The Weekly Wonk: Job licensing reform; the wrong way to reduce the uninsured; a better way to support teachers; & more…

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.

This Week from OK Policy

Nearly 30 percent of the American workforce needs a license to do their job, but many licensing rules include “blanket ban” provisions that automatically disqualify the justice-involved — even when a crime has no direct connection to the occupation. Economic Opportunity Policy Analyst Courtney Cullison explained why Oklahoma should reform occupational licensing in Oklahoma and support both HB 2134 and HB 1373.

With nearly 1 in every 7 Oklahomans uninsured, our state has the second-highest uninsured rate in the country. While improving access to health care is vital to improving this statistic, some legislators are pushing to advance the wrong solution by allowing more insurance products without basic consumer protections. Health Policy Intern Daniel Huff examined these short-term insurance and association health plans (AHPs) and warned these plans often leave patients without the care they need when disaster strikes.

In his weekly Journal Record column, Executive Director David Blatt noted that while the goal behind a teaching supplies tax credit bill is worthy, a better way to support teachers is to invest that money directly into classrooms instead of using the tax code to create added confusion and bureaucracy.

OK Policy in the News

The Ardmoreite published the first of a two-part series on Together Oklahoma’s criminal justice discussion in Ardmore. You can view the panel discussion on Together OK’s Facebook page. The Tulsa World and KTUL covered Together Oklahoma’s forum on the need for health care coverage in Oklahoma. The Oklahoman Editorial Board thanked Blatt for this “professionalism, civility and good humor” after the announcement of his stepping down as Executive Director by the end of the year. The Oklahoman also cited OK Policy’s support for criminal justice reform as evidence that “there is no left-right divide” on this issue.

Upcoming Opportunities

Hustle for Health Care in Norman: Join Together Oklahoma advocates for a phone banking and texting event to push for health care expansion in Oklahoma. The event will take place on April 8 at 5:30 pm at Interurban. You can RSVP here and see the Facebook event here. 

Health Care Forum in Oklahoma City: Join Together Oklahoma for a forum to examine the state of health care in Oklahoma and discuss possible policy solutions. The event will take place on April 11 at 6:30 pm at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church. You can RSVP here and see the Facebook event here. 

Health Care Forum in Norman: Join Together Oklahoma for a forum with state legislators and community leaders on health coverage in Oklahoma. The event will take place on April 14 at 3:00 pm at Norman Public Library Central. You can RSVP here and see the Facebook event here. 

Rally for Coverage at the Capitol: Join us at the Capitol on April 24th to tell legislators: It’s time to expand health coverage in Oklahoma! You can RSVP and sign up for a ride to OKC here and view the Facebook event here. You can learn more and send a letter to your legislators at CoverOK.org.

Weekly What’s That

JCAB, what’s that?

The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget (JCAB) is a committee governed by separate rules from most legislative committees. It is typically used as a way for House and Senate leadership to introduce and approve new bills in the final weeks of the legislative session. Click here to read more about JCAB.

Look up more key terms to understand Oklahoma politics and government here.

Quote of the Week

“They can’t be on Medicaid before pregnancy or between pregnancy so any kind of health conditions they may have, they’re not able to access health care at those times. Ensuring a woman is healthy when she’s pregnant then that can improve the outcomes, not only for her, but for her baby, their entire lifespan.”

-Barbara O’Brien, director of the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative, on why she is calling for expansion of Medicaid during Women’s Health Day at the Capitol [Source: Fox 25]

Editorial of the Week

Oklahoma children can gain from prison reform

We write frequently about how Oklahoma’s highest-in-the-nation incarceration rate impacts the prison system — its aging and badly overcrowded buildings, its outnumbered correctional officers — and on the growing financial toll to the state fisc. Its impact on Oklahoma families shouldn’t be forgotten.When a man or woman is sent to prison, the effect ripples through the offender’s family, be it their mother, father, spouse or, most importantly, their children. [Source: The Oklahoman Editorial Board].

Numbers of the Day

• 891,519 – The number of payday loans Oklahomans took out in 2017.
• 15,951 – Number of substantiated reports of child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma in FY 2018, a 62 percent increase since FY 2012.
• 65.2% – Share of students in Oklahoma City Public Schools enrolled in SoonerCare (Medicaid), 2012-2016
• 88.8% – Percentage of all school children in Oklahoma who were enrolled in public school in 2017, 6th most out of all 50 states.
• 12.4% to 13.5% – Percentage that Oklahoma hospitals’ Medicaid revenues could fall if the state’s proposed Medicaid work requirement is approved and implemented, a loss of between $1.6 million and $1.7 million per hospital.

See previous Numbers of the Day and sources here.

