
Note: Bill updates as of 3/27 deadline
While the overwhelming majority of bills were cut at the first deadline this legislative session, there are still quite a few bills remaining to be considered, specifically in the Tribal-state space. State governments…
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Contact your legislator in support of the Oklahoma Dental Therapy Act, House Bill 2921.
• Find your lawmaker using OK Policy’s Legislator Lookup
The Dental Therapy Act in Oklahoma can help address our unmet dental care needs
This legislative session,…
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This commentary was authored by Vivian Morris, Tribal-State Policy Analyst, and Gabriela Ramirez-Perez, Immigration Policy Analyst.
As the new administration issued a flurry of executive orders during its first weeks in power, many of the actions have specifically targeted immigrants…
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By:
Vivian Morris
November 26, 2024 // Updated: November 26, 2024

The state's minimum wage is a contributing factor to our long-standing poverty. Wage compensation has significant consequences for Oklahoma and especially rural Oklahomans of color.
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Lawmakers from both the Senate and House considered dozens of bills directly affecting Native Oklahomans and Tribal governments on education, public health, housing, and public safety, among other topics. Oklahoma is stronger when the state collaborates and includes the Tribes to advance our overall prosperity and well-being as Oklahomans.
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A strong, mutually respectful relationship between the State of Oklahoma and the 38 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the state is vital to the well-being of all who call Oklahoma home. OK Policy will be publishing a series of articles…
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By:
Vivian Morris
November 21, 2023 // Updated: November 22, 2023

Oklahoma has the second-highest share of tribal citizens of any state, which helps shape the fabric of our state’s culture and communities. This year, the Oklahoma legislature demonstrated this influence by including and valuing Native Oklahomans and tribal leaders in…
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Leading up to when Oklahoma expanded Medicaid coverage, Oklahoma had a large uninsured population of American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). But as a consequence of Medicaid expansion and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority’s (OHCA) inclusion of — and consultation…
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Note: References to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in this article will focus on the federal laws, unless otherwise specifically referencing Oklahoma’s state laws related to the Indian Child Welfare Act.
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As a state with a high population…
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Tribal health’s innovation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic benefitted all Oklahomans, yet tribal citizens experienced disproportionate hardships. These disparities should be addressed through better resources, data collection, and addressing long-standing discrimination and underinvestment.
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