In The Know: Democrats raise alarm over cutting Oklahoma taxes amid D.C. budgetary uncertainty | House panel rejects policy to check Oklahoma students’ immigration status | The governor’s agenda isn’t a plan — it’s a power grab

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, MAY 20, 2025 Subscribe // View latest headlines The governor's agenda isn't a plan — it's a power grab (Commentary)   Gov. Stitt isn't pushing to eliminate Oklahoma's income tax because it will benefit everyday families. He's using his political power to strong-arm lawmakers into building a legacy of cuts, regardless of the consequences. And those consequences are steep. [Shiloh Kantz / OK Policy] When the budget becomes a bargaining chip (Capitol Update)   This year's budget process relied on an unprecedented level of "horse trading" or "log rolling." The budget process necessarily has an element of give and take, but it has never been as reliant on non-budget policy decisions as it has in recent sessions. [Steve Lewis / OK Policy] Tell lawmakers to oppose attacks on our right to put state questions on the ballot (SB 1027) The initiative petition is a necessary check on the government's power. However, some lawmakers are trying to restrict this right through SB 1027, which will place unconstitutional and antidemocratic restrictions on the citizen's initiative process. Instead of attacking direct democracy, lawmakers should work with everyday citizens to make better policy that benefits all Oklahomans. Learn more and take action. Tell lawmakers to oppose tax cuts that benefit the wealthy and risk critical services Help us protect state revenue for essential services by contacting legislators today! Oklahoma lawmakers are pushing forward bills that would overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Oklahomans while harming the fiscal health of the state during economically uncertain times. Learn more and take action. 6%   If Oklahoma opted to raise tax revenues to offset the entire amount of expected federal Medicaid reduction under the current Energy & Commerce Committee reconciliation bill, the state would need to increase taxes by 6%. [KFF] Housing, Nutrition in Peril as Trump Pulls Back Medicaid Social Services   The pullback has led to chaos and confusion in states that have expanded their Medicaid programs, with both liberal and conservative leaders worried that the shift will upend multibillion-dollar investments already underway. Social problems such as homelessness and food insecurity can cause — or worsen — physical and behavioral health conditions, leading to sky-high health care spending. Medical care delivered in hospitals and clinics, for instance, accounts for only roughly 15% of a person's overall health, while a staggering 85% is influenced by social factors such as access to healthy food and shelter for sleep, said Anthony Iton, a policy expert on social determinants of health. [KFF] "Then there's the ¼ percent income tax cut. It made for a strong headline, but back home in Moore, South OKC and across Western Oklahoma, the question I hear most is simple: Why? No one has clearly explained what it means for everyday people. Maybe it's a good idea — but most folks are still scratching their heads."   - Former Rep. Mark McBride, writing in an op-ed about the recent budget agreement that included across-the-board tax cuts. [Mark McBride / The Oklahoman] Oklahoma News   Democrats raise alarm over cutting Oklahoma taxes amid D.C. budgetary uncertainty: Some are questioning the wisdom of Oklahoma Republicans' plans to cut taxes amid the ongoing push for budgetary reform in the nation's Capitol that aims to shift the cost for some high-dollar federal programs onto states. [Oklahoma Voice] From OK Policy: A bad time for a tax cut (Commentary) Opinion: The most concerning part of Oklahoma's new budget is what was left out: For the most part, I agree with this year's budget. In fact, my biggest concerns lie not with what was included — but with what was left out. Could we have done more? Absolutely. [Mark McBride / The Oklahoman]   State Government News   Budget bills: Senate recycles vote, advances $255 million aluminum plant incentive on second try: With the sun setting on the Oklahoma State Capitol, the Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget prepared to end Monday's five-hour meeting by reconsidering its biggest vote of the day: whether to create a new $255 million annuity incentive for Emirates Global Aluminum's $4 billion aluminum smelter plant proposed for the Port of Inola. [NonDoc] Some incentives for aluminum plant left from stalled projects [Tulsa World] Senate committee advances Gov. Stitt's pick to lead Oklahoma Department of Human Services: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt's pick to turn around a troubled state agency is one step away from being confirmed by the state Senate. Jeffrey Cartmell's nomination to serve as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services advanced through the Senate Health and Human Services committee on a 10-0 vote. His appointment will become official if approved by the full Senate. [The Oklahoman]   Oklahoma mental health agency must mitigate risks to patients as deficit grows to $30M: The state's mental health agency faces billing errors, fraud and information technology vulnerabilities in delivering services, an initial financial examination found. Over the next 18 months, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services must implement dozens of