In The Know: House committee calls for investigation into abuse involving state agencies | More lawmakers ask for Hiett to be disqualified from OCC cases | Oklahoma ranks 50th for health care funding

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.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 Subscribe // View latest headlines Inadequate funding keeps Oklahoma at the bottom of the heap for health care (Capitol Update)   A recent article from a national online health care publication found that Oklahoma ranked 50th followed only by South Dakota at 51st in a state-by-state and District of Columbia comparison of state Medicaid and CHIP programs comparing cost, quality, and access. When Oklahoma lawmakers choose to sock away $600 million to sit in an another "rainy day" account – rather than using it to improve access and quality of health care – the state will continue inadequate funding that keeps us at the bottom of the heap for health care. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] 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 11.4%   The percentage of Oklahomans who didn't have health insurance in 2023. While the uninsured rate has trended down since Oklahoma expanded Medicaid to low-income residents, this is still higher than the national average of 7.9%. [OK Policy] | [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] City-Country Mortality Gap Widens Amid Persistent Holes in Rural Health Care Access   The health disparities between rural and urban Americans have long been documented, but a 2024 report from the Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service found the chasm has grown in recent decades. In their examination, USDA researchers found rural Americans from the ages of 25 to 54 die from natural causes, like chronic diseases and cancer, at wildly higher rates than the same age group living in urban areas. The increased mortality rates are an indicator of worsening population health, the study authors noted, which can harm local economies and employment. [KFF Health News] "This is about finding positive, real solutions to public safety concerns and recognizing the opportunity for even greater economic growth for our state."   -Sen. Michael Brooks, speaking about his proposal for working immigrants to legally obtain a license to drive in the state. [Oklahoma Energy Today] Oklahoma News   Oklahoma has the sixth-highest poverty rate in the country: Oklahoma's poverty rate ranks sixth in the nation, according to the Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey released last week. The state moved from eighth place in 2022 and is now behind Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The data shows poverty is concentrated in the state's children, with 1 in 5 living at or below the federal level. [KOSU] From OK Policy: 2023 Census data: Oklahoma ranks as sixth poorest state 'Focus: Black Oklahoma': Ryan Walters, Muslim children, Okmulgee rodeo (audio): This episode of Focus: Black Oklahoma features stories on growing opposition to Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters, foster care, and the oldest continually-run Black rodeo in the U.S. [KOSU]   State Government News   As legal costs pile up, Oklahoma isn't done fighting to win back federal family planning money: After the state banned abortion, it lost federal funding for family planning programs. Oklahoma is now paying for attorneys and to replace lost federal dollars. State health officials say they can't give women pregnancy counseling that includes information on abortion, or refer them to a hotline. [The Frontier]   Following parent's testimony, Humphrey green lights OSBI investigation into DHS: A state committee has granted law enforcement leeway to investigate the Department of Human Services after a parent accused the agency of negligence in handling his son's abuse report. [Public Radio Tulsa] House committee calls for investigation into abuse involving state agencies [Fox 25] Systemic failures threaten vulnerable Oklahomans, state House committee told [Tulsa World] Oklahoma lawmaker plans investigation into abuse against children by state agencies [Journal Record] Lawmakers ask Oklahoma Supreme Court to bar Hiett from voting on cases: Three Republican state lawmakers are asking the Oklahoma Supreme Court to bar a corporation commissioner from voting on certain cases following allegations of misconduct. [Oklahoma Voice] Lawmakers ask Oklahoma Supreme Court to disqualify Hiett from Corporation Commission cases [KOSU] Republican lawmakers file petition to disqualify Hiett from OCC cases [KFOR] Oklahoma Supreme Court asked to ban Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett from votes [The Oklahoman] Kansas, Oklahoma officials receive suspicious mail with white powder substance: Two packages were received about a half-hour apart at a building adjacent to the Capitol that houses both the Kansas Secretary of State and Attorney General's offices. Election offices in Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming also received suspicious packages on Monday. [Oklahoma Voice]   Legislator wants driver's card for undocumented immigrant workers in Oklahoma: Sen. Michael Brooks announced he will refile legislation for the 2025 legislative session. His move comes after a report by Gov. Kevin Stitt's Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas Task Force also recommended that the state issue a "driver's privilege card" for undocumented immigrants. [Oklahoma Energy Today]   Ethics questions swirl as Oklahoma lawmaker stands to profit from potential solar farm in his district: As southeast Oklahoma becomes a magnet for out-of-state developers looking to build large green-energy projects, one lawmaker considers how to profit from the industry's growth in his district, against state ethics rules and the will of his constituents. [KOSU]   Top Republican says more state support for public transit 'a long way away': In an interview with KWGS, Oklahoma Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat was asked if more funding for public transportation from the state could be possible. "This may not be what you want to hear, but I think it's a long way away from the state capitol," Treat said. "The state capitol is dominated by people who have more rural districts." [Public Radio Tulsa]   Tribal Nations News   Cherokee Nation proposes permanent housing law for housing crisis: A proposed law would allocate $40 million toward housing needs as part of a reauthorization of the Cherokee Nation's Housing, Jobs and Sustainable Communities Act for a three-year cycle. [KOSU]   Indigenous talent leaves Emmy Awards empty-handed: Indigenous representation on the big screen is growing, but that does not mean the Emmy Awards are in the bag for Indigenous talent. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Oklahoma's young voters are enthusiastic about voting in the election, teacher says: Political scientists have noted that in Oklahoma and other states where a single party ― either Republican or Democrat ― dominates the political landscape, voter turnout is low. Oklahoma and other states near the bottom of the list in turnout "share the non-swing, one-party majority trait," a political science faculty member said. [The Oklahoman] OSU-OKC offers chance to register or check voter status on National Voter Registration Day [KOCO] From OK Policy: Policy Matters: Voting is the price of democracy [Journal Record] Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day. The deadline to register for November's general election is Friday, Oct. 11. To learn more, visit the state election board's Oklahoma Voter Portal  Groups in Oklahoma working on voter turnout and related issues include: League of Women Voters of Oklahoma Let's Fix This Oklahoma United Longtime Oklahoma Republican Mickey Edwards makes waves with Kamala Harris endorsement: A longtime Republican Oklahoma legislator and Heritage Foundation trustee is making waves this week after he endorsed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris for U.S. president. Edwards was a Republican U.S. congressman representing Oklahoma's 5th congressional district from 1977 to 1993. [The Oklahoman] Heritage Foundation trustee and former GOP House member Mickey Edwards writes that electing Kamala Harris, and rejecting Donald Trump, is the most important decision voters will make in November [Washington Inquirer] Opinion: Don't let a few extremists - of either side - set the agenda for our future: We are not living in a democracy; we are living in a minority-majority ruled community, where barely one-fourth of the registered voters just determined who's going to run or run for our local government and the outcomes of two questions impacting salaries for the mayor and city councilors. How does that make you feel? [Ken Busby / Tulsa World]   Education News   Former Oklahoma teacher says board used 'profoundly stupid work of fiction' to justify revoking license: A former Norman English teacher who had her license revoked in a high-profile move last month said the Oklahoma State Board of Education relied on a "profoundly stupid work of fiction" to justify its action. [The Oklahoman]   Health News   Oklahoma ranks as fourth-least vaccinated state: WalletHub looked at the 50 states and the District of Columbia across data set ranges comparing rates of children, teens and adults vaccinated against various diseases to the share of people without health insurance. Oklahoma logged in as the fourth least vaccinated state in the nation. [Journal Record] Report: Oklahoma is one of the least vaccinated states in the US, especially among children [The Oklahoman] Over $14 million spent to operate Narcan vending machines, with many still unused: It was supposed to be a game-changer for tackling Oklahoma's opioid epidemic, vending machines all around the state, dispensing free life-saving Narcan and fentanyl test strips. Days ago, the agency announced they're pulling those machines. But as a FOX 25 investigation found, some of those machines that you paid for have never seen the light of day. [Fox25]   Oklahoma WIC program changing baby formula brands starting in October: Oklahoma's Women, Infants and Children program is switching brands of baby formula starting in October, the Oklahoma State Department of Health announced Monday. [The Oklahoman]   Opinion: CARE Center reaches milestone of 100,000 children taught how to avoid or respond to abuse: At our recent annual Stand Up for Kids luncheon, we celebrated a milestone that fills me with immense pride and gratitude: The CARE Center has now educated 100,000 children on how to recognize and report abuse. [Stacy McNeiland / The Oklahoman]   Criminal Justice News   Domestic abuse survivors petition for leniency in sentencing under revamped Oklahoma Survivor's Act: Oklahoma's new law allows domestic abuse survivors to apply for lighter sentences if their abuse played a major role in their crime. [KOCO]   New federal lawsuit details Cookie Queen's final days and hours: A new lawsuit says video backs up claims the "Cookie Queen," Shannon Hanchett, was abused while in the Cleveland County Jail. The revised lawsuit alleges Cleveland County Detention Officers and Turn Key Health Clinics staff refused care, falsified records and mocked Hanchett as she went through a mental health crisis. [KFOR]   'Set goals': Joseph Brantley talks path from prison to Board of Corrections: Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Joseph Brantley to the state Board of Corrections, the governing body for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, in March 2023. A formerly incarcerated person, Brantley now serves on the Audit/Finance Committee, as well as the Population, Security, and Private Prisons Committee. [NonDoc]   Search continues for possible Tulsa Race Massacre burials near Arkansas River: Core samples bored Monday by the Kansas Geological Survey are part of the city's latest attempt to find unmarked burials from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. [Tulsa World]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   'Great technology': Lawmaker explores 3D-printed homes to tackle affordable housing issues: On Monday, State Rep. Mickey Dollens (D-Oklahoma City) held an interim legislative study to explore using 3D-printed homes to tackle affordable housing challenges. While the construction of such housing is not yet widespread, Oklahoma State University Structural Engineering Professor Tyler Ley, PhD, PE expects it to become more common in the future. [Fox 25]   Economy & Business News   Greenwood North: Crutcher Foundation's Push for Black Equity: More than 100 people gathered in celebration Saturday amid efforts to transform a north Tulsa shopping center from its neglected remains to a revitalized headquarters for Black economic and social progress. North Pointe Business Center was once a centerpiece of the majority-Black community. [Black Wall Street Times] Crutcher Foundation puts North Pointe plans in motion [Public Radio Tulsa] Survey: Oklahoma businesses plan more layoffs in 2024: ResumeTemplates.com surveyed 1,038 business leaders this month about their workforce strategies and outlook for the rest of 2024. More than 70% of companies surveyed said they will lay off employees before the end of year, including 10 of 13 Oklahoma survey respondents. [Journal Record]   Community News   County commissioner resignation will cost Oklahoma County, could disrupt new jail plans: With just $787 left in Oklahoma County coffers at the end of the last fiscal year, June 30, the timing of Oklahoma County Commissioner Carrie Blumert's resignation, as bad as it is, could be worse, board Chairman Brian Maughan said. [The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines Postal Service cancels plans to end local mail sorting in Tulsa [Tulsa World] 'A ridiculous expenditure': Lloyd Noble II on the new OU arena as city council vote looms [Tulsa World] Campus Corner attack: Norman PD investigate potential hate crime [Black Wall Street Times] 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. 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