What We’re Reading

• How this GOP lawmaker realized Kansas should expand Medicaid. [Rep. Tom Cox / Kansas City Star]
• A new explanation for the stubborn persistence of the racial wealth gap. [Washington Post]
• Schools find a new way to combat student absences: washing machines. [New York Times]
• Food stamp changes would mainly hurt those living in extreme poverty. [NBC News]
• How federal disaster money favors the rich. [NPR]

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[The Weekly Wonk] Job licensing reform; the wrong way to reduce the uninsured; a better way to support teachers; & 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. This Week from OK Policy Nearly 30 percent of the American workforce needs a license to do their job, but many licensing rules include “blanket ban” provisions that automatically disqualify the justice-involved — even when a crime has no direct connection to the occupation. Economic Opportunity Policy Analyst Courtney Cullison explained why Oklahoma should reform occupational licensing in Oklahoma and support both HB 2134 and HB 1373. With nearly 1 in every 7 Oklahomans uninsured, our state has the second-highest uninsured rate in the country. While improving access to health care is vital to improving this statistic, some legislators are pushing to advance the wrong solution by allowing more insurance products without basic consumer protections. Health Policy Intern Daniel Huff examined these short-term insurance and association health plans (AHPs) and warned these plans often leave patients without the care they need when disaster strikes. In his weekly Journal Record column, Executive Director David Blatt noted that while the goal behind a teaching supplies tax credit bill is worthy, a better way to support teachers is to invest that money directly into classrooms instead of using the tax code to create added confusion and bureaucracy. OK Policy in the News The Ardmoreite published the first of a two-part series on Together Oklahoma's criminal justice discussion in Ardmore. You can view the panel discussion on Together OK's Facebook page. The Tulsa World and KTUL covered Together Oklahoma's forum on the need for health care coverage in Oklahoma. The Oklahoman Editorial Board thanked Blatt for this "professionalism, civility and good humor" after the announcement of his stepping down as Executive Director by the end of the year. The Oklahoman also cited OK Policy's support for criminal justice reform as evidence that "there is no left-right divide" on this issue. Upcoming Opportunities Hustle for Health Care in Norman: Join Together Oklahoma advocates for a phone banking and texting event to push for health care expansion in Oklahoma. The event will take place on April 8 at 5:30 pm at Interurban. You can RSVP here and see the Facebook event here.  Health Care Forum in Oklahoma City: Join Together Oklahoma for a forum to examine the state of health care in Oklahoma and discuss possible policy solutions. The event will take place on April 11 at 6:30 pm at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church. You can RSVP here and see the Facebook event here.  Health Care Forum in Norman: Join Together Oklahoma for a forum with state legislators and community leaders on health coverage in Oklahoma. The event will take place on April 14 at 3:00 pm at Norman Public Library Central. You can RSVP here and see the Facebook event here.  Rally for Coverage at the Capitol: Join us at the Capitol on April 24th to tell legislators: It's time to expand health coverage in Oklahoma! You can RSVP and sign up for a ride to OKC here and view the Facebook event here. You can learn more and send a letter to your legislators at CoverOK.org. Weekly What’s That JCAB, what's that? The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget (JCAB) is a committee governed by separate rules from most legislative committees. It is typically used as a way for House and Senate leadership to introduce and approve new bills in the final weeks of the legislative session. Click here to read more about JCAB. Look up more key terms to understand Oklahoma politics and government here. Quote of the Week “They can’t be on Medicaid before pregnancy or between pregnancy so any kind of health conditions they may have, they’re not able to access health care at those times. Ensuring a woman is healthy when she’s pregnant then that can improve the outcomes, not only for her, but for her baby, their entire lifespan.” -Barbara O’Brien, director of the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative, on why she is calling for expansion of Medicaid during Women’s Health Day at the Capitol [Source: Fox 25] Editorial of the Week Oklahoma children can gain from prison reform We write frequently about how Oklahoma’s highest-in-the-nation incarceration rate impacts the prison system — its aging and badly overcrowded buildings, its outnumbered correctional officers — and on the growing financial toll to the state fisc. Its impact on Oklahoma families shouldn’t be forgotten.When a man or woman is sent to prison, the effect ripples through the offender’s family, be it their mother, father, spouse or, most importantly, their children. [Source: The Oklahoman Editorial Board]. Numbers of the Day 891,519 - The number of payday loans Oklahomans took out in 2017. 15,951 - Number of substantiated reports of child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma in FY 2018, a 62 percent increase since FY 2012. 65.2% - Share of students in Oklahoma City Public Schools enrolled in SoonerCare (Medicaid), 2012-2016 88.8% - Percentage of all school children in Oklahoma who were enrolled in public school in 2017, 6th most out of all 50 states. 12.4% to 13.5% - Percentage that Oklahoma hospitals’ Medicaid revenues could fall if the state’s proposed Medicaid work requirement is approved and implemented, a loss of between $1.6 million and $1.7 million per hospital. See previous Numbers of the Day and sources here. What We’re Reading How this GOP lawmaker realized Kansas should expand Medicaid. [Rep. Tom Cox / Kansas City Star] A new explanation for the stubborn persistence of the racial wealth gap. [Washington Post] Schools find a new way to combat student absences: washing machines. [New York Times] Food stamp changes would mainly hurt those living in extreme poverty. [NBC News] How federal disaster money favors the rich. [NPR] Connect with Us Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 794-3944 info@okpolicy.org Unsubscribe

 

 

 

12.4% to 13.5%

Percentage that Oklahoma hospitals’ Medicaid revenues could fall if the state’s proposed Medicaid work requirement is approved and implemented, a loss of between $1.6 million and $1.7 million per hospital.

[Source: Commonwealth Fund]

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Quote of the Day | March 29, 2019

“They can’t be on Medicaid before pregnancy or between pregnancy so any kind of health conditions they may have, they’re not able to access health care at those times. Ensuring a woman is healthy when she’s pregnant then that can improve the outcomes, not only for her, but for her baby, their entire lifespan.”

-Barbara O’Brien, director of the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative, on why she is calling for expansion of Medicaid during Women’s Health Day at the Capitol [Source: Fox 25]

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In The Know: Racist graffiti; adverse child experiences; education one year after teacher walkout…

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.

New from OK Policy

Oklahoma has a health care problem. Some lawmakers are advancing the wrong solution: Oklahoma has the second-highest uninsured rate in the country, with nearly 1 in every 7 Oklahomans uninsured. This is a big problem – and some legislators are pushing to expand the availability of short-term insurance and association health plans (AHPs). Unfortunately, these are poor insurance options. Both have deservedly checkered reputations and rely on misleading advertising to draw buyers – only to leave them without the care they actually need when disaster strikes. These plans are not the solution to Oklahoma’s health care problem. [OK Policy]

In The News

Racist graffiti stains Oklahoma Democratic Party HQ: Racist graffiti was painted overnight outside the office of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. A swastika, the symbol 1488 and other Nazi references were painted on and around the door of 3700 N. Classen Blvd., with language demonizing African Americans and the LGBTQ community also spray painted in blue. [NonDoc] Vandals also defaced the Chickasaw Nation building two miles east. [NonDoc]

Nearly one in three Oklahoma children have had multiple adverse experiences, Tulsa audience told: Nearly one-third of Oklahoma children have had multiple adverse childhood experiences, an audience of advocates for children was told Thursday evening. The national average for children experiencing four or more of 10 noted adverse experiences is 22 percent, said panelist Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. [Tulsa World]

Oklahoma Health Dept: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month across the nation: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), along with its community partners, are working to raise awareness about the importance of ensuring great childhoods for all Oklahoma children. [Pawhuska Journal-Capital]

One year after the teacher walkout, has education taken a backseat? It has been nearly one year since the teacher walkout, when thousands of educators flooded Oklahoma’s state capitol demanding better pay and more school funding. After nine days and little progress, they turned their attention to the 2018 elections. [StateImpact Oklahoma]

Stitt requests OMES audit after agency says it needs $16 million: Gov. Kevin Stitt has requested an audit of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the agency that recently told lawmakers it needed $16 million to pay its bills before July 1. Stitt, along with Chief Operating Officer John Budd, announced the request would be limited to the finances at the agency’s Information Services Division (ISD) between July 1, 2017, and Feb. 28 of this year. [NewsOK]

Stitt strategic plan expands agency control, envisions ‘community turnaround’: A strategic plan laying out one-year and four-year goals for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration includes securing gubernatorial control of all state agencies and boards, changing the educational system and launching an initiative aimed at social issues. [Oklahoma Watch]

Bill on job licensing for those with criminal past advances: A bill meant to help people get on with their lives after criminal convictions made progress at the Oklahoma Capitol on Thursday. House Bill 1373 would affect state offices that take and review applications from people hoping to be licensed to get jobs in particular fields. [Journal Record]

Bill banning tax on plastic bags advances: Breea Clark doesn’t understand the reasoning of state lawmakers pushing a bill to prohibit towns in Oklahoma from acting to stop what some might call a tsunami of plastic bags threatening the environment. [Journal Record]

Ripe for growth: Legislation could foster wine-tasting business in Oklahoma: Oklahoma’s winemakers are closely tracking two bills at the state Capitol they said would help their businesses. Senate Bill 336 would create an off-site tasting room license for wineries. [Journal Record]

Task force votes to impose changes, restart the Oklahoma House of Representatives Page Program: New changes are coming to a program involving high school students at the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Earlier this month, officials announced that the Oklahoma House of Representatives High School Page Program would be suspended following an alleged assault. [KFOR]

Oklahoma AG pledges to work with lawmakers on future settlements: Oklahoma’s $270 million settlement with Purdue drug companies was made under unique circumstances, Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter said Thursday. He pledged that the governor and state lawmakers will be given much more say in the distribution of any future settlements or judgments involving other opioid manufacturers. [NewsOK ]

Federal Reserve wonders who is leaving Oklahoma and why? A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City says more people are moving out of Oklahoma to live in other places in the U.S. than moved into the state. In the report this week, the bank asked the question, “Who has been leaving Oklahoma and will the trend continue?” [OK Energy Today] Read the full report here.

Women’s Health Day hopes to expand Medicaid coverage: Barbara O’Brien said childbirth can be a risky time for women in Oklahoma. The director of the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative said Medicaid offered to women could improve that. [FOX 25] For more on how you can take action to expand health coverage in Oklahoma, visit CoverOK.org.

Health officials: 71 Oklahomans died from the flu this season: On Thursday, the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced that the flu has claimed the lives of 71 Oklahomans and led to more than 2,655 hospitalizations statewide. Most of the deaths occurred in patients who were over the age of 65. [KFOR]

Energize for Safety Coalition’s collaborative approach produces results: An “energized” effort to boost safety awareness within communities along a busy thoroughfare in Oklahoma’s STACK play already is considered a success, even before the data is in. [NewsOK ]

Corporate Equality Index gives high marks to Tulsa-based ONEOK for LGBTQ policies, culture: A Tulsa company scored highest for state-based firms on an index that rates corporate equality for the LGBTQ community. The energy firm ONEOK posted a score of 95 (of 100) on the Corporate Equality Index released Thursday by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization. [Tulsa World]

OSBI investigating former OU president David Boren: The OSBI on Thursday began investigating former University of Oklahoma David Boren after a former teaching assistant accused him of sexual battery. Multiple Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents are involved, The Oklahoman has learned. [NewsOK]

Tulsa Police hold discussions on mental health crisis resources: Tulsa Police were out in the community Thursday night to discuss mental health issues. Officers say they get a lot of calls of people experiencing a crisis and want to direct people to where they can find resources. [News On 6]

TPS sues contractor after district employee burned on the job; nearly $600,000 being sought: Tulsa Public Schools is suing a facilities management contractor after a district employee suffered severe burns in a workplace accident. [Tulsa World]

Joe Exotic talked of using gubernatorial campaign as murder alibi: In a recording played for jurors Thursday, zookeeper Joe Exotic agreed to pay an undercover FBI agent to kill a Florida woman and talked of using his gubernatorial campaign to create an alibi. [NewsOK]

Quote of the Day

“They can’t be on Medicaid before pregnancy or between pregnancy so any kind of health conditions they may have, they’re not able to access health care at those times. Ensuring a woman is healthy when she’s pregnant then that can improve the outcomes, not only for her, but for her baby, their entire lifespan.”

-Barbara O’Brien, director of the Oklahoma Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative, on why she is calling for expansion of Medicaid during Women’s Health Day at the Capitol [Source: Fox 25]

Number of the Day

12.4% to 13.5%

Percentage that Oklahoma hospitals’ Medicaid revenues could fall if the state’s proposed Medicaid work requirement is approved and implemented, a loss of between $1.6 million and $1.7 million per hospital.

[Source: Commonwealth Fund]

See previous Numbers of the Day here.

Policy Note

How federal disaster money favors the rich: The federal government spends billions of dollars annually helping communities rebuild and prevent future damage. But an NPR investigation has found that across the country, white Americans and those with more wealth often receive more federal dollars after a disaster than do minorities and those with less wealth. Federal aid isn’t necessarily allocated to those who need it most; it’s allocated according to cost-benefit calculations meant to minimize taxpayer risk. Put another way, after a disaster, rich people get richer and poor people get poorer. And federal disaster spending appears to exacerbate that wealth inequality. [NPR]

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Oklahoma has a health care problem. Some lawmakers are advancing the wrong solution.

Oklahoma has the second-highest uninsured rate in the country, with nearly 1 in every 7 Oklahomans uninsured. This is a big problem – and some legislators are pushing to expand the availability of short-term insurance and association health plans (AHPs). Unfortunately, these are lousy insurance options. Both have deservedly checkered reputations and rely on misleading advertising to draw buyers – only to leave them without the care they actually need when disaster strikes. These plans are not the solution to Oklahoma’s health care problem.

A step back in quality and access to care

The first of these plans are short-term limited-duration coverage. In Oklahoma, these plans only last for six months, offer bare-bones coverage options, and are often marketed to those between jobs. In that context, these plans may have made sense but not as a year-round plan. So it’s quite concerning to see  SB 993, (Sen. Dahm and Rep. Moore), which proposes to expand these extremely limited plans up to 12 months and then allow renewals for up to three years.

This would essentially create a secondary insurance market in Oklahoma, with plans that are cheaper than marketplace plans but don’t have to cover a lot of what we typically expect health insurance to cover. All ACA plans have to cover basic health benefits like maternity care, prescription medicine, and mental healthcare. Short-term plans don’t have to cover these types of care, and of the short-term plans offered in Oklahoma City in 2018:

• None covered maternity care
• 4 in 10 did not cover mental health care
• 7 in 10 did not cover prescription medication
• 7 in 10 did not cover substance-use disorders treatment

These gaps in coverage aren’t something most enrollees can plan for. After all, most people don’t plan to develop a substance use disorder or to need expensive medication. Enrollees in short-term plans could find themselves on the hook for the full costs of unexpected medical needs as a result.

To make matters worse, these plans don’t have to protect people with pre-existing conditions the way real health insurance does. In a state where nearly one in three people have a pre-existing condition like diabetes or hypertension, these plans are not going to help us get healthier.

While rare, a significant concern of these plans is that they may not be there when you need them most. If you get diagnosed with a serious condition, insurers could look for ways to cancel your coverage. In 2009, before existing protections took effect, a man named Otto Raddatz was diagnosed with a kind of cancer called lymphoma – and then was surprised to find his insurance canceled. His insurers had dug through his medical records and found an old CT scan showing gallstones, which were causing no problems and had nothing to do with his lymphoma. They then used this “pre-existing condition” to cancel his care. Most health insurance plans can’t do this anymore – but short-term plans can.

Surprising costs and bad for the market

Short-term plans seem cheap until enrollees need them – then these plans can leave them facing big bills when hospitalized.

Short-term plans seem cheap until enrollees need them – then these plans can leave them facing big bills when hospitalized. While the monthly premiums are lower, the deductibles and out-of-pocket costs are usually significantly higher than plans on the marketplace. What’s more, the effects of long-term “short-term” plans will likely increase premiums for marketplace plans by splitting Oklahoma’s insurance market into two pools. Younger, healthier people will be more likely to enroll in short-term plans. This split will lead to rising premiums for middle-income people who remain on the marketplace.

The fact that these short-term plans attract healthier people is also what makes them attractive to the insurers who offer them. Marketplace insurers have to spend at least $4 of every $5 paid in premiums on enrollee care and quality improvement. Short-term plans have no such mandate. So they only spend half of what they make on premiums to do the same. Short-term plans have a perverse incentive to minimize enrollees’ care and make their profit that way.

Lowering the bar for bad actors

In addition to expanding short-term plans, lawmakers are also taking steps to roll back standards for association health plans (AHPs). Unlike short-term plans, AHPs are not allowed to reject individuals with pre-existing conditions and easily cancel coverage. However, like short-term plans, AHPs split the market. By luring healthier small businesses and self-employed people, they increase premiums for small firms and individuals who remain in the regular insurance markets. Furthermore, they are allowed to charge much higher premiums based on gender and age than marketplace plans.

One of the unique concerns with AHPs is their history of fraud and insolvency. Two bills this session, HB 1053 and SB 943, (Rep McEntire and Sen. Treat respectively) would lower the bar for their entry onto the market. Oklahoma has set strict regulations around these plans for a reason, and if those regulations are rolled back we should expect bad actors to step in and take advantage of enrollees. It has happened before, and it will likely happen again.

We have a better option

To truly address Oklahoma’s needs and become a “top ten state,” we need to look at real solutions. Instead of expanding junk insurance and splitting the insurance market, we can expand the number of people getting affordable, quality health care. We just need to accept federal funds to expand coverage. By refusing expansion, we are sending our tax dollars to the 37 other states that have expanded coverage. Lawmakers should take the common sense solution to our problems by expanding coverage and helping over 100,000 Oklahomans.

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88.8%

Percentage of all school children in Oklahoma who were enrolled in public school in 2017, 6th most out of all 50 states.

[Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey]

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Quote of the Day | March 28, 2019

“The work being done by Special Olympics in Oklahoma, across the nation and globally is life changing, and I strongly support their mission to transform lives through sports. All students can grow and all students can succeed, and Special Olympics is helping to make that happen for students in Oklahoma classrooms every day.”

-State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, responding to a proposal by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy Devos to eliminate $18 million in federal funding to the Special Olympics [Source: KFOR]

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[In The Know] Lobbying for water; power plant purchase criticized; higher speed limits...

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. New from OK Policy Occupational licenses could soon be within reach for more Oklahomans: Nearly 30 percent of the American workforce needs a license to do their job, so we should carefully examine the rules about who can, and can’t, get an occupational license. This is especially important for the justice-involved, a group that faces multiple barriers (including licensing restrictions) to employment and economic stability. [OK Policy] Prosperity Policy: Testing teachers: Pop quiz, readers. Patty is a pre-K special education teacher who purchases supplies for her classroom. Under House Bill 2502, authored by Speaker Charles McCall, classroom teachers would be eligible for a $1,000 tax credit for the purchase of “eligible classroom items,” which include “papers, pencils, pens… arts and crafts supplies, notebooks, rulers, protractors, and similar supplies used and useful in a classroom for providing instruction to students.” [David Blatt / Journal Record] In The News Water conservation groups take warnings, lobbying effort to capitol: Groups of Oklahomans who are worried about the future of the state’s water went to the capitol Wednesday to encourage a change of direction. Well, at least that’s what they hoped to do. [Muskogee Daily Phoenix] Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson on Wednesday told a crowd to be vigilant in efforts to protect the state’s natural resources from pollution. [Tulsa World] Records: Town’s water district dumped millions of gallons of water from sewer lagoons into Lake Eufaula: The town of Carlton Landing is an idyllic planned community, nestled on the shores of Lake Eufaula, just south of the town of Eufaula. Ecological stewardship and sustainability are listed among the core tenants of the “new urbanism” philosophy central to the town’s founding and development by Oklahoma City developer Grant Humphreys. [The Frontier] Industrial groups criticize purchase of Oklahoma power plants: Industrial consumer groups said Wednesday Oklahoma Gas & Electric’s plan to purchase two power plants lacks consumer protections and is unfair to ratepayers. OG&E announced Dec. 20 plans to purchase the Shady Point power plant near Poteau in LeFlore County and the Oklahoma Cogeneration plant in Oklahoma City. [Journal Record ($)] Settlement ends Oklahoma lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson: Johnson & Johnson, which has faced a string of lawsuits nationwide, reached a settlement Wednesday in Oklahoma County with a woman who alleged asbestos exposure from the company’s baby powder. Sharon Pipes, 75, will receive a confidential amount from the company following a 2 1/2-week civil trial.  [NewsOK ($)] Bill would authorize OTA to raise speed limits to 80 mph: Oklahoma lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow for 80-mile-per-hour speed limits on parts of some state turnpikes. House Bill 1071 would give the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority discretion to raise maximum legal travel speeds on certain turnpikes from 75 mph to 80 mph. [Journal Record ($)] Tax Commmissioner Thomas E. Kemp Jr. dies: Thomas E. Kemp Jr., a member of the Oklahoma Tax Commission since 2001, died Wednesday from complications from the flu. He was 59. "All of us at the Oklahoma Tax Commission are saddened by the sudden loss of our longtime Commissioner, friend and colleague, Thomas E. Kemp Jr.," Commissoners Steve Burrage and Clark Jolley said in a statement. [NewsOK] Gov. Kevin Stitt recognizes Oklahoma veterans, service members during joint legislative assembly address: Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday wanted to acknowledge military veterans who made what he called a “selfless sacrifice” in service to the country. [Tulsa World] Point of View: Life after prison in Oklahoma: Only upon leaving prison and while attempting to rebuild their lives do offenders experience how these non-prison “collateral consequences” limit or deny their basic rights to housing, food stamps, education, voting, employment, child custody and much more. [Ronald Fraser / NewsOK] Funding approved to relocate veterans center from Talihina to Sallisaw: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has approved funding to relocate the veterans center in Talihina to Sallisaw, the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday. [Tulsa World] Muslim group draws attention to county official's anti-Islamic comments: An Oklahoma County official accepted a lunch invitation with a local Muslim leader this week after drawing continued criticism for making anti-Muslim comments. [NewsOK] Local community members concerned about proposed Special Olympics cuts: Earlier this week, Education Secretary Betsy Devos proposed eliminating $18 million in federal funding to the Special Olympics. “Cutting the Special Olympic budget would be very detrimental to our community,” said Cheri Weaver, Wings Special Needs Community Executive Director. [KFOR] Workforce: Working with Mental Health Association Oklahoma, 'I know I'm helping people': The Mental Health Association Oklahoma has more than 1,400 units of affordable housing across Tulsa and 119 units in Oklahoma City. Before someone who is experiencing homelessness is selected to move in to one of the apartments, the unit undergoes a process called “make ready.” [Tulsa World] Eminent domain? City Council hears from Tulsans irate over north Tulsa development plans: The City Council on Wednesday heard from dozens of Tulsans who are vehemently opposed to two development plans proposed by the Tulsa Development Authority. [Tulsa World] Trauma nurse, professor seek Edmond City Council Ward 1 seat: Running for public office might not be one’s idea of relaxing, but for Edmond City Council Ward 1 candidate Devyn Denton it’s not as intense as her day job. A trauma nurse, Denton faces University of Central Oklahoma professor David Chapman in Edmond’s April 2 general election. [NonDoc] Developer, attorney clash in Edmond Ward 2 race: A custom home builder and an attorney who successfully fought a large development will face off in Edmond’s Ward 2 race April 2. Attorney Matt Thomas successfully blocked a hotel development near his home a few years ago, and through that experience he said he learned a lot about how city government works. [NonDoc] Norman City Council approves MOU to end UNP TIF: The city of Norman may be busy settling agreements in the University North Park tax increment finance district, which would end June 30 under a memorandum of understanding approved by the City Council late Tuesday. [Journal Record] Joe Exotic paid $3,000 cash to have woman killed, ex-convict testifies: The key prosecution witness in a murder-for-hire trial testified Wednesday that zookeeper Joe Exotic paid him $3,000 in cash in 2017 to kill the operator of a Florida animal sanctuary. [NewsOK] Quote of the Day “The work being done by Special Olympics in Oklahoma, across the nation and globally is life changing, and I strongly support their mission to transform lives through sports. All students can grow and all students can succeed, and Special Olympics is helping to make that happen for students in Oklahoma classrooms every day.” -State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, responding to a proposal by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy Devos to eliminate $18 million in federal funding to the Special Olympics [Source: KFOR] Number of the Day 88.8% Percentage of all school children in Oklahoma who were enrolled in public school in 2017, 6th most out of all 50 states. [Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Food stamp changes would mainly hurt those living in extreme poverty: “SNAP is an anti-hunger program — full stop,” he said. “It’s not supposed to encourage people to work. It’s supposed to end hunger in our country, and it does a fantastic job at that. Why bring work into this?” [NBC News] 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: Lobbying for water; power plant purchase criticized; higher speed limits…

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.

New from OK Policy

Occupational licenses could soon be within reach for more Oklahomans: Nearly 30 percent of the American workforce needs a license to do their job, so we should carefully examine the rules about who can, and can’t, get an occupational license. This is especially important for the justice-involved, a group that faces multiple barriers (including licensing restrictions) to employment and economic stability. [OK Policy]

Prosperity Policy: Testing teachers: Pop quiz, readers. Patty is a pre-K special education teacher who purchases supplies for her classroom. Under House Bill 2502, authored by Speaker Charles McCall, classroom teachers would be eligible for a $1,000 tax credit for the purchase of “eligible classroom items,” which include “papers, pencils, pens… arts and crafts supplies, notebooks, rulers, protractors, and similar supplies used and useful in a classroom for providing instruction to students.” [David Blatt / Journal Record]

In The News

Water conservation groups take warnings, lobbying effort to capitol: Groups of Oklahomans who are worried about the future of the state’s water went to the capitol Wednesday to encourage a change of direction. Well, at least that’s what they hoped to do. [Muskogee Daily Phoenix] Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson on Wednesday told a crowd to be vigilant in efforts to protect the state’s natural resources from pollution. [Tulsa World]

Records: Town’s water district dumped millions of gallons of water from sewer lagoons into Lake Eufaula: The town of Carlton Landing is an idyllic planned community, nestled on the shores of Lake Eufaula, just south of the town of Eufaula. Ecological stewardship and sustainability are listed among the core tenants of the “new urbanism” philosophy central to the town’s founding and development by Oklahoma City developer Grant Humphreys. [The Frontier]

Industrial groups criticize purchase of Oklahoma power plants: Industrial consumer groups said Wednesday Oklahoma Gas & Electric’s plan to purchase two power plants lacks consumer protections and is unfair to ratepayers. OG&E announced Dec. 20 plans to purchase the Shady Point power plant near Poteau in LeFlore County and the Oklahoma Cogeneration plant in Oklahoma City. [Journal Record ]

Settlement ends Oklahoma lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson: Johnson & Johnson, which has faced a string of lawsuits nationwide, reached a settlement Wednesday in Oklahoma County with a woman who alleged asbestos exposure from the company’s baby powder. Sharon Pipes, 75, will receive a confidential amount from the company following a 2 1/2-week civil trial.  [NewsOK ]

