In The Know: Wildfires rage across Oklahoma as conditions worsen | County assessor warns property tax relief plan would devastate schools, counties | OIDS budget request signals new focus on diversion and rural defense

In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) OIDS budget request signals new focus on diversion and rural defense (Capitol Update)   Last week, the Senate Appropriations Public Safety and Judiciary Subcommittee — chaired by Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville — held budget hearings from several agencies, including the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System (OIDS). Executive Director Debbie Maddox, on the job for less than a year, presented the agency's FY 2027 budget request that included a new look for OIDS. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] $3.9 billion   In 2024, property taxes in Oklahoma brought in $3.9 billion for local governments and made up at least half of the budget in 62 of Oklahoma's 77 counties. [OK Policy] Policymakers Unwisely Propose Cutting Property Taxes in Favor of Sales Taxes   Lawmakers across the country are taking aim at property taxes with a new strategy: raising sales taxes instead. Doing so would create a regressive tax shift that puts unfair burdens on renters and reduces the strength of local government revenues. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy] "A lot of people in Oklahoma County and across the state, they're paying more for their insurance on their home than they are in property taxes. But they don't know it because it's all just one bill."   —Oklahoma County Assessor Larry Stein, criticizing efforts by state lawmakers this year to eliminate property taxes in Oklahoma — a move that would eliminate about $1.2 billion in revenue for the state in the first year alone — while pointing out that a much smarter form of relief might come from regulating insurers. Oklahoma ranks 48th lowest in the nation for property tax rates, but has some of the highest homeowners insurance rates in the US. [KFOR] Learn how advocacy actually works — and how YOU fit into it   Most people care about what's happening at the Capitol. Far fewer know how to actually influence it. We'll break down how advocacy really works — who to contact, when it matters most, and how everyday people have changed decisions simply by showing up consistently. You'll learn practical skills like making effective calls, writing letters, meeting with lawmakers, and telling your story in a way that lands. View all upcoming Advocacy Training dates, locations, and registration details. TOMORROW: Altus   Thursday, February 19 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Altus Public Library REGISTER NOW Find an Advocacy Training in Your Community Join advocates and community activists from all across the state on March 3 for our 2026 Day of Action, hosted by OK Policy and Together Oklahoma.   Our Day of Action provides you with an opportunity to engage with legislators and get the information, tools, and resources you need to advocate for the changes that you would like to see in your community. Register Now Oklahoma News   OK County assessor warns property tax relief plan would devastate schools, counties: State lawmakers have proposed a plan to cut homeowners' property taxes, but Oklahoma County's assessor warns the plan would drastically slash funding for public schools, county law enforcement agencies and other local governments—and says insurance costs, not property taxes, are what's really driving up housing bills. [KFOR] From OK Policy: Eliminating property taxes would devastate crucial local services | Video: The #PropertyTax debate nobody's having Oklahomans concerned over scrutiny of Medicaid expansion: For several weeks, there have been conversations between lawmakers at the Oklahoma State Capitol about possible Medicaid cuts to save money in next year's budget. This has several Oklahomans worried, one working mother wanting her story told. [KFOR] Opinion: Oklahomans wanted Medicaid expansion. Let's not go backward [Matt Glanville / The Oklahoman] From OK Policy: What the federal megabill really means for Oklahoma: Healthcare/Medicaid impacts Wildfires rage across Oklahoma as conditions worsen: Oklahoma fire crews are currently battling several wildfires that have consumed more than 150,000 acres in Oklahoma and Kansas. According to NASA's fire information system there are ten wildfires in eastern Oklahoma, with one in western parts of the state between Weatherford and Clinton with two in the Panhandle. [KOSU] Okla. lawmaker wants burn ban criteria changed [2 News Oklahoma] State Government News   Legislative Roundup Oklahoma lawmakers eye 'guardrails' for use of AI-generated media [Oklahoma Voice] Senate panel advances Teachers' Bill of Rights, school paternity