In The Know: School choice programs grow in popularity — and cost | How a 2014 Oklahoma law protects problem property owners | Culture war, ethics bills stall in House committee

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, FEBRUARY 24, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Culture war and ethics bills stall in House committee (Capitol Update)   The meeting last week of the House Civil Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, was somewhat unusual — three of the 29 bills on the agenda were voted down. It's surprising these days to see much controversy in legislative committee meetings. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] 1 in 4   Of the nearly 40,000 Oklahoma private school tax credits that have been awarded this calendar year, 24.5% of them – nearly 1 in 4 – have gone to families who reported income above $250,000. [Oklahoma Tax Commission] The Myth of Cost Savings from Private School Vouchers   When states establish or expand private school voucher programs, they set up two education systems based on public funding. Voucher programs are expensive, impractical, and educationally unsound, and they don't save money for anyone but the wealthy, who have likely already chosen private schools. [Education Law Center] "Every state that's passed a voucher system has had to slow down its per-pupil funding for public schools. Whether they take it directly out of school aid or fund it from another pot, it's all the same budget. States can't afford to run two systems."   - Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University, speaking about the financial strains caused by public funds being used to support private school vouchers and tax credits. [Oklahoma Voice] 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. THIS WEEK: Ardmore   Thursday, February 26 6:00-7:30 p.m. Ardmore Public Library (Smith Room) REGISTER NOW 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   Bill to raise cap on school choice tax credit earns support: The state would commit more money in tax benefits for families with children in private schools under a bill supported by a Senate committee on Monday. [Tulsa World]   School choice programs grow in popularity — and cost: States are scrambling to meet rising demand for newly expanded school choice initiatives, pouring more money into the programs as waiting lists — and budget concerns — grow. [Oklahoma Voice]   'It splits my soul.' Immigrants, archbishop discuss immigration crackdown: Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has asked the Trump administration to allow clergy inside immigration detention centers to offer pastoral care for detainees. [The Oklahoman]   State Government News   In 8 orders starting final session, Stitt seeks tenure reform, medical freedom, digital portals: Before Gov. Kevin Stitt kicked off his 77-county farewell tour, he signed several executive orders directing agencies overseeing industries to conduct reviews and make changes. So far in 2026, Stitt has issued eight new executive orders, six in the days leading up to the 2026 legislative session and two more in the first week after the Legislature convened. (He also amended his December order regarding abortion.) [NonDoc]   Legislation to reform eviction process makes progress at Capitol: Three bills that could potentially change the eviction process that thousands of Oklahomans face each year have advanced through initial committee votes at the state Capitol. [Tulsa World]   Oklahoma lawmakers weigh rights to repair of agricultural machinery: Oklahoma legislators are considering a right-to-repair bill for agricultural machinery. House Bill 3617 requires manufacturers to make parts or tools needed for diagnosing, maintenance and repairing machinery available to independent repairers and equipment owners. [KOSU]   Senate Republicans fight over milk money: No milk was spilled but the discussion did get a little raw Monday morning in the Senate Agriculture and Wildlife Committee in the debate over Senate Bill 2071, a fairly simple measure intended to ensure continued inspection of the state's milk production. [Tulsa World]   'Would have no effect': State senator drops Medicaid work requirement bill: A state senator on Monday stopped pursuing her bill to statutorily implement one of the new federal Medicaid regulations canonized by President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. [The Journal Record] From OK Policy: "Work requirements" won't work for Oklahoma State report shows large raises for agency executives while rank-and-file employees see none: A new state report showing major salary increases for top agency executives is drawing outrage from state employees and lawmakers who say tens of thousands of rank-and-file workers have not received raises since before the pandemic. [KFOR]   Federal Government News   USDA lost 24,000 workers under Trump, hurting critical resources for farmers: The Trump administration's federal workforce cuts shrunk U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies that inspect produce, provide conservation resources and collect data on crops and livestock. It's creating longer wait times for farmers seeking federal services and programs, people working in agriculture say. [Harvest Public Media via KOSU]   Supreme Court takes up climate case testing local lawsuits against oil companies: The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will hear a significant climate lawsuit in which oil companies are seeking to avoid being tried in state court. [Oklahoma Voice]   Amid polling low, Trump centers pre-State of the Union message on immigration: President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Monday to honor families whose loved ones were killed by noncitizens, but spent most of the event complaining about his approval ratings and amplifying the falsehood that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. [Oklahoma Voice]   Voting and Election News   House lawmaker files to run for Oklahoma attorney general: Rep. Chris Kannady's filing makes him the third Republican who has indicated he intends to seek the party nomination to become the state's next attorney general. [Oklahoma Voice]   Education News   Tulsa Public School board authorizes attorneys to pursue repayment over lawsuit: Tulsa Public Schools' board of education will be seeking recompense in connection with a recently concluded lawsuit brought by a current and former board member. [Tulsa World]   Opinion: Phonics is just the beginning of effort to improve reading: As Oklahoma students' reading scores have plummeted in recent years, lawmakers have begun focusing on how to improve students' literacy outcomes. This spring, lawmakers have filed a slate of early literacy bills aimed at helping students master the fundamentals. The "science of reading," which emphasizes early phonics skills, has taken center stage, and Oklahoma policymakers hope to replicate the impressive gains in some other states, most notably Mississippi. [Adam Tyner / The Oklahoman]   Health News   Louisiana mifepristone lawsuit could hinder telehealth abortion nationwide: A hearing is set for Tuesday in a federal lawsuit led by Louisiana seeking to further restrict access to mifepristone by asking the courts to stop abortion pills from being mailed across the country. [Oklahoma Voice]   Opinion: Oklahoma should embrace medical promise of mRNA therapeutics: Political attacks on mRNA and recent federal pullbacks in research funding risk pushing life-saving science out of reach for the patients who need it most. [Steven Crawford / The Oklahoman]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Bad Landlords, No Registry: How a 2014 Oklahoma Law Protects Problem Property Owners: Rental registries are on the rise. As more people struggle to afford housing and tenant populations grow, cities across the United States are turning to registries to monitor their rental markets. Tenant advocates said that if municipalities were allowed to keep a rental registry, the research burden would be lifted from renters and cities could hold bad landlords accountable. [Oklahoma Watch]   Economy & Business News   This city in Washington state became a data center boomtown. Many call it a 'miracle' — but not everyone agrees: The debate over what to do about data centers in Washington portends what could be ahead for land-rich states like Oklahoma. Bills pending in Washington's state capitol would increase regulation of the state's 100 data centers, require disclosure of natural resource use, ensure that other ratepayers are not charged for center-driven infrastructure and make them the first to go dark in an energy shortage. And as much as Quincy might welcome more centers, it's running short of electricity to power up millions of computer chips and water to cool them down. [Tulsa Flyer]   Community News   Despite 'clear' constitutional issue, Edmond 'freeholder' requirement lingers in charter: Although the Attorney General's Office advised one year ago that language in Edmond's city charter requiring candidates for office to be property holders is unconstitutional, leaders of Oklahoma's fifth-largest municipality have yet to move toward making a revision. [NonDoc]   Local Headlines Latest tug-of-war over OKC scrapyard proposal draws outcry [The Oklahoman] Support Our Work with a Donation 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. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. 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