Weekly Wonk: It’s past time to raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage | Data is key to bringing justice-involved people back to workforce | Oklahoma legislators to tackle child well‑being in 2025 interim studies

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.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2025 Subscribe // View latest headlines Oklahoma legislators to tackle child well‑being in 2025 interim studies (Capitol Update)   Last week Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, released the list of approved interim studies for this year's interim session. With Oklahoma ranking 46th overall for child well-being in the 2025 Annie E. Casey Kids Count Databook, this could be an exciting interim for those interested in providing services to Oklahoma's children. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] Policy Matters: It's past time to raise Oklahoma's minimum wage   If you want to understand America, follow the money. Or tellingly, follow who isn't getting any. In Oklahoma, that's far too many of our friends and neighbors who aren't earning enough to get by. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]   Watch: It's Been 16 Years. Oklahoma Workers Deserve a Raise. [YouTube] | [TikTok] You're invited to join a Community Listening Session near you!   This summer, the Oklahoma Policy Institute and Together Oklahoma are hosting in-person listening sessions across the state to hear directly from Oklahomans about the issues that matter most in their communities. These free, public events offer a chance to connect with neighbors, share your experiences, and speak with policy experts. Participants will receive compensation for their time.   Make your voice heard—find a session near you and join the conversation.   Make Your Voice Heard — In Person or Online   Can't attend in person? Take our online survey (available in English and Spanish) and share your thoughts about the laws and policies that affect you and your neighbors. Your input helps shape our priorities for the next legislative session to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities across Oklahoma. "What the administration is now saying – no, it doesn't matter if they don't have a criminal history. It doesn't matter if they have family or are U.S. citizens. They're saying, look, we're going to take the most draconian measures we can to detain as many individuals as we can throughout these lengthy proceedings."   – Matt Adams, legal director at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, speaking about the Trump administration's new policy that eliminates bail for many immigrants — including those with deep community ties, no criminal history, or even U.S. citizen family members — and mandates prolonged detention while they await court proceedings. [NPR] 42% - The percent of Oklahoma's electricity that comes from wind turbines, making the state one of the top wind-powered states in the nation. [U.S. Energy Information Administration]   8.1% - The share of Oklahoma's labor force made up of immigrants. The growth in the immigrant population has helped to strengthen our labor force high-tech positions to agriculture, hospitality, and service jobs. [American Immigration Council]   30% - The percentage of low-income Oklahomans that are either experiencing homelessness or spending more than half their income on rent. Most don't get any federal rental assistance — not because they don't qualify, but because funding simply isn't there. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]   $1.44 billion - The amount Oklahoma's top 1% of earners are projected to receive in federal tax cuts in 2026 under the budget "megabill." That $1.44 billion is part of a nationwide $117 billion in tax benefits heading to the wealthiest Americans next year. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy]   $8.5 million - Oklahoma's sales tax holiday costs about $8.5 million in state revenue annually, and it has not been shown to promote economic growth through increased spending. [Oklahoma Tax Expenditure Report 2023-24] SQ 832 ($15/hr Minimum Wage)   In 2024, an initiative petition campaign for State Question 832 gathered more than enough signatures for a ballot measure to raise Oklahoma's minimum wage.   The ballot measure was designed to increase the state minimum wage to $9 per hour in 2025, $10.50 per hour in 2026, $12 per hour in 2027, $13.50 per hour in 2028, and $15 per hour in 2029. Beginning in 2030, the wage would be adjusted based on changes to inflation.   State officials certified the signatures for SQ 832 too late put the issue on the November 2024 general election ballot. In September 2024, Gov. Stitt signed an Executive Order to delay a vote on SQ 832 until the June 2026 primary election. The Executive Order stated that if the initiative is approved, the minimum wage would not be increased in 2025 or 2026 but would increase to $12 per hour on January 1, 2027.   For more information on this state question, visit OK Policy's SQ 832: Minimum Wage Increase | Information and Resources page.    Look up more key terms to understand Oklahoma politics and government here. Opinion: Data is key to bringing justice-involved people back to workforce   Many of our greatest achievements in crucial efforts like economic development and social reform have stemmed from the strategic use of thorough data. The economic growth in Oklahoma County and positive trends, like the reduced jail population, are a result of our data-driven decision making.   