[In The Know] Groups call on Governor to set SQ 802 election date, federal adjustment concerns educators, and more

View this email in your browser. 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. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions. New from OK Policy Expanding Medicaid can be life-changing for older Oklahomans: While many think expansion will mainly benefit younger Oklahomans, like new parents and others just starting their careers, it’s important to remember that older Oklahomans between the ages of 45 and 65 stand to benefit as well. Recent research suggests expansion also will improve insurance coverage, care, and save lives of those who aren’t yet old enough to qualify for Medicare. Because rural areas have a disproportionately higher population of residents over age 45, Medicaid expansion will make more health care dollars available in rural communities where they are in urgent need. [OK Policy] Interactive maps show impact of civil service retirees in Oklahoma: In collaboration with the Oklahoma Public Employees Association and with data provided by the state’s five major retirement systems, OK Policy has developed these interactive maps showing the impact retired public employees have in Oklahoma. The maps show the number of retirees by county, as well as the retirement benefits sent each year to each county. [OK Policy] Oklahoma Public School Resource Center Podcast: Rebecca Fine - Education Policy Analyst and KIDS COUNT Coordinator, OK Policy: In this episode Jason Mack and OPSRC Policy Director Jacque Walsh talk with OK Policy's Rebecca Fine about Oklahoma's current legislative session and active education bills. [OPSRC] In The News Group calling on Oklahoma governor to set election date for Medicaid expansion vote: An Oklahoma advocacy group is pushing for Governor Kevin Stitt to set a date for an election regarding Medicaid expansion in the Sooner State. On Wednesday morning, volunteers with Together Oklahoma say they will be delivering a petition to the governor's office, calling for an election date to be set for the state question. [KFOR] Access to health care among Oklahomans’ biggest concern. [KOCO] OK Policy has provided information and resources to better understand the issues around SQ 802.  ‘It’s reckless’: Local superintendents concerned with federal funding adjustment: Michael Broyles called a federal bookkeeping change that could cut thousands of federal dollars from rural schools reckless. The Canadian Public Schools superintendent said his school faces a $14,757 cut in Rural Low Income Schools Program funding after the U.S. Education Department notified state education leaders it would change how districts report the number of students who live in poverty. [CNHI / McAlester News-Capital] Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister is asking the state’s Congressional delegation to come to the rescue of rural schools in Oklahoma. [CNHI / Ada News] Fight, investigation prompt statewide prison lockdown: A Monday night fight among approximately six prisoners prompted the Department of Corrections to lock down prisons across the state. It’s the second time the prison system has gone on lockdown in less than a year. After the fight at Mack Alford Correctional Center in Stringtown, investigators discovered a possibility more fights could erupt in other prisons. [StateImpact Oklahoma] The Oklahoman Editorial: A worthwhile push for parity in health coverage: Oklahoma lawmakers have thus far given solid support to a bill requiring that health care coverage for mental illness be on par with what’s mandated by federal law. Here’s hoping that backing continues. [Editorial Board / The Oklahoman] Senate passes bill raising smoking age to 21: State Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, who authored Senate Bill 1423, said he simply replicated the federal Tobacco-Free Youth Act passed by Congress last December and signed into law by President Donald Trump. He noted that Oklahoma would need to adopt exact language in the federal law in order to remain eligible for certain federal funds. [Journal Record $] Bill that would authorize display of 'In God We Trust' on state buildings headed to Senate: On a busy day in which nearly 70 bills passed off the House floor and sent to the Senate, members found time for two lengthy discussions on religion, politics and the state of Israel. HB 3817 requires the national motto — “In God We Trust” — be prominently displayed in “all state buildings.” [Tulsa World] Oklahoma House passes pro-Israel bill: Oklahoma legislators on Tuesday passed legislation (HB 3967) that would result in the state picking a side in the complicated and lengthy dispute between Israel and the Palestinians. The Republican majority in the House passed a bill that would prevent the state from contracting with companies that boycott goods or services from Israel. [The Oklahoman] Governor’s fight: Seven months