OKPOLICY.ORG
What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In The Know. Click here to subscribe to In The Know.
This Week from OK Policy
Strong Tribal–state partnerships benefit all Oklahomans: The Oklahoma Legislature has an opportunity this session to strengthen relationships with Tribal Nations through thoughtful policy in education and gaming. When the state works with Tribal Nations instead of around them, the benefits extend far beyond Tribal citizens. Strong Tribal–State partnerships support local economies, improve public safety, and expand opportunities for communities across Oklahoma. [Taylor Broadbent / OK Policy]
Oklahomans deserve forward-thinking criminal justice policy: Oklahomans are eager for bold justice reforms that guarantee fairness and safety for everyone; they don’t want to regress back towards a system that unfairly punishes poverty and prioritizes incarceration over all else. Lawmakers still have time to incorporate these important reforms into a better budget that more closely reflects the needs and desires of Oklahomans. [Cole Allen / OK Policy]
Policy Matters: Calling the budget process ‘transparent’ doesn’t make it so: When lawmakers announced a state budget deal last week, leadership hailed the record-early timing as proof of their commitment to “transparency.” To borrow a line from The Princess Bride: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
OK Policy in the News
Oklahoma bill would speed up first court appearance after arrest in pilot program: People arrested in Oklahoma County could soon be required to see a judge within days of being booked into jail under a bill supporters say would reduce jail overcrowding and better protect defendants’ rights. [KTUL]
Upcoming Opportunities
Apply Now For The 2026 Oklahoma Summer Policy Institute
OK Policy’s Oklahoma Summer Policy Institute (SPI) brings together highly-qualified college students, recent graduates, and new policy professionals for a three-day learning experience that informs participants about Oklahoma’s policy landscape and provides tools and resources to create change in our state. Apply by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Weekly What’s That
Ad Valorem Exemptions (Property Tax Exemptions)
Oklahoma provides partial or full exemptions from ad valorem taxes (property taxes) for various categories of homeowners:
- All homesteads (a person’s primary residence) are exempted $1,000 of the assessed value.
- Households with gross income under $30,000 for the prior calendar year are entitled to an additional $1,000 homestead exemption. The limit was raised from $20,000 as of January 2024.
- Property values are frozen for seniors whose gross household income is at or below the median of their county or metropolitan area (SQ 714). In July 2022, three Republican House members announced an initiative petition (SQ 822) that would have frozen property values for all seniors regardless of income; however, signatures were not submitted by the deadline.
- Seniors with income below $12,000 may claim a credit against income tax in the amount that their property tax exceeds 1 percent of total income, up to $200.
- Seniors with income under $10,000 who reside in manufactured homes are allowed a $2,000 exemption.
- An honorably discharged veteran who is 100 percent disabled, or a surviving spouse of a veteran killed while in active duty, is fully exempted from ad valorem taxes for his or her homestead (SQ 715).
Look up more key terms to understand Oklahoma politics and government here.
Quote of the Week
“Oklahoma already ranks near the top of nearly every measure of hardship — child poverty, food insecurity, uninsured rates, maternal mortality. We cannot afford expensive mistakes. We especially cannot afford mistakes that were preventable, if only someone had been given time to read the bill.”
– Christy Taylor, an Oklahoma-based civic advocate, warning that rushed and opaque lawmaking processes increase the risk of poorly designed policies. [The Oklahoman]
Editorial of the Week
OK governor’s race should focus on our issues, not Trump
We strongly encourage Oklahoma voters to think less about party conformity and personalities and more about the state’s future when considering whom to vote for in elections this year. Oklahoma has unique issues and challenges. The people who represent us in state government and in Congress need to feel free to speak on our behalf, even at the cost of disapproval from a powerful president.
The Japanese have a long tradition called “saikeirei,” in which they bow to indicate sincere gratitude and humility. The lower the bow, the higher the respect they are expressing.
Who can bow the lowest to President Trump should not be considered a qualification for the state’s top office. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Numbers of the Week
- 63% – The 2024 primary season saw a median 63% drop in turnout from initial primaries to runoffs — the largest decline since tracking began in 1994, with every single runoff drawing fewer voters. Oklahoma is among the eight states that hold primary runoff elections if no candidate wins a majority of votes in a party primary. [FairVote]
- 14% – In 2026, interest on the national debt is slated to be 14 percent of federal spending, rising to 18 percent by 2035. The trillion dollars of interest projected for 2026 is more than the projected spending on defense, Medicaid, and almost every other individual government agency or program. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy]
- 87,953 – The number of Oklahomans who are currently under correctional control — meaning incarcerated or under community supervision. Oklahoma ranks 9th highest in the nation for the share of people caught in the system. [Prison Policy Initiative]
- 16% – The percentage of Oklahomans ages 19-64 covered by SoonerCare expansion, making it a lifeline for more than 200,000 people across the state. [KFF]
- 40 – Oklahoma’s rank for tax volatility over the past 15 years, even after accounting for state policy changes. Tax volatility refers to how much state revenue rises and falls from year to year — higher volatility means bigger swings in funding, while lower volatility means more stable, predictable revenue. [The Pew Charitable Trusts]
What We’re Reading
- Election Timing: When elections are held at times outside major November elections — like in odd years or off-cycle dates — voter turnout drops significantly. Lower turnout doesn’t just mean fewer voters; it also changes who participates, often leading to an electorate that is less representative of the broader population. Because so few people vote in these elections, organized groups and highly engaged voters can have outsized influence over outcomes. [MIT Election Date + Science Lab]
- Year One of Trump-Republican Tax Policy: The Consequences: The first year of President Trump’s second term has brought major changes in U.S. tax policy. The president, in concert with Congress, has dramatically increased tariff taxes, enacted large tax cuts that primarily benefit the well-off and corporations, dramatically curtailed IRS enforcement, and issued legally problematic regulations. These changes have had significant impacts on taxpayers. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy]
- Punishment Beyond Prisons 2026: Incarceration and supervision by state: The U.S. criminal legal system extends far beyond prisons and jails, with millions of people under “correctional control” through probation and parole — often making up the majority of those impacted. Rather than serving as a true alternative to incarceration, these supervision systems frequently set people up to fail through strict rules and constant monitoring, leading many back into jail or prison for technical violations rather than new crimes. This creates a “revolving door” effect that destabilizes people’s lives and disproportionately impacts low-income communities and people of color. Overall, focusing only on incarceration misses the full scope of punishment in the U.S., where supervision plays a central — and often harmful — role. [Prison Policy Initiative]
- 5 Key Facts About Medicaid Expansion: Medicaid expansion allows states to cover low-income adults up to about 138% of the poverty level, with the federal government covering most of the cost. Most states have adopted expansion, and it has been linked to higher insurance coverage, better access to care, and improved financial stability for enrollees. At the same time, expansion remains optional, leaving gaps in coverage in states that have not adopted it. While it increases overall Medicaid spending, research shows it also brings economic benefits and helps reduce the number of uninsured people. [KFF]
- State Tax Revenue Volatility Remains High as Long-Term Trends Moderate: State tax revenue doesn’t grow at a steady pace — it rises and falls with the economy, making it unpredictable from year to year. Some revenue sources, especially income and corporate taxes, are more volatile because they depend on things like stock markets, business profits, and high-income earnings, which can change quickly. This volatility makes it harder for states to plan budgets, since revenue can surge during economic booms and drop sharply during downturns. States that rely heavily on more unstable revenue sources or narrow tax bases tend to experience the biggest swings, creating greater fiscal uncertainty. [The Pew Charitable Trusts]
