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Oklahoma Policy Institute

@okpolicy.bsky.social
1.8K followers 82 following 456 posts

Fighting for a fairer Oklahoma where everyone has the chance to thrive. We bring nonpartisan research, analysis, and advocacy to the table — because Policy > Politics. 🌟 okpolicy.org

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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Got questions about the two state questions that are on the ballot in November? Indivisible Oklahoma is hosting a virtual meeting tonight (September 29) to help educate voters. They will break down the questions and explain the concepts in plain language. www.mobilize.us/indivisibleo...
mobilize.us
State Question Summit · Indivisible Oklahoma
The November 3rd General Election includes two state questions. In both cases the ballot language is complicated, but we have broken it down and explained the concepts in plain language. Be an inform...
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Labor Day is a reminder that workers' voices matter. Organized labor helped win many things we now take for granted — weekends, overtime, safer workplaces and the 8-hour workday. Strong workplaces listen to their workers. And that’s good for business. okpolicy.org/worker-empow...
okpolicy.org
Worker empowerment strengthens Oklahoma businesses - Oklahoma Policy Institute
Labor Day arrives each year as the unofficial end of summer. But its history asks us to remember something more important: Our economy's strength depends on the people who do the work. This column ori...
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Oklahoma voters have rejected SQ 844 and approved SQ 846. For SQ 844, lawmakers now need to use the regular legislative process to address problems with the state’s manufacturing property tax exemption. They should not shift these costs onto schools and local communities.
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Oklahoma voters go to the polls Tuesday to decide two state questions. Want the rundown on them? We've got you covered in 60 seconds. Here is SQ 844: www.youtube.com/shorts/RVQiF...
youtube.com
Oklahoma's #SQ844 explained in 60 seconds
YouTube video by Oklahoma Policy Institute
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Reposted by Oklahoma Policy Institute
dcdpok.bsky.social @dcdpok.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Need a breakdown of the State Questions? @okpolicy.bsky.social has done a fantastic job of cutting through the jargon and legalese! You can watch a town hall they put together specifically for the State Questions here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM8y...
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
As a new school year begins, it’s worth asking a question about every bill, every budget, and every policy debate: What will this mean for the kids growing up here? If we start there, we can build more than better policy. We can build a state worth inheriting. journalrecord.com/2026/08/12/k...
journalrecord.com
Policy Matters: Building a better Oklahoma starts with investing in our kids
Shiloh Kantz of the Oklahoma Policy Institute urges policymakers to consider the long-term impact of decisions on Oklahoma's children and future.
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Oklahomans: What matters most to you? 📣 Take our quick survey to tell lawmakers what your community needs. Your voice will help shape next year’s policies! Deadline is Aug. 31. #OKLeg #Oklahoma #YourVoiceMatters togetherok.okpolicy.org/survey-2026/
togetherok.okpolicy.org
Share your voice and help make Oklahoma a better place for everyone — 2026 Statewide Survey - Together Oklahoma
Together Oklahoma is asking all Oklahoma residents to share their opinions about the issues and policies that matter most to them and that impact communities statewide.  The online survey (also availa...
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
What’s actually on your Aug. 25 ballot? You can find out in just one hour. We’ll break down SQ 844 & SQ 846, answer your questions, and help you feel ready to vote. 🗓️ Saturday, Aug. 15 🕜 1:30–2:30 p.m. 📍 Mayflower Congregational UCC | OKC 💻 YouTube livestream okpolicy.org/august2026to...
okpolicy.org
Know what’s on your ballot before you vote | SQ 844 & SQ 846 Town Hall - Oklahoma Policy Institute
The Aug. 25 election is your chance to help shape Oklahoma's future. Before you head to the polls, join the Oklahoma Policy Institute for a free, nonpartisan town hall that will explain the statewide ...
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
In Oklahoma, the majority of tax breaks for private school education are going to families making over $150k who were already sending their children to private school. Also, try and find a private school in many of Oklahoma's rural areas. The way forward is for strong PUBLIC education.
