[In The Know] Gov. signs order moving control of state's terrorism information sharing center | Meetings scheduled re: disability services waitlist | More

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 included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser Wednesday | November 30, 2022 Subscribe  //  View latest headlines Number of the Day 1 in 3 More than 1 in 3 children living in rural Oklahoma (34%) didn't qualify for the full federal Child Tax Credit because their family earnings were too low or the adults were out of work that year. [CBPP] Policy Note Child Tax Credit Expansion Is Especially Important to Rural Families Under current law, an estimated 3 million children living in rural areas are left out of the full $2,000 Child Tax Credit because their families' incomes are too low. Rural communities would benefit disproportionately from an expansion that makes the credit fully available to children in families with low incomes who currently receive less than the full amount or no credit at all. This crucial investment in children living in rural areas, which includes children of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, should be a bipartisan priority during year-end tax negotiations. [CBPP] Quote of the Day "As difficult as it is, I think it's important to have a conversation during the panel about the federal government's role in Native language loss during the boarding school era and other anti-Indian policies put in place decades ago." - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., who is serving as a panelist for a Native Languages and Education panel in Washington. [Journal Record] State Government News Governor Stitt gives control of Oklahoma Information Fusion Center to DPS, removes OSBI: Governor Stitt has issued an executive order, stripping the Oklahoma Information Fusion Center from the OSBI. The OIFC serves as the focal point for the collection, assessment, analysis, and dissemination of terrorism intelligence and other criminal activity information relating to Oklahoma. [KOKH Fox 25] Stitt files executive order to move state's terrorism analysis center out of OSBI control [KOCO] Meetings held for families coming off of 13-year waitlist for disability services: State leaders say they will begin holding regional family meetings to help families who have been waiting for disability services for years. In May, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a bill that eliminates the 13-year waiting list for Developmental Disability Services. By July, Oklahoma Human Services said over 5,100 Oklahomans were still waiting for assistance. [KFOR] Developmental Disabilities Services Waitlist Dashboard [Oklahoma Department of Human Services] Oklahoma lawmaker seeks to lower legal age to carry firearm from 21 to 18-years-old: Oklahoma State Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) authored a bill to lower the legal age to carry a firearm from 21 to 18 years of age. [KOKH Fox 25] Panel approves millions in bonds for state buildings, historical sites: A state panel on Tuesday gave the green light for selling $70 million in bonds to repair the Jim Thorpe Office Building and $19 million to fix the tunnels under the state Capitol Complex. [Tulsa World] Local, state Youth Services Agencies receives ARPA funds: Youth and Family Services of North Central Oklahoma will have a safer, more secure building, thanks to funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act. [Enid News & Eagle] Federal Government News Senate approves same-sex marriage bill after rejecting Lankford amendment: The vote was 61-36, with 12 Republicans joining 49 Democrats. Oklahoma Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford, both Republicans, voted against the measure. The bill now goes to the House, which approved similar legislation in July protecting same-sex and interracial marriage. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma nonprofit gets record-breaking grant to expand healthy food access in Tulsa and beyond: This month the United States Department of Agriculture announced that nonprofit Hunger Free Oklahoma will receive a record-breaking $14.2 million over four years to expand a program that gets produce to low-income communities. [Public Radio Tulsa] Tribal Nations News Cherokee chief to contribute to summit in Washington: The principal chief of the Cherokee Nation has been tapped to contribute to a Tribal Nations Summit slated for Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. agreed to serve as a panelist in a morning discussion at the U.S. Department of Interior. [Journal Record] Voting and Election News Judge denies Councilor Arthrell's challenge of District 5 election results: Tulsa County District Judge Doug Drummond denied City Councilor Mykey Arthrell's petition alleging voting irregularities and ordered the Tulsa County Election Board to certify Miller as the winner of the election. [Tulsa World] Economy & Business News Oklahoma Natural Gas $19.6 million rate hike approved by Corporation Commissioners:  Oklahoma Natural Gas customers will see a credit to their account soon after Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners approved and offset a rate hike on Tuesday morning. [KOKH Fox 25] U.S. rig count up 215 from November 2021; 70 counted in state: As November reaches toward its end, there are 784 rotary rigs drilling for oil or gas across the United States, according to industry watcher Baker Hughes. [Journal Record] Company hopes to drill to limitless geothermal power: A Utah company, in partnership with the University of Oklahoma, aims to drill deeper into the Earth than has ever been drilled before to tap into an unquantifiable geothermal energy resource. The company, DeepPower Inc., has stated goals to develop breakthrough drilling technology to access an unlimited source of green geothermal energy deep within the Earth. Harnessing just 0.1% of heat generated near the Earth's core would be enough to power mankind for scores of generations to come, it says. [Journal Record] Editorial: Corporation Commission must scrutinize every dollar requested: The proposed hike comes as part of a rate review. If approved, the raise of about $14 a month on average would be the third increase for PSO in the past year. The utility has about 560,000 customers. Its other two increases were for temporary cost recoveries. Pending is an earlier plan to buy three new wind farms and three new solar facilities to diversify power sources and save money long-term; it would raise bills an average of $3.48 a month by the end of 2025. [Tulsa World] General News OHP Says Not Enough Drivers Are Following Oklahoma's Move Over Law: State law requires drivers to move over if they see flashing lights on the side of the road, but Oklahoma Highway Patrol said they still respond to accidents where people have been hit and killed. [News On 6] Taylor Hanson announces plan to build 'urban farm' in Tulsa for Food on the Move: Food on the Move's $7.5 million farm will use hydroponics and aquaponics technology to grow produce without soil, allowing the farm to operate inside a warehouse-style building the group plans to build near Tulsa Community College's Northeast Campus. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma Local News Edmond council approves protested PUD rezoning, revised CJAC agreement [NonDoc]   You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. 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 included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Your support makes this possible.   OK Policy is here to cut through the noise and look at the bottom line for what news and policy means for everyday Oklahomans. Tax-deductible donations from individuals like you make our work possible. Support Our Work with a Donation Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave. #1005 | Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120 918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org Connect with us: Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences

[In The Know] Oklahoma unemployment on the rise | Proposed ballot measure would put abortion access to statewide vote | Capitol Update

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 included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser Tuesday | November 29, 2022 Subscribe  //  View latest headlines New from OK Policy A look at first bills filed for 2023 session (Capitol Update) With the desk now open for prefiling bills for the upcoming session, it's interesting to see what legislators have on their mind. Sometimes the bills are on hot-button issues. Others are filed to get attention that the bill would not get if filed among the rush of filings at deadline, perhaps to gain support. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] Capitol Update Number of the Day 80% Of the 9 million arrests made each year in the United States, 80% are for low-level offenses while only 5% are for serious violent crimes. [Vera Institute of Justice] Policy Note The Social Costs of Policing When measuring the effect that policing has on public safety, we must include the social costs of policing that make communities less healthy and prosperous. These social costs include damage to the health of individuals and communities, suppression of educational achievement, harm to economic security, and reductions in civic participation and community engagement. [Vera Institute of Justice] Quote of the Day "We remain hopeful there will be a post-COVID world but understand that the pandemic of generational poverty is much more difficult to eradicate." -David Dennis, author and business leader, writing about the need to address underlying causes of long-term poverty in Oklahoma and nationwide. [The Oklahoman, Guest Column] Oklahoma News Unemployment in Oklahoma hits 3.4% - the highest recorded rate this year: This October's high rate of 3.4% translates to 63,546 unemployed. This compared to last month's 3.2% rate or 60,403 unemployed people shows an increase of more than 3,000. [KOSU] Unemployment rate rises in 24 states [Pluribus News] State Government News Former legislative assistant sues state, claims wrongful termination: A former legislative assistant is suing the state of Oklahoma, claiming leaders in the House of Representatives wrongly fired her after she attempted to calm a confrontation between Black Lives Matter protestors and Republican lawmakers. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma lawmaker files bill to lock in Daylight Saving Time: Sen. Blake Stephens, (R-Tahlequah), says he has filed Senate Bill 7, which calls for Oklahoma to remain on Daylight Saving Time. [KFOR] $25M in ARPA funds made available for nonprofits relief program: The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, in partnership with the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, has announced the availability of $25 million in grant funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for Nonprofits Relief program. [Tulsa World] Tribal Nations News Chickasaw Nation, partners propose Coney Island casino: The Chickasaw Nation hopes to play a part in opening a new chapter in the storied history of Coney Island in New York, known as the birthplace of amusement parks in the United States. The state of New York has planned to issue three new casino licenses in 2023, and the Chickasaw Nation has joined in a venture that has proposed development of not just a casino but a major entertainment venue that proponents say would be transformative. [Journal Record] Voting and Election News Proposed ballot initiative would put abortion access to a vote in Oklahoma: Oklahomans could have the chance to vote on a state question that would protect abortion access in the wake of bans passed this year by the state Legislature. [The Oklahoman] Health News Supreme Court Case Could Curtail Rights of Medicaid Patients: Gorgi Talevski did not live long enough to see his case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court this month. But the court's decision, expected in spring, could have profound effects for tens of millions of beneficiaries of federal safety net programs, including those that provide health care, housing, education services and heating aid. [Stateline / Pew Charitable Trusts] Audits — Hidden Until Now — Reveal Millions in Medicare Advantage Overcharges: Newly released federal audits reveal widespread overcharges and other errors in payments to Medicare Advantage health plans for seniors, with some plans overbilling the government more than $1,000 per patient a year on average. [Kaiser Health News] Criminal Justice News Mother pleads guilty to murdering two children, wounding another in 2018: An Okmulgee County woman pleaded guilty Monday in a deal that calls for her to serve life in prison for murdering two of her children and wounding another in 2018. [Tulsa World] Man arrested after fatal road rage incident Friday involving 'hearse-style' vehicle: While police said they routinely are contacted about road rage incidents, Friday's is at least the second so far this year that turned deadly. [The Oklahoman] Prosecutor in Payne and Logan counties arrested, fired after child pornography probe: The first assistant district attorney of Payne and Logan counties was arrested Monday after his home was searched as a result of a child pornography investigation. [The Oklahoman] OSBI arrests Kevin Etherington, first ADA in Payne and Logan counties [NonDoc] Economy & Business News Gas prices continue to plummet; Oklahoma now has second-lowest in U.S.: Gasoline prices continue to drop, with Oklahoma now having the second-lowest average in the nation. [Tulsa World] Education News School finances: Kingfisher Wind ruling 'will affect every district in the state': After the Oklahoma Supreme Court unanimously affirmed a trial court's ruling in October, federal production tax credits used to finance the construction of wind and solar farms can no longer be included in county assessors' property valuations that determine the local taxes paid by energy companies. [NonDoc] Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics gets $100K grant from Google: Google has issued a $100,000 grant to the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics. The funds will help the school expand its virtual program and reach students throughout Oklahoma. [OKC Fox 25] General News Column: Victims of poverty pandemic are more vulnerable to the other storms of life: Pandemic-induced states of emergency are meant to be temporary in nature. When we began discussions in 2020 about the short-term setbacks our economy may experience, few of us predicted we might near 'Year Three' of instability. While many have settled comfortably into a new normal with more flexibility and freedom as we work together to rebuild and regulate the economy, others have yet to find solid ground after the storm. [David Dennis Guest Column / The Oklahoman] People in OKC, other cities, work longer hours to cover rent: People in Oklahoma City have had to work longer hours this year to make enough money to pay their rent. That's according to online real estate company Zillow, where analysts reported this week that people in OKC on average must work 2.5 hours longer now than they had to work five years ago to earn enough to cover their rent. [Journal Record] From OK Policy: Oklahoma should work towards true housing equity   You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. 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 included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Your support makes this possible.   OK Policy is here to cut through the noise and look at the bottom line for what news and policy means for everyday Oklahomans. Tax-deductible donations from individuals like you make our work possible. Support Our Work with a Donation Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave. #1005 | Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120 918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org Connect with us: Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences