OKPOLICY.ORG
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
Policy Matters: Let’s build upon justice system reforms, not roll them back: Our criminal justice system should foster a society where laws are upheld, rights are protected, and individuals are given opportunities for reformation and reintegration into the community. When this system falls short, laws are selectively enforced, communities are unfairly targeted, and folks who encounter the justice system are far more likely to become ensnared in generational trauma. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
Statement: All children have the fundamental right to an education: During Wednesday morning’s State Board of Education meeting, the state superintendent announced that the Oklahoma Department of Education would be issuing guidance to school districts to identify costs and resources associated with educating undocumented immigrant children. OK Policy wants to ensure that Oklahomans understand the historical context — see Plyler v Doe (1982) — about the right of every child in this country to receive a free, public education. [ Shiloh Kantz / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Education officials plan to probe impact of undocumented immigration on Oklahoma public schools: The State Department of Education will roll out guidelines that require school districts to provide the agency with information about how many undocumented immigrants they serve, Oklahoma’s top public school official announced Wednesday. [Oklahoma Voice]
- From OK Policy: Statement: All children have the fundamental right to an education
- State Superintendent Ryan Walters asks districts to calculate immigrant education costs [Tulsa World]
- Ryan Walters calls for study into impact of undocumented immigration on Oklahoma schools [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma school districts tasked with response to undocumented immigration [News9]
State Government News
Todd Hiett remains on Oklahoma Corporation Commission as calls grow for his removal: Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony is calling for fellow Commissioner Todd Hiett to resign. The state’s House Democrats are asking Gov. Kevin Stitt to call a special session to impeach Hiett. But it was generally business as usual at Wednesday’s Corporation Commission meeting. [KOSU]
- Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett to face independent investigation [The Oklahoman]
- Groping allegations against commissioner in spotlight during state agency meeting [Tulsa World]
- First Watch: Stuff You Should Know [Oklahoma Watch]
Federal Government News
Oklahoma won’t have to enact new Title IX LGBTQ+ protections for now: Oklahoma won’t be required to expand protections for LGBTQ+ people in schools while waiting for a federal court to weigh in on new Title IX rules. [KOSU]
- Oklahoma AG Drummond applauds federal court ruling against Title IX changes [The Oklahoman]
- Judge blocks new federal rule that prohibits gender-identity based discrimination [Tulsa World]
- Title IX rule protecting LGBTQ kids blocked in Oklahoma and four other southern states [Oklahoma Voice]
U.S. Geological Survey assigns blame for seismic activity: Oklahoma experienced a dramatic spike in the number of earthquakes in the early 2010s that researchers linked to wastewater from oil and gas extraction that was being injected deep into the ground, activating ancient faults deep within the earth’s crust. [The Journal Record]
Tribal Nations News
Oklahoma wildlife officials push back on tribal hunting, fishing license compact: Historic confusion was again amplified after five Oklahoma tribes announced a cooperative agreement on July 12 to honor each other’s tribal hunting and fishing licenses on each of their respective tribal lands. Last week, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation fired back with its own statement that the state’s Title 29 laws still apply to everyone. [KOSU]
- Oklahoma Wildlife Department hits back on tribal hunting, fishing license compact [The Oklahoman]
4 Oklahoma tribes receive federal funding for housing needs: The Iowa Tribe, Kickapoo Tribe, Wyandotte Nation and the Wichita & Affiliated Tribes will all receive a portion of more than $11 million provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
5:30 p.m. tonight: Tulsa mayor forum and City Council candidate event at TU: The University of Tulsa, the Tulsa World, the Tulsa Press Club and the Tulsa Voter Coalition will sponsor a free public forum Thursday to help voters become informed before the Aug. 27 municipal election. [Tulsa World]
Health News
How one rural hospital hopes to be an oasis in Oklahoma’s maternity care desert: The farther a woman has to travel to receive maternity care, the greater risk they have of maternal morbidity and adverse infant outcomes. Most counties in and near Oklahoma’s panhandle are maternity care deserts, which are predominantly rural areas without birthing facilities and providers. Oklahomans’ median driving time in areas without delivery services is 38 minutes. [KGOU]
Criminal Justice News
Tulsa County juvenile detention center’s probation extended 60 days: The Office of Juvenile Affairs on Wednesday extended the Tulsa County juvenile detention center’s probationary status for 60 days, county officials said. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: State must step in to fix Tulsa County’s bungling of the Juvenile Bureau fiasco: Tulsa County residents should be outraged at how county officials have managed the Juvenile Detention Center, also called the Family Center for Juvenile Justice or FCJJ. For the past 90 days, a shocking stream of revelations about mistreatment of children at the facility have emerged, only to be met by those in charge with silence, denial and half-measures. [Colleen McCarty / Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
