In The Know: Oklahomans speak out on SQ 847 | Advocates say legal system chooses to incarcerate Black Oklahomans at higher rates, call for reform | Oklahomans need real solutions. SQ 845 and SQ 847 aren't them

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, OCTOBER 21, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Oklahomans speak out on SQ 847   State Question 847 — being decided by Oklahoma voters on Nov. 3, 2026 — is promoted as property tax relief, yet it fails to reduce tax bills and would make it harder for local communities to adequately fund schools and essential services. It may even raise taxes. From classrooms and CareerTech programs to libraries and local governments, Oklahomans across the state share their concerns about how State Question 847 could affect the communities they call home. [OK Policy] From OK Policy: SQ 847 Fact Sheet | SQ 847 Explainer Video | What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma? Vote NO on SQ 845 and SQ 847 | Oklahomans need real solutions. These proposals aren’t them.   On November 3, all Oklahoma voters will decide on two proposed changes to the state Constitution. SQ 845 would significantly change the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission that chooses nominees for the state’s top judges. SQ 847 would adjust the assessment caps for property owners throughout Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Policy Institute rarely takes positions on state questions. However, after carefully reviewing both proposals, OK Policy is urging voters to vote NO on both state questions. [OK Policy] From OK Policy: Watch our State Questions Town Hall Join us for Voices in Action — Turning community conversations into statewide change   This summer, we hosted listening sessions in towns and cities across the state to provide an opportunity for the public to have conversations with our fellow Oklahomans about issues that matter most in their communities. This October, we’re coming back to share what we heard in those communities and statewide, and to discuss ways we can use our collective power to make a difference on those issues.  Register Now 5.6x   The rate at which Black youth were more likely than white youth to be placed in juvenile facilities in 2023. This marks the highest disparity recorded since data collection began in 1997. [The Sentencing Project] Protect and Redirect: How to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Diversion   Disparities in juvenile diversion begin early—Black and Tribal youth are significantly less likely than white peers to be diverted from court even when offending rates are similar, reflecting biased decision-making at arrest and intake. Prioritizing pre-arrest and pre-court diversion — especially for youth of color — can interrupt pathways into the justice system and improve equity. Strategies to close the gap include collecting race- and ethnicity-disaggregated diversion data, pinpointing decision points with the greatest disparities, and deploying targeted reforms in jurisdictions demonstrating progress. [The Sentencing Project] "Overrepresentation is something that we can correct. It means offering opportunities equitably. It means making sure that every youth is having the same opportunity as every other youth."   — Jill Mencke, Youth Policy Analyst at OK Policy, speaking during a Justice for Oklahoma Youth Coalition webinar on racial disparities in Oklahoma’s youth justice system. [KOSU] What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma?   Oklahoma voters will head to the polls for a statewide general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Our election resource page covers SQ 845 and SQ 847, the federal and statewide races, judicial retention, key voting deadlines, and a link to your sample ballot. [OK Policy] Oklahoma News   What to know about Oklahoma State Question 845 and its impact on the judiciary: Oklahoma voters will decide whether to adjust the judicial selection committee this election cycle. Currently, a 15-member Judicial Nominating Commission nominates judges to the state’s Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Court of Civil Appeals, District and Associate District Judgeships. From a shortlist produced by the JNC, the governor selects the individual who will ultimately serve. State Question 845 would change the rules governing JNC eligibility. [KOSU] From OK Policy: SQ 845 Fact Sheet | SQ 845 Explainer Video  State Government News   Panel studies ways to make Oklahoma more attractive: A legislative panel was told Tuesday to look past tax policy and to invest in education and other areas to make the state a more attractive place to live and work. [Oklahoma Voice]   Federal Government News   Federal government unveils $8B relief plan as Oklahoma farmers face drought and high diesel prices: Farmers nationwide, including those in Oklahoma, will receive $8 billion in federal aid to address high costs and challenges from drought and a tough summer harvest. [KOCO]   Was Oklahoma denied Title X funding by the Biden administration for not providing patients with abortion information?: Yes. In 2023, the Biden Administration withheld Title X grants from Oklahoma and Tennessee because the states refused to provide patients with federally required referrals about abortion services upon request. [Oklahoma Watch]   Tribal Nations News   Court rules Oklahoma can regulate environmental policy on tribal land: A federal appeals court has ruled that Oklahoma should have authority over regulating federal environmental policies within state borders, including on tribal reservations. [The Oklahoman] Federal appeals court affirms Oklahoma's authority over tribal nations' EPA standards [KOSU] Cherokee Nation partners with UCLA for film initiative: The Cherokee Nation entered into an agreement with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television that will support an annual reciprocal filmmaking exchange between UCLA TFT and Cherokee Film. [Tulsa World]   Voting and Election News   Election Roundup When does early voting start in Oklahoma? See