[In The Know] Governor asks for gaming compact extension, meth-related deaths in Oklahoma climbing, 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 (Guest Post: Matthew Gardner) More of the Same: Corporate tax avoidance hasn’t changed much under 2017 tax law: A new report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy shows that, based on the first year of financial reports released by companies operating under the new tax law, tax avoidance appears to be every bit as much of a problem under the new tax system as it was before the 2017 tax law took effect. [Matthew Gardner / OK Policy] In The News Stitt pitch to tribes: Sign temporary gaming extension: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced he will be asking tribal leaders to sign an extension of the current gaming compact. Matthew Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, reiterated the position that the Oklahoma Model Tribal Gaming Compact automatically renews Jan. 1. [NonDoc] Oklahoma’s governor has said tribal casinos will be operating in violation of the law on Jan. 1, while tribal officials have maintained it will be business as usual for casinos on New Year’s Day. [The Frontier] Attorney General Mike Hunter withdraws from tribal gaming compact negotiations: Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has withdrawn from tribal gaming compact talks, clearing the way for Gov. Kevin Stitt to be the state’s lead negotiator. [Tulsa World] The governor said it’s obvious the state won’t be able to reach a new gaming agreement with Native American tribes before Jan. 1. [CNHI] A new drug scourge: deaths involving meth are rising fast: Today’s meth is far more potent than earlier versions, but because it isn’t an opioid, many federal addiction treatment funds can’t be used to fight it. Deaths associated with meth use are climbing in Oklahoma and in many other states, an alarming trend for a nation battered by the opioid epidemic, and one that public health officials are struggling to fully explain. [New York Times] OK Policy found additional addiction treatments would be available through Medicaid expansion. Oklahoma schools vying to keep 4-day weeks despite new limits: With more restrictions coming for four-day school weeks, some education advocates are fighting to keep their shortened schedules intact. Supporters of four-day school weeks say newly proposed rules from the Oklahoma State Department of Education would force nearly all districts operating on shortened weeks to resume five-day schedules. [The Oklahoman] Records show employee loss exaggerated at Oklahoma County jail: The number of Oklahoma County jail employees who have left their jobs because of management uncertainty seems to have been exaggerated, according to a review of data from the sheriff’s office. [The Oklahoman] Task force approves guidelines for collecting, testing sexual assault DNA evidence: A task force that has been working to improve Oklahoma’s response to sexual assaults voted Tuesday to approve guidelines and procedures for collecting and testing DNA evidence that’s obtained in connection with a sexual assault. [The Oklahoman] Thousands of state employees who owe taxes risk termination: Thousands of state employees are behind in their income taxes and risk disciplinary actions or termination if they don’t resolve the matter, according to data compiled by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. [Oklahoma Watch] Grand River Dam Authority board authorizes sale of Vinita headquarters: The Grand River Dam Authority’s Board of Directors voted unanimously on Tuesday to authorize the sale of its headquarters building in Vinita for $1.5 million to a nonprofit organization that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. [The Frontier] Election date set on sales tax for OKC park operations: An initiative petition filed by former Councilman Ed Shadid will be on Oklahoma City voters’ March 3 ballot. The City Council unanimously approved the election date this morning. [NonDoc] The proposed dedicated fund is analogous to the one-eighth cent voter-approved sales tax that helps to fund the Oklahoma City Zoo. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma City Council approves surf machine, changes personnel policy: In a meeting that was, at turns emotional, contentious, and extremely boring, the city council narrowly approved spending tax money on a surf machine, heard financial reports, and changed personnel policy to be a more inclusive employer. [Free Press OKC] The Council voted Tuesday to amend the city’s personnel policies to prohibit employment discrimination against individuals based on their gender identity or gender expression. [The Journal Record $] ‘Do the math’: Bethany budget problem sucks up city savings: During a tense special hearing Tuesday evening, a certified public accountant told the Bethany City Council that a $3 million to $4 million transfer “error” years ago left the 20,000-resident municipality with far lower cash reserves than city leaders previously thought. [NonDoc] Attorneys say OU sexual harassment case should continue: Attorneys for a man who claims University of Oklahoma officials were negligent in handling his sexual harassment complaint asked a judge Monday to deny a request that the case be dismissed. [CNHI] Tribal Council passes Historic Registry Act: Proposed by Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and