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The best workforce incentive probably isn't another tax cut. It's making sure every employer can hire from a well-educated, healthy workforce supported by strong schools, CareerTech, affordable child care, and thriving communities. That's the conversation we'd like Oklahoma to have.
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
SQ 844 is on Oklahoma's Aug. 25 ballot. If you're not exactly sure what it does, you're not alone. In this explainer video, we break down: ✓ What SQ 844 would change ✓ The arguments for and against it ✓ Questions voters should consider before casting a ballot youtu.be/70o1gPAqVQI?...
youtu.be
Oklahoma's #SQ844 Explained
YouTube video by Oklahoma Policy Institute
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Oklahoma works best when the people most affected by policy have a seat at the table. By completing this short survey, your experiences and ideas can help guide our work and ensure we’re advocating for policies that reflect the needs of communities statewide. okpolicy.org/survey2026
okpolicy.org
Share your voice and help make Oklahoma a better place for everyone — 2026 Statewide Survey - Together Oklahoma
Together Oklahoma is asking all Oklahoma residents to share their opinions about the issues and policies that matter most to them and that impact communities statewide.  The online survey (also availa...
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
In 1958, a group of young people led by Oklahoma City teacher Clara Luper sat down at a lunch counter. Their courage helped move our country forward. They weren’t wealthy or powerful. They were everyday people who believed change was possible — and by working together, they made it happen. 1/
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
"More than 2 percent of Oklahoma households were shut off each month in 2024, a rate that no other state approaches." #Oklahomaexceptionalism wapo.st/4uWawtH
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
We are the American story. Not just the powerful. Not just the wealthy. All of us. For nearly 250 years, everyday people have built this country — in classrooms, small businesses, farms, neighborhoods, and communities. But somewhere along the way, our tax systems stopped reflecting that story. 1/
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Don’t miss scholar and author Arin Dube—expert on wage labor and the minimum wage—speaking June 9 in downtown OKC as part of UCO's MBA Speaker Series. Just in time for the June 16 vote on the state's minimum wage. Free event, but RSVP required. Details here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
"Today, a minimum-wage earner in Oklahoma would need to work about 93 hours a week — more than two full-time jobs — just to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment at fair market rent. No one should have to work that much simply to survive." otherwords.org/wages-havent...
otherwords.org
Wages Haven’t Kept Up — And Working Families Are Paying the Price - OtherWords
Lawmakers have passed the buck on raising the minimum wage. Voters are taking matters into their own hands.
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
OK Policy is honored to be included in the @newamerica.org cohort to address the connection between eviction and housing instability. We're grateful to be working alongside such a great cohort to tackle these important issues. www.newamerica.org/insights/sta...
newamerica.org
Announcing the 2026–2028 Eviction Data Response Network Cohort
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Reposted by Oklahoma Policy Institute
ITEP @itep.org · 19/05/2026
The Iran war has already cost Americans $39 billion in higher gas prices this year — and counting. You can see the war's impact on your wallet here. itep.org/iran-war-fue...
itep.org
Iran War Fuel Costs
The Iran War has significantly raised energy prices. This website provides continually updated tabulations of the additional amounts Americans have paid in higher motor fuel costs due to the war. It a...
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
OK Policy's Carly Putnam will be speaking at this panel on Thursday (noon, CST) to talk about the work being done in Oklahoma to address raising the minimum wage. Register today! us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Starting today, Oklahoma now runs its own health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act, but enrollment still happens on the federal website. Here are important issues to watch during this transition.
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Do you know of any students (undergrad/grad) or new professionals with an interest in public policy and the betterment of Oklahoma? OK Policy offers a three-day summer program that helps connects students/new professionals to state policy issues. Apply by May 10. okpolicy.org/events/summe...
okpolicy.org
Apply Now – Oklahoma Summer Policy Institute - Oklahoma Policy Institute
SPI offers participants a unique opportunity to become better informed about the most important Oklahoma policy issues, build relationships with their peers and leaders, and prepare for their future s...
