[Weekly Wonk] Attracting a new generation of teachers | Help Oklahoma get covered, stay covered | The value of shopping local | More

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.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser Sunday, December 3, 2023 Subscribe  //  View latest headlines Attracting a new generation of teachers (Capitol Update) Policy Matters: Help Oklahomans get covered, stay covered Safe Communities (Justice Reform) Affinity Group  December 12, 6:00 p.m. | [JOIN MEETING ONLINE] The Safe Communities/Justice Reform Affinity Group is for advocates with an affinity to help make our communities safer. This statewide group meets online regularly in the winter and spring to discuss legislation, share resources, and plan community outreach related to criminal justice reform in Oklahoma. Learn more about affinity groups here, or contact Southeast Regional Organizer Roxanne Logan for more information.   $211.82 - Average first-day of incarceration cost for the Oklahoma County jail; the daily per-bed cost is $66.49. Initial intake consist of additional expenses, such as a pat down, an inventorying (and subsequent storage) of personal belongings, fingerprinting, a classification evaluation, a body scan, and a medical exam. [The Oklahoman] 2x - American Indian/ Alaska Native children ages 0–18 are more than twice as likely to lack health insurance than other children (11% vs. 5% in 2022), although the rate of uninsured AI/AN kids improved by three percentage points compared with 2019. [Annie E. Casey Foundation] 16% - Percentage of Oklahomans age 18 to 24 who are not presently enrolled in school, not currently working, and have no degree beyond a high school diploma or GED. Oklahoma is ranked 40th for this metric, and the national average is 13%. [KIDS COUNT] 2.3% - Oklahoma's prison population grew 2.3% during 2022 after years of steady decline. On Dec. 31, 2022, Oklahoma incarcerated 22,745 people, up from 22,235 in December 2021. Oklahoma had the nation's fourth-highest incarceration rate at the end of last year, trailing Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. [Bureau of Justice Statistics via Oklahoma Watch] $1.87 billion - Oklahoma's 2021 tax cuts are projected to cost the state $1.87 billion in lost revenue during the next five years (2024-2028). Because of Oklahoma State Question 640's supermajority requirements for raising new revenue, these revenue cuts are unlikely to return when the state faces future economic downturns. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] From OK Policy: Replacing the revenue from the tax cuts would be virtually impossible State Question 640 State Question 640 was a citizen-initiated ballot measure that was approved by Oklahoma voters in a special election in March 1992 with 56.2 percent of the vote. The measure amended Article 5, Section 33 of the Oklahoma Constitution to add restrictions on how revenue bills can become law. Under SQ 640, a revenue bill can only become law if: (1) it is approved by a 3/4th vote of both legislative chambers and is signed by the Governor; or (2) it is referred by the legislature to a vote of the people at the next general election and receives majority approval. State Question 640 also prohibited a revenue bill from containing an emergency clause; instead, revenue bills can only take effect 90 days after being signed by the Governor. Since passage of SQ 640 in 1992, Oklahoma voters have approved only one state question to raise taxes: SQ 713, which increased the tobacco tax in 2004.  Until passage of HB 1010xx in 2018, no revenue bill succeeded in gaining approval from three-quarters of legislators in both chambers. Look up more key terms to understand Oklahoma politics and government here. "Criminalization (of homelessness) doesn't work. If it did, there would be no homeless people." -Eric Tars, Senior Policy Director for the National Homeless Law Center, speaking about cities and lawmakers introducing policies aimed at regulating encampments and other support for unhoused residents. [Oklahoma Voice] Tulsa World Editorial: Save local shopping destinations by spending money in those stores this holiday season ... About 50% of all U.S. small businesses get more than 25% of their annual sales during the holiday season, according to a report out last month by the digital marketing platform Constant Contact. Among retail merchants, 75% percent of small businesses rely heavily on holiday customers, and 73% attribute more than one quarter of their annual sales to the holiday season. About 58% say that holiday customers are "extremely important" to the overall success of their business. Many local retailers also offer online purchasing options for consumers who like the ease of virtual shopping. Benefits aren't just that storefronts stay occupied and shopping corridors. For every $1 spent locally, about two-thirds (68 cents) stays in the community, according to an American Express Small Business Economic Impact Study. When spent at a national retailer, it drops to between 30 cents and 40 cents per $1. Also, for each $1 spent locally, it creates an additional 48 cents in other business activity as employees and merchants turn around to purchase other local goods and services. As local merchants succeed, it affects other areas. Think of the sponsors for high school athletic teams and clubs or fundraisers to benefit