In The Know: AG slams federal investigation of decision to deny mosque in Broken Arrow | Funding cuts could impact Native American student outcomes | SQ 844 & SQ 846 Town Hall

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.

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Know what’s on your ballot before you vote | SQ 844 & SQ 846 Town Hall   The Aug. 25 election is your chance to help shape Oklahoma’s future. Before you head to the polls, join the Oklahoma Policy Institute for a free, nonpartisan town hall that will explain the statewide ballot measures and answer your questions. The free event will be held 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at the Mayflower Congregational UCC Church, 3901 NW 63rd Street in Oklahoma City. RSVP for the in-person event here, or it will be live-streamed on OK Policy's YouTube channel. [OK Policy] From OK Policy: What’s on the ballot for the August 25, 2026 elections in Oklahoma? 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 $8.53 million   Estimated cost of Oklahoma's sales tax holiday weekend. The local sales taxes that would have been collected during the weekend are reimbursed to cities and counties from other state sales tax revenues. Oklahoma's sales tax holiday is scheduled for Aug. 7-9. [Oklahoma Tax Commission]  Ineffective Sales Tax Holidays Miss the Mark   Lawmakers in many states have enacted “sales tax holidays” to temporarily suspend the tax on purchases of clothing, school supplies, or other items. While lawmakers often tout sales tax holidays as a way to benefit everyday households, especially as household budgets continue to be squeezed by inflation, this approach falls short of alleviating the regressive nature of sales taxes on low- and middle-income households and tends to bolster political profiles with a highly visible but short-lived tax cut in lieu of more meaningful, permanent reform. Instead, the holidays arbitrarily reward people with specific hobbies or in certain professions while simultaneously reducing state revenues and creating administrative burdens. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy] “The key is that it’s not you versus me, it’s we. Those are our kids.”   — Jackie White, program director of Oklahoma’s American Indian Education Department and president of the National Johnson-O’Malley Association Board, speaking about the importance of communication between Tribal governments, the state, and schools to boost student success and family understanding. Funding for Native American students through the federal Johnson-O'Malley Program has not increased or been adjusted for inflation since 2018 despite the number of eligible students increasing. [Oklahoma Watch] Oklahoma News   Why governors from across the U.S. are traveling to Oklahoma City: Governors from across the U.S. are meeting in Oklahoma City for a three-day meeting of the National Governors Association, which Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has led for the past year. [The Oklahoman] Gov Kevin Stitt weighs in on data centers during National Governors Association [KFOR] PSO rate increase? Here’s what’s going on with your high electricity bills: We’ve heard from a lot of people asking what’s up with their electric bills. It’s hot, your air conditioning is working overtime and your bill is climbing. On top of that, you’re paying an extra $11 right now while the Oklahoma Corporation Commission decides on Public Service Company of Oklahoma’s request for a rate increase. The good news is you could get some of that money back — eventually. [Tulsa Flyer]   State Government News   Drummond to DOJ: Withdraw investigation into Broken Arrow mosque decision: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond wants the Department of Justice to drop its inquiry into Broken Arrow’s zoning practices for religious institutions, calling it “federal overreach of the first order.” [Tulsa Flyer] Drummond slams DOJ investigation of decision to deny mosque in Broken Arrow [Tulsa World] CompSource policyholder files ethics complaint against insurance commissioner: A CompSource Mutual policyholder filed a formal ethics complaint Wednesday against Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready, alleging he violated mandatory recusal requirements in connection with the company’s controversial conversion plan. [The Oklahoman]   Most states, including Oklahoma, temporarily housed some foster children in hotels, offices: More than 9,000 children in foster care had to temporarily stay in hotels, office buildings and other potentially unsafe settings when states couldn’t find suitable places for them, according to a new federal audit. [Oklahoma Voice]   Oklahoma couple challenges casket law after state hands them $4,000 fine: A district judge on Thursday ruled an Oklahoma couple can challenge the constitutionality of a state law that only lets funeral directors sell caskets. Candice Mentink and Todd Collard, who own a business in Calvin, sued the Oklahoma Funeral Board to overturn a state law, which they said prevents them from selling their specialty caskets. [Oklahoma Voice]   Opinion: This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Rep. Williams investigation, Broken Arrow mosque, Inola aluminum smelter and more (podcast): Panelists talk about the