leave [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma lawmakers advance bill to overhaul reading education for students [KOCO] Oversight committee passes bill requiring 24-hour notice of acting governorship [The Journal Record] Senate bill raising homestead exemption on property taxes advances through committee [The Journal Record] Long Story Short: Federal Health Care Windfall Meets Fiscal Warnings in Oklahoma (podcast): Oklahoma Watch reporters explain ongoing technical issues that have prevented municipal voters from accessing campaign finance reports, how one state agency is dealing with the uncertainty over federal funds under the Trump administration and government shutdowns, and the case of a Stillwater teenager who was convicted last year on 11 counts related to rape and strangulation who received only a sentence of counseling and community service. [Oklahoma Watch]   Oklahoma legislators react to death of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson: Multiple Oklahoma legislators commented Tuesday on the death of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus Chair Ron Stewart, D-Tulsa, released a statement on Jackson's death. Stewart said he was saddened by the news and reflected on the reverend's legacy. [KSWO] Rev. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Trailblazer and Political Leader, Dies at 84 [The Black Wall Street Times] Oklahomans remember Jesse Jackson as a friend, civil rights icon [The Oklahoman] Opinion: Jesse Jackson spent his life bending America toward justice. Will we? [Byron McCauley / The Oklahoman] Federal Government News   What a federal shutdown could mean for your tax refund and how to avoid delays: Automated IRS systems are still processing returns, but staffing shortages and manual reviews could slow some refunds — especially for families claiming certain credits. [News on 6]   Tribal Nations News   Formal impeachment process begins against Kiowa Chairman: The Legislature of the Kiowa Tribe began the formal process to impeach the Chairman, Lawrence SpottedBird. Their inquiry into Chairman Spottedbird started in October and led to a published report and conclusion that there is cause for impeachment and possible removal. [KOSU]   Bipartisan Bill Targets Hidden History of Oklahoma Indian Boarding Schools: Oklahoma has been home to 76 Indian boarding schools, more than any other state in the nation. That history is now at the center of a new bipartisan push in Washington to uncover decades of hidden tribal history, history that has been long withheld by religious institutions and the federal government. [The Black Wall Street Times] Tom Cole leading bipartisan push to uncover history of state's Indian boarding schools  [Gaylord News via ICT] If Jim Gray was writing this obituary, he'd make you laugh – or at least think.: As a two-term chief, [Jim Gray] led the tribe into its modern form of government at a pivotal time. He was also the great-grandson of Henry Roan, the murder victim at the heart of the Osage Reign of Terror's unraveling. And, perhaps most importantly for interviewers, he was a natural storyteller who once owned a newspaper. [The Oklahoma Eagle]   Education News   As Oklahoma lawmakers tackle education, Tulsa-area educators say they need more state support: All 22 kids in Whitney Hester's third grade class are at different learning stages — but she doesn't mind. Now in her 18th year as a teacher, she finds joy in solving each student's puzzle. When the state landed at 50th in education last year, Hester pulled up the data. Oklahoma's students experience higher rates of poverty, food insecurity and health care shortages than most other American youth — factors she believes should be at the center of turning education outcomes around. Other teachers in the Tulsa metro agree. [Tulsa Flyer]   Opinion: OK a leader in allowing responsible free speech on campus: Protecting expressive freedom is a must. But our colleges should go further. They should include in their core curricula courses on civil discourse. Doing so will empower us to meet the challenge of the times. [Andy Lester / The Oklahoman]   Criminal Justice News   Oklahoma City sees fewer homicides in 2025, but families still shattered: Going into the fall months of 2025, officials and organizations had hoped the city's homicide rate would remain low. Leaders had been encouraged by what looked like a sharp decline from the previous year. But during the fall, the death toll climbed sharply, rising by 18 more before the year's end. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma mother on losing her son to homicide. 'It's every mom's nightmare' (video) [The Oklahoman] Jail trust says employees fired over relationship, not whistleblowing: When asked about the new allegations, an attorney for the former jail employees told The Oklahoman the explosive counterclaims were meant to distract from their reports of wrongdoing by jail administration. [The Oklahoman] Two former Oklahoma County jail employees speak on lawsuit, relationship allegations (video) [The Oklahoman] Opinion: Kendrick Simpson did not deserve execution. Reform is needed: The state of Oklahoma executed a good man Thursday, Feb. 12. I still find it hard to believe that the Kendrick I know was capable of the crimes that he committed. He is not. The Kendrick Simpson that committed those crimes died 20 years ago. Kendrick was a kind, gentle man. He did not deserve this. No one does. [Don Heath / The Oklahoman]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Raised by the State: How Group Homes Rewire Black Childhood: The intake happens fast. The damage does not. A Black child already struggling at home with grief, poverty, instability and abuse that went unaddressed is removed "for their safety." Since they have a history of running away- they have been labeled "behavioral" and a traditional foster home is deemed unsuitable for them. Their safety isn't a new loving family and bedroom, it's constant supervision by strangers. [The Black Wall Street Times]   Tulsa Roof Claim Provides Insight Into Alleged State Farm Scheme: On Dec. 4, Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed to intervene and bring RICO charges in Hursh v. State Farm, the most public-facing of what was then approximately 200 cases of wrongfully denied claims of hail damage to homes insured by Oklahoma's largest writer of homeowners insurance. Eight days later, State Farm did it again. [Oklahoma Watch]   Housing roundup: Key to Home sees success, seeks funding; senior complex opens: Before OKC Mayor David Holt secured his third term in office, he campaigned on a series of initiatives he would like to see through. Beyond new transit ideas, arena renderings and Olympic dreams, Holt focused on an issue facing metropolitans across the country: affordable housing. [NonDoc] From OK Policy: Housing is out of reach for working Oklahomans, seniors and people with disabilities Economy & Business News   Lawsuit reveals shocking utility bill for a crypto-mining data center: According to court documents filed in a lawsuit over an unpaid bill, a relatively small data center operation in southeastern Oklahoma racked up over $6,000 per day in electrical usage in the three weeks before Oklahoma Gas & Electric threatened to cut off their power. [The Oklahoman]   Speakers express anger at public meeting on proposed data center in Claremore: Dozens of speakers expressed their anger Tuesday night, accusing public officials and a developer of working against the public interest for a proposed data center in the city's industrial park. [Tulsa World] Arrest made during heated Claremore meeting over proposed data center [News on 6] Public comment session on Claremore data center (photos) [Tulsa World] Tulsa Hispanic commission launches 'playbook' to help businesses respond to ICE enforcement: Amid the Trump administration's continued deportation campaign, the Greater Tulsa Area Hispanic/Latinx Affairs Commission voted Thursday to approve its "playbook" explaining constitutional rights of restaurant owners and their employees "at risk of unconstitutional search." [The Oklahoma Eagle]   IKEA's first Oklahoma store is coming to Tulsa. Here's what it means for the city: The world's largest furniture retailer is coming to Tulsa. IKEA announced Tuesday it will be opening its first Oklahoma store in the former Belk location in the Tulsa Hills Shopping Center. The 51,000-square-foot space will feature some 3,000 items and 200 small furniture options. [The Oklahoma Eagle] IKEA coming to Tulsa will be first Oklahoma store for global brand [Tulsa World]   Community News   Oklahoma kicks off yearlong celebration honoring America's 250th birthday: Oklahoma's yearlong, statewide celebration marking America's 250th birthday began Monday. The kickoff took place at the Oklahoma History Center, highlighting a packed year ahead. "Oklahoma 250" lines up with the Route 66 Centennial, and leaders want everyone involved, especially students. [KOCO]   Local Headlines Public meeting set for Thursday on south Tulsa road project [Tulsa World] Blue Dome owners apply for city grant to begin restoring historic building [Tulsa Flyer] Mayor David Holt to be honored with public service award [The Oklahoman] Support Our Work with a Donation 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. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave #1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 United States  918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org okpolicy.org    Connect with us:   If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive emails from us, please unsubscribe.