the many nonprofits. If businesses are prosperous, so will other areas in the community. Simply, if residents stop shopping in brick-and-mortar stores and from local online options, those retailers go away. This holiday season, go into local stores and explore new shopping choices. Consumers will find unique items or services perfect for holiday gifts and will be growing the local economy. [Read the full editorial on the Tulsa World website] Hidden in Plain Sight: Race and Tax Policy in 2023 State Legislative Sessions: Tax policy is an important tool to mitigate injustices confronting marginalized communities and to advance genuine racial equity. Done well, tax reform can create a dream scenario of equitable taxation and well-funded public services for everyone. It can also create a nightmare of regressive taxation and weak public investment. More than one-third of states made strides this year to improve their tax systems. This mostly happened through strengthening refundable credits, which offer a proven means of bolstering economic security. In a few states, lawmakers also opted to raise new tax revenue in equitable ways to fund public priorities. Other states, however, prioritized top-heavy tax cuts that will leave fewer resources to respond to the challenges that lie ahead. [Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy] Invisible Children, Invisible Families: The first few months and years of life are a sensitive period for child development​,​ and a potentially vulnerable time for families. Reaching American Indian and Alaska Native families with young children with culturally responsive early care and education can have substantial benefits for AI/AN families and communities. [Bipartisan Policy Center] Policies that reduce intergenerational poverty: Roughly one-third of children who grow up poor in the United States will also experience poverty as adults. Intergenerational poverty is a weight on the backs of millions of Americans, keeping many from achieving their full potential, for their own benefit and that of society.  Understanding the causes of intergenerational poverty, and implementing programs and policies to reduce it, would have important benefits for children and for the entire nation. [Brookings] One in Five: Ending Racial Inequity in Incarceration: Following a massive, four-decade-long buildup of incarceration disproportionately impacting people of color, a growing reform movement has made important inroads. The 21st century has witnessed progress both in reducing the U.S. prison population and its racial and ethnic disparities. The total prison population has declined by 25% after reaching its peak level in 2009. While all major racial and ethnic groups experienced decarceration, the Black prison population has downsized the most. The number of imprisoned Black Americans decreased 39% since its peak in 2002. Despite this progress, imprisonment levels remain too high nationwide, particularly for Black Americans. [The Sentencing Project] States' Recent Tax-Cut Spree Creates Big Risks for Families and Communities: State policymakers nationwide have embarked on a tax-cutting spree over the past three years, using the cover of temporary budget surpluses stemming from robust federal aid in response to COVID-19 and the economic recovery that followed. The tax cuts — most of which are both permanent and tilted toward wealthy households and corporations — will weaken state revenues by large and growing amounts over time, limiting these states' ability to maintain support for schools and other vital public services or make new investments that can strengthen the economy and promote opportunity. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] 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. Support with Donation Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave. #1005 | Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120 918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org Connect with us: Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences

[In The Know] Voucher program launch delayed | Oklahoma prison population rising | Teaching history under HB1775 | State school board increases focus on Tulsa

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser Friday | December 1, 2023 Subscribe  //  View latest headlines 2.3% Oklahoma's prison population grew 2.3% during 2022 after years of steady decline. On Dec. 31, 2022, Oklahoma incarcerated 22,745 people, up from 22,235 in December 2021. Oklahoma had the nation's fourth-highest incarceration rate at the end of last year, trailing Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. [Bureau of Justice Statistics via Oklahoma Watch] One in Five: Ending Racial Inequity in Incarceration Following a massive, four-decade-long buildup of incarceration disproportionately impacting people of color, a growing reform movement has made important inroads. The 21st century has witnessed progress both in reducing the U.S. prison population and its racial and ethnic disparities. The total prison population has declined by 25% after reaching its peak level in 2009. While all major racial and ethnic groups experienced decarceration, the Black prison population has downsized the most. The number of imprisoned Black Americans decreased 39% since its peak in 2002. Despite this progress, imprisonment levels remain too high nationwide, particularly