[In The Know] Pardon and parole board director resigns | $10 million CARES Act for school PPE | Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma

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. Some stories may be behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and click here see past editions. New from OK Policy Gov. Stitt’s GEER plan widens the gap in access to technology and online learning for low-income students and students of color: Rather than optimize federal relief dollars to reach as many school aged children as possible, the Governor’s plan directs almost half of all GEER funding ($18 million) to less than 1 percent of all students in the state. This includes one quarter of the total funding package dedicated to just 1,500 students — 0.2% of all school children in Oklahoma — who attend private schools. This means that public GEER funding disproportionately serves the state’s approximately 65,000 private school students rather than Oklahoma’s 700,000 children who attend public schools. [Rebecca Fine / OK Policy] Using the Census to amplify the voice of the people: Every 10 years, the United States conducts a census of all citizens and noncitizens living in the country. America’s founders included Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution to ensure each state’s representation would be based on population rather than wealth or land ownership. [Roxanne Logan / The Ardmoreite] Oklahoma News ‘I cannot tolerate my current work environment’: Pardon and parole board director resigns: Steven Bickley, the executive director of the state Pardon and Parole Board, resigned Wednesday, saying he was being “threatened for doing my job.” In June, board member Allen McCall told Bickley he would make accusations of unspecified criminal activity against him if he did not ask the state attorney general to weigh in on whether a death row inmate could request a commutation hearing, according to emails compiled in an internal memo that was obtained by The Frontier. [The Frontier] Stitt announces $10 million CARES Act commitment to personal protective equipment for schools; teachers to be tested monthly: Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday said he is committing $10 million for personal protection equipment in schools and plans to test teachers for COVID-19 on a monthly basis. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma will use millions in federal funding to purchase two reusable face masks for every student and teacher in the state to help ensure they’re protected from COVID-19 when they return to school, the governor announced Thursday. [CNHI via The Ada News] In addition to PPE purchases, Stitt said he is issuing a new executive order directing the State Department of Health and State Department of Education to prepare a plan by Aug. 21 to test all state teachers for COVID-19 on a monthly basis. [NonDoc] Stitt said his intent is to have the PPE dispersed across the state by Aug. 15. [The Oklahoman] Stitt: Criticism of coronavirus response a ‘political statement': Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday dismissed as politically motivated a letter that says Oklahoma is not in compliance with federal recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19. [The Oklahoman] COVID-19: 1,117 new cases, 13 more deaths reported in Oklahoma: The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 1,117 more COVID-19 cases Thursday, with 13 additional deaths. None of the deaths, including four in Tulsa County, was identified in the past 24 hours. [Tulsa World] Health Dept. COVID-19 Alert System Focuses On Hospitalizations For Risk Level [News9] Mayor Bynum on COVID-19 situation: 'Historically high levels of hospitalizations in Tulsa' [Tulsa World] 'We cannot get lax': Officials say COVID-19 measures are 'starting to make a difference,' but caution that hospitalizations remain historically high [Tulsa World] COVID-19 test results taking longer as state sees 'fairly dramatic increase' in demand in recent weeks [Tulsa World] Ten things to keep in mind about the Oklahoma COVID-19 numbers [Free Press OKC] Management of Oklahoma's Expanded Medicaid Program Could Turn into a Sticking Point: Administration may be the big fight over Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma. Lawmakers leading the discussion are confident they can use a plan vetoed by Gov. Kevin Stitt as a funding fallback. It used an increased assessment on hospital revenue to come up with around $130 million, most if not all of Oklahoma’s share of around $1 billion in expansion costs. [Public Radio Tulsa] Health News Officials investigating claims of mistreatment at Oklahoma veterans center: The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is investigating allegations that veterans at the Lawton-Fort Sill Veterans Center were mistreated. [The Oklahoman] State Government News Unemployment numbers not budging as pandemic continues: The number of Oklahomans receiving unemployment assistance during the third week of July remained near 120,000, data released Thursday by state and federal officials showed. It reported the number of idled workers in the state who were receiving continued assistance for the week ending July 18 was 118,809. That number was lower by 8,325, week-over-week, but only because the previous week’s data on continuing claims had been revised to a higher amount. [The Oklahoman] Lawmakers renew look at retirement savings: Lawmakers concerned that more than half of Oklahomans don’t have access to employee-sponsored retirement savings plans will take a new look at a proposal to initiate a state-sponsored program to help people save. [The Journal Record] Commission tackles safety protocols: About 200 oil and gas-related applications are pending at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission because one or more of the parties involved has objected to holding proceedings remotely. On Thursday, the commissioners