ago, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced his plans to negotiate a new tribal gaming compact through an op-ed in Tulsa World. Since then, despite being a widely unpopular move even with his Republican allies, Stitt has continued fighting for an increase in the fees that the tribes pay to operate their casinos. [Oklahoma Gazette] Attorney General Hunter joins Defense of States to limit rising cost of prescription drugs: Attorney General Mike Hunter has joined a bipartisan coalition of 46 attorneys general from across the country filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court that supports the authority of the states to address the rising cost of prescription drugs. [FOX25] Coronavirus threat has Oklahoma hospitals, officials preparing: As confirmed cases of the new coronavirus spread in the U.S. this week, hospitals in Oklahoma are preparing for the threat of an outbreak. Oklahoma has yet to see any confirmed cases of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. However, hospitals and health officials have said they’re ready to treat patients in case the virus spreads to the state. [The Frontier] Wind power’s share of state electricity production grows to 40%: In 2019, wind power accounted for 40.2% of Oklahoma’s electricity production for the first time in history, following only natural gas, which accounted for 46.3% of the state’s generation last year, according to the Advanced Power Alliance. [Journal Record $] Residents buoyed by court ruling plan to ramp up poultry protests over well permits: Northeastern Oklahoma residents who are tired of new and expanding poultry operations plan to send more protests to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Attorney Matt Alison, who assisted on the case, said the state water board continues to issue the 90-day permits, including one just down the road and identical to the situation that drew the protest that the firm filed leading to the decision. [Tulsa World] Details of police oversight proposal to be discussed by city councilors Wednesday: City councilors will get their first detailed look Wednesday at a plan to establish a police oversight program as part of the city charter. A similar proposal from Mayor G.T. Bynum has been in abeyance for about six months after councilors failed to agree on certain details of the program, especially those related to police use-of-force reviews. [Tulsa World] Tulsa police use-of-force encounters final report released, but 'richest and most important' dataset still to come: The University of Cincinnati and University of Texas at San Antonio are studying 30 months of Tulsa Police Department use-of-force data. The final report was written in January — but without a coded analysis of officers’ written narratives of use-of-force incidents. [Tulsa World] 1921 mass graves search: Excavation to begin April 1, agreement with Rolling Oaks Cemetery stalls: Archaeologists will begin excavating a portion of Oaklawn Cemetery with potential mass graves from the Tulsa Race Massacre on April 1. While the search at Oaklawn Cemetery is moving forward, the owner of Rolling Oaks Cemetery still has not signed an agreement with the City of Tulsa for additional surveying there, despite an announcement last month one had been reached. [Public Radio Tulsa] Attorneys in Ada ‘Innocent Man’ case request judge vacate Ward’s conviction and sentence, point to newly uncovered evidence: Attorneys for one of the men convicted in the 1984 robbery, abduction and murder of Donna Denice Haraway in Ada are asking a judge to vacate his conviction and sentences after they say newly uncovered evidence shows investigators elicited a false confession and hid evidence showing details of the confession were fed to the defendant by police. [The Frontier] Oklahoma Department of Commerce Executive Director talks Census impacts on state: The 2020 Census has the potential to put a few things on the table for the State of Oklahoma, according to Brent Kisling, Executive Director for Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Kisling and his department will serve as the lead for the 2020 Census, but it’s more than just counting people, he said. [Duncan Banner] Deputies respond to complaints of electioneering outside precincts: Deputies were called to 22 precincts in Lexington, Noble, Norman, Moore and south Oklahoma City in response to voter complaints about petitioners, Cathy Singer, assistant secretary of the Cleveland County Election Board, told The Oklahoman. [The Oklahoman] Close call: OKC parks sales tax defeated by voters: A 1/8 cent sales tax aimed at giving Oklahoma City’s parks a boost by providing added funds for operations and maintenance expenses went down in a close defeat Tuesday. The petition failed, with 52.8 percent of voters rejecting the proposal. [NonDoc] Seven counties add liquor store access: Liquor stores in seven Oklahoma counties will be able to conduct business on Sundays according to Tuesday’s unofficial election results. [NonDoc] Biden, Trump sweep every county on Super Tuesday. Where was their strongest support?: President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden were the big winners following Oklahoma’s Super Tuesday presidential primary contests. With 14 candidates on the ballot, Biden topped the crowded Democratic field as he claimed 38.7% of the statewide vote. [Oklahoma Watch] Quote of the Day "I figure if I get sick I'll just have to pay out of my pocket." -Felicia Lewis, an Oklahoman without health insurance [KOCO] Number of the Day 476 Older Oklahomans whose deaths may have been prevented by expanding Medicaid in the state [Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Medicaid Expansion has saved at least 19,000 lives, new research finds: The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) expansion of Medicaid to low-income adults is preventing thousands of premature deaths each year, a landmark study finds. It saved the lives of at least 19,200 adults aged 55 to 64 over the four-year period from 2014 to 2017. Conversely, 15,600 older adults died prematurely because of state decisions not to expand Medicaid. The lifesaving impacts of Medicaid expansion are large: an estimated 39 to 64 percent reduction in annual mortality rates for older adults gaining coverage. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.   Connect with Us   Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 794-3944 info@okpolicy.org Unsubscribe

 

 

[In The Know] Per-pupil spending lowest in region, gap narrowing; state seeks restoration of federal education funds; and more

View this email in your browser. 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. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions. New from OK Policy New OK Policy paper examines how our state values work: The latest paper from the Oklahoma Policy Institute — Valuing Work — examines how well we value workers in Oklahoma by paying them a fair wage and offering necessary benefits like paid leave time. This is the second installment in The State of Work in Oklahoma, a three-part paper series from OK Policy that sheds light on those Oklahomans who have been left behind by the economic recovery. [OK Policy] (Capitol Update) Proposed consolidation of state health agencies deserve careful planning, consideration: There are some monumental changes going on in the way our state government operates. In past years, these changes would have been the cause of outcries and pitched battles over the slightest changes of wording by advocates, pro and con. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] In The News Oklahoma is still last on per-student spending, but the education investment gap is narrowing: Oklahoma likely will continue to trail its neighbors in per-student spending for at least the next few years despite recent funding boosts narrowing the state’s persistent education investment gap. The National Center for Education Statistics has released its analysis of per-pupil spending rates across the nation for the 2016-17 school year and found Oklahoma’s $7,921 was a distant last among the six other states in the region that year. [Tulsa World] OK Policy analysis shows that progress has been made recently on restoring funding for essential services like education, but it will be a long rebuilding project to full budget recovery. Hofmeister asks Congress to restore $1M to rural schools: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister is requesting that the state’s congressional delegation intervene on behalf of Oklahoma schools. This is in response to recent changes by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to the Rural and Low-Income Schools (RLIS) program. In her letter to Oklahoma’s U.S. senators and representatives, Hofmeister stated, “The loss of approximately $1,040,095 in RLIS funds will adversely affect many rural LEAs [local education authorities, i.e., school districts] and likely force the reduction of services to their students.” [FOX25] House passes bill to abolish virtual charter school board: A House Floor vote on Monday signaled support for major restructuring of the state agency overseeing virtual charter schools. Lawmakers approved House Bill 1229, which would abolish and reimagine the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board. The measure passed 68-27 with opposition from few Republicans and most Democrats. It now awaits votes in the Senate. [The Oklahoman] Bill allowing college athletes to profit advances: College athletes in Oklahoma could score financially if a bill moving through the Legislature crosses the finish line to become law. House Bill 3347, authored by state Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, proposes to allow student-athletes to be compensated for the use of their names or images while not forfeiting eligibility to compete in sports