[In The Know] Managed care plan meets unexpected opponent | Bill banning teaching critical race theory goes to Gov. | 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. 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. Oklahoma News Stitt administration’s partially privatized Medicaid plan finds unexpected opponent: OK House GOP: From Day 1 of this year’s legislative session, the state’s executive branch has been hammering its dedication to usher in SoonerSelect. Under that plan, instead of having Oklahoma’s Medicaid agency pay providers directly for their care, the state would shift about $2 billion in health spending to four private insurance companies, giving them a set amount for every client. Those companies would then coordinate care for nearly a million low-income Oklahomans, who are covered by SoonerCare, the state’s Medicaid program. [StateImpact Oklahoma] We fact checked the debate over privatizing Medicaid in Oklahoma [The Frontier] Oklahoma House OKs ban on teaching critical race theory: Oklahoma public school teachers would be prohibited from teaching certain concepts of race and racism under a bill given final approval by the state House on Thursday. The GOP-controlled House voted 70-19 for the bill that prohibits teaching of so-called “critical race theory.” “Students are being taught that because they’re a certain race or sex, they’re inherently superior to others or should feel guilty for something that happened in the past,” said Rep. Kevin West, a Moore Republican who sponsored the bill. “We’re trying to set boundaries that we as a state say will not be crossed when we’re teaching these kinds of subjects.” [AP News] Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to decide on bill to ban teaching of critical race theory [The Oklahoman]  Oklahoma's House sends legislation intended to deflect criticism of white males in classrooms to governor [Tulsa World] | [Public Radio Tulsa] THD's Bruce Dart describes two key COVID-19 metric thresholds that would raise concerns if crossed as mask mandate sunsets: Bruce Dart on Thursday morning laid out certain data thresholds that if breached would elicit concern from the Tulsa Health Department as society transitions toward a better new normal and the city’s mask mandate expires. The THD executive director discussed those metrics during City Councilor Kara Joy McKee’s first weekly virtual COVID-19 session on her professional Facebook page. [Tulsa World] End of mask mandate doesn't mean 'mask-burning parties,' Mayor G.T. Bynum says [Tulsa World] | [Public Radio Tulsa] Health News Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is back online as Oklahoma health leaders stress its safety: With Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines back online in Oklahoma after a nationwide pause, the next challenge for health officials could be communicating the safety of the one-shot vaccines. [The Oklahoman] Mandatory vaccinations not likely for returning students, OSU's incoming president says [Tulsa World] Lt. Gov. Pinnell, child advocates announce new Healthy Kid campaign: Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell is helping to lead a new push to improve the health of the youngest Oklahomans. Pinnell announced the new Healthy Kid campaign Thursday during the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy’s virtual luncheon. [Public Radio Tulsa] State Government News Report: 16,300 filed first-time regular jobless claims in the state last week: First-time jobless claims declined slightly last week, the second consecutive week Oklahoma has posted a modest drop in initial filings, according to a government report. In all, 16,300 Oklahoma workers filed initial claims for regular unemployment benefits the week ending Saturday, or 456 fewer than filed the prior week, the U.S. Department of Labor reported. [Tulsa World] ‘The noise of democracy’: GRDA task force gets rowdy, recommends bond increase: After an hour and 40 minutes of tense questions and answers and a soliloquy from Grand River Damn Authority CEO Dan Sullivan criticizing a “false narrative” pushed by for-profit electric companies, Rep. Josh West grabbed a microphone and proclaimed, “I’d like to make a motion that we vote on this today.” Two senators instantaneously shouted, “Second!” [NonDoc] Signature collecting to begin for referendum on “Hit and Run” law: As Oklahoma City protestors shut down an intersection in the summer of 2020, Young Democrats of America President Joshua Harris-Till stood in front of the crowd as a car came towards them. The driver stopped and Harris-Till walked towards them, trying to reason with the driver to turn around or take an alternate route. [The Black Wall Street Times] New law will require Oklahoma high school graduates to pass citizenship test: Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law late Wednesday that will require high school graduates in Oklahoma to pass a citizenship test before they can receive their diploma. House Bill 2030 requires students to correctly answer 60 out of 100 questions found on the United States naturalization test. [KOSU] Implementation deadline for state's marijuana seed-to-sale tracking program pushed to summer amid court battle: The state of Oklahoma’s contract with a Florida-based cannabis “seed-to-sale” tracking company could change after an Okmulgee County judge temporarily stopped enforcement of a requirement that businesses fully integrate with the platform. [Tulsa World] Bill naming state roadways after Trump, Inhofe stalls in Senate: A bill that would name roadways after former President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe hit a roadblock in the Oklahoma Senate on Thursday. Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, presented Senate Bill 624, which would name a portion of U.S. 287 in the Oklahoma Panhandle — from Boise City to the Texas state line — for Trump. [Tulsa World] OKC minister rebukes senator for 'sexist, racist' remarks about VP Kamala Harris: An Oklahoma City minister publicly rebuked a state senator Thursday for making what the clergyman described as "'sexist," "misogynistic" and "racist" public remarks about Vice Pres. Kamala Harris. [The Oklahoman] Arnold Hamilton column: Senate must deal with dirty laundry [Column / Journal Record] Federal Government News Oklahoma delegation reacts negatively to Biden’s joint session address: Members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation were unified in their opposition to President Joe Biden’s address Wednesday to a joint session of Congress. Biden’s speech called for unity between parties and focused on programs that would invest heavily in infrastructure, the economy, education and social safety nets — things Oklahoma’s all-GOP members of the U.S. House and Senate say are too expensive. [NonDoc] President Biden's first 100 days: A review with Dr. David Blatt: Former OK Policy Executive Director David Blatt joined Studio Tulsa to look back on what President Biden has -- and hasn't -- accomplished in his first 100 days in the White house. [Public Radio Tulsa] State appeals court overturns two more death sentences, other cases based on McGirt claims: The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals issued another round of opinions Thursday that overturned inmates’ convictions based on tribal jurisdiction claims, including those of five men convicted of murder. The appellate court overturned eight convictions and stopped a pending prosecution based on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 McGirt ruling and related state court opinions. [Tulsa World] | [The Oklahoman] McGirt ruling cited in federal charges against two men serving life without parole in separate murders [Tulsa World] Economic Opportunity Tensions rise as eviction ban stretches on: Renters who are eligible for the CDC ban can’t be evicted for past-due rent, so landlords are increasingly citing other lease violations in court filings. In Tulsa County, Oklahoma, criminal activity is the most common lease violation cited in eviction filings, said Eric Hallett, the statewide coordinator of housing advocacy for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. He said those allegations often lack evidence, like a police report or arrest records. [Big If True] Economy & Business News Oklahoma housing market reflects nationwide shortage: There is a record lack of homes for sale in the United States and prices are soaring. In Oklahoma it isn’t much different. Statewide there are 50% less homes for sale than last year and the average home price has increased 15%. [Public Radio Tulsa] Want to move to our town? Here’s $10,000 and a free bike: With offers of cash, housing and a budding talent pool, smaller cities — like Tulsa — and states hope to get in on the ground floor of a new era for remote workers. [New York Times] Education News Epic Charter Schools agrees to major reforms: Some major reforms are coming to Epic Charter Schools that will keep the virtual behemoth open, following a settlement agreement between Epic and the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter Board on Monday. Epic’s controversial learning fund will become public, financial reforms will be instituted and new oversight structures will be put in place. [KGOU] General News 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre: Exhumation of mass grave to begin June 1; DNA analysis to follow: With exhumation of bodies possibly linked to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre set to begin June 1, it’s hard to predict how successful identification will be, a DNA expert told the project oversight committee Thursday. [Tulsa World] Quote of the Day “Until we have a better environment where people are understood and there’s grace and conversation around diversity, those people are going to continue to be discriminated against, hated and threatened. We’re allowing that by putting out bills like this.” -Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, speaking against HB 1775, which