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.
Oklahoma News
As Broadband Board chairman, Mike Fina pushed $20 million Motorola project with college roommate: In his capacity as the appointed chairman of the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board, Mike Fina worked closely with a Motorola lobbyist and the company’s territory vice president — Fina’s former employee and his former college roommate, respectively — to steer $20 million to the Department of Public Safety for upgrades to an antiquated Motorola radio system. [NonDoc]
Oklahoma promotes stories of Christian ‘detransitioners’ in gender-affirming care case: Oklahoma lawmakers recently banned gender transition surgeries and other drug and hormone treatments. Five families of transgender youths sued the state in federal court, arguing the ban discriminates based on sex and transgender status. Last month, the state filed sworn statements from multiple Oklahomans and doctors who oppose gender-affirming health care, including those who say they “detransitioned” after believing their treatments were harmful and against God’s wishes. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma veterans’ personal data was found on a private server. Here’s how officials say they addressed it: An investigation by Oklahoma Cyber Command has revealed there was no leak of veterans’ sensitive data that was being kept on a privately owned server. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma medical providers given broad exemptions under state’s new health exchange rules: Any health care provider will be able to opt out of a new statewide health information exchange under the latest state agency rules for implementing the program. [Tulsa World]
Column: Where do you start in explaining importance of separation of church and state?: Perhaps instead of trying to turn the Bible into classroom decor, they should read it first. [Rev. Lori Allen Walke Guest Column / The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
Feds offer support to Tulsa businesses hit by storm: The Small Business Administration is offering small businesses and nonprofits up to two million dollars to repair property, machinery, inventory and equipment. Assistance is available to Tulsa, Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Creek, Grady, Kiowa, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Rogers, Stephens, Tillman, Wagoner and Washington counties. [Public Radio Tulsa]
- SBA disaster assistance field office opening in Tulsa [Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Four Choctaw Nation Tribal Council incumbents vie to retain seats: Choctaw citizens residing in Districts 2, 3, 8 and 11 are set to choose whether to retain or replace their representatives on the Tribal Council in the Choctaw Nation general election set for Saturday, July 8. [NonDoc]
- Quapaw Nation citizens head to the polls [KOSU]
Cherokee Nation program guides participants to sobriety through culture and accountability: The Juvenile Tribal Healing to Wellness Court program launched in March. The program consists of four treatment phases, with each phase including six to eight weeks of activities, including ones based in tribal culture. [KOSU]
Muscogee Nation marks McGirt anniversary with Oklahoma premiere of play ‘On the Far End’: Although Mary Kathryn Nagle is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, the story of the late Muscogee activist Jean Hill Chaudhuri still resonates with her in a deeply personal way. An esteemed Native American playwright and attorney, Nagle not only tells her mother-in-law’s remarkable life story but also portrays Chaudhuri in her new one-woman show “On the Far End.” [The Oklahoman]
Tribal Governments Can Now Apply to Access National Crime Information Databases: Federally recognized Tribal governments can now apply to access and exchange data with national crime databases via the Tribal Access Program (TAP) from the Department of Justice. [Native News Online]
Voting and Election News
Former Canadian County elections chief sentenced for uncounted votes: Former Canadian County Elections Chief Wanda Armold was given a deferred sentence for failing to perform a timely audit of the 2020 primary election, leading to 1,272 votes not being counted. [KOSU]
- Former Canadian County elections chief get deferred sentence [Yukon Progress]
Health News
OSDH: COVID-19 overall activity has plateaued in region: As of May 11, 2023, the OSDH has labelled COVID-19 to be in an endemic state. In terms of reporting, OSDH now releases weekly and monthly respiratory surveillance at the community level, rather than weekly reporting at the individual case level. [Norman Transcript]
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond praises Medicare coverage for new Alzheimer’s drug: State Attorney General Gentner Drummond lauded Wednesday’s decision by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve coverage of Leqembi, a new medication that has been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. [City Sentinel]
State launches new ‘Life’ website focused on supporting children and parents: Expecting parents can find the resources at www.oklahoma.gov/life, which includes information about pregnancy, parenting, adoption and financial assistance for new families. [The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Fewer seek help for unemployment in Oklahoma; US economy shows strength: In its most recent report on people filing for unemployment benefits in the state, the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission said claim numbers declined slightly across four key categories tracked. [Journal Record]
Education News
‘Silence!’: Intense, heated moments take over OK State Supt.’s last minute meeting to address concerns: The Oklahoma State Superintendent and the Cleveland County Republican Party jointly held a last minute meeting in Norman Thursday night to address public concerns. Right off the bat, the meeting was intense and heated. [KFOR]
- State Supt. Ryan Walters faces heated questions at Norman public forum, attendees left unsatisfied [Fox 25]
- State Superintendent Ryan Walters discusses indoctrination, educational resources during meeting [OU Daily]
Oklahoma Superintendent Brazenly Claims Tulsa Race Massacre Was Not About Race: Oklahoma’s far-right superintendent of public instruction thinks that schools should teach students about the Tulsa race massacre, so long as teachers don’t actually acknowledge that the white supremacist attack was about race. [New Republic] | [Video Clip via Twitter]
Unrest and disorder at Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting leads to criminal affidavits: Criminal probable cause affidavits have been filed with the Oklahoma County Courthouse over an incident that happened at the last Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting. [Fox 25]
In Conversation with 2023 National Teacher of the Year, Rebecka Peterson: Meet the high school math teacher from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who believes in the exponential impact of seemingly small, but consistent, acts of intentionality, gratitude, and listening. [Smithsonian Magazine]
General News
UMC loses one-fifth of US churches, dozens in Oklahoma: More than 6,000 United Methodist congregations – a fifth of the U.S. total – have now received permission to leave the denomination amid a schism over theology and the role of LGBTQ people in the nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination. [Journal Record]
Column: Despite the ‘end’ of affirmative action, diversity must prevail: America, a source of inspiration to the world with its dynamic and thriving potpourri of diversity, must strive to remain a land of opportunity that promotes education for all. Whether this effort continues to require the consideration of race is still an open question. [Alex Seojoon Kim Guest Column / The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma Local News
- Workforce training, housing for chronically homeless proposed as part of Bricktown project [The Oklahoman]
- Legendary folk singer’s legacy celebrated in Woody Guthrie Center’s 10th anniversary year [Tulsa World]
- Federal assistance available to help low-income Tulsans with paying water bills [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“I didn’t think at 68 years old I would have to be concerned about public education for my grandkids going backwards instead of forwards.”
-Debbie Burleson, who attended a contentious public forum in Norman featuring State Superintendent Ryan Walters [Fox 25]
Number of the Day
$34,300
Median annual income for Black families in Oklahoma with their own children under age 18 living in the household. This is less than half of the median annual income for white families ($77,700) who have their own children under 18 in the household. [KIDS COUNT]
Policy Note
The Case for Reparations in Tulsa, Oklahoma: A Human Rights Argument (2020): Following the Tulsa Race Massacre, government and city officials, as well as prominent business leaders, not only failed to invest and rebuild the once thriving Greenwood community, but actively blocked efforts to do so. No one has ever been held responsible for these crimes, the impacts of which black Tulsans still feel today. Efforts to secure justice in the courts have failed due to the statute of limitations. Ongoing racial segregation, discriminatory policies, and structural racism have left black Tulsans, particularly those living in North Tulsa, with a lower quality of life and fewer opportunities. [Human Rights Watch]
You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