State’s annual tax-free weekend starts tomorrow: Online and in-person shoppers can save a little money this weekend during the state’s annual tax-free period for clothing and other items under $100. From 12:01 a.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, shoppers in Oklahoma do not have to pay sales taxes on certain items. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: During 2028 Olympics, Oklahomans should send world a message that they care for the environment: Since Oklahoma City was selected as the host site for softball and canoe slalom during the 2028 Olympics, I’ve wondered how we could share the best of us – known as the Oklahoma Standard – with an international audience. [John Thompson / Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
Delay in federal funding notices under Walters’ administration prompts second dust-up this summer: Bixby’s superintendent has drawn the ire of State Superintendent Ryan Walters for going public about a significant delay in notices to schools about their federal funding allocations. [Tulsa World]
Lawmakers prevented from attending State Board of Education’s executive session: Several lawmakers were denied access Wednesday to a State Board of Education executive session, despite an advisory email from Attorney General Gentner Drummond affirming their right to sit in on such closed sessions. [Tulsa World]
- Despite support from AG, legislators once again barred from board executive session [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Board of Education stalls on decision to allow lawmakers in executive sessions [Fox25]
- Did Oklahoma’s State Board of Education violate the state’s Open Meeting Act? [KOSU]
OSBE takes steps toward revoking Ardmore teacher’s license after Trump assassination post: The Oklahoma State Board of Education referred the application to revoke an Ardmore City Schools teacher’s teaching certificate to a hearing officer after the educator commented on a Facebook post about the assassination attempt of former U.S. President Donald Trump. [The Oklahoman]
Preliminary scores indicate Tulsa Public Schools has met state testing demand: Preliminary results indicate that Tulsa Public Schools’ scores on the Oklahoma State Testing Program met one of the demands placed on the district to keep its accreditation. [Tulsa World]
Ryan Walters admonishes ‘rogue administrators’ pushing back on Bible mandate: State Superintendent Ryan Walters threatened to hold school districts accountable Wednesday morning for not abiding by his Bible mandate but provided no specifics as to what that will look like. [Tulsa World]
‘Stop this madness:’ Protestors want more unity on education, but struggle for common ground: Standing in the shade of the Oliver Hodge Building at the state Capitol complex, a crowd of about 50 people raised signs and protested throughout the duration of the meeting. [The Oklahoman]
Students continue to connect, adapt with OU’s changes regarding Gov. Kevin Stitt’s executive order: The impact of this recent state policy was distressing, according to Wesley Russell, vice president of the OU LGBTQ+ Student Association, yet many opportunities remain for students to connect in the new academic year. [OU Daily]
Opinion: Remember the board members enabling State Superintendent Ryan Walters: State Superintendent Ryan Walters sucks the air of the state, but he does so with helpers. Don’t forget there are Oklahomans serving on state education boards willingly breaking the law with him. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Community News
How New Mexico made child care free for most families: In August 2021, New Mexico dramatically expanded its child-care subsidy program to include families earning up to 400% of the poverty line, making roughly half of the state’s children eligible. Approximately 70% more New Mexico families are now eligible for free child care, according to the Urban Institute. [High Country News]
Local Headlines
- Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame announces $2.4 million renovation project [KOSU]
- Owasso Public Schools staff honors 17 businesses, organizations for supportive efforts [Tulsa World]
- Norman City Council discusses ACCESS Oklahoma turnpike project, councilmember’s proposed resolution [KGOU]
- Looking back: What OU leaders, city officials, community say on proposed entertainment district, arena [OU Daily]
- On the cusp for 50 years: Why isn’t Capitol Hill one of OKC’s thriving historic districts? [The Oklahoman]
- Land acquisition underway to create $1 billion stadium district south of Lower Bricktown [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“Our state will be better served when our elected officials bring laser-like focus on ensuring a high-quality public education for all children rather than seeking their own political gain through divisive rhetoric that weakens the fabric holding our communities together.”
-OK Policy statement about the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s announcement that they would examine costs and impacts associated with educating undocumented children in public schools. [OK Policy]
Number of the Day
16%
In 2022, 650,000 Oklahoma residents, or 1 in 6 of the state’s population, participated in the SNAP food security program that provides assistance to low-income individuals and families. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
Policy Note
SNAP Helps Millions of Workers in Low-Paying Jobs: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) provides millions of workers with income to help feed their families. Roughly 15.7 million workers, or about 10 percent of all workers, are in households where someone participated in SNAP in the last year, CBPP analysis of data from the 2022 American Community Survey finds. In several occupations — including home health and personal care aides, school bus monitors, agricultural graders and sorters, and maids and housekeeping cleaners — more than 1 in 5 workers participate in SNAP.[Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
