In The Know: US Senate again rejects bill ending shutdown | Will government shutdown affect November Supplemental Security Income payments? | Moving the needle on Oklahoma’s youth justice reform

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, OCTOBER 29, 2025 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Moving the needle on Oklahoma's youth justice reform   Media reports this weekend revealed troubling conditions in the state's Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center in Tecumseh (COJC) and the subsequent resignation of the Director of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs. In response to these events, the following are comments from OK Policy's Youth Policy Analyst Jill Mencke, who co-authored a 2024 report – Reimagining Youth Justice in Oklahoma – that recommended reforms that could create impactful and transformative change for youth. [OK Policy] $5,500   The average additional annual cost to families of adding a child to a household, according to federal poverty guidelines. Yet even as multigenerational households grow and more grandparents take on caregiving roles, programs like Social Security and TANF largely exclude them from support. [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation] Improving Social Security for children and young adults in need   The Social Security system, a major component of the U.S. safety net, could do more to support children and young adults in evolving family contexts. Introducing a caregiver benefit for low-income grandparents raising grandchildren and restoring student benefits for dependents of deceased or disabled workers would fill key gaps — especially where child welfare systems fall short. Funding these reforms by eliminating less targeted child benefits for retirees would recapture resources for more urgent needs. Through these adjustments, Social Security could become a more equitable, accessible support mechanism for today's diverse families. [Brookings Institution] "We don't debate tin roof colors during a thunderstorm. We grab a ladder and fix the barn. Washington should do the same."   - Former Oklahoma State Representative Mark McBride, discussing the ongoing federal government shutdown. He urged leaders in Washington to take responsibility and "fix the barn." [The Oklahoman] You're invited to our Community Insights + Action Meetings!   OK Policy hosted listening sessions across Oklahoma to hear directly from residents about the challenges and opportunities in their communities. Now, we're going back — this time to share what we heard and turn those conversations into action. At our Community Insights to Action meetings, attendees will review local and statewide data, discuss key takeaways from the listening sessions, and learn practical ways to advocate for change in their communities and across the state. All Oklahomans are invited to join the conversation and help shape a stronger future for Oklahoma.    Make your voice heard — find a session near you and join the conversation. State Government News   State Rep. Ajay Pittman suspected of embezzling campaign funds, forgery, court records show: A state agent investigating Rep. Ajay Pittman for alleged misuse of campaign funds reported she made "several suspicious" purchases last year that included two large-screen TVs and a laptop computer. [The Oklahoman]   Oklahoma lawmakers weigh options to reduce early voting waits: Lawmakers are studying ways to reduce the long waits early voters experienced during the last presidential election. Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, oversaw a Tuesday interim study on the issue. Interim studies often help lawmakers craft legislation for the upcoming session. [Oklahoma Voice]   Toxic wastewater from oil fields keeps pouring out of the ground. Oklahoma regulators failed to stop it: Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, is spewing from old wells. Experts warn of a pollution crisis spreading underground and threatening Oklahoma's drinking water. [The Frontier]   Federal Government News   US Senate again rejects bill ending shutdown, as air traffic controllers miss paychecks: The U.S. Senate Tuesday failed for the 13th time to advance a stopgap spending bill that would fund the government until Nov. 21 and end the nearly one-month government shutdown. [Oklahoma Voice]   Will government shutdown affect November SSI payments? See full schedule for 2025: Oklahomans who receive Supplemental Security Income checks won't get a check during November – instead, you'll receive one a few days early, in October. [The Oklahoman]   Upcoming federal food assistance pause intensifies shutdown fight: The stakes of the ongoing government shutdown rose Monday as the U.S. Department of Agriculture doubled down on its position that food benefits for November could not be paid and a union for federal workers implored lawmakers to pass a stopgap measure. [Oklahoma Voice] Democratic AGs, governors sue Trump over SNAP benefits as shutdown hits day 28 [Oklahoma Voice] Grocery stores, Oklahomans brace for SNAP benefit halt [KFOR] Oklahoma food pantries ask for donations, volunteers as SNAP faces freeze [KOCO] 'We need our neighbors': Tulsa Facebook groups step up amid SNAP insecurity [Tulsa Flyer] Gov. Kevin Stitt to address SNAP benefit concerns as federal government shutdown continues [KOCO] Thousands of preschoolers could lose access to Head Start due to shutdown: Funding for scores of Head Start programs hung in the balance as the government shutdown continued Monday without an end in sight. [Oklahoma Voice]   Federal judge indefinitely blocks Trump shutdown layoffs: A federal judge has indefinitely blocked President Trump's efforts to lay off thousands of federal employees amid the government shutdown. [The Hill via KFOR]   Confederate statue reinstalled in D.C., ordered by Trump: The bronze likeness of Confederate Brigadier General Albert Pike's statue is once again standing in Washington, D.C.'s Judiciary Square. It's been five years after it was toppled and set ablaze by protestors during a period of national reckoning over racial injustice and historical monuments. [The Black Wall Street Times]   Opinion, Former Oklahoma State Representative: Congress, we're getting rained on. Time for government repairs: Out here in Oklahoma, we fix barns before the roof caves in, but in Washington they'll debate the color of the tin while the rain's pouring through. That rain is falling hardest on people who didn't ask for any of this. [Mark McBride / The Oklahoman]   Tribal Nations News   As Freedmen file for contempt over delays, Muscogee citizenship board touts 'necessary steps': After telling the Muscogee Nation Supreme Court that implementing its ruling on Freedmen citizenship would require amendments from the Muscogee National Council and a public rulemaking hearing, the Citizenship Board of the Muscogee Nation on Monday requested that the court reject a second motion for contempt filed by Jeff Kennedy and Rhonda Grayson, or to at least hold an evidentiary hearing before deciding the motion. [NonDoc]   Cherokee Nation issues emergency declaration in advance of SNAP cutoff: With SNAP benefits set to lapse Saturday, the Cherokee Nation declared a state of emergency Tuesday due to food insecurity and announced plans to provide additional resources for impacted tribal citizens. [Tulsa World]   Education News   Oklahoma didn't pay PragerU for Walters-backed 'woke' test for teachers, Fields says: No contract exists between the Oklahoma State Department of Education and California-based PragerU, which worked with past state schools superintendent Ryan Walters to develop a test for teachers moving to Oklahoma from so-called "woke" states. [The Oklahoman]   Health News   Hospital price transparency law to take effect Nov. 1: Oklahoma's hospitals will be required to post prices for procedures and services online beginning Saturday as part of a new law that could also prohibit them from collecting some outstanding medical debt. [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt celebrates new hospital price transparency law [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] Oklahoma launches website to compare hospital prices [KOCO] Criminal Justice News   Oklahoma lawmaker champions DUI Expansion Law starting Nov. 1: Oklahoma lawmaker Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is championing a new law expanding the definition of aggravated DUI under Oklahoma law. According to Sen. Weaver, who chairs the Senate Public Safety Committee, the measure Senate Bill 54 was needed for impaired drivers whose actions undermine public safety. [KFOR]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Homeless camp removal effort expands to Oklahoma City: Gov. Kevin Stitt said he's expanding an effort to remove homeless camps located on state property to Oklahoma City. [Oklahoma Voice] Gov. Stitt authorizes Operation SAFE to clear homeless encampments in Oklahoma City [The Oklahoman] Operation SAFE expands into OKC. How does it differ from Tulsa? How many housed? What we know [The Oklahoman] Gov. Kevin Stitt says he's 'not solving homelessness' but will 'enforce the law' with Operation SAFE (video) [The Oklahoman] Operation SAFE expands to Oklahoma City; partnership generates different results [KOSU] Economy & Business News   Opinion: Workforce underinvestment has real consequences in Oklahoma and US: We can either continue to shortchange our workforce system, or we can make robust investments in the workforce programs that prepare Americans for the jobs employers are hiring for today and tomorrow. [Sharon Harrison / The Oklahoman]   Community News   American Indian Exposition celebrates its rich history, 90th year in Anadarko: The American Indian Exposition in Anadarko has long boasted it's the first and only all-Indigenous operated cultural event of its kind. The event has evolved over nine decades and continues its run this week. [KOSU]   Opinion: Meet (again) an Oklahoman whose words ring true today nearly 100 years after his death: Historian Bob Blackburn was asked recently to name the most consequential Oklahoman in state history — the person who made the greatest difference in our lives today. He named several, including a couple of former governors. But he also named someone you might not expect — he named a man of Cherokee descent, a comedian, movie star, newspaper columnist, trick roper and aviation enthusiast. [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines OKC reveals new intersection plans. How are roundabouts, diverging diamonds supposed to work? [The Oklahoman] Focus turns to east Edmond as new northwest fire station opens [The Journal Record] 40K reasons to care about Tulsa Public Schools' new five-year plan [Tulsa Flyer] Tulsa Public Schools superintendent lays out progress since taking office, but the district is still falling short of its goals [Tulsa Flyer] Tulsa Public Schools bond election slated for spring '26 [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. 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