In The Know: Gov.'s ‘welfare reform’ order misses real problems facing Oklahomans | Native Americans are getting swept up by ICE; Republicans say ‘There will be mistakes’ | Signatures delivered for open primaries state question

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, JANUARY 27, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Governor's executive order on 'welfare reform' misses the real problems facing Oklahomans   While no doubt well-intended, the governor's executive order for "welfare to work" doesn't address the real challenges that everyday Oklahomans face and misses the fact that many factors prevent Oklahomans from working. Low wages mean that a job isn't enough to support a family. Furthermore, low pay, unstable hours, a lack of child care, lack of transportation, limited health care access, and other barriers make it hard — or impossible — to keep a job. Forcing people into low-wage, unstable jobs doesn't solve these problems or lead to real economic security. It merely leads to churn. [Carly Putnam / OK Policy] 1 in 5   About 1 in 5 Oklahoma children (18.9 percent) were living at or below the federal poverty level in 2024. For a family of three, this means the child lived in a household that earned $25,249 or less that year. [US Census Bureau via OK Policy] The Shortcomings of a Work-Biased Welfare System (2021)   In a uniquely American way, the debate over welfare is a debate not just about fighting poverty, but also about worthiness, fairness and work ethics. Though the system has a purported goal of alleviating poverty, the goal is often framed within the context of encouraging work and disincentivizing dependence on the system itself. However, the very existence of a welfare system implicitly recognizes that some may need extra help from the government, as they may not be able to gain access to such opportunities otherwise, regardless of effort. [Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond] "These programs are necessary, and to treat them like they're failures because people are still on them is an oversimplification."   —Chris Bernard, the president and CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma, said social safety net programs are essential and their success should be measured by their ability to help everyone who needs it. Gov. Stitt on Monday issued an executive order that calls for more state oversight for safety net programs. [The Oklahoman] Learn how advocacy actually works — and how YOU fit into it   Most people care about what's happening at the Capitol. Far fewer know how to actually influence it. We'll break down how advocacy really works — who to contact, when it matters most, and how everyday people have changed decisions simply by showing up consistently. You'll learn practical skills like making effective calls, writing letters, meeting with lawmakers, and telling your story in a way that lands. View all upcoming Advocacy Training dates, locations, and registration details. Find an Advocacy Training in Your Community Join advocates and community activists from all across the state on March 3 for our 2026 Day of Action, hosted by OK Policy and Together Oklahoma.   Our Day of Action provides you with an opportunity to engage with legislators and get the information, tools, and resources you need to advocate for the changes that you would like to see in your community. Register Now Oklahoma News   Native Americans Are Getting Swept Up by ICE; Republicans Say 'There Will be Mistakes': As Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity surges nationwide under President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign, some Native Americans have been detained alongside immigrants. And while Republicans acknowledge that it's wrong, they won't provide an answer as to how Congress or the Trump administration could prevent it from happening. [Oklahoma Watch] From OK Policy: Anti-immigration raids harm all communities (Commentary) OKC Council to address planned ICE detention facility: The Oklahoma City Council is planning to address concerns about a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility on the city's south side. The city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27, comes as tensions continue to rise over the facility and following the second shooting death of a U.S. citizen by immigration enforcement officials in Minnesota. [The Oklahoman]   Open primary supporters deliver signatures to Oklahoma Secretary of State: Open primary supporters on Monday said they turned in more than the number of needed signatures to get the issue on the ballot. Proponents of State Question 836 said they submitted over 200,000 signatures to the Oklahoma Secretary of State for verification. The proposed constitutional amendment required 172,993 signatures. [Oklahoma Voice] Open primary advocates brace for challenges after submission of signatures [Public Radio Tulsa] Supporters submit more than 200K signatures in push to reform Oklahoma primaries [KFOR] State Government News   Advocates question Gov. Stitt's plan for oversight of welfare