Oklahoma rings in 2026 with sweeping criminal justice reforms taking effect today. News on 6 reports the Oklahoma Sentencing Modernization Act categorizes felonies into classes from Y for murder to D for lesser crimes, setting uniform sentencing ranges statewide to promote fairness, as championed by Rep. Mike Osburn and Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiler. The changes apply only to post-January 1 offenses, with lawmakers eyeing further tweaks for higher classes.
In politics, the 2026 legislative session prefiles bills on rare disease councils and local food programs for schools, per LegiScan, while the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber pushes education overhauls. The chamber advocates expanding the State Board of Education to ten members with legislative appointees and making the superintendent position gubernatorial with board oversight, alongside a new school funding formula boosting per-pupil spending and Science of Reading mandates in K-8 curricula.
Economically, Oklahoma notched wins in 2025, including over 517,000 enrollments in CareerTech programs fueling workforce growth, according to Radio Oklahoma News. Tulsa's Vision 2025 initiative nears completion, with remaining funds prepping Route 66's centennial, KJRH notes. The University of Oklahoma advances a new arena via tax increment districts with Norman and Cleveland County, NonDoc highlights.
Communities focus on education and infrastructure, from teacher salary proposals to mental health consent decrees in recent bills. No major weather events marred recent months, keeping public safety stable.
Looking Ahead: Watch the February 2 legislative session for education battles and sentencing expansions, OU arena progress, OneNet's 30th anniversary, and Route 66 centennial festivities.
Thank you for tuning in, listeners. Please subscribe for more.
This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.
Some great Deals
https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out
http://www.quietplease.aiThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
