In The Know: Oklahoma Highway Patrol, ICE target truckers in I-40 sweep | State Superintendent to officially resign today. What happens to his Bible mandate, others? | Tracing the rise and resignation of Ryan Walters

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, SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Tracing the rise and resignation of Ryan Walters (Capitol Update)   The most remarkable — if not the most important — happening in state government last week was the announcement by State Superintendent Ryan Walters that he is resigning with sixteen months left in his term of office. His departure may remove one near-constant source of conflict in the state involving the Legislature, the Governor, and Oklahoma's public school system. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] WATCH: Modernizing the Oklahoma Child Tax Law (Senate Interim Study: 9:00-11:00 a.m.)   Oklahoma families claimed more than $42 million through the state's Child Tax/Child Care Tax Credit in 2022, but the law hasn't kept pace with changes at the federal level. Today's Senate interim study will examine how the state credit works, who benefits, and what reforms could make it more effective for today's families. [Watch the live proceedings from the Oklahoma Senate] From OK Policy: What's That? Child Care/Child Tax Credit $110   The amount an Oklahoma parent qualifying for the state child tax credit would receive starting in 2026 — just 5% of the $2,200 federal credit. Expanding the credit's size and reach would give families more meaningful support and strengthen efforts to reduce child poverty. [National Conference of State Legislatures] State Child Tax Credits Boosted Financial Security for Families and Children in 2025   State child tax credits (CTCs) are proving to be powerful tools for boosting financial security among low- and middle-income families, and fifteen states have now enacted or expanded these credits. Key design features — such as making credits refundable, extending benefits to immigrant families, increasing benefits for younger children, eliminating phase-in requirements, and indexing amounts to inflation — significantly increase their effectiveness. Though recent federal reforms increased the CTC, some limits (like on refundability and access for immigrant households) still leave many children without full benefit. For states considering policy change, crafting credits with equity, broad eligibility, and sustainable funding can help reduce child poverty and make the tax code fairer. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy] "It just benefits us all when we can work together and collaborate. Hopefully who's selected next (as superintendent) will be able to restore a lot of that collaboration, because we do have a lot of good, smart people who are well-intentioned running other agencies and organizations."   - Megan Oftedal, the executive director of the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, saying her agency welcomes open discussions about changing Oklahoma's state testing process, which will now go forward as Ryan Walters exits. Walters abruptly announced eliminating end-of-year standardized testing at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, putting hundreds of millions of dollars in both federal and state education funds at risk and violating state and federal law. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma News   Stitt touts over 100 arrests of unauthorized migrants along I-40 in highway patrol, ICE operation: Gov. Kevin Stitt is boasting about a recent immigration raid along western Oklahoma's I-40. The joint operation between the state highway patrol and federal immigration authorities has resulted in over 100 arrests of unauthorized migrants. [KOSU] Oklahoma law enforcement effort targeting truckers nets over 100 arrests [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma Highway Patrol, ICE apprehend 125 undocumented immigrants in sweep along I-40 [The Oklahoman] From OK Policy: Anti-immigration raids harm all communities (Commentary) State Government News   Oklahoma's polarizing education chief to formally resign Tuesday: State Superintendent Ryan Walters will submit his letter of resignation from elected office on Tuesday, his senior adviser confirmed, bringing to an end a short but highly scrutinized tenure that divided even his fellow Republicans. [Oklahoma Voice] OSDE budget request in limbo amid plans from Supt. Walters to resign [Fox 25] Lawmaker files ethics complaint against Ryan Walters after he announces departure [The Oklahoman] Replacement for State Supt. Ryan Walters still unknown days before he leaves office [KOCO] What happens to Ryan Walters' Bible mandate, others when he leaves? What senator says: The chair of the Oklahoma Senate's education committee says mandates for Oklahoma made by outgoing state school Superintendent Ryan Walters – such as those about teaching from the Bible, starting Turning Point USA chapters, paying for school lunches for all students and immediately ending high-stakes standardized testing – effectively will disappear once Walters leaves office. [The Oklahoman]   Fired Board of Education Secretary shares allegations against former employer: Amy London, who joined the agency in January of 2024, said she initially worked directly with State Superintendent Ryan Walters as his office administrator. But it all changed in early 2025, shortly after she assumed the new role as board secretary. That's when London alleges a newly hired chief of staff began to harass her and obstruct the business of the State Board of Education. [News on 6] Former Board of Education secretary seeks $100,000 and accountability for 'wrongful termination' [KFOR] Committees for Oklahoma's 2026 legislative session announced: Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert appointed his chamber's committee chairs for the next legislative session with few leadership changes. The Senate's committees stay the same. [KOSU]   Oklahoma senators consider foreign agent disclosure rules amid China influence concerns: State lawmakers could consider legislation or ethics rules that would require people in Oklahoma advocating on behalf of a foreign entity, country, organization or individual to disclose their relationship with that entity. [The Oklahoman]   Oklahoma governor wants Americans to reach across party lines. Will he in his home state?: As thousands gathered at a memorial service to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt appeared on Fox News and delivered a message about coming together. Yet during his appearances, the governor has offered few details about how he plans to work across political divisions in Oklahoma. [The Oklahoman]   Federal Government News   Stitt urges U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to stop Planned Parenthood from participating in federal drug pricing program: Gov. Kevin Stitt sent a letter alongside 10 Republican governors urging the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to revoke Planned Parenthood's eligibility under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]   Hundreds of thousands of federal employees face furloughs under Trump shutdown plans: The Trump administration began posting plans over the weekend that detail how hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed during a government shutdown, while others will keep working without being paid. [Oklahoma Voice] A federal government shutdown is nearing. Here's a guide for what to expect. [Oklahoma Voice] Trump asks US Supreme Court to take birthright citizenship case: The Trump administration has again petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court regarding birthright citizenship, this time on the merits of the administration's effort to rewrite the constitutional right afforded to children born on U.S. soil. [Oklahoma Voice]   Supreme Court allows Trump to cancel $4B in foreign aid already approved by Congress: The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday reaffirmed its ruling from earlier this month that the Trump administration can withhold $4 billion in foreign aid, though the order notes the decision "should not be read as a final determination on the merits" of the case. [Oklahoma Voice]   Trump administration says it will expand coal leasing, fund plant upgrades: The Trump administration will expand coal mine leasing on federal lands and provide hundreds of millions of dollars to support more coal-fired power generation, officials said on Monday. [Reuters via The Journal Record]   Trump suggests moving World Cup matches from cities he deems unsafe. Could OKC host?: Oklahoma City is already slated to host canoe slalom and softball events during the 2028 Olympics, but with President Donald Trump suggesting the idea of moving the World Cup matches out of cities he deems unsafe, could Oklahoma City be on the shortlist? [The Oklahoman]   Tribal Nations News   Tribe Claims Lawmaker Is Blocking It From Getting Its Land: A Native American nation in Oklahoma is incensed that a lawmaker is requesting millions of dollars to fund renovations at the Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center, or OCPARC. [Oklahoma Watch]   How one tribal nation in Oklahoma is combating uncertainty in federal support for food: Tribal nations in Oklahoma have historically been leaders in getting food to hungry people — both native and non-native. But uncertainty created by federal funding changes is causing concern for leaders of the Osage Nation and other tribes. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Revamped Campaign Finance Filing System to Launch This Week: A long-awaited update to Oklahoma's campaign finance filing software is set to go live this week. The Guardian 2.0 system will launch by Wednesday, according to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. Among the improvements are a mobile-friendly user interface and capability to host local campaign finance reports, which currently are only accessible in-person in some jurisdictions. [Oklahoma Watch]   Education News   Board asks for millions more to increase access to Oklahoma career, technical education: Oklahoma CareerTech plans to ask state lawmakers for an additional $68 million in its budget to expand workforce training, technology centers and career exploration programs. [Oklahoma Voice]   Oklahoma high school teacher speaks out about Trump-branded Bibles in classrooms (video): Oklahoma high school social studies teacher Aaron Baker discusses his concerns over the inclusion of Trump-branded Bibles in public schools. [ABC News]   Health News   After dangerous crashes, why doesn't Oklahoma require seat belts on buses?: Oklahoma lawmakers have tried at least three times since 2003 to require seat belts on school buses. But none of the attempts were ever considered in the state Legislature even as bus crashes drew statewide and sometimes national attention. [The Oklahoman]   Criminal Justice News   Tulsa police disciplined six officers suspected of driving drunk, some weren't criminally charged: Most officers suspected of driving under the influence received suspensions ranging from three to 16 days, records the Tulsa police union tried to keep secret show. Just three of the six officers faced criminal charges in either the state or the municipal court. [The Frontier]   21 OKC police reform recommendations have been implemented. How can residents stay aware?: The work of the task force and the 21CP Solutions consulting firm resulted in 39 police reform recommendations ― including prioritized de-escalation, crisis response, and community accountability. [The Oklahoman]   Oklahoma AG and FTC halt $45M deceptive fundraising scheme targeting breast cancer donors: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced that his office, along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 21 other state agencies, has halted a deceptive fundraising operation accused of misleading donors who believed they were supporting breast cancer screenings. [Fox 25]   Man who used pandemic relief funds to clear name in Oklahoma murder files lawsuit: An Arkansas man who used his pandemic relief funds to clear his name in an Oklahoma murder has filed a federal lawsuit against those he claims are responsible for his illegal imprisonment. [Tulsa World]   Can you shoot down a drone hovering over your property in Oklahoma? What the law says.: Can you shoot down drones over your property? The simple answer is no, you cannot shoot down a drone that's over your or anyone else's property. Here's why. [The Oklahoman]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   '5 exhausting years': HOA dispute over short-term rental could hit OK Supreme Court: A 2019 spat over short-term rentals in a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood escalated from email arguments, to a homeowner's bankruptcy and a twice-appealed lawsuit climbing toward potential review by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. [NonDoc]   Economy & Business News   Project Clydesdale data center takes steps toward construction in Tulsa County: Project Clydesdale, a data center complex planned for construction on 400 acres of unincorporated Tulsa County land north of Cherokee Industrial Park, took three major steps toward the start of construction Monday. [Tulsa World] Tulsa County Commissioners unanimously pass Project Clydesdale [Public Radio Tulsa] Heat exchanger company to open Tulsa facility with 400 jobs: Kelvion, which makes industrial heat exchangers, will open a new 452,000-square-foot facility at 7715 N. Whirlpool Drive. It was built to meet the rapid growth of the data center industry. [Tulsa World]   TotalEnergies acquires 49% of Oklahoma's Anadarko Basin gas assets: TotalEnergies has signed an agreement with Continental Resources to acquire a 49% interest in natural gas-producing assets owned and operated by Continental Resources in the Anadarko Basin in Oklahoma. [The Journal Record]   Community News   'The social climate is very different;' Fulton Street owner talks how state law and a local downturn led to closure: Fulton Street Books & Coffee, one of the few remaining independent bookstores in Tulsa, announced in mid-September that it would be shutting down after five years of operation in Tulsa's Greenwood District. With the closing of Fulton Street, no Black-owned brick-and-mortar bookstores will remain in Tulsa. [Public Radio Tulsa]   Voting open in Oklahoma's first ever snowplow naming contest: When winter weather hits, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has nearly 600 snow plows it can deploy to clear the roads. But until now, all of those plows have been anonymous public servants. That's about to change. [KOSU]   Local Headlines Edmond campaign begins to renew two temporary sales taxes [The Journal Record] Excess tax revenue going back to Ardmore community partners [KTEN] Ninnekah residents react to notice of 75% property tax increase [News 9] 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.