governed by the NCAA. [Journal Record $] Lawmaker pushes for change to Oklahoma's initiative petition process: Republican Rep. John Pfeiffer wants the signatures needed to get state questions on the ballot to be a percentage of voters from each congressional district rather than a percentage of the total number of votes in the last gubernatorial election. Pfeiffer said he’s trying to protect the voice of the state’s rural minority. [Public Radio Tulsa] State health officials propose new vaccination exemption rules: As a growing number of Oklahoma schoolchildren receive exemptions from state vaccination requirements, the State Department of Health is seeking to modify rules that allow parents to opt their children out of receiving immunizations. The Health Department seeks to require parents interested in exempting their children from immunizations for religious or personal reasons to attend a vaccine education briefing at a local health department before receiving an exemption form. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma House passes bill to regulate drug called kratom: A bill that proposes to regulate kratom, a drug widely known in Asia and gaining popularity in the United States, advanced Monday after a vote on the House floor of the Oklahoma Legislature. If passed into law, House Bill 2846 by state Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, would establish the Oklahoma Kratom Consumer Protection Act. [Journal Record $] Drug-free school zone bill heads to full Senate: Legislation strengthening Oklahoma’s drug-free school zones is headed to the full Senate. Senate Bill 1674, by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, would make it a felony to purchase or possess methamphetamine, heroin or cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school. [Woodward News] OK House okays bill to allow bonds for repair of aging dams: A bill authorizing the issue of bonds to improve and repair some of the state’s high-risk flood-control dams passed the House on Monday with a vote of 93-1. House Bill 3298 by state Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, authorizes the Oklahoma Capitol Improvement Authority (OCIA) to acquire property and invest capital to update dams throughout Oklahoma. [OK Energy Today] Energy project sparked House Bill to transfer Historic Preservation Office: The delay of an energy project is apparently behind a  state house vote this week in support of a bill to remove the Oklahoma Historic Preservation Office from the control of the Oklahoma Historical Society and put it under the state Department of Commerce. [OK Energy Today] New Oklahoma multi-county grand jury convenes today: Oklahoma’s latest multi-county grand jury is scheduled to convene today. State and district attorneys use the multi-county grand jury to investigate and bring indictments in complicated criminal cases. The grand jury typically meets for up to three consecutive days each month with a full term lasting 18 months, though it can be extended six additional months if necessary. [NonDoc] New coronavirus testing kits to be available in Oklahoma in coming weeks: New testing kits for the coronavirus that could provide faster and more accurate test results are being tested by the Oklahoma Department of Health, but are not ready to be used on patients yet. [The Oklahoman] Longstanding distrust, anger revealed in hunt for Tulsa Race Massacre graves: Not a shovel of earth has been turned in the search for unmarked burials from Tulsa’s 1921 Race Massacre, but the preparations continue to dig deep into a century of distrust and anger. They also reveal widely divergent perspectives and perceptions about the search. [Tulsa World] Editorial: Black History Month went poorly in Oklahoma: A series of racist and racially insensitive events in Oklahoma schools turned the past month into an excellent argument for why black history, racial prejudices and the ongoing inequalities faced by African Americans deserve more attention than merely 1/12th of our collective cultural calendar. [Tres Savage / NonDoc] Muslim Day at Oklahoma Capitol the first celebrated without protesters: 'Hate will eventually be extinguished': Muslims celebrated advocacy day on Monday without protesters yelling at them or holding signs in their faces as they entered the state Capitol. [Tulsa World] Throughout the day, participants heard from several speakers including Kyle Lawson, Senior Field Organizer for the Oklahoma Policy Institute. [The Oklahoman] In Oklahoma’s Super Tuesday race, finishing first isn’t everything: Securing first place won’t be the only thing on the minds of the five remaining Democratic presidential hopefuls competing in Oklahoma’s Super Tuesday contest. Like the rest of the country, Oklahoma will not use a winner-takes-all format for its Democratic presidential primary. [Oklahoma Watch] Sunday liquor sales, park tax on Tuesday’s ballot: Voters in seven Oklahoma counties will decide Tuesday on a measure that would allow liquor stores to be open on Sundays. [The Journal Record] Counties voting on the legalization of Sunday liquor store sales will be Cleveland, Creek, Kingfisher, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Tulsa and Washington, according to a spokesperson from the Oklahoma State Election Board. [NonDoc] Voters in Oklahoma City will have the opportunity to cast their vote for or against a 1/8 cent sales tax initiative that would provide permanent funding for the City’s parks. [Free Press OKC] Early voting was popular in Oklahoma County and Tulsa County. [Public Radio Tulsa] Quote of the Day "Other states aren’t standing still when it comes to investment in children, and neither should Oklahoma." - Shawn Hime, executive director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association [Tulsa World] Number of the Day 313,000 Signatures submitted in support of SQ 802, which calls for full Medicaid expansion [Source: KOCO] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Correcting the record: Medicaid block grants would affect more than healthy adults: The Administration has consistently sought to distinguish between adults covered by the Medicaid expansion and the “truly vulnerable.” That distinction is artificial: the expansion covers exclusively poor and near-poor adults, the overwhelming majority of whom would otherwise be uninsured and would struggle to get needed care. Regardless of distinctions, the Administration’s block grant guidance puts coverage and access to care at risk for those it agrees are “truly vulnerable,” including people with disabilities, others with serious health needs, and pregnant women. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.   Connect with Us   Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 794-3944 info@okpolicy.org Unsubscribe

 

 

We're hiring for two new positions – a Storybanker and an Administrative Assistant

View this email in your browser. The Oklahoma Policy Institute is hiring for two new positions to support our mission of advancing equitable and fiscally responsible policies that expand opportunity for all Oklahomans.  – – – Storybanker: This position will help tell the stories of Oklahomans who have been impacted by the health care coverage gap. Those stories will help elected officials, policy makers, and the general public understand the need for smart health care policies in the state. The successful candidate will have exceptional writing and editing skills with experience writing for broad audiences with the ability to tell narrative stories in clear and compelling fashion. The position requires excellent communication and interpersonal skills, especially in engaging and listening to others. The position will entail conducting in-person interviews with individuals and documenting their personal stories in writing (testimonials, summaries, short profiles, or other formats as needed), as well as possible video and/or audio storytelling. This is a full-time position based in Tulsa. Salary range is $32,500-$40,000, commensurate with experience.  To apply for this position, complete the application form below and upload a cover letter, resume, writing samples of no more than 10 pages, and links to video/audio samples (as applicable). The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., Friday, March 20. View the full job description | Apply for the position – – – Administrative Assistant: This position will handle a variety of administrative and clerical tasks that support the organization, while also providing the first impression for office visitors. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate exemplary customer service and interpersonal skills in person, by phone, and by email. The position requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, while focusing on professional, polite, attentive, and accurate relations with staff, vendors, and customers. The position will entail strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills and the ability to manage priorities and workflow. This is a full-time position based in Tulsa. Salary range is $29,000 – $35,000, commensurate with experience. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., Friday, March 20. View the full job description | Apply for the position – – – OK Policy values its employees, and as such, offers competitive total compensation package which includes cash compensation and benefits.These positions are eligible to participate in the following benefits: Cafeteria Plan: including health and dental insurance, retirement plans, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), dependent care accounts (DCA), and more. This position is also eligible for paid time-off (PTO) benefits. The mission of OK Policy is to advance equitable and fiscally responsible policies leading to expanded opportunity for all Oklahomans through non-partisan research, analysis, and advocacy. OK Policy is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive organization to fully represent and engage all Oklahomans. Recruiting staff that reflects the diversity of perspectives and experiences of Oklahoma is a priority. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse communities, constituencies, and identities, including but not limited to: people of all ethnic/racial backgrounds, people of all gender identities/gender expressions, people with disabilities, low-income and LGBTQ+ persons. Current elected officials are not eligible for employment at OK Policy. Connect with Us Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 (918) 794-3944 info@okpolicy.org Unsubscribe

