Two new hurdles make the initiative petition process more stringent in Oklahoma
Lawmakers pushed through two bills as part of Republican backlash to voter mandates on Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana and criminal justice reform.
Updates from the state Capitol – Protesters, political squabbles underscore tensions during deadline week
The past week at the state Capitol proved to be one of the busiest and most contentious this session, filled with political squabbles, protests and the last large legislative deadline.
Oklahoma hopes coronavirus relief money will help slow a coming tide of evictions, homelessness
Oklahoma has $289 million in rental assistance and grants as a federal moratorium on evictions draws to an end.
Republican tax cut plans could eliminate $100 million in Oklahoma education funding
Lawmakers say they won’t allow tax restructuring to impact education funding, but the bills are continuing through the legislative process without details on how money now dedicated for schools will be replaced.
Responding to summer protests, Oklahoma lawmakers aim to protect police, expand punishments for protesters
Lawmakers say they are trying to address instances of violence or extreme disruption, but activists believe lawmakers instead chose to criminalize those who already feel targeted by police.
Lawmakers target Oklahoma’s initiative petition process after uptick in successful state questions
After five years of sweeping policy changes led primarily by voters in the state’s metropolitan areas, the Republican-controlled Legislature is poised to make substantial revisions to the initiative petition process during the 2021 legislative session.