approved by the Council, the legislation will help tribe identify, protect and preserve properties of historical significance to the Cherokee Nation. The act makes it a crime to deface tribal property listed on its historic registry. [CNHI] Health officials urge flu vaccine, prevention before holiday travel: Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) reports, as of Dec. 7, three deaths and almost 170 hospitalizations associated with the flu since the season began in September. Those numbers are updated each Thursday. [CNHI] ‘Innocent Man’ inmate to walk free, but for how long?: An Oklahoma man is just days away from walking out of prison after a federal judge decided he has spent 35 years in prison for a kidnapping and murder that evidence indicates he likely didn’t commit, and yet his freedom could be short-lived. [AP News] Quote of the Day “The report also identifies 91 corporations—nearly a quarter of all the companies analyzed—that paid zero, or even less than zero, on their 2018 U.S. income last year. These companies include Amazon, Chevron, Halliburton, MGM Resorts and Netflix.” - Matthew Gardner, a Senior Fellow at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy commenting on its recent report about the impact of new federal corporate tax laws [ITEP] Number of the Day 62,518 Number of children in Oklahoma who received healthy meals and snacks on an average workday in child care participating in CACFP. CACFP is the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program. [Source: FRAC] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Mitigation Matters: Policy solutions to reduce local flood risk: Research from the National Institute of Building Sciences shows that every dollar spent on risk reduction measures—such as creating green space to help absorb floodwaters, buying out residents in at-risk areas who want to move out of harm’s way, and adopting the most up-to-date building codes and standards— saves an average of $6 in disaster costs. [Pew Trusts] 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] Oklahoma appeals opioid verdict, Tulsa Public Schools raises pay for support staff, 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 (Capitol Update) Where is the focus on sentencing reform? The Criminal Justice Reclassification Council has approved its report that will make 10 recommendations to the governor and legislative leaders for the legislative session. The report for this year will concentrate on the “other appropriate recommendations” and not the classification of sentences. Most of the recommendations are common sense actions that have been known to be needed long before the Council was created. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] In The News State appeals opioid verdict claiming $465 million award is not enough: Contending that a $465 million verdict awarded against opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson will be insufficient to fully abate the state's opioid epidemic, the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office filed an appeal with the state Supreme Court on Monday seeking authority to come back and ask for more money later. [The Oklahoman] Civil rights lawsuit claims Oklahoma court discriminates against people with disabilities: In a first-of-its-kind federal class action lawsuit, people who have been locked up in the Canadian County Jail claim the court’s bail system discriminates against people with mental disabilities. The plaintiffs also claim the Canadian County District Court and five of its judges routinely set bail without considering whether it’s affordable. [StateImpact Oklahoma] Tulsa Public Schools support workers to get 30-cent per hour raise: Tulsa Public Schools has concluded its months-long contract dispute with a local union as the school board approved a modest raise for support employees Monday evening. Board members approved and ratified a negotiation agreement between TPS and the Tulsa American Federation of Teachers affiliate, which represents the district’s 2,600 support employees, for the current school year. [Tulsa World] An OK Policy analysis showed that raising pay for support staff is key to improving Oklahoma's schools. Board urged to reconsider rules for four-day school week: Members of the Oklahoma 4-Day School Coalition called on the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Monday to rethink rules that, if formally adopted, could make it nearly impossible for districts to adopt four-day school weeks. [The Journal Record $] Oklahoma group says requirements for keeping four-day school week too strict. [Fox 25] Promised land: Oklahoma has few restrictions on religious property tax exemptions: When it comes time to pay property taxes, the owner of the small house will owe the county more for that residence than the other owner will for the mansion and the 50 acres of land surrounding it, which are fully exempted from property taxes. That’s because the mansion’s owner is a church. [The Frontier]  No special election to be held to fill impending House vacancy: There will be no special election to fill an Oklahoma House seat that will soon be vacant. Rep. Shane Stone, who plans to resign soon, changed his resignation date, which eliminates the possibility of a special election. [The Oklahoman] Joe Dorman: Thankful to those who support foster children: I want to express my appreciation for