would ban teaching critical race theory and also prohibits “any form of mandatory gender or sexual diversity training or counseling.” [Tulsa World] Number of the Day $589,772,813 Amount of child care relief funding coming to Oklahoma through the American Rescue Plan Act through expanded child care assistance and child care stabilization funds [Source: CLASP] Policy Note Studies Show Dramatic Racial Disparities in Front End of Juvenile Justice System: Two peer-reviewed studies document an alarmingly unequal juvenile justice system, particularly for Black youth. The studies point to systemic responses that result in harsher treatment for youth of color — especially Black youth — than non-Hispanic white youth at the front end of juvenile justice, starting with police encounters before young people even reach high school. Glaring disparities by race and ethnicity persist, according to the studies, and differences in behavior cannot account for the overrepresentation of youth of color in the justice system. [Annie E. Casey Foundation] 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] Broadband, ed funding on House's to-do list | Partisan split on pandemic | Oklahomans deserve budget transparency

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: Oklahomans deserve budget transparency: It’s been nearly three months since this legislative session kicked off, and lawmakers have not shared a proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, which starts July 1. Only a very few lawmakers are involved in developing the budget, leaving the public – and the majority of their fellow lawmakers – in the dark. But it doesn't have to be this way. [Ahniwake Rose / OK Policy] Oklahoma News Broadband, education funding at the top of Oklahoma House's to-do list: Rural broadband and a boost to common education are among House Republican leadership’s priorities heading into the closing weeks of the current session, says Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City. The budget, of course, is the No. 1 priority ahead of the May 28 deadline for final adjournment, but there are other wants and needs on lawmakers’ wish lists. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma poll confirms partisan split on COVID-19 pandemic: Oklahoma poll confirms partisan split on COVID-19 pandemic: A new poll shows Republican voters in Oklahoma are far more likely than Democrats to believe it is already safe to gather in groups of 10 or more. The poll, by Cole Hargrave Snodgrass and Associates, also shows that Republican voters are more likely to believe the bigger risk from the pandemic now is to the economy rather than to health. [The Oklahoman] Tulsa mask mandate for restaurant, bar employees will end along with citywide ordinance Friday: Updated local contact tracing data has paved the way for Tulsa’s mask mandate for restaurant and bar employees to end on Friday along with the citywide order, Mayor G.T. Bynum announced Wednesday. The city had said previously that the citywide mask ordinance would end Friday but that the mayor executive order requiring bar and restaurant workers to wear masks would continue. [Tulsa World] A civil emergency declaration and a requirement for events with 500 or more people to have a THD-approved safety plan will remain in place. [Public Radio Tulsa] Community Vaccination Center in north Tulsa averaging 'very, very low' COVID-19 shots per day [Tulsa World] Oklahoma County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 32% people fully vaccinated [The Oklahoman] COVID-19: Case counts, hospitalizations remain largely stable in Oklahoma [Tulsa World] | [Public Radio Tulsa] Measure that changes criteria for medical parole approved by Oklahoma governor: A measure that changes the criteria by which prison inmates apply for medical parole has been signed into law. Senate Bill 320, written by Sen. Jessica Garvin, allows inmates who are medically frail and vulnerable to be considered for medical parole proceedings, also known as compassionate release. [KFOR] Health News Opinion: What is in the patient’s best interest?: Rural health care in Oklahoma is in danger, thanks to the governor’s plan to privatize Medicaid. Under his plan, health care administration would be outsourced to four large for-profit insurance companies. The result would be disastrous for roughly 1 million Oklahoma Medicaid recipients. [Woody Jenkins, M.D. / Stillwater News Press] Technology may help Oklahoma turn tide on opioid addiction: Opioid addiction in Oklahoma may be on the decline in part because of technology leveraged to help physicians make more informed decisions about prescribing drugs for patients. Physicians in the state have made more than 15.5 million “patient queries” to a Prescription Monitoring Program database since the launch of an initiative by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control and Appris Health, the company reported on Wednesday. [The Journal Record] Oklahomans we’ve lost: She lost four family members to COVID-19: The walls of Anita Greenwalt’s barber shop just off the old U.S. Route 66 in El Reno are covered with four decades of family photographs. Nick’s Barber Shop has been a constant in El Reno since Anita’s father opened the business in 1983, but the coronavirus pandemic has changed everything for her and her family over the past year. [The Frontier] State Government News ‘Excellent’ bond market could help Oklahoma’s new utility securitization plan: After the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority and the Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority adjourned their meetings this morning, the agencies’ president, Mike Davis, needed to head back to his desk quickly. The ODFA was “in the market” selling State Regents for Higher Education master lease real property bonds, and Davis told his board of state bankers that “it’s over-subscribed three times.” [NonDoc] Oklahoma governor signs bill to ban abortion if SCOTUS rules: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed legislation to immediately outlaw abortion in Oklahoma if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 case that legalized abortion. Stitt signed the so-called “trigger” bill late Tuesday. The law would become effective once the attorney general has determined that the U.S. Supreme Court has overruled the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion. [AP News] Millions at stake in OKC if transgender sports legislation becomes law: The newly-renovated USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex in OKC may have to go without NCAA events if Senate Bill 2 currently in the Oklahoma Legislature becomes law. While praised by politicians on the political right in Oklahoma’s Legislature, the bill restricting transgender youth in high school and college sports may cause businesses in Oklahoma City to suffer. [OKC Free Press] OK Policy: SB 2 traumatizes Oklahomans, threatens economic progress Oklahoma activist wants statewide vote on law that protects drivers fleeing riots: A local activist wants Oklahoma voters to weigh in on a new law that would grant immunity to motorists who unintentionally injure or kill Oklahomans in certain situations. Joshua Harris-Till, the Oklahoma leader of Young Democrats of America, is launching a referendum petition to try to force a statewide vote on a bill Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into law last week. [The Oklahoman] George Floyd protests trigger wave of GOP 'anti-riot' laws [ABC News] State legislation aims to strengthen Oklahoma's medical marijuana regulations: Oklahoma's medical marijuana industry is growing beyond initial expectations. In under three years, more than 10,500 businesses cropped up around the state. Nearly 400,000 Oklahomans hold medical marijuana cards. State legislators fear the cannabis consumer business is out ahead of the governing powers to enforce it. [KJRH] Bill to address mental health needs of law enforcement officers signed: Sen. Kim David authored Senate Bill 848, which directs the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to contract with public and private entities to provide peer support crisis intervention, counseling, and wellness for the law enforcement, firefighter, emergency medical, and corrections communities impacted by trauma, cumulative stress, anxiety, addictions, death and suicide as well as the impact on their personal lives. [KFOR] Oklahoma lawmakers push to pass bill that enables law enforcement to locate cell phones in emergency situations: Federal laws are not cut and dry on using a cell phone to locate a person during an abduction. But there is a bill passing through the Oklahoma legislature now that lawmakers say would save lives. [KFOR] Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus honors first Black Oklahoma Legislator A.C. Hamlin: The Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus hosted the biennial 23rd A.C. Hamlin Award Gala virtually this year. Oklahoma business owners and community leaders were honored for their contributions to Oklahoma’s Black community. [The Black Wall Street Times] Federal Government News Rebukes from Indian Country swift and forceful after CNN commentator Rick Santorum's racist remarks: Voices across Indian Country are condemning CNN pundit and former Pennsylvania Republican U.S. senator Rick Santorum's remarks dismissing Native Americans and their culture as "nothing" at a conservative forum last week. [Public Radio Tulsa] Economic Opportunity Lawyer takes up mission to help people avoid eviction: A review of data from over 20 cities and states found that about 81% of landlords had attorneys while only 3% of tenants did, according to the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel. The pandemic has shone a spotlight on this legal disparity, and more cities and states are trying to address it. [The Journal Record] How landlords dodge eviction bans: In January last year, 97% of evictions in Tulsa County, Oklahoma were filed for past-due rent, according to a