examined ways to accommodate those objections while observing safety protocols in place due to COVID-19. [The Journal Record] Federal Government News Oklahoma lawmakers still mulling coronavirus relief needs, including unemployment: As congressional leaders struggle to find common ground on the next coronavirus aid package, Oklahoma lawmakers also seem conflicted about what type of assistance is necessary and how best to target the money. [The Oklahoman] Lankford: Percentage-based payments 'worst-case scenario' for federal unemployment benefit [Public Radio Tulsa] Inhofe cancels hearing for nominee that called Obama a terrorist leader: Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe on Thursday called off a hearing on the nomination of retired Army general and Fox News commentator Anthony Tata amid complaints regarding controversial comments made about former President Barack Obama and Muslims. [The Oklahoman] Criminal Justice News Oklahoma Supreme Court chief justice blocks contempt hearing for OKC police chief: The chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Thursday blocked judges in two counties from telling Oklahoma City police where to take suspects after arrest. The emergency order comes as the feud between Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley and the judges intensifies. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma activists discuss criminal justice reform to appear on November ballot, impact of incarceration on families: On July 29, the Oklahoma Supreme Court determined that the Yes on 805 campaign’s 248,521 counted signatures was sufficient to place the state question on the November 3 ballot. SQ 805 would prohibit a person’s former felony convictions from being used to make a person’s sentence longer or harsher. The measure would not apply to those who have been convicted of a violent felony.  [The Ardmoreite] Mother first in five years to be charged in county under statute: In July, Rebecca Hogue was arrested and indicted by a multi-county grand jury on charges of first-degree murder under the state’s “Failure to Protect” law, which allows a parent, guardian or caregiver to face the same punishment as the abuser. An analysis of court records shows Hogue is the first person in five years to be charged in Cleveland County using that statute. [The Norman Transcript] Economy & Business News Concert business "at risk of total collapse" without help: Across the country, the pandemic is casting a pall over the live music industry that local venue operators fear will kill their businesses without help from Congress. [The Oklahoman] Education News Doctors concerned about Okla. schools starting in August: Two groups of physicians recently announced that under current conditions they cannot support a statewide return to in-person learning next month at Oklahoma’s K-12 schools. [Southwest Ledger] As Some Schools Prepare To Open Doors, Tulsa County Health Director Recommends Against In-Person Classes: With new coronavirus infections increasing more rapidly among younger people than other demographics, Dr. Bruce Dart of the Tulsa Health Department said that the return to school for districts in Tulsa County should be all-virtual for now due to the severity of the local outbreak. [Public Radio Tulsa] General News Green Party presidential nominee sues for access to the ballot in Oklahoma: Green Party Presidential Nominee Howie Hawkins is suing Oklahoma election officials over what he claims are unreasonable deadlines and filing fees in the state that have blocked him and other alternative candidates from securing their names on the November ballot. [The Frontier] Most of the rejected absentee ballots for June 30 election arrived late, Tulsa County Election Board says: More than 5% of the absentee ballots returned to the Tulsa County Election Board for the June 30 election were rejected, a higher percentage than normal, officials said. [Tulsa World] Political campaigns calling your personal phone? Election Board officials say they didn't give out your number: A wave of angry callers prompted Tulsa County Election Board officials to make an announcement to the public Thursday afternoon: They do not keep, nor do they share, voters’ phone numbers. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma Local News Chickasaw Nation Head Start, Preschool Delays Start Of In-Person Instruction [KOSU] Kiowa Chairman’s Impeachment Gearing Delayed [KGOU] COVID-19 outbreak shuts down Garvin County Courthouse [The Oklahoman] City of Norman considers auditor department, charter amendment [The Norman Transcript] Quote of the Day “Our justice system is intended to provide restoration and that’s not what’s happening. We’re keeping people in and we’re not restoring lives.” –Susan Esco, who serves on the board for Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform and volunteers in prison ministries, speaking at a virtual town hall meeting led by the Yes on 805 campaign. [The Ardmoreite] Number of the Day 44th Oklahoma's rank for premature deaths in the United States. On average, Oklahomans lose about 9.9 years of potential life lost before age 75. The state's premature death rates are highest among Oklahomans of color, especially Blacks and American Indians. [Source: America's Health Rankings] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Medicaid to Play Key Role in Response to Coronavirus: Anticipating a surge in Medicaid costs for states at a time when they can least afford it, Congress chose the program as one of the earliest targets for relief dollars in its multi-bill stimulus package to resuscitate the ailing U.S. economy. Lawmakers’ decision to single out Medicaid isn’t surprising. They used the program to funnel money to states in each of the past two recessions; Medicaid is uniquely positioned to assist states with the pandemic’s threats to both public health and government budgets. [Pew 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