everyone who is working to improve the lives of children. I had the opportunity to visit with many of those people in-person this week at a community luncheon held by Youth and Family Services, Inc. of El Reno, and it was a great reminder of how lucky we are to have hardworking advocates for children in every corner of the state. [Joe Dorman / CNHI] Oklahoma County Jail Trust continues to inch toward goals: The Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority or Jail Trust, made decisions Monday that moved the Trust forward in spite of the Sheriff’s lack of agreement. The Trust entertained an agenda item to hear a report from the Detention Center Transition Committee. As chair of that committee, County Clerk David B. Hooten reported to the Trust. [Free Press OKC] North Tulsa leaders call on mayor to involve 'community stakeholders' in selection of police chief: Elected leaders from north Tulsa are calling on Mayor G.T. Bynum to involve “community stakeholders” and engage in a “transparent, time-bound and participatory” process for selecting the city’s next police chief. [Tulsa World] Parks tax petition signatures verified — Council to consider Super Tuesday vote: The petition to establish a 1/8 cent sales tax dedicated to maintaining Oklahoma City parks met the minimum of 6,499 verified signatures Friday afternoon. City Clerk Frances Kersey also confirmed that over 7,700 signatures were submitted. [Free Press OKC] Edmond school reveals Oklahoma's 1st book vending machine: A round of cheers erupted at Charles Haskell Elementary for the surprise unveiling of Oklahoma’s first book vending machine on Friday. [The Oklahoman] Gov. Stitt delivers his first OSU commencement address: Oklahoma State University recognized the final graduating class of the decade Saturday at Gallagher-Iba Arena during the 140th OSU commencement. [Stillwater News Press] Cross Village developer sues OU for over $750 million: The developer that partnered with the University of Oklahoma to construct Cross Village is suing the university for more than $750 million, alleging that OU misled Cross investors and breached its contract. [The Norman Transcript] Provident Oklahoma Education Resources essentially argues that OU verbally agreed to a complicated financing scheme for the 1,200-bed Cross Village complex, then left Provident holding the bag when the project went sideways. [Tulsa World]  ‘The ultimate cost’: Oklahoma faces problem gambling, treatment limitations: Oklahoma ranks as the fifth most gambling-addicted state in America, with an estimated 75,000 problem gamblers and historically high numbers of gambling-related embezzlement cases. According to a June study from the National Council on Problem Gambling, 60 percent of surveyed state citizens think the gaming industry should do more to help addicts. Similarly, 38 percent think the government should do more. [NonDoc] How Mexican immigrants saved a dying Oklahoma town: Guymon in Oklahoma was on its way to becoming a ghost town. Then Mexican immigrants arrived 20 years ago after a food processing plant opened. Since then, they've been responsible for an economic boom. [BBC News] A 25-by-30-foot pit? Scientists find reason to search further for mass graves from Tulsa's 1921 Race Massacre: At least three locations in Oaklawn Cemetery and another along the Arkansas River should be examined further for unmarked burials from Tulsa’s 1921 Race Massacre, a team of scientists said Monday night during a public presentation at Carver Middle School. [Tulsa World] A team of forensic archaeologists who spent weeks using ground-penetrating radar at three sites in the city announced Monday night they found “anomalies” consistent with mass graves that warrant further testing. [The Washington Post] Quote of the Day "But where are the sentencing reforms for a criminal justice system that unnecessarily locks up too many people for too long? Our harsh sentencing regime in Oklahoma has huge costs without significant payoff for public safety." - Former House Speaker Steve Lewis on the recommendations made by the Criminal Justice Reclassification Council Number of the Day 66,000 Number of children in Oklahoma age 0-3 who received SNAP food benefits to support good health and food security. SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. [Source: FRAC] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note In just two states, all prisoners can vote. Here's why few do: In helping people with their legal cases, Sughrue realized many can’t read, and even those who can read struggle to write, which makes registering to vote and filling out a ballot practically impossible without help. The corrections departments don’t track literacy rates among prisoners, but in Vermont officials estimate nearly 20 percent of inmates entered prison with less than a high school education. Some studies estimate nearly 60 percent of people in prison are illiterate. [The Marshall Project] 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] Interim report released on mitigating childhood trauma, a look at state poverty rates, 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. In The News Task force finds three important gaps in Oklahoma's trauma-informed care offerings: The Task Force on Trauma-Informed Care has identified three critical gaps in services in Oklahoma: rural communities, poverty-stricken residents and foster care. The panel, established a year ago by Senate Bill 1517, published its interim report this month. [Tulsa World] Census: Oklahoma poverty rates slightly declined in 2018: Poverty rates in Oklahoma saw a very slight decrease during 2018, though the state is still above the national average, according to data estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. [The Oklahoman] The story quoted an OK Policy blog post in September when we shared a series of articles about how poverty impacts Oklahomans, including Census Bureau data showing that Oklahoma poverty rates are well above the national average.  