investigation of Seminole Republican Rep. Danny Williams, a delay in reporting millions of dollars in stock trades by interim U.S. Senator Alan Armstrong and Attorney General Gentner Drummond clashing with Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready about a delayed report on home insurance practices. The trio also discusses the U.S. Department of Justice investigating the Broken Arrow City Council after it denied the application to build mosque and the Muscogee Nation Council unanimously opposes the building of an aluminum smelter in Inola. [KOSU]   Federal Government News   Trump administration rules out mass ICE enforcement at the polls in midterms: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not planning an aggressive campaign at voting sites during the upcoming midterm elections, the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday in response to a States Newsroom inquiry about a letter from U.S. Senate Democrats voicing concerns about armed federal agents at polling places. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tribal Nations News   Project Return will help Choctaw boarding school survivors find student records: Project Return eliminates barriers for boarding school survivors hoping to retrieve student records. The pilot project began with Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Voter registration deadline today for Aug. 25 elections: The deadline is Friday for new voter registrations eligible for the Aug. 25 elections. Registration may be submitted in person at county election board offices, by mail or online through the OK Voter Portal. Mailed applications must be postmarked by Friday. [Tulsa World] From OK Policy: What’s on the ballot for the August 25, 2026 elections in Oklahoma? Who bought that ad? The Frontier is following the money in Oklahoma elections: Shadowy groups that sometimes try to hide their funding sources are dumping millions into Oklahoma elections this year. Many of these organizations are super PACs — political action committees that can independently raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to promote candidates for office while circumventing campaign donation limits. [The Frontier] The Frontier answers your questions about political advertising [The Frontier] Election Roundup Democrat Jim Priest talks tariffs, bipartisan problem-solving ahead of Oklahoma Senate runoff [Oklahoma Voice] HD 38 runoff: Madison Bolay, Danielle Deterding debate money, roots, district needs [NonDoc] Tulsa City Council District 1: Vanessa Hall-Harper sees 4 challengers in North Tulsa [NonDoc] Education News   Oklahoma Native American Students Ranked First in the Nation in Reading and Math, but Funding Cuts Could Change That: Oklahoma Native American students receive more Title VI and Johnson-O’Malley funding than those in any other state. They have also been scoring near the top in reading and math nationally for more than 30 years, according to a study by the University of Oklahoma released this year. The data for the study came from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the Nation’s Report Card. [Oklahoma Watch]   Health News   Opinion: Oklahoma families share 'heartbreaking' disability stories: In Oklahoma, more than 5,000 children and adults with IDD rely on Medicaid-funded Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers to receive care in their homes rather than institutions. This care helps help people with disabilities eat, dress, get to work and participate in daily life. This funding provides the direct support professionals (DSPs) who become trusted caregivers, mentors and lifelines for families. [John Thompson / The Oklahoman]   Justice System News   Jail trust says OK County sheriff broke the law by sending it invoices: The county jail trust's attorneys in recent court filings have accused Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III of breaking the law by seeking payment he is not entitled to for work his office is performing only under court order. [The Oklahoman]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Vesta Realty CEO breaks silence to defend company amid legal battle over property control: Amid a legal battle between Vesta Realty and YSA Investments over which company should have control over apartment complexes across the state, Vesta Realty CEO, Marc Kulick, claims the problems began when YSA took out second mortgages on the properties. [KFOR]   Economy & Business News   Opinion: Policy consistency matters more than election wins: With U.S. midterm elections on the horizon, the question isn't just which party wins. It's also whether consumers and businesses feel confident enough that the current affordability issues will subside and whether policies remain consistent enough for businesses to make long-term decisions. In my view, that distinction is becoming increasingly important in today's economic environment. [Steve Wyett / The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines Most of Inola’s planning commission resigns as town considers aluminum smelter [KOSU] OKC's Asian District residents, police talk steps for public safety after death [The Oklahoman] Former Okarche police chief arrested [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. 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