In The Know: Voters to decide state's minimum wage | Inside the PACs spending millions on the governor's race | Oklahoma doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a priority problem.

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, MAY 26, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Oklahoma doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a priority problem (Commentary)   For years, the dominant narrative at the Capitol has been that we simply can’t afford to fully fund the things that make communities work — public schools, infrastructure, basic health coverage. We’re told the budget is tight. That tradeoffs are unavoidable. That there just isn’t enough to go around. But that framing falls apart the moment you look at what the state consistently finds money for because Oklahoma subsidizes things all the time. [Kati Malicoate / OK Policy] Policy Matters: Why mental health depends on public investments, not just individual resilience   May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to something deeply important: encouraging people to speak up, seek help, and support one another. But if we stop there, we miss a large part of the story. Mental health doesn’t always begin in a therapist’s office. It can begin in the conditions people live in. And those conditions are shaped by policy. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record] NEW! OK Policy is now hiring for FOUR positions! Administrative & Office Coordinator Donor Stewardship & Events Coordinator Research & Data Analyst (two open positions) Deadline to apply for all positions is Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Learn More & Apply We encourage folks to please forward this email to someone you know who may be in the market for a new job opportunity. 16   Number of states, including Nevada, South Dakota, and Montana, with state minimum wages that are indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI measures how the prices of everyday goods and services change over time. [Economic Policy Institute] More than 350,000 Oklahoma workers will get a raise if voters approve a $15 minimum wage this summer   This June, Oklahoma voters will have the opportunity to pass a historic minimum wage ballot initiative that would boost workers’ wages at a time when many are struggling with growing affordability challenges. State Question (SQ) 832 proposes gradually increasing the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15.00 an hour by 2029. Our analysis finds that this policy would raise wages for 357,700 Oklahoma workers—or roughly one-fifth (20.3%) of the state’s wage-earning workforce—by more than $783 million overall. This total includes both workers who would directly and indirectly see wage increases from the policy. On average, affected workers would gain $2,322 in annual pay if they worked full time and year-round. [Economic Policy Institute] “The State Chamber actually uses the (Consumer Price Index) to calculate wages to give tax cuts to corporations right here in Oklahoma. To me, the opposition is using a lot of fearmongering.”    — Amber England, campaign manager for Raise the Wage, speaking about concerns regarding State Question 832, which would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and tie future increases to the cost-of-living index. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma News   Oklahoma to vote on minimum wage increase in June: Oklahomans will go to the polls on June 16 to decide if the state’s minimum wage should increase for the first time since 2009. The measure has intensified a decades-old debate between businesses and advocacy groups warning of economic disruption and workforce advocates who say wages have stagnated while costs have continued to soar. [The Oklahoman] YES OR NO: Understanding the measure aimed at raising Oklahoma's minimum wage [KJRH] From OK Policy: SQ 832: Minimum Wage Increase — Information and Resources Those potholes in your street reveal a money problem for cities and states: Across the country, potholes are more than a seasonal nuisance. They are a visible symptom of aging roads and bridges that many state and local governments say they cannot afford to fully maintain. [Oklahoma Voice] State Government News   Testimony: Swadley directed employees to inflate ‘grandiose’ state invoices: Former Swadley’s BBQ executive vice president Curtis Breuklander told jurors Wednesday that Brent Swadley directed him to submit “grandiose” invoices to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department for reimbursement on a state contract. [NonDoc] Witness in Swadley's trial says invoices for used meat smokers were faked [The Oklahoman] 2 defendants in Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen case plead guilty [Oklahoma Voice] Testimony continues in conspiracy, fraud trial for Brent Swadley [Tulsa World] Gov. Kevin Stitt calls for audit into AG Drummond amid days-long feud: Gov. Kevin Stitt has reignited his long-simmering feud with Attorney General Gentner Drummond through a days-long series of letters