[In The Know] New research shows racial gaps in Oklahoma student test scores, criminal justice reforms are working, Oklahoma you

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 Oklahoma faces serious challenges. Together, we can rise to meet them: Throughout the past week, we’ve highlighted multiple facets of poverty in Oklahoma. We hope we’ve demonstrated that while poverty is a complex issue, Oklahoma has the power to provide real solutions. [OK Policy] In The News New research shows racial gaps in Oklahoma student test scores: A pioneering study of Oklahoma student test scores revealed troubling results while setting the path for public education in the state for the next decade. New state research found minority children had lower test scores than their white peers, even when the only differentiating factor was the color of their skin or their ethnicity, according to data from the Oklahoma State Department of Education. [The Oklahoman] Despite criticisms, Oklahoma policy analyst says criminal justice reforms are working: Oklahoma Policy Institute analyst Damion Shade says recent criminal justice reforms are working despite claims to the contrary. He points to the number of felony property-crime charges that have dropped by 29% from fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year 2018 after examining figures compiled by the Bureau of Justice. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma voters have changed several low-level felonies to misdemeanors, and the Legislature raised the felony theft threshold from $500 to $1,000. Data shows these reforms are working. [OK Policy] Ginnie Graham: Oklahoma youth arrests show big decline in incarceration but racial disparities remain: Good news has emerged among the thick weight of dire reports about Oklahoma’s incarceration rates. This bit of positivity shows that philosophical and program changes for Oklahoma’s youth are paying off. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World] A few things that Steve Buck said recently about his agency’s budget request for next year should be noted by lawmakers as they consider their appropriation to the Office of Juvenile Affairs. [Editorial Board / The Oklahoman] Juvenile crime plummets in Oklahoma, but racial and local disparities remain. [Open Justice Oklahoma] 'A world of difference': Sheriff's office to upgrade computer systems: After gaining approval from the Oklahoma County Commissioners at their Sept. 25 meeting, the sheriff’s office has accepted a bid to update its record and jail management systems to the latest available software in an effort to streamline data collection and sharing between the sheriff, public defenders and the district attorney’s office. [The Oklahoman] Gov. Stitt orders research into tech-based solutions to combat contraband cellphones in Oklahoma prisons: Oklahoma’s governor ordered several of the state’s top officials on Friday to begin looking into technological solutions, including signal jamming, to eliminate the threat of contraband cellphones in prisons. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma County jail has second death in week: A drug offender awaiting trial for burglary died Friday at the Oklahoma County jail. Ryan Andrew Melton, 33, had been jailed since June 6 after being charged with second-degree burglary. [The Oklahoman] Stitt to seek 2nd change in law to qualify agency director: He has a law degree, decades of experience and a proven track record in public health. But Gary Cox, the governor’s pick to run the Oklahoma State Department of Health, doesn’t have a master’s degree in science, one of the statutory requirements to serve as health commissioner. [Oklahoma Watch] Risha Talks: The 'most qualified' candidate can be a diverse applicant, even if governor's Cabinet doesn't reflect that: “We’re looking for the most qualified people.” Before you read any further, take a few minutes and let that sink in. In the almost 25 years that I have worked in this field, I can say this statement is pervasive. [Tulsa World] Lawmakers, party heads want fairness in redistricting: Talk regarding the state of Oklahoma's future makeup has begun among lawmakers, as the state's redistricting process is slated to begin in early 2020. While the lines of Oklahoma's legislative map won't actually be redrawn until 2021, legislators have to prepare for the process by creating committees to make populations equal across each district. [Tahlequah Daily Press] Capitol Insider: Getting ready for redistricting: Oklahoma lawmakers are preparing for redistricting in 2021, but how does the process actually work? University of Oklahoma political scientist Keith Gaddie explains how census data, computers and bargaining come together to make new political maps. [KGOU] Nonprofit registered Oklahoma high school students to vote as part of 'action civics' initiative: A national nonprofit with local ties is educating Oklahoma City Public Schools students on how they can effect change in state and local government. [The Oklahoman] TPS hits impasse in contract negotiations with support workers: Contract negotiations with a local union representing 2,600 support employees at Tulsa Public Schools have reached an impasse after union leaders rejected the district’s offer for a raise. [Tulsa World] May storms: FEMA sends 1 in 5 disaster aid dollars to one Oklahoma ZIP code: In all, disaster relief payments to individuals in the 74063 ZIP code through Aug. 9 accounted for about 1 in 5 dollars of the $14.4 million spent by FEMA in 27 counties designated to receive aid. [Tulsa World] Low-barrier night shelter to fill homeless service gap in Oklahoma City: For the last few years, there has been a gap in how Oklahoma City serves people experiencing homelessness. This leaves many — roughly 384 individuals this year — to continue to sleep on the street, under bridges or in tents, according to the 2019 Point-In-Time count. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma City Planning Committee spends hours debating rezoning, historic preservation: In a historically long meeting, the Planning Commission reached an impasse on a controversial proposed ordinance to curtail historic preservation efforts, and heard two controversial cases for rezoning that included passionate opposition speeches. [Free Press OKC] One year of strong beer and wine has brought surprises, struggles: It’s been one year since shelves and convenience store beer caves sat empty, the last of 3.2% beer running dry in most cities on the eve of strong beer and wine sales. [Tulsa World] How far can medical marijuana advertising go? State panel to study issue: Lawmakers next month are expected to study advertising for medical marijuana. The interim study was requested by Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore, who said constituents had called for the study. [Tulsa World] Encentus backing out of cannabis banking in Oklahoma: One of the few banking options for Oklahoma medical marijuana businesses says financial challenges have forced it to back out of the industry less than a year after taking on its first cannabis-connected clients. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma delegation comments on impeachment, votes on marijuana banking: Members of the Oklahoma delegation responded to the start of an official impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump this week. Lawmakers also voted on a marijuana banking bill and the emergency declaration at the southern border. [NonDoc] Lankford bill would help students after felony drug convictions: U.S. Sen. James Lankford introduced a bill this week that would make a higher education tax credit available to students with a felony drug conviction. [The Oklahoman] Lankford slams Trump plan to reduce refugee admissions: Sen. James Lankford on Friday came out against the Trump administration's plan to reduce the number of refugees allowed into the United States. [The Oklahoman] Quote of the Day “We can look at this data and see disparate outcomes for populations of color and wonder: Is the school failing? But really, there are systemic inequities that compound, that are impacting student achievement even outside of the four walls of a classroom.” - Carlisha Bradley, the only African American member of the state Board of Education, on new state data showing that children of color have lower test scores than their white peers, even when the only apparent differentiating factor was the color of their skin or their ethnicity [The Oklahoman] Number of the Day $28,867 The average median household income in North Tulsa in 2018, less than half that of South Tulsa ($59,908) [Source: City of Tulsa] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note The collapse of a hospital empire — and towns left in the wreckage: At the height of his operation, Perez and his Miami-based management company, EmpowerHMS, helped oversee a rural empire encompassing 18 hospitals across eight states. Perez owned or co-owned 11 of those hospitals and was CEO of the companies that provided their management and billing services. He was affiliated with companies that owned or managed the rest. Now, with funding from the lab-billing venture dried up, 12 of the hospitals have entered bankruptcy and eight have closed their doors. [Kaiser Health News] 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] Poverty week; no good reason not to expand Medicaid; & 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’s edition of The Weekly Wonk was published with contributions from Open Justice Oklahoma Intern Thomas Gao. This Week from OK Policy This week, we focused on poverty in Oklahoma and emphasized policy solutions to help our families get ahead. On Tuesday, a new KIDS COUNT data snapshot found that Black and Latino children in Oklahoma are more than four times as likely to live in areas of concentrated poverty than white children. Rebecca Fine, Education Policy Analyst and KIDS COUNT Coordinator, reminded us that policymakers have the tools to fix these troubling trends and transform struggling neighborhoods into thriving communities. You can access all KIDS COUNT reports and data here. On Wednesday, we shared previous work on how experiencing poverty causes trauma, with effects that can continue throughout a person’s life. Lauren Turner, Mental Health Policy Analyst and Fellowship Coordinator, points out that while living in poverty is an Adverse Childhood Experience, small policy interventions with large impacts — like restoring the refundability of Oklahoma’s Earned Income Tax Credit — can help alleviate the effects of poverty and boost economic security. On Thursday, new data from the Census Bureau showed that poverty in Oklahoma is still well above the national average. Carly Putnam, Policy Director and Health Care Policy Analyst, noted that above all else, we’re leaving our children behind: greater than 1 in 5 Oklahoma children live in poverty and our child uninsured rate remained stubbornly high at 8.2 percent (nearly sixty percent higher than the national average of 5.2 percent).  On Friday, we wrapped up by offering an opportunity to do something about this important issue: join our Together Oklahoma grassroots teams to advocate for solutions to our state’s toughest problems. This week we also took a deep-dive into one of the policy solutions that would help our families get ahead: Medicaid expansion. Putnam concluded that there is no good reason not to expand Medicaid in Oklahoma. You can find complete information and resources on State Question 802, the initiative petition effort to expand Medicaid here. In his weekly Journal Record column, former Executive Director David Blatt thanked one of Oklahoma’s biggest advocates for the poor, Steven Dow. Steve Lewis’s Capitol Update praised plans for the Greenwood History Center. OK Policy in the News The Tulsa World, The Oklahoman, and Public Radio Tulsa reported on the new KIDS COUNT data snapshot that showed Black and Latino children in Oklahoma are more likely to live in concentrated poverty. The Oklahoman wrote about Open Justice Oklahoma’s recent report on the dramatic decline in juvenile arrests and incarceration. The Journal Record wrote about our report that found felony crime has declined since recent justice reforms were enacted. The Muskogee Phoenix Editorial Board cited OK Policy data in a piece condemning false claims around recent criminal justice reform. Putnam spoke to The Oklahoman about the makeup of the Governor Stitt’s Cabinet. Arnold Hamilton cited OK Policy data in a column about school vouchers. Upcoming Opportunities Film Screening in Lawton, Oklahoma with Together OK: Join advocates in Lawton for a film screening and conversation on RACE: The Power of an Illusion. The event will take place Monday, September 30 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in Lawton. Click here for more details. David Blatt Farewell Events and Legacy Fund: Please join us in celebrating outgoing director David Blatt in Oklahoma City on Monday, October 28th from 5-7 pm and in Tulsa on Tuesday, October 29th from 4:30 – 6:30 pm. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, go to okpolicy.org/ThankYouDavid. Weekly What’s That Affordable Care Act, what’s that? The Affordable Care Act (ACA) – formally known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and often referred to as Obamacare – is the landmark health care legislation passed by Congress during  the Obama Administration in 2010. Click here to read more. Look up more key terms to understand Oklahoma politics and government here. Quote of the Week “We know that children who live in concentrated poverty have less access to high-quality schools, and they have less access to fresh fruits and vegetables and to the medical care they need. . . . It doesn’t have to be this way. We know that there are solutions and tools that can address these problems.” – OK Policy Education Policy Analyst Rebecca Fine, commenting on a new Annie E. Casey Foundation report and calling for changes that support children in concentrated poverty [Tulsa World]. Editorial of the Week “[I]t is disappointing to see some naysayers spread misleading and false information in an attempt to undermine the success that has been realized in our attempt to reform the criminal justice system in this state. Oklahoma cannot afford to return to its punitive ways — we urge those who were wise enough to support reforms to ignore false cries in the night.” – The Muskogee Phoenix Editorial Board, writing to debunk claims about recent justice reforms and citing OK Policy data showing no rise in petty theft following changes that reduced punishments for low-level property crimes [Muskogee Phoenix] Numbers of the Day $25,465 – The federal poverty line for a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) in 2018 87,000 – Number of Oklahoma children living in extreme poverty (less than 50% of the federal poverty line) in 2017 17.2% – Percentage of working age women in Oklahoma with income below the poverty line in 2017 17.2% – Percentage of Oklahoma households that reported falling behind on bill payments in the last 12 months 15.6% – Oklahoma’s poverty rate in 2018 – slightly lower than in 2017, but still above the national rate See previous Numbers of the Day and sources here. What We’re Reading Racial disparities in income and poverty remain stark, and in some cases, are getting worse [St. Louis Post-Dispatch] Study shows income gap between rich and poor keeps growing, with deadly effects [New York Times] Lawmakers target anti-poverty programs after paid trips to Disney [The Center for Public Integrity] Programs targeted for cuts keep millions from poverty, new census data show [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] How many Americans live on $2 a day? The biggest debate in poverty research, explained [Vox] 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] Governor's executive order draws support and criticism; Advocates call for stronger seat belt laws

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. Poverty Week at OK Policy Census data confirms we must do more to help Oklahoma children and families: New data from the Census Bureau shows that poverty in Oklahoma is still well above the national average. In 2018, nearly 1 in 6 Oklahomans (15.6 percent) lived below the poverty line, earning less than $25,100 for a family of four. Although the share of Oklahomans and the share of Americans living in poverty dropped incrementally last year, too many of us are still left behind.  The good news is we have proven solutions to help Oklahoma families build the foundations they need to thrive: We can get families the health care they need by expanding Medicaid We can put money in their pockets by restoring refundability of the EITC We can help every child get a high-quality education by continuing to increase funding for public schools Read more about this new Census data. In The News Governor’s executive order draws support and criticism: An executive order signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt establishing new rules for state agencies, boards and commissions to follow in applying for grant funding has earned support from Republican and conservative leaders but also sharp criticism from leading Democrats in the Legislature. [Journal Record ($)] Advocates call for stronger seat belt laws as vehicle collisions lead to more child deaths: Oklahoma is the only state that doesn’t require most or all children to wear seat belts when sitting in the backseat of a vehicle. Supporters of stronger seat belt laws hope that after four years of trying to beef up Oklahoma’s child seat belt laws, next year will be the year Oklahoma’s Legislature gets on board. [The Oklahoman] In Oklahoma, a discredited theory of reading is widely used: In classrooms across Oklahoma and the nation, students are taught to read using a theory that has been discredited by decades of research by brain scientists. Teaching these strategies actually makes it harder for kids to learn to read, studies show. [Oklahoma Watch] Tribal officials tell Oklahoma lawmakers Medicaid expansion would help their citizens: Tribal officials told Oklahoma’s health care working group Medicaid expansion could make a difference in their under-funded health systems. The Oklahoma area is last in funding for Indian health care. [Public Radio Tulsa] Oklahoma's first case of vaping-associated lung injury found in Tulsa County teen, Health Department reports: The injuries of the patient, a Tulsa County resident younger than 18, are associated with a national occurrence of serious lung injuries related to e-cigarette and vaping product use. [Tulsa World] Tulsa abortion clinic, doctor file suit over medication-abortion law, say it forces doctors to lie to patients: A Tulsa abortion clinic filed a lawsuit Wednesday contesting a law it says requires doctors to give patients false information. [Tulsa World] (Audio) Energy lobbyist apartment, agency grant applications, Epic's cease and desist order & more: This Week in Oklahoma Politics hosts talks about campaign reports showing House Appropriations Chairman Kevin Wallace is renting a garage apartment from former House Appropriations Chair and now OG&E lobbyist Ken Miller and Governor Stitt signs an executive order requiring all state agencies to get approval from his office for grant applications more than  $50,000. [KOSU] OU economist says he doesn't see a pending recession for now: An economist told bankers Thursday he doesn’t think it likely Oklahomans will see a recession between now and the middle of next year. [The Oklahoman] Hamilton: Exploiting common good for profit: For a state that grossly underfunds its K-12 schools, Oklahoma sure squanders a lot of energy and taxpayer money on schemes to divert public dollars into private education. [Arnold Hamilton / Journal Record] Tulsa Public Schools $20 million shortfall: Community members at McLain High School want to help find solutions: School district officials have made clear that almost nothing is off the table when it comes to potential reductions. Fewer teachers and support staff, less after-school programming, and cuts to athletics and transportation services all are being considered. [Tulsa World] Search for graves from the Tulsa Race Massacre to begin next month; fourth location added to those to be explored: A fourth location has been added to the list of potential unmarked burial sites from Tulsa’s 1921 Race Massacre, an oversight committee learned Thursday evening. The sites will be examined with subsurface scanning equipment beginning Oct. 7, Amy Brown of Mayor G.T. Bynum’s office said. [Tulsa World] Judge to decide fate of Kiamichi River, Sardis Lake water lawsuit: A Pushmataha County judge heard arguments on Wednesday in a lawsuit seeking to halt a state permit that would allow Oklahoma City to pull billions of gallons of water each year from the Kiamichi River and Sardis Lake. [The Frontier] Winning with analytics: How big data is changing the oil and gas industry: The oil and gas industry is at the “tipping point” of change, thanks to the age of big data, but still faces resistance from those wanting to preserve the traditional methods of operation, industry experts said Thursday. [Journal Record ($)] D.C.’s Oklahoma Avenue has a mysterious history: Oklahoma Avenue, a diagonal, two-block-long residential street that sits two miles east of Capitol Hill, is one of the 50 state-named avenues in Washington, but it has an untraceable history. [Gaylord News] Quote of the Day "That new revenue into our health systems [through Medicaid expansion] … would allow us to continue to expand our access to services, bring more of those specialty services in-house and to add additional health care services." - Chickasaw Nation Division of Health Senior Advisor Melissa Gower, explaining the benefits of Medicaid expansion for tribal health services [Public Radio Tulsa] Number of the Day 15.6% Oklahoma's poverty rate in 2018 - slightly lower than in 2017, but still above the national rate [Source: Census Bureau] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note How many Americans live on $2 a day? The biggest debate in poverty research, explained: Interestingly, the Meyer methodology suggests that the vast majority of individuals in extreme poverty aren’t parents, but childless adults. The extreme poverty rate they find for single childless adults is 1.12 percent, amounting to 252,336 people. [Vox] 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

 

 

Quote of the Day | September 27, 2019

“That new revenue into our health systems [through Medicaid expansion] … would allow us to continue to expand our access to services, bring more of those specialty services in-house and to add additional health care services.”

– Chickasaw Nation Division of Health Senior Advisor Melissa Gower, explaining the benefits of Medicaid expansion for tribal health services [Public Radio Tulsa]

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15.6%

Oklahoma’s poverty rate in 2018 – slightly lower than in 2017, but still above the national rate

[Source: Census Bureau]

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[In The Know] Drug companies appeal $572 million opioid trial verdict; Inmate dies at Oklahoma County jail

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. Poverty Week at OK Policy Money matters for child development. Healthier finances means a healthier future for children in Oklahoma: Policies that support low-income families improve the well-being of children. Policymakers have a number of options for improving economic prospects for Oklahoma’s working families and in turn improving health – including their mental health. Two practical changes are to restore the refundability of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and increase the minimum wage. [OK Policy] New from OK Policy Prosperity Policy: Thank you, Steven Dow: At a recent legislative study meeting, former state Rep. Mark McCullough declared, “the poor have no lobbyists.” He was trying to explain why the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, a major poverty-fighting measure, was cut several years ago. [David Blatt / Journal Record] In The News Drug companies appeal $572 million opioid trial verdict: Opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries filed an appeal with the Oklahoma Supreme Court Wednesday claiming a $572 million nonjury verdict rendered against them was excessive and based on a misapplication of Oklahoma's public nuisance law. [The Oklahoman] Inmate dies at Oklahoma County jail; fifth death so far this year: An inmate at the Oklahoma County jail died early Tuesday, according to the sheriff’s office. The cellmate of Dianne Jones, 57, called for help around 11:30 p.m. Monday night. A detention officer found Jones unresponsive. Staff performed CPR and other methods to resuscitate her until the paramedics arrived. [The Oklahoman] Panel evaluates causes, solutions to Oklahoma's teacher shortage: A legislative panel on Wednesday heard a variety of reasons for the teacher shortage and ways to correct it. The House Common Education Committee held an interim study on the issue. Oklahoma has been certifying a growing number of people on emergency status due to an inability to attract and retain traditionally certified teachers. [Tulsa World] Five Oklahoma hospitals collapsed – what happened?: At some rural hospitals in Oklahoma, a pattern of controversial businesses practices lead to big profits for the management companies – but high risks for vulnerable hospitals. [StateImpact Oklahoma] Researchers launch study into dangers of vaping: As fears related to vaping rise across the country, a researcher at the Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center is ready to launch a lengthy study of the respiratory effects of e-cigarette use on young people. [Journal Record ($)] Muskogee Phoenix Editorial: Condemnable false claims undermine criminal justice reforms: Recent claims made by some businesses and law enforcers about a purported increase in petty thefts undoubtedly were made to undermine criminal justice reforms. The problem is there is no credible evidence to support these false claims of an uptick in misdemeanor criminal activities. [Editorial Board / Muskogee Phoenix] Joe Dorman: For The Children: We are less than a week from the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy’s annual Fall Forum. This conference gathers the best and brightest minds engaged in child wellbeing to discuss public policy and find solutions to problems facing the youth of our state. [Joe Dorman / CNHI] Oklahoma now offers a safety app that lets students contact first-responders and school officials simultaneously during emergencies: When activated, the app sends critical data such as students’ locations and school floor plans to 911 and first-responders, allowing them to respond more quickly and more effectively to emergencies. [Tulsa World] Reproductive rights group challenges abortion ‘reversal’ law: The Center for Reproductive Rights is asking an Oklahoma County District Court judge to block the implementation of a controversial abortion ‘reversal’ law that is slated to take effect this year. [The Oklahoman] Judge: Lawsuit over forced labor at chicken plants can move forward: A lawsuit against a multibillion-dollar company brought by three men who were forced to work for free in chicken processing plants can move forward, a federal judge has ruled. [The Frontier] EPA sets public meeting on Bird Creek draft permits