report from the University of Tulsa’s Terry West Civil Legal Clinic. Because landlords can’t evict tenants for past-due rent under the CDC ban, Eric Hallett, the statewide coordinator of housing advocacy for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, expected evictions to fall dramatically. That’s not quite what happened. [Big If True] OK Policy and its Open Justice Oklahoma program have been tracking evictions in Oklahoma and noted that policymakers must do more to prevent evictions and foreclosures during and after the COVID-19 crisis. Economy & Business News Oklahoma employers hope to fill thousands of vacant jobs: More than 200 Oklahoma employers looking to fill thousands of jobs have signed up to take part in career fairs slated across the state in May. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission issued a release on Wednesday encouraging even more participation in events planned from Tulsa to Enid to McAlester. [The Journal Record] Education News Oklahoma schools to get $9.78 million for students facing homelessness: Oklahoma public schools are about to get additional federal funds to help serve students facing homelessness. As part of the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday that it will distribute $800 million nationwide to help address the needs of these students. [Tulsa World] Experts: Workplace inclusion requires skillful approach: Corporate culture is an important tool in assembling a team that works well together. However, hiring to fit within the corporate culture may unintentionally lead to exclusion – especially when “corporate culture” is interpreted to mean a group that all looks and thinks alike. [The Journal Record] General News 'Here is where the healing must begin.' OKC council condemns Tulsa Race Massacre coverup: The Oklahoma City Council on Tuesday unanimously condemned the decades-long coverup of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre as the 100th anniversary approaches. "This is our history whether we like it or not," said Ward 7 Councilwoman Nikki Nice, co-sponsor of the resolution with Ward 2 Councilman James Cooper. [The Oklahoman] | [Public Radio Tulsa] Oklahoma Local News City Of Tulsa Yet To Hear Its Share Of American Rescue Plan Funding [Public Radio Tulsa] City of Tulsa's utility billing system, format get new look beginning May 1 [Tulsa World] Report: Cold Water And Cast-Iron Pipes Main Factors In Tulsa's Winter Storm Water Crisis [Public Radio Tulsa] Pilot Program Explores On Demand Rides For Public Transit [Public Radio Tulsa] Quote of the Day "Managed care is marked by red tape, and it fails to answer this most basic question: What is in the patient’s best interest?" -Woody Jenkins, M.D., co-chair of the Oklahoma State Medical Association's Rural Section [Stillwater News Press] Number of the Day 2.7 million Number of children in the United States with an incarcerated parent [Source: Next 100] Policy Note Parents with Nontraditional Work Schedules in Oklahoma Implications for Child Care: Understanding the child care needs of parents working nontraditional hour (NTH) schedules—defined here as any work outside of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays—has become a growing concern for policymakers trying to reduce barriers to accessible child care. [Urban Institute] 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] New law requires fiscal impact statements for initiative petitions | New state epidemiologist named | 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. 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. Oklahoma News Stitt signs bill requiring fiscal impact statements on initiative petitions: Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday signed a bill that puts additional requirements on initiative petitions. Senate Bill 947, by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, requires those submitting an initiative petition to indicate if the measure will have a fiscal impact. Initiative petitions are used to change or create state law or amend the Oklahoma Constitution. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma names 3 new Health Department hires, including state epidemiologist: Oklahoma has a new state epidemiologist — the fourth person to hold the role since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced Monday, along with two other new hires for positions within the agency. [The Oklahoman] | [Public Radio Tulsa] Deputy state epidemiologist Jolianna Stone will become become state epidemiologist, Dr. Jared Taylor moves from state epidemiologist to chief science officer and Dr. Gitanjali Pai has been appointed chief medical officer. [AP News]  Persistent health disparities coming from obstacles outside the doctor's office: Registered nurse Darlene Reynolds was reminding one of her homebound patients to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to get control of a diabetes diagnosis. The patient lived in a north Tulsa ZIP code with one of the lowest life expectancies in the