[In The Know] Tribal nation compact extensions up for vote | Oklahoma Co. DA drops charges against officers | Expanding access to housing | More

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser Monday | July 31, 2023 Subscribe  //  View latest headlines Oklahoma legislators need to do more to expand access to housing Legislators made a significant investment in affordable housing during the 2023 legislative session, but missed other opportunities to expand the state's stock of affordable housing and ensure a level playing field between landlord and tenant in eviction proceedings. It is vital that advocates continue to talk to their lawmakers about increasing investments in affordable housing and revising policies that will slow the rising tide of evictions. [Sabine Brown / OK Policy & Justice Jones / Housing Solutions]  46,688 Number of eviction filings in Oklahoma courts during 2022. Evictions in Oklahoma have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels, which were among the highest per capita in the country. [Open Justice Oklahoma / OK Policy] Preliminary Analysis: Eviction Filing Patterns in 2022 Over the last three years, eviction filing rates across the United States fell below levels that were normal prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A wide range of policies contributed to this reduction: federal, state, and local eviction moratoria; an unprecedented investment of $46.6 billion in emergency rental assistance (ERA); expansion of the right to legal representation in eviction cases in a number of cities and states; and the growth in eviction diversion programs. These policies prevented millions of American renters from losing their homes to eviction during this public health emergency. [Eviction Lab] "By not playing ball with the tribes, the state of Oklahoma is leaving money and opportunity on the table. It's harming the people of Oklahoma by not providing these resources that we need, especially in rural Oklahoma."  - Christine Pappas, political science professor at East Central University in Ada, speaking to the relationship between the state and tribal nations. An agreement to renew cigarette tax agreements with tribal nations is up for a vote Monday in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. [The Oklahoman]  Oklahoma News Oklahoma could extend some tribal compacts for 1 more year. But will relations improve?: The Oklahoma House of Representatives will vote Monday on the final piece of the Legislature's plan to renew cigarette tax agreements with tribal nations through 2024. [The Oklahoman]  Capitol Insider: State-tribal compacts spark legislative action and controversy [KGOU]  Oklahoma County DA drops manslaughter charges against 7 police officers in 3 cases: New Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna announced her decision Friday to dismiss manslaughter charges her predecessor had filed against seven police officers in three separate fatal shootings. To reach her decisions to dismiss all three cases, Behenna said she sought help reviewing evidence from a "team of lawyers," as well as Clarence Chapman, a retired sheriff's deputy from California who operates National Justice Consultants, Inc. [NonDoc] Criminal cases over three fatal police shootings in Oklahoma being dismissed [The Oklahoman]  Why new DA had different conclusion than predecessor on fatal police shooting (video) [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma County DA dismisses criminal charges of 7 police officers who shot and killed three people [KGOU] 'Stick with the law': DA's office hired California use-of-force expert for police cases [KFOR] Oklahoma senator calls for change after DA drops charges in 3 shootings by police officers [News 9] Charges dropped against 7 Oklahoma police officers in 3 separate fatal shootings [AP] State Government News Oklahoma sending 50 National Guard members to Texas-Mexico border, aiding Operation Lone Star: After a weekend farewell ceremony, Oklahoma is sending 50 National Guard members to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. Gov. Kevin Stitt ordered the deployment earlier this summer, following a request from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. [KGOU] Service Oklahoma takes measures to reduce driver's license wait times: A newly created state agency and tag agents are working to reduce the wait times for driver's licenses and vehicle registrations. Service Oklahoma, created in 2022 by House Bill 3419, has replaced the Department of Public Safety and Oklahoma Tax Commission for purposes of registering motor vehicles and issuing driver's licenses. [Tulsa World]  Political notebook: In a nation of popular governors, Stitt is less than most: According to the survey, 51% of Oklahomans approve of Stitt's job performance, compared to 40% who disapprove, a plus-11 differential. [Tulsa World]  Tribal Nation News Column: Making the legal case for seating the Cherokee Nation's delegate in Congress: In the Treaty of New Echota, signed in 1835 by the Cherokee Nation and the United States, the Cherokee Nation bargained for and received a right to have a delegate seated in Congress. The nation paid a high price for its treaty — the forced removal of our ancestors from our aboriginal home in the southeastern United States, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of our people on the infamous Trail of Tears. Now, we are asking Congress to uphold its end of the bargain and make this treaty promise real. [Sara Hill Guest Column / The Oklahoman] Federal News Congressional delegation does victory dance after delisting lesser prairie chicken: The lesser prairie chicken has been off and on various lists for more than a decade. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives followed the Senate in voting to rescind the Biden administration's listing of the lesser prairie chicken and the northern long-eared bat, which also has an Oklahoma presence. [Tulsa World] D.C. Digest: Lankford says something has changed in Hunter Biden case: While legal problems mounted for the nation's two leading 2024 presidential candidates last week, the state's all-Republican congressional delegation zeroed in on the unraveling of Hunter Biden's plea agreement. [Tulsa World] Health News Feds award $5M in funding to aid rural health care providers: When a Hugo-area child on a ventilator lost power following an EF4 tornado on the evening of Nov. 4, the Choctaw County Ambulance Authority was able to provide vital assistance with its equipment funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for rural medical providers. [The Journal Record]  Nonprofit Dissolves After Federal Investigators Froze Funding: The Oklahoma nonprofit that trains advocates who care for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, lobbies for legislation to protect them and garners millions in federal funds to support them will cease operations next month. [Oklahoma Watch]  SoonerCare now covering doula services: Some Oklahoma families have a new resource that could help expecting moms. SoonerCare enrollees are now eligible for doula services. [KFOR]  Facing Systemic Barriers, Many Journalists Take Mental Health into Their Own Hands: Elizabeth Montgomery knows firsthand how stressful and demanding the journalism industry can be, especially for Black journalists who are underpaid and underrepresented. A 2019 study found that 33 percent of journalists interviewed said they were suffering from moderate to severe depression. [The Black Wall Street Times]  Youth mentorship program inspires underrepresented students to enter medical field: About 100 Tulsa-area high school students learned from local health care professionals Friday during Youth Medical Mentorship's first Summer Medical Summit. [Tulsa World]  Criminal Justice News Oklahoma County may reopen refocused location search for a new county jail: Oklahoma County may trim its list of potential locations for a future county jail. At the same time, however, it may be willing to consider additional spots that failed to make an initial cut because of time constraints the county had placed on landowners interested in offering up their properties for a jail's use. [The Oklahoman]  Column: Reflections a year after Julius Jones' death sentence was commuted: This summer marks 24 years since we believe Julius was wrongly arrested just six days after his 19th birthday. Going all the way back to that fateful day shows how injustice often starts long before a person goes to trial and is wrongly convicted. It starts with racial bias that is embedded deep within our society. [Cece Jones-Davis Guest Column / The Oklahoman] Education News Oklahoma State Education Board draws heated public comment as Walters courts controversy: Tulsa Public Schools and Infinity Generation Generals Preparatory School out of Oklahoma City will have their accreditation reviewed at next month's board meeting. TPS has been under fire from State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who says the "severity" of the district's issues warrants another month of review before evaluating a potential downgrade. [KOSU]  Oklahoma ranked 50th worst state for education, new study reports: With the start of school around the corner, a new study has ranked Oklahoma school systems as the worst in the nation. Oklahoma ranked 50th in WalletHub's 2023's States with the Best & Worst School Systems. The state ranked 50th in school quality and 31st in safety. [The Oklahoman] Edmond Public Schools Teacher of the Year believes her students 'can change the world': With students returning to the classroom Thursday, Aug. 17, Lauren Dile recently answered questions on her background, life in the classroom, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and navigating the "cultural waters of education." [NonDoc] Business & Economy News  How Harold Hamm helped start the shale revolution and why he didn't join the Trump Cabinet: Oklahoma City oilman Harold Hamm rejected the idea of serving in the Trump administration because he didn't want to put his assets in a trust, according to a new book by Hamm that details his company's role in transforming energy exploration. [The Oklahoman] Column: If Oklahoma wants to be top 10 state for business, better workers' comp is a must: If Oklahoma wants to become a top 10 state for business, we must improve the benefits we provide for injured workers. It's the least we can do for people who make Oklahoma such a great state. [Joseph C. "Joe" Biscone II Guest Column / The Oklahoman] General News Will Justice Prevail For Race Massacre Survivors?: With Tulsa County District Judge Caroline Wall's dismissal of the Race Massacre survivor's case for reparations, the burning question is whether there is any remaining hope for justice for the victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, the most murderous, violent acts in the city's history. [The Oklahoma Eagle]  Column: Everything They Owned Burned, and They Still Can't Get Restitution 102 Years Later [Victor Luckerson Guest Column / The New York Times]  Column: With zero political jabs, Holt rallies OKC to continue investing in itself: Instead of throwing punches, OKC Mayor David Holt used his State of the City speech to rally everyone behind one idea: that Oklahoma City must continue investing in itself in order to continue its momentum. When the public is exhausted from political mudslinging, such a speech is worth celebrating. [Russ Florence Guest Column / The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Local News $800,000 grant shows promise for Oklahoma City road safety [Oklahoma City Free Press]  Dissenting voices get their say on proposed Improve Our Tulsa 3 captital improvments package [Tulsa World] Tulsa Municipal Court to offer Thursday night sessions for city citations [Tulsa World] 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. Support Our Work with a Donation Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. 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[Weekly Wonk] Health Information Exchange | Weak politicians weaponize our differences | Together OK Listening Sessions

