The Latest in Oklahoma: September 13, 2024
A&A Advocates
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has set June 16, 2026, as the date for a vote on raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 by 2029, rather than holding the vote in November as advocates hoped. State Question 832 proposes increasing the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 in 2025, with gradual annual raises until 2029. After 2029, the wage would adjust annually based on the cost of living. The June vote will coincide with the gubernatorial primary.
Laura Talbert was appointed interim director of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, replacing Jeffrey Cartmell, who now leads the Department of Human Services. Talbert, previously the office’s chief legal officer, will begin her new role on September 16, with a salary of $140,000. The agency also announced other leadership changes, including new roles for Shel Millington as deputy director and Alison Humphrey as director of reentry. These changes aim to enhance services for Oklahoma’s youth.
The Arnall Community Funds granted over $1.5 million to the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs to expand Functional Family Therapy (FFT) in Oklahoma County. The funds, distributed over three years, will enhance access to FFT, a proven in-home treatment model that helps delinquent youth and their families, aiming to reduce out-of-home placements and save costs. This initiative supports OJA’s goal of using evidence-based programs to improve community outcomes and prevent youth incarceration.
All 77 Oklahoma counties have applied for grants under a new program from Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office to support law enforcement. The Oklahoma Sheriff’s Office Funding Assistance Grant Program, created by House Bill 2914, allocates $18 million for sheriff’s offices to improve operations, including training, technology, and equipment. Grants range from $150,000 to $300,000 based on property evaluations. Drummond’s office is reviewing applications, with agreements expected to be sent out later this month.
Update on Interim Studies
Interim studies have begun, and updates will be available in the coming weeks. Click the links to view House studies and Senate studies.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It’s bad for… lower, entry-level hourly wage employees who are looking for that first job,” State Chamber President and CEO Chad Warmington said in response to the attempted minimum wage hike. “This is going to eliminate those jobs because business owners aren’t going to be able to afford to pay that wage, which is going to be far above what the market demands in Oklahoma.”