The Criminal Justice Advisory Council launched an interactive Detention Center Dashboard in 2021 as our first major effort to compile and share data that could drive improvements in our justice system. CJAC is proud to announce that, thanks to a partnership with Oklahoma Policy Institute, a newer, more comprehensive version is coming soon. CJAC is now seeking input from the public, in particular from those working in service nonprofits, reform work or policy creation, to help us build a more useful dashboard.   A clear, public-facing dashboard lets families, advocates, policymakers, and taxpayers, see exactly how many people are in jail, along with other data points like why they're there, and for how long. This holds the system accountable. By tracking trends daily, we can spot barriers in the system and address them faster. In the long term, this transparency will help local leaders and nonprofits push for solutions that keep people out of jail when possible, like expanding mental health treatment, using diversion more often, or improving bail practices.   [Full op-ed from Melissa Walton / The Journal Record] Tipton defends OHP plan to redirect troopers from metros to rural areas: Politicians and law enforcement leaders in Tulsa and the Oklahoma City metro area have expressed irritation about Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Tipton's decision to transfer "primary call responsibility" on traffic incidents to local law enforcement agencies, but the Department of Public Safety leader says shifting Highway Patrol troopers to ensure 24/7 coverage across the rest of Oklahoma's interstate system will address a long-time problem exacerbated by increasing traffic. [NonDoc]   Takers and makers, do California and other 'donor' states help others across U.S.: When it comes to the U.S. tax system, there are maker and taker states. Some states take more federal dollars than they contribute, including Oklahoma. "There is a myth that Oklahoma is fiscally self-sufficient and what that means in terms of federal dollars is that Oklahoma gets back a whole lot more than we give in federal taxes," Dave Hamby with the non partisan think tank Oklahoma Policy Institute said. [KFOR] Economic Impacts of U.S. Senate "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" Energy Provisions: The federal reconciliation bill will weaken U.S. energy infrastructure by scaling back clean energy tax credits and adding burdensome new requirements. These changes would reduce new power plant construction — especially wind and solar — and drive up electricity prices for households and businesses. As a result, the bill is expected to stifle private investment, slow GDP growth, and cost hundreds of thousands of jobs in construction and advanced manufacturing. [Energy Innovation]   Trump's deportation agenda will destroy millions of jobs: If fully implemented, Trump's enforcement plan targeting 4 million deportations over four years is projected to eliminate nearly 6 million jobs — 3.3 million held by immigrants and 2.6 million by U.S.-born workers — with the construction and child-care sectors hit hardest. These massive labor losses ripple across the economy, undermining business operations, shrinking consumer demand, and weakening job markets nationwide. [Economic Policy Institute]   Policy Basics: Federal Rental Assistance: Federal rental assistance — including Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, and project-based aid — serves millions of seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and working families, significantly reducing homelessness and deep poverty. However, demand far exceeds supply, with crucial need across every state for more funding and expanded program access. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]   After Decades of Costly, Regressive, and Ineffective Tax Cuts, a New Course Is Needed: Substantial historical tax cuts have disproportionately benefited high‑income households while contributing to escalating deficits, ultimately demonstrating limited effectiveness in promoting broad-based economic growth. Effective tax policy should pivot from regressive and costly tax reductions toward revenue‑neutral, progressive reforms that preserve horizontal equity and safeguard investments in areas such as clean energy, development, and infrastructure. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]   Sales Tax Holidays: Bad Policy Any Year, But Especially in Response to High Inflation: Despite their political popularity, sales tax holidays are based on poor tax policy and distract policy-makers and taxpayers from real, permanent, and economically beneficial tax reform. Sales tax holidays introduce unjustifiable government distortions into the economy without providing any significant boost to the economy. They represent a real cost for businesses without providing substantial benefits. They are also an inefficient means of helping low-income consumers and an ineffective means of providing savings to consumers. [Tax Foundation] Support Our Work with a Donation 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. Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave #1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 United States  918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org   Connect with us:   If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.

