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2026 KIDS COUNT: Oklahoma ranks 44th for child well-being
Oklahoma continues to rank among the bottom 10 states for overall child well-being in the 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, 50-state report of recent data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation analyzing how kids are faring nationwide. For the 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, Oklahoma tied with Texas for 44th overall for child well-being, with only Nevada, Alaska, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mississippi ranking lower. [OK Policy]
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Politics and budget constraints stalled needed criminal justice reforms
The 2026 Oklahoma legislative session saw disappointingly few needed criminal justice reforms become law. Over the past few years, the legislature and the governor have built momentum for positive criminal justice reforms, but those efforts fell flat this year. Between self-imposed budget constraints, interchamber feuds, and the looming pressures of election season, there was relatively little appetite for major reforms to pass. In the end, Oklahoma saw little movement either forward or backward. [Cole Allen / OK Policy]
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HB 3742 brings long-needed discovery reforms to Oklahoma courts (Capitol Update)
Although Oklahoma ranks 4th in the nation for incarceration per 100,000 people, reforms aimed at making the criminal legal system fairer and less reliant on incarceration remain difficult to achieve. If incarcerating people at a higher rate than 46 other states made us safer, Oklahoma should rank near the bottom in crime. Instead, the state ranks near the top at 14th in violent crime and 12th in property crime, according to 2024 FBI data. Despite this irony, one of those difficult criminal-law changes passed this session in the form of House Bill 3742 by Rep. Erick Harris and Sen. Julie Daniels. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
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Policy Matters: Our kids aren’t failing. We’re failing our kids
When a new report ranks Oklahoma near the bottom for child well-being, it’s easy to focus on the number: 44th in the nation. That ranking should concern us all. But it should not lead anyone to believe that our children are somehow less capable than children anywhere else. The problem is not our kids. The problem is that our state’s leadership has not consistently provided them with the tools and support they need to succeed. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
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NEW: OK Policy is now hiring a Tribal-State Policy Analyst!
Our Tribal Policy Analyst conducts research and analysis on Tribal-State policy in Oklahoma, in direct collaboration with OK Policy team members, Tribal partners, and Inter-Tribal organizations on Tribal-state-specific policy issues.
Deadline to apply is Friday, July 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (CST)
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Oklahoma improves, but still ranked in worst states for child well-being, report shows: Though Oklahoma moved two spots up on overall child well-being, a report released Monday, June 8, shows the state continues to rank among the bottom 10 states in the nation. The 2026 KIDS Count Data Book by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a Baltimore-based private philanthropic group, shows Oklahoma tied with Texas as 44th among 50 states, an improvement from last year’s ranking at 46th place. [The Oklahoman]
Report shows small improvement in child wellbeing, but Oklahoma still lags behind other states: Oklahoma has made slight progress in improving overall child wellbeing, according to a new report, but still ranks as one of the worst states in the country for education and other factors. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma children’s advocates: Kids aren’t failing, state policy is: Oklahoma ranks near the bottom nationally for child well-being, according to the 2026 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Groups tracking child wellness metrics said the rankings show state lawmakers need to do more to pass policies to provide resources for children. The report placed Oklahoma close to the bottom in areas related to education, health and economic well-being. [Public News Service]
YES OR NO: Understanding the measure aimed at raising Oklahoma's minimum wage: Is it time to raise Oklahoma's minimum wage? Voters will make that decision on June 16. State Question 832 would amend the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act and would gradually increase the state minimum wage to $15 an hour. The measure began as a petition that was filed in October 2023. [KJRH]
Oklahoma voters may choose to raise minimum wage: Rarely would anyone be given a chance to vote themselves a pay raise. But that’s exactly what will happen on Tuesday when Oklahomans head to the polls to decide the fate of State Question 832. If it passes, it would order a raise of the state’s minimum wage to $12 an hour beginning in 2027, then to $13.50 in 2028 and to $15 an hour in 2029. After that, future increases would be triggered by a federal measure of inflation. [Tulsa World]
Would SQ 832 make it more difficult for businesses to continue to claim tax breaks for the number of employees they have on government assistance programs?: No. Because wages claimable under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit only apply to first-year employees from target groups, all else being equal, businesses’ claimable credits would only decrease without hiring the same number of such employees annually; SQ 832-mandated wage increases would not significantly reduce the availability of such potential employees. [Oklahoma Watch]
The primaries are almost here. See our comprehensive guide on candidates, races: Oklahoma's most consequential primary election since 2018 is days away. The June 16 election will determine the final contenders for governor, state schools superintendent and attorney general. Voters also will decide whether to raise the minimum wage. The Oklahoman has created a guide to help voters navigate some of the most competitive and impactful contests. [The Oklahoman]
Encampment Sweeps, a Shelter Shutdown and Nowhere Left to Go: Norman’s Homeless Crisis Deepens: While a wave of anti-homeless policy and rhetoric has swept through Norman and the state, the State Fire Marshal on Monday temporarily shut down the Norman Night Shelter for code violations, a move that put more than 50 people at risk of sleeping outside. [Oklahoma Watch]
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"Year after year, Oklahoma leaders talk about making our state stronger and more prosperous, but these rankings show our priorities still don’t match our rhetoric. Our lawmakers and elected officials somehow always seem to find urgency when it comes to tax breaks and incentives for wealthy individuals and corporations, yet Oklahoma continues to rank near the bottom when it comes to investing in the health, education, and stability that children need to thrive."
- Carly Putnam, Policy Director and KIDS COUNT coordinator for OK Policy, speaking about the latest KIDS COUNT report that shows Oklahoma continues to be among the bottom states for overall child well-being. [OK Policy]
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Consumer Price Index (CPI)
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the main measure of inflation in the United States and is used to assess price changes associated with the cost of living. The CPI, which is calculated and reported monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, measures the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. The Consumer Price Index is calculated nationally and for various regions.
