In The Know: The kids are alright for now… | When the people speak, governments should listen | Property tax ‘limits’ are long-term cuts in disguise

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. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Policy Matters: Property tax ‘limits’ are long-term cuts in disguise   Some lawmakers frame property tax limits as reining in government, not cutting funding. But this ignores a simple reality: if funding for services grows slower than the cost of living, our public schools and communities will fall behind. That gap soon translates to very real cuts for schools, public safety, and essential services. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record] The kids are alright for now…   At the midpoint of Oklahoma’s current legislative session, policy proposals are still evolving. Some promise to protect children and strengthen services, while others could undermine hard-earned progress. As lawmakers continue their deliberations at the Capitol, policy efforts should focus on improving Oklahoma’s low child well-being rankings through improved service coordination and sustained investment in programs that help children and families thrive. [Jill Mencke / OK Policy] Apply Now for the 2026 Oklahoma Summer Policy Institute   OK Policy’s Oklahoma Summer Policy Institute (SPI) brings together highly-qualified college students, recent graduates, and new policy professionals for a three-day learning experience that informs participants about Oklahoma’s policy landscape and provides tools and resources to create change in our state. Apply by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, May 10, 2026. Learn More & Apply Know someone who would be a good fit for SPI? Please send them the link above. 500,000   The approximate annual natural population increase in the U.S. if immigration is excluded. With birth rates falling and deaths rising, that growth is rapidly approaching zero — meaning major cuts to legal immigration could push the U.S. into population decline as soon as this year, creating new challenges for economic growth and competitiveness. [Migration Policy Institute] Trump Restrictions on Legal Immigration Could Sharply Reduce U.S. Population Growth   Restrictions on legal immigration could significantly slow U.S. population growth, especially as birth rates continue to decline and the country relies more heavily on immigration to sustain long-term population increases. Recent policy changes affecting visas, refugee admissions, and family-based immigration may reduce the number of people entering the country through legal pathways and contribute to slower labor force growth. Experts warn that prolonged reductions in immigration could create workforce shortages, weaken economic growth, and accelerate demographic challenges tied to an aging population. Immigration policy increasingly plays a central role in shaping not just border enforcement, but the nation’s long-term economic and population trends. [Migration Policy Institute] "This crisis is about more than one city or state — it’s about who we are as a nation. The question before us is simple and urgent: Whose dignity matters? ... Our faith gives a clear answer: everyone’s."   — A coalition of Christian faith leaders arguing that current immigration enforcement debates reflect a broader moral question about whether the nation is willing to uphold the dignity and humanity of all people, regardless of immigration status. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma News   Oklahoma lawmakers send voter ID state question to August ballot: A proposal to enshrine Oklahoma’s voter identification law into the Oklahoma Constitution will appear on the Aug. 25 primary runoff election ballot. [Oklahoma Voice]   Careful balance: Oklahoma's religious leaders want both reform and to welcome immigrants: Numerous Christian denominations and other faith groups in Oklahoma are making their views on immigration known, whether they are urging Congress to reform the nation's current immigration system to become what they consider more compassionate and just, supporting the country's right to control its borders, or reminding elected leaders and community members across America that faith has much to do with how one treats the "stranger" in one's midst. [The Oklahoman]   Editorial: When the people speak, governments should listen: Oklahomans like to think of themselves as champions, and for years we have been — at least in sports competition. In other arenas, like poverty and education, which go hand-in-hand, we have been cellar-dwellers for many years. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]   State Government News   Legislative Roundup Senate advances bill to make school cellphone ban permanent [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma lawmakers race to save suicide hotline as federal funding is set to expire [KFOR] Oklahoma lawmakers advance 211 resource hotline funding, prohibit abortion-related services [KOSU] Oklahoma legislature to cut Heartland Flyer from budget: Last week, House Appropriations Chair Trey Caldwell (R-Faxon) said the proposed budget will cut Oklahoma’s portion of the funding for the Heartland Flyer, citing concerns Texas is not paying their fair share for the service between the two states. [KGOU]   Long Story Short: Money, Mismanagement, and Mutuals (podcast): An investigation into the state’s hiring of a private firm to manage pension fund deals, and a breakdown of a high-stakes lawsuit against Vesta Realty CEO Marc Kulick. Plus, a report on a pivotal hearing for CompSource Mutual, the state’s former “insurer of last resort.” [Oklahoma Watch]   Federal Government News   Tax Day 2026: Democrats and Republicans battle over impact of new Trump tax cuts: The 2026 tax filing season closed Wednesday with the Trump administration and Republicans on Capitol Hill hailing success under last year’s massive tax cuts law, while Democrats said any benefits have been wiped out by skyrocketing gas prices, inflation and more. [Oklahoma Voice]   Immigration enforcement to be funded for 3 years under US Senate GOP plan: U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday he plans to use the complex reconciliation process to fund immigration enforcement for the next three years, though it wasn’t immediately clear if House Republicans were on the exact same page. [Oklahoma Voice] How Republicans in Congress could fully fund ICE for years to come — and maybe do more [Oklahoma Voice] Tribal Nations News   Oklahoma tribes face digital crossroads in tribal gaming: Oklahoma’s tribal gaming industry sits at an inflection point, and the tribes that move first will likely define what the next decade of the business looks like. [The Journal Record] From OK Policy: Protecting Tribal gaming is a winning bet for Oklahoma’s economy Tribal leaders and doctors urge lawmakers not to change Medicaid expansion: After passing through the Senate on Tuesday, several tribal leaders and doctors are urging lawmakers at the Oklahoma State Capitol to fully fund Medicaid expansion. [KFOR] Inter-Tribal Council passes a resolution in support of protecting Medicaid expansion [Cherokee Phoenix] Voting and Election News   Prediction markets take a surprising turn from polls for OK governor's race: While polls have shown Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond with a clear lead in the GOP gubernatorial primary race, prediction markets tell a different story. [The Oklahoman]   Summary Judgement: Jon Echols, Jeff Starling to debate in AG GOP primary: Republican attorney general candidates Jon Echols and Jeff Starling are set to face off in a public debate hosted by NonDoc and News 9 at 5:45 p.m. Monday, May 18. The debate will be held at Will Rogers Theatre, 4322 N. Western Ave. in Oklahoma City. [NonDoc]   Health News   Oklahoma County reverses course, keeps OSU Extension funding: Oklahoma County almost axed funding for the Oklahoma State University Extension Service, threatening services from guidance for small-town 4-H Clubs to advice for growers of urban gardens meant to alleviate northeast Oklahoma City's food desert, or lack of grocery stores. [The Oklahoman]   Criminal Justice News   Opinion: Detention risk assessment tools won't address real issues: Oklahoma lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 1618, which would require “validated risk assessment” tools to help decide who stays in jail after an arrest. On paper, it may sound like a modern solution. But there’s a problem: Computers can’t actually predict the future. [The Oklahoman]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Oklahoma’s Landlord-Tenant Act Has Seldom Changed In Its Nearly 50 Year History: Oklahoma’s Landlord-Tenant Act has seldom changed since its inception, and often favors landlords. Tenant protections have historically been limited under the act, and housing experts argue that, with rising costs and increasing numbers of renters, now is the time to re-evaluate those protections. [Oklahoma Watch] From OK Policy: Lawmakers can make modest gains in housing this session Coalition calls for $30M per year to support child care programs: On the heels of Tulsa Public Schools passing a $609 million bond package, a new coalition says Tulsa families need another $30 million annually to support child care and after-school programs. [The Oklahoma Eagle]   Economy & Business News   Many states, including Oklahoma, don’t report losses from data center tax breaks, study says: Though public scrutiny of data centers is growing, 14 states do not disclose how much revenue they lose to data center tax breaks. The lack of disclosure comes as other states record mounting losses in tax revenue to data center subsidies. [Oklahoma Voice]   Local Headlines Tulsa councilors approve resolution calling for Aug. 25 city elections [Tulsa World] Tulsa City Council authorizes sale by library commission of Rudisill Library [Tulsa World] Tulsa Public Schools board approves settlement, seats new member [Tulsa World] OKC Memorial to host 31st annual remembrance ceremony, free admission day [The Oklahoman] Developers plan construction phasing for Norman’s Rock Creek Entertainment District [The Journal Record] 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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