The new year is almost here

View this email in your browser. Dear Friend,  As we prepare to ring in 2020, I wanted to ask if you would take a moment from your busy schedule to remember the Oklahoma Policy Institute in your year-end giving. As a friend of our organization, you know that OK Policy strives to be *the* information source for data-driven decision making for policy makers and community leaders.  As the only non-profit of its kind in the state, OK Policy relies on support from people like you to help us fulfill our mission of making Oklahoma an environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of the size of their bank account, the color of their skin, or the neighborhood in which they live. We need your support to make sure this work continues to have an impact in 2020 and beyond. I hope you will take this opportunity to support our ongoing work with a tax-deductible contribution that supports our work. You can mail a check with your donation to the Oklahoma Policy Institute at 907 S. Detroit Ave., Suite 1005, Tulsa, OK 74120, or make an online donation below. Support our Mission Thank you for your support, and we hope that you have a wonderful new year.   Sincerely, Ahniwake Rose Executive Director, Oklahoma Policy Institute Connect with Us Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 794-3944 info@okpolicy.org Unsubscribe

Fighting the good fight

View this email in your browser. Dear Friend,  The question that Oklahoma Policy Institute staff and volunteers hear most often is, “How do you keep your spirits up in difficult times?”  And the simple answer is - it is people like you. Our supporters know that we fight on many fronts in order to protect the needs of the state’s residents, while developing an environment that allows *all Oklahomans* to thrive. The support and encouragement we receive from you helps provide fuel on the days when our fight seems endless.  If you are someone who values OK Policy, I hope you’ll take this opportunity to support our ongoing work with a tax-deductible contribution of $50, $100, $500, or whatever amount you can afford. Your generous gift will allow us to continue doing the work that no one else in Oklahoma is doing to support data-driven policymaking that supports the needs of all Oklahomans.  You can mail a check with your donation to the Oklahoma Policy Institute at 907 S. Detroit Ave., Suite 1005, Tulsa, OK 74120, or make an online donation below. Support our Mission Thank you for your support, and we look forward to continuing our fight in 2020.  Sincerely,  Ahniwake Rose Executive Director, Oklahoma Policy Institute Connect with Us Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 794-3944 info@okpolicy.org Unsubscribe

[The Weekly Wonk] Some large U.S. companies still pay no income tax, looking ahead to Oklahoma's budget, and more

View this email in your browser. 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. Happy Holidays! ‘The Weekly Wonk will be on hiatus until January 12, 2020 while our staff takes time off for the holidays. If you enjoy reading these weekly updates, we encourage you to make an online donation to support our mission. Happy Holidays from the OK Policy team! This Week from OK Policy The 2017 federal tax law included a major restructuring of our corporate tax laws that dropped the legal tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. A new report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) shows that under the new law, some of America's biggest and most profitable corporations paid $0.00 in federal income taxes on U.S. income in 2018.  In her weekly Journal Record column, Executive Director Ahniwake Rose encouraged those who are considering charitable year-end giving to align gifts with their personal values when they give to their communities. Steve Lewis's Capitol Update expressed disappointment in the absence of sentencing reform in the recommendations made by the Criminal Justice Reclassification Council. OK Policy also commented on the initial budget numbers coming from Friday's Board of Equalization meeting, noting state lawmakers should continue the progress made during the past two years when it reinvested new revenue into state programs and services. OK Policy in the News The Oklahoman cited OK Policy in a story about new Census data showing Oklahoma's poverty rate slightly declined in 2018, while the Norman Transcript cited OK Policy in a story about property taxes.

5 reasons not to donate to OK Policy

View this email in your browser. Typically, when we reach out to ask you to contribute to Oklahoma Policy Institute, we list all the good reasons we believe you should support our work with a tax-deductible donation. But it has become an end-of-year tradition for us to share a reminder that other people may believe differently. Here are five things you may believe that should lead you not to donate to OK Policy. Support our Mission 1. Facts do not matter On the state policy issues that matter to most people – from the budget and taxes to health care, poverty, and criminal justice – OK Policy puts out reliable information and analysis, driven by data and facts. We produce fact-based sources of information that helps Oklahoma better understand public affairs.  These resources include our Online Budget Guide, County Fact Sheets, and Legislative Primer, as well as our daily In The Know. But if facts don’t matter to you, do not donate to OK Policy. 2. There’s only one side to every debate Through our blog posts, op-eds, columns, and presentations, OK Policy is often that lonely voice offering a different perspective – whether it’s making the case for expanding health coverage, arguing for a fairer tax system, or opposing the expansion of predatory consumer loans. But if you believe there’s only one side to every debate, then you should most definitely not donate to OK Policy. 3. You don’t need to know how the state budget works OK Policy works to explain the appropriations process, show where state revenues come from and how they are spent, and track budget trends over time, guided by the belief that an informed citizenry is vital to a healthy, functioning democracy. With a shrinking Capitol press corps, many people count on OK Policy to shine a light on what is happening behind the curtains. But if you prefer to remain in the dark, then making a tax-deductible contribution to OK Policy is most certainly a bad idea. 4. 49th is quite OK In Oklahoma, one in six of us, and more than one in five children, live in households that earn too little to stay above the poverty line. On a whole range of health and social indicators, Oklahoma ranks among the states with the worst outcomes. One of OK Policy's core convictions is that we need purposeful strategies aimed at expanding opportunities for all Oklahomans. We put forward thoughtful, practical policy proposals that will lead to a more prosperous, healthier state. But if you think Oklahoma is just fine the way it is, donating to OK Policy is probably not for you. 5. There’s no more work to do So long as we remain last in our region in education funding, have one of the highest per capita incarcerations rates, are among the lowest in the nation for mental health funding, and have nearly the highest rate of people without health insurance, OK Policy will make the case that we must continue to improve funding for public services that are the bedrock of healthy communities, thriving families, and a strong economy. If, however, you think there’s no more work to do, do not donate to OK Policy. Support our Mission All kidding aside, we sincerely hope you will make a tax-deductible one-time or recurring year-end donation to OK Policy to help ensure that our work continues to have an impact in 2020. We greatly appreciate your support, and we hope this year, you can make the coming year even better by donating securely online at http://okpolicy.org/donate. Connect with Us Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 794-3944 info@okpolicy.org Unsubscribe

[In The Know] Tribes united against proposed extension, Medicaid expansion is 'deal of the century, and more

