PODCAST · government
OK PolicyCast
by Oklahoma Policy Institute
The official podcast of Oklahoma Policy Institute. Interviews and lively discussion of the most important issues affecting Oklahoma.
Episodes
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OK PolicyCast 50: The past and the future of OK Policy (with David Blatt and Kara Joy McKee)
Hello and welcome to episode 50 of the OK PolicyCast. This is also my last episode as a host of this podcast, because my last day at OK Policy was July 5th. With OK Policy's founder and long-time executive director David Blatt also passing the torch later this year, we decided to do something...
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OKPolicyCast 49: Black Wall Street Times (with Nehemiah Frank)
In this episode I spoke to Nehemiah Frank. Nehemiah is the founder and executive editor of The Black Wall Street Times, an online newspaper that covers news relevant to the black community in Tulsa and social justice issues affecting all Tulsans and Oklahomans. If that wasn't enough, he's also a...
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OKPolicyCast 48: Quick takes on the budget (with David Blatt and Paul Shinn)
A state budget deal for fiscal year 2020 was revealed last Wednesday, and it's likely to receive final passage in the Legislature today. In most years, the budget is the single most important thing done by our lawmakers, and in the year to come, this budget will decide what Oklahoma invests to...
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OKPolicyCast 47: Homeless and a friend (with Tyler Parette)
Our guest on this episode is Tyler Parette, the director of a unique homelessness outreach program in Tulsa with the City Lights Foundation. I wanted to talk with Tyler because he's got a really interesting perspective on dealing with some of the hardest problems in society of homelessness,...
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OK PolicyCast 46: A sanctuary for immigrants and their families (with Linda Allegro)
Our guest today is Linda Allegro, the Project Director of New Sanctuary Network Tulsa. This project was started as a collaboration between Tulsa religious leaders of different faiths and denominations, and it's goal is protect Tulsa residents and families threatened by wholesale deportation.…
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OK PolicyCast 45: The Campaign to Expand Health Coverage (with Angela Monson)
In this episode, I spoke with Angela Monson about the campaign to expand health coverage in Oklahoma. Angela has a lot of experience as an advocate and policymaker in Oklahoma. She served in the Legislature for 15 years, and during that time she was the first black woman to become president of…
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OK PolicyCast 44: 2019 BIll Watch, Part 2
In our last episode, we heard from David Blatt and Carly Putnam about the big issues and bills we're following this year related to the state budget and health care. This episode brings you part 2 of that bill watch series, with criminal justice analyst Damion Shade, education analyst Rebecca…
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OK PolicyCast 43: 2019 BIll Watch, Part 1
It's a new year, a new Legislature, a new governor, and many new bills that could have a big impact on Oklahomans' lives. In this episode, Gene Perry talks to OK Policy's Executive Director David Blatt and Policy Director Carly Putnam about the big issues we're keeping an eye on this year related...
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OKPolicyCast 42: The 2018 OK Policy Holiday Gift Guide
There are a lot of reasons why winter is our favorite time of year (Fewer tornadoes! Legislative session starts soon!). However, one big reason is that it's when we're most likely to give and be given books — always dear to a policy nerd's heart. It's also the time when we get to share them with...
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OKPolicyCast 41: Fair Wages and Overtime for State Workers (with Sterling Zearley)
Today our guest is Sterling Zearley, who leads the Oklahoma Public Employees Association. OPEA represents thousands of state workers, including everyone from child welfare caseworkers to transportation engineers, corrections officers, mental health counselors, and more. In recent years in…
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OKPolicyCast 40: In prison for what's now a misdemeanor (with Damion Shade and Colleen McCarty)
In 2016, Oklahomans voted to approve State Question 780 which changed simple drug possession crimes and low-level, non-violent property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. That law went into effect on July 1, 2017 and is already reshaping Oklahoma's justice system, with many fewer Oklahomans...
