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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. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.
In The News
Oklahoma Real ID compliance deadline extended to September 2020: Oklahoma has received another extension to comply with Real ID, meaning the federal government will continue to recognize the state’s driver’s licenses and ID cards. [Tulsa World]
State revenue growth slows to lowest level in 30 months: State revenue growth slowed to almost a standstill in September, Treasurer Randy McDaniel said Thursday. McDaniel said gross receipts to the treasury grew only 0.3% over the same month a year ago, the smallest increase in 2½ years. [Tulsa World]
DOC returns some prisons to normal daytime operations: Oklahoma Department of Corrections has returned some state prisons to normal daytime operations after they were placed on lockdown in response to a series of fights last month. [CNHI]
Childhood trauma shaping up to be central to Criminal Justice Reform Task Force’s recommendations: Oklahoma’s criminal justice reform efforts must include helping foster kids affected by trauma. That was the message several witnesses had for the governor’s Reentry, Supervision, Treatment and Opportunity Reform, or RESTORE, Task Force, which is working on recommendations to cut incarceration and recidivism rates. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Lives derailed by state’s criminal justice system: Rajeana Strahorne-White was just 24 when a judge sentenced her to 10 years in prison. She had passed some bad checks and shoplifted a bra. [Journal Record ????]
Tulsa crime stats a mixed bag, according to latest FBI data: Tulsa’s crime statistics are a mixed bag in 2018, with several categories falling but others rising, according to an analysis of city’s latest crime numbers. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma lawmakers expected to take another look at limiting pain and suffering damage claims: After a court decision in April that tossed out a legislative cap on pain and suffering damages, lawmakers next session are expected to revisit the issue. [Tulsa World]
Oklahomans brace for new gun law: Gun control advocates say they’ll spend October distributing “firearms prohibited” window stickers to Oklahoma business owners who don’t want untrained and unlicensed consumers carrying guns into their establishments. [CNHI]
Panel advances Regatta District housing proposal: On the outskirts of an area bustling with high-priced development, a faith-based organization is creating single-family homes in a small, low-income community as part of a project to help members of the community become homeowners. [Journal Record ????]
Tulsa clinic appeals ruling on abortion law: A Tulsa abortion clinic on Thursday urged the Oklahoma Supreme Court to block a state law banning a method of abortion in the second trimester. [The Oklahoman]
State’s two largest universities see significant increase in sexual violence reports: Reports of sexual violence received by the state’s two largest public universities increased by nearly double from 2016 to 2018, according to crime statistics released this week. [Tulsa World]
Solar industry advocates have high hopes for Oklahoma: Solar energy advocates told Oklahoma lawmakers this week the state has great potential with the renewable. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Changing conditions: While Oklahoma already reckons with effects of climate change, a primarily youth-led movement seeks sweeping reform to address the crisis. [Oklahoma Gazette]
Muskogee (Creek) primary election reset for Nov. 2; general election tentatively Dec. 14: Muscogee (Creek) voters will still head back to the polls on Nov. 2 but will be facing a longer ballot than originally anticipated. [Tulsa World]
Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby starts ninth term: An inauguration ceremony on Tuesday marked the beginning of the ninth consecutive term for Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby. [Journal Record ????]
Quote of the Day
“One in five women will be sexually assaulted in college. We know that harm is happening on campuses. Hopefully, students and survivors using these systems and filing these reports means they felt safe and comfortable [enough to report].”
– Morgan Dewey, communications director for advocacy organization End Rape on Campus, on large increases in reports of rape at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University [Tulsa World]
Number of the Day
70%
Percent of minimum wage earners in Oklahoma who are women.
[Source: National Women’s Law Center]
See previous Numbers of the Day here.
Policy Note
Who watches out for workers? Research shows unions substantially increase wages—especially at the bottom of the income distribution—benefiting workers and lowering income inequality. [Brookings]
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