View this email in your browser. 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. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions. Note: 'In The Know' will be on hiatus until January 6, 2020 while our staff takes time off for the holidays. If you enjoy reading these daily updates, we encourage you to make an online donation to support our mission. In The News More than 30 tribes ‘stand united’ against Stitt offer: More than 50 representatives from more than 30 sovereign tribal nations filled a stage at the River Spirit Casino Thursday to emphasize unity during ongoing gaming compact negotiations and to reject Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s offer of a temporary extension. [NonDoc] The tribes said they were determined to present a united front to combat Stitt’s belief that the state’s gaming compact would expire on Jan. 1. [The Frontier] Medicaid expansion is the deal of the century, but Oklahoma keeps saying no: Wayne Greene: Imagine if an investor was offering to bring a $1 billion deal to Oklahoma with strong evidence that it would create thousands of good-paying jobs, set off positive shock waves throughout the state’s economy, reduce crime, improve health and lower debt — all at no net cost to the state. But we’ve been saying no to it for years. The offer is called Medicaid expansion and the billion dollar offer is coming from the federal government. [Tulsa World] OK Policy supports SQ 802 to expand Medicaid and has provided information and resources to better understand the issue. (Audio) Recreational marijuana petition, tribal gaming compacts, four-day school weeks & more: The hosts talk about a petition filed to allow voters to add recreational marijuana to the state constitution, the battle between Governor Stitt and tribal leaders over gaming compacts heats up as the end of the year gets closer and Oklahoma City Democratic Representative Shane Stone delays his resignation by one day removing the need for a special election. [KOSU] Technology, testing sites and salaries: Documents provide some insight into Epic charter’s expenses: Oklahoma’s largest virtual charter school spends millions on technology, office facilities, testing sites and salaries, while a large amount is funneled to a for-profit company with no state oversight. [The Frontier] OK Policy has found that virtual charter schools are a cause for concern. Tulsa charter school application in limbo: The Oklahoma State Board of Education agreed Thursday to send a denied charter school application back to Tulsa Public Schools for reconsideration. [The Oklahoman] Ginnie Graham: Tulsa's LGBTQ community being hit harder by lack of mental health services in Oklahoma: The Prism Project — a needs assessment of the sexual and gender minority communities — found Tulsa leading the way in areas of advocacy and acceptance, particularly in workplaces and families. The project is an extension of the 2004 LGBT Needs Assessment. [Ginne Graham / Tulsa World] Property tax bills due soon: Although people are directing most of their attention and money on Christmas, Cleveland County Treasurer Jim Reynolds wants to remind property owners of another financial obligation. [Norman Transcript] Western district judges Dishman, Jones confirmed by U.S. Senate: The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Jodi W. Dishman and Bernard M. Jones as federal judges for the western district of Oklahoma, which is based in Oklahoma City. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma will continue to resettle refugees, Stitt tells Trump administration: Gov. Kevin Stitt agreed Wednesday to continue allowing refugees to resettle in Oklahoma next year under a new presidential directive that allows cities and states to bar refugees. [The Oklahoman] Medical marijuana industry employment expands: It’s difficult to assess on precisely how many people the medical marijuana industry has employed so far in Oklahoma, but the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is trying. [The Journal Record $] Schools wrestling with policies for medical marijuana: Oklahoman's decision to legalize medicinal cannabis continues raising questions about who may use it and carry a medical marijuana card, including students and school employees. [Tahlequah Daily Press] Additional Tulsa County flu-related death and first for Oklahoma County bring state total to six: The second flu-related death in Tulsa County and the first in Oklahoma County have brought the state’s influenza-related death total to six this season, Oklahoma State Department of Health data shared Thursday show. [Tulsa World] Search for mass graves puts mayor, south Tulsa cemetery owner at odds: Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum expressed frustration that the city has yet to reach an agreement with the Rolling Oaks Cemetery to search for mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre; but an attorney for the cemetery’s owners says they are willing to allow a search — under certain conditions — and that the mayor has misrepresented the discussions. [Tulsa World] Quote of the Day “Assuming that enrollment plateaus near current levels, Medicaid expansion will introduce approximately $350 million to $400 million of new spending to Montana’s economy each year. This spending ripples through Montana’s economy, generating approximately 5,000 jobs and $270 million in personal income in each year between 2018 and 2020.” -A 2018 report from the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research demonstrates the effects Medicaid expansion had on that state after it accepted funding for about 100,000 working poor adults starting in 2015. [Tulsa World] Number of the Day 200,000 Approximate number of students in Oklahoma's rural districts who rank among the most diverse in the nation in terms of race, specialized needs, poverty, and residential instability. [Source: Why Rural Matters 2018-2019] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note How far can cities go to police the homeless? Boise tests the limit: Dawn Whitson, a shelter resident making $12 an hour as a hotel receptionist, said she wanted to know why the city was spending potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight a law suit criminalizing poverty instead of putting the money toward more shelter beds or homeless services. [New York Times] You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.   Connect with Us   Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 794-3944 info@okpolicy.org Unsubscribe

 

 

[In The Know] Census data shows state's disparities, board adopts new juvenile detention plan, and more

