayor-elect Monroe Nichols said while discussing the assertive course set for his first 100 days in office to address homelessness in Tulsa. [The Frontier]
Number of the Day
19%
Percentage of Oklahoma households without sufficient net worth to subsist at the poverty level for three months in the absence of income. Oklahoma’s rate was the 22nd highest in the nation, but also was the same as the national average. [Prosperity Now]
Policy Note
Measuring the True Cost of Economic Security: The report finds that 52 percent of all people lived in families below the true cost of economic security threshold in 2022. Among the people in families below that threshold, more than 40 percent have resources between 75 and 100 percent of the threshold. On average, these families are coming close to economic security, largely getting by, and meeting most regular expenses, but they are not primed to thrive. In contrast, more than one in six people who fall below the threshold (and about 1 in 10 overall) have less than half of the resources they need to meet their true cost of economic security. [Urban Institute]
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