by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist, and Jessica Dietrich, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy
State Legislative Updates
2024 Interim Studies
Interim studies are an opportunity for legislators to learn more about a given issue before the next legislative session begins. The goal is to inform lawmakers’ next likely policy priorities. The House and Senate conduct their own Interim Studies by committee.
- IS 24-048, Rep. Schreiber: Is lack of childcare an impediment to economic growth and sustainability for Oklahoma?
- IS 24-055, Rep. Pae and Rep. Alonso-Sandoval: Rural Healthcare Access
- IS 24-085, Rep. Caldwell: Low Income Housing for Homeless in Rural Areas
- IS 24-096, Rep. Waldron, Sen. Kirt: Exploring County Jail Services and Diversion Programs in Oklahoma
- IS 24-099, Rep. Waldron: Improving Family Outcomes through School-Based Social Work in Oklahoma
- IS 24-022, Sen. Deevers: Medicaid Funds Abuse
- IS 24-036, Sen. Kirt: Decreasing Poverty in Oklahoma
- IS 24-038, Sen. Deevers: Harm Related to Increasing Expansive School-Based Health Care
August 27 Runoff Election Results
Incumbents Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens, House A&B Chair Kevin Wallace, and Rep. Davis all lost their runoffs this week. Runoffs occur when no one candidate receives over 50 percent of the vote. The top two candidates with the most votes then head to a runoff election to decide the winner.
SD 3: Julie McIntosh ousts incumbent Sen. Blake Stephens and will face independent candidate Margaret Cook in the November general election.
SD 15: Lisa Standridge wins the Republican nomination and goes on to face Democrat Elizabeth Foreman in the November general election.
SD 33: Christi Gillespie wins the Republican nomination and will go on to face Democrat Bob Willis in the November general election.
SD 47: Kelly Hines wins the Republican nomination and will go on to face Democrat Erin Brewer in the November general election.
HD 20: Jonathan Wilk wins against Mike Whaley by two votes. Whaley has the option to challenge the results and ask for a recount. If Wilk prevails, he will go on to face Democrat Mitchell Jacob in the November general election.
HD 32: Jim Shaw ousts incumbent Rep. Kevin Wallace and wins district seat. Wallace had previously been chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee longer than any other lawmaker in House history.
HD 53: Jason Blair wins the Moore-area seat outright with 62 percent of the vote.
HD 60: Mike Kelley wins the Yukon-area seat with 65 percent of the vote.
HD 98: Gabe Woolley ousts incumbent Rep. Dean Davis and goes on to face Democrat Cathy Smythe in November. However, Woolley beat Davis just by 28 votes, and the results could be challenged by Davis.
City of Tulsa Mayoral race will go to a runoff in November between current State Representative Monroe Nichols and County Commissioner Karen Keith. No Republican candidate will appear on the mayoral runoff ballot.
For more information about the August runoff candidates and results, check on these articles from NonDoc: “Monroe Nichols, Karen Keith reach Tulsa mayoral runoff”. “Oklahoma legislative runoffs see 4 candidates win outright, 6 head to general election”.
State Grocery Tax Cut Takes Effect
Starting Thursday, August 29, the 4.5% state sales tax on groceries will be eliminated, allowing Oklahomans to keep more of their hard-earned money. The tax cut is part of a broader effort by the state legislature to address rising costs and promote economic relief across the state.
Summer EBT Advocacy
Governor Stitt did not opt Oklahoma into Summer EBT for 2025, read Hunger Free Oklahoma’s statement in response to the decision here.
Regardless of whether the state adopts Summer EBT, several Native nations have announced their intent to participate in Summer EBT in 2025.
Despite the state not adopting Summer EBT in 2025, Hunger Free Oklahoma, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, and Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma circulated a sign on letter addressed to the Governor that received 800 signatures from Oklahomans across the state, many also sharing their personal stories about the impact of Summer EBT. We thank you for lending your voice and mobilizing for this cause and will continue our work to ensure no child goes hungry during the summer.
Federal Updates
August (and early September) Recess – Time to Engage
There is still time to engage with your members of Congress before the conclusion of their August recess. Members will likely be in Oklahoma through Saturday, September 7, before session resumes Monday, September 9. Keep an eye out for any town halls your Members of Congress host and attend if you are able. Engaging in district often means there is more time for conversation with both the Member of Congress and their staffs.
Farm Bill
Congress did not pass a Farm Bill this summer, after not reaching an agreement ahead of their August recess. When Congress returns next month, their focus will be on passing a short-term budget extension and possibly a short-term Farm Bill extension. Both the budget and the Farm Bill need to be extended by September 30, 2024. At this time, it is unclear whether Congress will consider the Farm Bill after the election in November, or if they will push this important legislation off to the next Congress that will take office in January 2025.
To date, House Republicans have released their Farm Bill priority framework and legislative text, Senate Democrats have released their Farm Bill priority framework and a section-by-section summary, and Senate Republicans have now released their Farm Bill priority framework and a section-by-section summary.
Federal Budget
Early this month, the Senate considered, and ultimately voted down, the bipartisan tax package passed by the House earlier this year that included an expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC). We extend our gratitude to Senator Markwayne Mullin who voted in support of this tax package in the Senate. As a reminder, during the height of the pandemic, the CTC was temporarily expanded by Congress, helping lift millions of children out of poverty. The CTC expansion passed by the House and defeated by the Senate would have benefited roughly 232,000 Oklahoma children in the first year alone.
When Congress resumes in September, their primary focus will be passing a short-term budget extension by the September 30, deadline.
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