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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.
Lawmakers are looking at reducing county roads funding and cuts to state agencies of as much as 8 percent to close a $611 million budget shortfall. At the same time, the Legislature has done nothing to reduce tax incentives or halt a tax cut that is adding $57 million to the budget shortfall. Gov. Fallin signed a measure that allows the creation of charter schools statewide. Previously they had been allowed only in Tulsa County and Oklahoma County. Former state Board of Education member Amy Ford said she withdrew her name from consideration for a second term because of conflicts with Superintendent Joy Hofmeister. The State Department of Education is working on an Educator Equity Plan to examine gaps between the rates that minority and impoverished children are taught by inexperienced, unqualified or out-of-field teachers.
An internal affairs from 2009 found that in their quest to give special treatment to Robert Bates, a wealthy friend of Sheriff Stanley Glanz, top officials in his office violated numerous policies and intimidated employees who tried to enforce them. Bates has now been charged with manslaughter for shooting an unarmed man during an undercover sting. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Wednesday in a challenge to Oklahoma’s execution methods. The New York Times editorial board examined how the debate over capital punishment has played out since Oklahoma’s botched execution of Clayton Lockett.
An op-ed in the Tulsa World discusses how Oklahoma’s “tough on crime” policies have been ineffective at deterring crime while being very costly to taxpayers. Julie Delcour wrote that Oklahoma’s enormous mental health issues and lack of treatment have created another Great Depression. A public lecture sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services will look at collaborations between public agencies and the faith community. On the OK Policy Blog, Steve Lewis discussed bills dealing with longstanding controversies that have moved through the Legislature this session.
A new map by the United States Geological Survey shows that Oklahoma has been the hardest-hit state by far from earthquakes connected to oil and gas operations. The New York Times reported on what are Oklahoma’s options now that state and federal scientists have confirmed oil and gas wastewater wells are causing earthquakes — which have gone from an average of 1.5 earthquakes a year in the state to 2.5 a day. Bloomberg Business profiled oil baron David Chernicky, whose wells are responsible for a large percentage of the earthquakes.
Chesapeake Energy pleaded no contest to attempted antitrust violations and agreed to pay $25 million to settle claims that it conspired to keep prices down during an auction for oil and gas leases in Michigan. Despite an embarrassing lawsuit accusing him of stealing trade secrets, former Chesapeake CEO Aubrey McClendon is raising additional cash for new oil and gas exploits. The Oklahoma House passed legislation that sets up a showdown over air quality standards between Oklahoma and the federal government.
The Number of the Day is 17,236 – the number of uninsured Oklahomans with a serious mental health disorder who could receive treatment if the state accepted federal funds to expand health coverage. In today’s Policy Note, The Atlantic examines problems created by the segregation of wealth white neighborhoods.
In The News
‘Off-the-top’ money is under microscope as Oklahoma lawmakers try to fill huge budget hole
As this year’s session of the Oklahoma Legislature moves into its final month, attention is being focused on ways to close a $611 million budget shortfall. Front and center in that discussion is so-called “off-the-top” money. This state funding, which is outside the Legislature’s normal appropriations process, is getting a close examination. The Oklahoma Association of General Contractors wants to make sure that examination doesn’t end up decreasing money its members receive from the state to repair and upgrade roads and bridges.
See also: Options for a balanced approach to solve Oklahoma’s budget gap from Oklahoma Policy Institute; Action Alert: Halt the Tax Cut from Together Oklahoma
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signs bill to expand charter schools statewide
Gov. Mary Fallin on Friday signed a measure that allows the creation of charter schools outside of Tulsa and Oklahoma counties. Senate Bill 782 amends current law that only allowed them in the two counties. The Oklahoma State School Boards Association supported the measure, said Shawn Hime, executive director. “It puts our local boards of education in the driver’s seat on whether charters will expand,” he said. “All expanding charters have to go through the local board of education.”
Read more from the Tulsa World.
Former Oklahoma Board of Education member accuses state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister of failing to communicate with panel
Outspoken former state Board of Education member Amy Ford said Friday she withdrew her name from consideration for a second term because of concerns about the ability of state schools Superintendent Joy Hofmeister to communicate with the panel. Ford, in an interview with The Oklahoman, accused Hofmeister of preventing board members from fully discussing items during meetings and limiting their ability to add items for consideration to board agendas.
Education Department working on ‘equity plan’ to put effective teachers in all classrooms
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is working on an Educator Equity Plan to comply with a federal initiative announced last summer. The plan will calculate equity gaps between the rates that minority and impoverished children are taught by inexperienced, unqualified or out-of-field teachers compared to rates in which other children are taught by those teachers. The plan must also include an analysis of the root cause of these gaps and identify steps to eliminate the gaps and measures to evaluate progress.
Read more from the Tulsa World.
Internal affairs investigation into Tulsa County Reserve Deputy Robert Bates
A 13-page internal affairs report concludes that in their quest to give special treatment to a wealthy friend of Sheriff Stanley Glanz, top officials in his office violated numerous policies and intimidated employees who tried to enforce them. The report’s findings starkly contrast claims by Glanz and others that the 2009 internal affairs investigation found no policies were violated in how the agency treated Reserve Deputy Robert Bates. It also call into question statements by other top officials that no concerns had been expressed about Robert Bates’ training.