View this email in your browser. 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. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions. In The News Census data shows economic disparities between Oklahoma's metro, rural areas: New data estimates from the Census Bureau continue to paint a picture that Oklahomans living in or near metro areas tend to be better off financially than those in rural parts of the state. While the state as a whole saw increases in population numbers and median household incomes, many smaller regions are still far below the state and national average, the estimates show. [The Oklahoman] OK Policy: an accurate Census count in the state is vital for Oklahoma to secure its share of federal funding, have fair voting representation, and more. Board of Juvenile Affairs adopts updated state plan for juvenile detention: The Board of Juvenile Affairs on Wednesday approved a new state plan for juvenile detention services. The plan outlines the number of contracted juvenile detention beds in the state and where they're located. The updated plan, which will take effect July 1, will reduce the number of contracted beds from 296 during the current fiscal year to 266 during the 2021 fiscal year. [The Oklahoman] An OK Policy analysis recently noted that Oklahoma must continue to reduce juvenile incarceration to minimize disruption to youths’ lives. Gov. Stitt proposes extending Oklahoma tribal gaming compacts through August: Gov. Kevin Stitt told tribal leaders Wednesday that he would like to extend their gaming compacts until Aug. 31. He asked that the signed extension agreement be returned to his office by Dec. 30. [Tulsa World] Tribal leaders have not yet said whether they would agree to an extension. However, Matthew Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, said he doesn't see the need to sign an extension since the tribes believe it automatically renews. [The Oklahoman] Community gathers to discuss homelessness as part of strategic planning initiative: Mental health, transitional housing and improved case management dominated conversations Monday night as community members met to discuss homelessness in Oklahoma City. [The Oklahoman] Board approves negotiated pay increase for TPS support staff: After back-to-back years of teacher pay raises, Tulsa Public Schools support staff are getting a bump in pay. The TPS Board approved this week an agreement for a 30-cent raise between the district and the local union representing those 2,600 workers. [Public Radio Tulsa] OK Policy: Support staff pay raise and restoring cuts is key to improving Oklahoma’s schools. Rural Oklahoma parents, teachers gear up for four-day school week fight: In the last decade, the abbreviated school weeks have exploded across the western U.S. Most are concentrated in Colorado, Montana, Oregon and Oklahoma. Because they’re a recent phenomenon, any benefits or drawbacks are mostly unstudied. [StateImpact Oklahoma] Bill proposes business tax credits for employee blood donations: Businesses could soon start receiving tax credits if they host blood drives and can convince employees to donate. A proposed law, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, would give Oklahoma employers a $20 tax credit for each verified blood donation made during a business-hosted blood drive. [CNHI] Activist: Recreational marijuana could ‘wreck’ medical: An activist who played a key role in getting medical marijuana use legalized in Oklahoma has serious concerns about an effort launched to get the drug legalized for recreational use. [The Journal Record $] Half of U.S. adults to be obese by 2030 with one in four severely obese: A new analysis is predicting that by 2030, 48.9 percent of adults in the United States will be obese and 24.2 percent will be severely obese. The state with the highest rate of obesity, the researchers projected, will be Oklahoma, at 58.4 percent, with Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi all tied for second place at 58.2 percent. [Reuters] Bynum, Crime Prevention Network to hold town halls on police chief hiring: Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and the nonprofit Crime Prevention Network will hold a series of town halls next month to get public feedback in the search for a new chief of police. [Public Radio Tulsa] Tulsa elected officials called on Bynum to consider community input in the search for a new police chief [Tulsa World] National advocacy group asks city councilors not to use eminent domain for Pearl District detention pond: A representative of a national law firm and advocacy group urged Tulsa city councilors Wednesday night to be the heroes of the Pearl District and put an end to the city’s effort to use eminent domain to construct a detention pond. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma County voters to decide on Sunday liquor sales: Oklahoma County residents can vote March 3 on whether to allow liquor stores in the county to operate on Sundays. [The Oklahoman] Muskogee County voters to weigh in on Sunday liquor store sales: Muskogee County voters will have an opportunity on March 3 to decide whether liquor stores should be allowed to open for business on Sundays. [Muskogee Phoenix] City of Ada makes switch to Indigenous Peoples Day: Ada is joining a growing list of cities, states and universities that have replaced Columbus Day with a new holiday recognizing Native Americans’ history and culture. [The Ada News] Oklahoma County district judge found in contempt: For the first time in its history, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission has found a candidate for office in contempt. Without naming her, commissioners voted 3-0 on Friday to find Oklahoma County District Judge Kendra Coleman in contempt for not turning over subpoenaed records. [The Oklahoman] Former longtime superintendent faces criminal, civil cases alleging child sexual abuse: The civil and criminal cases against Gary Young are believed to be the first tests of Oklahoma's Hidden Predators Act, which extended the time cases could be brought on behalf of alleged child sexual abuse victims. [The Frontier] Quote of the Day “There have got to be better evaluations and assistance. You can go to jail, and they ask if you have a mental health issue, and all you have to say is no, and they let you walk away.” -A participant in an Oklahoma City public forum about addressing homelessness [The Oklahoman] Number of the Day 3 The number of states, including Oklahoma, that have the most racially diverse rural school districts in the country. The other two are Delaware and North Carolina. [Source: Why Rural Matters 2018-2019] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Corporate tax avoidance in the first year of the 2017 tax law: ITEP’s examination of Fortune 500 companies’ financial filings identifies 379 companies that were profitable in 2018 and that provided enough information to calculate effective federal income tax rates, which is the share of 2018 pretax profits they paid in federal income taxes in that year. [ITEP] You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.   Connect with Us   Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 794-3944 info@okpolicy.org Unsubscribe