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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
Increasing Oklahoma’s minimum wage creates positive impacts for all Oklahomans, especially American Indians: Oklahoma has one of the nation’s highest poverty rates, with nearly 1 in 6 residents living in poverty. The state’s minimum wage is a contributing factor to our long-standing poverty. Wage compensation has significant consequences for Oklahoma and especially rural Oklahomans of color. American Indian, Latino, and Black Oklahomans experience poverty rates higher than both Oklahomans on the whole or their white peers. [Vivian Morris / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Corporation Commission advances ‘huge’ PSO, OG&E rate increases: Despite an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision looming on whether Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett may vote on cases involving companies with direct knowledge of his alleged misconduct, he took part in actions Tuesday that allowed large rate increases to proceed for the state’s two biggest electric utilities. [NonDoc]
State Government News
Cherokee Nation and Oklahoma governor come to agreement on tribal tag compact: The tentative compact needs the approval of the Council of the Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Legislature’s Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations. Both sides said that approval is expected by the end of the year. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Cherokee Nation, state of Oklahoma tentatively agree to motor vehicle compact following months of negotiations [Cherokee Phoenix]
- Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma come to tentative agreement over car tag compacts [KOSU]
- Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma work out car tag compact after long dispute [The Oklahoman]
- Cherokee Nation agrees to pay state $2 million in outstanding tolls as part of new compact [Tulsa World]
Bixby superintendent’s defamation lawsuit against Oklahoma schools chief moves forward: A court hearing to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a Green Country superintendent against Oklahoma schools chief Ryan Walters went forward Tuesday. Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller filed suit against Walters in August, alleging the head of Oklahoma’s public education system “uttered malicious, slanderous and defamatory statements” against him at a July 31 press conference. [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Ryan Walters’ attorneys ask Oklahoma court to throw out libel case against him [The Oklahoman]
- Superintendent Ryan Walters’ attorneys push for dismissal of defamation lawsuit [Tulsa World]
‘Very unusual’: Spurlock suggests OSBI Commission reform, spurs special meeting: Following a trio of new gubernatorial appointments with connections to Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton, the commission overseeing the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has scheduled a special meeting in January to discuss director Aungela Spurlock’s “performance” after she recommended that the Legislature consider restructuring her governing body. [NonDoc]
Oklahoma age registration for porn sites goes into effect: A law requiring age verification for pornographic websites is now in effect in Oklahoma, prompting the most-visited adult site in the world to restrict access to it via Oklahoma-based Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. [The Journal Record]
Opinion: Unity calls try to gloss over uncomfortable reality. Oklahoma continues to harm its marginalized: Critics of “cancel culture” and the so-called “radical left” argue that our divisions are tearing us apart and that we need to find common ground. But these appeals gloss over an uncomfortable truth — our disagreements are not abstract. They are not just about tax policies or infrastructure spending. They are about people’s lives. [Kati Malicoate / Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
Renewed focus on immigration policy in Oklahoma amid Trump administration’s transition: Immigration policy could once again be a top issue at the Oklahoma Capitol this upcoming legislative session. [Oklahoma Voice]
- On edge: Latino community leader is both hopeful and fearful ahead of Trump presidency [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Inclusive immigration policy is good for everyone
Under Trump, many states might pursue Medicaid work requirements: Arkansas was one of 13 states that received permission to impose work rules on at least some Medicaid recipients during the last Trump administration. Nine additional states requested permission to enact Medicaid work requirements during Trump’s term but had not won approval by the time it ended. Oklahoma has pending requests to require at least some of their Medicaid recipients to work. [Oklahoma Voice]
- From the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Most Medicaid Enrollees Work, Refuting Proposals to Condition Medicaid on Unnecessary Work Requirements
Tribal Nations News
From museums to art galleries, 20 places to explore Native American heritage across Oklahoma: With 39 Native nations headquartered across the state, though, Oklahoma is home to numerous cultural centers, museums and historic sites where people can learn about the art, languages and lifeways of the tribes all year long. [The Oklahoman]
- NOTE: The Friday following Thanksgiving is Native American Heritage Day, which is Nov. 29 this year.
Opinion: Honoring Native American heritage shouldn’t be for only one month: As Oklahomans, we are fortunate to live in a state rich with opportunities to explore and celebrate Native cultures. These experiences are available year-round, offering countless ways to deepen our understanding and cultivate genuine cultural appreciation. [Blake Norton / The Oklahoman]
Voting and Election News
Editorial: Elections are for the American people, not political parties: Elections in America are for the people, not political parties, and a citizen’s petition effort would bring that principle back to Oklahoma ballots. [Editorial / Tulsa World]
Education News
Owasso Public Schools among recipients of $2.5 million from Opioid Abatement Board: Owasso Public Schools plans to use its $150,000 award to hire an additional school nurse at Ram Academy. Along with the nurse’s regular day-to-day duties, the individual in that position will lead an effort to research, organize and implement an opioid awareness curriculum. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Commingling America’s founding documents with the Bible trivializes Holy Writ: What in the world are you thinking, Ryan Walters? As Oklahoma’s state schools superintendent, you could be a thoughtful Christian influence for good. But, mandating that “Trump Bibles” be put in classrooms? And ordering that students watch a video (to be distributed to parents) of you praying for Trump! Really? Would Jesus impose himself that way? [F. LaGard Smith / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Child advocacy group pushes for improved health care access for Oklahoma youths: It has been nearly five years since Oklahomans voted to expand Medicaid, but thousands of children in the state still aren’t covered by insurance and lack access to basic health and dental care. The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy has set a goal for making 2025 a year of change. [Tulsa World]
OU students, OSMA propose legislation to expand Medicaid coverage for prostate cancer screening: A coalition of Oklahoma medical students is working with the State Medical Association (OSMA) to propose a measure that would expand coverage of prostate cancer screening under Medicaid during the next legislative session. [KGOU]
Oklahoma is short on nurses. Here’s how the state plans to train more nurses quicker: Given a nationwide shortage of nurses, Oklahoma educational leaders are working together to find new ways to train more nursing students. [The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
After prior battery plea, OKCPS teacher Kiera Smith arrested as ‘horseplay’ injures student: An Oklahoma City Public Schools educator who previously pleaded to resolve a 2018 criminal charge for grabbing a co-worker’s crotch was arrested again Tuesday after a 13-year-old student was injured during some sort of wrestling activity in a classroom. [NonDoc]
Mayor-elect Monroe Nichols names Tulsa police major as public safety commissioner: Tulsa Police Maj. Laurel Roberts will join Mayor-elect Monroe Nichols’ administration in the new position of public safety commissioner, he said Tuesday. [Tulsa World]
Pursuit in Creek County leaves two dead after trooper spins out fleeing vehicle: Two people are dead after a pursuit involving the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in Creek County. Mannford police reportedly began the pursuit about 6 p.m. Monday, according to OHP Lt. Mark Southall. [Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Evictions could spike across Oklahoma: Housing experts predict Oklahoma could see a surge in evictions over the next two months. Oklahoma already has one of the highest eviction rates in the country and the pandemic relief funds to prevent evictions has expired, which could lead to a heightened spike. [KFOR]
Key to Home initiative houses 26 people from downtown OKC encampments before winter hits: Several downtown OKC homeless encampments have been cleared, and the people once living there are now being housed thanks to the Key to Home Partnership, a collaboration of nonprofit organizations in Oklahoma who are working towards ending homelessness in OKC. [Fox 25]
Local Headlines
- New MAPS 4 animal shelter plans have finalized. When will construction begin? [The Oklahoman]
- Where is sales tax the cheapest? How OKC compares to metro-area cities on sales tax [The Oklahoman]
- ‘It can be a matter of life or death’: Norman approves new plan for shelter management [Fox 25]
Quote of the Day
“Poverty is a policy choice. When Oklahoma lawmakers keep the state’s minimum wage at its lowest possible rate, it ensures that our state’s low-wage workers will continue to struggle to make ends meet. Oklahoma can and should address it by raising the minimum wage.”
– OK Policy Tribal-State Policy Analyst Vivian Morris [OK Policy]
Number of the Day
$63.5 billion
Native American women in the United States are typically paid just 52 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. Native American women lose almost $63.5 billion to the wage gap every year. [National Partnership for Women and Families]
Policy Note
How the Government Can End Poverty for Native American Women: Policymakers have a plethora of programs and tools that, when layered to meet the unique needs of specific communities, can be truly transformational for Native women in the labor force. When equal pay measures are enacted alongside other social safety net and work support policies—such as access to health care, paid family and medical leave, quality and affordable child and elder care, and an increased minimum wage—Native women can not only gain pay equity but also build lasting economic security their families. [Center for American Progress]
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