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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
“Work requirements” won’t work for Oklahoma: Few policy ideas have proven as persistent — or misleading — as the notion that forcing people to work will lift them out of poverty. The Big Beautiful Bill, or House Resolution 1 (H.R. 1), revives that same flawed logic: the so-called “work requirements” in it are another misguided attempt to legislate personal responsibility. Framed as a way to encourage work and independence, these policies are not about responsibility at all — they’re about paperwork. Instead of helping families find stability, they create systems that judge worthiness through forms and reporting, not effort or need. [Kati Malicoate / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Health insurance ‘crisis on our hands’: Many could see ACA, other premiums doubling: Just about everyone with health insurance knows by now that keeping the same coverage will be a lot more expensive in 2026. The trade group Oklahoma Association of Health Plans says ACA base premiums are rising 29% — and costs to many policyholders will be even greater if, as appears likely, the premium tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of December. But Medicare premiums are also sharply higher — almost 10% — and consultant Mercer says group plan costs are rising 6.7%, the most in 15 years. [Tulsa World]
Is a minimum wage increase good for Oklahoma? Here’s what local experts say: The discussion on whether or not the state needs its first minimum wage increase in 16 years is a polarizing topic. Those for SQ 832 argue an increase to keep up with inflation is necessary to strengthen the economy and reduce the reliance on social welfare programs, while those against contend that mandating a hike is unnecessary, and actually harmful to the economy because such actions interfere with the free market and could lead to inflationary pressure. [The Oklahoman]
5 things to know about data centers being developed in eastern Oklahoma: Data centers to handle growing demand for artificial intelligence are popping up around the state. What do Oklahomans need to know about the issue? [Tulsa World]
State Government News
Oklahoma wildlife officials ask Drummond to butt out of pending cases amid tribal hunting conflict: Amid a legal battle over tribal hunting and fishing rights, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has decided to hire its own attorney rather than using representation from the Attorney General’s Office. They also requested that Drummond stay out of pending wildlife cases. [KOSU]
- Commission votes to ask AG to ‘not interfere’ in tribal wildlife case [Tulsa World]
Appeals court considers Oklahoma school bathroom law: An Oklahoma law affecting transgender students’ use of public school bathrooms came before a three-judge panel Thursday in the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. [Oklahoma Voice]
Roundup: Supreme Court sides with Stitt on Cabinet, Durbin disbarred, OHCA rejects abortion rule: While Gov. Kevin Stitt claimed a recent legal victory over Attorney General Gentner Drummond on the topic of Cabinet secretaries, the two men’s long relationship is only getting rockier. [NonDoc]
Political notebook: State rep wants Drummond to lay off chicken processors: Adair County commissioners asked Attorney General Gentner Drummond to back off his efforts to enforce a federal court’s finding that the area’s chicken processors, including Tyson Foods, are polluting Oklahoma’s Illinois River. [Tulsa World]
Boards Hike Pay for Statewide Elected Officials, Legislators: Pay raises are on the horizon for a slew of Oklahoma elected officials. The Statewide Official Compensation Board voted Nov. 18 to increase base salaries for every statewide elected official, from corporation commissioners up to the governor. The percentage increases range from 24% for the labor commissioner to 41% for the state superintendent. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma’s new chief AI officer will ‘rethink how government operates’: A former corporate tech executive will oversee the state’s efforts to use artificial intelligence to make government work more efficiently. Tai Phan will serve as Oklahoma’s chief artificial intelligence and technology officer, state officials announced Friday, Nov. 21. In the role, Phan will work with state leaders to implement AI technologies and set ethical standards and best practices for its usage. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma names chief AI and technology officer [Oklahoma Voice]
Ex-KFOR anchor now leading PR efforts at state Education Department: Former KFOR news anchor Joleen Chaney now is working as the chief communications officer for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, a state agency seeking calmer public-relations waters after the turbulent tenure of former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma Chronicles: What issues are going to drive gubernatorial race? (video): On the latest edition of Oklahoma Chronicle with Evan Onstot, OK Policy’s Cole Allen joins a panel discussion about the initiative petition restrictions, as well as issues that will impact Oklahomans in the coming statewide elections. [KOCO]
- Capitol Insider: Oklahoma Supreme Court hears challenge to initiative petition law [KGOU]
- From OK Policy: The Future of Democracy Rests in the Oklahoma Supreme Court (SB 1027) and an interactive map on how SB 1027 would impact your county
Opinion, Flash Point: Oklahoma’s national education system ranking, impact on business (video): Deer Creek Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jason Perez, joined the show to discuss the current state of Oklahoma primary education and the State Chamber’s emphasis on business recruitment. The discussion also included a Texas redistricting ruling. [KFOR]
Opinion: Another proposed virtual religious charter school? Feels like déjà vu all over again: Few folks are willing to pay for a second viewing of a movie they just paid to watch six months back. Yet, Oklahomans are about to purchase a ticket to re-watch the machinations of another proposed religious virtual charter school. [Robert Franklin / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Leaders must ensure Oklahoma charter schools are providing quality educations: Amid a bizarre crusade to eviscerate the line between church and state and a seeming zeal to rapidly expand school choice to all, the number of charter schools seems to be approaching a saturation point. And it’s become a real headscratcher that our lawmakers aren’t willing to do the heavy lifting to better regulate this critical part of our academic infrastructure. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