Petition to legalize recreational marijuana in Oklahoma filed: An initiative petition to legalize recreational marijuana use for Oklahomans ages 21 and older was quietly filed with the secretary of state’s office Thursday. The 15-page petition seeks to amend Oklahoma’s constitution to legalize recreational marijuana for most residents and impose an excise tax of 15 percent on recreational, but not medical, marijuana. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma could see big spending in Medicaid expansion campaign: Oklahoma is poised to become the next battleground in a Medicaid expansion fight that has poured tens of millions of dollars into campaigns in other states. [Oklahoma Watch] Capitol Insider: Agency budget requests reviewed: As lawmakers await state revenue figures from the Board of Equalization, state agencies are preparing budget requests, with a little help. [KGOU] Oklahoma receives $5.3 million in Justice Department grants for opioid crisis programs: Oklahoma, state, tribal and local entities will receive $5.3 million from the U.S. Department of Justice to help communities affected by the opioid crisis. [Public Radio Tulsa] OSU Medical Center ER to start offering opioid addiction medication.[Pubic Radio Tulsa] An OK Policy analysis showed that substance abuse disorders are a public health crisis in Oklahoma and recommended expanding health care coverage to help address the issue.  Party members mull enhancements: The citizens of Oklahoma could see a few different measures added to the 2020 ballot, one of which is a question that would alter the use of sentence enhancements in the state's criminal justice system. Most Oklahomans appear to favor criminal justice reform, but opinions vary on how to do it. [CNHI] Gov. Stitt's dispute with tribes has rural communities — and their lawmakers — watching closely: Rural communities are closely watching Gov. Kevin Stitt’s dispute with the tribes over his desire to increase rates on gaming compacts. And their rural lawmakers will have a lot of sway concerning a potential expansion of gaming or the possibility of allowing a commercial operator into the state. [Tulsa World] Report appears to bolster tribal position that gaming compacts automatically renew. [Tulsa World] Casino 101: A breakdown of Class I, II and III gaming. [CNHI] U.S. Supreme Court accepts new Oklahoma case about Indian reservations: The U.S. Supreme Court, which failed this year to decide a case that could have a major impact in eastern Oklahoma, has chosen a different path to determine whether tribal reservations in the state were officially terminated. [The Oklahoman] Murphy and McGirt both argue that federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over crimes involving tribal members. [Tulsa World] Hill elected next Muscogee chief: Muscogee (Creek) Nation determined the six remaining contests in their national elections Saturday, electing a new chief and new National Council members across five districts. According to unofficial results released by the Nation, David Hill will be the tribe’s new principal chief. [Muskogee Phoenix] According to returns released Saturday night, Hill won 3,399-1,779 to succeed James Floyd as chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma Supreme Court 'mistaken' to hear challenges to abortion restrictions, attorney general says: The Oklahoma Supreme Court should stop ruling on lawsuits about abortion restrictions because the state constitution doesn’t recognize a right to abortion, the Oklahoma attorney general argued last week to the state’s justices. [The Oklahoman] Judges: Cleveland County courts meet standards: Cleveland County bail practices and its method of appointing public defenders in criminal cases meet constitutional requirements as opposed to a nearby county which is facing a federal lawsuit. [Norman Transcript] Lawmakers accuse Epic Charter Schools of trying to intimidate them, setting 'dangerous' precedent with defamation lawsuit against state senator: Tulsa-area lawmakers blasted Epic Charter Schools on Friday for suing a state senator for slander and libel over statements he reportedly made while questioning the school’s student attendance practices. [Tulsa World] Proposal to give terminally ill faster pot license: State Sen. Rob Standridge (R-Norman) wants to work with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) in the development of the proposal, which was initiated after the lawmaker visited with a constituent who is terminally ill. [CNHI] Tulsa Race Massacre burial committee to get report on mass grave search: Results of subsurface scanning in search of unmarked burials from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre will be reported to the public at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Carver Middle School’s Tyrone Wilkerson Auditorium, 624 E. Oklahoma Place. [Tulsa World] Tulsa World Editorial Board: City's search for unmarked graves from the 1921 race massacre should go on. [Editorial Board / Tulsa World] What do Tulsa School Board members think about the plan to cut $20 million? Here are their answers: After hearing the superintendent’s intended recommendations to slash $20 million from the district budget, Tulsa’s school board again must decide the fate of schools targeted for closure. [Tulsa World] Western Heights school district shorted $7.3 million in state aid over 11-year period: The Western Heights Public School District was shorted more than $7.3 million in state aid payments over an 11-year period because of an error in the way the Oklahoma State Department of Education calculated payments due under the state aid formula, a state audit has determined. [The Oklahoman] How fast does TPD respond to calls from residents? It depends: A Tulsa World review of police response times found long waits to be rare. Overall response times, in fact, have been declining over the past three years, the analysis found. [Tulsa World] See how fast the Tulsa Police Department responds to calls in your ZIP code. [Tulsa World] Attorneys argue over legality of city's proposed Tourism Improvement District: Attorneys battling over the fate of the city’s proposed Tourism Improvement District spent more than an hour in Tulsa County District Court on Friday presenting their cases for summary judgment before District Judge Linda Morrissey but left the courtroom with no resolution. [Tulsa World] MAPS rewind: A vote for neighborhoods: MAPS 4's focus on residents' daily lives was a winning strategy in last week's election. "MAPS 4 struck at the heart of what being a good neighbor is all about," said Georgie Rasco, executive director of the Neighborhood Alliance. [The Oklahoman] 'A long row to hoe': Oklahoma farmers grapple with challenging times: Challenges and uncertainty are nothing new to farmers, but several years of bad weather, coupled with weak commodity prices, unpredictable trade disputes and other challenges, have taken a toll on Oklahoma farming families. [The Oklahoman] Will oil field wastewater be used for irrigation (or other purposes) in Oklahoma? The state of Oklahoma could gain approval from the Environmental Protection Agency to issue permits that would allow oil producers to dispose of oil field production water in above-ground waterways. But it shouldn’t be a reality for years to come. [Tulsa World] Mary Fallin is enjoying life away from politics: After 28 years in office, eight as governor, Mary Fallin quietly left the heat of a very public spotlight. [Tulsa World] State ups its game against feral hogs with pilot program: Oklahoma is preparing to up its game in 2020 against an opponent that is clever, damaging and relentless — the feral hog. [Tulsa World] Quote of the Day "Poverty can affect our students before they even walk in the door. But poverty is not an indicator of ability. It just means that you may need different supports. ... Poverty affects people in a multitude of ways, but it is not an indicator of who you can be and who you can grow into. But it is a factor." -Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association speaking about new Census data about poverty in the state [The Oklahoman] Number of the Day 12 The number of states including Oklahoma where at least half of all public schools are rural. The other states are Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, North Dakota, Maine, Alaska, Nebraska, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Mississippi. [Source: Why Rural Matters 2018-2019] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Turns out that feeding people might help them not die: People are a little less likely to die prematurely if they receive federal food assistance, according to a new study looking at benefits receipt and death records. The new research, published in the November edition of the journal Health Affairs, found that participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, reduced the risk of premature mortality by as much as 2 percentage points among people younger than 65 from 1999 through 2011. [HuffPost] 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

 

 

[The Weekly Wonk] An examination of criminal justice reforms, SNAP, 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 from OK Policy The Governor's RESTORE criminal justice task force is expected to release its recommendations in January and it has the potential to fundamentally alter Oklahoma's justice system. The task force could bring greater justice to the state’s prison system by strengthening investments in alternatives to incarceration and treatment, reducing fines and fees, lowering the impact of cash bail on the poorest Oklahomans, and creating a dedicated re-entry system.  OK Policy criminal justice analyst Damion Shade participated in The State of Working America podcast to discuss key challenges and prospects for undoing some of the damage America's criminal justice system inflicts on the economically disadvantaged and communities of color. Across the nation, about a third of university students and nearly two out of three community college students are food insecure, meaning they are uncertain where their next meal will come from. Colleges and universities can help address this problem by informing college students that they might be able to get help putting food on the table through SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. OK Policy shared analysis on the latest SNAP rule changes, which will not impact Oklahomans. Anticipated changes in 2020, however, could be detrimental to thousands of Oklahoma families.  