changes to protect its patients and billing integrity, the review said. [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma's mental health agency needs even more money to stay afloat, report says [The Oklahoman] Audit adds $2 million to Oklahoma mental health agency budget gap [KOSU] New Oklahoma law bars discrimination against foster parents based on religious beliefs: A new state law mandates that potential foster or adoptive parents won't be disqualified for their religious beliefs. Senate Bill 658 is set to take effect Nov. 1. The measure ensures that qualified foster families aren't excluded from consideration based solely on their deeply held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual identity or gender orientation. [KGOU]   New law leaves OKPOP with just $3 million left to raise in matching funds: A House bill that expanded the eligibility of donations and allowed multi-year pledges to count toward an Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture fundraising goal helped push the yet-to-open OKPOP closer to the finish line for completion. [Tulsa World]   Federal Government News   Conservatives on U.S. House Budget Committee switch votes, advance GOP package: U.S. House Republicans on the Budget Committee moved the "one big, beautiful" reconciliation bill a step closer to the chamber floor in a rare Sunday night vote after a handful of conservatives blocked the bill Friday. [Oklahoma Voice] Bill key to Trump's agenda moves forward to anticipated House vote [KSWO] Federal changes to food stamps could cost Oklahoma nearly $500M: DHS director: Oklahoma could be on the hook for paying almost $500 million if Congress moves forward with historic plans to shift food stamp costs to states. Jeffrey Cartmell, Gov. Kevin Stitt's appointee to head the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, discussed the potential impact during his confirmation hearing Monday before the state Senate's Health and Human Services Committee. [Oklahoma Voice]   U.S. Supreme Court lets Trump end protected status for 350,000 Venezuelan migrants: The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it will allow, for now, the Trump administration to terminate temporary protections for a group of 350,000 Venezuelans, striking down a lower court's order that blocked the process. [Oklahoma Voice]   Trump move to deport Venezuelans violated due process, U.S. Supreme Court rules: The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday kept in place a block on the Trump administration's efforts to deport 176 Venezuelans in Northern Texas under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. A majority of the justices found that President Donald Trump's administration violated the due process rights of Venezuelans when the administration tried to deport them from North Texas last month by invoking the 18th-century wartime law. [Oklahoma Voice] From OK Policy: Silence in the face of injustice puts each of us at risk (Commentary) Refugees settled in Oklahoma after fleeing Afghanistan. Now, they could face ICE, deportations: The federal government's termination of the Temporary Protected Status for Afghans will be effective on July 14, 2025, according to the federal register's website. Kristi Noem, U.S. secretary of Homeland Security, said the determination that conditions in Afghanistan have improved was made after reviewing the country's conditions and consulting with appropriate U.S. government agencies. [The Oklahoman]   Tribal Nations News   Northeast Oklahoma Indigenous Safety and Education now involved in the case of Ashton Wright (audio): Northeast Oklahoma Indigenous Safety & Education (N.O.I.S.E.) is now involved in the case of Ashton Wright, a 27-year-old citizen of the Mvskoke Nation who was found in Muskogee with fatal injuries on March 21. According to his family, Ashton was pushed from a moving vehicle and later pronounced dead at the hospital. His death is being investigated as a homicide. [Fox 23]   Tribal IDs accepted during Real ID requirement: The Transportation Security Administration confirmed to ICT that "tribal photo identification issued by a federally-recognized Tribal Nation / Indian Tribe is accepted by TSA for identity verification purposes in the security checkpoint at airports nationwide." [ICT News] From OK Policy: Tribal-State Policy 101: What is Tribal sovereignty? Education News   US Supreme Court may broaden religious rights in looming rulings: During arguments in the cases, a majority of the justices appeared sympathetic toward a bid to create the nation's first taxpayer-funded religious charter school in Oklahoma, a push for religious exemptions from a Wisconsin unemployment insurance tax and a request by religious parents of students in a Maryland county for an opt-out from classroom storybooks with LGBT characters. [Reuters]   House panel rejects policy to check Oklahoma students' immigration status: A House committee on Wednesday voted to reject a proposal to require public schools to ask for proof of U.S. citizenship while enrolling students. House Administrative Rules Committee unanimously advanced Senate Joint Resolution 22, a bundle of approvals and rejections of proposed rules from the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Among the policies the resolution rejects is the proposal for citizenship checks in schools. [Oklahoma Voice] Attempt to revive Ryan Walters' immigration-check rule in Oklahoma schools fails [The Oklahoman] Walters Attacks Ibram X. Kendi Over Oklahoma Standards