OKPOLICY.ORG
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
Gov.’s education plan ignores public school funding equity, provides tax cuts to only benefit a small percentage of Oklahomans (Capitol Update): Gov. Kevin Stitt has made a late entry into the school funding discussions between House and Senate leadership with an $800 million three-part plan: $300 million to the “Oklahoma Student Fund;” $300 million into the funding formula based partially on Sen. Adam Pugh’s (R-Edmond) Teacher Pay Raise Plan; and $200 million for the “Oklahoma Parental Choice” tax credit model for parents to send their children to a private school. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Report: No One Could Say: Accessing Emergency Obstetrics Information as a Prospective Prenatal Patient in Post-Roe Oklahoma: In light of the extensive anti-abortion legal framework newly in place in the state, Oklahoma offers an important insight into the potential effects of near-total abortion bans on pregnant patients and the clinicians who care for them. The findings in this report raise grave concerns about the ability of a pregnant person in Oklahoma – and the other 11 states with similar, near-total abortion bans – to receive clear, sufficient, and necessary information to make informed decisions about their medical care, as well as the ability of such patients to receive medically-necessary treatment. [Physicians for Human Rights]
- ‘My baby’s not gonna make it and neither am I’; Women flee Okla. for life-saving abortions [The Oklahoman]
- In Oklahoma, a woman was told to wait until she’s ‘crashing’ for abortion care [KOSU]
McCurtain Co. citizens again demand resignations of officials caught on recording: Citizens during Monday’s McCurtain County commissioners meeting again called for resignations of southeast Oklahoma county officials accused of discussing the lynching of Black people and killing local journalists. [CNHI via Ada News]
Midwest City police: One dead, one in custody after shooting at Rose State College: One person is dead and a shooter is in custody as Midwest City Police investigate what they’re calling a domestic incident at Rose State College. The shooting took place outside the two-year college’s Humanities building, near the center of campus. [The Oklahoman]
- 1 person killed in shooting at Rose State College in Midwest City [KOSU]
State Government News
Oklahoma lawmakers chastise CVS Caremark over 90-day prescription issue: A bipartisan group of state lawmakers said Monday that a national pharmacy chain is intentionally misleading some Oklahomans about being unable to fill 90-day prescriptions. [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma lawmakers say CVS Caremark is ‘intentionally lying’ about 90-day prescriptions [The Oklahoman]
Reference to ‘white male’ advantages booed on Oklahoma House floor: Boos pierced an otherwise quiet afternoon in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday after a relatively routine bill on small-business development turned into a debate on “reverse discrimination” and the plight of white males. [Tulsa World]
Column: Are you concerned democracy is at risk and Americans’ rights are at stake?: What happened in the Tennessee state house revealed to the world that their traditions are rooted in a “dark, dark past” as described by Rep. Jones. But a bright spotlight has been cast upon the political shenanigans of Republicans whose majority allows them to do as they please. What might have been a week of conversation about gun violence in our society, instead revealed deep problems in the South. [Jeary Smart Seikel Guest Column / The Oklahoman]
Column: Oklahoma County Commissioner: McCurtain County recordings of racism reveal a deeper issue: When constituents hear their elected officials speak privately about lynching Black Oklahomans and burying journalists, their trust is instantly shattered. Not only their trust in that elected official, but more often, their trust in our entire system of government. [Carrie Blumbert Guest Column / The Oklahoman]
Health News
‘A roller coaster’: Clinton Regional Hospital contract terminated, dozens of employees laid off: The last several months have been a “roller coaster” for the City of Clinton as their only medical facility shut down, but city officials have been actively working to reopen it as soon as possible. However, they were hit with more setbacks this week. [KFOR]
Criminal Justice News
3 Oklahoma County Jail inmates have died in the past week: Three of the Oklahoma County Jail’s inmates have died in a span of four days. The Oklahoma County Detention Center is one of the deadliest jails in the country. 14 people died at the jail in 2021. 16 died in 2022. Six have died so far this year. The jail has been managed by the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority — commonly known as the jail trust — since July 2020. [KOSU]
Column: Crime victims now have more meaningful roles in decision-making processes: Although much has been done, much more is needed to assure crime victims receive the respect, attention, safety and support they deserve from our institutions. [Ann Lowrance Guest Column / The Oklahoman]
ODOC to operate Great Plains Correctional Facility in Hinton beginning in May: The Oklahoma Department of Corrections announced on Monday that it will operate the Great Plains Correctional Facility (GPCF) in Hinton in early May. [Fox 25]
Economy & Business News
Fertile ground: Oklahoma’s cannabis companies look to become forerunners in growing business: Oklahoma, with its relatively inexpensive threshold for securing a cannabis license in comparison with other states, has been fertile ground for the marijuana industry in recent years, and dispensaries have vastly outpaced other businesses per capita across the state. [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“When you talk about diversity, as it relates to white males, they already get a great majority of the jobs in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Act. Is this trying to level the playing field for all the white males who are booing? Would you agree they’ve already enjoyed a great privilege in America as it relates to job contracts?”
-Rep. Regina Goodwin, D-Tulsa, who was booed by some of her colleagues while she was on the House floor asking questions about a bill that would broaden eligibility for a Department of Commerce program to connect small businesses with potential customers [Tulsa World]
Number of the Day
91.5%
Percentage of K-12 students nationwide who attend public schools vs. private schools. [National Center for Education Statistics]
Policy Note
The New Wave of Public Funding of Private Schooling, Explained: To help inform the conversation about new taxpayer funded programs to cover private school education costs, this report reexamined research on private school choice, identified every major private school choice program nationwide, analyzed the trends they reflect, and sought to answer key questions about the programs, including whom they serve and their impact on student achievement. [Future Ed]
You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