New federal student debt rule seen as tool to enforce Trump agenda: A new U.S. Department of Education regulation to narrow eligibility for a key student debt relief program for public service workers has drawn strong opposition from advocates who argue the regulation is an attempt to target organizations whose missions do not align with President Donald Trump’s agenda. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Expert says state courts misread McGirt as tribes sue Stitt over hunting: As the dispute over hunting and fishing rights deepens between Oklahoma’s governor and the state’s largest tribal nations, the disagreement is shining a renewed spotlight on the impacts of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision. [The Oklahoman]
OU researchers aim to reduce Indigenous cancer disparities through enhanced navigation services: University of Oklahoma Health Campus researchers found that a novel care coordination and communication program has the potential to support Indigenous Oklahomans – who face significant cancer disparities – in accessing cancer care. [KGOU]
Voting and Election News
Oklahoma voters could eliminate property taxes: Oklahoma residents may get to vote to eliminate property taxes for homes they live in. Two lawmakers and a former legislator on Friday filed papers with the Oklahoma Secretary of State to circulate an initiative petition to let voters decide to gradually reduce some property taxes and end them in 2029. [Oklahoma Voice]
Big changes to the agency charged with securing elections lead to midterm worries: Since it was created in 2018, the federal government’s cybersecurity agency has helped warn state and local election officials about potential threats from foreign governments, showed officials how to protect polling places from attacks and gamed out how to respond to the unexpected, such as an Election Day bomb threat or sudden disinformation campaign. [Associated Press]
Education News
MacKenzie Scott gives $17M to Oklahoma’s oldest public community college: Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has given a $17 million unrestricted gift to Northern Oklahoma College, according to a social media post from the school. [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa-area colleges launch major expansion to meet workforce demand: Nearly every major college and university in the Tulsa region is rolling out new degree programs this year, marking one of the largest coordinated higher-education expansions the area has seen. [News on 6]
Health News
AI vs. AI: Patients deploy bots to battle health insurers that deny care: As states strive to curb health insurers’ use of artificial intelligence, patients and doctors are arming themselves with AI tools to fight claims denials, prior authorizations and soaring medical bills. [Oklahoma Voice]
Listen to KGOU’s Oklahoma Future Forum: Medicaid event (audio): On Nov. 18, KGOU hosted its latest Oklahoma Future forum in Oklahoma City. The event focused on cuts to Medicaid that are included in President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, which passed earlier this year, and how those cuts will impact hospitals, other healthcare providers, and, of course, patients here in Oklahoma. [KGOU]
Criminal Justice News
Another Oklahoma highway patrol operation near Durant sees nearly 100 arrested for immigration violations: The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety is touting the results of yet another immigration operation along Highway 69 in Bryan County last week. The operation is the third of its kind since September. [KOSU]
- Latest Operation Guardian sting leads to 76 arrests, drug bust in Bryan County [KFOR]
Sheriff’s officer was known for sex abuse of young men, victims allege: Former Canadian County Sheriff’s Office Major John Bridges abused boys and young men for decades, according to reports of his sexual abuse of mostly boys and men under his watch. The allegations says Bridges, who also worked as an EMT instructor at a local community college and in various police and fire agencies, also took advantage of inmates at the county jail, students in his classes and hospital workers. [Tulsa World]
Sepsis is ‘very treatable.’ For inmates, it’s often a death sentence: Arrests for infractions as minor as trespassing or a missed probation meeting turn into death sentences when correctional facilities delay or deny medical care that inmates need. Grieving families then sue for millions, often leaving taxpayers to foot the bill. [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
Domestic Violence Board Chairman Resigns in Protest: A clash over whether domestic violence victims should be warned that their answers to a life-saving questionnaire could be used against them in court has split Oklahoma’s Fatality Review Board and cost it its chairman. [Oklahoma Watch]
OK County jail hires outside attorney; officials spar over lack of funds: County jail money, the need for it and the lack of it, dominated the latest testy meeting of the Oklahoma County Budget Board. Jail administrator Tim Kimrey shocked Commissioner Brian Maughan by hiring an attorney for $140,000 a year when Kimrey said he has staff on food stamps and he continues to plead for more money to pay detention officers and other staff. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
‘Unprofessional’: Tulsa Housing Authority audit issues complicate OHFA votes for 36 North: Leaders of the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency highlighted growing concerns about the Tulsa Housing Authority’s four-year audit backlog during a marathon meeting Nov. 19 that featured accusations of falsehoods, an analogy about Roger Staubach and broad recognition of the affordable housing crisis facing the city and state. [NonDoc]
Tulsa philanthropic fund looks to raise $120M for affordable housing: City leaders announced a new philanthropic effort on Wednesday that’s looking to raise millions of dollars to build affordable housing in Tulsa. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Norman partners with Oklahoma developer to build affordable housing: The City of Norman is working to address the need for affordable housing. 75 affordable housing units are being built in Norman. [KFOR]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma needs nearly 85,000 rental homes to meet the needs of extremely low-income renters.
