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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.
New from OK Policy
Statement about recommendations to expand pregnancy coverage, postpartum care: Expanding health care access for pregnant Oklahomans is an important next step to help ensure the health and well-being for our state’s children and families. OK Policy applauds the proposals made by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and recommended by the H.E.L.P Task Force during its Tuesday meeting. [OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Governor’s task force recommends expansion of SoonerCare for pregnant mothers: With abortion no longer legally available, the goal of the governor’s newly created H.E.L.P. Task Force is to find ways to promote pregnancies and provide more resources for women. Two recommendations from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority were approved in the group’s first meeting. [KFOR]
- Panel recommends expanding Medicaid to help low-income pregnant women [Tulsa World]
Editorial: Oklahoma’s eviction laws inconsistent in its legal process: When an Oklahoma statute is so vague that it looks like a different law from courtroom-to-courtroom, it’s a bad law. That’s how the legal process for eviction is described in a recent report from the Oklahoma Access to Justice. Tenant rights are interpreted so widely among judges that it has created inequities based on geography. [Tulsa World]
- OK Policy: It’s time for action to address Oklahoma’s eviction crisis
- OK Policy Fact Sheet: Oklahoma renters need protection against landlord retaliation
State Government News
Fighting back often lands domestic violence targets in jail, legislative panel told: Women who fight back against domestic abusers often find themselves the subject of criminal prosecution, and those prosecutions are a major reason Oklahoma still ranks second for female incarceration, a state House of Representatives panel was told Tuesday. [Tulsa World]
Lawmakers want to reverse statewide nursing shortage: Oklahoma lawmakers are exploring ways to increase the state’s nursing pipeline as experts testified that the industry is plagued by low pay, tough work conditions, underprepared high school students and declining interest in the profession. [The Norman Transcript]
Turnpike opponents present argument to Oklahoma Supreme Court: A bond approval hearing at the Oklahoma Supreme Court Tuesday became the latest arena for opponents of a turnpike expansion project in Norman as the court’s referee seemed open to the idea of removing a controversial “south extension” from the $500 million project. [The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Cherokee Nation looks to Texas county jail to house people convicted in tribal court: People convicted in Cherokee Nation District Court could soon find themselves serving their sentences in a facility near Waco, Texas. The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council approved a resolution Monday on a 15-1 vote that endorses an agreement with the Limestone County, Texas, government and a detention facility operator to hold those convicted in tribal court. [Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Poll shows 1-point lead for Stitt over Hofmeister in governor’s race: Gov. Kevin Stitt, whose administration has spent much of the past year navigating accusations of scandal and a wave of “dark money” opposition, is in a virtual tie with his Democratic challenger, according to a poll released Tuesday. [The Oklahoman]
- Poll shows narrow gap between Kevin Stitt and Joy Hofmeister in Oklahoma governor’s race [KOSU]
‘Extremism is on the ballot,’ Senate candidate Kendra Horn warns at Bartlesville event: On the third floor of the Johnstone-Sare Building, Senate candidate Kendra Horn greeted and spoke with citizens of Bartlesville who shared her concerns about the state of politics in Oklahoma. [Examiner-Enterprise]
Poll: Jena Nelson has early lead over Ryan Walters in Oklahoma Superintendent race: A new poll released Monday shows a modern Oklahoma rarity: A Democrat ahead of a Republican in a statewide race. [KGOU]
- Poll finds Democrat Jena Nelson leads GOP nominee Ryan Walters in Oklahoma superintendent race [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma Republicans far outpace dems in new voter registration: Oklahoma Democrats are hoping a wave of frustration around the state of education and the stripping away of abortion rights will buoy their candidates in November. To do it, they’re going to need to dramatically increase voter registration in the five weeks left before the deadline. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Health News
State law to combat ‘pervasive’ teen vaping will supersede Edmond program: Starting in November, a new state law will require individuals under 21 to complete an education or tobacco use cessation program — rather than pay a fine — if they are caught with tobacco, vape or nicotine products. [NonDoc]
Economy & Business News
OKC City Council votes to move forward with film development office: During its meeting Tuesday, the OKC City Council approved a professional services agreement between the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust and the Oklahoma City Economic Development Foundation to establish a film and creative services office with the aim of developing film, music and television production in the city at a cost up to $250,000 per year. [NonDoc]
Education News
‘Please be brave’: Community pleads with Norman Board of Education: Monday’s Norman school board meeting marked the district’s first since Norman High School sophomore English teacher Summer Boismier resigned Aug. 23 amid controversy over a QR code she posted in her classroom. [NonDoc]
General News
Race Massacre burial search likely to resume this fall: The scientific team searching for burials from Tulsa’s 1921 Race Massacre plans to return to the field this fall, officials told the project’s public oversight committee Tuesday evening. [Tulsa World]
- Historical marker commemorates Greenwood District’s founding [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“In a state where we have failed to make significant investments in things like health and where we have particularly bad health outcomes, it’s a really good first step towards better supporting Oklahoma families.”
– Emma Morris, Health Care and Revenue Policy Analyst, speaking about Tuesday’s recommendation to expand health care for pregnancy and postpartum care [KFOR]
Number of the Day
44th
Oklahoma’s rank for social and economic factors for women and children (combined) from the 2021 Health of Women and Children Report [America’s Health Rankings] | [Full Report]
Policy Note
Medicaid Coverage of Pregnancy-Related Services: Findings from a 2021 State Survey: This report presents detailed survey findings from 41 states and DC on fee-for-service coverage and utilization limits for Prenatal care and Delivery, Fertility Services, Counseling and Support Services, Substance Use Disorder Services, and Breastfeeding Supports and Postpartum Care. [KFF]
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