county. There are no grocery stores or walking trails near the home, and transportation is difficult due to other disabilities. [Tulsa World] ‘There will be consequences’ for Sen. Nathan Dahm: Days after Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) insinuated in a press release and a TV interview that Vice President Kamala Harris achieved her political career through the performance of sex acts, leaders of the Oklahoma State Senate are privately considering what consequences may be appropriate. [NonDoc] Health News Proof of vaccination: State vax records could aid traveling Oklahomans: With COVID-19 vaccination rates on the rise and a change in the CDC’s recommendations on some forms of travel, Americans are starting to shake off their year-long pandemic staycation and take trips again. But even for the fully vaccinated, the globe isn’t open quite yet. [NonDoc] Tulsa Health Dept. and FEMA community vaccination center so far giving COVID shots at 'very, very' low rate [Public Radio Tulsa] 'He led us to another level.' Prescott to retire as Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation chief: Dr. Stephen Prescott will retire from his role as president of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation after 15 years at the helm. Prescott, 73, announced his retirement at a meeting of OMRF’s board of directors Tuesday and said he was stepping down for health reasons. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2017. [The Oklahoman] State Government News 'A major milestone': Stitt ushers in sweeping civil service reforms for state employees: Calling it "a major milestone," Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday signed sweeping legislation to overhaul the state's human resources system to make it easier for agency heads to hire and fire state employees. Flanked by state lawmakers, state agency heads and leaders of the Oklahoma Public Employees Association and State Chamber at a signing ceremony, Stitt said House Bill 1146 will give state agencies more flexibility to reward and retain hard workers. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma adds to census count; other states win, lose House seats: he latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau released Monday shows Oklahoma has gained nearly 200,0T00 residents over the last 10 years, but not enough to gain another U.S. House seat. The data shows Oklahoma’s total population in 2020, including U.S. military and civilian employees and their families living overseas, is 3,963,516. The state’s population after the 2010 census was 3,764,882. [The Journal Record] OK Policy: A new OK Policy report on the 2020 census highlights missed opportunities in getting a complete count in Oklahoma. Census data shows rural Oklahoma's voice will be heard [Oklahoma Farm Report] U.S. marks slowest population growth since the Depression [AP News / Enid News & Eagle] Activist wants statewide vote on law cracking down on protesters, protecting drivers who hit rioters: An Oklahoma Democratic leader wants to overturn a new law to crack down on protesters. Under a bill signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt last week, there will be increased penalties for protesters blocking roadways starting Nov. 1. The law also gives criminal and civil immunity to drivers who hit people considered rioters, even if someone dies. [Public Radio Tulsa] Medical providers would have to post cash prices under bill headed to governor: Medical providers would have to publicly post cash prices for common procedures under legislation sent to Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 1006, by Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa, seems simple enough. Former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, a physician and advocate for pricing transparency in health care, would have probably liked it. But, for various reasons, the idea has taken years to work its way through the Oklahoma Legislature. [Tulsa World] Gov. Stitt signs Grego gaming bill: Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday signed into a law a measure that will allow peace officers greater discretion when determining if arrests are warranted for gaming or gambling violations. House Bill 1684 will shift some responsibility to district attorneys on whether gambling charges will be filed in certain instances. [The Lawton Constitution] HB 2335 passes the House, but not scheduled for a hearing in the Senate: A state House bill that would have prohibited government entities from requiring vaccines is considered dead after Senate leaders refused to schedule a hearing for the measure. [Southwest Ledger] Oklahoma governor signs 3 anti-abortion bills into law: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed three anti-abortion bills into law on Monday, including ones to criminalize the procedure in certain cases and cost providers their medical licenses for performing them. [ABC News] Oklahoma became the second state this year to enact a so-called heartbeat