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OKPolicyCast 39: Bad Voter, Good Voter (with David Glover)
In recent years, Oklahoma has seen some of the lowest voter turnout in the nation. Turnout was well below the nation in the 2012 and 2016 presidential races. In our last governor's race in 2014, Oklahoma had the fewest votes cast for governor going back to 1978. But that wasn't always true in...
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OKPolicyCast 38: All The State Questions (with David Blatt and Carly Putnam)
On November 6, besides voting for a new governor and several other state offices, Oklahoma voters will decide five state questions on topics from optometry to school funding. To help you make informed choices on these state questions, OK Policy has already released fact sheets for each one with...
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OKPolicyCast 37: Together Oklahoma (with Sabine Brown)
In this episode, I spoke with Sabine Brown, who is the outreach and advocacy coordinator for Oklahoma Policy Institute. Through that work, Sabine heads up Together Oklahoma, a grassroots coalition with chapters across the state of people joining with their neighbors to advocate for better public...
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OKPolicyCast 36: Back to School (with Rob Miller)
The OKPolicyCast is hosted by Gene Perry with production help from Jessica Vazquez. You can subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or RSS. The podcast theme music is by Zébre. If you have any questions for the OKPolicyCast, topics you'd like us to cover, or people you want us…
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OKPolicyCast 35: A frank conversation about criminal justice
Last week, Oklahoma Policy Institute hosted our annual Summer Policy Institute for about 60 college students from all over Oklahoma. The 4-day event featured speakers and panels on a wide range of topics. For this episode of the OKPolicyCast, we're sharing the live recording of one of those…
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Episode 34: No job? No doctor. (with Carly Putnam & Hannah Katch)
This year, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and the state Legislature ordered the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which runs Medicaid in Oklahoma, to come up with a plan to require Oklahoma adults on Medicaid to work at least 20 hours each week. If they don't meet this requirement, or if they don't…
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Episode 33: Keith Gaddie on the forces shaking Oklahoma politics
A couple weeks ago was one of the most interesting and unexpected elections in Oklahoma in a long time. From a big surge in turnout, strong approval of medical marijuana, and numerous incumbents either being forced into a runoff or voted out altogether, it's clear that something is changing in...
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Episode 32: Danielle Allen, from South Central Los Angeles to the Declaration of Independence
We've got something really special for you today. In this conversation between author Danielle Allen and Tulsa civil rights attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons, they dig deep into how the inequalities of America — racial inequality, social inequality, economic inequality — play out not just in...
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Episode 31: Elizabeth Nichols on medical cannabis and SQ 788
For this episode, we spoke with Elizabeth Nichols, an attorney who has worked extensively with the emerging cannabis industry in Oklahoma and nearby states. With Oklahomans voting in just two weeks on State Question 788 to legalize medical cannabis, Nichols shared her perspective on how the…
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Episode 30: DeVon Douglass on taking on Tulsa's toughest challenges
We spoke with DeVon Douglass, the Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Tulsa, about the work her team is doing to take on Tulsa's toughest challenges, from teen homelessness to deep inequities in housing, transportation, and education. Their recent Tulsa Equality Indicators report assesses…
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Episode 29: What Just Happened
The OK PolicyCast is back! In this episode, we look at what just happened in one of the most tumultuous legislative years in Oklahoma history. Bailey Perkins speaks about what it was like being at the state Capitol before, during, and after the teacher walkout. Carly Putnam shares some major...
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Episode 28: Mid-Session Update
Now that we're just past the halfway point in the Legislative session, Kara Joy and Gene talk about which key bills are still alive, which are dead, and what's at play in negotiations over the state budget. To find out how you can take action on bills during the rest of session, see OK Policy's...
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Episode 27: So You Want To Effect Change
Today on the OK PolicyCast, we speak with Shay White, a social worker and advocate with Together Oklahoma and ACTION. She spoke to us about what motivated her to get involved with policy change, what keeps her going, and "that one thing that gets us up every morning." If you have any questions…
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Episode 26: The GOP Health Plan
We speak with OK Policy health care analyst Carly Putnam about the new plan from the House GOP to replace the Affordable Care Act. We talk about how the bill does and doesn't change the Affordable Care Act, what chance it has to pass, and how it could affect Oklahomans' health care. Extra Links:...
