In The Know: State Supreme Court declares 10-day objection period for minimum wage question | Oklahoma DHS director resigns | Feds join in questioning state education department spending practices

In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024 Subscribe // View latest headlines Share your opinions to help shape Oklahoma's future   Together Oklahoma and OK Policy are asking all Oklahoma residents to share their opinions about the issues and policies that matter most to them and that impact communities statewide. Input from the surveys will shape OK Policy's work during next year's legislative session to advance policies that help establish safe communities, keep Oklahomans healthy, and ensure our families and neighbors can thrive. Take the Survey $10,500   The average bail amount for all Oklahoma jails in 2022. The average bail costs have been steadily increasing since 2019 for urban, rural, and midsize jails. [MODERN Criminal Justice Task Force] Debunking Myths About Bail Reform and Crime   The past decade has seen increasing momentum for bail reform, with lawmakers, prosecutors, and courts across the country shifting the focus of bail decisions from ability to pay to fairness and public safety. However, reformers must frequently contend with fears that limiting or eliminating money bail will lead to a rise in crime. The data shows that these fears are unfounded, and they shouldn't stand in the way of reforms that can make our criminal justice system more equitable and humane. [Brennan Center for Justice] "There have been, through the last four administrations, a lot of familiar faces that have helped us, who now are leaving. I think any time you have a lot of turnover, you lose institutional knowledge. That is critical."   - Mid-Del Public Schools Superintendent Rick Cobb on why he believes the Oklahoma State Department of Education has been plagued with so many problems this year. Superintendents from districts across Oklahoma saw their Title I Funding allocations from OSDE suddenly drop to $0 this week, and OSDE told them the department accidentally miscalculated the funds. [KFOR] Oklahoma News   Oklahoma Supreme Court declares 10-day objection period for minimum wage question: The Oklahoma Supreme Court says that State Question 832 will have a 10-day protest period in an opinion released last week. The opinion offers clarity about whether the period should be 10, 20 or 90 days long — a conundrum caused by new laws that conflict with current statutes and each other. [KOSU] From OK Policy: SQ 832: Minimum Wage Increase Info & Resources | What you need to know about the minimum wage in Oklahoma Federal agency joins criticism of Oklahoma education department's financial controls: A federal performance review of the Oklahoma State Department of Education shows that U.S. officials — like state lawmakers — have serious questions about the spending practices within the state agency that's headed by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters. [The Oklahoman] Federal report flags Ryan Walters' administration's handling of $2.72 billion in federal programs [Tulsa World] US Dept. of Education report shows OSDE needs to improve in 32 areas [KOCO] Federal report raises concerns about OSDE [KFOR] Federal performance review of OSDE raises questions about spending practices [Fox 23] 'We initiated major changes': Walters responds to USDOE report on federal grant management [Fox 25] State Superintendent Ryan Walters says federal audit findings were from previous administration [KOCO] State Government News   Director of Oklahoma Human Services department to leave agency: Deborah Shropshire will step down as director of the Oklahoma Human Services department, the agency announced Tuesday. Shropshire has served as director of the agency since January 2023 and has worked at the agency since 2014. [Oklahoma Voice] DHS chief abruptly resigns post Tuesday; no word on replacement [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Human Services Director resigns [KFOR] First Watch: Deborah Shropshire's resignation was announced on Tuesday [Oklahoma Watch]  As misconduct claims linger, Hiett asks court to bar Anthony from Corporation Commission investigation: In a legal document filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Commissioner Todd Hiett claims fellow Commissioner Bob Anthony is "exerting powers" not granted to him by the Oklahoma Constitution in an effort to influence the Corporation Commission investigation into Hiett's alleged misbehavior and possible criminal conduct. [NonDoc]   Long Story Short: Growing friction between Ryan Walters, the state Legislature and the AG (audio): Jennifer Palmer discusses the growing friction between Superintendent Ryan Walters, the state Legislature and the attorney general. [Oklahoma Watch] Tribal Nations News   Oklahoma tribes pay $202 million in gaming exclusivity fees: A total of $202 million was paid to the state over a 12-month period during last fiscal year, which is a 5.6% increase since the previous