Criticism: Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters lashed out at acclaimed author and historian Ibram X. Kendi, calling him "the godfather of CRT" in a social media post on Sunday. Walters' attack came in response to comments Kendi made on Threads, where the scholar criticized Oklahoma's recently revised social studies standards. [The Black Wall Street Times]   Ryan Walters: Bibles will be in Oklahoma classrooms this fall, despite no money to buy them: State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters is insisting Oklahoma classrooms will all have Bibles by fall, even though the Republican-controlled Legislature has no plans to give him the $3 million he requested to buy the books. [The Oklahoman]   In about-face, Senate leader agrees to carry nomination of state Board of Education member: In a political about-face, Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton now will carry the executive nomination of state Board of Education member Michael Tinney. [The Oklahoman]   Oklahoma Public School Enrollment: What the Latest Data Tells Us: Oklahoma public schools have weathered significant challenges to keeping student numbers up. The coronavirus pandemic. Private school vouchers. Shifting demographics. Districts such as Tuskahoma are working to counteract those headwinds. [Oklahoma Watch]   Health News   Oklahoma Health Care Authority appoints new state Medicaid director: Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) Chief of Staff Christina Foss has been appointed as the new state Medicaid director. Foss will serve in this role in addition to her current position as chief of staff. She will oversee state and federal policy alongside her work in communications and government affairs. [KGOU]   Criminal Justice News   A man who couldn't talk died after staff at an Oklahoma facility choked him, a lawsuit claims: Before he died, staff at a state facility choked a nonverbal man with towels and bed sheets until he lost consciousness, a lawsuit claims. The lawsuit claims abuse from staff ultimately caused Brooks' death, which happened roughly six months after reports of widespread systemic abuse of residents at the Greer Center became public. Staff were accused of beating, choking and bribing residents to attack each other. [The Frontier]   Oklahoma House committee greenlights purchase of Lawton private prison, pledges no job cuts: Legislative budget committees on Monday voted to move forward with spending $312 million to purchase a private prison in Lawton that the state uses to house about 2,300 inmates. [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma lawmakers take steps to purchase state's final private prison [The Oklahoman] Haskell man sentenced for his part in national catalytic converter theft ring: A Haskell man was ordered to serve five years' probation and forfeit $500,000 in cash to the government as part of a plea agreement involving a law enforcement investigation of a nationwide catalytic converter theft ring. [Tulsa World]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Oklahoma is growing, with population increases concentrated in urban centers: Data released by the US Census Bureau show Oklahoma and Oklahoma City both increased in population during 2024, however the number of housing units did not grow proportionally. [KOSU]   Economy & Business News   Oklahoma lawmakers advance workforce development bill: Lawmakers on Monday passed a bill supported by the State Chamber to solve Oklahoma's workforce issues, notably a shortage of skilled labor. Senate Bill 662, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, increases Oklahoma Workforce Commission duties, requiring the implementation of programs designed to expand workforce development by supporting high-demand career pathways and encouraging innovative solutions to better ensure workforce readiness in K-12 education. [The Journal Record]   PSO bills hinge on outcome of Jenks plant acquisition case: Corporation Commissioners heard closing arguments Monday in a case that will determine whether Public Service Company of Oklahoma customers will have to pay extra on their bills to cover PSO's purchase of a power plant in Jenks. [Tulsa World]   Community News   The Tulsa Race Massacre destroyed Black lives and wealth. What's owed to survivors' descendants?: In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 and the Black Lives Matter protests that followed, conversations in some government and corporate spaces turned to the stark and persistent racial wealth gap in America. [KGOU]   History maker Dr. Mautra Jones to join Oklahoma Hall of Fame: Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, president of Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), is set to become one of the newest inductees into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame — the state's highest recognition. This fall, Jones will join a legacy of influential Oklahomans, but her name comes with historic weight: she is the first woman and first person of color to lead OCCC, and the first and only Black woman to head any non-HBCU institution of higher education in Oklahoma. [The Black Wall Street Times]   Local Headlines Tulsa area could be getting another massive data center [Tulsa World] Broken Arrow, Edmond are ranked among best to live nationally [The Journal Record] Collinsville is fastest growing Tulsa County municipality [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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