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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: Does Oklahoma truly honor the value of labor?: Oklahoma’s state motto — “Labor omnia vincit,” or work conquers all — suggests a deep respect for hard work. Yet, a closer look makes it clear that many state policies, and the actions of some elected officials, don’t align with this ideal. This disconnect is especially harmful for our friends and neighbors working in low-wage jobs. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
Oklahoma News
Gov. Stitt, Speaker McCall express concerns about competency restoration lawsuit settlement: Gov. Kevin Stitt and House Speaker Charles McCall did not take action Wednesday on the possible settlement of a lawsuit on the issue of court-ordered competency restoration, but will instead send a letter to a judge outlining their concerns. [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma Governor, mental health agency leader voice concern for AG’s lawsuit settlement proposal [KOSU]
- Oklahoma mental health class action lawsuit settlement faces pushback [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma’s top elected officials at odds over federal lawsuit [KOCO5]
State Government News
State Walks Away from Tens of Millions Meant for Needy Families: Oklahoma’s federal lawsuit over family planning grants and Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt’s decision not to participate in a summer food program for a second year are just the latest examples in the state’s love-hate relationship with federal money. [Oklahoma Watch]
State audit criticizes former Oklahoma district attorney and secretive deals: A former district attorney used secretive deals to make more than $160,000 for his office before quitting in 2022 after being accused of misconduct, a state audit found. [The Oklahoman]
Director of Oklahoma’s juvenile affairs office leaves to lead Human Services department: An executive at Oklahoma’s juvenile affairs agency will now lead the Oklahoma Human Services department. Jeffrey Cartmell was appointed as the next executive director of the human services department Wednesday by Gov. Kevin Stitt. He’s served as executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs since his appointment in October 2023. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma State Capitol Welcomes Leadership Changes As New Session Approaches In 2025: While all eyes right now are on the presidential race, local state politics are about to see a big change. For the first time in eight years, Oklahoma will have new Senate and House leadership at the same time. Current House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate Leader Greg Treat are term-limited, meaning new faces and new ideas. [NEWS9]
House Speaker Charles McCall aide to head state agency: An aide to term-limited Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall was designated Wednesday by Gov. Kevin Stitt as the next executive director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. [Tulsa World]
- Senior adviser in Oklahoma House tapped to lead OMES [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma is the latest state to cut grocery taxes, but who does this really benefit?: Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects at the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan non-profit, says that while grocery taxes are a popular policy and do provide relief, they typically benefit higher-income earners since those who purchase groceries on SNAP and other subsidized benefits are tax-exempt. He says while Oklahoma’s grocery tax elimination will save taxpayers around $370 million, there is still the fine print.[23abc]
- From OK Policy: Fact Check: Will Oklahoma families save $800 a year from eliminating the state portion of the grocery sales tax?
Editorial: Parental choice voucher scheme another boondoggle of oversight: As predicted, the school voucher scheme that the Legislature approved last year has no quality controls and inspired private schools to raise tuition. The poorly conceived Parental Choice Tax Credit program offers up to $3,750 per student ($7,500 cap for a family) with no limit on household income. It ramps up to take $250 million from state revenue by 2026. [Editorial / Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: Vouchers: Another Wrong Turn for Oklahoma Schools
Federal Government News
Oklahoma GOP lawmaker asks Biden official to investigate state’s education agency: A Republican state lawmaker who’s been his party’s primary budget watchdog over financial issues at the Oklahoma State Department of Education has asked Democratic U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to launch a federal investigation into the state agency’s management of federal programs and use of funds. [The Oklahoman]
- Rep. Mark McBride Requests Federal Investigation Into OSDE’s Handling Of Funds [NEWS9]
Panelists call on Biden-Harris administration for ‘justice’ for survivors of Tulsa Race Massacre: Stories of injustice were kept alive at an event during the Democratic National Convention last week. A panel discussed the intersection of goals for victims of racial violence. The panel took place during the Democratic National Convention. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Where the votes came from and who got them in the Tulsa mayor election: If it came down to who won the most precincts in Tuesday’s Tulsa mayoral election, the runoff would feature a different matchup than who will face off in November. [Tulsa World]
Election losses by high-ranking Republicans are reshaping Oklahoma’s Legislature: For the second time in as many months, a high-powered Republican member of the Oklahoma Legislature crashed and burned on election night, an indication that infighting among the GOP is increasing and the party’s far right-wing is now a major voice in state elections. [The Oklahoman]
Editorial: What will it take to get Tulsans to vote?: Among the details of Tuesday’s municipal elections, one fact stands out: The vast majority of Tulsans don’t vote. Three-fourths of residents opted out of choosing their mayor and city councilor. [Editorial / Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: The 2022 Midterms reveal our democracy is still inaccessible to many Oklahoma voters
Education News
Oklahoma students are missing class and failing in reading. What’s happening?: Oklahoma’s education system, chronically ranked among the lowest-performing in the nation, is failing at even getting kids to come to school. The state’s schools received an “F” grade in chronic absenteeism on the most recent Oklahoma State Report Card issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. [The Oklahoman]
Hoax mailer about Bible mandate received by school leaders across the state: Public school leaders across Oklahoma have received a mysterious, large piece of mail purporting to be a companion text from the Antichrist for State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ recent Bible instruction mandate. [Tulsa World]
Does LOFT chairman’s election loss affect State Department of Education investigation?: The loss on Tuesday of incumbent state Rep. Kevin Wallace in a runoff election isn’t expected to have an impact on an investigation of the Oklahoma State Department of Education. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Teachers at a disadvantage when asked to improve test scores: Like the coach, teachers can argue that these tests don’t capture the whole picture — that students’ abilities and growth can’t be distilled into a single number. Yet the expectation remains: Every student must perform at a high level, regardless of their starting point or individual challenges. [Rob Miller / Tulsa World]
Health News
$8M boost for MIECHV program to enhance maternal health services: President Biden has signed bipartisan legislation doubling federal funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program over the next five years, marking the first significant expansion in a decade. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced nearly $8 million in new funding to expand home visiting services in Oklahoma. [The Journal Record]
Criminal Justice News
Dog groomer convicted after beating, hanging golden doodle: A man has been found guilty of animal cruelty after he was accused of beating a dog that died in his care at a south Tulsa pet grooming business late last summer. [Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
OKC homelessness rises 28% despite growing housing efforts: The Key to Home Partnership program has closed 18 encampments in Oklahoma City and housed 233 inhabitants since September. Even so, on Jan. 25 the city’s annual Point in Time survey showed the number of people living outdoors or in shelters grew by 28% from 2023. [The Journal Record]
Opinion: Women paved way for workers’ rights: As we celebrate Labor Day this year, it is an opportune time to remember the women who have helped pave the way in advocating for the workforce in our state and country. [Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn / Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Help wanted: Oklahoma works to lower barriers to long-term care careers: Recruiting long-term care CNAs can be challenging, and fighting consistent turnover is costly. But groups in Oklahoma are finding ways to invest in workers’ futures. [KGOU]
Community News
How a local couple supports grandparents raising grandchildren through Nana’s Closet: Six years ago, an Oklahoma City woman had no idea that she would become honorary grandmother to hundreds of children. In many ways, that’s what happened when Leela Baker and her husband Lamont founded Nana’s Closet in 2018. The nonprofit was so named because the couple’s granddaughter, Evelyn, calls Leela her Nana. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Groundbreaking planned for new Family Safety Center in Tulsa [Tulsa World]
- Voters approve boost in Oklahoma City’s visitor tax [The Journal Record]
- Turnpike authority to cancel frontage roads in response to Norman toll road opposition [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“You affect change by informing people, by sharing the truth and hopefully by inspiring them to continue their work. Not only to elect candidates, but to elect candidates with a specific kind of agenda that’s designed to move us forward as a country.”
– Christopher Benson, President of the Emmett and Mamie Till Mobley Institute, said during a panel discussion that called on the Biden-Harris administration to deliver justice for survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre. The panel took place during the Democratic National Convention and examined the similarities between the Emmett Till lynching and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. [KOSU]
Number of the Day
$211.82
The average, first-day cost of incarceration for someone housed in the Oklahoma County jail in 2023. The daily cost thereafter was $66.49. [The Oklahoman]
Policy Note
A $100 fine should never equal jail time: For some people, a parking ticket is a minor hassle at most. For others, through no fault of their own, a ticket can unravel their lives and livelihoods as fees quickly multiply and the stakes rise by the day. [Route Fifty]
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