 

 

 

Happy birthday, Medicaid!

Dear Friend, Medicaid is 55 years old today! For more than half a century, Medicaid has provided quality health coverage to millions of people.  To celebrate this anniversary and ensure that Medicaid is able to continue to deliver essential health services in our communities, we have planned an Oklahoma Virtual Day of Action. Now more than ever, it is vital that our Medicaid program (SoonerCare) continue to provide access to quality health care to Oklahomans.  Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube and help us protect Medicaid for years to come. TogetherOK’s success depends on your engagement – and there are many ways for you to get involved. Join Us   Together OK | 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005, Tulsa, OK 74120 | (918) 794-3944 click here to unsubscribe | update subscription preferences | view email in browser

 

[In The Know] U.S. House panel: Oklahoma ignored virus recommendations | SQ 805 set for Nov. 3 vote | Medicaid turns 55 today

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. Some stories may be behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and click here see past editions. New from OK Policy Policy Matters: Celebrating Medicaid’s 55th anniversary: Today, the nation’s Medicaid program celebrates its 55th anniversary. For those who have never needed it, Medicaid exists mostly as a vague concept. For those who rely on it, however, Medicaid is an essential program that can mean the difference between life and death. Operating as SoonerCare in Oklahoma, Medicaid serves as a crucial lifeline for more than 860,000 Oklahomans every month, including low-income parents and children, people with severe disabilities and pregnant women. As a result, it is a key component to our state’s public safety net, which is needed now more than ever. [Ahniwake Rose / The Journal Record] Together Oklahoma hosts a Medicaid Virtual Day of Action: Together Oklahoma, OK Policy's grassroots education and advocacy program, is hosting a virtual day of action today in celebration of Medicaid's 55th anniversary.  Events include a legislative discussion with Reps. Emily Virgin and Marcus McEntire about Medicaid expansion and a live conversation at 6 p.m. with health care experts and Oklahomans from across the state. Learn more at TogetherOK.org/ProtectMedicaid. Oklahoma News U.S. House panel says Stitt ignored White House guidance to stop coronavirus spread: The leader of a U.S. House subcommittee said Wednesday that Gov. Kevin Stitt ignored recommendations from the White House Coronavirus Task Force to stop the spread of the virus and asked him to produce documents about guidance his administration received. [The Oklahoman] House COVID oversight panel demands documents from four states. Gov. Stitt disputed the state had any “red zones” — a classification determined by the White House task force — because they had created their own COVID-19 risk alert map that included the White House’s “initial methodology.” [AP News] Governor Stitt issued a response to the letter and said, “leveraging the White House’s initial methodology, OSDH deployed a similar version of a COVID-19 risk alert map to empower local leaders to make critical decisions based on the unique dynamics in their counties." [News9] COVID-19: 14 new deaths reported with 848 more cases across Oklahoma: The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 848 more COVID-19 cases Wednesday, along with another 14 deaths from the virus. The death toll is 523, with 34,623 infections confirmed since March, according to state data. None of the deaths occurred in the past 24 hours. [Tulsa World] COVID-19 test results taking longer as state sees 'fairly dramatic increase' in demand in recent weeks [Tulsa World] COVID hospitalizations down slightly from record as total cases near 35,000 in Oklahoma [Public Radio Tulsa] OU Medicine chief COVID-19 doctor says infection rate will be sign of mask mandate effectiveness [The Oklahoman] Editorial: When protection isn't enough reason to mask up, threat of shutdowns is a motivator [Editorial / Tulsa World] State question to end repeat sentence penalties for nonviolent crimes qualifies for November ballot: An initiative petition seeking to end the use of sentence enhancements for repeat, nonviolent offenses is eligible for Oklahoma’s November ballot. State Question 805 cleared a 10-day period without being challenged. Supporters gathered around 260,000 signatures and had more than 248,000 counted, well in excess of the roughly 178,000 required. [Public Radio Tulsa] The last scheduled statewide election this year is the Nov. 3 general election. Gov. Kevin Stitt has until Aug. 