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Episode 25: How the criminal justice system really works
On this episode we speak with Jill Webb, an attorney with the Tulsa County Public Defender's office. She gives us a tour of how the real criminal justice system is different from popular ideas about police and the courts, embodied by shows like Law and Order. Extra links: Where Americans are sent...
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Episode 24: All about the revenues
The OK PolicyCast is back! Governor Fallin surprised many observer of Oklahoma politics by calling for dramatic revenue increases and major tax reforms in her State of the State address. In this podcast, we discuss the Governor's ideas, what's most likely to make it through the Legislature, and...
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OK PolicyCast Episode 23: Do we have the blueprint for ending poverty?
This October, Stanford University's Dr. David Grusky visited Oklahoma for a talk at the University of Tulsa. Dr. Grusky's books include Social Stratification, Occupy the Future, The New Gilded Age, The Great Recession, The Inequality Reader, and The Inequality Puzzle. His presentation at TU was...
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OK PolicyCast Episode 22: Predatory payday lending in Oklahoma
This week we speak with Kate Richey of OK Policy and the Oklahoma Assets Network on her research into payday lending in Oklahoma and how it can trap families in a vicious cycle of debt. On Wednesday, March 4 there will be a Town Hall Forum on predatory lending in Oklahoma. A local panel of…
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OK PolicyCast Episode 21: An Economic Check-Up for Oklahoma
This week we share a panel discussion from OK Policy's 2015 State Budget Summit. In recent years Oklahoma has seen among the lowest unemployment and highest personal income growth in the nation. At the same time, there's evidence that is rising tide is not lifting all boats. Oklahomans continue…
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OK PolicyCast Episode 20: A final push for health insurance | Takeaways from Governor Fallin's budget
This week we talk with Affordable Care Act Navigator Donna Orban on what's being done to get Oklahomans signed up for health insurance during this year's Affordable Care Act enrollment period. We also speak with OK Policy Executive Director David Blatt, who shares some takeaways from Governor...
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OK PolicyCast Episode 19: Who pays taxes in Oklahoma?
This week we talk about about a new study on who really pays the highest rates of state and local taxes in Oklahoma, and why it’s not what many people think.
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OK PolicyCast Episode 18: An 'emergency room' for legal assistance
Each week the OK PolicyCast brings you the most important news about Oklahoma and what it means. This week, we speak with April Merrill, an attorney with Legal Aid Oklahoma, a non-profit organization that provides free civil legal assistance to low-income Oklahomans throughout the state. She'll...
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OK PolicyCast Episode 17: Tax Cut Trigger and a Bad News Budget
Each week the OK PolicyCast brings you the most important news about Oklahoma and what it means. This week, we speak with OK Policy Executive Director David Blatt about the latest predictions for Oklahoma's state budget, a tax cut that was triggered from 2016, and what it all means for regular...
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OK PolicyCast Episode 16: Who's keeping working-class Americans out of office?
Each week the OK PolicyCast brings you the most important news about Oklahoma and what it means. In this episode, we share some clips from the keynote speaker at OK Policy’s annual Summer Policy Institute. Nick Carnes, a professor at Duke University and graduate of the University of Tulsa, spoke...
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OK PolicyCast Episode 15: Oklahoma's Racial Wealth Gap
Each week, the OK PolicyCast brings you the most important news about Oklahoma and what it means. In this episode, we talk with Kate Richey about what's created the huge wealth gap between whites and people of color in Oklahoma.
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OK PolicyCast Episode 14: Do you know where your electricity comes from?
This week, we’ll share a clip from OK Policy’s Summer Policy Institute last August. The Oklahoma Sustainability Network’s Montelle Clarke gave a balanced, informative talk on the pros and cons of Oklahoma’s various energy sources - including coal, natural gas, geothermal, and wind energy.
