[In The Know] Court hears absentee ballot case; state encourages reporting workers who refuse to return to jobs; 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. New from OK Policy Cooperation needed to navigate uncharted waters: Oklahomans are ready to see a course toward progress, not be distracted by political stunts and cheap sniping. I know I am not alone in asking our elected officials and policymakers to set aside personal differences as we work toward a full recovery. In doing so, we can rebuild Oklahoma to be a state where all Oklahomans can prosper and thrive. [Ahniwake Rose / Journal Record] Four reasons to finish the job on retiree cost of living adjustment: As the Oklahoma Legislature returns to adopt a budget and pass other priority legislation, it should quickly approve retiree cost of living adjustments. HB 3350 that unanimously passed the House earlier this session would give more than 120,000 retired teachers, police officers, firefighters, and state employees up to a four percent cost of living adjustment (COLA). The measure would have no impact on the budget, and it would inject millions of dollars into our economy when it needs it most. [Emma Morris / OK Policy] Oklahoma News Oklahoma Supreme Court referee hears arguments in absentee ballot dispute: An Oklahoma Supreme Court referee on Wednesday heard oral arguments in a case that could dramatically alter how absentee votes are handled. The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma along with two individuals last week sued State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax in the Oklahoma Supreme Court. [Tulsa World] State encourages businesses to report workers who refuse to return to jobs: As the state plans to begin rolling back its measures intended to fight the spread of COVID-19 on Friday, it is urging employers to report workers who refuse to return to work to the state’s unemployment agency to terminate their benefits, the head of the state’s secretary of commerce said. [The Frontier] National Employment Law Project: It is concerning that states are “re-opening” their economies and encouraging workers to go back to work. If shutting off access to unemployment insurance is any motivator behind this decision, it is sure to backfire. Oklahoma has 3,473 known coronavirus cases and at least 214 deaths: There have been 3,473 confirmed cases in the state. At least 214 people have died as of April 29 — 7 more reported deaths than the day before and 44 more than a week ago. However, even though some deaths were reported on a certain day, the deaths might have occurred days or even weeks before it was recorded, according to the state health department. [The Frontier] Visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov for the latest COVID-19 numbers in Oklahoma. Health News Positive COVID-19 cases climbing inside Oklahoma long-term care facilities as the state reopens: While the number of recoveries grow higher by the day, it’s a different story for Oklahoma’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities. [KFOR] Tulsa Health Department Director: Tulsa has not met federal guidelines to reopen: Tulsa’s top public health official said Wednesday that based on federal guidelines, the city is not ready to follow Gov. Kevin Stitt’s reopening plans beginning Friday. [Public Radio Tulsa] Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said Wednesday while the city will follow the state’s business reopening plan starting Friday, things are not going right back to normal. [Public Radio Tulsa] Bynum says Tulsa police, Health Department will enforce guidelines for reopening businesses. [Tulsa World] Mayor revises OKC emergency orders effective Friday: Social gatherings of 10 or more people are still prohibited in Oklahoma City under revised COVID-19 emergency orders taking effect Friday. Mayor David Holt issued a new emergency proclamation late Wednesday. [The Oklahoman] Dental offices add safety measures in advance of reopening: Across the state, dentists are gearing up to reopen for routine care and minor medical procedures as early as Friday as long as there’s enough protective equipment available to safely operate. [CNHI via McAlester News Capital] Pandemic is 'Catch-22' for many Tulsa-area children: Protection from virus could mean exposure to abuse: During a pandemic, one would think that a couple of quiet weeks at Child Abuse Network in Tulsa would be a good sign. Fewer reports means less abuse, right? Experts say it’s the opposite. [Tulsa World] OK Policy guest post: ‘Safe at Home’ slows virus outbreak, but endangers domestic violence survivors. Tulsa World editorial: New etiquette in public places is to wear a mask and keep a distance: As businesses start reopening Friday in Gov. Kevin Stitt’s first phase to restart the economy, residents need to take precautions in public against the COVID-19 virus. [Tulsa World Editorial] State Government News Health Department audit request re-kindles old infernos: Attorney General Mike Hunter and his team have encountered financial mismanagement at the Oklahoma State Department of Health before, but their 2018 multi-county grand jury review of OSDH’s financial implosion and its co-mingling of state and federal funds yielded no action. [NonDoc] Republican state leaders in Oklahoma and Utah are facing scrutiny for spending millions of dollars combined to purchase malaria drugs promoted by President Trump to treat COVID-19 patients that many other states obtained for free and that doctors warned shouldn’t be used without more testing. [AP News via The Journal Record] Agency investigating thousands of fake unemployment claims: Oklahoma's unemployment agency said it has discovered more than 3,800 fictitious claims since mid-March. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission is also reviewing hundreds of other suspicious filings, it said Wednesday. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma’s CED 7 seeks attorney following damning state audit: Circuit Engineering District 7 officials voted at their regular monthly meeting Tuesday to hire an attorney following the release of an audit by the state of Oklahoma that found several irregularities. [NonDoc] Oklahoma National Guard adds more response teams for virus assistance to nursing homes: The head of the Oklahoma National Guard said Wednesday that the Guard will ramp up its mission to provide assistance to the state's nursing homes and longterm health care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Public Radio Tulsa] Federal Government News Federal judge temporarily prevents for-profit group from receiving CARES funds intended for tribes: On Monday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing Alaska Native Corporations from receiving money allocated to tribes under the CARES Act. Tribes, including the Cherokee Nation, argued it was unfair that relief funds were slated to go to for-profit organizations. [KOSU] Tribal governments were supposed to get $8 billion in direct emergency relief from the CARES Act, the $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill that became law on March 27. More than a month later, they haven’t gotten any of it. [Huffington Post] Criminal Justice News Oklahoma prison chief discusses COVID-19 testing in state prisons: Prisons across the United States are struggling with a rash of COVID-19 infections. In Oklahoma, two prisoners and nine corrections employees have tested positive for the disease. StateImpact’s Quinton Chandler spoke with Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Scott Crow about the state’s ability to test for Covid-19 in prisons. [StateImpact Oklahoma] OK Policy and other organizations have urge elected officials and state officials to take action to manage the serious threat of a COVID-19 outbreak in Oklahoma corrections facilities.  Oklahoma County sheriff's office moving out of jail: Over the next month, the Oklahoma County sheriff’s office will take a historic step as it moves out of the county jail and into a facility in northeast Oklahoma City. With approval from county commissioners during a Wednesday meeting, the office will now call the county’s Krowse Army Reserve Center building at NE 36 and Martin Luther King Avenue home. [The Oklahoman] Economic Opportunity Property owners, officials working to mitigate evictions: Working out a payment arrangement with tenants who cannot pay their rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic is in the best interest of landlords, and a recent survey shows most property owners in the Oklahoma City area are doing exactly that. [The Journal Record] OK Policy: Policymakers must do more to prevent evictions and foreclosures during and after the COVID-19 crisis. Apartment complex accused of evicting Enid tenants, told to move out in 9 days during COVID-19 pandemic: Enid renters are caught in the middle of an eviction fight after they are now stuck with a new property management company who wants them to pack up and move out immediately in the midst of a pandemic. [KFOR]  Overdue utility bills stacking up in OKC: The number of overdue utility accounts has soared in the past six weeks, from an average of 300 before the COVID-19 pandemic to nearly 11,000, leaving households more than $3.2 million behind on their bills. The average amount due is $315. [The Oklahoman] Economy & Business News Child care provider organization "disappointed" in DHS plan for $50 million in CARES Act funds: The Licensed Child Care Association of Oklahoma has released a statement calling on the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to “revoke” its plan to allocate the $50 million given to the state through the CARES Act. [The Oklahoman] OK Policy and nine other state organizations developed a series of policy recommendations and policy changes that can bring relief to Oklahoma child care providers. As many as 60% of child care providers could go out of business without additional support, which would leave Oklahoma ill-equipped for a full economic recovery as workers requiring child care to return to their jobs.  