year. [Tulsa World]   Voting and Election News   Adding deputies a main issue in open Kingfisher County sheriff runoff: Both candidates seeking to be Kingfisher County's next sheriff agree that more deputies are needed to keep up with a growing population and diverse activities, including marijuana industry concerns highlighted by a quadruple murder at one operation two years ago. But Aaron Pitts and Jonathan Riedlinger disagree slightly on how best to deploy the deputies they hope to add. [NonDoc]   More than $1 million poured into rural Republican runoff election: A rural Oklahoma legislative race that will be decided in a Republican runoff election Tuesday has attracted in excess of $1 million, according to reports filed this week with the state Ethics Commission. [Tulsa World]   Red-state Democratic legislators praise Harris-Walz ticket for invigorating voters: State Sen. Carri Hicks said Harris' work on reproductive rights, and Walz's frequent mentions of his daughter, who was born with the help of IVF, have resonated with Oklahoma voters. [Oklahoma Voice]   Opinion: Voters on opposite sides can learn a lot from crazed soccer fans: We all watch the same match, and when one team scores, half the room erupts in joy while the other half shouts obscenities not fit for print. What's more remarkable, though, is what happens after the final whistle. [Rep. Forrest Bennett / The Oklahoman]   Education News   OSDE tells districts it miscalculated Title I funding allocations: News 4 obtained audio of a zoom call OSDE held with leaders from schools districts across the state on Tuesday, in which OSDE's Deputy Chief Academic Officer told school leaders a "glitch" caused OSDE to miscalculate the amount of Title I funds it allocated to districts last week, and that OSDE would need to recalculate them. [KFOR] Oklahoma school districts face empty federal accounts, superintendents puzzled [Fox 25] Opinion: Walters in the news again: Oklahoma's State Superintendent of Education is in the news again after 17 Republicans (it has since risen to 24) signed onto a letter to Speaker of the Oklahoma House Charles McCall requesting an investigation into Walters' possible misuse of state funds, failure to comply with open records requests, and other behavior. [David Searcy / The Lawton Constitution]   Health News   New Kansas Planned Parenthood clinic expands abortion access for Oklahomans: A new Planned Parenthood clinic opening Monday in southeast Kansas will be the closest abortion access point for many people in the South and expects to have patients from six states in its first five days — Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. [Oklahoma Voice]   COVID-19 cases surge in Oklahoma, local health officials aren't surprised: The latest data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health shows an increase in COVID-19 positivity later in the summer, which is expected. According to state data, Oklahoma is seeing a little more than 22% positivity as of Aug. 10. [KOSU]   Criminal Justice News   Protestors call for charges to be refiled against Enid caregivers accused of abusing clients with disabilities: An Enid resident organized a protest after the Garfield County District Attorney's Office dropped criminal cases against former Robert M. Greer Center staff. Protestors called for law enforcement to interview additional witnesses. [The Frontier]   Editorial: Grant program needs to be easier for counties to access funds: After waiting for the Legislature to step to the plate, many counties in Oklahoma left money on the table for community-based diversion and treatment programs. [Editorial / Enid News & Eagle]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   The tides may be turning for OKC home buyers: Why home prices dropped in July: Homes for sale are pouring onto the market compared with the trickle of recent months, and the increase in supply was enough to move OKC-area July home prices down slightly year over year and somewhat more month to month, Realtors reported. [The Oklahoman]   Economy & Business News   Small businesses face rising health insurance, tax challenges: As U.S. employers struggle to provide employee health insurance benefits, a new report confirms the cost of health insurance remains the No. 1 chronic issue for small business owners. [Journal Record]   Community News   Federal hatchery teams up with local non-profit to restore mussels in Northeast Oklahoma: Boot-sucking mud and 100-degree heat were made-to-order for about 1,000 new residents of the Claremore area Friday. Muddy and wet, that's their style. There's nothing flashy or splashy about being a freshwater mussel. [KOSU]   Local Headlines Bartlesville landmark Price Tower to go up for auction [Tulsa World] Northeast OKC adult day center receives grant funding for respite care [The Oklahoman] OKC Energy FC will feature women's soccer as part of team's return [The Oklahoman] 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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