[The Weekly Wonk] COVID-19 in Oklahoma prisons is a moral emergency | Interim studies examine police reform | Building community

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 COVID-19 in Oklahoma prisons is a moral emergency: The COVID-19 virus has ravaged jails and prisons across the United States. As of Sept. 15, at least 125,000 people in prisons have tested positive for the virus. Prisoners testing positive in Florida, California, Arkansas, and Oklahoma have driven a second peak in prison outbreaks. This crisis will escalate without further action. Oklahoma’s prison population is older and struggling with greater underlying health conditions than the average American prison population. The COVID-19 crisis in Oklahoma prisons is a moral emergency requiring urgent action to better protect vulnerable inmates, staff, and surrounding communities. [Damion Shade / OK Policy] Policy Matters: Fulfilling our moral responsibility: Our state leaders toss around the phrase “Oklahoma Standard” frequently when they talk about our moral character when we collectively take action during times of crisis. For the life of me, though, I am trying to figure out why it’s taken six months to apply that standard for those working or living in Oklahoma prisons and jails. [Ahniwake Rose / Policy Matters] Interim studies examine police reform measures (Capitol Update): Interim studies held last week appeared to be a sincere effort to learn if anything can be done to decrease police violence and increase accountability, not just for individual officers but for their departments and their city and county leaders. But it will not be easy in an election year when the issue is being made partisan at the national level. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]

[In The Know] State weekly virus case count double national rate | Education budget request sent to Legislature | 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. Some stories may be behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and click here see past editions. New from OK Policy Together Oklahoma to host conversation on building community unity: Next week, Together Oklahoma will be hosting a discussion on building community unity. The event will take place at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Guest speaker Joshua Harris-Till will be discussing the challenges facing communities across the nation and the things people can do to help make a positive impact. [The Daily Ardmoreite] Oklahoma News Oklahoma's new weekly case count doubles national rate, White House report shows: Oklahoma’s new weekly COVID-19 case count per capita has doubled the national average in the latest White House Coronavirus Task Force report. The rate climbed to 175 per 100,000 people, which is double the U.S. rate of 86. Comparatively, the state dropped one spot from a week ago to No. 6 in the country. [Tulsa World] Task force: Oklahoma 3rd in U.S. in coronavirus positivity [AP News] State Health Commissioner defends color-coded COVID map: 'Their red is our orange' [Public Radio Tulsa] COVID-19: 1,083 more cases, 7-day rolling average sets record for fourth straight day [Tulsa World] Oklahoma State Medical Association calls on Tulsa to require masks for children 10 and up [Public Radio Tulsa] First COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Oklahoma to be reserved for health care workers, most at risk, state officials say: The Oklahoma State Department of Health is reserving the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine for frontline health care workers. State health officials discussed with reporters Thursday their developing three-phase approach to distributing a vaccine. [Tulsa World] At the outset, state officials anticipate Oklahoma will receive enough vaccinations for 20,000-30,000 people, or roughly 1% of the population. [The Oklahoman] Vaccines would become more readily available as the state moves into Phase 3 of the distribution process. [Norman Transcript] Board passes $3.2 billion education budget request to legislature: Funding to secure the main student information system and to hire hundreds of school counselors to address students’ trauma were key issues in an education budget totalling nearly $3.2 billion approved by the state Board of Education on Thursday. [Oklahoma Watch] The state Legislature will consider the request in its 2021 session.But, the state’s financial picture of the upcoming budget year is murky amid the COVID-19 pandemic. [The Oklahoman] 'We are not pleased': Virus impact on Oklahoma schools prompts push for quarantine consistency [Tulsa World] Health department considering more consistent exposure notification process with schools [Norman Transcript] Oklahoma schools could be given bigger role in tracing COVID cases [Public Radio Tulsa] A month into the fall semester, StateImpact Oklahoma has tracked hundreds of COVID-19 cases in schools [StateImpact Oklahoma] Fort Gibson schools notify students, parents about possible COVID-19 exposure [Muskogee Phoenix] EPS quarantine, isolation numbers fall as Adams returns to classroom learning [Enid News & Eagle] Stillwater Board of Education president resigning [Stillwater News Press] Health News State: Kids’ dental health to improve: Many children in Oklahoma may get fewer cavities and suffer fewer serious dental problems in the future as a result of changes in store as the state expands Medicaid, the director of dental services at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority said. [The Journal Record] State Government News Interim studies examine racial justice, discrimination issues: State Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, hosted two interim studies this week that examined the benefits of forming a state commission on race and equality and requiring racial impact statements for new legislation that would affect the criminal justice system. Oklahoma Policy Institute Criminal Justice Policy Analyst Damion Shade said that the socioeconomic disparities seen in the state are not solely based on race, but are also divided in a rural vs. urban gap. [The Journal Record] Interim study looks at permanent changes to Open Meetings Act: An interim study held Wednesday in the Oklahoma Senate examined the potential to permanently incorporate changes that the Oklahoma Legislature made earlier this year, allowing agencies, boards and commissions at the state and local levels to meet and hold public meetings virtually. [Lawton Constitution] Sheriff: 'Broader principle' at stake in public records case: A western Oklahoma sheriff says agreeing to email public records to citizens could set a precedent that could negatively affect his office. As part of a graduate-level project last year, a Marquette University professor asked the Custer County Sheriff's Office for some police reports. Sheriff Kenneth Tidwell made the records available but declined to email them. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma wants to get $300 extra in the hands of unemployed using a new online form: State officials have processed about half a million payments under the federal Lost Wages Assistance program this week, but some Oklahomans expressed frustration that they never got benefits they said were owed. [The Oklahoman] First-time jobless claims hold steady at 5,560 for week: First-time jobless claims for unemployment insurance held steady last week compared to the prior seven-day period, according to a U.S. Labor Department report issued Thursday. [Tulsa World] 4-week average for continued claims down for 13th week [The Journal Record] OK Senators support Trump SCOTUS nominee, I.C.E. in OK County Jail, prison COVID testing & more: This Week in Oklahoma Politics talks about support from Oklahoma Senators James Lankford and Jim Inhofe to vote for President Trump's nominee to replace the late-Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg on the U.S. Supreme Court, the Oklahoma County Jail Trust falling one vote shy of removing Immigrations and Customs Enforcement out of the jail and the state's decision to start testing prison employees following an outbreak of COVID-19 at facilities. [KOSU] Federal Government News Lankford defends Trump comments on transfer of power: U.S. Sen. James Lankford on Thursday defended President Donald Trump’s comments about the potential transfer of power next year, as the Senate unanimously approved a resolution asserting the Senate’s intent that the people’s will not be overturned. [The Oklahoman] Criminal Justice News ‘What if people could trust us?’: Wayland Cubit, an officer and mentor, runs for sheriff: Cubit wants to create a sheriff’s department focused on building trust between law enforcement and the community. As an Oklahoma City police officer and leader of a youth mentoring organization, Cubit’s professional and personal life has centered on saving children growing up in northeast Oklahoma City, the community where he was raised and still lives. [The Frontier] Oklahoma court says child neglect charge applies to unborn: Unborn children are included in the definition of a “child” for purposes of prosecuting child neglect cases, an Oklahoma appeals court ruled on Thursday. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals overturned a lower court ruling in a case involving Kearline Datara Anderson of Rogers County who was charged with child neglect after state prosecutors alleged she used illegal drugs while she was pregnant. [AP News] Economic Opportunity OHFA trustees approve $4.4M in affordable housing grants: The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency Board of Trustees approved HOME Investment Partnerships Program and National Housing Trust Fund grants totaling more than $4.4 million at its September meeting. [The Journal Record] Education News Newly appointed education secretary: Virtual teaching during COVID a ‘heavy lift’: In just a few years, Ryan Walters has gone from commanding a classroom to having the ear of the governor. Walters, a teacher from McAlester, was tapped by Gov. Kevin Stitt to serve as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education earlier this month, following the resignation of Oklahoma Secretary of State Michael Rogers, who had been filling both roles. The appointment will require confirmation from the Senate. [Oklahoma Watch] General News Oklahoma in 'final sprint' before census deadline: As the Sept. 30 deadline for census responses approaches, a