ballot, times, locations [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Election Guide: Key dates and what to know before voting in the midterm election [KOCO] Republican group will spend millions on Mazzei-Munson race [The Oklahoman] Democratic Governors Association pledges half a million dollars to help Oklahoma's Cyndi Munson [KOSU] Democratic gubernatorial nominee talks Trump, money [Oklahoma Voice] After ousting incumbent, Cindy Byrd takes on Kiefer Perry in Oklahoma treasurer race [NonDoc] In forum, Oklahoma County candidates clash on budget blunders, jail sales tax [NonDoc] Rob Davis, Scott Loftis trade ethics violation accusations in Kay County, Noble County judge race [NonDoc] Hall-Harper and Wilson talk north Tulsa issues ahead of District 1 runoff election [The Oklahoma Eagle] Opinion: Oklahoma roads, schools, health care are failing. Votes matter: If our assumption is all the innovation, drive, creativity and ambition that will be necessary to carry Oklahoma forward in the future resides in the offspring of the current top 5% of earners, then it may be a rational strategy to focus our resources there. In my opinion, it’s madness — economic madness — as well as the antithesis of our basic tenant of being the land of opportunity for all Americans and all Oklahomans. [Ron Stratton / The Oklahoman]   Opinion: Why won't Oklahoma House candidates return voters' phone calls?: Oklahoma makes it relatively easy to find out who your representatives are and how to get in touch with them. So I called the two candidates running to succeed Munson in the House. [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]   Education News   Lindel Fields inherited an Oklahoma education agency in turmoil. He wanted to make it boring again: After taking over for Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s interim state superintendent faced low morale, a backlog of records requests and lawsuits, and an agency consumed by controversy. Fields said his goal was to “clear the runway” to give his successor a chance to focus on students. [The Frontier]   Ben Gamla founder threatens court action after Oklahoma board denial: The founder of the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation is threatening to take the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board back to court over the board's recent denial of the group's bid to run a taxpayer-funded virtual charter school in the state. [The Oklahoman]   ‘Scattered to the winds’: Education reporters review sweeping Tulsa Public Schools closures: One of the state’s largest traditional school districts voted Monday to close 17 sites in response to a $12 million budget shortfall it says stems from declining enrollment. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] ‘We aren’t done yet’: Tulsa families, teachers respond to closure of 17 campuses [The Oklahoma Eagle] TPS starts adjustment process after voting to close 17 schools [Tulsa World] Justice System News   Advocates say legal system chooses to incarcerate Black Oklahomans at higher rates, call for reform: Justice stakeholders are calling attention to disproportionately high incarceration rates among Black Oklahomans. They say over-representation is a fixable choice. [KOSU]   Restaurateur Brent Swadley to be sentenced unless new lawsuit causes delay: Restaurateur Brent Swadley is asking a judge to let him go home on probation. He also doesn't want to pay any restitution, and more than 40 supporters wrote character letters praising him. A number described him as a man of integrity. [The Oklahoman] Sentencing for Brent Swadley, convicted of conspiring to defraud state, set to begin after delays [KOCO] Hundreds of pregnancy-related prosecutions in Oklahoma, report finds: Oklahoma has had at least 222 criminal cases related to women’s pregnancies or births since the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed the state to end abortion access, according to new data released Tuesday by a nonprofit that advocates for pregnant women. [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma sees hundreds of pregnancy-related prosecutions since fall of Roe v. Wade [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] Judge dismisses Edmond mother’s motion arguing violation of speedy trial right: A long-delayed preliminary hearing for an Edmond mother is slated to occur Friday, more than two years after her initial arrest in 2024 and nearly a year since her charges of driving under the influence and child endangerment were temporarily dismissed in November 2025 owing to delays in the progression of the case. [NonDoc]   5 things we learned about Tulsa Police’s use of Flock Safety cameras, license plate readers: Tulsa Police leaders offered a window into the department’s use of Flock Safety cameras during a Monday night forum at the Tulsa Tech Lemley Memorial Campus. Among their focus was the number of cameras TPD operates across town and law enforcement agencies nationally with access to that information. [The Oklahoma Eagle] Tulsa police leaders explain ALPR tech uses, limitations in public transparency session [Tulsa World]  New jail sales tax vote inches closer while officials broadcast unfixable problems at current Oklahoma County Jail: A tour through the Oklahoma County Jail reveals more problems that one county commissioner says are deeply rooted in the flawed building design. [KFOR]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Cheaper manufactured homes could be having a moment, if only states can catch up: For decades, manufactured home builders have been working to shed the old image of boxy trailer homes reserved for the outskirts of cities and suburbia. Now, a small change in federal regulations could open the door for architecture welcomed in more neighborhoods. [Oklahoma Voice]   Local Headlines Norman City Council approves ‘Fansville’ water tower park, considers ban on public property camping [OU Daily] Edmond launches online tracker so residents can see what's being built [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. 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