In her weekly Journal Record column, Executive Director Ahniwake Rose called on us to strive for a criminal justice system that treats all Oklahomans equitably regardless of the size of their bank account, the color of their skin or the neighborhood in which they live. Last week, she reminded us that continued investment in public services like education is crucial to undoing the damage caused by years of budget cuts. In the most recent Capitol Update column, Steve Lewis noted that lawmakers need truthful and complete information to make agency appropriation decisions. During our hiatus, Lewis pointed out that there were a number of reform proposals left on the table at the end of last year’s legislative session that could move Oklahoma toward less harsh, lengthy, and expensive sentences, and took a look at redistricting in Oklahoma. This week, we announced the hiring of Dave Hamby as our communications director to oversee the organization’s communication and media relations programs. Hamby started at OK Policy in October 2019 and serves as a member of the organization’s leadership team.  OK Policy in the News Open Justice Oklahoma, a project of OK Policy, helped provide data and analysis for a special, multi-series report by the Tulsa World on the impact of Oklahoma's reliance on fines and fees. The special report included 10 stories that highlighted how excessive fines and fees has led to a two-tiered justice system — one where those who can afford to pay go free while those who can’t afford to pay often get stuck in a cycle of debt. OK Policy was cited in an editorial in the Tulsa World by Michael DuPont on how Oklahoma can work to reduce poverty. CNHI cited OK Policy in a story about Governor Stitt traveling without a gubernatorial jet. The O'Colly cited OK Policy data in a story about music education in the state.

[In The Know] City of Tulsa announces affordable housing strategies, NE OKC food security discussed, 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 The Governor’s justice task force gives lawmakers a chance to address the scale of Oklahoma’s prison crisis: Building on the state’s recent momentum towards criminal justice reform, Gov. Kevin Stitt this spring created the criminal justice RESTORE Task Force to make recommendations that could be considered during the upcoming Legislative session. This task force has the potential to fundamentally alter Oklahoma’s justice system for the better and is expected to release its recommendations in January. The RESTORE task force could bring greater justice to the state’s prison system by strengthening investments in alternatives to incarceration and treatment, reducing fines and fees, lowering the impact of cash bail on the poorest Oklahomans, and creating a dedicated re-entry system.  [OK Policy] In The News City of Tulsa announces strategies to increase affordable housing, reduce evictions and homelessness: The strategy, created in cooperation with dozens of local nonprofits, developers and other stakeholders, was built to address four key objectives: to strengthen neighborhoods, preserve and develop affordable housing opportunities, reduce evictions, and lower the number of homeless. [Tulsa World] Symposium highlights food security issues in NE OKC: Oklahoma City residents, policymakers, and experts who have studied food security in low-income communities gathered in the Metro Tech auditorium Wednesday to discuss potential ways to solve the food access crisis in northeast OKC. [NonDoc] Tahlequah Daily Press: Let voters decide Medicaid, redistricting: In theory, Oklahomans vote for politicians whom they can count on to represent their interests at the statehouse. In practice, though, many lawmakers have been inclined to represent their own best interests, and those of their key donors. [Editorial Board / Tahlequah Daily Press] OK Policy supports SQ 802 and has provided information and resources to better understand the issue.  Ginnie Graham: What laws need to pass next year to help Oklahoma's children in trauma: In my daughter’s middle school of nearly 900 students, there is one counselor, who is constantly in motion setting schedules, meeting with teachers, answering parent questions and dealing with stuff that pops up. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World] OK Policy analysis has shown that increased school funding would allow schools to expand staffing, including hiring additional counselors.  Stitt bets big in taking on tribes on gaming compact: Through dozens of interviews with state and tribal officials, The Frontier has learned both sides expect the stalemate to continue into next year and both sides are preparing for a variety of legal options, including a likely hearing in federal court. [The Frontier] State Election Board debuts new OK Voter Portal: The State Election Board has launched a brand new tool that will provide the state’s online voter services in one convenient location. The OK Voter Portal debuted this month on the State Election Board website at elections.ok.gov. [CNHI] The debate over redistricting in Oklahoma: An initiative that could lead to big changes in the way districts represented by lawmakers are drawn off in Oklahoma grew out of an informal, grassroots effort launched in 2016 to simply get people more involved in state government. [The Journal Record $] AG joins call for illicit fentanyl to remain Schedule I drug: Attorney General Mike Hunter on Wednesday sent a letter to Congress, asking lawmakers to take quick action on legislation to permanently classify illicitly manufactured fentanyl and related substances as Schedule I drugs. [CNHI] Bill calls for changes to medical marijuana law: Legislation that would alter language regarding employment protections for medical marijuana license holders and prohibit dispensaries from operating within 1,000 feet of a place of worship is scheduled to be heard on the first day of the 2020 legislative session. [The Journal Record $] Oklahoma’s vaping rules may tighten as scrutiny persists: At an interim study on second-hand smoke exposure in October, Oklahoma House Speaker Pro Tempore Harold Wright outlined legislation he filed that would make it illegal to smoke or vape at in-home daycare centers when children aren’t present, and get rid of smoking and vaping in bars altogether. [StateImpact Oklahoma] John Hope Franklin's 'unadulterated truth' goal of African American history invoked at commission's Tulsa presentation: It was no surprise that the name of the late John Hope Franklin was invoked during the 400 Years of African American History Commission’s presentation at Tulsa’s Central Library on Thursday night. [Tulsa World] A new boomtown: Tulsa makes Inc. magazine's 'Surge Cities' list for wage growth: Tulsa ranks No. 1 in America for wage growth on Inc. magazine’s annual Surge Cities list, a guide to the best 50 cities in the United States for starting a business. Featured on the list for the first time, Tulsa was 47th overall. Wage growth was among the criteria measuring the top cities in the country on Inc.’s second annual list. [Tulsa World] Canadian County leads country in GDP growth among similar-sized counties: Canadian County was one of the nation's leaders in rate of gross domestic product growth in 2018. Canadian County’s GDP was nearly $4.2 billion, up from nearly $3.5 billion in 2017, according to estimates released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. [The Oklahoman] Tulsa city councilors share their thoughts on what they would like to see from new police chief: The mayor gets to pick Tulsa’s next police chief, but city councilors — like any other resident — have their own expectations for the next top cop and how that person should be selected. [Tulsa World] Audit cites complaints of unprofessional conduct by former finance official at Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics: The head of finance at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics retired abruptly last summer after complaints of unprofessional behavior and poorly documented raises were called to the attention of the school's governing board. [The Oklahoman] Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma receives funding from EPA: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently awarded more than $75,000 to the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma to support water quality programs. The funding will help the tribe maintain, protect and improve the water quality of waterbodies on tribal land, including rivers, lakes, and groundwater. [CNHI] Cherokee chief wraps up ambitious first 100 days: Since he took office a little over 100 days ago, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. has rolled out several initiatives, advanced projects of the former administration, and clashed with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt over the state’s tribal gaming compact. [CNHI] First Americans Museum in OKC rebrands as construction resumes: What was previously called the “American Indian Cultural Center and Museum” is now being completed as the renamed and rebranded First Americans Museum (FAM). [Free Press OKC] The $175 million, 175,000-square-foot museum is designed to Smithsonian Institution standards. Features will include a Smithsonian and Tribal Nations galleries; artifacts from the Smithsonian collections will be displayed. [The Oklahoman] Quote of the Day "We know that where everybody has decent, safe, affordable places to live, economies can thrive. When housing is threatened, it is hard to think of almost anything else.” -Becky Gligo, City of Tulsa's housing policy director [Tulsa World] Number of the Day 9% The cost of climate change to Oklahoma by 2099 as a percent of state income. Rural counties in Southeast and Southwest Oklahoma can expect costs of more than 10% of their income. [Source: Brookings Institution] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Meet the Low-Wage Workforce: As globalization and automation reshape the labor market, workers today must navigate a changing economic landscape. Some people and places are poised to do well; others, less so. One thing that is clear is these economic forces favor workers who have higher levels of education and earn higher wages. Low-wage workers risk becoming collateral damage, struggling to find their footing in the labor market and an educational system riddled with inequities. [Brookings Institution] 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