[In The Know] Medicaid expansion funding examined, mental health resources needed, and more

View this email in your browser. 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. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and see past editions. New from OK Policy We’re hiring for two new positions – a Storybanker and an Administrative Assistant: The Oklahoma Policy Institute is hiring for two new positions to support our mission of advancing equitable and fiscally responsible policies that expand opportunity for all Oklahomans. [OK Policy] Tulsa World Political Notebook: Together Oklahoma plans to lobby on behalf of Medicaid expansion beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the state Capitol. [Tulsa World] In The News Stitt pressing lawmakers to fund alternative option: With a traditional Medicaid expansion ballot measure looming, Oklahoma’s governor is pressing the Republican-controlled Legislature to fund his alternative option by Friday, March 6. Despite only unveiling his plan Jan. 30, Gov. Kevin Stitt has given the cash-strapped Legislature only a few more days to come up with the $150 million necessary to push SoonerCare 2.0 forward, lawmakers say. [CNHI / Tahlequah Daily Press] Stitt reveals a few more details of his Medicaid expansion proposal. [Public Radio Tulsa] OK Policy: Lawmakers have had nearly a decade to decide how to expand Medicaid in Oklahoma; we renew our call on the governor’s office to respect the will of Oklahoma voters by setting an election date for SQ 802, which calls for full Medicaid expansion. State lawmakers divided on how to pay for Medicaid expansion: Oklahoma lawmakers appear to be divided on party lines about how to pay for Oklahoma’s share of Medicaid expansion. Legislators got their first glimpse last week at one way they could fund the state’s 10% share. State lawmakers will have to appropriate up to $150 million to match the roughly $1 billion in federal funding Oklahoma could receive to expand Medicaid to cover more low-income adults. [The Oklahoman] OK Policy: A 2018 study estimated that Medicaid expansion would require about $110 million in additional state spending per year, while injecting $1.1 billion of federal funds into the Oklahoma economy annually. 'Devil is in the Details' 2020 Vision: Integris, St. Mary's heads talk state of health in Enid: With Medicaid expansion on the horizon — either by state question or legislative action — administrators at both St. Mary's Regional Medical Center and Integris Bass Baptist Health Center are confident health care in Enid is well-positioned to serve the public, even if questions remain about how Medicaid expansion might come to pass. [Enid News & Eagle] OK Policy has provided information and resources to better understand the issues around SQ 802, which calls for full Medcaid expansion.  'I could not believe it': Lack of mental health parity leaves families looking for answers: Virginia Holleman’s fight for coverage is indicative of many families looking for answers from insurance providers when it comes to mental health coverage. She was given multiple reasons for denial, but her insurer’s main reason was that treatment wasn’t medically necessary because her son wasn’t suicidal or homicidal. [The Oklahoman / USA Today] Some Oklahoma lawmakers want health insurance companies to cover mental health and substance use disorders the same way they cover physical ailments. [The Oklahoman] OK Policy: Expanding health care coverage can help address substance use disorders, which are a public health crisis in Oklahoma.  