In The Know: Anti-immigration raids harm all communities | Costs for Gov's tax cut proposal quietly grew | State needs investments, not tax cuts

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, FEBRUARY 19, 2025 Subscribe // View latest headlines Anti-immigration raids harm all communities (Commentary)   As the new administration issued a flurry of executive orders during its first weeks in power, many of the actions have specifically targeted immigrants and negatively impacted many community members in our country. These sweeping acts have created chaos and fear within all communities of color, regardless of immigration status. That's because a growing number of law enforcement officials have stopped and detained individuals without credible information about immigration status. They are stopping individuals solely because of their appearance. [Vivian Morris & Gabriela Ramirez-Perez / OK Policy] Governor's costs for his proposed income tax cut have quietly increased. Here's why lawmakers should prioritize targeted tax credits to help working families   You may have noticed that the figures the governor shared on Friday were higher than his initial pitch. This isn't intended to be a gotcha moment, but we want to emphasize that when our elected officials talk about policy issues, facts and figures matter. Decisions need to be made using the best data available. [Dave Hamby / OK Policy] $75 billion   New financial reports indicate five of America's biggest corporations—Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Tesla—could win $75 billion in tax breaks if Congress and the President satisfy demands from corporate lobbyists to reinstate a provision repealed under the 2017 Trump tax law. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy] Taxes Explained: A Fair and Just Tax Code Is Critical for Improving Economic Power for the People   People across the country already struggle to exercise economic and political control over their own lives, and there may be imminent changes in economic and tax policy that could make things worse. This year will be a consequential year for tax policy: Billionaires like Elon Musk and corporate lobbyists are working hand in hand with conservative lawmakers to push through tax changes in 2025 that will deepen inequality – giving massive benefits to wealthy people and corporations while making it even harder for people to shape their economic and political futures. The stakes are particularly high for Black and brown families, who face overlapping inequalities that make it hard for them to meet their needs, achieve economic security, and plan for the future. [Demos] "When we hand out gobs of money to private entities but refuse any efforts at transparency or accountability, we get abuse of public funds."   -Rep. John Waldron of Tulsa, writing in an op-ed about the lack of guardrails and transparency for Oklahoma's private school tax credit/voucher program. The state is currently trying to claw back $5 million from 1,800 people who received the credit without having students enrolled in private schools. [Tulsa World]  State Government News   Ryan Walters Is Trying to Out-MAGA His Peers and It's Making Things Awkward in Oklahoma: Ryan Walters, Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction, has taken pains to boost his national profile and get in President Donald Trump's good graces. It's made Oklahoma politics awkward in the process. [Oklahoma Watch]   Opinion: Slow down, Gov. Stitt. We need other things more than a tax cut: Leave taxes where they are. We're good. The growth that is so desired will be slow to come to a state with failing education (49th) and healthcare (49th). Return more money to the residents by investing in the needed. [Mary and Tom Lokey / The Oklahoman]   Federal Government News   Federal worker in Oklahoma details being fired for poor performance without evidence: Reports are trickling in from across the country about federal workers with good performance reviews being fired, and Oklahomans are no exception. [Public Radio Tulsa]   Tens of millions of dead people aren't getting Social Security checks, despite Trump and Musk claims: The Trump administration is falsely claiming that tens of millions of dead people over 100 years old are receiving Social Security payments. [Associated Press]   Opinion: Data from Trump's 2018 tariffs imply rising prices for consumers, businesses: Aircraft parts and jet engines are the state's largest exports, accounting for more than 17% of Oklahoma's exports ― over $1.1 billion in economic activity per year. All new tariffs will be potentially harmful to our wallets and our economy, but the steel and aluminum tariffs are especially troubling. [Travis Roach / The Oklahoman]   Tribal Nations News   Over 200 Native programs and grants feel chill of federal funding freeze: The over 200 programs and grants hit nearly every MCN department from grants for the Justice Department and Tribal Court, Child and Adult Food Services, Housing Block Grants, and Higher Education. [MVSKOKE Media]   Aubrey Dameron's legacy remembered at Matriarch memorial service: The story of Aubrey Dameron lives on as people from across Oklahoma are taking the time to remember her. [KOSU]   Cherokee Nation opens applications for 'heirloom seed' program:  The Cherokee Nation's Seed Bank is offering tribal citizens an opportunity to grow a piece of their culture through a variety of heirloom seeds. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   'Our fight is far from over': Former Speaker Charles McCall announces bid for governor: Via press release early Tuesday morning, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall announced his bid for governor, becoming the second major candidate to declare for the 2026 GOP gubernatorial ballot. [NonDoc] Former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall announces bid for governor [The Oklahoman] Former House Speaker to run for Oklahoma governor [Oklahoma Voice] Former House Speaker Charles McCall says he's running for governor [Tulsa World] Education News   OSU president's resignation letter provides few answers, indicates she expects to remain on faculty: A letter of resignation for a former Oklahoma State University president shed no new light on the reasons behind her sudden departure earlier this month. [Oklahoma Voice] Kayse Shrum's resignation letter says she wants to return to OSU medical school after sabbatical [The Oklahoman] Dr. Kayse Shrum resignation leaves open possibility of return to OSU faculty in Tulsa [Tulsa World] Oklahoma lawmaker worried about 'pink-haired atheists' teaching the Bible in schools: Since taking office, an Oklahoma lawmaker has fought to see the U.S.'s Christian and constitutional heritage taught in schools – in particular, during history class. However, issued a warning about the good book falling into the wrong hands inside the classroom. [The Independent]   Opinion: Oklahoma Legislature needs long-range plan to bridge education gaps: When Oklahoma had the notorious distinction of having some of the worst bridges in the nation, the Legislature created a special long-range plan for funding. Why hasn't the Legislature created a similar long-range plan for improving its funding for education? Don't all students deserve to have a qualified teacher? [Jim McGoodwin / The Oklahoman]   Opinion: Rep. John Waldron: Another Epic failure by giving unchecked millions to private schools: Two years in and we're starting to see the impact of the decision to offer parental tax credits — better known as vouchers — to families enrolled in private schools. It's worth remembering that State Auditor Cindy Byrd was auditing Epic Charter School when the law for this voucher was passed. [Rep. John Waldron / Tulsa World]   Health News   Abortions to resume in Missouri, opening additional out-of-state option for Oklahomans: Planned Parenthood says it will begin offering abortions in Missouri after a state judge blocked licensing requirements for abortion clinics, opening up another out-of-state option for Oklahomans. [KGOU]   Texas measles cases are up, and New Mexico now has an outbreak. Here's what you need to know: The measles outbreak in rural West Texas has grown to 58 cases as of Tuesday, and eight people in neighboring eastern New Mexico also have been diagnosed with measles. [Associated Press]   Kennedy says panel will examine childhood vaccine schedule after promising not to change it: To earn the vote he needed to become the nation's top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a special promise to a U.S. senator: He would not change the nation's current vaccination schedule. But on Tuesday, speaking for the first time to thousands of U.S. Health and Human Services agency employees, he vowed to investigate the childhood vaccine schedule that prevents measles, polio and other dangerous diseases. [Associated Press]   USDA working to rescind terminations for fired officials working on bird flu efforts: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said it was working to take back the termination notices sent over the weekend to several employees who aid in the federal response efforts to the bird flu (HPAI). [KFOR]   Criminal Justice News   Beyond Apology Commission Pushes $24M Reparations Housing Plan: A century after the destruction of Greenwood, Tulsa's Beyond Apology Commission is calling for more than just recognition of past wrongs. They are demanding action. The commission has proposed a $24 million housing reparations program to the Office of the Mayor and Tulsa City Council. This marks a crucial step toward repairing the deep generational wounds left by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. [The Black Wall Street Times] City commission urges $24.9 million for housing reparations in Tulsa [Public Radio Tulsa] Economy & Business News   How is Oklahoma's film industry doing? Here's what film, TV leaders across the country say: The introduction four years ago of a new and larger state film incentive program "supercharged" the Sooner State's movie and television industry in the short run — "and it's highly visible in a variety of economic indicators." [The Oklahoman] From OK Policy: The state's Incentive Evaluation Commission previously found that the film industry returned only 52 cents in Oklahoma tax dollars for every dollar spent. Greenwood Business Center Free 3rd Annual Women's Summit Set for March 4 Virtual Venue: The 3rd Annual Women's Summit, hosted by the Greenwood Business Center, will explore the impact that Artificial Intelligence, known as AI, can play in empowering women business owners. [The Oklahoma Eagle]   Community News   Rentiesville is a haven for the blues. Festival organizers hope for national recognition: Local bands join dozens of musicians from across the country every Labor Day weekend for the annual Blues Festival in Rentiesville. Not even COVID-19 stopped them in 2020. [The Oklahoman]   Opinion: Dewayne Dickens on Tulsa's Future: A legacy of progress and possibility: Tulsa's Black future is not just something to dream about — it is something to build, nurture and fight for. Through my work, mentorship and community engagement, I am investing in a future where Black Tulsans thrive, where opportunity is the norm, not the exception, and where our shared history fuels collective progress. [Dewayne Dickens / Tulsa World]   Opinion: Black professionals can succeed despite Trump. Here's how: My journey — rooted in resilience and shaped by the realities of segregation — mirrors the struggles of many Black professionals who continue to push forward despite persistent inequities. [Leslye Kornegay / USA Today via The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines For OKC metro light rail plan, Edmond and Norman would need to be aboard [NonDoc] City vs. county again? OKC cites OK County for building code violation at courthouse annex [The Oklahoman] Two marijuana-related indictments from latest state grand jury made public [The Oklahoman] Largest GO bond yet: OKC to issue $160M for infrastructure projects [The Journal Record] Wagoner County voters approve sales tax increase to pay off $13.5 million legal settlement. Tax starts July 1. [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. 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