and news releases that escalated to a formal request for a state audit into Drummond's handling of taxpayer money. [The Oklahoman] Political notebook: Stitt-Drummond feud escalates as GOP primary approaches [Tulsa World] Opinion: Audits of the Fates: Drummond, Stitt request dueling paperwork [Mike Allen / NonDoc] New laws impact foster care children, gender-affirming care for Oklahoma adults: New laws targeting transgender Oklahomans will have a “devastating impact,” a group advocating for LGBTQ+ rights said. In the final days of session, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed two measures into law that target youth in foster care and bar some adults from receiving gender-affirming care. [Oklahoma Voice]   What's next for OETA, straight from Executive Director Shawn Black: This year, lawmakers chose to extend the sunset of the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA). But Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed the measure, which lawmakers failed to override in time as they wrapped up the session. [KOSU] Opinion: Let's think twice before throwing OETA away [Former State Rep. Mark McBride / The Oklahoman] Were all 36 votes against a recently passed bill that bans child marriage cast by Republican lawmakers?: Yes. Senate Bill 504, which removed exceptions in the law that allowed minors to marry with parental consent and court approval, recently passed the House 51 to 36 after unanimously passing the Senate in March. All 36 no votes were cast by Republicans. [Oklahoma Watch]   StateImpact Oklahoma reporters sum up the 2026 legislative session: The 2026 legislative session has come to end. Logan Layden talked with StateImpact Oklahoma reporters about their takeaways on legislation impacting education, health, science and the environment. [KOSU] Teacher raises, longer school years. What new education laws mean for Oklahoma students [The Oklahoman] Capitol Insider: With legislative session over, next moves are up to Governor Stitt [KGOU] Long Story Short: The Funding Paradox and The Soybean Squeeze (podcast): Oklahoma’s education funding paradox takes center stage as Andrea Eger untangles why historic state investments clash with rock-bottom national rankings. Plus, Raynee Howell explores how global conflicts are squeezing local soybean farmers, and Jennifer Palmer breaks down the most consequential new education laws. [Oklahoma Watch]   Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: 2026 legislature ends, OETA's future, Invest in Oklahoma concerns and more (podcast): The panelists talk about the early, contentious end of the 2026 legislative session, the failure to get Medicaid expansion changes to the ballot and the failure to override a veto by Gov. Kevin Stitt on a bill to extend the life of OETA. They also discuss a firm tapped to run the Invest in Oklahoma removing its bid after questions arose over impropriety and the Greater OKC Chamber of Commerce endorsing a candidate for Oklahoma County Assessor who had been pardoned by Gov. Stitt. [KOSU]   Opinion: Oklahoma’s 2026 legislative session produced one big loser: Our kids in the public education system: Normally I’d write about who was the big winner during Oklahoma’s annual legislative session, but this year all I can think about is who emerged as the big loser. Because, unfortunately, my kids and the state’s nearly 700,000 other public school children took home the booby prize. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]   Federal Government News   Federal Bill Would Ban Stay-to-Play and Force Private Equity Out of Youth Sports: A federal bill proposes cracking down on private equity firms’ control of youth sports and banning practices such as stay-to-play, where out-of-town teams’ participation in tournaments is contingent on booking certain hotels. [Oklahoma Watch]   Data center battles started in the states. Now it’s Congress under siege.: The future of data centers and their huge appetite for electricity is quickly escalating as a political flashpoint from coast to coast, moving from cities and states now to the nation’s capital. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tulsa County Sheriff withdraws from consideration for ICE leadership position: Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado announced Wednesday that he has withdrawn his name for consideration to become the next director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. [Tulsa World]   D.C. Digest: Oklahoma delegation quiet on Trump controversy: Oklahoma's all-Republican congressional delegation had nothing last week about the turmoil created by President Donald Trump within their own conferences. [Tulsa World]   Tribal Nations News   OK Supreme Court tosses Thlopthlocco Tribal Town leadership dispute: The Oklahoma Supreme Court issued a writ of prohibition Tuesday preventing District Judge Lawrence Parish from hearing a case involving the internal leadership of the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town, a federally recognized Indian tribe within and historically tied to the Muscogee