 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 In The News Wright holds study on second-hand smoke exposure: House Speaker Pro Tempore Harold Wright (R-Weatherford) recently held an interim study before the House Health Services and Long-Term Care Committee to examine modernization to the Smoking in Public Places and Indoor Workplaces Act as a way to address second-hand smoke exposure and related illnesses in Oklahoma. [CNHI] Whistleblower claims raise questions about multi-county grand jury process: In addition to a legal claim, the attorney for a former investigator for Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater has sent a series of letters alleging Prater misused the state’s multi-county grand jury process to get donor and payroll records of a criminal justice reform group. [Oklahoma Watch] Oklahoma's attorney general on Monday came to the defense of Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater over accusations the DA illegally had "political enemies" investigated. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Supreme Court blocks 2015 abortion law: The Oklahoma Supreme Court granted an injunction on Monday barring enforcement of a law that bans a method of abortion in the second trimester. The injunction is expected to remain in place while the court hears an appeal of the “Unborn Child Protection-from-Dismemberment-Abortion Act,” which was approved by the state Legislature in 2015. The state law, which has never gone into effect because of the court challenges, bans dilation and evacuation abortions after 14 weeks unless a "fetal demise" procedure is performed first. [The Oklahoman] OKC Police Chief says permitless carry law creates policing concerns: While most Oklahomans can now legally carry a firearm without a permit or training, Oklahoma City's top police official is worried about the consequences the change in law could have. One of the major concerns for law enforcement officials was that they were not consulted before its implementation. Within the bill, individuals who openly carry no longer have to disclose they possess a firearm when they come into contact with law enforcement unless asked directly by a law enforcement officer. [The Oklahoman] Traffic study findings for possible speed limit hikes expected after Jan. 1: Studies to determine whether some highway speed limits can be increased will not be complete until after the first of next year, the state’s top transportation official said Monday. House Bill 1071, which passed last legislative session and took effect Friday, allows speed limits to be raised to 75 mph on rural segments of the interstate highway system by the Transportation Commission that it determines to be reasonable and safe. [Tulsa World] Tulsa school board approves average $2,084 raise for teachers: Tulsa Public Schools teachers will be receiving raises of $2,084 on average in the next school year. The Board of Education approved the raises at Monday night’s meeting. The district had been negotiating with the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association since July to reach an agreement on salaries for the 2019-20 school year. [Tulsa World] Future of Norman public transportation tied to sales tax vote: Norman residents will have the opportunity to vote Tuesday, Nov. 12, on a one-eighth percent sales tax that would be directed to the city’s public transportation system. If approved, the proposal is expected to generate revenue to help fill a $2.2 million funding deficit without raising current sales tax levels. [NonDoc] Longtime prosecutor tapped for judicial post: Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday elevated a career public servant and Muskogee County prosecutor to a local post with the state judiciary that has been vacant since late February. First Assistant District Attorney Tim King was one of three finalists sent by the Judicial Nominating Committee to Stitt for consideration. [CNHI] Cherokee Nation lays out two paths for sending delegate to Congress: Cherokee Nation announced its intention to send a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 17, 2019. Since then, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. says he has met with a handful of lawmakers in Washington D.C., including Oklahoma Representatives Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. [KGOU] Quote of the Day "We have decades of politics and policy that led to our incarceration rates. Our system has been very punitive, it’s been based on retribution. But ultimately these reforms were directly the will of the people, the voice of the people." Number of the Day 6 Number of states, including Oklahoma, that tax groceries at the full sales tax rate. Oklahoma's Sales Tax Relief Credit, which was designed to reduce the impact on low and middle income families, has not increased since it was created in 1990. Policy Note This data tool helps homeless people get housing. If you’re white, your chances are even better: When Leah Post started using a tool meant to prioritize the most vulnerable people she worked with for a shot at housing, she noticed something was off. People walking through the doors of her human services organization were disproportionately people of color. But the assessment tool she was using, a mouthful called the Vulnerability Index — Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool, or VI-SPDAT for short, regularly prioritized white clients. [Seattle Times] | Oklahoma Policy Institute
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