Bill would authorize OTA to raise speed limits to 80 mph: Oklahoma lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow for 80-mile-per-hour speed limits on parts of some state turnpikes. House Bill 1071 would give the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority discretion to raise maximum legal travel speeds on certain turnpikes from 75 mph to 80 mph. [Journal Record ]

Tax Commmissioner Thomas E. Kemp Jr. dies: Thomas E. Kemp Jr., a member of the Oklahoma Tax Commission since 2001, died Wednesday from complications from the flu. He was 59. “All of us at the Oklahoma Tax Commission are saddened by the sudden loss of our longtime Commissioner, friend and colleague, Thomas E. Kemp Jr.,” Commissoners Steve Burrage and Clark Jolley said in a statement. [NewsOK]

Gov. Kevin Stitt recognizes Oklahoma veterans, service members during joint legislative assembly address: Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday wanted to acknowledge military veterans who made what he called a “selfless sacrifice” in service to the country. [Tulsa World]

Point of View: Life after prison in Oklahoma: Only upon leaving prison and while attempting to rebuild their lives do offenders experience how these non-prison “collateral consequences” limit or deny their basic rights to housing, food stamps, education, voting, employment, child custody and much more. [Ronald Fraser / NewsOK]

Funding approved to relocate veterans center from Talihina to Sallisaw: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has approved funding to relocate the veterans center in Talihina to Sallisaw, the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday. [Tulsa World]

Muslim group draws attention to county official’s anti-Islamic comments: An Oklahoma County official accepted a lunch invitation with a local Muslim leader this week after drawing continued criticism for making anti-Muslim comments. [NewsOK]

Local community members concerned about proposed Special Olympics cuts: Earlier this week, Education Secretary Betsy Devos proposed eliminating $18 million in federal funding to the Special Olympics. “Cutting the Special Olympic budget would be very detrimental to our community,” said Cheri Weaver, Wings Special Needs Community Executive Director. [KFOR]

Workforce: Working with Mental Health Association Oklahoma, ‘I know I’m helping people’: The Mental Health Association Oklahoma has more than 1,400 units of affordable housing across Tulsa and 119 units in Oklahoma City. Before someone who is experiencing homelessness is selected to move in to one of the apartments, the unit undergoes a process called “make ready.” [Tulsa World]

Eminent domain? City Council hears from Tulsans irate over north Tulsa development plans: The City Council on Wednesday heard from dozens of Tulsans who are vehemently opposed to two development plans proposed by the Tulsa Development Authority. [Tulsa World]

Trauma nurse, professor seek Edmond City Council Ward 1 seat: Running for public office might not be one’s idea of relaxing, but for Edmond City Council Ward 1 candidate Devyn Denton it’s not as intense as her day job. A trauma nurse, Denton faces University of Central Oklahoma professor David Chapman in Edmond’s April 2 general election. [NonDoc]

Developer, attorney clash in Edmond Ward 2 race: A custom home builder and an attorney who successfully fought a large development will face off in Edmond’s Ward 2 race April 2. Attorney Matt Thomas successfully blocked a hotel development near his home a few years ago, and through that experience he said he learned a lot about how city government works. [NonDoc]

Norman City Council approves MOU to end UNP TIF: The city of Norman may be busy settling agreements in the University North Park tax increment finance district, which would end June 30 under a memorandum of understanding approved by the City Council late Tuesday. [Journal Record]

Joe Exotic paid $3,000 cash to have woman killed, ex-convict testifies: The key prosecution witness in a murder-for-hire trial testified Wednesday that zookeeper Joe Exotic paid him $3,000 in cash in 2017 to kill the operator of a Florida animal sanctuary. [NewsOK]

Quote of the Day

“The work being done by Special Olympics in Oklahoma, across the nation and globally is life changing, and I strongly support their mission to transform lives through sports. All students can grow and all students can succeed, and Special Olympics is helping to make that happen for students in Oklahoma classrooms every day.”

-State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister, responding to a proposal by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy Devos to eliminate $18 million in federal funding to the Special Olympics [Source: KFOR]

Number of the Day

88.8%

Percentage of all school children in Oklahoma who were enrolled in public school in 2017, 6th most out of all 50 states.

[Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey]

See previous Numbers of the Day here.

Policy Note

Food stamp changes would mainly hurt those living in extreme poverty: “SNAP is an anti-hunger program — full stop,” he said. “It’s not supposed to encourage people to work. It’s supposed to end hunger in our country, and it does a fantastic job at that. Why bring work into this?” [NBC News]

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