24 to announce that the question has been placed on the Nov. 3 ballot. [The Oklahoman] Health News Ten residents dead At Claremore Veterans Center: Ten residents at the Claremore Veterans Center have died since July 1 after testing positive for COVID-19. However, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Director Joel Kintsel says they might not have died as a direct result of contracting the respiratory disease. [KOSU] COVID outbreak at Claremore VA prompts state aid [Claremore Daily Progress] City of Claremore, health officials react to COVID-19 outbreak at Veterans Center [KTUL] Mullin, Inhofe, Lankford: COVID outbreak at Claremore Veterans Center extremely concerning [Claremore Daily Progress] State Government News Oklahomans still frustrated by unemployment system: Even as employment rates begin to recover in Oklahoma, thousands of residents with unemployment claims remain trapped on a roller coaster of issues that can take weeks or months to resolve. [NonDoc] House, Senate announce 2020 interim studies: For the interim of 2020, Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat announced approval of 39 study requests of the 64 submitted by Senators while House Speaker Charles McCall announced approval of 74 interim studies of 92 requests received from Representatives. [Duncan Banner] Funding for roads, bridges to be studied: Funding for city and county roads and bridges, and “responsibilities and powers” of county commissioners, will be the focus of interim studies this summer and fall in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Senate. [Southwest Ledger] Environmental concerns now issue in wake of Creek ruling: In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 decision that Congress never dissolved the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's reservation, tribes and the state of Oklahoma have been examining the impact the case could have on regulatory issues within Indian Territory. [Tahlequah Daily Press] Health Department seeks comments for WIC: State health officials are soliciting comments from individuals regarding the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Input is needed for the State Plan of Program Operations for the 2020 Federal Fiscal Year. [OSDH / The Express-Star] Federal Government News U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern on stimulus: 'We just need to keep getting jobs open': First District Congressman Kevin Hern said Wednesday it’s imperative that the government perfect a playbook to effectively deal with the financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. [Tulsa World] Criminal Justice News City council evaluates Norman Police transparency, FOP contracts: The Norman City Council examined police transparency policy and union contract law Tuesday after a local group suggested the topic for discussion. [Norman Transcript] Lawton moving forward with plans for an advisory board: City of Lawton officials are moving forward with plans to create a citizens advisory board to work with the Lawton Police Department. [Lawton Constitution] Protest leaders surrender at Jail after DA decides to press state charges: Mark Faulk and Jess Eddy, both with years of experience leading protests in Oklahoma City, surrendered at the Oklahoma County Jail Wednesday morning after speaking to supporters who had gathered. [Free Press OKC] Economic Opportunity No-cost broadband expansion offered to schools, libraries and health care facilities: The administrator of Oklahoma’s Universal Service Fund announced this week that a provision enabling fund-supported schools, libraries, mental health and healthcare facilities to continue to use increased internet bandwidths without extra costs will be extended through the end of this year. [The Oklahoman] Economy & Business News Oklahoma Department of Commerce revamps site certification program to lure industry: The city of Norman is the first community to complete certification of a new property under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s revamped site certification program. [Tulsa World] Tulsa metro area unemployment rate dropped to 7.3% in June yet still well above prepandemic levels: Metro and county unemployment rates across the state continued to show improvement in June, yet in most instances they still remained well above pre-pandemic levels, data released Thursday show. [Tulsa World] Mystery packages seed community with suspicion and risk: Oklahomans are being asked to go against their natural curiosity and green-thumb tendencies, setting aside mail deliveries of mystery seeds from China instead of planting them. [OSU News & Information] More than 20 state departments of agriculture, including