ban -- a law barring most abortions at the onset of a fetal heartbeat, which can occur as early as six weeks into a pregnancy and before many people know they are pregnant. [CNN] Election Board purges inactive, duplicate voter registrations: A little more than 115,000 inactive and duplicate voter registrations were removed recently from Oklahoma’s voter rolls, State Election board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced. [Southwest Ledger] Federal Government News U.S. Interior Dept. moves to restore Native American land: The Interior Department on Tuesday said it is taking several steps to make it easier for Native American tribes to take land back into trust and simplify a process that was slowed by the Trump administration. [Reuters] Feds extend REAL ID enforcement deadline again: If you're worried about getting a REAL ID before the October deadline, the federal government has some good news. The Department of Homeland Security announced Monday it will delay full enforcement for another 19 months. [The Oklahoman] Criminal Justice News Investigators show November 2020 Lawton police shooting justified: The fatal police shooting of a man last year has been ruled justified, following the release of the State Medical Examiner’s report. The State Medical Examiner released the autopsy report Monday on Duane Scott Murray II, 30, of Lawton, who died from a gunshot wound to the head in November 2020. [The Lawton Constitution] Father of Lawton shooting victim disputes shooting was justified [The Lawton Constitution] Economic Opportunity Tulsa Regional Chamber and Kaiser Foundation set in motion Campus Tulsa: The Tulsa Regional Chamber, the city of Tulsa and the George Kaiser Family Foundation have launched Campus Tulsa, an initiative to encourage college graduates to begin their careers in the Tulsa region. [Tulsa World] Economy & Business News Distribution center planned on land near Tulsa International Airport: A roughly 270,000-square-foot distribution center has been proposed on land just east of Tulsa International Airport, according to city planning and building records. [Tulsa World] Chesapeake CEO Lawler to step down months after bankruptcy exit: Chesapeake Energy Corp said on Tuesday that Chief Executive Officer Doug Lawler would leave this week, months after the company emerged from a contentious bankruptcy reorganization. [Reuters] Education News Oklahoma receiving $10M in federal COVID relief funding for students experiencing homelessness: The White House announced Friday that Oklahoma will receive just under $10 million in funding under President Biden and Congressional Democrats' American Rescue Plan COVID-19 relief package meant to support students experiencing homelessness. [Public Radio Tulsa] Epic's 'turbulent chapter' ends with settlement: A settlement resolving a termination threat against Epic Charter Schools has been finalized with a "clarion call" for more transparency at virtual charter schools. The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board approved the agreement on Monday with Epic One-on-One, an online learning platform that makes up 60% of Epic's 55,000-student enrollment. The board also struck a May 12-13 termination hearing off of its schedule. [The Oklahoman] Spring benchmark scores in Comanche County schools show students exceeding expectations despite COVID-19: Flower Mound and Bishop school districts in Comanche County scored above state averages in fall and spring. Analysis of spring benchmark data aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS) found students in schools using OAS-aligned curriculum and assessments are performing better than expected this year despite the pandemic. [The Lawton Constitution] Oklahoma Local News OKC City Council tackles litigation, union contracts in protracted executive session [OKC Free Press] OKC City Council passes resolution condemning Tulsa Race Massacre [OKC Free Press] Lawton City Council adds almost $200,000 to budget [The Lawton Constitution] Quote of the Day “Oklahoma’s laws governing the initiative petition process are already some of the most cumbersome in the entire country. It’s why in the history of our state, only 25 initiative petitions have ever made it all the way through the lengthy process required to become law.” -Amber England, owner of STRATEGY 77, who served as campaign manager for the initiative petition-driven SQ 802, which led to Oklahoma's Medicaid expansion after lawmakers declined to take action for a decade [Tulsa World] Number of the Day 18% Percentage of American Indian children in Oklahoma without health insurance, compared to 6% for white children. [Source: KIDS COUNT Data Center] Policy Note Childhood in the Time of COVID: As we approach the one-year mark of nationwide school closures and stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19, Save the Children examined how the unprecedented events of 2020 impacted families with children. [Save The Children] 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