Economy & Business News
Small group of insurers have 60% of Oklahoma market power: Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready says, “That’s the free market,” after a report from Oklahoma Watch found data that shows a small group of home insurance companies has about 60% of the market power. The state has one of the highest rates in the nation when it comes to homeowners’ insurance. [KFOR]
Cattle industry is keeping Oklahoma agriculture economy stronger as neighbors struggle: A recent survey shows farm income and borrowing power for crop producers are weak across the Great Plains, but the cattle industry has improved farm finances in some places, including Oklahoma. [KOSU]
Nvidia engineer talks AI, Tulsa’s ‘unique’ setup to become leader in the technology: Nvidia, a $5 trillion company and one of the biggest corporations on the planet — is betting a few of its chips on Tulsa. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Energy modernization is key to keeping Oklahoma at the forefront: From oil fields to wind farms, from natural gas pipelines to solar arrays, our state has become the model for how multiple sources of power can drive a modern economy. To stay competitive on the world stage, Oklahoma must continue investing in its energy infrastructure to keep pace with both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s technologies. [Ross Ford / Tulsa World]
Community News
As we reflect on our Thanksgiving blessings, let’s not forget family caregivers: Family caregivers give their time, energy and resources every day, often at great personal cost. This holiday season and beyond, channel gratitude into action. [Sean Voskuhl / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Moore police name man killed in shootout with OKC police after deaths [The Oklahoman]
- From permits to funding, Tulsa business owners tell state leaders they want solutions [Tulsa Flyer]
- Tulsa River Parks enhancing security camera system at Turkey Mountain [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“Some will say, ‘I don’t have any dependents. I’m 31 years old. I’m in perfectly good health. I’m not going to have any insurance. People are going to make those decisions if they feel like they can dodge the bullet and not have a car wreck or skiing accident where they have $100,000 repair of a leg after post surgical care and everything else.”
-Mike Rhoads, Oklahoma’s deputy insurance commissioner, speaking about the coming rise in health insurance premiums. He encouraged policyholders hit with premium increases to check with other providers or ask about lower-priced policies, including short-term ones. [Tulsa World]
Number of the Day
6 million
The number of adults in the Medicaid expansion group the Congressional Budget Office estimates will lose coverage under new work reporting requirements and more frequent renewals. The CBO also projects that as many as 1.5 million children could lose coverage due to administrative errors or confusion, even though parents of children under 14 are supposed to be exempt. [Congressional Budget Office]
Policy Note
Are States Ready to Implement HR 1 and Medicaid Work Reporting Requirements?: States are being required by law under HR 1 to introduce work reporting, more frequent renewals, cost-sharing, and stricter eligibility rules for adult Medicaid expansion populations, adding heavy administrative burdens just months after pandemic-era continuous coverage protections ended. Many state systems show red flags — such as slow application processing, long wait times on help lines, low rates of automatic renewals, and high renewal disenrollments — suggesting that widespread coverage losses are likely unless states dramatically improve eligibility operations. Children are likely to lose coverage indirectly through family coverage breakdowns, even if not directly targeted, and marketplace disruptions coupled with diminished subsidies add further risk to access. Without careful planning, technology upgrades, clearer guidance, and stronger outreach, the implementation risks exacerbating inequities and denying eligible people health coverage. [Georgetown Center for Children and Families]
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