In The Know: Sheriff 'surprised' by DA’s request for OSBI to assist in Ryan Walters investigation | U.S. Reps. Cole and Lucas spoke to in-person groups | New online school can't participate in private school tax credit

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.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025 Subscribe // View latest headlines $8.5 million   Oklahoma's sales tax holiday costs about $8.5 million in state revenue annually, and it has not been shown to promote economic growth through increased spending. [Oklahoma Tax Expenditure Report 2023-24] Sales Tax Holidays: Bad Policy Any Year, But Especially in Response to High Inflation   Despite their political popularity, sales tax holidays are based on poor tax policy and distract policy-makers and taxpayers from real, permanent, and economically beneficial tax reform. Sales tax holidays introduce unjustifiable government distortions into the economy without providing any significant boost to the economy. They represent a real cost for businesses without providing substantial benefits. They are also an inefficient means of helping low-income consumers and an ineffective means of providing savings to consumers. [Tax Foundation] "When I read this section of the U.S. History standards, it looks like we could call them talking points, but it also looks like the bullet points for a nightly broadcast on Fox News."    - Aaron Baker, an Oklahoma City-area AP U.S. Government teacher, speaking about new state social studies standards that require public school students to be taught about "discrepancies" in the 2020 presidential election — language critics say mirrors debunked conspiracy theories. [The Frontier] You're invited to join a Community Listening Session near you!   This summer, the Oklahoma Policy Institute and Together Oklahoma are hosting in-person listening sessions across the state to hear directly from Oklahomans about the issues that matter most in their communities. These free, public events offer a chance to connect with neighbors, share your experiences, and speak with policy experts. Participants will receive compensation for their time.   Make your voice heard—find a session near you and join the conversation.   Make Your Voice Heard — In Person or Online   Can't attend in person? Take our online survey (available in English and Spanish) and share your thoughts about the laws and policies that affect you and your neighbors. Your input helps shape our priorities for the next legislative session to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities across Oklahoma. State Government News   DA's request for OSBI to help sheriff investigate Ryan Walters' TV sparks confusion: The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office says District Attorney Vicki Behenna did not speak with Sheriff Tommie Johnson III before Behenna formally requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to assist the sheriff's office's investigation into whether a television in state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters' office displayed images of naked women during a board meeting. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma County Sheriff 'surprised' by DA's request for OSBI to assist in Ryan Walters investigation [News 9] Investigators: Walters' TV could stream explicit content, what actually played still unclear [KFOR] Investigations continue week after allegations of nude images shown on Ryan Walters' office TV [KOCO] In Depth: Cybersecurity firm releases preliminary report for investigation into Supt. Walters' TV [Fox 23] Digital forensics firm releases report on Ryan Walters TV [News 9] Calls to impeach Ryan Walters resurface: Is it possible? How impeachment works in Oklahoma: An investigation is ongoing after two Oklahoma State Board of Education members said they saw images of naked women on a TV screen in the office of Oklahoma's top education official, state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters. [The Oklahoman]   Tipton defends OHP plan to redirect troopers from metros to rural areas: Politicians and law enforcement leaders in Tulsa and the Oklahoma City metro area have expressed irritation about Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Tipton's decision to transfer "primary call responsibility" on traffic incidents to local law enforcement agencies, but the Department of Public Safety leader says shifting Highway Patrol troopers to ensure 24/7 coverage across the rest of Oklahoma's interstate system will address a long-time problem exacerbated by increasing traffic. [NonDoc]   State employee upset at mandate, says there is not enough office space: The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is requiring employees to return to the office. The first day back is Monday, but an employee there who wants to remain anonymous says, not only is there not enough space in the building for all of the workers, it isn't safe either. [KFOR]   Gov. Kevin Stitt issues Pro-Life Executive Order: Thursday, Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an Executive Order that