In The Know: Oklahoma Medicaid agency plans $218 million in provider cuts | To protect its drinking water, this city has to appeal to the oil regulators that put it at risk | Here are the OK state agencies, advisory boards facing sunset as of July 1

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, JULY 1, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) NEW: OK Policy is now hiring a Tribal-State Policy Analyst!   We are hiring for a Tribal-State Policy Analyst to conduct research and analysis on Tribal-State policy in Oklahoma, in direct collaboration with OK Policy team members, Tribal partners, and Inter-Tribal organizations on Tribal-state-specific policy issues.    Deadline to apply is Friday, July 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (CST) Learn More & Apply OK Policy & Together OK are bringing the voices of your community to the Capitol.   This summer, we’re hosting 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. By hearing directly from residents, we can better advocate for state policies that reflect your priorities.   Sessions are free and open to the public, and participants will be compensated for their time (in-person events only). [Learn More] Find A Listening Session Near You Take Our Quick Online Survey 53.1%   More than half of Oklahoma youth who experienced a major depressive episode did not receive any mental health treatment. That ranks Oklahoma 36th in the nation, highlighting ongoing gaps in access to care and the need to ensure every young person can get the mental health support they need when they need it. [Mental Health America] 2025 State Legislation Issue Brief Series: Trends in Access to Mental Health Care State Policy   There continues to be a mental health crisis in the U.S., yet too many people still face barriers to getting care. In 2025, states continued working to address growing challenges in accessing mental health services. With federal funding cuts looming, prioritizing mental health and investing in innovative solutions will be critical to ensuring people can get the care they need. Expanding access to treatment and services as early as possible can reduce crises and ultimately save lives. [National Alliance on Mental Illness] "The stressors that hit children today are so immeasurably higher than anything I ever had to deal with at those ages. And so between substances and the access to everything online and the way things work, it can be really stressful. And so we have to up our game as the world ups its game."   — Jim Serratt, CEO of Parkside Psychiatric Hospital & Clinic, speaking about why the hospital shifted its focus from caring for patients of all ages to exclusively accepting inpatient admissions for those ages 5 to 17. He believes his team is helping fill a critical gap in youth mental health care across Oklahoma. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma News   In Reversal, Oklahoma Medicaid Agency Plans $218 Million in Provider Cuts: Just days after its board approved a flat budget with no provider cuts for the new fiscal year, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority told the federal government it plans to cut more than $200 million in payments to state hospitals under the state’s Medicaid program. [Oklahoma Watch]   To protect its drinking water, this city has to appeal to the oil regulators that put it at risk: Oklahoma restricts oil field wastewater injection within a half-mile of public water wells. Regulators have let companies do it anyway. But in the city of Enid, officials are pushing back against one of the state’s biggest industries. [The Frontier and ProPublica]   State Government News   Oklahoma sovereign wealth fund projected to reach $670M by 2032: On Tuesday, the Invest in Oklahoma Board met for the first time since the legislature complied with Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call for a sovereign wealth fund, a $200 million investment plan to reduce reliance on the state income tax. The fund is projected to grow to more than $670 million in five years, according to estimates provided by the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the state’s administrative and operational backbone. [The Journal Record]   Here are the Oklahoma state agencies, advisory boards facing sunset as of July 1: Several Oklahoma agencies and councils are at risk of shutting down after Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed several bills that would have extended their sunset dates past 2026. July 1, the first day of the state’s 2026-27 fiscal year, marks the sunset date for the affected organizations, which span public media, environmental advisory councils and a professional regulatory board. [KOSU]   Oklahoma launching extended foster care program through age 21: At the beginning of the month, Governor Stitt signed Senate Bill 1806, launching Oklahoma’s new extended foster care program. On July 1, the program goes live, which allows eligible youth to continue receiving foster care services through the age of 21, including Medicaid, a monthly stipend, and case worker support. [KFOR]   Federal Government News   Senate farm bill draft focuses on farm economy, keeps ‘Big Beautiful’ SNAP cuts: Nearly two months after the U.S. House passed a farm bill proposal, the Senate Agriculture Committee has released an initial draft of the omnibus legislation that covers everything from crop insurance to nutrition assistance. [Oklahoma Voice]   Supreme Court Roundup US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order [Oklahoma Voice] US Supreme Court upholds transgender athlete bans in Idaho, West Virginia [Oklahoma Voice] Tribal Nations News   Five Oklahoma tribes awarded $1.6 million in housing grant for repairs, new construction: Five Oklahoma tribes have been awarded a total of $1.6 million in grant money to support affordable housing and community development projects. Tribal leaders with the Cheyenne and Arapaho, Iowa, Osage Nation, Otoe-Missouria and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians plan to use the money to improve housing conditions or accessibility for veterans and older or impoverished members. [Oklahoma Voice]   Education News   Oklahoma education secretary departing for University of Texas: Oklahoma Education Secretary Dan Hamlin will join the UT College of Education as its dean on Aug. 16, the university announced Monday. Hamlin, an education policy professor at the University of Oklahoma, is the fifth person to fill the key advisory role in the governor’s Cabinet since Stitt took office in 2019. [Oklahoma Voice]   School budgets 101: Where the money comes from, where it goes and how it changes through the year: When school’s out for the summer, districts remain hard at work planning how to keep the lights on, students learning and teachers paid come August. It requires a complicated network of funds that ebb and flow throughout the year. Preliminary budgets rolled out in June and July are often more like educated guesses, administrators say. [Tulsa Flyer]   Health News   Parkside addresses mental health care gap by making youth patients its sole focus: Tulsa has been notoriously short of youth mental health beds for years. As of Wednesday, a hospital has stepped up to fill the gap. [Tulsa World]   Justice System News   Danny Seibel, Cody Cordell plead guilty in Lindsay bank fraud case, Shaun Christian charges pending: More than 18 months after the First National Bank of Lindsay failed and left community members with more questions than answers, two men have pleaded guilty in federal court while a third has been charged with fraud and money laundering. [NonDoc]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   PSO residential customers to see $11 increase amid company’s rate case: As state regulators review PSO’s latest rate proposal, the company is temporarily hiking up average monthly bills starting Wednesday. The utility said in an email to customers the increase comes from investments that are “strengthening reliability and building a more resilient energy grid for the future.” [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]   Economy & Business News   Opinion: AI can increase productivity, but can't replace human purpose: A few weeks after graduation season, many college graduates are asking a troubling question: Where are the jobs? Employers say they cannot find qualified talent while graduates struggle to find meaningful opportunities. At the same time, artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace faster than many institutions can respond. During a recent trip to Phoenix, Arizona, I experienced a glimpse of that future. [Daryl D. Green / The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines Inola hits pause on smelter after weighing resident pushback, Trump support [KOSU] Tulsa launches its pre-approved housing plans program [Tulsa World] Police chief outlines criminal probe finding no wrongdoing in Coweta [Tulsa World] Yukon residents demand mayor’s resignation at fiery city council meeting over data center land deal [KFOR] 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.

In The Know: PSO seeking significant rate increase | Oklahoma Health Care Authority board approves balanced budget despite funding gaps | What Oklahoma House members want to study this interim

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.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) What Oklahoma House members want to study this interim (Capitol Update)   The deadline for House of Representatives members to request interim studies was last Friday, and the House has now published those requests. In the House, studies must be approved by the Speaker, which is expected to happen before July 24th. Studies are usually assigned to a relevant standing committee and held in August, September, or October. Their length is determined by the committee chair, but they typically last two to four hours. In rare cases, a study may last all day or span multiple days. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] NEW: OK Policy is now hiring a Tribal-State Policy Analyst!   We are hiring for a Tribal-State Policy Analyst to conduct research and analysis on Tribal-State policy in Oklahoma, in direct collaboration with OK Policy team members, Tribal partners, and Inter-Tribal organizations on Tribal-state-specific policy issues.    Deadline to apply is Friday, July 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (CST) Learn More & Apply OK Policy & Together OK are bringing the voices of your community to the Capitol.   This summer, we’re hosting 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. By hearing directly from residents, we can better advocate for state policies that reflect your priorities.   Sessions are free and open to the public, and participants will be compensated for their time (in-person events only). [Learn More] Find A Listening Session Near You Take Our Quick Online Survey -13%   The Oklahoma Health Care Authority requested $1.9 billion from the state legislature for Fiscal Year 2027, which begins on July 1, 2026. Lawmakers appropriated $1.66 billion, which is 13% less than what the agency requested. [Oklahoma House of Representatives Budget Portal] New Federal Medicaid Policies Compound State Budget Pressures   Medicaid—the health care provider for roughly 1 in 5 Americans and the largest single source of federal funding for state governments—is entering a period of major change that could reshape state budgets for years to come. State policymakers must now manage the budgetary and operational impacts of some of the most sweeping revisions in Medicaid’s 60-year history—changes enacted through H.R. 1, the federal budget reconciliation law passed last July—while also contending with substantial and growing underlying cost pressures. [Pew Charitable Trusts] From OK Policy: H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) “I think it is important for us to communicate diplomatically, kindly, but forcibly to our friends on the fourth floor of the state Capitol building … that this is a problem that they are going to have to solve. And there are only so many efficiencies that we can, as an agency, achieve. But at the end of the day, sometimes it comes down to just how much cold hard cash are you going to give us to do our job?”   —Clark Jolley, Oklahoma Health Care Authority board member and a former state lawmaker, pointing out that state legislators will need to address funding issues for the agency, which has drawn down its cash reserves to use for its annual budget. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] Oklahoma News   PSO is adding $11 to your electricity bill while awaiting approval for another rate increase: Hot days are ahead, and your electricity bill isn’t cooling down. The Public Service Company of Oklahoma will charge an estimated $11 more to your monthly bill starting July 1 through an interim rate increase. This comes as part of the ongoing rate case filed in January, in which the utility is asking for an extra $25 a month. That request is currently being reviewed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. [Tulsa Flyer] Large load tariff could result in significantly amended request for PSO rate hike [Tulsa World] State Government News   Oklahoma Health Care Authority board approves balanced budget despite funding gaps: The Oklahoma Health Care Authority board approved a balanced budget Friday despite receiving only half of its requested funding increase during this year’s legislative session. Budget cuts and modifications are leaving the state Medicaid agency with “razor-thin margins” as it enters the 2027 fiscal year. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]   State, federal agencies not following law in Oklahoma turnpike expansion, lawsuit alleges: An anti-turnpike group has sued the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and four federal agencies, asking a judge to stop a portion of a massive toll road expansion and improvement project. [Oklahoma Voice]   Oklahoma education, foster care bills take effect July 1: More than 100 new laws take effect Wednesday. Many deal with the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget, which begins July 1. Other measures though are expected to impact public schools, employee pay and youth in foster care. Here’s a breakdown of some of the higher-profile measures that take effect Wednesday. [Oklahoma Voice]   Federal Government News   Trump taps former Oklahoma trooper to head ICE, critics question qualifications: President Donald Trump said he is nominating former Oklahoma trooper Lance Schroyer to serve as the next director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The selection of Schroyer further expands Oklahoma's connection to federal immigration operations, deepening roots in ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. [The Oklahoman] Former Oklahoma trooper nominated by Trump to head up ICE [Oklahoma Voice] Former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper is Trump pick to head ICE [Tulsa World] Trump nominates former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to lead ICE [The Journal Record] Mullin shares border wall, detention facility plans during tense hearing: Another week, another contentious moment for Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. This one involved literal finger-pointing during a House subcommittee hearing and an admonition of Mullin by the Republican chairman. [Tulsa World]   Moderate US House Dem group questions USDA’s Rollins over screwworm response: Members of the New Democrat Coalition asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday to provide fresh details about the nation’s screwworm outbreak and demanded that the Trump administration allocate more resources to containing the spread. [Oklahoma Voice]   Supreme Court Roundup Birthright citizenship upheld as Supreme Court deals Trump a loss: Live updates [The Oklahoman] US Supreme Court deals blow to Trump, ruling states can accept ballots after Election Day [Oklahoma Voice] US Supreme Court in Virginia case says police need warrants for cellphone location data [Oklahoma Voice] High court issues split decisions on Trump’s control of executive board members [Oklahoma Voice] Opinion: Happy Birthday America! Your Constitution is in need of change: Our Constitution, which sets forth the framework for our government, wasn't approved until 1789, when it replaced an initial effort, the Articles of Confederation. And another replacement might be needed before another 250 years go by if our Constitution can’t be amended against mounting threats to our democracy. [Joseph Thai / The Oklahoman]   Tribal Nations News   Caddo Nation paves way for Tribal courts, opening up more land leases: Caddo Nation is taking steps toward self-governance. It’s planning a Tribal court system and can now oversee lease agreements without the need for federal approval. [KOSU]   Health News   “More People Sick or Dying”: After Five Years of Sterile Syringe Distributions, Harm Reduction Law Set to Expire: In five years, harm-reduction organizations distributed hundreds of thousands of sterile needles and syringes to drug users across Oklahoma, potentially saving lives and significantly reducing viral infection rates. The state law protecting the organizations from criminal prosecution sunsets July 1, effectively grinding the work to a halt. [Oklahoma Watch]   Justice System News   Payne County Grand Jury petition quashed after erroneous approval: After learning he had used an incorrect formula to determine signature sufficiency, Oklahoma County District Judge Richard Ogden issued an order Monday canceling his prior order to convene a grand jury in Payne County. By his revised determination that the petition failed to achieve the necessary number of signatures, Ogden’s new order could be a fatal setback for the grand jury petition seeking a sweeping investigation into former District Attorney Laura Thomas while alleging a conspiracy involving the state’s child services division. [NonDoc]   Trial date set in Betty Shelby case as she seeks appeal before U.S. Supreme Court: While she is still pursuing an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court, a judge has set a civil trial date for former Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby, who fatally shot Terence Crutcher in 2016. [Tulsa World]   Surveillance or safety? OKC City Council to consider automated license plate reader contract renewal: Oklahoma City has contracted with Flock Safety to capture vehicle data on public roads since 2023, aiming to solve crimes more quickly. But critics say the company facilitates mass surveillance. [KOSU]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   City of Tulsa launches its pre-approved housing plans program: The city on Tuesday rolled out a program it says will make it simpler and faster to build a home. Anyone paying attention to the talk in local development circles the past few decades knows that’s a big deal. [Tulsa World]   Local Headlines After the city manager’s suspension and mayor’s resignation, another Bixby administrator is out of a job [Tulsa Flyer] Coweta police chief clears city officials over now-dead data center [Tulsa World] 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.