What’s at Stake: Supreme Court Hears Okla. Death Penalty Case
The nation’s current legal standard for carrying out the death penalty could turn on a single justice’s vote after the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on Wednesday in a challenge brought by Oklahoma death row inmates. The arguments in the case, known as Glossip v. Gross, will focus on three relatively narrow issues. But the decision could have a sweeping impact on the death penalty nationwide if it results in removal of a controversial drug, midazolam, from the list of drugs available for use in executions.
Read more from Oklahoma Watch.
See also: The Justices and a botched execution from the New York Times
Tough on crime is tough on taxpayers
While the “tough on crime” policies seems fair, it has become apparent to researchers over the past century that the tough on crime idea is ineffective in deterring criminal activity and punishes taxpayers. A report by the organization, “The Price of Prisons”, states that the average cost of incarcerating one inmate in Oklahoma is $18,467.
Read more from the Tulsa World.
Julie Delcour: Oklahoma’s ‘Great Depression’ is emotional, not economic
Oklahoma is in the midst of another Great Depression, but this time the crisis reflects an emotional downturn rather than a purely economic one. I use the word “crisis” because it’s the only adequate description for Oklahomans’ enormous mental health issues. Oklahoma ranks No. 3 nationally in adults — 22.4 percent — suffering from mental illness. It is No. 2 in residents — 12 percent — dealing with various addictions. From 700,000 to 950,000 Oklahomans are affected by mental illness.
Read more from the Tulsa World.
DHS lecture explores faith-based and public agency partnerships
Improving lives and supporting those in need is a common goal shared between public agencies and the faith community. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) will explore that collaboration in the final installment of the Spring Practice and Policy Lecture Series. “Church and State: Oklahoma’s Faith Based Partnerships” will be held Thursday, May 14, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City.
Read more from The Edmond Sun.
Another deadline and longstanding controversies in the Legislature (Capitol Update)
The grind continued for legislators this week with the deadline to get all legislation passed in both houses occurring yesterday. These “floor action” weeks make for long days with a lot of debate and votes. This week the absence of Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-OKC) who termed out last year, was probably be noticed more than once.
Read more from the OK Policy Blog.
U.S. Maps Pinpoint Earthquakes Linked to Quest for Oil and Gas
The United States Geological Survey on Thursday released its first comprehensive assessment of the link between thousands of earthquakes and oil and gas operations, identifying and mapping 17 regions where quakes have occurred. By far the hardest-hit state, the report said, is Oklahoma, where earthquakes are hundreds of times more common than they were until a few years ago because of the disposal of wastewater left over from extracting fuels and from drilling wells by injecting water into the earth.
Read more from the New York Times.
See also: Oklahoma’s options now that state and federal scientists confirm big earthquake impact from water disposal from the New York Times; Can this oil baron’s company withstand another quake? from Bloomberg Business
Chesapeake Energy will pay to settle Michigan lease probe
Chesapeake Energy pleaded no contest Friday to attempted antitrust violations and agreed to pay $25 million to settle claims that it conspired to keep prices down during an auction for oil and gas leases, state officials announced. In addition to the $25 million, Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake will pay $5 million to the state. Separately, Chesapeake pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors in northern Michigan’s Cheboygan County.
Read more from the Associated Press.
Aubrey McClendon launching ‘blank check’ company
Despite an embarrassing lawsuit accusing him of stealing trade secrets, energy guru Aubrey McClendon is raising additional cash for new oil and gas exploits. This time he’s using a specialized, $200 million investment vehicle that is set to go public soon, said people familiar with the matter. Avondale Acquisition, a special-purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, is set to undertake an initial public offering soon.
Oklahoma House primed for EPA fight over air standards
Legislation setting up a showdown between Oklahoma and the Environmental Protection Agency over air quality standards advanced from the state House of Representatives on Thursday. House sponsor Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said Senate Bill 676, by Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, would assure Oklahoma standing in an anticipated lawsuit against the federal government to block implementation of new carbon emission regulations on coal-fired generating plans.
Read more from the Tulsa World.
Quote of the Day
“We’re not going to see any significant changes done to tax credits, and at the end of the day, we’re going to put the burden of all these tax cuts on the backs of working families, educators, health care providers, corrections employees. There’s all kinds of bad fiscal mismanagement taking place.”
-House Minority Leader Rep. Scott Inman, who said the Legislature’s approach of planning a tax cut while looking at a $611 million budget hole is wrongheaded (Source)
Number of the Day
17,236
Number of uninsured Oklahomans with a serious mental health disorder who could receive treatment if the state accepted federal funds to expand health coverage.
Source: American Mental Health Counselors Association
See previous Numbers of the Day here.
Policy Note
Where the White People Live
Last summer, the Michigan town of Grosse Pointe Park erected a farmer’s market in the middle of one of the few remaining streets that allowed cars to pass between the tony suburb and the urban Detroit neighborhoods at its border. It was the latest of many attempts by Grosse Pointe Park residents to close off roads and block traffic between what has become a predominantly white, affluent suburb, and its poorer, urban neighbor.
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