In The Know: Governor fires energy and environment secretary over disagreement on poultry lawsuit | OSBI investigates former state Pardon and Parole Board member suspected of bribery | More than half of Oklahoma classified as maternity care desert

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, DECEMBER 4, 2024 Subscribe // View latest headlines 69   Number of Oklahoma counties where 15% or more of the households report a lack of computer at home or no broadband subscription. [U.S. Census] | [Interactive map] Creating Thriving Communities Through Civic Participation   Healthy communities depend on a culture where all people have the power to make change and a say in the decisions that affect them. But not all U.S. communities have the same opportunities for civic health. Many groups, including women, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ people and racialized groups such as Native people, Black and Hispanic populations experience the impacts of a history of disinvestment in civic infrastructure. Despite this enduring history, change is possible. Structural barriers can be dismantled through voting, ballot initiatives, volunteering and union and community organizing. Civic participation that builds power to break down structural barriers can benefit the health and well-being of everyone. [County Health Rankings and Roadmaps] "To put it into perspective I use the phrase: 'Fishermen know where to fish, hunters know where to hunt, predators know where to prey.' We can't give predators a place to prey anywhere, but especially in Indian Country."   - U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring the federal government provides resources and services to combat the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. There are 86 missing Indigenous persons in Oklahoma, according to data from the National Missing and Unidentified Persons Systems. [The Black Wall Street Times] Oklahoma News   Great escape-goat? Stitt fires McQueen for attending poultry lawsuit hearing: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt fired Ken McQueen as his secretary of energy and environment and as director of the Department of Energy Tuesday, replacing him with Jeff Starling and criticizing McQueen in a public statement. [NonDoc] Oklahoma governor fires Cabinet secretary for attending court hearing in poultry pollution lawsuit [Oklahoma Voice] Stitt fires state's energy and environment secretary over disagreement on poultry lawsuit [The Oklahoman] Stitt cabinet member learned of his firing via social media during poultry pollution lawsuit hearing [Public Radio Tulsa] Gov. Kevin Stitt fires energy and environment secretary for attending poultry lawsuit hearing [KGOU] State Government News   State's New Mental Health Center Faces Huge Construction Cost Overrun: The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services requested an additional $125 million to finish the Donahue Behavioral Health Center in Oklahoma City. The initial cost estimate was $150 million. [Oklahoma Watch]   Oklahoma's attorney general will appeal injunction blocking state anti-ESG law: Attorney General Gentner Drummond said he plans to ask the state's highest civil court to reinstate a controversial law that blocks Oklahoma from contracting with financial firms that limit oil and gas investments. [The Oklahoman] Attorney General Gentner Drummond to appeal Energy Discrimination Act injunction [Tulsa World] Oklahoma state agencies ask for $13.3 billion in FY26 appropriations: It's the time of year for wishlists, including at the Oklahoma State Capitol. For the state's hundreds of agencies, that means a $13.3 billion appropriation request of the legislature for the next fiscal year. [KOSU] Oklahoma agencies seek $832 million dollar increase in FY26 appropriated budget requests [Fox 25]  Long Story Short: Bill fillings begin (audio): Paul Monies gives us an update on bill filing and other things at the Legislature as we await the start of session in February. As we near the end of 2024, we've asked our staff to reflect on some of our top stories of the year. [Oklahoma Watch]   Federal Government News   Exclusive: Senator's Stock Trade Raises 'Conflict of Interest' Concerns: Senator Markwayne Mullin has bought shares in an education company, sparking conflict of interest concerns about possible intersections with his legislative committee work, Newsweek reveals. [Newsweek]   Oklahoma U.S. senator writes in support of tax deductions for charitable donations: U.S. Sen. James Lankford urged Congress on Tuesday to move forward with restoring tax credits for Americans that donate to nonprofits. [Oklahoma Voice]   Rep. Cole promises to tackle Missing, Murdered Indigenous crisis: There are 86 missing Indigenous persons in Oklahoma, according to data from the National Missing and Unidentified Persons Systems. At a Nov. 20 