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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.
Oklahoma News
COVID-19 still a risk for Oklahomans, with increase possible as kids return to school: The number of infections could start to increase again now that school is back in session. The average for new cases across the state has declined in two consecutive weekly reports from the Oklahoma State Department of Health. [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa students head back to school with superintendent, others covering classrooms [Tulsa World]
Column: Oklahoma leaders need to focus resources on known, real problems facing our state: The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy’s 6th Annual Heroes Ball showcased some of those accomplishments to support Oklahoma children. While the evening was a great success, the reality is events can’t mask the utter lack of investment our state has made in our future workforce. The most recent report to showcase this unwillingness to seriously invest in our children places Oklahoma at 43rd nationally in health outcomes for a children, a far cry from the best at No. 1. [Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: Improving future for Oklahoma children will require long-term investments today [Gabrielle Jacobi / OK Policy]
State Government News
Education must ‘get with’ business, Gov. Kevin Stitt says during Chamber event in Tulsa: Tax cuts and education reform were among the items on the menu for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s annual State of the State luncheon with the Tulsa Regional Chamber at the Cox Business Convention Center on Thursday. Responding to questions prepared by the chamber, Stitt steered clear of controversy and left quickly after speaking, although he did pause for a couple of questions from reporters. [Tulsa World]
State of Oklahoma backs Tulsa on McGirt-related traffic ticket appeal: The state of Oklahoma is backing the city of Tulsa in a court appeal regarding the city’s right to issue traffic tickets to tribal members. A friend of the court brief filed Wednesday by the state Attorney General’s Office in the case cites a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling as evidence backing its claim. [Tulsa World]
Veterans group investigating Oklahoma chapter after lawsuit against Stitt appointee: A national veterans group is investigating its Oklahoma chapter after the local group filed a lawsuit against one of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s appointees on the state Veterans Commission. [The Oklahoman]
‘Enough is enough.’ It’s time for a moratorium on all utility rate hikes: Over the last 12 months, Oklahoma Corporation Commission members have been asked nine separate times to approve rate hikes totaling in the billions of dollars. The commission must step in and help Oklahomans through this difficult situation. [Jim Randall Guest Column / The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
Biden bill to help millions escape higher health care costs: Millions of people in the United States will be spared from big increases in health care costs next year after President Joe Biden signed legislation extending generous subsidies for those who buy plans through federal and state marketplaces. [AP Politics]
Tribal Nations News
Tribes file brief with SCOTUS defending Indian Child Welfare Act: Five Native American tribes on Friday filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court defending the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. [The Missoulian]
- From OK Policy: Tribal-state coordination to prioritize Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare is one way to improve child well-being [Vivian Morris / OK Policy]
Cherokee Nation signs policy giving new parents paid leave after birth, adoption:The Cherokee Nation has created a policy that gives new parents time off when they have or adopt a baby. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Voting and Election News
The Frontier fact-checked GOP candidates for state treasurer: Republican contenders for state treasurer debated Tuesday at an event hosted by NonDoc and News 9 at Rose State College in Midwest City. Watch the full event here. We used public records, interviews and other sources to fact-check some of the candidates’ claims from the debate. [The Frontier]
- Todd Russ defends banking record as Oklahoma state treasurer candidates trade barbs [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma County runoffs: Commissioner candidates discuss goals, priorities and the jail: The field of candidates seeking a pair of Oklahoma County commissioner seats will be narrowed Tuesday in the primary runoff election. [The Oklahoman]
OSBI looking at Oklahoma County DA candidate Kevin Calvey’s campaign: The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is looking into multiple allegations against Kevin Calvey, the Oklahoma County commissioner running for district attorney, sources said. Calvey on Thursday accused Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater of having him investigated as part of a political vendetta. [The Oklahoman]
HD 87 runoff: Facing Gloria Banister, Scott Esk annoyed his ‘worthy of death’ remark lingers: Heading into the Aug. 23 Republican runoff for Oklahoma’s House District 87, first-place primary finisher Scott Esk has accused his opponent, Gloria Banister, of using the media to undermine his campaign. [NonDoc]
Health News
Roe v. Wade’s reversal threatens to make incarcerated pregnant people even more vulnerable: Policies governing abortion and reproductive health care services in U.S. prisons and jails were restrictive and often hostile even before the Supreme Court removed Roe v. Wade’s constitutional protections for abortions. After the June ruling, many reproductive services stand to be prohibited altogether, putting the health of incarcerated women who are pregnant at risk. [High Country News]
Criminal Justice News
Success of Tulsa’s license plate reader-cameras celebrated by city leaders: Tulsa leaders are celebrating the preliminary success of a trial program for license plate-reading cameras that has resulted in the recovery of $400,000 worth of stolen property and 20 felony arrests in less than two months. [Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Strawberry Fields developer seeks $16 million tax increment financing for infrastructure: The developer of Strawberry Fields, an ambitious mix of offices, housing and retail west of Scissortail Park, is asking for $16 million in tax increment financing to address crumbling streets and infrastructure. [The Oklahoman]
OKC offers two companies incentives for job creation, moves: The Oklahoma City City Council approved economic development allocations Tuesday for two companies – one a newcomer to Oklahoma City and another that has been here for three decades. [Journal Record]
General News
U.S. Secretary of Transportation visiting Tulsa to highlight $10 million grant for reconstruction: Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will be visiting Tulsa to highlight $10 million reconstruction grant that he believes will help to build back up a community that’s been split by U.S. Highway 75. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Oklahoma Local News
- Strawberry Fields developer seeks $16 million tax increment financing for infrastructure [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“With an unprecedented amount of federal dollars now in the state and a number of evidence-based programs to address many of these challenges, we can’t keep waiting to act. The suggestion of cutting taxes instead of investing in proven service-delivery programs is irresponsible, especially in light of the conditions mentioned above. The Legislature should focus its special sessions on attacking known problems and deficiencies, not looking for solutions in search of problems.”
-Craig R. Knutson, President and CEO of the Oklahoma City-based Potts Family Foundation, addressing Oklahoma’s substantial need to invest in improving child well-being, from high rates of infant mortality and teen births to low rates of vaccination and reading proficiency [Column / Tulsa World]
Number of the Day
80%
Percentage of Oklahoma fourth-graders eligible for free/reduced school lunch who scored below proficient reading level in 2019. The rate was 58% for those students who were not eligible for free/reduced school lunch. [KIDS COUNT]
Policy Note
Recession Remedies: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 policy response and child well-being: Children suffered as a result of the pandemic and recession but less so than they would have without fiscal support. The (mostly) swift policy response is likely to pay significant dividends in terms of better than otherwise child nutrition, health, and academic achievement. Cash and near-cash transfers, including SNAP, P-EBT, CTC, EITC, UI, and EIPs, all reduced poverty, housing insecurity, and food insecurity. The lesson here is that such policies are effective at reducing poverty even during times of economic stress. [Brookings]
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