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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. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.
The state’s Medicaid agency released its list of proposed budget cuts for the fiscal year beginning next month, including lowering reimbursement rates for physician assistants and nurse practitioners by 5 percent. You can see the full list of proposed cuts here. Facing the loss of some tax incentives at the end of 2016, Oklahoma’s wind industry might accelerate wind developments to beat the deadline. Oklahoma House members submitted 122 requests for interim studies before last Friday’s deadline. You can see the full list of interim study requests here.
On the OK Policy Blog, we discussed how lawmakers continued some practices in this year’s budget that are being challenged as unconstitutional in a case before the state Supreme Court. Rep. David Perryman, D-Chickasha, expressed concern that an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision last month could severely hamper counties’ efforts to recover delinquent property taxes.
During a campaign stop, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called for the federal government to fund pre-kindergarten for low- and moderate-income families and cited Oklahoma as a successful example. Elected leaders in Midwest City and Del City are blocking the City of Norman’s plan to augment the Lake Thunderbird reservoir levels with treated wastewater. StateImpact Oklahoma shared stories of how numerous earthquakes caused by the oil and gas industry are affecting individual Oklahomans.
The Number of the Day is 89.1% – the cost of living in Oklahoma as a percentage of the national average. In today’s Policy Note, the Washington Post examines how a Tennessee program that provides mentors to kids aging out of foster care is helping them become successful adults.
In The News
Nurse practitioners, physician assistants face 5 percent rate cut from state Medicaid agency
The state’s Medicaid agency updated its list of proposed budget cuts, including how much of a rate cut nurse practitioners and physician assistants could face in the coming state fiscal year. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority will recommend lowering the fee-for-service rates for physician assistants and nurse practitioners by 5 percent.
See the full list of proposed cuts here.
Oklahoma wind industry looks to finish projects before tax incentives end
Facing the loss of some tax incentives at the end of 2016, Oklahoma’s wind industry might accelerate the already rapid pace of wind development over the next 18 months as projects try to beat the deadline. The question is what happens after Jan. 1, 2017 when some of the incentives disappear.
Read more from the Tulsa World.
Oklahoma House members request interim studies
Oklahoma legislators are interested in studying earthquakes, welfare, courthouse security, overcrowded prisons and a host of other topics before the next legislative session begins in February. House members submitted 122 requests for interim studies before last Friday’s deadline. House Speaker Jeff Hickman is expected to approve the final list of interim studies by July 10.
See all House interim study requests here.
Budget challenge asks, “What part of ‘nothing but appropriations’ do you not understand?”
Early in May, former State Representative Mike Reynolds, represented by Oklahoma City attorneys Jerry Fent and Ted Pool, filed a lawsuit against Governor Mary Fallin and other officeholders on behalf of the taxpayers of Oklahoma. The suit challenges how the state carries out one of its primary budget responsibilities – the writing of the annual General Appropriations (GA) bill that provides over $7 billion in annual funding to some 70 state agencies.
Read more from the OK Policy Blog.
Rep. David Perryman concerned state Supreme Court ruling could void county tax sales
An Oklahoma Supreme Court decision last month could potentially void hundreds, if not thousands, of tax sales across the state, Rep. David Perryman warned Monday (June 15). By a vote of 7-2 in the case entitled “Crownover v. Keel,” the Justices held that even when county treasurers follow the precise letter of the law, “Their efforts to collect delinquent taxes and sell unredeemed property may be jeopardized,” said Perryman, an attorney.
Citing Oklahoma, Clinton calls for universal preschool
During a campaign stop in Rochester, New Hampshire on Monday, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called for the federal government to fund pre-kindergarten for low- and moderate-income families. “You know, one of the states with a universal pre-K program in America is Oklahoma, about as red a state as you can get,” said Clinton. “But they have figured it out, the government and business leaders and families alike, that this is a smart investment for them.”
Read more from Capital New York.
Midwest City and Del City oppose Norman’s plan to reuse wastewater
Community values are colliding in a debate over the future of Lake Thunderbird. Norman Mayor Cindy Rosenthal says elected leaders in Midwest City and Del City acted prematurely this spring in opposing a proposal to augment the reservoir with treated wastewater. Norman has advocated a plan to capture water from its wastewater treatment plan and pump it to Dave Blue Creek, where it would be discharged to flow into Lake Thunderbird.
Read more from StateImpact Oklahoma.
Power struggle: The oil and gas boom and an outbreak of earthquakes in Oklahoma
In 2014, Oklahoma had more than three times as many earthquakes as California, and this year, the state is on track for even more. A lot of them are small, but some towns are seeing a quake almost every day, and seismologists warn that large and damaging earthquakes are becoming more likely.
Listen to the audio report from StateImpact Oklahoma.
Quote of the Day
“They’re going to have to take lower-paying jobs. There’s going to be very few opportunities paying anywhere near what they’re making. That’s beginning to dawn on them.”
Lynn Gray, director of economic research and analysis for the Oklahoma Economics Security Commission, speaking about Oklahoma drilling workers who have lost jobs since energy prices fell (Source)
Number of the Day
89.1%
Cost of living in Oklahoma as a percentage of the national average (1st quarter, 2015).
Source: Missouri Economic Research and Information Center
See previous Numbers of the Day here.
Policy Note
The simple way one Tennessee program turns foster kids into higher earning adults
Michael McKernan’s heart pounded as he approached the community college in Gallatin, Tenn. and the exam that would decide his future. He had recently turned 18, which aged him out of foster care. McKernan, a lanky jokester who speaks with a Southern twang, had dropped out of high school and needed to test for the GED that day or risk losing a shot at state-funded scholarships for college.
Read more from the Washington Post.
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