The monthly CPI report breaks down price changes by major categories, including food, energy, transportation, medical care, shelter, and others.
[Look up more key terms to understand Oklahoma politics and government here]
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Opinion, Tulsa mayor: State Question 832 good for families, small businesses, Oklahoma’s economy
The economics of raising the minimum wage makes State Question 832 good for families, small businesses and Oklahoma’s economy. When families have more money in their pockets, they spend it close to home. A home healthcare worker who gets a raise isn't socking it away, she's buying groceries at the store down the street, taking her kids out to a Tulsa restaurant, picking up school clothes at a locally owned shop. That money circulates through our neighborhoods, into the registers of Tulsa small businesses and the paychecks of the Tulsans who work there. Multiply that across the state, and independent researchers estimate SQ 832 would grow Oklahoma's economy by about $1.1 billion every single year. Stronger families don't just lift one household, or one city, they lift the whole local economy.
This shouldn't be a left-or-right question, and frankly it isn't one. Voters in Arkansas, Missouri and Nebraska, not exactly coastal states, already raised their own minimum wages, and they still have a lower cost of living than most of the country. So the only real question is, are Oklahoma families worth less than families in Arkansas, Missouri and Nebraska?
Oklahomans believe in hard work, in fact we believe Labor Conquers All. We also believe in hard work as a value to be rewarded. If we want a stronger economy tomorrow, we must support working families today, and we have the opportunity to do that by voting yes on State Question 832.
When we raise the minimum wage in Oklahoma, the returns are felt not only by individual families, but by our entire city for generations to come. I’m voting yes on Tuesday, June 16th and I hope you’ll join me.
[Mayor Monroe Nichols / Tulsa World]
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44th - Oklahoma’s ranking for overall child well-being. Among the 16 components of the report, Oklahoma ranked among the top half of all states in only three indicators. By contrast, the state ranked 40th or below on seven of 16 indicators. [KIDS COUNT via OK Policy]
357,700 - The passage of State Question 832 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. [Economic Policy Institute]
$1.59 - The amount a worker would need to earn in 2026 to have the same purchasing power as $1.00 in 2009. In other words, prices have increased by about 59% since 2009, meaning a dollar today buys significantly less than it did when Oklahoma’s minimum wage was last raised. [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics]
2x - Since 1979, worker productivity has increased more than twice as fast as worker compensation. Workers are producing more, but their pay hasn’t kept pace with those gains. [Economic Policy Institute]
42nd - Oklahoma's national ranking for the percentage of children living in poverty, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book. An estimated 19% of Oklahoma children live below the federal poverty line, placing the state among the lowest-ranked in the nation on this measure. [2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book]
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2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book: This year’s Data Book shows a mixed and uneven picture of child well-being across the country. Since 2019, seven of the 16 key indicators have improved, seven have worsened and two remain unchanged. Because state policies and conditions shape children’s opportunities, a child’s future still depends in large part on where they grow up. Where children live shapes their health and quality of life. Data from the KIDS COUNT Data Center show persistent disparities across states and communities, driven by differences in policy, economic conditions, infrastructure, resources, and neighborhood characteristics. [Annie E. Casey Foundation]
Sixteen Billionaires Who Made Their Fortunes Off the Backs of Low-Wage Workers: At least 16 U.S. billionaires owe their wealth to one of America’s 20 largest low-wage employers — corporations where a significant share of workers earn so little they have to rely on public assistance. Of these 16 billionaires, eight are associated with Walmart. Amazon and Tyson Foods have two members of this elite club, while Home Depot, Best Buy, Starbucks, and Chipotle each have one. [Inequality.org]
Equity Implications of the Unchanged Federal Minimum Wage Since 2009: This year marks 17 years since the federal minimum wage was last raised in 2009. It is the longest period in U.S. history without an increase. Even though more than 20 states increased their minimum wage rates in 2026, there are still 20 states that adhere to the federal minimum wage of $7.25. While the federal minimum wage — and the minimum wage in many states — has remained stagnant, the cost of basic necessities has continued to rise. As the cost of living continues to rise, calls to increase the minimum wage remain focused on improving living standards, reducing financial hardship, and helping workers keep up with the cost of everyday necessities. [Research Institute For Social Equity]
Adjusting minimum wages for inflation is a necessary yet modest step toward protecting affordability for low-wage workers: Indexation is often an afterthought in debates over wage standards. But it can turn out to be the most important part of any policy that sets a wage standard. The federal minimum wage has not increased since 2009 and is worth less today in inflation-adjusted dollars than it was when it was last raised. While higher minimum wages are often criticized for causing job losses or inflation, decades of research generally find that they increase workers’ earnings without significantly affecting employment. Adjusting wages for inflation is a relatively modest approach because it simply helps workers maintain their purchasing power over time. Without automatic adjustments, wage standards become less effective every year they remain unchanged. [Economic Policy Institute]
Building an Economy That Supports All Children Requires Raising the Minimum Wage: In a country where millions of children live in poverty, it is clear that the economic status quo is not working for families. Even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of children were falling through the cracks, and policies that redress longstanding inequities must be considered to address this crisis. That includes providing direct support for families, transforming America’s fragile safety net into one that works for all, and raising wages to ease financial burdens. Gradually raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, along with eliminating the subminimum wage for tipped workers and people with disabilities, would help low-wage workers and would play a part in ensuring that their children can live healthier, better lives. [Center on American Progress]
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What’s up this week at Oklahoma Policy Institute? The Weekly Wonk shares our most recent publications and other resources to help you stay informed about Oklahoma. Numbers of the Day and Policy Notes are from our daily news briefing, In The Know.
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Contact
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