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OK PolicyCast Episode 13: Analyzing the Elections
Each week the OK PolicyCast brings you the most important news affecting Oklahoma and what it means. This week, we speak with David Blatt about what this week's elections mean for Oklahoma and the nation. We also share some non-election related news for the week.
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OK PolicyCast: Episode 12
Each week the OK PolicyCast brings you the most important news affecting Oklahoma and what it means. This week, we'll discuss a new OK Policy report on the track record of the Medicaid expansion in other states, along with headlines, numbers of the day, and more.
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OK PolicyCast: Episode 11
The OK PolicyCast discusses the most important news in Oklahoma and what it means. This week, we’ll speak with Carly Putnam about economic opportunities for women in Oklahoma, and what we can do to make it easier for women to get ahead. Also this week's headlines, numbers of the weeks, and more!
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OK PolicyCast: Episode 10
The OK PolicyCast brings you the most important news in Oklahoma, and what it means. This week we talk with David Blatt about the state of Oklahoma's democracy. It's election season, but a whole lot of Oklahomans aren't voting or participating in any way in choosing who will take office. What's...
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OK PolicyCast: Episode 9
This week we discuss the growing crisis in Oklahoma's prisons and signs that state leaders might actually do something about it; yet another controversy around state Superintendent Barresi; how the Oklahoma governor's race is heating up on the airwaves; & more...
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OK PolicyCast: Episode 8
This week we discuss new Census data that shows what's happening with poverty in Oklahoma; controversy over special needs students and newly released A-F grades for schools; how Oklahoma's doing on the health of our people and the health of our democracy; & more...
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OK PolicyCast: Episode 7
In this week's OK PolicyCast, we talk about a new event series aimed at growing citizen involvement across Oklahoma. We also discuss controversy over militarized police in Oklahoma, and a private firm that has been training police officers to seize cash from drivers at highway stops, even though...
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OK PolicyCast: Episode 6
Each week we bring you the most important news affecting Oklahoma, and what it means. This week, we discuss a couple of lawsuits before the Oklahoma Supreme Court that could dramatically change tax politics in the state. We also talk about controversies over tax incentives for private businesses…
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OK PolicyCast: Episode 5
We're back from vacation, rested and ready to share the most important Oklahoma news and analysis. This week, we discuss a recent book by journalist Amanda Ripley, "The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got that Way." The book looks at what countries with the highest performing education...
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OK PolicyCast: Episode 4
Today's episode shares highlights from the education panel at the 2014 Summer Policy Institute. Guests include Jenks Principal Rob Miller, Sapulpa Superintendent Kevin Burr, Booker T. Washington high school teacer Dr. Anthony Marshall, and OU professor and education researcher Dr. Curt Adams.
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In The Know: July 11, 2014
Another 5,000 unaccompanied immigrant children may be placed at U.S. military bases; Joe Dorman releases education funding plan; OSU researchers awarded grant from NASA; & more...
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In The Know: July 10, 2014
Oklahoma City sees surge in low-wage jobs; Oklahoma treasurer points out state fiscal pitfalls; Senate interim study to look at raising speed limit on the Turner Turnpike; & more...
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In The Know: July 9, 2014
Full Supreme Court to hear Common Core challenge; Lawmakers move money out of uncompensated trauma care fund; Oklahoma spends least in nation on prisoner health care; & more...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The official podcast of Oklahoma Policy Institute. Interviews and lively discussion of the most important issues affecting Oklahoma.
HOSTED BY
Oklahoma Policy Institute
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does OK PolicyCast have?
OK PolicyCast currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is OK PolicyCast about?
The official podcast of Oklahoma Policy Institute. Interviews and lively discussion of the most important issues affecting Oklahoma.
How often does OK PolicyCast release new episodes?
OK PolicyCast has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to OK PolicyCast?
You can listen to OK PolicyCast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts OK PolicyCast?
OK PolicyCast is created and hosted by Oklahoma Policy Institute.
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