Oklahoma, Iowa and Nebraska are warning that the seeds could potentially be harmful. [Public Radio Tulsa] Education News Teacher groups demand safety measures in classrooms: In a speech to members across the country, the president of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten said if schools don't protect teachers' safety and health, "nothing is off the table—not advocacy or protests, negotiations, grievances or lawsuits, or, if necessary as a last resort, safety strikes.” [FOX25] Broken Arrow plans for in-person start to school year Aug. 19; masks required for grades 3 and up: The Broken Arrow Public Schools Board of Education on Wednesday approved a plan to start the school year in person on Aug. 19. [Tulsa World] Epic co-founder claims innocence in new video address amid back-to-school student recruiting drive: One of the co-founders of Epic Charter Schools took to YouTube on Wednesday and addressed parent skepticism of the school because of the still-looming law enforcement investigation and state investigative audit into its use of public funds. [Tulsa World] General News COVER Inequality check: Black Americans make up 15 percent of Oklahoma City’s population, but they are 26 percent of the homeless population. Roughly 11,000 OKC residents experience homelessness annually, according to the Homeless Management Information System. [Oklahoma Gazette] Muscogee (Creek) Nation establishes Mvskoke Reservation Protection Commission: “As the only tribal nation whose lands were directly at issue in the Supreme Court case, we are mindful of our responsibility to play a primary leadership role in ensuring that the Court’s decision results in greater prosperity and safety for all,” Principal Chief David Hill said. [Muskogee Phoenix] Dysfunction and injunction pauses Kiowa COVID-19 relief efforts: A Court of Indian Offenses (CFR) judge ruled Tuesday that any use of Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma funds, including the $19.7 million awarded to the tribe by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, is to be decided by the tribe’s citizens. [Lawton Constitution] Appeals Officer Shannon Edwards with the Code of Federal Regulations Court in Anadarko granted a preliminary injunction against the Kiowa Tribe, barring them from using any of their nearly $20 million CARES Act funds until a budget is passed and approved by the council. [KOSU] Oklahoma State University took his name off a building, but Alfalfa Bill Murray can still be found across the state: When Oklahoma A&M officials told Alfalfa Bill Murray they wanted to put his name on a university building in 1935, he wasn’t sure it was a good idea. [StateImpact Oklahoma] Oklahoma Local News Midwest City passes mask mandate, effective immediately [KOSU] Arcadia mandates masks [Luther Register] Luther Public Schools proposes mask mandate [Luther Register] Chickasha unveils stimulus program [Southwest Ledger] OESC holds in-person event in Ardmore to help with unemployment claims [KXII] Oklahoma City Community College moves all fall classes online [KOSU] USAO announces fall reopening plan [Express-Star] Looking to revamp history classes, OU regents visit Tulsa's historic Black Wall Street [Tulsa World] 'It’s been a moving target': OSU doctors reacting to changing needs of COVID-19 monitoring for athletes [The Oklahoman] Quote of the Day "This unpublished report recommends far stronger public health measures than the White House has called for in public or than the state currently requires — including mandating face masks, closing bars and gyms, and strictly limiting gatherings.”  -Rep. James Clyburn, D-South Carolina, chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, in a July 26 letter to Gov. Stitt about the state's virus response. He referenced a report prepared for the White House Coronavirus Task Force. [The Oklahoman] Number of the Day 46th Oklahoma's overall rank among the nation's healthiest states.  [Source: America's Health Rankings] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Understanding Medicaid: A Primer for State Legislators: The National Conference on State Legislatures summarized key elements of the Medicaid program, including basic answers to questions about the design and cost of the Medicaid program, why legislators should care about it, who and what it covers, why the program is costly for states, and what strategies can help improve quality while controlling Medicaid costs. The summary also serves as a useful resource for the general public to better understand this vital program, which celebrates its 55th anniversary today. [National Conference on State Legislatures] 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