with Osage oil producers: After more than three years, a resolution of issues between the Environmental Protection Agency and Osage County oil producers over excessive saline in North Bird Creek appears to be near. [Tulsa World] Study: TPD administered force in 1.7% of arrests; race found not to be statistical predictor of use of force: In response to public scrutiny, Deputy Police Chief Jonathan Brooks has maintained that use-of-force incidents by Tulsa police officers are a rare occurrence. The results of a 30-month study examining the Tulsa Police Department’s use-of-force data, unveiled Wednesday at City Hall, support that assertion, showing that officers administered force in 1.7% percent of arrests. [Tulsa World] Mayor's alternative proposal for Office of the Independent Monitor excludes use-of-force reviews: Mayor G.T. Bynum's alternative to creating an Office of the Independent Monitor does not include reviews of police use-of-force incidents but instead focuses on improving the city’s community policing practices and community engagement. [Tulsa World] Monthslong examination of Equality Indicators wraps up with final special meeting: The City Council held its final Equality Indicators reports special meeting Wednesday night, ending a monthslong examination of disparities in policing outcomes outlined in the 2018 and 2019 documents. [Tulsa World] Adult literacy program schedules free tutor training: Do you know more than 3,000 Pontotoc County adults read at a below basic level? This means they may have difficulty completing applications for employment or needed assistance, reading and paying bills, or understanding written instructions for health care and medications. [CNHI] Oklahoma City Council bails out Boathouse District, preps MAPS 4 tax for voters: Further tax dollars for bailing out the Boathouse Foundation were approved, and several Business Improvement Districts were renewed. The final vote for a one-cent sales tax in the MAPS 4 package sends it on for a December 10 vote of the people. [Free Press OKC] Former Ward 2 Oklahoma City Councilman Ed Shadid challenged MAPS 4. [The Oklahoman] Judiciary Com approves moving forward on new “Homeless Court” concept: The Judiciary Committee of the City Council of Oklahoma City met Tuesday after the City Council meeting to discuss focused “homeless court” proceedings for people involved in the municipal legal system while experiencing homelessness. [Free Press OKC] The lesser-known, but no less important Urban Design Commission passed changes to the Downtown Development Framework (DDF) Wednesday to clarify some parts of the framework. [Free Press OKC] Diversity and inclusion 'No. 1 priority' for preserving American democracy, OU president says: Reading, writing and arithmetic may be the three Rs of education, but learning to get along with each other is more important, University of Oklahoma Interim President Joe Harroz said Wednesday. [Tulsa World] Cherokee Nation Businesses follow tribal government in raising minimum wage: Cherokee Nation Businesses announced that it will raise its workers' minimum wage to $11 an hour, effective Oct. 1. The announcement comes after pay raises were approved last month for Cherokee Nation government workers. [KGOU] Judicial nominee from Oklahoma City breezes through hearing: Attorney Jodi Dishman, nominated for a vacancy on the federal bench in Oklahoma City, breezed through a hearing Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma House members back whistleblower resolution: All five Oklahoma members of the U.S. House voted Wednesday for a resolution calling for a whistleblower complaint involving President Donald Trump to be turned over to lawmakers. [The Oklahoman] Quote of the Day "[I]t is disappointing to see some naysayers spread misleading and false information in an attempt to undermine the success that has been realized in our attempt to reform the criminal justice system in this state. Oklahoma cannot afford to return to its punitive ways — we urge those who were wise enough to support reforms to ignore false cries in the night." - The Muskogee Phoenix Editorial Board, writing to debunk claims about recent justice reforms and citing OK Policy data showing no rise in petty theft following changes that reduced punishments for low-level property crimes [Muskogee Phoenix] Number of the Day 17.2% Percentage of Oklahoma households that reported falling behind on bill payments in the last 12 months [Source: Prosperity Now Scorecard] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Programs targeted for cuts keep millions from poverty, new census data show: Economic hardship would be far more pervasive without key anti-poverty programs, Census data released today show, with programs like SNAP (food stamps), the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Child Tax Credit, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) keeping millions of people above the poverty line in 2018. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] 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