number of Oklahoma groups are working to ensure as many people as possible are counted. Oklahoma currently has a response rate of 93.8%, ranking 38th in the nation for response rates, according to the official census website. [KGOU] Census director visits Oklahoma, urges residents to sign up. [Southwest Ledger] Several Oklahoma communities have increased the percentage of residents responding to the once-in-a-decade event. [Pauls Valley Daily Democrat] Poll: One in five likely Oklahoma voters say they'll cast ballot by mail: One in five likely voters in Oklahoma plans to vote by mail in the general election, according to a poll that shows independent and Democratic voters are more inclined than Republicans to mail in absentee ballots. [The Oklahoman] Tulsa County Election Board sending out thousands of absentee ballots for Nov. 3 election [Tulsa World] Rabies-infected bats in Oklahoma "not the next plague of 2020 or anything": Oklahoma has seen its second case of rabies in a bat in the past six weeks and health officials say it’s a good reminder to take precautions against the disease. [KGOU] Health officials in Oklahoma report an increase in rabies in Oklahoma with 38 cases thus far in 2020 compared to an average of 36 per year during the previous four years. [AP News] Oklahoma Local News Medical marijuana sales tax revenues multiply in Oklahoma City [The Oklahoman] Triple X Road to be restored after years of safety concerns [The Oklahoman] Protest in OKC focused on Breonna Taylor death in Kentucky [OKC Free Press] Tulsa City sales tax collections still trending up, but not at pre-pandemic levels [Public Radio Tulsa] Greenwood Rising vision is spurring dialogue: 'Acknowledge the past and address it' [Tulsa World] Changes to Norman mask ordinance explained by city [Norman Transcript] 'Unite Norman' group storms city council demanding a vote for Boyd [KGOU] Quote of the Day  “African Americans make up 8-9% of our state’s population, but this same group makes up 25-30% of our total incarceration rate. Mass incarceration exasperates inequality and we must address this issue.” -Sen. George Young, D-OKC, during an interim study on the need for racial impact statements when crafting criminal justice legislation. [The Journal Record] Number of the Day 33.5% The share of Oklahoma state and local taxes that comes from sales taxes, ranking our state as the 12th most dependent on sales taxes. [Tax Foundation] See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note Bolstering State Economies by Raising Progressive Taxes: As state and local governments face unprecedented revenue shortfalls over the next three fiscal years, many are considering slashing services and public sector employment at exactly the time they are needed most. These moves have the potential to devastate communities and local economies, causing unnecessary hardship, deepening the recession, and hampering the eventual economic recovery. The federal government should step in immediately, using cheap federal borrowing to support state and local governments—just as the recently passed House stimulus bill (the HEROES Act) would do. But states and localities should also move quickly to stave off cuts and expand services and employment by raising revenue progressively. [Roosevelt Institute] 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] DOC reports new death as state virus count tops 80,000 | Our moral responsibility for Oklahoma prisons | 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. Some stories may be behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and click here see past editions. New from OK Policy Policy Matters: Fulfilling our moral responsibility: Our state leaders toss around the phrase “Oklahoma Standard” frequently when they talk about our moral character when we collectively take action during times of crisis. For the life of me, though, I am trying to figure out why it’s taken six months to apply that standard for those working or living in Oklahoma prisons and jails. [Ahniwake Rose / Policy Matters] Oklahoma News DOC: COVID-19-positive inmate dies in outbreak at Fort Supply prison: A William S. Key inmate who had tested positive for COVID-19 has died, as the Health Department announced 14 more deaths, with coronavirus the cause or a contributor, and an increase of 1,164 cases statewide Tuesday. Oklahoma Department of Corrections reported on its website Tuesday that cases of the virus at the minimum-security, open-dorm facility in Woodward County had risen to 784 — 56% of the overall cases among Oklahoma correctional facilities — and that one inmate had died, "possibly" from COVID-19. [Enid News & Eagle] ‘We are still human beings’ Oklahoma prisoners, officials adjust as COVID-19 spreads [StateImpact Oklahoma] ‘What if something happens and he doesn’t get to come home?’ [The Frontier] County jails not required to disclose COVID-19 transfers [Norman Transcript] Cushing Correctional Facility begins receiving federal prisoners [Stillwater News Press] Temporary pay bump planned for prison employees [CNHI via Tahlequah Daily Press] White House report: Oklahoma's new coronavirus cases, test positivity remain high: Oklahoma continues to struggle with the spread of the coronavirus, according to the latest report from the White House Coronavirus Task Force. The state’s COVID-19 test positivity is the third-highest in the country and the state ranks sixth for new infections, a one-spot improvement from a week prior. [The Oklahoman] White House: Oklahoma 3rd Worst In Nation For COVID Test Positivity, 6th Worst For New Cases [Public Radio Tulsa] Reported virus cases in Oklahoma surpass 80,000; 8 more deaths [The Journal Record] Oklahoma sets new high in average for 3rd day in a row as total COVID cases break 80,000 [Public Radio Tulsa] Census deadline approaching Sept. 30: The deadline to fill out the 2020 U.S. Census is just days away on Sept. 30. Take the time to fill out your census. It is money for greater things in our community. [Ponca Post] Guest Opinion: Complete the Census: Important funding decisions are based on participation [Opinion / Tulsa World] Census 2020: Beckham County Could Lose Millions in Federal Funding [KECO] Health News Pandemic taking a 'sobering' toll on Oklahomans' mental health: The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on Oklahomans' mental health, a researcher told the Tulsa City Council on Wednesday. "It's not that COVID has changed the mental health interventions we know we need," said Zack Stoycoff, executive director of the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, during a virtual meeting of the council's urban and economic development committee. [Public Radio Tulsa] Oklahoma Guard gives mental health association CEO highest civilian honor: The Oklahoma National Guard has awarded Mental Health Association Oklahoma CEO Terri White its Medal of Freedom. It is the Oklahoma National Guard’s highest civilian honor. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma Engaged: Medicaid expansion vote wasn’t as simple as urban versus rural: Back in June, Oklahoma voted to expand Medicaid through State Question 802. That vote determined that Oklahoma would open its Medicaid program, SoonerCare, to more adults. About 200,000 Oklahomans are expected to qualify for enrollment under Medicaid expansion. The Oklahoma Policy Institute, a non-profit think tank, did a deep dive into voting trends on State Question 802 and reached the conclusion that the urban versus rural breakdown was a myth. [StateImpact Oklahoma] State Government News Some employers to see hike in unemployment insurance rates: Some employers may see a slight increase in unemployment insurance, Shelley Zumwalt, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission executive director, said Wednesday. “For the majority of them, the rate increase will not be significant,” Zumwalt said. [The Oklahoman] Young Oklahoma lawmakers form Future Caucus: Republicans and Democrats in the Oklahoma Legislature share common goals and can find more common ground than many might realize, members of a newly formed Future Caucus believe. [The Journal Record] Lawmakers study administrative rules process: A group of state legislators on Tuesday held an interim study on the administrative rules process with the goal of analyzing potential improvements, changes or reforms so the Legislature is more involved in the process. [The Journal Record] October hearing scheduled in state's case against opioid distributors: Oklahoma lawsuits against a trio of prescription opioid distributors are moving forward in Bryan County District Court after a federal judge rejected an attempt by one of the companies to move its case to federal court. [The Oklahoman] Criminal Justice News Mental health crisis experts to join Tulsa 911 dispatchers: Tulsa-area 911 callers in psychiatric distress will now have access to a mental health professional, thanks to a partnership between city public safety agencies and community nonprofits. [Tulsa World] Tulsa man sues state after wrongful murder conviction resulting in imprisonment for 28 years: A Tulsa man who was declared actually innocent last year after spending 28 years in prison for first-degree murder filed a lawsuit against the state seeking damages for his wrongful conviction. [Tulsa World] Man arrested in connection with his mother's death found hanging in Tulsa County jail cell: A man facing a murder complaint in the death of his elderly mother was found hanging in the Tulsa County jail on Tuesday. [Tulsa World] Group opposes State Question 805, says changes will increase crime: A group opposing State Question 805 officially launched a campaign Wednesday to discourage voters from supporting the measure in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 3 general election. [The Oklahoman] Economic Opportunity Food in a desert: new grocer set to ease east side grocery woes: East Oklahoma City will see a supermarket return to the community as construction begins next month on a new Homeland. A predominantly Black community, the east side has been without a full-size grocer since August 2019. [The Oklahoman] Economy & Business News More meat plants eyed for rural Oklahoma: Rural communities in Oklahoma are poised to get some economic spark related to investment in meat processing facilities. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has been in touch with several dozen potential investors interested in building new processing plants or expanding facilities. [The Journal Record] Education News Claremore sees new COVID peak, says numbers may be credited to schools opening: As of Tuesday, Rogers County has seen a total of 1,729 confirmed cases and 49 deaths. This is compared to 1,683 confirmed cases and 48 deaths reported on Monday, a 46 case increase day-over-day, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. [Claremore Daily Progress] Norman schools return to five-day in-person classes [Norman Transcript] | [The Oklahoman] Colleges report enrollment drops during pandemic: Bacone College officials were bracing for the worst heading into the fall semester. With the COVID-19 pandemic ramping up, officials with the small private Muskogee college projected nearly 15 percent of students would likely sit out the school year. [CNHI via Tahlequah Daily Press] OU not requiring test scores on applications through 2025: Submitting scores from a test like the ACT or SAT will be optional for students applying to the University of Oklahoma for the next five years. [Public Radio Tulsa] Meeting the needs of students as a first-year teacher: The first year of teaching can be stressful for any educator, but a school year starting in the midst of a pandemic has presented multiple uphill battles for Oklahoma’s first-year teachers to overcome. [NonDoc] General News 'Killing Pain': Documentary series wins regional Emmy Awards for chronicling Oklahoma's opioid crisis: A new episode of "Killing Pain" debuted in spring as the COVID-19 pandemic began to take its toll on Oklahomans already living the opioid epidemic. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma Local News Norman City Council rejects Sean Boyd as nominee, irritates Unite Norman [NonDoc] Norman councilor files legal challenge to recall [Norman Transcript] | [The Oklahoman] Norman City Council requires masks at indoor house parties [AP News] Four Oklahoma highway weigh stations closed to deal with COVID-19 issues [The Oklahoman] OU student-athletes rally for racial justice, equality [Norman Transcript] Quote of the Day “Every hurdle you might have as a first-year teacher in the classroom is amplified by 10.” -Anna Homan, an eighth-grade pre-algebra teacher at Roosevelt Middle School in Oklahoma City, describing her experience as a first-year teacher while also managing virtual learning [NonDoc] Number of the Day 16% Percentage of Oklahoma adults who reported that children in their household weren't eating enough because they couldn't afford enough food. [Source: U.S. Census Household Pulse Data analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]  See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note New data: Millions struggling to eat and pay rent: Millions of households are having serious trouble affording food and are falling behind on the rent, the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey for September 2-14 shows. Twenty-three million adults reported that their household didn’t get enough to eat, and an estimated 1 in 4 renters with children lived in a household that was behind on rent. Also, data for August show that some 35 million people — including 9 million children — either met the federal definition of “unemployed” (which understates the actual number of jobless workers) or lived with an unemployed family member, according to Census’ latest Current Population Survey. [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] Prison officials announce virus plans | New high for state 7-day virus average | Census deadline approaches

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. Some stories may be behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Click here to subscribe to In The Know and click here see past editions. New from OK Policy Interim studies examine police reform measures (Capitol Update): Interim studies held last week appeared to be a sincere effort to learn if anything can be done to decrease police violence and increase accountability, not just for individual officers but for their departments and their city and county leaders. But it will not be easy in an election year when the issue is being made partisan at the national level. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] Oklahoma News COVID-19 in state prisons: ‘It’s supposed to be a work camp, not a death camp’: Confirmed coronavirus cases in Oklahoma’s prison system have soared since July 22, when the corrections department reported 103 cases following an outbreak at the Lexington Correctional Center. As of Tuesday, 3,160 inmates had tested positive for the coronavirus with 1,398 cases active. Nine inmate and three corrections staff deaths may have been caused by COVID-19, according to corrections department data. [Oklahoma Watch] Amid a “spike” of COVID-19 outbreaks at its facilities, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections is beginning mandatory employee testing and will be considering other mitigation efforts, such as wastewater sampling. [NonDoc] The Oklahoma Corrections Department will also increase testing of vulnerable inmate populations. [The Oklahoman] | [Tulsa World] A $2 an hour increase only will be available to those physically working in