Tulsa jail's opioid detox program a life-saver for addicts: 'That's why I feel so blessed': The Tulsa County jail is the first in Oklahoma to offer a medication-assisted treatment program — or opioid replacement therapy — for people who are incarcerated and addicted to opioids. There were 58 patients in January enrolled in the program, known as MAT, after its launch in December. [Tulsa World] Redistricting petition again draws legal challenge: Two new legal challenges were filed Friday against a state question seeking to create an independent redistricting commission. The two new legal challenges filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court come after the state’s high court on Feb. 5 tossed out the redistricting petition based on gist but found another challenge that it violated the single subject rule was without merit. [Tulsa World] Gov. Stitt says nontribal casinos would mean more money for state: Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday again raised the possibility of bringing nontribal casinos to the state, telling the Tulsa World, “Let me bring commercial casinos in, give out just four commercial licenses, and it would be $350 million to the state.” Stitt, who is under a federal gag order, quickly clarified he was speaking hypothetically in response to a question about states that receive nothing from tribal gaming. [Tulsa World] Epic Charter Schools' Learning Fund targeted by lawmakers who seek increased transparency, accountability​: Some lawmakers and state officials reacted to the revelation that Epic Charter Schools is shielding how it uses millions in taxpayer dollars for something called the Learning Fund by saying more regulation is needed to require full transparency and accountability.  [Tulsa World] Deadline kills legislation on minimum wage, Daylight Savings Time, among others: Thursday’s first legislative deadline consigned almost three-fourths of the 5,200 bills and joint resolutions available for consideration this legislative session to the digital beyond, including every effort to raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage, eliminate Daylight Savings Time and prevent anything not produced by the mammary glands of a four-legged animal from being called milk. [Tulsa World] (Audio) Capitol Insider: Bill Deadline Passes, What's Next? [KGOU] Oklahoma could honor out-of-state work licenses: A Republican state lawmaker wants Oklahoma to automatically recognize professional licenses and certifications granted by other states. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, introduced legislation for Oklahoma to implement so-called universal licensing, which would allow skilled workers who move in state to practice their trade without having to obtain a new license. [The Oklahoman] Sneed's bill could end surprise medical billing: State Rep. Chris Sneed (R-Fort Gibson) secured passage of a bill he says will end surprise medical billing for Oklahoma residents. House Bill 3388 passed the House Insurance Committee on Tuesday and is now eligible to be considered by the entire House. [Muskogee Phoenix] Abortion shaping up to be major issue for rest of Oklahoma legislative session: Measures classifying abortion as homicide and banning the procedure outright were not heard before the Oklahoma legislature’s first deadline, but several bills to restrict it are still alive. Those include a bill banning abortion after a heartbeat can be detected at roughly six weeks, one to strip doctors of their licenses if they perform the procedure and one letting third parties sue doctors for wrongful death. [Public Radio Tulsa] Drone legislation passes Senate committee: A state lawmaker wants to capitalize on momentum being built by the Osage and Choctaw nations and others involved in unmanned aerial vehicle research to make Oklahoma a leader in a potentially behemoth industry poised to take off. [Journal Record $] Legislation could result in Oklahoma's two largest school districts splitting up: A bill, SB 600, moving through the Legislature would allow Tulsa and Oklahoma City residents to vote on splitting up their school districts. The bill would allow districts with 30,000 or more students to be divided into two districts. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma school standards could add biological evolution, expand on climate change: A proposal for new state academic standards could explicitly include biological evolution for the first time in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma State Board of Education approved new academic standards for science and fine arts on Thursday. The academic standards must come before the Legislature and the governor before implementation next school year. [The Oklahoman] TPS offers deeper glimpse into non-personnel district office reductions projected to save $7 million: A change in school bell times and increased rent for charter partners are some of the ways in which Tulsa Public Schools intends to save about $7 million through non-personnel reductions. The recent elimination of more than 200 administrative positions accounted for less than half of the district’s plan to save an estimated $13 million to $14 million in cuts to district office services. [Tulsa World] City of Tulsa tweaking retail incentives to help struggling and vacant shopping centers: Officials want to expand eligibility for a program offering up to $2 million over 10 years so it can be used not just for public improvements like new roads and sewer lines, but also for redevelopment costs. [Public Radio Tulsa] Regulators mull proposal to lower cap on Oklahoma gas production: Debate over whether the cap on Oklahoma natural gas production should be lowered continued at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Friday, as a vote on a proposed limit was temporarily suspended so it could be taken under advisement. [Journal Record $] After 10 years, judge in poultry suit says decision 'on the horizon': Ten years after final arguments in a lawsuit Oklahoma brought against large-scale poultry producers, the presiding judge in the case said a decision is now in the works. “I have a 250-page draft and an opinion is on the horizon,” Oklahoma Northern U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell said last week. [Tulsa World] 10 Oklahoma lakes added to mercury consumption advisory list: Half of the lakes added to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality’s updated list of places with consumption advisories for mercury are in eastern Oklahoma and within an hour’s drive of Tulsa. [Tulsa World] State awarded more than $1.8 million to fight HIV: As part of a national HIV initiative that targets rural problem areas, Oklahoma will receive more than $1.8 million to help with treatment and prevention of the disease, it was announced Wednesday. [Tulsa World] Elections: Seven Oklahoma counties to vote on Sunday liquor store sales: While most eyes may be on the presidential primary elections Tuesday, seven counties in Oklahoma will also vote on whether to allow liquor store sales on Sundays. Counties voting on the legalization of Sunday liquor store sales will be Cleveland, Creek, Kingfisher, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Tulsa and Washington, according to a spokesperson from the Oklahoma State Election Board. [NonDoc] Metro liquor store owners want the option of being open on Sundays. But that doesn't mean they'll take advantage of it. [The Oklahoman] Quote of the Day "I would liken that to successful football teams don't just give the quarterback the playbook. Everyone needs to be involved, and then we need to go execute it for success. Everyone needs to be involved and know the plan." -Krista Roberts, CEO at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Enid, speaking about the need for collaboration regarding the Governor's alternative Medicaid expansion proposal  [Enid News & Eagle]  Number of the Day 62% Amount by which the likelihood of a rural hospital closing decreases if that hospital is in a Medicaid expansion state [Source: Chartis Center for Rural Health] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note When medical debt collectors decide who gets arrested: Welcome to Coffeyville, Kansas, where the judge has no law degree, debt collectors get a cut of the bail, and Americans are watching their lives — and liberty — disappear in the pursuit of medical debt collection. [ProPublica] You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. 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[The Weekly Wonk] Governor's Medicaid proposal, the need for investing in Oklahomans, and more

View this email in your browser. 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. Click here to subscribe to In The Know. This week’s edition of The Weekly Wonk was published with contributions from Open Justice Oklahoma Intern Thomas Gao. This Week from OK Policy Oklahoma lawmakers on Wednesday were slated to consider SB 1046 that contained a key funding mechanism for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s proposed Medicaid alternative plan, which is untested and will face lengthy legal challenges. OK Policy released a statement noting that lawmakers did the right thing when SB 1046 was not taken up.We urged legislators to keep the measure tabled and called on the Governor's office to set an election date for SQ 802, which includes full Medicaid expansion. Read the full statement. Budget and Tax Senior Policy Analyst Paul Shinn warned against moving more money into savings and made the case for wise investments based on actual needs. Economic Opportunity Policy Analyst Courtney Cullison published an analysis on Oklahoma's ranking in Prosperity Now's Scorecard and noted that although Oklahoma's rank has not improved, there are good policy solutions to improve economic well-being for all Oklahomans. In her weekly Journal Record column, Executive Director Ahniwake Rose commemorated Black History Month by highlighting Oklahoma’s unique history with black-owned businesses and how those impacts are still felt in our state today. OK Policy in the News NonDoc cited OK Policy's opposition to SB 1046 in a story about the Governor's Medicaid alternative plan. Public Radio Tulsa cited OK Policy data on the state EITC in a story about anti-hunger groups meeting with state legislators. The City Sentinel wrote about CAIR-OK's 6th annual Oklahoma Muslim Day at the Capitol where OK Policy Senior Field Organizer Kyle Lawson will be presenting on effective legislative advocacy.