programs: Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed an executive order that he says will increase oversight of Oklahoma's welfare programs, but advocates say they fear the directive will lead to difficulties for people seeking help. [The Oklahoman] Stitt orders changes to social services programs, to make them 'trampolines, not hammocks' [Tulsa World] Governor Stitt signs order to improve Oklahoma's welfare programs [KFOR] Gov. Kevin Stitt orders review of Oklahoma welfare programs [News 9] What is Oklahoma's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives? [News 9] Oklahoma schools chief requests $4 billion for education but hints at need for more: Oklahoma's chief of public schools asked state lawmakers for a mostly flat education budget but indicated the state could benefit from a far larger investment.  In a budget hearing at the state Capitol on Monday, state Superintendent Lindel Fields requested $4 billion for public education, $23 million more than the state's current spend to account for the rising cost of educators' health insurance. [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma Department of Education asks for one thing in budget hearing: flex benefit increase [KGOU] State Department of Education asks for less than 1% appropriations bump [Tulsa World] Oklahoma legislative priorities for K-12: literacy, teacher retention. Higher ed: international students: The legislature is gearing up for its 2026 session, and lawmakers have rolled out their priorities for education policy. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]   Oklahoma legislators seek deal on sports betting while weighing pros, cons: In one lawmaker's eyes, Oklahoma loses money to nearby states that allow sports gambling both in retail settings like casinos and through phone apps like FanDuel. While Oklahomans can legally buy all of the lottery tickets they can afford and can play slot machines at 30-plus tribal casinos until their arms fall off, they can't bet on sports. [NonDoc]   Regents, TSET curious about Caldwell's state question to alter Oklahoma's Promise scholarship program: State Rep. Trey Caldwell is seeking to alter the mission of Oklahoma's Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust and, at the same time, expand the Oklahoma's Promise scholarship program to cover every student in the state - if he can get the voters to approve the plan. [Southwest Ledger] Capitol Update: What Oklahoma got right with tobacco lawsuit settlement money Oklahoma lawmaker introduces bill to push technological competitiveness in state: An Oklahoma lawmaker wants to make Oklahoma technologically competitive at the national level. If passed, their bill would create the Oklahoma Gas, Artificial Intelligence, and Space Research Hub or "GAS HUB." [KSWO]   Listen Frontier: 'The risk is moving too slow': How Oklahoma's government wants AI to reshape the state's economy (podcast): Hart Brown, the president of artificial intelligence and transformation at Saxum, helped author Governor Stitt's Artificial Intelligence strategy for the state. he joins the Frontier to talk about the future of AI in Oklahoma. [The Frontier]   Analysis: State Budget Stress Intensifies in 2026 as Federal Aid Fades: The budget decisions that states make in 2026 are likely to be defined by an increasingly perilous long-term fiscal outlook. For some states, the coming year might represent their last opportunity to prepare before budget stress begins in earnest. For others, budget shortfalls have already begun, and lawmakers will need to contend with short-term problems and get ready for long-term ones. [Pew Charitable Trusts via Governing]   Federal Government News   Congress hurtles toward partial shutdown after Alex Pretti killing in Minneapolis: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday urged Senate Democrats to advance the government funding package that must become law before the weekend to avoid a partial shutdown, rejecting their proposal to remove the Homeland Security funding bill. [Oklahoma Voice] Homan heads to Minneapolis as White House, under siege, softens tone [Oklahoma Voice] Republicans scramble to avoid shutdown amid public ICE backlash [The Hill] Minneapolis shootings put Trump's immigration surge at center of election-year fight [Reuters] Oklahoma governor calls for 'reset' in immigration enforcement following third ICE shooting: A group of governors, led by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, is calling on the federal government to reassess their immigration enforcement policies. Stitt, chair of the National Governors Association, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, vice chair of the organization, issued a joint statement Sunday calling for federal and state governments to work together and reset strategy following the death of a second Minnesotan by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. [Oklahoma Voice] Stitt, other Oklahoma Republicans weigh in on second Minneapolis shooting [Tulsa World] Stitt questions Trump Administration's approach to Minnesota