Nation. [NonDoc] Efforts to resolve intra-tribal dispute continue to stall after Oklahoma Supreme Court decision [KOSU]  Special judge question tops 4 Muscogee Nation constitutional amendments: The approximately 18,106 registered voters of the Muscogee Nation are eligible to vote on four constitutional amendments Saturday, May 30, including a special justice appointment proposal, term limits and the removal of “(Creek)” from the nation’s laws. [NonDoc]   Federal grants aim to boost Indian Country energy production in Oklahoma, beyond: The Trump administration is turning to Indian Country in a move to “share in the prosperity of American energy dominance.” The U.S. Department of Energy says it will allocate around $50 million to tribal nations as part of the federal government’s push for international energy superiority. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Inside the PACs spending millions on Oklahoma governor's race: Oklahoma law sets few restrictions on how much money political action committees can spend. One stipulation, though, is that the actions of PACs remain independent from candidates. Yet financial filings and other public documents show links between PAC leadership and some of the campaigns. The close relationships shed light on the operations of Oklahoma political circles and raise questions about the reach of state campaign finance laws.  [The Oklahoman]   Election Roundup What's on my ballot? How to find Oklahoma primary election info, sample ballots [The Oklahoman] When is Oklahoma's governor election? Primary election dates, candidates [The Oklahoman] Nine Republicans, three Democrats on gubernatorial primary ballots [Tulsa World] Polling: 4 lead GOP governor race, superintendent primary tight, AI ads unpopular [NonDoc] Cheat sheet: 5 GOP candidates seek U.S. Senate seat [NonDoc] Cheat sheet: Hern decision draws 9 to Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District GOP primary [NonDoc] OK's Jackson Lahmeyer, Trump's pick for Congress, proudly mixes religion and politics [The Oklahoman] Two Democrats are aiming to flip Oklahoma's 5th Congressional district [The Oklahoman] Four statewide offices further down the ballot attract intense competition [Tulsa World] Political newcomer Debra Herlihy running for Oklahoma superintendent to help education system [Oklahoma Voice] Need for religious freedom, more Oklahoma teacher support drives Toni Hasenbeck’s superintendent bid [Oklahoma Voice] Meet the Republicans running for Oklahoma Labor Commissioner [Oklahoma Voice] Meet the five candidates running for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner [The Oklahoman] Cheat sheet: Republicans running for HD 81 open seat talk taxes, education [NonDoc] Cheat sheet: HD 81 Democratic candidates prioritize education in open race [NonDoc] Cheat sheet: 3 challenge Jason Lowe for Oklahoma County District 1 [NonDoc] Cheat sheet: 5 Republicans run to replace Davidson in Oklahoma County District 3 [NonDoc] Cheat sheet: Oklahoma County District 3 Democrats try to flip open seat [NonDoc] One of these Republicans will be Tulsa County DA come November. Meet the candidates. [Tulsa Flyer] Fact check: Court case counts top dubious attorney general debate claims: In partnership with NonDoc, The Frontier fact-checked some statements GOP candidates for state attorney general made during a May 18 debate in Oklahoma City. [NonDoc / The Frontier]   AI-Modified Political Ads are Circulating: No, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei did not meet with Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office and pose for a cozy photo afterwards. But a television ad produced by an Oklahoma dark money group might cause the unsuspecting eye to believe that. [Oklahoma Watch]   Oklahoma AG race attack ad 'disgusting,' victim's attorney says: A local attorney representing the victim of a nearly fatal drunk driving crash is condemning a political attack ad in the Oklahoma Attorney General race, describing it as a “disgusting attempt to exploit human tragedy” for public sway. [The Oklahoman]   Bill seeking to disqualify potential Oklahoma voters who don’t select party affiliation fails: A measure that would have barred Oklahomans from being registered to vote if they don’t select a party affiliation did not make it to the governor’s desk. [Oklahoma Voice]    Education News   Education Watch: This summer will be busy for schools: “What do you do during the summers?” is a question I’ve heard more times than I can count in 25 years of reporting about public schools. But while many students and educators will be headed into summer break by week’s end, summers are actually a very busy time on the education beat. [Oklahoma Watch]   Oklahoma City charter school receives final closure order: Proud To Partner Leadership Academy’s founding charter contract is now canceled and its state funding cut off following a unanimous vote from the Statewide Charter School Board. The state board has been scrutinizing the school for months over financial, operational and academic quality concerns. [Oklahoma Voice]   Health News   Miscarriage patients have fewer treatment options in states with abortion bans, study shows: Pregnant patients experiencing miscarriage who live in states with abortion bans have fewer options for healthcare management, according to a new study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association. [Oklahoma Voice]   ‘We’ve lost just as many to suicide back home’: Oklahoma battles high veteran suicide rates: Oklahoma ranks third nationally in the veteran suicide rate behind Nevada and Utah. Reasons unique to the state are lack of treatment and risk detection, according to a 2022 report from the Tulsa-based Healthy Minds Policy Initiative. [Tulsa Flyer]   Opinion: Oklahoma’s caregivers need more than praise: Oklahoma is full of people who know how to work hard. We admire long shifts, sacrifice and the quiet grit of people who keep showing up when the work is heavy. But in health care, especially among nurses and frontline caregivers, our admiration can hide a harder truth: We are asking people to carry too much for too long, and then calling it resilience. [Brian Sturtz / The Oklahoman]   Justice System News   Automatic Expungement, Easier Medical Parole and Better Good-Time Credits: Oklahoma’s Criminal Justice Reforms: Corri Williams completed probation for burglary five years ago, but the punishment didn’t seem to end there. Everything from finding a steady job to a place to live proved difficult after the conviction. [Oklahoma Watch]   Preliminary FBI data shows a sharp drop in violent crime: U.S. violent crime fell sharply in 2025, according to preliminary federal data, with murders dropping an estimated 18.1% — a decline that could push the national homicide rate to its lowest level on record if the figures hold. [Oklahoma Voice]   State investing millions in facilities for OSBI, Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs: The budget for fiscal year 2027 adopted by the Legislature and Gov. Kevin Stitt includes $28 million to fund a new headquarters and warehouse for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control and more than $20 million to allow for critical facility maintenance and construction by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. [Tulsa World]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   State clears homeless camp in Norman but has offered no housing funds for displaced residents: Gov. Kevin Stitt’s operation to clear homeless encampments from state land has moved to Norman, but without an offer of funding to house displaced people. The move comes after the state agreed to pay Oklahoma City up to $800,000 for housing and support services when Stitt’s Operation Safe cleared homeless encampments there last year. [The Frontier] State troopers clear homeless encampment in Norman, Stitt says [The Oklahoman] Economy & Business News   Will rising fuel costs from the Iran War be a boon for Oklahoma’s economy?: Recent peace talks between the U.S. and Iran have been shaky at best, meaning the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, constricting global oil supplies and spiking prices. [KOSU]   Oklahoma's ag economy remains split between crops and cattle: In Oklahoma, there are producers who raise only crops or only rear cattle, but many have diversified operations, growing both crops and livestock. [KOSU]   Oklahoma “Joan of Arc” Waged Prescient State Farm Battle: As anxious policyholders await a pivotal Oklahoma Supreme Court decision in a bad-faith case involving the now-infamous State Farm documents, additional revealing documents, compiled decades ago by a State Farm whistleblower with Oklahoma roots, have surfaced at the Oklahoma City office of attorney Charles Weddle. [Oklahoma Watch]   At packed meeting, OKC Council amends data center moratorium to add exemptions: The Oklahoma City Council has amended its moratorium on data center development, a move that drew criticism from advocates who backed the original restrictions. [The Oklahoman] OKC has amended its data center moratorium. What's changed, what's next [The Oklahoman] After pausing data center development, OKC city council adds exemptions [KOSU] Community News   'Are we going to be next?' Muslim leaders express concern after attack: An Oklahoma City imam said the recent murders of three people at the Islamic Center in San Diego took him by surprise but not as much as it might have due to a rise in Islamophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric in Oklahoma and across the country. [The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines OK County Budget Board passes 2026-27 budget without jail savings account [The Oklahoman] Final plans approved for Oklahoma City mental health crisis center [KGOU] Tulsa County Election Board, short on poll workers, needs people to step up [Tulsa World] Defendant in lawsuit over failed Vinita theme park denies allegations, files counterclaim [Tulsa World] 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. 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 emails from us, please unsubscribe.