The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In The Know.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser Sunday, July 30, 2023 Subscribe  //  View latest headlines A closer look at emergency rules for Oklahoma's health information exchange (Capitol Update) Policy Matters: Weak politicians weaponize our differences Statewide Listening Sessions Together Oklahoma will be hosting eight upcoming Listening Sessions, which will offer the opportunity for you to express your ideas and views on policy matters in a collaborative way and give our TOK staff members the chance to hear directly from you. OK Policy research and policy teams will present data from your region and the state and hear directly how it resonates with your personal experiences. August 1: Tulsa (registration is closed) August 3: Ada August 8: Oklahoma City August 14: Lawton August 15: Okmulgee August 17: Ardmore August 22: Norman August 29: Altus (re-scheduled) Each session will be held in person and is free to attend. Refreshments will be provided and pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, visit togetherok.org/events.  216,797 - Total number of releases from Oklahoma prisons and jails in 2019. There were 9,365 releases from prisons, while releases from jails were 207,432. [Prison Policy Initiative] 16 - Oklahoma was one of 16 states that passed tax cuts in each of the last three fiscal years. [Tax Policy Center] From OK Policy: Modernizing the Sales Tax Relief Credit will cut taxes for those who need it 1 in 6 - About 615,000 Oklahomans reported having one or more disabilities, which is about 1 in 6 residents. [Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services] Wednesday marked the 33rd anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act. 17% - Percentage of Oklahoma students ages 3–21 served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as a percentage of public school enrollment. [National Center for Education Statistics] Note: July is Disability Pride Month and is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. 5% - Percentage increase in housing in Oklahoma from 2010-2020, while the state's population grew by 5.5% during that same period. [U.S. Census Bureau] Oklahoma's Promise (OHLAP) The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), also known as Oklahoma's Promise, is an early commitment financial aid program that covers tuition and other college costs for certain Oklahoma students. Oklahoma's Promise is open to students attending public or private high schools or being home-schooled, with family income not to exceed $60,000 at the time of enrollment (income thresholds are higher for families with more than two dependent children). Eligible students must apply to the program no later than the summer after completing the 11thgrade. Students are required to graduate from high school with a 2.5 overall grade point average (GPA) for all four years and a 2.5 GPA on 17 required courses that constitute a college preparatory curriculum.  Eligible students receive a cash scholarship equal to tuition at a public university, which can be used to cover tuition, living expenses, books, and supplies. Students must enroll in a public or private 2- or 4-year Oklahoma college or in a career-technical center; meet the college's admission requirements, and apply for additional financial aid. Once in college, students must maintain a minimum college GPA and meet other college requirements. In 2020-21, there were 14,852 scholarship recipients in college. The number of recipients has declined every year since 2010-11, when the program served 20,085 students. However, the number of high school students enrolled in Oklahoma's Promise increased in 2020 and 2021, the first increase since 2012. OHLAP is funded from income tax revenues allocated directly to the OHLAP Trust Fund by the State Board of Equalization based on a request from the State Regents for Higher Education.  The program received $64.2 million in state funding in FY 2021. "It's horrible what politicians are doing to this country — right, left, you name it. We are one nation and one people. This division, this foolishness? Scripture says: 'Divided we fall; together we stand.'" -The Rev. Randy Lewis of All Souls Unitarian Church, who attended a press conference by State School Superintendent Ryan Walters on Friday. During the event, Walters threatened Tulsa Public Schools' accreditation after a school board member was reprimanded for leading prayer at a high school graduation ceremony. [Tulsa World] Editorial: Tulsa Public Schools has not violated board member's religious liberty The circus brought to Tulsa recently by State Superintendent Ryan Walters attracted bad behavior tinkering on the edge of violence. It's typical for his traveling culture war crusade. Nothing about the hastily called July 21 press conference improved education or advanced public discourse. It attracted his supporters and protestors and led to shoving, yelling and loud bullhorns, and even an 82-year-old woman allegedly spitting on others. The issue is whether Tulsa Public Schools board member E'Lena Ashley was appropriate in going off script at the East Central High School graduation ceremony to give a 20-second Christian prayer. Superintendent Deborah Gist said she contacted board members before they conferred diplomas about avoiding prayer, citing laws and court precedents. The board members while in that capacity act as government representatives. At a minimum, Ashley showed poor judgment, and at worst she may have violated the law. She ignored the superintendent's recommendation and did not consider how those in attendance who do not share her religious beliefs would feel. She used the opportunity to proselytize. TPS students are among the most diverse in the state. Many religions are legally expressed daily in schools by students, from Christian fellowship groups to classrooms turned into prayer rooms for Muslims. Constituents complained at public board meetings about Ashley's prayer, with one student being jeered by Ashley's supporters in attendance. TPS board President Stacey Woolley and Gist sent a letter to Ashley admonishing her decision to lead a public prayer in her board role, asking not to do that again. They again included legal citations. Walters jumped into the middle of this, claiming that Ashley's religious liberties were violated by the reprimands. Nonsense. No disciplinary action was taken. No board vote of no confidence has been held. No committee assignments were lost. Her only consequence has been public criticism, something she invited. Ashley is no victim. TPS students are among the most diverse in the state. Many religions are legally expressed daily in schools by students, from Christian fellowship groups to classrooms turned into prayer rooms for Muslims. Constituents complained at public board meetings about Ashley's prayer, with one student being jeered by Ashley's supporters in attendance. TPS board President Stacey Woolley and Gist sent a letter to Ashley admonishing her decision to lead a public prayer in her board role, asking not to do that again. They again included legal citations. Walters jumped into the middle of this, claiming that Ashley's religious liberties were violated by the reprimands. Nonsense. No disciplinary action was taken. No board vote of no confidence has been held. No committee assignments were lost. Her only consequence has been public criticism, something she invited. Ashley is no victim. [Editorial / Tulsa World]   Successful Reentry: Exploring Funding Models to Support Rehabilitation, Reduce Recidivism: Reentry programs are essential for ensuring the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals released from jails and prisons into their communities. Reentry programs provide a range of services, including job training, housing assistance, health care and substance abuse treatment, among others. The effectiveness of reentry programs in reducing recidivism rates continues to be explored with some promising preliminary results. The National Institute of Justice explains, "[w]e don't have a strong understanding of what works and what doesn't, and there's a pressing need for additional research to help us better understand the dynamic process of reentry." [National Conference of State Legislatures] Reviewing Three Years of State Tax Cuts: From the start of calendar year 2021 to today, 48 states and the District of Columbia have cut taxes. This run of state tax cuts resulted from a mix of federal pandemic-related spending, a (previously) booming stock market, a lot of consumer spending, and other aspects of the post-COVID economy. The combination spiked economic growth, turbocharged state tax collections, and gave state policymakers large surpluses to spend on tax cuts.  [Tax Policy Center] Eight facts about Americans with disabilities: July is Disability Pride Month in the United States, commemorating the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act more than 30 years ago. Overall, there are about 42.5 million Americans with disabilities, making up 13% of the civilian noninstitutionalized population, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2021. This group includes people with hearing, vision, cognitive, walking, self-care or independent living difficulties. Here are eight facts about Americans with disabilities, based on government data and recent Pew Research Center surveys. [Pew Research Center] Former Oklahoman and University of Tulsa alumnus Lex Frieden is considered one of the architects of the Americans With Disabilites Act. Here is an interview with Frieden in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the ADA.  Politicians and pundits say parents are furious with schools. Polls say otherwise: Gallup's poll suggests a divergence between parents' views of their children's schools versus the public's view of the nation's schools: There was a startling 38-point gap between the two — which had also hit a 20-year record. This and other data suggests that dissatisfaction with American public schools — and the policy changes that have resulted — has not been driven by most parents' own experience with public schools. [Chalkbeat] Why We Need More Public Investment in Home Repairs: Housing deterioration is a serious problem for lower-income households. Home repairs address deep-seated racial and environmental injustices, and substandard housing can be a matter of life and death. [Governing] What's up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In The Know. Click here to subscribe to In The Know. Support with 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