a facility that’s a declared hot spot, according to a department memo announcing the initiative. It is effective immediately. [CNHI via Enid News & Eagle] DOC Director Crow said more details on the plan would be released Wednesday [Public Radio Tulsa] | [KOSU] Watch: State officials address COVID-19 response in Oklahoma prisons [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma sees 2nd straight day with new highs in COVID 7-day average, active cases: The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported on Tuesday, 1,164 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the state's total to 79,072. Tulsa County had 173 of Tuesday's cases. Its total now stands at 16,207, second to Oklahoma County's 16,961. The state's seven-day average of new cases, which shows the trend in infections, rose from 1,098 to 1,108, a new high for the second day in a row. [Public Radio Tulsa] Coronavirus in Oklahoma update: 1,164 new cases; 14 new deaths [The Oklahoman] Stitt cautions COVID-positive college students to stay on campus: As some colleges and universities across the country have become hotbeds for new COVID-19 outbreaks since welcoming students back to campus for fall semester, Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday stressed that students at Oklahoma institutions should remain on campus if they become infected. [Public Radio Tulsa] Millions could be lost here in 2020 census: Oklahoma could miss out on an estimated $421 million annually in federal funding if the state’s response rate to the U.S. census doesn’t improve soon, officials estimate. Currently, some 60.4% of Oklahomans have been accounted for by way of voluntary “self-response” to census survey questionnaires. [The Journal Record] Census deadline approaching [NewsOn6] Low census completion in Midwest City means possible loss of federal funding for roads, education and more [City of Midwest City] Census officials knocking on doors as deadline nears completion [Choctaw Nation] Editorial: Take time to register, fill out census [Lawton Constitution] Health News 'A mental health crisis brewing with COVID-19 like something we have never seen before': City Council to receive update on mental health in Tulsa: Mental Health Association Oklahoma is just one of a myriad of service providers working to address mental health issues in Tulsa. It’s not an easy problem to solve, and as Zack Stoycoff, executive director of policy and planning for the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, plans to tell city councilors Wednesday, it’s only getting more difficult. [Tulsa World] State Government News About 100,000 Oklahomans will see an additional $300 a week in unemployment benefits: The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission began processing an additional $300 a week in federal unemployment benefits this week for those affected by COVID-19, said Shelley Zumwalt, executive director. The $300 benefit, called Lost Wages Assistance, is on top of the regular state and federal benefits. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma schools still need more money, consultant tells legislators: The main fault with Oklahoma’s public school funding formula is that there isn’t enough money in it, a consultant who’s studied the matter for three years said at a legislative hearing Tuesday. [Tulsa World] Redistricting petition withdrawn as legislative leaders pledge transparent process: Citing legislative efforts to create a transparent redistricting process, supporters of independent redistricting withdrew Tuesday an initiative petition seeking to take away state legislators’ power to draw legislative and congressional districts. [The Oklahoman] People Not Politicians Executive Director Andy Moore said the group would instead focus on making sure the redistricting process is conducted by the Legislature in a fair and transparent manner. [AP News] Citizens not entitled to receive public records by email, judge rules: A Custer County judge says Oklahoma's Open Records Act needs a legislative fix to account for modern communication styles, i.e. email. [The Oklahoman] Ryan Walters: ‘First and foremost, I consider myself to be a teacher’: Former Oklahoma teacher of the year finalist Ryan Walters was nominated to be secretary of education by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Sept. 10. Walters grew up attending McAlester Public Schools and went on to become a teacher at McAlester High School. [NonDoc] Former Sen. Mark Snyder, former Rep. Neil Brannon die: Two former members of the Oklahoma Legislature died within the last 24 hours. Former Sen. Mark Snyder, R-Edmond, died at age 74, and former Rep. Neil Brannon, D-Poteau, died at age 80. [NonDoc] Federal Government News Grand jury indicts man at center of landmark tribal sovereignty ruling: A Seminole Nation citizen who was the plaintiff behind the historic Supreme Court decision McGirt v. Oklahoma has been indicted in federal court. [KOSU] Lankford says Democrats would fill high court vacancy under similar circumstances: Sen. James Lankford predicted on Tuesday the Senate would likely vote on a successor to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg after the Nov. 3 election, and he said