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In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.
New from OK Policy
OK Policy announces new board leadership, interim executive director: The Oklahoma Policy Institute is excited to announce new board leadership and an interim executive director following the recent departure of former executive director Ahniwake Rose for a position at a national organization. The new leadership for the OK Policy Board of Directors includes Jeff Berrong of Weatherford, Chair; Caroline Guerra Wolf of Tulsa, Vice Chair; Beverly K. Carmichael of Tulsa, Secretary; and Rebecca Thompson of Tulsa, Treasurer. The board also recently appointed longtime OK Policy staff member Shiloh Kantz to serve as the organization’s interim executive director. [OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
On the road to turnpike expansion? Oklahoma board conditionally approves $500M in bonding: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is one step closer to clinching initial funding for its 15-year, $5 billion toll road expansion plan. The Council of Bond Oversight on Tuesday unanimously granted conditional approval for the turnpike authority to issue up to $500 million in revenue bonds to start the controversial ACCESS expansion. [The Oklahoman]
- Oversight council places conditions on OTA’s bond request [The Norman Transcript]
Tulsa schools’ violation cited in legal challenge to HB 1775: The State Board of Education’s decision to downgrade Tulsa Public Schools’ accreditation over an implicit bias training session is now being cited in a federal lawsuit challenging a state law meant to limit instruction on subjects related to race and gender. [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma teachers on notice after ‘watershed’ vote on Tulsa, Mustang HB 1775 violations [The Oklahoman]
- Emotions are high for Oklahoma teachers as school year approaches rapidly [KOCO]
- ‘A lot of teachers are just feeling beat down’: Polarizing politics driving educators away [KOKH]
- Oklahoma Schools Trying To Fill Positions During Staff Shortage [News on 6]
Study shows Oklahoma in lower ranks for child well-being, health: According to the 2022 Annie E. Case KIDS COUNT Data Book, children in Oklahoma ranked 40th in the nation for overall well-being and 42nd for health. The survey took into account children in poverty and children without health insurance, among other factors. [KOCO]
- From OK Policy: 2022 KIDS COUNT Data Book | Oklahoma 2022 KIDS COUNT Fact Sheet | Oklahoma KIDS COUNT Data Map dashboard
State Government News
State sues Florida company over management of COVID relief program for students: The state of Oklahoma has filed a lawsuit seeking to recoup money from a contractor it hired to distribute emergency federal education funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. [The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
New Military Housing Act, Which Could Benefit Bases Like Tinker AFB, Garners Bipartisan Support: The Military Housing Readiness Council Act was introduced in both the House and Senate last week and would create a council comprised of Department of Defense (DoD) officials, service members, military families and military housing experts. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Oklahoma Congresswoman Stephanie Bice, is hoping to bring more oversight and accountability to the persistent problem of unsafe and sub-standard privatized military base housing. [News 9]
Oklahoma Republican lawmakers criticize Trump FBI search, get social media pushback: Some members of Oklahoma’s all-Republican congressional delegation took to social media on Tuesday to criticize the FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s home in Florida, with their comments receiving divergent reactions. [The Oklahoman] | [Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
First Native woman in space: NASA Astronaut Nicole Aunapu Mann will be traveling to the International Space Station and, if chosen, is on route to potentially being the first woman on the moon. Mann, enrolled in Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes in northern California, will be aboard the SpaceX Crew-5 mission to go to the International Space Station no earlier than Sept. 29. [Indian Country Today]
Voting and Election News
April Grace, Ryan Walters offer contrasting concerns in runoff debate: In Tuesday’s televised Republican runoff debate for state superintendent of public instruction, Secretary of Education Ryan Walters and Shawnee Public Schools Superintendent April Grace sparred only a few times, but they crafted different messages for voters regarding a “culture war,” school funding and school choice. [NonDoc]
- WATCH: Ryan Walters, April Grace debating ahead of runoff for state superintendent [KTUL]
- Ryan Walters accuses April Grace of lying during state superintendent debate [KOKH]
Stitt-backed police officer faces businesswoman in House District 36: In the Republican runoff for the newly-created House District 36 in eastern Oklahoma County, a local business woman faces a former Fraternal Order of Police president who just received an endorsement from Gov. Kevin Stitt. [NonDoc]
Health News
Editorial: Lawmakers are violating the law that mandates funds to county mental health programs: Lawmakers are either willfully violating the law that requires them to send money to counties for mental health programs, or they are ignorant of it. Regardless, state leaders have been ignoring the funding mandates of State Questions 780 and 781, both passed by Oklahomans in 2016. [Editorial / Tulsa World]
Domestic violence in Oklahoma continues to rise; one program looks to help: Domestic violence in Oklahoma continues to rise but one program is looking to help. Over the weekend, a father took the lives of his three children before taking his own life. KOCO 5 learned more about a program for women who may be seeking help from an abusive partner. [KOCO]
