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In The Know is a daily synopsis of Oklahoma policy-related news and blogs. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
Today you should know that two Republican physicians in the Oklahoma House of Representatives disagree on whether Gov. Mary Fallin should accept federal funding to expand Medicaid and decrease the number of uninsured Oklahomans. The Norman Transcript writes that Oklahoma should set up a state-run insurance exchange.
The Chronicle of Higher Education examines how Western Oklahoma State College is offering easy, 2-week online classes to thousands of college athletes trying to keep their NCAA eligibility. International student enrollment is increasing at Oklahoma colleges and universities. Supporters of an American Indian cultural center say the results of a state audit boost chances of completing the beleaguered project.
A Senate panel heard from open-government advocates about ending the Legislature’s exemption from open records laws. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is considering a policy change because of accusations inmates were added to a docket to be considered for early release with no notice to the public.
The Number of the Day is the percentage of traffic fatalities in Oklahoma that occurred on a rural roadway. In today’s Policy Note, a Kaiser Health tracking poll found that support for repealing the Affordable Care Act is at an all-time low, with 49 percent of Americans wanting to expand the law or keep it as is compared to just 33 percent who want to repeal it.
In The News
Lawmakers at odds over Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma
Two Republican physicians in the Oklahoma House of Representatives disagree on whether Gov. Mary Fallin should accept federal funding to expand Medicaid and decrease the number of uninsured Oklahomans. Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, says the state can’t afford to accept the money. Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove, says the state may not be able to afford not to. Gov. Mary Fallin has yet to say whether Oklahoma should accept the Medicaid money, at first putting a decision off until after the presidential election and subsequently saying that she is continuing to study the issue.
Read more from the Tulsa World.
Norman Transcript: State needs to set up insurance exchange
Republican governors in Missouri and Kansas have announced that their states will not establish their own state-federal health insurance marketplaces. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin will likely make the same announcement later this week after she finishes attending the Republican Governors Association. We hope Gov. Fallin shows some independence here and decides Oklahoma is capable of setting up its own electronic exchange.
Read more from the Norman Transcript.
Need 3 quick credits to play ball? Call Western Oklahoma
You’ve probably never heard of Western Oklahoma State College. But call almost any major athletics department, and staff there know it well. Its name comes up whenever athletes get themselves in a jam: They’ve failed a class. They’ve dropped another. Maybe they’re just short on credits. But they still want to play. Western Oklahoma gives them a chance, offering three credits in two weeks—and for less than $400.
Read more from The Chronicle of Higher Education.
International student enrollment increases in Oklahoma, nationwide
According to the 2012 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, Oklahoma is welcoming an increasing number of students like Lim. During the 2011-12 academic year, 8,722 international students enrolled in Oklahoma colleges and universities. The study was conducted by the nonprofit Institute for International Education. Oklahoma’s figure represents an increase of 1.1 percent over last year’s total of 8,626, according to the report. The state ranks 25th in the nation in terms of the number of international students it enrolls.
American Indian cultural center supporters say audit boosts chances of completing project
A state audit that found no wrongdoing within the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority (NACEA) during the last nine years has given new life to a multimillion-dollar project in Oklahoma City. When it finally opens, the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum, located at Interstate 40 and Eastern Avenue, is expected to become an international tourism destination. Securing additional funds, however, continues to be the last major hurdle to completing construction that began six years ago. NACEA Executive Director Blake Wade said he’s counting on $40 million from the Legislature to finish the “world-class” facility, which has already received $91 million in government and private funding.
Read more from the Oklahoma Gazette.
Oklahoma lawmakers hear from open-government advocates
Oklahoma appears to be one of only three states in which the Legislature has exempted itself from open records laws, a Senate panel was told Tuesday. The other two states are Massachusetts and Oregon, said Joey Senat, associate professor at the Oklahoma State University School of Media and Strategic Communications. Sen. David Holt, R-Oklahoma City, said he believes that the Legislature could craft a separate Open Meeting and Open Records Act for itself with some exemptions.
Read more from the Tulsa World.
Oklahoma Parole Board may change policy because of DA’s accusations
The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is considering a major policy change because of accusations inmates for years were brought up for possible early release with no notice to the public. The board plans to vote on the proposal in January after getting public comment. The proposal is the latest move by the board to be more open and transparent since Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater launched an investigation of board actions.
Quote of the Day
Oklahoma is not going to secede from the union.
Number of the Day
71 percent
Percentage of traffic fatalities in Oklahoma that occurred on a rural roadway, 2000-2009
Source: Federal Highway Administration
See previous Numbers of the Day here.
Policy Note
Support for repealing Affordable Care Act plunges to all-time low
Now that President Obama has been elected to a second term, political opponents of his landmark health care reform law are beginning to concede that Obamacare is here to stay. And the general public agrees. As a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll reports, the majority of Americans don’t support repealing Obamacare. In fact, after the presidential election, the number of Americans advocating for a full repeal of the health reform law dropped to an all-time low at just 33 percent — compared to nearly half of Americans who would rather keep the law in place.
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