In The Know: Legal challenges filed against bill limiting initiative petition process | 'No Kings' events during DC parade this weekend | Oklahomans should be watching immigration raid protests with concern

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, JUNE 13, 2025 Subscribe // View latest headlines Oklahomans should be watching LA immigration raid protests with concern (Commentary)   The federal government's use of tear gas and National Guard troops against protestors in Los Angeles should sound an alarm for residents in every state — including places like Oklahoma that are far from a border. These tactics may start in Los Angeles, but history tells us they won't stay there. [Gabriela Ramirez-Perez / OK Policy] 245,000   The number of immigrant residents in Oklahoma, many of whom contribute to the state's workforce, economy, and communities. About 6% are under 18, and many live in mixed-status households. [Migration Policy Institute] The President's Power to Call Out the National Guard Is Not a Blank Check   The president's power to deploy the National Guard without a governor's consent is limited — and historically rare. Legal scholars warn that while the Insurrection Act grants this authority, it is not a blank check. Deploying troops against protestors, especially without state approval, raises serious concerns about federal overreach, civil liberties, and the erosion of checks and balances in times of unrest. [The Brennan Center] "Senate Bill 1027 is an outright attack on the people's right to govern themselves. I've been organizing to hold the government accountable for years, and I've never seen such a blatant power grab to silence Oklahomans' voices. This law is designed to make direct democracy in Oklahoma impossible."   - Amy Cerato, a well-known opponent of the ACCESS Oklahoma turnpike project, speaking about a recently passed state law that severely limits who can sign initiative petitions to change state laws. SB 1027 is now the subject of legal challenges in lawsuits filed this week. [The Oklahoman] From OK Policy: SB 1027 would exclude millions of registered voters from signing initiative petitions 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. Oklahoma News   Open primary proponents challenge Oklahoma law capping initiative petition signatures: Open primary supporters in Oklahoma have filed two lawsuits in the Oklahoma Supreme Court challenging a new state law that limits the number of initiative petition signatures that can be collected from a single county. [The Oklahoman] Lawsuit challenges new Oklahoma initiative petition law [Tulsa World] Controversial Oklahoma law affecting ballot initiatives draws legal challenges [Oklahoma Voice] Broad Coalition of Voters File Lawsuit to Keep Power in the Hands of the Oklahoma People [This Land] From OK Policy: SB 1027 would exclude millions of registered voters from signing initiative petitions Stitt tells Newsmax he's pre-empting protest violence, local organizers say their purpose is peace: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is pre-empting a possible outbreak of civil unrest ahead of organized demonstrations planned across Oklahoma on Saturday. But while Stitt is committed to stopping potential lawbreakers, rally organizers say they are planning for peace. There will be 13 "No Kings" protests in Oklahoma, including three in Tulsa. [KOSU] 'No Kings' protests scheduled in Oklahoma, US: Gov. Stitt says troopers 'stand ready' [The Oklahoman] Tulsa protesters gather, promote 'No Kings' events during DC parade this weekend [Tulsa World] Gov. Stitt warns against violence as 'No Kings Day' protests approach Oklahoma cities [Fox 25] City of Lawton, U.S. Army Fort Sill cancel Army birthday parade due to security threats [KFOR] Legal expert shares tips ahead of protests in Oklahoma this weekend [Fox 25] Protesters demand an end to ICE raids before NBA Finals game in Indianapolis [USA Today] Drummond 'leads' effort among attorneys general to defend Trump's use of National Guard [Public Radio Tulsa] AG Gentner Drummond backs Trump's National Guard deployment in California protests [News 9] Opinion: Many Americans see violence, feel unsafe [Jillian E. Snider / Tulsa World] State Government News   Financial troubles hit Oklahoma state park restaurants again, over $250K unpaid to state: It was supposed to be a fresh start for restaurants operating in Oklahoma state parks following a financial scandal and criminal indictments connected to former operator, Swadley's Foggy Bottom Kitchens. New operators took over the shuttered restaurants two years ago, but FOX 25 learned that taxpayers are once again footing the bill. [Fox 25]   Governor Stitt quietly signs several education bills: There are now a handful of bills still on the governor's desk this week, after he quietly signed several that brought funding to Oklahoma education. [KFOR]   New law mandates more school time for Oklahoma students: Legislation that will lengthen the school year for students in Oklahoma and allow veteran teachers to earn higher salaries earned Gov. Kevin Stitt's signature on Wednesday. [Tulsa World]   Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: New mental health agency leader, immigration law on hold, Drummond on Afghan refugees and more (audio): The panel talk about Gov. Kevin Stitt picking a new leader for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, the state's sweeping immigration law remains on hold after a federal judge's ruling, and Attorney General Gentner Drummond calls for the removal of refugees from Afghanistan. [KOSU]   Federal Government News   Feds tackle, detain U.S. California Senator Padilla during immigration press conference: Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, was physically removed by security during a press conference on immigration held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday. [The Black Wall Street Times]   U.S. Senate GOP tries to ease the pain for states in sharing costs of SNAP benefits: U.S. Senate Republicans will propose more moderate changes to the major federal food assistance program than their House counterparts, Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman said Wednesday, detailing a provision in a giant tax and spending cut bill that would penalize states less harshly than the House GOP version. [Oklahoma Voice] Up to 82,000 Oklahomans are at risk of losing some amount of SNAP food assistance under the Senate's proposal to expand work requirements [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] Tribal Nations News   New report captures how Oklahoma economy 'just wouldn't be the same' without Tribal Nations: Tribal nations have an estimated $23.4 billion impact on the Oklahoma economy, according to a new report. The report linked the economic activity of Oklahoma tribes to nearly 140,000 jobs and $7.8 billion in wages and benefits in 2023. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma's Tribal Nations tout economic impact [KOSU] Tribal impact in Oklahoma soars to $23.4 billion: [The Journal Record] Report: The Economic Impact of Tribal Nations in Oklahoma Voting and Election News   A Tulsa political operative used his grandmother's name to set up political action committees: The grandmother was named as a defendant in a lawsuit filed by a candidate who was criticized in campaign mailers from one of the groups during the Democratic primary for Tulsa County Commissioner in 2024. Her name surfaced in campaign filings for a shadowy network of political groups. [The Frontier]   Ethics Commission votes to prosecute Rep. Ajay Pittman for campaign finance violations: The Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted unanimously Thursday to authorize executive director Lee Anne Bruce Boone to pursue prosecution of Rep. Ajay Pittman for failing to pay the penalties she agreed to in a 2024 settlement of campaign finance violations. [NonDoc]   Education News   Uncertainty abounds at Epic Charter School after cuts, resignations: Families and educators at Epic Charter School now face a summer of uncertainty as the charter school system downsizes its staff, facilities and course offerings. [Oklahoma Voice]   University of Oklahoma tuition will likely cost students more this fall: The University of Oklahoma plans to raise tuition and fees by at least 3% on academic programs in 2025. [The Oklahoman] OU raises tuition but says net cost may go down for some [Tulsa World] OU Board of Regents approve tuition hike, athletics revenue-sharing program [News 9] OU regents approve $1.265 million in new contracts for Sooners' football front office [Tulsa World] Criminal Justice News   Oklahoma executes John Fitzgerald Hanson for 1999 murder of elderly Tulsa woman: A convicted murderer has been executed in Oklahoma as a direct result of President Donald Trump's return to office. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma carries out the execution of John Fitzgerald Hanson [The Frontier] Oklahoma killer put to death for 1999 murder [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma executes George Hanson after Trump officials expedite transfer [KOSU] Oklahoma executes a man who was transferred from federal custody by Trump officials [Public Radio Tulsa] Tulsa Mayor's office joins internal review into jaywalking arrest: Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols has directed the city's Public Safety Commissioner to join an internal review into a Tulsa Police Department vehicle rolling over a detained Black man on the ground following a violent arrest over jaywalking. [The Black Wall Street Times]   Animal rights group accuses cockfighting advocates of illegal activity: An organization dedicated to fighting against animal cruelty released videos Wednesday that it says show two Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission officials participating in an illegal cockfighting ring. [Tulsa World]    Economy & Business News   Oklahoma space port announced as launch site for suborbital flights: Oklahoma will soon join states like Florida and Texas as a launch site for suborbital spaceflight. [Tulsa World]   Community News   Tulsa has a reparations plan 104 years after race massacre (audio): More than 100 years after white residents of Tulsa destroyed a thriving Black neighborhood, the city has a plan for reparations. Here & Now's Scott Tong speaks with Brenda Nails Alford, a descendant of survivors of the 1921 massacre. [NPR via KOSU]   Tulsa welcomes new citizens in fifth child naturalization ceremony: Twenty-nine children from 18 countries became U.S. citizens Thursday during the city of Tulsa's fifth annual citizenship ceremony. [Tulsa World]   Bernie Sanders stopping in Tulsa for 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour: Sen. Bernie Sanders is stopping in Tulsa on his national "Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here" tour, "focused on the takeover of the national government by billionaires and large corporations, and the country's move toward authoritarianism." [Tulsa World]   Opinion: OKC Pride Month must bring about safety and belonging for LGBTQ+ Jews and others: As an Orthodox rabbi, the spiritual leader of a congregation of Holocaust survivors and a longtime advocate for transgender and intersex inclusion, I've spent decades working at the intersection of faith, health care and LGBTQ+ advocacy. My family's history — deeply marked by loss in the Holocaust — reminds me constantly how vital it is to stand against hatred in all forms. [Rabbi Dr. Levi Ethan Alter / The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines City of Tulsa budget cuts could put FreedomFest's future in doubt, River Parks official says [Tulsa World] How is Oklahoma City wanting to spend $2.7B in potential bond projects? [The Oklahoman] Former Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater will serve as a part-time associate municipal judge in Edmond [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. 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.