Democrats wouldn’t hesitate to replace a justice under the same circumstances. [The Oklahoman] Criminal Justice News Potential jail improvement projects discussed at Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting: Details are slowly emerging on the Oklahoma County Jail Trust’s plans for spending the millions of dollars it received from the federal government’s COVID-19 relief funding. Trustees approved spending $3 million on "COVID-19 Resistance Maintenance Projects" during a Monday meeting, which includes repairing sewage, replacing water pipes and installing new exhaust vents, according to trust documents. [The Oklahoman] Volunteers reference ‘combat skills’ and firearm training in applications for ‘sheriff’s posse’: More than 500 people, many who referenced their ability to use a firearm or engage in combat, have signed up to join the Canadian County Sheriff’s Posse, a program Sheriff Chris West created this summer during the height of protests and demonstrations against police brutality. [The Frontier] Economy & Business News Oklahoma among states watchdog group expects to be financially worse off post pandemic: A watchdog group said Tuesday that Oklahoma is among several states that went into the pandemic in less-than-ideal fiscal shape and may come out worse. Truth In Accounting founder and CEO Sheila Weinberg said it’s a common problem in their 2020 Financial State of the States report. [Public Radio Tulsa] Restaurants struggle to survive as cold weather looms: Autumn is officially here, bringing the kind of cold and rainy weather that threatens to disrupt the outdoor dining options that have helped local restaurants hold on though the pandemic. Bringing the plight of beloved, local restaurants to the attention of the patrons that love them, Gov. Kevin Stitt has declared Oct. 1-3 as “Oklahoma Restaurant Days.” [The Journal Record] Education News A month into the fall semester, StateImpact Oklahoma has tracked hundreds of COVID-19 cases in schools: Nobody knows how many cases of the coronavirus are present in Oklahoma schools. But, we do know there are hundreds of cases in every part of the state. [StateImpact Oklahoma] EPS quarantine, isolation numbers rise [Enid News & Eagle] Westmoore High School to quarantine 200 students, staff after COVID-19 exposure [News9] General News As Oklahoma’s voter registration deadline approaches, other states provide more time: Potential Oklahoma voters have just over two weeks to register to vote and to verify that they won’t be locked out of this fall’s pivotal general election. But as state election officials and voting-access advocates marked National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday by reminding residents of the upcoming Oct. 9 deadline, most of the rest of the country isn’t facing as extreme of a time crunch. [Oklahoma Watch] Register to vote in Oklahoma, here's how [The Oklahoman] Comanche Board of Elections sees drastic increase in absentee ballot requests [The Lawton Constitution] Live-streamed discussion to begin OU activities related Tulsa Race Massacre centennial: A live-streamed discussion about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and a new exhibit at Bizzell Memorial Library will be hosted by the University of Oklahoma at 4 p.m. Thursday. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma Local News Changes to mask ordinance draw outrage [Norman Transcript] | [The Oklahoman] Council rejects appointment of Sean Boyd to Ward 2 [Norman Transcript] | [The Oklahoman] Edmond residents offered free trees through Energy-Saving Trees Program [The Oklahoman] McAlester's mask ordinance still in effect [Enid News & Eagle] Turnpike Authority says truck traffic is up, but so are truck-bridge collisions [Public Radio Tulsa] Quote of the Day “It’s all bad right now. This is supposed to be a work camp, not a death camp.” -Antonio Lucio describing conditions at the Northeast Oklahoma Correctional Center in Vinita where he is incarcerated. [Oklahoma Watch]   Number of the Day 3,160 Number of Oklahoma inmates who had tested positive for the coronavirus, with 1,398 cases active as of Sept. 23 [Oklahoma Watch]   See previous Numbers of the Day here. Policy Note State and local governments employ the highest share of essential workers. Congress is failing to protect them: Essential workers have become the face of the country’s COVID-19 response. As many of us huddle in our homes, nurses, grocery workers, bus drivers, and couriers are keeping us safe and giving us some semblance of our old lives. They’re our visible heroes during a time of invisible threats. But what if we told you the single biggest group of essential workers could find themselves without a paycheck at the end of the month? That’s the situation facing 23.2 million essential workers employed by state and local governments. With tax revenues rapidly disappearing, a quick economic recovery out of reach, and no choice but to balance their budgets, public officials have already laid off at least 1.5 million of these workers. Teachers, firefighters, social workers, construction workers—no job is untouchable. This should be a red alert to Congress. [Brookings Institute]  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