Dozens of manufacturers to get state funds: Oklahoma's Department of Commerce hopes to "reboot" 30 manufacturing companies selected to receive a total of $5 million through a new program. Manufacturing Reboot Program funds will come from the Governor's Quick Action Closing Fund, which was originally designed to help manufacturers develop new projects and expand. [The Oklahoman] The commerce department announced funding awards for one business assistance program as well as the launch of a new program to help Oklahoma businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. [FOX25] Broken Arrow company gets funding award through state Department of Commerce Reboot Program [Tulsa World] Nowhere to go: Oklahoma cattle industry loses $600M due to COVID-19: Shutdowns and slowdowns at numerous plants have put kinks in the nation’s complex food supply chain that will affect everyday consumers and inflict billions of dollars’ worth of damages on industries vital to Oklahoma and the rest of the country. [The Journal Record] At present, there is plenty of food': National meat shortage not affecting Oklahoma yet [Tulsa World] An executive order signed by President Trump on Tuesday could mean some support for the nation's — and Oklahoma's — beleaguered meat industry as it weathers the coronavirus pandemic. [Public Radio Tulsa] Bars not among businesses reopening on Friday: When businesses begin reopening Friday bars won’t be among them.The state updated its guidelines for phase one of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s plan to reopen state businesses late Tuesday. [The Oklahoman] Editorial: Slow, steady approach to reopening Oklahoma businesses: Some barber shops and hair salons in the metro area reopened on Friday, taking advantage of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s plan for a gradual reopening of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional businesses have permission to reopen Friday, although it’s clear from our reporting that the ramp-up will be gradual. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board] Producers have too much crude oil. Where do they put it?: Abundant supplies of crude oil have regulators pondering how and where it should be stored at off-lease locations. On Thursday, elected members of Oklahoma’s Corporation Commission will consider a proposed emergency rule to establish those requirements. [The Oklahoman] Education News Oklahoma City, Tulsa superintendents call for $200 billion in federal relief for schools: Without a massive bailout from the federal government, the nation’s largest school districts face an “educational catastrophe,” according to a letter signed by Tulsa and Oklahoma City’s superintendents. [StateImpact Oklahoma] Oklahoma climbs to third in the country for Pre-K access for 4-year-olds: According to a report from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)), Oklahoma climbs to third in the country for Pre-K access for 4-year-olds. In the same report last year, Oklahoma scored among the top eight states in the nation. [FOX25] State Rep. Sherrie Conley calls on SDE to protect four-day weeks for rural schools: Senate Bill 441 was passed by Legislature last year, which would require school districts to use school years with a minimum of 165 days and at least 1,080 hours, beginning next school year. [FOX25] General News Op-Ed: Conspiring pandemics in our country: The COVID-19 pandemic is a societal earthquake, but the pandemic of poverty will be its tsunami. The swell of this wave has begun. These two pandemics are combining forces in our communities, and millions caught in their wake have nowhere to turn. [David Dennis Op-Ed / The Oklahoman] Accurate U.S. Census count brings federal dollars to state: Of the many reasons for Oklahomans to participate in the 2020 U.S. Census, perhaps the easiest to understand is the amount of federal dollars coming to the state with each resident who does so. According to Kyle Key, Chickasaw Nation executive officer of self-governance, that money translates into investments in hospitals, bridges, road construction and numerous federal programs. [CNHI via Enid News & Eagle] Oklahoma Local News Oklahoma City Municipal Court aims for date after May 1 for re-opening [FOX25] June jury duty canceled in Oklahoma County [KFOR] While some hair salons, barber shops have been open nearly a week, Tulsa's can open this Friday — but some will wait longer [Tulsa World] Ada is still mostly closed, but that could change soon [Stillwater News Press] Stillwater lays out rules for opening businesses [Stillwater News Press] Payne County begins opening facilities Friday [Ada News] Cases rise in Texas County, ranked 6th in state [Guymon Daily Herald] Guthrie Council unanimously votes to amend shelter-in-place ordinance [Guthrie News Leader] Duncan council discusses reopening of restaurants, businesses [Duncan Banner] Quote of the Day “I think it is important that everyone recognize that as we are going into this, we are not celebrating that the virus went away. What we are trying to do is identify ways that we can go about our lives closer to what we used to know with reduced risk ... recognizing also that we just cannot maintain shelter-in-place for the indefinite future.” -Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum [Tulsa World]  Number of the Day 60% Percent of Oklahoma child care providers that could permanently close due to COVID-19 without state financial assistance. [Source: Center for American Progress] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Unemployed workers face choice between safety and money as states reopen: Public health experts and labor advocates fear the result is that opening the economy will drive Americans back to work in search of