unrest, urges states' control [KFOR] Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt calls for 'reset' of federal immigration strategy [KOSU] Stitt criticizes Trump admin as nation reacts to Minnesota shooting [Public Radio Tulsa] Oklahomans weigh in on gun rights amid Minneapolis shooting death at ICE protest [KFOR] US Senate Dems probe effect of Trump administration child care cutbacks on rural families: Several U.S. Senate Democrats launched an investigation into how the Trump administration's child care funding cuts and policy changes are affecting rural families, in a Sunday letter provided exclusively to States Newsroom. [Oklahoma Voice]   Criminal Justice News   Despite court orders to improve, report shows growing waitlist for mental health treatment in jail: The number of people waiting for the state to provide court-mandated mental health treatment has grown by 58% in the last two months, consultants said in a new report. The report found there were 218 people stranded in county jails waiting for mental health treatment, as of Jan. 13. In November 2025, there were 138 people on the waitlist. [KOSU]   Troubled Oklahoma County jail faces extreme cuts if it gets no money: Fewer meals, slashed services, staff reductions, and other drastic cuts will leave the long-troubled Oklahoma County jail staggering to meet its constitutional duty to provide the basic human needs of detainees if the county doesn't give it more money, the top jailer said. [The Oklahoman]   Woman takes fight for resentencing under Oklahoma Survivors' Act back to court: A Tulsa woman serving a life sentence for murder is seeking a new hearing under the Oklahoma Survivors' Act, citing as improper text messages between the judge, who heard the case, and the district attorney, who opposed the original request, according to a court filing. [Tulsa World]   ReMerge graduates face future with support at new graduate center: A new graduate center, which opened in January, is a 3,100-sqare-foot addition to ReMerge headquarters. The center includes a dedicated space for community partners, a child reunification and observation area, and a Confidence Closet offering clothing options for graduates. ReMerge leaders said pre-trial diversion programs and ongoing recovery support for graduates will be offered there, as well. [The Oklahoman]   Economy & Business News   'By the grace of God': Tulsa day cares caught between raising rates and keeping doors open: Four generations of childhood photos and memories line the entrance of Delynn's Playhouse, a child care center in north Tulsa. It's where "love never ends" and learning begins for the neighborhood's families. Now, its operators say subsidy cuts are threatening those decades of service. [Tulsa Flyer]   Between a rock and a hard drive: Osage County neighbors battle Sand Springs over proposed data center: The City of Sand Springs annexed county land for the proposed 827-acre hyperscale data center last June — but area residents did not find out until November. The project has since caused a fury among the city's nearly 20,000 residents for a long list of reasons, ranging from land usage to the fear of increased utility rates. [Tulsa Flyer] Oklahoma senator proposes moratorium on new data centers amid infrastructure concerns [The Journal Record] 'It's gonna put Tulsa on the map': City celebrates groundbreaking for new space center: Tulsa is aiming to rocket itself into becoming the next centralized hub for space technology with the construction of a new testing center slated to open in 2027. The center is a collaboration between the city and Agile Space Industries. Over 70 people gathered Friday at the 20-acre site to celebrate what has been described as the next great opportunity for the city. [Oklahoma Eagle]   Community News   Workshops set to help Oklahomans who want to be witnesses, allies for immigrants: Several local organizations are hosting workshops and training events for Oklahomans interested in showing their solidarity with their immigrant neighbors. Several of these events are planned in the coming days. [The Oklahoman]   Greenwood Remembrance and Reconciliation Day petition may be circulated: Supporters of a proposal to establish June 1 for annual Greenwood Remembrance and Reconciliation Day observances in Oklahoma have been cleared to begin collecting signatures on an initiative petition. [Tulsa World]   The Check Is Still Due: Dr. King's Legacy and the Global Fight for Reparations: How U.S. rollbacks, a UN withdrawal, and a rising international movement are reshaping the fight for reparative justice. [The Black Wall Street Times]   Local Headlines Oklahoma City begins recovery after major winter storm hinders roads, damages water lines [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma cities urge water conservation as extreme cold spurs water woes [KOSU] Tulsa Indian Affairs Commission seeks to change rules on who is eligible to serve [Tulsa Flyer] Support Our Work with a Donation In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. 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