LOCAL Campaign

by Bailey Ashbaker, Senior Policy Analyst and Engagement Specialist State Updates State Question 832 is a state question proposing to raise the minimum wage in Oklahoma and will be put to a vote of the people, but it won’t be on November 5. According to Misha Mohr, public information officer at the State Election Board, […]

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. […]

House Speaker Charles McCall will announce his approval or disapproval of proposed House interim studies no later than July 26. A few studies relevant to poverty, hunger, and child well-being include:

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

To view the full list of approved House interim studies, visit https://former.okhouse.gov/Committees/ShowInterimStudies.aspx.

The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned from regular session on May 30, 2024, one day before constitutionally required. Since then, the Governor signed the budget and many additional bills into law. While the legislative session is over, there were several missed opportunities to invest in improving food security for Oklahomans. We will continue our work in the interim to build a better understanding of the issues for state legislators.

Budget negotiations seem to be drawing to a close, just in the nick of time as the Legislature’s May 31 deadline to adjourn sine die swiftly approaches. Last week, House and Senate leaders reported reaching an agreement on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, and even scheduled sessions on Memorial Day to tie up loose strings before the end of the week.

It’s a busy week at the Capitol! February 26 and 29 are the first series of deadlines for filed legislation to make it out of committee. While it’s still early in the session, after this week we’ll have a better idea of which bills stand a fighting chance to make it all the way to the Governor’s desk.

It’s a busy week at the Capitol! February 26 and 29 are the first series of deadlines for filed legislation to make it out of committee. While it’s still early in the session, after this week we’ll have a better idea of which bills stand a fighting chance to make it all the way to the Governor’s desk.

It’s a busy week at the Capitol! February 26 and 29 are the first series of deadlines for filed legislation to make it out of committee. While it’s still early in the session, after this week we’ll have a better idea of which bills stand a fighting chance to make it all the way to the Governor’s desk.

Amid holiday celebrations and work deadlines, we’re bringing you a last hurrah for Capitol Insider 2023. December brought a pair of special elections for the state legislature.

Amid holiday celebrations and work deadlines, we’re bringing you a last hurrah for Capitol Insider 2023. December brought a pair of special elections for the state legislature.

Winds of change bring us cooler temperatures and a swift conclusion to the 2023 special session Governor Stitt requested on tax cuts and budget transparency. As we look ahead to the end of the calendar year, advocates will be focusing on the smattering of remaining interim studies scheduled in the coming weeks, a few special elections, and eagerly awaiting December 8 and January 18 deadlines for bills to be requested and filed for 2024’s Legislative Session.

Winds of change bring us cooler temperatures and a swift conclusion to the 2023 special session Governor Stitt requested on tax cuts and budget transparency. As we look ahead to the end of the calendar year, advocates will be focusing on the smattering of remaining interim studies scheduled in the coming weeks, a few special elections, and eagerly awaiting December 8 and January 18 deadlines for bills to be requested and filed for 2024’s Legislative Session.

Governor Stitt called for a special session regarding taxes and the state legislative budget process, which is slated to begin October 3.

The weather isn’t the only thing heating up as we approach the end of summer. Interim studies in the Oklahoma House and Senate have been finalized and are beginning to be scheduled.

The deadline for Governor Stitt to act on bills sent to him during Special Session was June 1. The Governor signed 344 bills and joint resolutions into law and allowed 15 other regular session measures to take effect without his signature.

The deadline for Governor Stitt to act on bills sent to him during Special Session was June 1. The Governor signed 344 bills and joint resolutions into law and allowed 15 other regular session measures to take effect without his signature.

Despite the May 26 deadline for regular session rapidly approaching, work for Oklahoma’s legislators is far from over. House and Senate leadership finally reached an agreement on this session’s vigorously debated education budget.

With May rapidly approaching, it’s crunch time for many legislators and advocates. April 27 is the deadline for the third reading of any active bills in their opposite chamber, so we anticipate another busy week at the Capitol. Here’s a status update on the remaining bills we’re tracking (including some that have already successfully reached the Governor’s desk!)

As the current Congress nears its end, federal lawmakers are negotiating one final spending package that could impact food security programs. At the time of writing, the just-released mega-bill includes:

As the current Congress nears its end, federal lawmakers are negotiating one final spending package that could impact food security programs. At the time of writing, the just-released mega-bill includes:

As the current Congress nears its end, federal lawmakers are negotiating one final spending package that could impact food security programs. At the time of writing, the just-released mega-bill includes:

We at Hunger Free Oklahoma are reflecting on 2022 with gratitude for you and so many others who continued to press on with us in the movement to end hunger across our state and our nation.

As the current Congress nears its end, federal lawmakers are negotiating one final spending package that could impact food security programs. At the time of writing, the just-released mega-bill includes:

The Oklahoma legislature will have 15 new members of the House of Representatives and eight new members of the Senate. This means that 22% of the legislature will be new members come next session. Hunger Free Oklahoma will focus on educating new and returning legislators alike on the landscape of food security issues and policies.