a paycheck but leave them vulnerable to catching the coronavirus and fueling a second wave of the disease. [Politico] 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] AG requests audit of virus-related spending; new virus testing to be rolled out; 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. Oklahoma News Attorney General requests investigative audit of COVID-19 spending: On the heels of reports about questionable spending on COVID-19 supplies and equipment by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the state attorney general on Tuesday requested an investigative audit of the agency. [Oklahoma Watch] It wasn’t immediately clear whether Attorney General Mike Hunter’s request was related to the state’s coronavirus response, which the agency is leading. Hunter formally requested the audit of the State Department of Health in a letter to State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd. [AP News] "It is disappointing that the Attorney General would see the need to entangle the agency with an investigation when it is in the midst of responding to the most historic pandemic of our time," Stitt said. [The Oklahoman] Stitt: Oklahoma still on track to begin phased reopening Friday: Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday doubled down on his decision to begin reopening the state through a three-phase plan that will commence Friday. [The Oklahoman] A “phased” and “measured” approach to reopening Oklahoma’s economy remains appropriate as the state continues to make progress in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Stitt said Tuesday. [The Journal Record] The number of newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma has decreased despite an increase in testing, said Gov. Stitt. [Tulsa World] Gov. Stitt also said hospitalizations in Oklahoma peaked almost a month ago and the health care system now has plenty of capacity. [Public Radio Tulsa] The governor said his two priorities during the pandemic have been to save lives and to soften the economic damage to the state. [KTUL] Oklahoma among first to move to saliva tests; Gov. Stitt urges testing of asymptomatic people: On the day the state announced it’s rolling out COVID-19 saliva testing as soon as Wednesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt encouraged any Oklahoman who wants a test for the virus to be tested. [Tulsa World] Gov. Stitt also outlined plans to implement saliva testing and administer tests to all long-term care home staff and residents. [NonDoc] As state reopens, Oklahoma workforce leaders discuss asking for end to federal unemployment payments: As the state begins to open up its economy next month, it could look to cancel the federal $600 per week unemployment stimulus payments to force Oklahomans back to work. Leslie Blair, spokesperson for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, told The Frontier Tuesday evening that ending the federal unemployment payment “is not something we would do.” [The Frontier] As of April 23, 26.5 million workers in the U.S. had filed jobless claims, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. On March 27, Congress signed the CARES Act into law, providing temporary economic relief during the pandemic. [The Journal Record] National Employment Law Project: It is concerning that states are “re-opening” their economies and encouraging workers to go back to work. If shutting off access to unemployment insurance is any motivator behind this decision, it is sure to backfire. COVID-19: 10 more Oklahomans die from the disease, 130 more contract virus: The Oklahoma State Department of Health revealed that 207 Oklahomans have died from the disease since March 19. In total, 3,410 people have contracted the infection since early March. [Tulsa World] Visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov for the latest COVID-19 numbers in Oklahoma. Health News State delivering protective equipment to nursing homes, but is it enough?: The Oklahoma State Department of Health is delivering masks, gloves, gowns and face shields to nursing homes across the state this week, though some facility officials say the shipments aren’t enough to protect dwindling staff and elderly residents from further infection. [Oklahoma Watch] Oklahoma to test all nursing home residents, staffers for coronavirus: Over the next month, the state is planning to test all residents and staffers in Oklahoma nursing homes and long-term care facilities for COVID-19. [The Oklahoman] 'Let's Talk': Dr. Bruce Dart says modeling suggests virus to remain in circulation through summer months: People who are more susceptible to COVID-19 probably shouldn’t plan to resume normal activities until fall arrives. Dr. Bruce Dart, executive director of the Tulsa Health Department, on Tuesday delivered that message on “Let’s Talk,” a virtual town hall hosted by the Tulsa World. [Tulsa World] Initial weeks of pandemic bring increases in suicides, mental health calls: Some metro-area law enforcement agencies saw an increased number of suicide and mental health calls in the early weeks of Oklahoma’s COVID-19 pandemic. [The Oklahoman] State Government News Stitt asks for patience as state works to process crush of unemployment claims: Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday said the state has made progress in processing unemployment claims that have flooded the system in the wake of COVID-19 business closures. [Tulsa World] Education News Tulsa, OKC among school superintendents warning Congress of "educational catastrophe" without more coronavirus relief: Superintendents of the Tulsa and Oklahoma City school districts are among school leaders from across the United States urging Congress to take further action to help avoid an “educational catastrophe” caused by the coronavirus pandemic. [Tulsa World] Schools face challenge of teaching reading in proven way – and now in a pandemic: State officials say many teachers still use reading-instruction theories that brain research has shown don’t work and can be detrimental. That problem could become more severe in the fall, when school resumes and teachers must deal with students who fell behind during the pandemic. [Oklahoma Watch] OK Policy: Oklahoma needs to account for all students as schools move to distance learning. Economy & Business News State offers child care subsidy to parents, but providers group objects: The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is using federal COVID-19 relief dollars to pay for two months of child care for out-of-work parents. But an advocacy group for the struggling child care industry says the funding needs to go directly and immediately to providers instead. [Oklahoma Watch] OK Policy and nine other state organizations developed a series of policy recommendations and policy changes that can bring relief to Oklahoma child care providers. As many as 60% of child care providers could go out of business without additional support, which would leave Oklahoma ill-equipped for a full economic recovery as workers requiring child care to return to their jobs. [Full statement from the Licensed Child Care Association of Oklahoma] Wheat farmers may be left out of stimulus payments: Tucked inside the $2 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package signed into law nearly a month ago are funds designed to help farmers, ranchers and the food supply chain survive the pandemic’s economic blow. But wheat farmers, one of the largest commodities grown in Oklahoma, could be left out. [NonDoc] Oklahoma oil and gas jobs in decline: With the oil and gas industry hit hard by demand destruction and the recently resolved OPEC+ trade war, Oklahoma’s largest industry has taken a hit to employment. [The Journal Record] Regulators allow voluntary well shut-ins: To prevent waste, oil and gas regulators in various oil-producing states have been asked to consider orders requiring operators to shut in wells. [The Oklahoman] Four tribes announce extension of casino closures: Oklahoma tribal casinos operated by the Chickasaw, Cherokee, Choctaw and Muscogee (Creek) nations will remain closed at least through May 15, tribal officials said Tuesday. [The Oklahoman] Criminal Justice News Inmate freed from Oklahoma prison tests positive for virus: The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is testing inmates for the coronavirus at least a week before they leave prison after a man’s test came back positive hours after he was released. [AP News] The inmate showed no symptoms of the virus when he was released. [FOX25]  COVID-19 found in state prisons as testing increases: Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been located throughout Oklahoma's prison facilities as the state Department of Corrections ramped up its testing capabilities over the last several weeks. [The Oklahoman] OK Policy and other organizations have urge elected officials and state officials to take action to manage the serious threat of a COVID-19 outbreak in Oklahoma corrections facilities.  General News Op-Ed: A robust census benefits community, gives piece of mind: The opportunity to help our community get its fair share of more than $675 billion in federal funds is now. Oklahoma households have received their U.S. Census questionnaires or invitations to fill out the 2020 Census online. [Op-Ed / Daily Ardmoreite] 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. The Grace Center of Southern Oklahoma is one of Together OK's partners in raising Census awareness in undercounted parts of the state.  Already feeding 18,000 people during COVID-19 shutdown, Cherokee Nation will expand distributions even more: The Cherokee Nation has already been dipping into emergency funds and using supplies from closed casinos to distribute food to more than 18,000 tribal citizens during the COVID-19 shutdown, officials said Tuesday. [Tulsa World] Serving through a pandemic: Clients line up outside Iron Gate in downtown Tulsa. Most are homeless, and usually 218 of them are allowed into the kitchen to eat together in what Iron Gate Executive Director Carrie Vesely Henderson calls a very “high-touch” experience. [Oklahoma Watch] Race Massacre Centennial Commission announces new site for Greenwood Rising History Center: After talks to build the Greenwood Rising History Center on the grounds of the Greenwood Cultural Center fell through earlier this month, the Centennial Commission announced Tuesday it will now go up on the southeast corner of Greenwood Avenue and Archer Street, the gateway to the Greenwood District. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma Local News Oklahoma County receives $47 million from CARES Act [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma City Council to decide on resolution to help metro airports hurt in pandemic [FOX25] Mustang has most essential workers in Oklahoma, top 10 in the nation, study says [FOX25] Some Norman businesses can reopen Friday [The Oklahoman] 1 additional Cleveland County death [Norman Transcript] Five more Northwest Oklahomans, including Enid residents, positive for COVID-19 [Enid News & Eagle] Stillwater Medical to resume elective services and surgeries on May 4 [Stillwater News Press] 50 cases, 3 deaths, 24 recovered COVID-19 cases in Rogers County [Claremore Daily Progress] Grady County Commissioners discuss soft opening for courthouse [The Express-Star] Stephens County has 22 cases and 18 recovered for COVID-19 [Duncan Banner] Quote of the Day “As we provide instruction at a distance, we will need further resources from the federal and state level to provide electronic learning devices and internet connections to every child... While we cannot speculate what the state will do in regard to funding education for next school year, we are mindful that Oklahoma has quite a long way to go to restore funding to and begin to meaningfully invest in our public education system.” -Dr. Deborah Gist, Superintendent for Tulsa Public Schools [Tulsa World] Number of the Day 294,000 The number of unemployment claims filed in Oklahoma since the pandemic began.  [Source: Tulsa World] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Workers won't quit just to get a marginally increased unemployment insurance benefit: Unemployment insurance is a program designed to keep workers connected to the workforce. It is an earned benefit that allows workers to receive income while they are looking for a job. Any notion that workers will not return to work when it is safe to do so ignores not only evidence but also the intention of the unemployment insurance system. [National Employment Law Project] 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] Lawmakers planning Monday return to capitol; prisons report handful of virus cases; 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. New from OK Policy (Capitol Update) Current economic situation creates uncharted territory for state budget process: It seems a new conflict develops weekly now between the Governor and legislative leaders. This week the conflict again relates to the budget. Previously, the Governor had refused to sign a stopgap appropriations bill using money from the Rainy Day Fund to finish the remainder of the FY 2020 budget, which ends June 30. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] Oklahoma News Lawmakers expected to return to Capitol on Monday: Lawmakers are expected to return to the Capitol next Monday. “May 4 is officially the target date to return, and discussions are underway about the safeguards necessary to get the Capitol reopened in a manner deemed safe by public health officials and both legislative chambers,” said House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma prison agency reports a handful of COVID-19 infections as other state prisons see a surge: Prisons in multiple states are finding more positive cases of COVID-19 as they ramp up testing. According to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, 549 COVID-19 tests had been conducted across the state prison system as of last week. Only two Oklahoma prisoners have confirmed positive tests as well as nine employees. The results for 83 other tests haven’t been released yet. [StateImpact Oklahoma] OK Policy and other organizations have urge elected officials and state officials to take action to manage the serious threat of a COVID-19 outbreak in Oklahoma corrections facilities.  COVID-19: 2 more Oklahomans die from COVID-19, 27 more cases confirmed: Two more Oklahomans have died due to COVID-19. There have been a total of 197 deaths from the disease, according to Oklahoma State Department of Health data. The first death was reported March 19. [Tulsa World] Health News Health researchers: Oklahoma, neighboring states may worsen each others' outbreaks: Oklahoma has already begun reopening following a plan by Gov. Kevin Stitt, but a team of health researchers estimate that the state is still more than 50 days away from the earliest date when it would be safe to ease restrictions intended to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. [Public Radio Tulsa] Contact tracers find an average of 36 potential exposures per COVID-19 case in Tulsa County: Tulsa County’s contact tracing efforts average about 36 potential exposures per positive COVID-19 case, according to the Tulsa Health Department. [Tulsa World] Routine dental care set to resume across Oklahoma on Friday: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s phased-in reopening plan allows for routine restorative and preventative care to resume May 1. [Tulsa World] State Government News State cancels PPE buy from company under FBI scrutiny: State health officials had been going ahead with a $9.5 million purchase of personal protective equipment from a new company despite being told it was under investigation by the FBI. [The Oklahoman] Gov. Stitt asks Trump to declare virus ‘act of God’ to help oil producers: Gov. Kevin Stitt is requesting that President Donald Trump assist the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma by declaring the COVID-19 pandemic a “force majeure” or “act of God.” Trump’s declaration would protect producers from lease cancellations caused by production decreases. [The Journal Record] Stitt said over-production of oil continues to threaten the economy, and could lead to difficult decisions for producers with no place to store their product and no one to buy it. [CNHI via Enid News & Eagle] David Ostrowe: ‘This is state government being nimble’: As Oklahoma’s first secretary of digital transformation and administration, David Ostrowe has been tasked with overseeing the digitization of state services — a pet initiative of Gov. Kevin Stitt. [NonDoc] Federal Government News Lankford worried federal coronavirus unemployment payments may be too generous: In a webinar hosted by the Tulsa Regional Chamber on Monday, U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) said he fears that the amount of money paid out to Americans as federal unemployment benefits under new coronavirus legislation may be overly generous and bad economic policy. [Public Radio Tulsa] U.S. Sen. James Lankford also answered questions from people in the McAlester area during a virtual town hall meeting with Mayor John Browne as the moderator. [McAlester News-Capital] Economy & Business News Virus-caused demand drop sends oil value negative: Producers of crude oil in Oklahoma and across the nation experienced the unthinkable April 20 when futures prices on contracts for the May delivery of crude oil plunged nearly $40 a barrel during the final minutes of trading that day. [The Oklahoman] COVID-19: Employer obligations to customers and employees: While Oklahoma is among the first states to reopen most nonessential businesses – including gyms, spas, movie theaters and sporting venues – on May 1, there is no guarantee that consumer confidence will be high enough that customers will show up. [The Journal Record] Casinos consider ‘cautious start’ to reopening: Casino operators in Oklahoma are considering how and when to safely reopen their doors even as other entertainment venues may welcome customers back beginning May 1. [The Journal Record] Education News Oklahoma still a leading state for pre-K, but COVID-19 challenges lie ahead: Oklahoma remains one of the leading states for pre-K in a new annual report. According to the National Institute for Early Education Research, 76% of Oklahoma 4-year-olds are enrolled in preschool, a number that’s been relatively stable for the past decade but still third-best in the U.S. [Public Radio Tulsa] Stimulus funds for private school tuition? (Podcast): The Frontier explores Gov. Kevin Stitt’s suggestion that some COVID-19 emergency education funds be used for program that offers private school tuition through tax credits. [The Frontier] General News Homeless Alliance carries on despite numerous challenges: Monday was just another day serving a couple hundred folks out of a makeshift pickup window next to an empty dog kennel during a global pandemic at the Homeless Alliance. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Local News Moore rescinds shelter-in-place order [Norman Transcript] Some Moore public buildings open to public [The Oklahoman] Edmond will allow some businesses, churches to open Friday [The Oklahoman] Enid Mayor releases plan to reopen businesses [Enid News & Eagle] Stillwater City Council wrestles with safely re-opening businesses [Stillwater News Press] Muskogee economic recovery task force charts new course [Muskogee Phoenix] Wagoner woman's death brings state toll to 197 [Muskogee Phoenix] Stephens County still at 20 cases [Duncan Banner] Stephens County Commissioners talk about Open Up and Recover Safely plan [Duncan Banner] Quote of the Day "Computer programs are not a real substitute for preschool any more than the wooden puppet Pinocchio was a real boy. Young children learn best through hands-on activities engaged with adults and other children." -Steven Barnett, director of the National Institute for Early Education Research [Public Radio Tulsa] Number of the Day 41% The percentage of Oklahoma child care programs that have parents who cannot pay fees or child care subsidy copays. [Source: NAEYC COVID-19 Survey Data by State] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Will child care be there when states reopen? Child care centers, home daycares and after-school programs nationwide are struggling to stay open as families stay home to avoid spreading the coronavirus. As some governors prepare to lift stay-at-home orders, child care advocates warn that if child care businesses cannot survive, it’ll be harder for parents to return to work. National child care advocates want state leaders to use $3.5 billion in emergency child care block grants approved by Congress last month to help licensed businesses cover their operating expenses. The grants typically are used to help low-income families pay for care, but Congress also is allowing states to spend the emergency funds to help businesses open or reopen. [Stateline via Pew Charitable Trusts] 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