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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
Policy Matters: More leaders should quash election conspiracies: It might sound corny, but every vote I cast serves as an expression of my beliefs. It also affirms my belief in our American way of life. That’s why I was saddened to hear that some Oklahomans say their vote won’t matter because they say they’ve heard — without evidence — that elections are “rigged.” We need to stop this cancerous notion from spreading further. [Journal Record]
Oklahoma News
- Oklahoma opting out of 2025 federal school summer feeding program [KOCO]
- Statement: Hunger Free Oklahoma responds to Governor Stitt’s office’s statement on decision to opt out of Summer EBT for the second year in a row. [Hunger Free Oklahoma]
State Government News
Oklahoma lawmaker’s new book calls voters to defend the state’s ballot initiative process: Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, says the ballot initiative process codified in the state constitution is under attack by the Republican supermajority in the legislature. So he spent the last 9 months writing a book that calls Oklahomans to action in its defense. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
Oklahoma seeks Supreme Court order to unblock federal family planning money: Oklahoma is seeking an order from the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the Biden Administration from denying the federal family planning money it lost last year. The state’s Title X funding went to different entities after it refused to meet one of the grant’s requirements to provide counseling to pregnant people on all options, including abortion if a patient requests it. [KGOU]
Tribal Nations News
Gilcrease Museum repatriates Cherokee Advocate printing press to tribe: Lost to the Cherokee Nation for 100 years, a printing press used at the turn of the century to publish a tribal newspaper in the Cherokee language has been returned. [Cherokee Phoenix]
91-year-old Fort Sill Indian School relic recovered from creek near Lawton: More than 60 years after the Fort Sill Indian School’s sign disappeared, one organization is trying to restore it and return it back to the empty campus. [KGOU]
Voting and Election News
SD 33 runoff: Christi Gillespie, Shelley Gwartney seek open Broken Arrow seat: Businesswoman and Broken Arrow Vice Mayor Christi Gillespie, 55, and actor and businesswoman Shelley Gwartney, 38, both advanced June 18 from a field of four GOP candidates to the Aug. 27 runoff. Gillespie received 2,081 votes (44.3 percent), and Gwartney received 1,174 votes (24.99 percent). [NonDoc]
Meet the Tulsa mayor candidates: Why they are running and opinions on city’s biggest issues: Read why the mayor candidates are running in the election and see their answers to the Tulsa World’s mayor questionnaire. [Tulsa World]
This oil tycoon brings in millions for Trump, and may set his agenda: After Donald Trump asked the oil industry to contribute $1 billion to his presidential campaign in April, oil baron Harold Hamm immediately started working the phones. Hamm, the billionaire founder of Continental Resources, called other oil executives and encouraged them to attend fundraisers and open their wallets, according to people with knowledge of the outreach. [Washington Post]
Editorial: Get behind proposed Oklahoma primary change to a united ballot with party labels: Efforts to end Oklahoma’s exclusionary primary elections are underway, and voters ought to get behind the effort. It would allow all voters regardless of party affiliation a say in their representatives. It would improve choices on the ballot and inspire better voter participation. [Editorial Staff / Tulsa World]
Education News
GOP dissent to Walters grows, but House investigation appears unlikely: The number of House Republicans asking for an investigation into state Superintendent Ryan Walters is climbing, but the lawmaker leading the effort expressed uncertainty that he could meet the 51 signatures necessary for the chamber’s leader to consider the inquiry. [Oklahoma Voice]
- State Superintendent Ryan Walters addresses lawmaker criticism as school year begins [FOX25]
- Oklahoma Democrats say possible investigation in State Superintendent Ryan Walters is overdue [KOCO5]
Commissioners of the Land Office distributing a record $145.1 million to Oklahoma schools: The Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) is distributing a record-breaking $145.1 million to K-12 schools and 13 higher education beneficiaries in the Fiscal Year 2024. It’s a 12% increase from the previous year when the CLO distributed $129.4 million. [FOX25]
What books have been banned or challenged in Oklahoma? It’s complicated.: According to PEN American’s Index of School Book Bans, these books have been banned or have been proposed to be banned over the years at various Oklahoma public schools. [The Oklahoman]
Health News
Oklahoma students are headed back to school. An OSU psychiatrist has tips for supporting them: This week, students across Oklahoma are shouldering their backpacks and a lot of new responsibilities for the start of a new school year. Oklahoma State University child psychiatrist Sara Coffey shares her recommendations for parents during this yearly transition. [KOSU]
Criminal Justice News
City Approves $7 Million Settlement for Exonerated Former Death Row Inmate: Edmond, Okla., agreed to the payment to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Glynn Simmons, 71, who spent 48 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. He now drives a food truck called FreeMan’s Food Truck, according to his lawyer. [New York Times]
Lawsuit Challenging Oklahoma’s Teen Parole Policies Inches Closer to Trial: In the sweeping federal lawsuit, which is on pace to go to trial in the coming months, Dwain Thomas argues that Oklahoma’s parole process for juvenile homicide offenders is unconstitutional and must be overhauled. [Oklahoma Watch]
Interim study will examine Oklahoma laws that criminalize spreading STIs, HIV: State Sens. Julia Kirt and Carri Hicks, both Democrats representing Oklahoma City, are co-sponsors of the study with the goal of educating and correcting misinformation on sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV. The study could also lead to renewed legislation to repeal several laws that criminalize intentionally spreading transmitted diseases. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma police, citizens hope Washington, D.C. trip can help foster communication at home: For five days in July, a group of Oklahoma residents and police officers discussed the often tense relationship between Black communities and law enforcement. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
City code, lack of housing variety punctuate Tulsa’s home shortage: Only 20 percent of city land allows multi-unit housing, like apartments. City records show builders have consistently built less and less of this kind of housing over the last four years. Daniel Jeffries, a city planner who gave a presentation to city councilors in July, said the restrictions fuel an increase in home prices since more types of homes would mean greater price variation. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Catholic Charities unveils latest OKC affordable housing project: Caritas Casitas: A local faith-based nonprofit is finalizing its installation of new affordable housing units in Oklahoma City’s Stockyards neighborhood. Every “Casita” unit includes 375 square feet of living space, as well as a bathroom; a full kitchen with a refrigerator, stove and dishwasher; a washer and dryer; and heating and air conditioning. [The Oklahoman]
Prominent upscale apartments in downtown OKC face lawsuit alleging toxic mold infestation: A resident of The Edge at Midtown, an upscale OKC apartment complex, has sued the corporate owner, claiming her apartment was contaminated with dangerous mold that made her seriously ill, and the landlord did nothing about it. [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa asks zoning board to OK residential care center site for the homeless near Mohawk Park: The city’s proposal to operate a residential care center for homeless people near Mohawk Park Golf Course is scheduled to go before the city’s Board of Adjustment on Sept. 10. [Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma aerospace program nets $1.9 billion in new investments since 2018 launch: report: A small state-run aerospace program is helping drive companies to Oklahoma “fast and furiously,” the program’s director said. The state’s Aerospace Commerce Economic Services Program, or ACES, has helped secure 54 projects generating $1.9 billion in new investments since its launch in 2018, according to 2023 state analysis. [Oklahoma Voice]
New Partner Tulsa CEO wants city to be ‘a shining example’ to the world: Garry Clark starts his new job on Thursday. Here are a few things to know about the CEO of Partner Tulsa, the city’s economic development arm: He’s personable, passionate about his work and profoundly grateful to be in Tulsa. [Tulsa World]
Community News
Tulsa to spend $1 million in honor of Emmett Till: Here’s where the money is going: Tulsa is looking to use more than $1 million from the federal government earmarked for solving racially motivated cold cases. The city says it’s putting the funds toward education. Tulsa was awarded the money through the U.S Department of Justice’s Emmett Till Cold Case program. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Local Headlines
- Collinsville earns ‘coveted’ Oklahoma film-friendly certification [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“The data shows that running this program benefits Oklahoma children, families, and the economy. Refusing this program fails to bring tens of millions of our own tax dollars back to the state. Governor Stitt’s office’s statement puts political ideology over the wellbeing of 400,000 Oklahoma food-insecure children.”
– Chris Bernard, President/CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma, wrote in a letter responding to Gov. Stitt’s decision to opt out of Summer EBT for the second year in a row. [Hunger Free]
Number of the Day
59
Number of suspected voting crimes reported by Oklahoma election officials to their local district attorney’s office during the 2020 presidential election, according to an investigation from the League of Women Voters Oklahoma. More than 1.5 million votes were cast during that election. Only one of the 59 referrals resulted in criminal charges, while in all other instances prosecutors declined to file charges, usually determining there was ‘no criminal intent’ on the part of the voter. [Governor’s Task Force on Campaign Finance and Election Threats]
Policy Note
Who Voters Trust for Election Information in 2024: The confidence gap between local and national counting is an opportunity for voter education about how the counting and certification process works at all levels of our election system. While election officials may be doing a good job building confidence in their community, this gap shows the need for national and state media outlets, candidates, and political elites to help voters understand the robust processes and security measures that are present in every state. [Bipartisan Policy Center]
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