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Eviction records shouldn’t follow someone forever. 🏠 Even dismissed cases can block people from housing. Housing policy should help people regain stability — not keep them stuck. Learn more in the comments. 👇 #Oklahoma #OKPolicy #Housing #Rent #Eviction #FairHousing
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Winning teams invest to see results. 🏀 The OKC Thunder build for the future — and Oklahoma should too. Investing in our people and communities makes our state stronger. Read our latest Policy Matters column 👇 #OKPolicy #Oklahoma #OKLeg #OKCThunder #PolicyMatters
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Federal policy doesn’t stop at the Capitol — it shapes everyday life in Oklahoma. We’ve gathered our research, explainers, and analysis on H.R. 1 into one resource page so Oklahomans can better understand what it means for our state. Clear info. Local context. Real impacts. #Oklahoma #HR1 #Policy
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
If silence worked, things would already be better. Change happens because people speak up — again and again — even when it feels like no one is listening. Read this week’s Policy Matters. 🔗 Link in comments #Oklahoma #OKPolicy #OKLeg #Democracy #CivicEngagement #SpeakOut
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Most decisions are made with input from just a handful of people. That’s it. Advocacy training teaches you how to be one of them — without burning out or embarrassing yourself. So if you want to stop doom-scrolling and start doing, register today for an advocacy training in your community!
Promotional graphic for Advocacy Training, hosted by OK Policy and Together OK. Text reads, "Learn how to build power in YOUR community; Register Now." with dates for McAlester Jan 22, Altus Jan 29, Tahlequah Feb 5, Ada Feb 10, Lawton Feb 12, Tulsa Feb 17, and Ardmore Feb 26.
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Red tape is not neutral. H.R. 1 would add barriers to coverage that lead to delayed care, higher costs, and increased strain on Oklahoma hospitals — especially in rural areas. #OKPolicy #Oklahoma #Medicaid #SoonerCare #HealthCare #OneBigBeautifulBill #HR1
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
What the pretrial process could look like under SB 1381: a judge hearing within 48 hours (72 on weekends), risk-based assessments, and fewer people jailed simply for being poor. #Oklahoma #OKPolicy #CriminalJustice #PretrialReform #OKLeg #CapitolUpdate
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Since when did meeting basic needs become controversial? Our latest Policy Matters column looks at why investing in people — housing, health care, education, food — shouldn’t be up for debate. #Oklahoma #OKPolicy #Education #Housing #HealthCare #Community #Poverty #SocialSupport
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
#CapitolUpdate: Oklahoma’s teacher shortage demands real attention. Two new bills focus on recruiting educators and supporting districts that develop their own teachers. It’s a start — and the state needs more solutions like these if we expect long-term improvement. #oklaed #teachershortage
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
There’s a lot of talk about Thanksgiving being “cheaper this year,” but that only works if you ignore what’s actually in the basket. We deserve transparency about costs, not headline spin. #Thanksgiving #Oklahoma #OKPolicy
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Work requirements don’t boost employment — they boost bureaucracy. People get caught in system errors, verification failures, and deadlines that working families can’t meet. When coverage is on the line, red tape has real consequences. #Oklahoma #Medicaid #SoonerCare #WorkRequirements
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Tribal sovereignty isn’t a racial concept — it’s a governmental one. Oklahoma’s 39 Tribal nations are sovereign governments with legal powers that long predate statehood. 🏛️✨ Understanding that isn’t political correctness; it’s accuracy. #TribalNations #Oklahoma #TribalSovereignty #Sovereignty
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
One missed paycheck shouldn’t be enough to push a family into crisis — but for thousands of Oklahomans, it is. The shutdown made clear just how fragile our economy really is. Read more in the latest Policy Matters column (Link in comments) #GovernmentShutdown #Oklahoma #SNAP #SoonerCare #Medicaid
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
The biggest myth about homelessness is that it’s mostly about personal failure. But when we focus only on individual struggles, we ignore the systems that make housing unaffordable in the first place. #Homelessness #Oklahoma #Housing #MentalHealth
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
“Seasonal democracy” isn’t cutting it. 🗓️ Public input can’t just happen once a year — Oklahomans deserve a voice in decisions all the time. 👥 Real listening = better laws = stronger trust. #Oklahoma #OKPolicy #OKLeg #OKPolitics #Democracy #InterimStudies #CivicParticipation
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Taxpayers shouldn’t have to subsidize poverty wages. Corporations with record profits can afford to pay workers fairly — and raising the wage helps everyone. #RaiseTheWageOK #SQ832 #OKPolicy #Oklahoma #MinimumWage #EconomicJustice
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
🚨 HELP WANTED: Real leadership from Oklahoma’s congressional delegation. Shutdowns don’t show strength — they show failure. Oklahoma deserves leaders who put people over politics. #Oklahoma #OklahomaPolitics #GovernmentShutdown #OKPolicy #ResponsibleGovernment #HelpWanted
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
The “Big Beautiful Bill” is burying families in red tape — forcing Oklahomans to prove, over and over, that they still deserve the care they already qualify for. We deserve a system that values care over paperwork. 💬 Read more — link below #OKPolicy #SoonerCare #Medicaid #HR1 #BigBeautifulBill
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
💊 Oklahoma’s diagnosis is clear: chronic underinvestment, low wages, and unaffordable housing. We know the cure — living wages, child care support, affordable housing, and fair taxes. It’s time our leaders stop refilling the wrong prescription. #okpolicy #Oklahoma #poverty #economicjustice
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Ryan Walters was a test. 📉 Oklahoma’s leaders flunked. Accountability means speaking up before the damage is done — not waiting until our schools and kids pay the price. #OKPolicy #Oklahoma #RyanWalters #Education
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
On Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize that when tribal nations and the state come together, every community thrives. 🌎✨ #IndigenousPeoplesDay #okpolicy
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
🌎 Tribal Nations = sovereign governments, not racial groups. ⚖️ Blurring race & political status is harmful. On #IndigenousPeoplesDay, let’s choose unity & shared responsibility. #TribalSovereignty #Oklahoma #OKPolicy #OklahomaPolitics #GovernorStitt
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Ryan Walters went from teacher to the state’s most polarizing education official — and now he’s stepping down. Could this be the launchpad for a run for governor? Read the latest Capitol Update from Steve Lewis at OK Policy. Link in comments #Oklahoma #RyanWalters #EducationPolicy #OKPolicy
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
Specialist care is slipping out of reach in Oklahoma. Policies are driving doctors out, leaving families to travel hours for treatment of chronic conditions like rheumatic disease. Patients deserve care close to home. 💙 #oklahoma #healthcare #healthpolicy #rheumaticdiseaseawareness #okpolicy
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
Immigrants are powering Oklahoma. They deserve wages that reflect their hard work. SQ 832 raises the minimum wage to ensure fairness for ALL workers. Because Oklahoma runs on immigrants, and fairness runs on fair wages. #Oklahoma #Immigration #MinimumWage #OKPolicy #EconomicJustice #SQ832
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
The governor’s "Operation SAFE" plan to clear homeless camps is political theater, not policy.
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
🏠 Housing First → reduces homelessness, saves money, restores dignity. ⛓ Forced confinement → worsens mental health, increases suicide risk, drives people away from help. This isn’t a tough call.
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Oklahoma Policy Institute @okpolicy.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
🚜 Bulldozers won’t solve homelessness. Gov. Stitt’s “Project SAFE” may get attention online, but it ignores the human cost and deeper failures driving Oklahoma’s homelessness crisis. What we really need: affordable housing, health care, and support services. #Oklahoma #Homelessness #Housing
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