Column: Why 988 is such a significant first step forward: For years, mental health advocates have pushed for a three-digit number for mental health, substance use and suicide crises. That vision came into reality this past July with the launch of 988, a new three-digit number for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline replaced the previous Lifeline’s 10-digit number and expanded the capacity to answer urgent calls and connect people experiencing mental health emergencies to mental health professionals. [Daniel X. Pham Guest Column / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma attorney general won’t support death row inmate’s request for new hearing: Oklahoma’s attorney general has denied a request from more than one-third of the state’s lawmakers to support a new hearing for a death row inmate who claims he is innocent. [The Oklahoman] O’Connor said in a statement it will be up to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to make any decisions. [KJRH]
Editorial: Lawmakers are violating the law that mandates funds to county mental health programs: Lawmakers are either willfully violating the law that requires them to send money to counties for mental health programs, or they are ignorant of it. Regardless, state leaders have been ignoring the funding mandates of State Questions 780 and 781, both passed by Oklahomans in 2016. Those are the key portion of the criminal justice reforms that help prevent incarceration and recidivism. [Editorial / Tulsa World]
Economic Opportunity
Community Cares Partners rental assistance to end; other options exist: In 2021, more than $100 million in rental and utility assistance was granted to Oklahomans in need and more than 26,000 households were helped by Community Cares Partners. That program is coming to an end this month, said Shannon Carr, director of communications for Community Cares Partners. [The Journal Record]
South Korea enlists Oklahoma company in transition to carbon neutrality: South Korea, with plans to transition to “carbon neutrality” by 2050, has enlisted a Tulsa-based company to provide advanced capacities for hydrogen storage and transport. [The Journal Record]
Economy & Business News
Devon Energy to buy Eagle Ford basin operator Validus for $1.8 billion: Shale producer Devon Energy (DVN.N) said on Tuesday it will buy Validus Energy, an Eagle Ford basin operator, for $1.8 billion in cash. The deal with Validus would allow Devon to secure 42,000 net acres adjacent to its existing leasehold in the basin. [Rueters]
Education News
Epic reps say virtual charter school now in full compliance: Representatives for Epic, which has been mired in controversy over alleged misuse of state funds by its founders, issued a news release Tuesday, announcing that the charter school reached full compliance. [KFOR] The news comes less than a month after the Department of Education placed them on probation. [News on 6]
- Sponsoring board releases Epic Charter School from termination proceedings after nearly 2 years [Tulsa World]
Free School Meal Program Ends: Oklahoma public schools will no longer be serving free breakfast and lunch to all students. Instead, parents will have to pay or fill out a form to see if they qualify for free or reduced meals. The nationwide program that funded Oklahoma’s free meals for students was a COVID-19 protocol which Congress decided not to renew. [KSWO]
General News
Oklahoma Complete Health donates formula to Infant Crisis Center to address supply shortages across Oklahoma: Oklahoma Complete Health announced this week it has donated critically needed infant formula to Infant Crisis Services. The formula will be distributed to underserved communities and help alleviate ongoing supply shortages. To date, over 100 cannisters of formula have been delivered providing approximately 2,100 meals for newborns and babies. [The Duncan Banner]
Pipeline leaks thousands of gallons of crude oil into a creek in north central Oklahoma: An underground pipeline has leaked at least 42,000 gallons of crude oil into a creek in Payne County since it ruptured on July 8. The Environmental Protection Agency is overseeing the clean-up of Skull Creek northeast of Cushing in north central Oklahoma. The creek feeds into the Cimarron River, whose aquifer provides water for agriculture and irrigation. [KOSU]
Oklahoma Local News
- Ozone Alert issued for Tulsa [Tulsa World]
- Edmond City Council discusses ARPA funds, pro tennis tournament coming to city [NonDoc]
Quote of the Day
“That first part — changing the classifications — was done. But not one dime has been given to county-level mental health programs. To effectively and safely lower the prison population, offenders need resources that can help them change their lives.”
-Tulsa World editorial about lawmakers not following through with community-level funding for treatment and counseling as part of SQ 780 and SQ 781 justice reform measures approved by voters in 2016. [Editorial / Tulsa World]
From OK Policy: Voters still waiting for SQ 781’s investments in mental health, substance use disorders | Policy Matters: Oklahomans deserve overdue investments in well-being
Number of the Day
14%
Percentage of Oklahoma households with children that sometimes or often did not have enough food to eat in the past week (June 29-July 11, 2022) [KIDS COUNT]
Policy Note
Investing in Families Prevents Child Welfare Involvement: To truly take an anti-racist approach to prevention, child welfare and safety net policies must address the organizational structures and injustices contributing to and perpetuating underlying economic and concrete needs of children and families. This brief highlights policies that can make a significant impact for children and families when implemented as part of a multi-pronged approach to supporting the needs of children and families outside of child welfare. [Center for the Study of Social Policy]
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