October 10, 2024 | State Capitol, Room 230
Study will explore Oklahoma’s main anti-poverty investments and possible long term strategies for education, employment and improved wages.
How do Oklahomans living in poverty thrive and our state see sustained reductions in poverty?
On Thursay, October 10, two Oklahoma state senators, Senator Carri Hicks and Senator Julia Kirt will lead an Interim Study focused on reducing poverty in Oklahoma. The study is assited by the Poor People’s Campaign and the Oklahoma Policiy Institute. Together, they will explore Oklahoma’s main anti-poverty investments and long term strategies for education, employment and improved wages. The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
1. Opening Remarks – Senator Kirt and Senator Hicks
2. Introductions – Mary Knott, Poor People’s Campaign of Oklahoma
3. Lived Experience – Makeisha Smith
4. Overview of Poverty in Oklahoma – Anthony Flores, Oklahoma Policy Institute
5. The Current Status of Anti-Poverty Efforts in Oklahoma:
a. SNAP, TANF, Child Care Subsidy, ABD, Long Term Care – Sondra Shelby, DHS
b. WIC – Christina Windrix, OSDH
c. Soonercare, Christina Foss, OHCA
6. Challenges and Possible Solutions:
a. Broad Based Categorical Eligibility – Jessica Dietrich, Hunger Free Oklahoma
b. No Wrong Door, Single Point of Entry – Anthony Flores, Oklahoma Policy Institute
c. Changing the Benefit “Cliff” to a “Slope” – Ed Bolen, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
d. Modernization of Tax Credits – Aanahita Erin, Oklahoma Policy Institute
7. Long Term Care Solutions: Education, Employment and Higher Wages – Presented by State Chamber of Commerce
8. Q&A
9. Closing Remarks – Senator Kirt and Senator Hicks
10. Other business
The mission of the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation is to further STEM education in Oklahoma and increase the number of engineering professionals living and working in the state. As such, we are interested in a variety of legislative issues including interim studies like this one. Please donate to support our advocacy work.