will direct state agencies to cease all public funding for any individual or organization affiliated with abortion providers. [News 9] | [Read the executive order]   Poultry companies argue they should not have to pay Oklahoma for water pollution: Oklahoma is still tussling with several Arkansas-based poultry companies about how to deal with pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. [KOSU] Poultry industry blasts AG's proposed fines in Illinois River pollution lawsuit [Tulsa World] Oklahoma Arts Council budget cuts are showing up at Capitol, unfilled positions: Despite her agency finally winding up with a budget for the new fiscal year that's essentially flat, Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples said visitors to the state Capitol will see blank walls in some places that would normally showcase eye-catching works by Sooner State artists. [The Oklahoman]   Oklahoma's annual back-to-school sales tax holiday kicks off Friday: Oklahoma's back-to-school sales tax holiday begins Friday and runs through the weekend. Clothing and shoes under $100 are exempt from taxes during the annual three-day event. The state reimburses cities and counties for lost revenue. [Oklahoma Voice] From OK Policy: Rather than increase sales, studies tend to find that sales tax holidays simply shift the timing of sales that would have happened anyway, deferring purchases that would have been made earlier. Federal Government News   U.S. Reps. Tom Cole and Frank Lucas spoke to several Oklahomans this week. Here's how it went: The state's two most veteran U.S. representatives are meeting with Oklahomans to discuss their work in Congress, including the freshly signed budget reconciliation bill that has been at the center of controversy since its introduction. [The Oklahoman]   New federal school voucher program poses a quandary for states: Opt in or opt out?: When President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, he gave state leaders — not federal regulators — the power to decide whether and how to participate in the first-ever national tax credit scholarship program. [Oklahoma Voice]   Trump's big proposed cuts to health and education spending rebuffed by US Senate panel: The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Thursday largely rejected Trump administration proposals to slash funding for education programs, medical research grants, health initiatives and Ukraine security assistance. [Oklahoma Voice]   Half-baked' USDA relocation irritates members of both parties on US Senate Ag panel: Members of both parties on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee chastised a U.S. Department of Agriculture official Wednesday for not consulting Congress before proposing to shift thousands of jobs out of the Washington, D.C., area. [Oklahoma Voice]   'Tax on the death': OK cemetery says granite tariff costs could hurt grieving families: The director of an Oklahoma City cemetery says she's been struggling to avoid passing off tariff costs to her customers, brought on by higher prices for granite. [KFOR]   Did President Barack Obama Oversee the Jeffrey Epstein Plea Agreement as Sen. Markwayne Mullin Claimed?: No. Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, supervised by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, offered a non-prosecution agreement in July 2007, which Epstein signed in September and led to his guilty plea and incarceration in June 2008. All of that occurred while George W. Bush was president. [Oklahoma Watch]   Tribal Nations News   Why a nickel refinery is operating in southwest Oklahoma despite tribal opposition (podcast): KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Indigenous Affairs reporter Sarah Liese about her recent three-part series on Westwin Elements, a nickel refinery in southern Oklahoma. [KOSU]   Cherokee Nation opens its first Head Start with day care at MidAmerica in Pryor: On Thursday morning, officials with the Cherokee Nation and MidAmerica Industrial Park celebrated the opening of the tribe's new Pryor Child Development Center and Head Start. [Tulsa World]   Education News   Ryan Walters-backed online school denied participation in Oklahoma's private school tax credit: A conservative online private school partnering with the Oklahoma State Department of Education cannot participate in the state's Parental Choice Tax Credit program, despite its initial messaging to potential parents. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Tax Commission denies American Virtual Academy's eligibility [KOCO] Oklahoma's Social Studies rewrite sparks backlash: Oklahoma has officially adopted new social studies standards that require public school students to be taught about "discrepancies" in the 2020 presidential election — language critics say mirrors debunked conspiracy theories. Despite the lack of evidence supporting claims of widespread voter fraud, the state's new standards embed references that educators and parents fear could mislead students and turn classrooms into ideological battlegrounds. [The Frontier]   Oklahoma districts work to fill teaching vacancies just weeks before students return: Part of the preparation for state school districts involves making sure they are not shorthanded with teachers and staff. KOCO 5 spoke with districts across the metro about their hiring process and where they stand. [KOCO] Oklahoma Back-to-School Guide: What you need to know before students return to class [KOCO] Which Oklahoma schools already qualified for free lunches? See our statewide map [KOCO] Ryan Walters calls Supreme Court ruling a 'D-Day Liberation' for public education: Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction is calling the Supreme Court's recent decision a "D-Day liberation for education." The ruling allows the Trump administration to move forward with releasing nearly 1,400 employees from the U.S. Department of Education, part of a larger plan to ultimately eliminate the department and shift education authority back to the states. [Gaylord News via The Journal Record]   15 Oklahoma school districts to get funds to fight opioid addiction: In the spring, 15  school districts will be the recipients of approximately $3.7 million to address the opioid epidemic in their communities. Next month, more money will also be allotted to counties, municipalities and public trusts. [KOSU]   Opinion: Oklahoma schools have been at the forefront of immigration fights before. This time feels different: Oklahoma schools find themselves in a challenging position, suddenly caught in the middle of the Trump administration's push to deport illegal immigrants. Schools have found themselves at the forefront of immigration debates before, but this feels different. [John Thompson / Oklahoma Voice]   Opinion: A scripture on hypocrisy is appropriate for Oklahoma schools chief Ryan Walters: Instead of décor, the sacred text is supposed to act as a shepherd's crook, pulling us away from danger and guiding us towards paths of righteousness. Indeed, Matthew 7:5 could have been (and still might be) helpful to State Superintendent Ryan Walters, whose relentless crusade to put the Bible in every public classroom could be interpreted as an indication of his active engagement with its contents, but that is not at all evident. [Rev. Lori Allen Walke / The Oklahoman]   Opinion: Faith groups can make a big difference for a neighborhood public school: If every faith organization asked a neighborhood public school what it needs in supplies or volunteers, imagine the difference that would make. Forging this kind of relationship builds strong communities. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]   Health News   Opinion: My father taught me chronic disease prevention is everyone's responsibility: When we invest in prevention education and resources and support families in making sustainable lifestyle choices, we lay the foundation for lasting change. [Dr. Ashley Weedn / The Oklahoman]   Criminal Justice News   Predator Hunters' Tactics Draw Fans, but Concern Police and Advocates: Oklahoma Predator Prevention is one of many predator-catching groups that proliferated across the internet since the rise of social video-sharing sites such as YouTube. In 2022, the Washington Post identified at least 160 such groups across the United States. Their tactics frustrate police efforts, and only about half their targets, some of whom are intellectually disabled, are ever charged with a crime. [Oklahoma Watch]   Family of man killed by Wilson Police officers awarded $10 million in compensation: The family of a man killed by police officers in Carter County has been awarded compensation. In 2019, Wilson Police Officers Joshua Taylor and Brandon Dingman responded to a disorderly conduct call on July 4 involving 28-year-old Jared Lakey. [News 9]   Oklahoma Attorney General requests delay for execution of Tremane Wood: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is asking a judge to push back the execution of Death Row inmate Tremane Wood. Wood was sentenced to death for the fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old during a robbery in 2001. [News 9]   Community News   Oklahoma nonprofit aims to combat financial insecurity, increase student literacy: Tens of thousands of students have received financial literacy and career readiness training through a new Oklahoma City program designed to simulate real-world experience. [Oklahoma Voice]   Local Headlines New OKC law requires permit, inspection to repair your roof: What homeowners need to know [The Oklahoman] Bar K ownership in question as rent and dog flu troubles may have contributed to closure [The Oklahoman] Former Sand Springs teacher accused of killing Arkansas couple [AP via Public Radio Tulsa] Lawton defense technology accelerator FISTA is taking off [The Journal Record] Crypto mining operator takes Muskogee annexation fight to court [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. Detroit Ave #1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 United States  918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org okpolicy.org    Connect with us:   If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe.