Progress made on evidence-based immigration policy reforms, but more work is needed

Sensible policy reforms related to immigration can benefit all Oklahomans by making us safer, healthier, and saving Oklahomans money. Two such measures were Senate Bill 669 and House Bill 2351. These two bills addressed different concerns around public safety and… Read more [More...]

Immigrant Heritage Month 2023

June is Immigrant Heritage Month during which we acknowledge the contributions immigrants have made to our nation, our state, and our communities. Overcoming great odds, immigrants have arrived in the United States of America to create better lives for themselves… Read more [More...]

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2023 Resource Guide

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This month, we celebrate and uplift the achievements, contributions, and rich heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).  Representing more than 40 countries and ethnic groups as well as 100… Read more [More...]

Undocumented immigrants pay taxes: The $133.7 million elephant in the room

One of the most deeply ingrained myths about immigrants who are undocumented is that they don’t pay taxes. In reality, immigrants without documentation pay taxes in multiple ways and contribute more to the U.S. and state economy than they receive… Read more [More...]

National Arab American Heritage Month 2023 Resource Guide

April is National Arab American Heritage Month, and we want to recognize the achievements, contributions, and rich heritage of Arab-Americans, especially for our friends and neighbors who call Oklahoma home.  Arab-Americans, who can trace their roots to 22 countries in… Read more [More...]

A Mexican Consulate in Oklahoma City will help more than 100,000 Oklahomans

For years, Oklahomans have had to travel hundreds of miles to reach the nearest Mexican consulate for handling diplomatic transactions such as renewing passports, getting an identification card, or other routine services for Mexican and U.S. nationals. Commuting to the… Read more [More...]

State Question 820: Recreational Marijuana Legalization Initiative

NOTE: This version corrects the amount of marijuana that an individual would be allowed to posses. [2-28-23] State Question 820 will be on the ballot on March 7, 2023.  Click below to jump to section: The Gist Background Information Ballot… Read more [More...]

Expanding unemployment insurance to more workers would protect families and Oklahoma’s economy

Unemployment insurance became a lifeline to many Oklahomans during the pandemic. In a period of widespread job loss, the transfer payments that this program provided working people with the means to feed their families and pay the bills while they… Read more [More...]

Dental therapy can improve Oklahoma’s oral health, help address dental workforce shortage

This guest post was written by Michelle Dennison, Vice President of Policies and Prevention at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, and Julie Seward, the Oral Health Programs Manager at the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board. – – – Oklahoma does… Read more [More...]

DACA is essential to Oklahoma

In October, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy was not legally adopted, leaving the future of more than half a million young people… Read more [More...]