House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies hearing, Appropriations Chairman Rep. Tom Cole (R-Moore) reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the federal government is working to provide resources and services to combat the issue. [The Black Wall Street Times] From the OK Policy archive: No more delayed justice, HB 1077 is good tribal-state policy Tribal Nations News   Tribal representatives advocate for federal truth, healing boarding school commission: An Indigenous organization is calling for legislators to pass Senate Bill 1723 and House Resolution 7227 to establish a Truth and Healing Commission to address the lasting impacts of Indian Boarding Schools in the U.S. [KOSU]   Plan to drop OU language requisite sparks criticism, petitions: A move by the University of Oklahoma to potentially cut foreign language requirements from the College of Arts and Sciences has garnered backlash from those who fear a domino effect that could impact Native courses, staff and student opportunities. [Cherokee Phoenix]   Voting and Election News   Supreme Court referee hears arguments in Senate District 15 case of voter irregularities: Attorneys for failed political candidate Robert Keyes took their case to the Oklahoma Supreme Court Tuesday, asking the court to force a Cleveland County district judge to issue an evidentiary ruling in the case. [The Oklahoman]   Health News   Report details Oklahoma maternity care 'challenges': Nearly 52 percent of Oklahoma is classified as a maternity care desert, or an area without a single birthing facility or obstetric clinician. The statistic makes Oklahoma's rate of maternity care deserts the third-highest in the country, according to a national report released in September by the March of Dimes. [NonDoc]   Judge hears evidence regarding whether poultry waste pollution still exists in Illinois River watershed: The Illinois River's water quality has not improved in the 15 years since a federal trial on the matter ended, a lifelong proponent of the river testified Tuesday. [Tulsa World]   Criminal Justice News   Oklahoma AG pushes for inmate's execution: The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board has rescheduled the clemency hearing for Kevin Underwood, who is scheduled to be executed later this month. The delay comes after two of the five members on the board, Edward Konieczny and Calvin Prince III resigned last month. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who last month urged the board to reject clemency, noted that three members is enough for a quorum. [The Journal Record] Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board will review hundreds more cases in January to catch up after resignations [KOSU] OSBI reveals former Pardon and Parole Board member suspected of bribery offense: The OSBI is conducting a bribery investigation of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole board member who resigned Friday, court records show. H. Calvin Prince III was the board's acting chairman. [The Oklahoman] Details emerge in case of OKC police officer accused of rape: New details have emerged in the case of an Oklahoma City police officer accused of rape, domestic assault and battery, and pointing a firearm at a woman. Another Oklahoma City police officer faces similar allegations from an incident in June. [The Oklahoman]   OKCPD sees decrease in mental health calls directed to police, partly due to 988 success: Oklahoma City has seen a 57% decrease in mental health-related calls dispatched to Oklahoma City police officers in the last 13 months, the department announced Tuesday, which is partially attributed to the success of the state's 988 Mental Health Lifeline. [The Oklahoman]   How the largest law firm in Oklahoma helps families for free: Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, funded in part by the state and federal government, but mostly by private contributions, doesn't charge its clients. But the agency is available to step in and help those at the low end of the economic ladder and seniors over 60 when they run into problems of a non-criminal nature. [The Oklahoman]   Economy & Business News   Lonestar Electric Supply announces first Oklahoma distribution center: Lonestar Electric Supply continued its out-of-state growth this week, adding Oklahoma to the list of states it serves in addition to the Louisiana expansion that was announced in October. The company expects to open a distribution center in February 2025 in Oklahoma City. [The Journal Record]   Local Headlines Monroe Nichols' ambitious agenda as first Black Tulsa mayor [The Black Wall Street Times] OKC tax revenues fall $8M short, hiring freeze possible [The Journal Record] OKC Council mulls a rare 'labor peace' requirement for new Thunder arena [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. 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