for Black Americans. [The Sentencing Project] "If you don't learn history, you're doomed to repeat it. And so for me as a parent, it is so important for my kids to learn all history that has happened, and that's sometimes really ugly. As an Osage mother, it's even more important that my kids learn this history." -Whitney Red Corn, an Osage Nation congresswoman, speaking about why she introduced a Tribal resolution calling on the state legislature to repeal House Bill 1775 that has had a chilling effect on fully teaching our nation's history. [KOSU] Oklahoma News Not so fast! The start of Oklahoma's new tax credit program for private school tuition will be delayed: An unexpected glitch has spoiled the launch of Oklahoma's new tax credit program to help parents with private school costs. Just hours before the scheduled opening of the program's application period, the Oklahoma Tax Commission issued a statement saying the opening bell would not ring until Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Tax Commission changes Parental Choice Tax Credit application deadline [KFOR] From OK Policy: Vouchers: Another Wrong Turn for Oklahoma Schools Report Shows Uptick in Oklahoma's Prison Population: Oklahoma's prison population is growing after years of steady decline, according to a Bureau of Justice Statistics report released Thursday. On Dec. 31, 2022, Oklahoma incarcerated 22,745 people, a 2.3% increase from 22,235 in December 2021. Oklahoma had the nation's fourth-highest incarceration rate at the end of last year, trailing Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. [Oklahoma Watch] State Government News This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Minimum wage measure, AG on women and abortions, Governor Stitt on cockfighting and more (audio): The panel discusses a challenge to an initiative petition to raise the state's minimum wage, the attorney general's formal opinion saying women could not be prosecuted for having abortions, and the head of the State Republican Party opposing the nomination of former Cherokee Attorney General Sara Hill for a federal judgeship. [KOSU] Tribal Nations News 'This is their story': Why a teacher in Osage County wants to teach 'Killers of the Flower Moon': The new Killers of the Flower Moon film is sparking conversations about Oklahoma's difficult history. But that is complicated by a state law limiting school lessons that make students feel uncomfortable about their race or sex. [KOSU] Study: Oklahoma tribal nations may feel the brunt of climate change: Tribal nations across Oklahoma are likely to feel the most severe effects of a changing climate, a new study suggests. That case study, published by the University of Oklahoma, focuses on the risk posed by heavy rains and increased flooding. [The Black Wall Street Times] Cherokee chief questions Stitt's message with Native American Family Day: After Gov. Kevin Stitt celebrated his proclaimed Native American Family Day at his Oklahoma City mansion Tuesday, the Cherokee Nation chief called the event "an afterthought" and a missed opportunity to mend tribal relations. [Tulsa World] Health News OU researches PTSD drug to treat connected conditions like anxiety, alcohol use disorder: University of Oklahoma researchers are taking part in trials for a drug that could help treat PTSD symptoms, and they say current findings are promising. [KOSU] Opinion: Tulsa has no World AIDS Day events, but HIV has not gone away: This year Tulsa doesn't have any public events planned for World AIDS Day. It may be a lingering post-pandemic concern about big gatherings putting immune-compromised people at risk. More likely, the sense of urgency has lessened over time. That's worrying, because HIV is still very much with us, and its spread is preventable. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World] Criminal Justice News Oklahoma carries out final execution of 2023: Oklahoma executed Phillip Dean Hancock on Thursday morning for the 2001 double-murder of Robert Jett, 37, and James Lynch, 57, in southwest Oklahoma City. [The Frontier] Philip Hancock claimed self defense. Oklahoma still executed him. [The Black Wall Street Times] Phillip Hancock executed for 2001 double murder in Oklahoma City [The Oklahoman] Executions are on the rise in the U.S., even as public support wanes [NPR] America's Black attorneys general discuss race, politics and the justice system: In a moment of increased representation, the U.S. is gripped by intense debates regarding justice, race and democracy. Black prosecutors have emerged as central figures litigating those issues, highlighting the achievements and limits of Black communal efforts to reform the justice system. [AP via Tulsa World] Housing & Economic Opportunity Tulsa councilors, state delegation push for tenant protections: Tulsa's state representatives and city councilors want to pass a law to protect tenants from landlord retaliation. Oklahoma is one of only six states that does not protect tenants from landlord retaliation. House Bill 2109 — which would have added tenant protections in the 2023 Legislative Session — made it past the House of Representatives but didn't see the Senate floor. [Public Radio Tulsa] From OK Policy: Renters need protection against landlord retaliation Oklahoma ranks 11th among states with most financial distress: Oklahoma just missed making the top 10 in a new study of states with the most people in financial distress. A WalletHub report released this week defines financial distress as having a credit account that is in forbearance or has its payments deferred, meaning the account holder is temporarily allowed to skip payments due to financial difficulty. Eight of the 10 states with residents suffering the most financial distress are in the South, with Louisiana topping the list. [Journal Record] Economy & Business News Citizen Potawatomi Nation buys OKC's Union Plaza with aims to reflect cultural integrity: Citizen Potawatomi Nation has purchased 18-story Union Plaza, a 250,000-square-foot office building at 3030 Northwest Expressway, home to CPN-owned Sovereign Bank's retail branch and Oklahoma City operations center. [The Oklahoman] Opinion: Relaxing child labor laws not the solution to getting more people back into the workforce: We know that relaxed child labor laws harm youths working too many hours on a job and not being able to devote the necessary time, energy and attention to education — on top of time for a kid to just be a kid. [Joe Dorman / Tulsa World] Education News State Board of Education sets new Tulsa Public Schools goals, hires new lawyers: Tulsa Public Schools has new improvement goals and a new finance deadline following a meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education today, which also featured presentation of proposed changes to the state's accreditation review process for school district that would add emphasis to student performance. [NonDoc] State Monitoring of Tulsa Schools Ratcheted Up With New Expectations [Oklahoma Watch] Tulsa district weighing school closures at urging of Oklahoma education officials [Oklahoma Voice] TPS in 'earliest stages' of considering school closures at state's urging [Tulsa World] State board sets deadline for finance meeting with Tulsa school district [Tulsa World] What to know about new guidelines proposed for Oklahoma school accreditation [The Oklahoman] Education Watch: New Limits Placed on Public Comment at Board of Education Meeting [Oklahoma Watch] Oklahoma school district halts daily prayer broadcasts; group calls for Ryan Walters to resign [KFOR] Ryan Walters announces proposal tying test scores to accreditation: The Oklahoma State Department of Education is considering an administrative rule change that would add students' performance on standardized tests as a factor in school accreditation. [Tulsa World] Potential accreditation downgrade for OK school districts with less than 50% of students passing at 'basic' level [KFOR] Ryan Walters again looking to intervene in legal fight over religious charter school: The Oklahoma Board of Education approved state schools Superintendent Walters' request Wednesday to retain out-of-state lawyers for an attempt to reverse an Oklahoma Supreme Court denial of his initial request to intervene in the lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Gentner Drummond to stop formation of the school. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Board of Education approves hiring of outside counsel in St. Isidore lawsuit [KFOR] Ryan Walters continues efforts to join fight against AG's lawsuit over Catholic charter school approval [Fox 25] Opinion: To improve student outcomes, Oklahoma lawmakers should consider tackling hunger: Hunger Free Oklahoma reports that food insecure children are "more likely to have lower reading and math scores, more significant behavior and social problems and low high school graduation rates." In other words, if Oklahoma children are hungry, they're not learning. In that context, the recent state report card results released by the state Department of Education aren't particularly surprising. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice] General News New study poses reparations as an investment, not an indictment: H.R. 40 is a House Resolution that, if passed by Congress and signed by President Biden, would form a committee to study reparations proposals. It's been collecting dust every year since first introduced by the late Rep. John Conyers in 1989. A new study pushes back against the idea that reparations is too tall a task to undertake. [The Black Wall Street Times] Opinion: Strengthening democracy starts in the classroom. Get kids involved in student government: Strengthening our democracy starts with teaching children about our values and electoral process from their earliest years. One of the best ways American schools have done this for generations is through student government. [Margot Habiby / The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Local News 'It is a regressive sales tax': OCDP hosts panel on Thunder arena deal [Fox 25] Wait times at Saint Francis swell; Hillcrest takes emergency services off divert [Public Radio Tulsa] OKC launching public transportation line to reduce downtown traffic, streamline bus routes [The Oklahoman] Enid recall election gains enough signatures to proceed [KFOR] You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. 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. Support Our Work with a Donation Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave. #1005 | Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120 918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org Connect with us: Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences