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>>> HELLO EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL YEAR END REVIEW EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

2021 WAS YEAR PANDEMIC WAS GOING TO FADE AWAY, AND IT DID NOT.

THE DISPUTED BETWEEN THE TRIBES EXPANDED, EDUCATION, SAW A HUGE INFLUX OF FEDERAL DOLLARS AND WE MARKED THE CENTENNIAL OF THE 1921 TULSA RACE.

WE BEGIN WITH REPORTER STEVE SHAW, AND THE PROGRESS WE'RE MAKING ON MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ALL ACROSS OKLAHOMA.

>> 2021 WAS THE INCREDIBLE YEAR OF GROWTH FOR PROJECTS IN THE STATE.

WE START WITH QUITE THE UNDERTAKING, ON THE ARKANSAS RIVER IN TULSA.

TULSANS HAVE DEBATED FOR DECADES, TO ENSURE THE STEADY FLOW OF WATER ON THE RIVER IS COST EFFECTIVE.

SUPPORTERS ARGUE IT'LL BRING IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THE CRITICS SAY IT WASN'T WORTH IT.

THE VOTERS APPROVED SOMETHING CALLED VISION TULSA.

THAT UNLEASHED $80 MILLION FOR A PAIR OF PROJECTS.

A DAM AND A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE.

>> I GREW UP, AND IT'S BEEN A DRY, SAND RIVER BED AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.

>> I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THE LAKE.

>> THE CITY COMMITTED THE MONEY TO DEMOLISH AND BUILD THE NEW BRIDGE AND WE'RE WORKING TO FUND RAISE AN ADDITIONAL $6 MILLION TO PUT ON THE NICE AMENITIES.

THE SURFACES, THE BENCHES, THE LIGHTING.

WHAT'S REALLY COOL ABOUT IT, IT'S NOT A BRIDGE THAT GOES STRAIGHT ACROSS, IT'S IN AN ARC, A BOW.

>> IT'LL CONNECT WITH THE PARK, THEY'RE EXPECTED TO BE FINISHED IN THE SUMMER OF 2023.

THEY'LL CREATE A NEW ZINC LAKE THAT'LL EXTEND BACK TO I 244, AND EVENTUALLY PROVIDE RECREATIONAL PERKS.

THE DEVELOPERS SAY THE NEW BRIDGE WILL PROVIDE A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF DOWNTOWN TULSA.

PERMITTING THE DESIGN IS IN THE WORKS SINCE 2009, AND NEEDED ONE LAST FINANCIAL BOOST FROM A LARGELY GROUP OF STAKE HOLDERS, THAT INCLUDES RESTAURANTS, CASINOS AND HOUSING DEVELOPERS.

>> VOTING FOR THE PROJECT AND COMMITTING DOLLARS TO THAT, IT'S REALLY ABOUT THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF STAKE HOLDERS THAT HAD TO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THE PROJECT SUCCESSFUL.

>> AND ALSO IN TULSA, THE BMX RACING IS AN OLYMPIC SPORT AND ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING YOUTH SPORTS IN THE U.S.

SOON, TULSA IS THE EPICENTER OF THE SPORT.

THE OLD EVANS SIGHTED IS TRANSFORMED INTO THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR U.S.A. BMX RACING.

>> ULTIMATELY, TULSA IS WHERE WE WANTED TO BE.

IT'S CENTRALLY LOCATED, THERE'S A LOT OF THE HISTORY AROUND OUR COMPANY AND BEING IN OKLAHOMA IN GENERAL.

>> THE ENGINEER SAYS THE CONSTRUCTION AREA REQUIRED AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP PAID FOR BY THE EPA.

>> IF YOU CAN REUSE IT AND DON'T HAVE CLEAN UP COSTS, IT'S AN ADVANTAGE AND PUTS YOU BACK IN THE HEART OF THE CITY.

>> THE SITE IS ALSO CLOSE TO THE HISTORIC GREENWOOD DISTRICT.

>> AND THE DEVELOPMENT THAT'LL COME AFTER THE BMX, AND THAT OPPORTUNITY ONCE AGAIN FOR RETAIL, COMMERCIAL AND BLACK BUSINESSES TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOPED AND TO REESTABLISH GROWING BLACK WALL STREET.

>> 100 MILES TO THE SOUTHWEST, OKLAHOMA CITY'S NEW 500,000 SQUARE FOOT CONVENTION CENTER OPENED FOR BUSINESS IN JANUARY.

IT'S CATTY CORNER TO THE SIS SORE TAIL PARK AND NEXT TO THE HOTEL.

>> THE WAY MAPS WORKS, IS WE COLLECT THE MONEY, PAY IN CASH, THE DAY THAT OPENED, IT WAS PAID FOR.

THERE WAS NO DEBT ON THE BUILDING.

THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF HOW IT WORKS.

THERE'S NO BALANCE FOR 30 YEARS.

>> WE HAVE BALLROOMS, WE HAVE TWO OF THEM.

AND A JUNIOR BALLROOM AT 9700 SQUARE FEET.

>> COVID THREW A FEW CURVE BALLS AT THE CONSTRUCTION TIME LINE, BUT OKLAHOMA CITY HIT A FEW BACK.

>> THE CARES FUNDING CAME UP, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET IONIZATION IN THE H VAC UNITS.

IT ATTACKS THE PATHOGENS FROM THE VIRUS, AND IT SUFFOCATES IT AND KILLS IT.

>> IT MEANS OKLAHOMA CITY WON'T TAKE A BACK SEAT TO ANYONE WITH THE ABILITY TO HOST MAJOR EVENTS.

>> IT BRINGS NEW TAXPAYERS SO TO SPEAK TO THE CITY.

THERE'S PEOPLE WHO COME TO THE CITY AND SPEND MONEY AND PAY TAXES, NOT ONLY THE SALES TAX BUT THE USUAL SALES TAX THAT THE CITY USES FOR THEIR OVERALL OPERATIONS.

THEY COME HERE AND PAY THE SALES TAX, BUT DON'T USE ALL THE SERVICES.

>> THE FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM OPENED THE DOORS.

IT HAD BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES.

NOW THE FINISHED 175,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY IS A REALITY.

>> IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO TELL THE INDIGENOUS STORIES OF OKLAHOMA.

THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT OF THE MUSEUM.

IT'S BECOME A PLACE FOR OUR TRIBES TO TELL OUR STORIES FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE.

THIS IS THE MOST AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE YOU CAN GET WITH REGARD TO NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.

>> CHICKASAW NATION COVERED THE CONSTRUCTION COST, THE STATE LEGISLATURE CHIPPED IN $25 MILLION AS WELL.

>> WE WOULDN'T HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT DONE WITHOUT THE PRIVATE DONATIONS AND THE CHICKASAW NATION.

>> WE'RE DIVERSE AND RICH IN THE DIVERSITY.

>> AND FINALLY IN -- DEVELOPING A TOWING SYSTEM TO REVOLUTION NIZE THE WAY AIRPLANES MANEUVER AROUND THE AIRPORTS.

IT'S ALL AUTOMATED AND IT'LL SAVE MONEY AND GAS.

AIRCRAFT TOWING SYSTEMS OR ATS IS WORKING FOR TWO YEARS ON THE SOUTH END OF THE AIRPORT RUN WAY TO PERFECT THE SYSTEM.

>> WHEN AN AIRPLANE COMES IN AND LANDS AT AN AIRPORT, PASSED OFF BETWEEN FOUR PEOPLE BEFORE IT MAKES IT TO THE GATE, 80% OF THE TIME IS IT'S DRIVING BY THE PILOT.

OUR SYSTEM PUTS IT IN AUTOMATED SYSTEM THAT OPTIMIZED WHERE TO MOVE THE AIRCRAFTS AND WHAT GATE TO PUT IT IN, AND AUTOMATES THIS MANUAL SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> STATE CONGRESS DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS OKLAHOMA ALREADY HAS THE WORLD'S LARGEST MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR AND OVERHAUL FACILITY AT THE TINKER AIR FORCE BASE AND THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMMERCIAL MRO IN TULSA.

>> WE ARE AN AIRPLANE STATE, OUR SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER IS THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY.

>> THIS HOW WE CONCEDE THIS IS A LONG PROCESS AND THE BIGGEST HURDLE IS GETTING APPROVAL FROM THE FAA.

>>> NEXT UP, STATE POLITICS AND DISPUTES.

>> THE GOVERNOR DRAWN A MAJOR OPPONENT IN THE BID TO BE REELECTED IN 2022.

>> I'VE BEEN REFLECTING ON THIS FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS.

>> A LIFELONG REPUBLICAN, HOFFMEISTER IS SWITCHING PARTIES.

SHE ALSO SERVES ON THE OETA BOARD.

>> WAS SWITCHING PARTIES ALL THE EQUATION TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR OR DID YOU CONSIDER TO RUN AS A REPUBLICAN IN THE PRIMARY?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, BUT THE REALITY OF IT IS, THAT GOVERNOR HAS HIJACKED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I DON'T THINK IT'S BEST TO FOLLOW EXTREMISM.

>> THE CAMPAIGN REACTED DOUBTING THE EFFORT OF -- FUNDING TO EDUCATION, AND THE ADDITIONAL TEACHER PAY RAISE WITHOUT THE RAISING TAXES.

>> MY FIRST REACTION WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS, THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO ENERGIZE THE REPUBLICAN BASE.

>> REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST SAYS IT HAS SOME ADVANTAGE.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO ASSUME THAT HE'S GOING TO WIN THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION.

I THINK SHE BELIEVES THE DEMOCRAT SIDE IS THE WAY TO GO AND GIVES HER THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN THE SEAT.

>> DRAWING A MAJOR OPPONENT FOR THE 2022 ELECTION IS NOT THE ONLY CHALLENGE FACED IN 2021, TENSIONS BETWEEN HIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE OKLAHOMA TRIBAL NATIONS OVER THE DECISION, SPILLED OVER IN A FORUM HE HELD IN JULY WITH STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN TULSA.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU AND FOR ALL THE -- PLEASE COME FORWARD.

>> IT EXPANDED THE DECISION BEYOND THE MUSS -- NATION.

THE GOVERNOR CONTENDS THE DECISION NEEDS TO BE REVERSES OR LIMITED.

THAT PLAYED A ROLE IN HIS CHOICE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPOINT A NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL IN JULY.

>> THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT CASE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN MY OPINION HAS EITHER MADE A SERIOUS ERROR OR AT LEAST HAS WRITTEN AN OPINION IN A WAY THAT CAN BE CONSTRUED, I THINK UNINTENTIONALLY IN A BROADWAY.

>> AND O'CONNOR REPLACED HUNTER, WHO RESIGNED IN MAY, DUE TO PERSONAL REASONS.

>> IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE WHERE THE BALANCE IS UPSET, WE NEED TO LIMIT IF IT'S NOT OVERTURNED.

>> THE GOVERNOR ADDRESSED HIS STANCE THAT FORCES ARE TRYING TO SAY APPLY IT IN THE JURISDICTION IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

>> THIS RULING RAISES OTHER UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

>> THE U.S. SUPREME COURT COULD DECIDE IN JANUARY WHETHER TO TAKE OUT THE CHALLENGES.

IN THE SAME ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR OUTLINED HIS IDEA FOR MANAGED HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THE WAKE OF THE EXPANSION.

>> WITH MEDICAID EXPANSION NOW IN THE CONSTITUTION, THIS IS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO REIMAGINE HEALTH CARE DELIVERY IN OKLAHOMA.

IT'S TIME TO FOCUS ON OUTCOMES AND NOT JUST PAYING INVOICES.

40 STATES HAVE FOUND MANAGED CARE IS THE BEST WAY FORWARD.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION PUSHED FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES TO TAKE OVER MANAGING THE STATE'S MEDICAID SYSTEM.

THAT WAS MET WITH PUSH BACK FROM LAWMAKERS.

>> I FOUND THIS PROCESS, ESPECIALLY THE RSP TO BE VERY OPAQUE.

AND YET THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND YOU MR. SECRETARY WOULD LOVE FOR US TO GET ON BOARD FOR THAT.

WE HAVE NO INPUT IN IT.

>> THEY RULED ON JUNE 1, THE CONTRACTS WERE INVALID.

THEY LACKED THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO MOVE TO MANAGED CARE MODEL.

ONE MONTH LATER, OKLAHOMA OFFERED MEDICAID TO ADULTS WITH LOW INCOME.

THEY AGREED TO USE THE STIMULUS FUND TO BEGIN THE EXTENDED PROGRAM, AND ALSO RAISED THE PAYMENT PROGRAM OR SHOP FEE TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAM ONCE THE FEDERAL FUNDS RUN OUT THE.

>> WE GO FROM JULY TO JANUARY, STILL AT THE 2.5 ON SHOP.

THE MEDICAID IS KICKING IN JULY.

THAT'S AROUND $37 MILLION THIS YEAR.

WHEN WE MOVE THE FOLLOWING YEAR TO 3.5, IT'LL BE $89 MILLION AND THEN THE FINAL YEAR, WE'RE AT 4%, ABOUT 135 MILLION.

>> THE DEMOCRATS AGREED TO FUND MEDICAID.

>> I THINK THAT'S A SUSTAINABLE WAY TO DO THINGS.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE WISE TO FUND IT THIS YEAR, GET A BETTER SENSE OF WHAT THE PROGRAM WILL COST IN FUTURE YEARS, AND MAKE SURE THAT THE HOSPITALS ARE ABLE AND READY TO FUND THROUGH.

>> THE SPORTS ACT THAT BANS TRANSGENDER ATHLETES FROM COMPETING IN GIRL'S SPORTS.

>> THE IDEA THAT THIS IS BROUGHT FORTH TO MAKE IT MALE CARD OR TO BE HATEDFUL OR BIGOTED IS SO NOT WHAT IS THE INTENT OF THIS LANGUAGE.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE CONTINUOUSLY FIGHTING FOR ACCESS TO AN EQUITABLE LIFE.

LEGISLATION LIKE THIS PULLS THAT AWAY.

>> THE CONTROVERSIAL BILL DID PASS THE HOUSE, IT FAILED TO GET A HEARING IN THE SENATE.

THE BILL WHICH DID GET THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, SETTING GUIDELINES ON HOW RACIALLY SENSITIVE SUBJECTS ARE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> THE MAIN PART OF THE BILL THAT'S GOTTEN MOST OF THE ATTENTION IS BANS CERTAIN CONCEPTS WE LISTED EIGHT SPECIFIC CONCEPTS THAT WE DID NOT WANT TO BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOL.

>> IT'S A WASTE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS AS WE SAID, NOBODY IS TEACHING THE STANDARDS, TITLE 6, 7, 8, 9 AND 10 OF FEDERAL LAW, THE FACT THAT YOU CAN'T DISCRIMINATE.

>> IN OCTOBER, GROUPS FILED LAWSUITS TO STOP THE HOUSE BILL FROM BEING ENFORCED.

>>> THE GOVERNOR'S RACE WILL SURELY DOMINATE THE HEADLINES IN 2022.

HOFFMEISTER REMAINS IN CHARGE OF THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THAT SAW AN INFLUX OF FEDERAL DOLLARS.

REPORTER TAYLOR JACKSON JOINS US WITH MORE ON HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT.

>> PUBLIC EDUCATION IS GETTING $3.2 MILLION FROM STATE LAWMAKERS, COMBINED WITH $1.5 MILLION FROM FEDERAL STIMULUS.

THEY PASSED RECORD SETTING FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EXIN MAY.

>> I SIGNED A BUDGET, THAT HAS A RECORD $3.2 MILLION IN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, SAYS THE IMPACT OF THE EXTRA FUNDING WILL MAKE ITS WAY TO DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE STUDENT'S NEEDS.

>> FOR THE EDUCATION WHICH IS GOING TO MEAN WE GO BACK TO THE SMALLER CLASS SIZE REQUIREMENT OF KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADERS AND AS MORE MONEY COMES IN EDUCATION, THAT'LL TRIGGER FURTHER YEARS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND BEYOND.

>> HOFFMEISTER SAYS THE STIMULUS WILL HELP THE GET KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM, IN INNOVATIVE LEARNING.

>> THINK ABOUT LAST SPRING, MANY OF THE STUDENTS WERE UNABLE TO HAVE THE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION, EVEN THOUGH TEACHERS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL -- TO REACH THE KIDS.

WE DEPARTMENT HAVE THE HOT -- DIDN'T HAVE THE HOT SPOTS IN PLACE.

>> THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN REQUIRED THAT LEGISLATURES NOT CUT IN STATE ALLOCATIONS FOR THE STATE BUDGETS, JUST BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING THE FUNDING.

>> THAT'S GOOD, YOU DON'T WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO SAY, OH, YOU HAVE 1.4 BILLION, WE'LL TAKE ALL THE FUNDING AWAY AND YOU CAN LIVE ON THAT FOR A YEAR OR TWO AND WE'LL GIVE IT BACK.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE THE FUNDING AWAY, IT NEVER COMES BACK.

>> IT'LL ALLOW THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TENTH THROUGH 12TH GRADER AN ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE ACT AND SAT.

>> A LOT OF THE STUDENTS ARE MUST HAVE HAD OUT ON THE -- MISSED OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THIS IS OPENING IT UP IN THE FALL TO ANYONE.

>> AND ALSO USED $14 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS TO EXPAND THE SUMMER PROGRAMS WITH INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS, FREE TO ALLOCATE 90% OF THE MONEY AS THEY SEE FIT.

THE GOAL OF THE SUMMER WAS FOR STUDENTS TO RELEARN THE ACADEMICS THAT THEY LOST IN LEARNING.

GOVERNOR AND OKLAHOMA SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, SAYS IT'S THEIR DUTY TO TRACK EVERY DOLLAR AND TO ASK FOR STATE AUDITOR TO DO AN AUDIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

>> FIRST, A SPECIFIC LOOKING AT THIS O CASH SYSTEM.

>> THE OBJECTIVE IS TO LOOK AT ALL DOLLARS FLOWING IN THE DEPARTMENT, AND ENSURING THAT THEY'RE FIRST OF ALL REPORTED ON AND IN A TRANSPARENT MANNER, AND TWO, USED IN STATE STATUTES.

>> HE WAS KEEPING THE CAMPAIGN PROMISE BY CLEANING UP STATE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE IT MORE TRANSPARENT.

HOWEVER, HOFFMEISTER SAYS THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS UNDERGONE AN AUDIT, AND EVERY SEMI SPENDING REQUEST IS PERCEPTUALLY APPROVED BY SECRETARY WALTERS WHO THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED.

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THAT HE'S NOT DECLARING ANOTHER STATE OF EMERGENCY.

HOWEVER, SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS FELT THEY NEEDED TO ISSUE A MASK MANDATE DESPITE THE LAW.

>> AS OF YESTERDAY MORNING, I HAD 21 FACULTY AND STAFF WHO WERE COVID POSITIVE OR EXPOSED.

DOZENS OF STUDENTS, INCLUDING THREE WHOLE CLASSROOMS WHO HAD BEEN EXPOSED AND HAD TO QUARANTINE.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE SANTA FE SOUTH CHARTER SCHOOL WAS THE FIRST SUPERINTENDENT IN THE STATE TO ISSUE A MASK MANDATE FOR HIS DISTRICT IN THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR.

IN A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR AND SUPERINTENDENT HOFFMEISTER, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS IT'S STANDING BEHIND SCHOOLS DEFYING THE LAWS PROHIBITING THE MASK MANDATES.

THE EDUCATORS WORE MASK WITHOUT PROTEST, SIX OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE SUING TO GET THEIR JOB BACK AFTER THEY WERE FIRED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE MASK MANDATE FOR SCHOOL PERM.

>> THAT'S NOT THE TRUTH, WE LOVED THE KIDS.

>> AFTER THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE HOUSE BILL, THAT SETS GUIDELINES FOR RACIALLY SENSITIVE SUBJECTS ARE TAUGHT IN SCHOOL, THE STATE BOARD EDUCATION WAS LEFT WITH DECISIONS OF HOW THE LAW IS IMPLEMENTED AND ENFORCED.

THE PARENTS HAVE A PROTECTED RIGHT UNDER THE RULE TO PROTECT CURRICULUM.

THE SCHOOL STAFF CAN FILE A COMPLAINT TO THE SCHOOL IN QUESTION OR TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INVESTIGATIONS.

AND SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A TEACHER'S LICENSE.

THE TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THIS YEAR.

>>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

2021 MARKED THE CENTENNIAL OF THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

A SERIES OF EVENTS YEARS IN THE MAKING.

WE HAVE THE LOOK BACK.

>> TODAY, WE GATHER ON THIS SACRED GROUND TO DEAD INDICATED THE GREENWOOD RISING HISTORY CENTER.

>> AT 11:29 A.M. ON A BRIGHT MORNING, IT CULMINATED, THE LIVES LOST IN THE EVENT THAT FOLLOWED IN THE GREENWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> ON THAT FATEFUL DAY, MY GRANDPARENTS WITH THEIR THEN 2-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS RAN FOR THEIR LIVES FROM OUR BELOVED NEIGHBORHOOD, ONLY TO RETURN TO FIND OUR HOMES AND OUR BUSINESSES LOOTEDED AND BURNED TO THE GROUND.

>> MY HOPE IS GREENWOOD RISING IS A CATALYST OF THE DIFFICULT WORK OF RECONCILIATION, AND GIVE US THE TOOLS TO DIGEST, TO PROCESS AND TO COPE SO THAT TULSA IS A BEACON OF LIGHT FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES SEEKING JUSTICE.

>> $30 MILLION IN PRIVATE DONATIONS WERE RAISED TO COMPLETE THE CENTER.

>> IT IS REMARKABLE OF WHAT THE CONSTRUCTION CREWS DID.

YOU DON'T BUILD A BUILDING LIKE THIS IN SIX MONTHS, UNLESS YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN THE PROJECT.

HOW MUCH PEOPLE BELIEVED IN THIS PROJECT, THEY WOULD COME ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.

THEY SAY RG WE'LL MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

>> JUST AS THE OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL MUSEUM -- CARRIES ON THE -- AND ADDRESSES HATE IN THIS COUNTRY, THE GREENWOOD RISING CENTER NO DOUBT WILL DO THE SAME.

SERVING AS A BEACON TO ADDRESS RACISM IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> AND NOT EVERYONE AGREES THAT BUILDING A HISTORY CENTER IS THE PROPER WAY TO BUILD WITH THE MONEY RAISED.

>> WE PLEDGE TO MAKE SURE THAT ANYTIME THERE'S A DISCUSSION OF GREENWOOD, THE MASSACRE, THAT IT STARTS FIRST NOT WITH THE BUILDING, NOT WITH THE PLAQUES.

NOT WITH THE TREES, NOT WITH THE MUSEUMS IT STARTS WITH THE PEOPLE.

>> REPORTEDLY THE DEMANDS MADE FOR A MILLION DOLLARS PAID TO EACH OF THE LIVING SURVIVORS, AND A $50 MILLION FUND SET UP FOR THE DESCENDANTS.

>> PHIL ARMSTRONG HAS AN INTEGRITY TO SPEND THE DOLLARS ON WHAT THEY WERE RAISED FOR.

SO I DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY OR THE LEGAL ABILITY TO JUST CARVE OUT MONEY AND SAY, OH, WE RAISED IT FOR THIS, BUT GIVE IT TO THIS.

I WOULD NOT DO THAT TO NOW AND THEN.

BUT I WILL SIT DOWN AND SAY, WE'VE BEEN FOR THE REPARATIONS FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> NOT WHAT THE LEADERS OF THE FOUNDATION WANTED TO HEAR.

>> THE GREENWOOD FOLKS, WHY BE AFRAID OF THEM, GIVE THEM THE REPARATIONS OF DIGNITY.

>> I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT A LITTLE BITTY GRASS ROOT COMMUNITY NORTH ORGANIZATION CALLED JUSTICE FOR GREENWOOD IS GRANTING A GIFT OF $100,000 FOR EACH SURVIVOR.

THIS IS NOT REPARATION, THIS IS A GIFT.

>> ENTERTAINER JOHN LEGEND, WERE ALSO STRONGLY IN REPARATIONS NOW.

THEY WERE SCHEDULED TO HEADLINE A HOOILT ANTICIPATED -- HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EVENT.

BUT ON MAY 27, JUST DAYS BEFORE IT WAS TO TAKE PLACE, IT WAS ABRUPTLY CANCELLED.

>> IT'S AMAZING THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO SPEAK IN THE POSITION OF A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.

WE'RE NOT ABLE TO PUT THIS EVENT ON, AND IT'S OUR DUE DILIGENCE, AND WE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION.

>> ONE OF THE EVENTS, THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DAY.

TO DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS FOR MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES.

>> 63% OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES IN BLACK AMERICA WILL TELL YOU THEY HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

WE'RE BRINGING TOGETHER THE PRIVATE EQUITY, HEDGE FUNDS, BANKS TOGETHER WITH SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS.

>> I SUGGEST THAT THE CURRENT WEALTH GAP IN THE COUNTRY IS MOVING IN THE WRONG WAY.

>> ONE INFLUENTIAL PERSON WAS IN FULL AGREEMENT.

PRESIDENT BIDEN.

WHO ARRIVED HOURS LATERED.

>> WE'RE ANNOUNCING TWO EXPANDED EFFORTS, TARGETED TO THE BLACK -- TO HELP THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

THE FIRST IS MY ADMINISTRATION IS LAUNCHED AN AGGRESSIVE EFFORT, FROM RED LINING TO THE CRUEL FACT THAT A HOME OWNED BY A BLACK FAMILY IS TOO OFTEN APPRAISED AT A LOWER VALUE.

>> AND THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT DIDN'T STOP THERE.

>> THAT MESSAGE WAS A WELL RECEIVED ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

AND THAT WAS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION'S WORK, WITH OR WITHOUT A STAR STUDDED MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT.

>> WHAT ARE WE DOING THIS FOR?

SO WE CAN HAVE THIS MOMENT, THIS CONCERT WITH THESE PHENOMENAL, PHENOMENAL PUBLIC FIGURES OR ARE WE DOING THIS FOR THE HISTORY, THE REMEMBRANCE, FOR THE SURVIVORS, THE DESCENDANTS OF THE WORLD COMING HERE TO XHEM RARITY.

GREENWOOD RISING HISTORY CENTER IS WORTH, TO HELP IN LEADING THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

>> THANKS.

>>> OF COURSE, NO YEARLY REVIEW IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A LOOK BACK AT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COVID.

THERE WERE NEW VARIANTS, MANDATES AND TREATMENTS.

WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

>> IT'S BEEN A LONG TWO YEARS OF COVID.

AND EFFORTS TO HEAD OFF THE VIRUS HAS HIT SUPPLY ISSUES, SOCIAL RESISTANCE AND NEW VARIANTS.

>> WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SET FOR EVERY SINGLE DOSE WE HAVE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THE PUSH TO VACCINATE OKLAHOMAENS AGAINST COVID-19 BEGAN TO ACCELERATE IN JANUARY.

THE SUPPLIES BEGAN TO GROW, ALLOWING THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO HAVE VACCINATION PODS.

>> LAST WEEK WE ANNOUNCED WE'RE ESTABLISHING PODS.

THESE ARE POINT OF DISTRIBUTION SITES IN THE STATE.

THESE ARE TO INCREASE THE ASSESS POINTS FOR THE VACCINE IN THE STATE.

>> THE PODS QUICKLY BEGAN THE STANDARD OF DISTRIBUTION EARLY ON.

MAKING THE VACCINE AVAILABLE TO WHOEVER WAS AVAILABLE.

IN MARCH, NEARLY EVERY ADULT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINATION.

>> HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE DOWN 90%, AND THEY'RE AT THE LOWEST LEVELS OF THE LAST NINE MONTHS.

>> OKLAHOMA HIT THE 40% VACCINATION MARK IN MID APRIL.

THAT'S WHEN THE DEMAND FOR THE VACCINE BEGAN TO SLOW.

>> NOW WE HAVE THE POINT WHERE THE PEOPLE WILLING AND ABLE TO TRAVEL TO THE BIG SITES HAVE ALREADY DONE IT.

THE DEMAND FOR THOSE APPOINTMENTS IS SLIPPING QUITE A BIT.

>> TRIBAL HEALTH AGENCIES PLAYED A VITAL ROLE TO GET THE VACCINATIONS TO MORE OKLAHOMAENS.

>> WE STARTS WITH THE OLDEST AND WORKING OUR WAY TO THE YOUNGEST.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON FROM A LIST STANDPOINT.

>> THE TRIBAL HEALTH AGENCIES IN THE STATE, RACED THROUGH THE TRIBAL CITIZENS AND OPENED UP TO SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND NONNATIVES.

THE FDA APPROVAL CONTINUES TO EXPAND THE VACCINE ELIGIBILITY TO YOUNGER AGE GROUPS, THE GOOD NEWS FOR KIDS AND PARENTS WANTING FALL SPORTS TO CONTINUE AS NORMALLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> NOW A FULLY VACCINATED CHILD 12 OR OLDER, THEY DON'T HAVE TO KWAURNLT, THAT'S A -- QUARANTINE, THAT'S A HUGE INCENTIVE FOR KIDS TO GET VACCINATED.

TO A SPORTS SEASON, ACADEMICS.

>> IN THE SUMMER THE STATE OF EMERGENCY EXPIRED, THE STATE RELAXED A LOT OF RULES FOR STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS.

THE DECLINING CASES WOULD PERSIST.

>> WE WENT A COUPLE OF MONTHS THERE, BARELY HAVE ANY COVID.

SOME DAYS, NO COVID PATIENTS OR ONE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WE WOULD SEE ONE OR TWO COMING IN SLOWLY, NUMBERS STARTING TO BUILD BACK UP AND THAT CORRESPONDED OF WHAT WAS GOING ON IN MISSOURI.

>> JULY INTERRUPTED THE OPTIMISM AS NEIGHBORING STATES WERE ENGULFED WITH THE NEW DELTA VARIANT, AND IT BEGAN CREEPING TO OKLAHOMA.

>> PEOPLE ARE DROPPING THEIR OXYGEN LEVELS QUICKER.

>> IT'S MORE CONTAGIOUS, AND IT'S EFFECTIVE ATTACHING TO HUMAN CELLS, AND IT SPREADS EASILY FROM PERSON TO PERSON.

>> THE AVERAGE AGE YOU SAW ON THE BOARD IS 56, THAT'S A FULL GREATER THAN TEN YEARS YOUNGER THAN THE AVERAGE AGE BACK IN THE WINTER.

>> IT DIDN'T HIT THE SAME JANUARY PEAKS -- >> THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE IS WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFFING LEVELS AVAILABLE TO CARE FOR PATIENTS WE HAD A YEAR AGO.

THIS IS HARD WORK.

SUSTAIN RISKS, FATIGUE AND TRAUMA ARE CONTRIBUTING TO A STAFFING SHORTAGE STATEWIDE.

>> WE WANT TO USE THIS EARLY.

>> AND PFIZER WAS THE FIRST VACCINE TO GRADUATE FROM EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION TO FULL APPROVAL.

>> THE FDA HAS GIVEN THE FULL AND FINAL APPROVAL.

>> >> THAT NEWS CAME AT THE SAME TIME AS NEWS OF THE VACCINE MANDATES FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHICH IS AN ONGOING REFER TO.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN DOESN'T TRUST AMERICANS TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES.

LUCKILY OUR CONSTITUTION DOES.

THAT'S WHY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL O'CONNOR AND I ARE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FEDERAL OVERREACH.

>> THE SUMMER'S DELTA WAVE BEGAN WITH QUESTIONS OF HOW SEVERE AND HOW FAST IT WOULD SPREAD.

NOW THE SCIENTISTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WONDERING THE SAME THING OF THE RECENT NAMED VARIANT, OMICRON.

>> THE VACCINE IN THE UNITED STATES, IT'LL PROBABLY BE OKAY, BUT YET AGAIN, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION YET.

>> TO SEQUENCE THE VIRUS, THEY NEED SAMPLES FROM THE PCR TESTS.

NOT THE RAPID TESTS.

THE LATEST DATA SHOWS IN A CONTROLLED LAB ENVIRONMENT, THE MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINES AFTER THE STANDARD TWO INJECTIONS ARE 50 TIMES LESS EFFECTIVE AT FIGHTING THE OMICRON VARIANT.

BUT THE BOOSTER IS EFFECTIVE.

GIVE YOUR DOCTOR A CALL.

>> THANKS.

>>> HE'S TAKING OVER THE HELM OF THE IN-DEPTH SEGMENT, AND HE'S DOING REALLY GOOD WORK WITH THAT.

IT GIVES US EACH WEEK TO TACKLE A TOPIC WITH THE GUEST.

SUSAN CADOT IS OUR MODERATOR.

>>> YES, THANK YOU.

WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE SERA -- ACT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I HAVE FOUR PANELISTS TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS.

FIRST INTRODUCE OUR GUESTS, MARILYN STARK, AN OKLAHOMA REPUBLICAN, AND WE HAVE JAMIE MAYS, A BOARD MEMBER, JUSTIN WOLFE, THE CORRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOR THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, AND FINALLY, SAMANTHA FALKNER.

I THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE STARK, I WANT TO BEGIN WITH YOU I DON'T.

WHAT'S THE ACT?

>> IT'S A COMBINATION OF SEVERAL YEARS WORK WHERE WE WILL UPON RELEASE FROM PRISON, EACH INMATE WILL AT LEAST RECEIVE A PHOTO ID, A STATE ISSUED PHOTO ID THAT LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE'S, AND THEY'LL ALSO RECEIVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, A BIRTH CERTIFICATE, ANY CERTIFICATIONS OF TRAINING THEY RECEIVED IN PRISON, A RESUME AND CONDUCTED A MOCK INTERVIEW.

>> YOU AUTHORED THIS WITH REPRESENTATIVE HILL.

TELL ME HOW THAT CAME TO BE.

>> I HAVE A BACKGROUND IN NONPROFITS, SO BEFORE I RAN FOR OFFICE, I INTERACTED WITH PEOPLE WHO CAME OUT OF PRISON AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SHOW BUT A PRISON ID CARD.

WHEN I RAN, IT WAS A PART OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO WAS TO MAKE SURE THEY GO GOT AN ID.

BUT THE EARLY CONNOTATIONS, THE FIRST LADY GOT INVOLVED IN THOSE AND REALIZED THERE WAS A NEED OF A LOT OF THINGS TO HAPPEN.

SHE COORDINATED WITH REPRESENTATIVE HILL, THEY CAME UP WITH THE JOB TRAINING AND RESUME, SO WHEN COVID HIT, WE HAD BEEN ADVISED TO PUT THEM TOGETHER.

BUT COVID CAME AND WE DIDN'T GET THAT DONE.

THIS YEAR, WE WORKED HARD TO GET THEM TOGETHER, WE'LL ALLOW YOU TO HAVE A PHOTO ID, BASED ON YOUR PRISON CARD THAT IS CALLED A CRC CARD.

THAT'S FOR IDENTIFICATION.

IT'S PUTTING THE TWO TOGETHER MADE A REALLY GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> AND JUSTIN, TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS MEASURE AND THE IMPACT IT'LL HAVE.

ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, OUR MANTRA IS TO BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND.

WE HAVE A LOT OF REENTRY SERVICES FOR THE INMATES.

ONE OF THE BARRIERS WAS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING YOUR IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS AFTER THE RELEASE.

AND TO HELP IT BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE AS PROVIDING THE DOCUMENTS TO THE INMATE POPULATION BEFORE THEY'RE RELEASED, THAT'S SETTING THEM UP FOR SUCCESS.

>> WHY IS THE OKLAHOMA MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE INVOLVED WITH THIS?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS IS FINDING AND KEEPING EMPLOYEES.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, PROBABLY 2018, WE GOT INVOLVED AND HIRED A WORK FORCE PERSON AT THE OMA, AND SAID HOW DO WE LOOK AT ALL AVENUES FOR FINDING WORKERS AND ATTRACTING WORKERS.

ONE OF THE CATEGORIES IS THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

LOOKING AT DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE JUSTICE INVOLVED FOLKS WITH WORK.

I SPENT A GOOD AMOUNT OF 2018, DOING RESEARCH FIGURE OUT WHO AND WHAT IS INVOLVED AND WHAT THE GAPS WERE.

AND BUILDING A LONG LIST OF MANUFACTURES WHO ARE ALREADY INVOLVED OR WANTING TO JOIN THE EFFORTS.

>> AND A LOT OF CROSS COMMUNICATION.

>> I WENT TO PRISONS AND INTERVIEWED HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND THEN WE TRIED TO MARRY THEM UP WITH THE REPS WHO COVERED THE WHOLE STATE AND NETWORKED THEM INTO MANUFACTURING JOB.

RESTAURANT WORK IS GREAT, AND PART-TIME JOBS ARE GREAT, BUT A MANUFACTURING JOB IS A LIFE CHANGER IN REGARD TO GIVING THEM A LONG TRAJECTORY AND A GOOD PATH FORWARD.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

>> THE IT SHINES A LIGHT ON THE -- THAT'S THE CATALYST OF ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS.

HOW DO WE SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS WHEN WE KNOW THEY'LL BE RELEASED.

>> THE FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO REENTER THE WORK FORCE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, THE YOU TELL US OF THE STORY AND RESIDENCE?

>> SO I'VE BEEN -- SINCE 2017, I WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

AND IT'S A SIX MONTH RECOVERY PROGRAM AND THEY EMPLOYED US DOWN STAIRS IN THE CAFE.

I WORKED THERE FOR SIX MONTHS AND STARTED TO GO TO COLLEGE FOR HUMAN SERVICES.

P AND THEY CALLED ME ONE DAY AND HAD A REENTRY POSITION OPEN FOR A RESIDENT.

AND I'VE BEEN HERE FOR OVER A YEAR -- YOU KNOW, FROM THE FRONT END, THE -- DID ALL THE [INAUDIBLE].

WE WORK WITH WOMEN WHO ARE IN PRISON IN THE PROGRAM.

HAVING THE CERTIFICATIONS AND THE BIRTH CERTIFICATES ARE THE FIRST STEP.

WE CAN SECURE EMPLOYMENT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

>> HAVE YOU HEARD STORES FROM OTHERS.

I READ SOMEWHERE THAT THE ONLY ID A NEWLY RELEASED OFFENDER THEY HAVE IS THE PRISON ID, IS THAT TRUE?

>> YES, IT'S HARD.

ONCE WE'RE RELEASED, I TOOK MY PRISON ID, AND THIS IS ALL I HAVE.

WE CAN'T GIVE YOU AN ID.

WE CAN'T GIVE ANYTHING FOR YOU.

I HAVE TO HAVE THE INFORMATION FOR WORK AND TO FILL OUT APPLICATIONS.

I DON'T HAVE A SOCIAL OR ID, I DIDN'T KNOW THE FIRST STEPS TO TAKE.

IT WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL THESE WOMEN HAVE THE ITEMS, THEY'RE ABLE TO SECURE OTHER THINGS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WITH THOSE.

>> WHY DON'T THEY HAVE A SOCIAL?

PEOPLE HAVE SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS AND NUMBERS WHEN THEY GO IN THE SYSTEM, WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES THE INMATE POPULATION FACES.

ONE IS WHEN THEY'RE BROUGHT IN THE PRISON SYSTEM, THE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN OBSERVING THE DOCUMENTS FOR THEM, MAY HAVE HAD CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE.

PEOPLE MOVE.

AND KEEPING TRACK OF VITAL DOCUMENTS IS CHALLENGING.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE TEND TO ADDRESS WHILE THEY'RE IN OUR CUSTODY IS THE INMATE PLAN.

THEY HAVE SOME DEGREE OF NEEDS WHEN THEY'RE TO BE RELEASED.

THEY'LL HAVE WHETHER IT BE JOB SKILLS THAT THEY NEED OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TRAINING OR SIMPLE MENTORING.

SOME OF THE CASE PLAN IS TO ACQUIRE THE VITAL DOCUMENTS THAT THE INMATES ARE MISSING.

GOING THROUGH THE CHALLENGE OF THE DMV PROCESS OR THE VITAL DOCUMENTS, THE SAME CHALLENGES IS FOR THE INMATES WHEN THEY'RE RELEASED.

THEY HAVE TO DO ALL THE THINGS QUICKLY AND DOING THAT WHILE OBTAINING A JOB IS AN OBSTACLE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS WITH THE LEGISLATION.

>> IT IS HARD ENOUGH TO GO THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND GET THE DOCUMENTS.

>> YOU KNOW, EVEN IN PRISON YOU GET OUT, AND YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR IDENTIFICATION, NOW MOST PEOPLE -- NOT FAMILIAR WITH.

IT'S DISHEARTENING, ALL THESE THINGS ARE THROWN AT YOU, YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR BASIC NEEDS, OTHER IDENTIFICATION, AND IT'S HARD TO REENTER THE SOCIETY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE STARK WHAT'S THE REACTION TO THIS MEASURE THAT YOU'VE INTRAUSED, IT WAS INTRODUCED BEFORE COVID WAYLAID THAT.

WHAT'S THE REACTION AMONG YOUR COLLEAGUES FOR THIS MEASURE?

>> WE HAVE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THIS MEASURE.

IT'S BIPARTISAN, EVERYONE SEES THE NEED AND REALIZES WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS A LONG TIME AGO.

I'M VERY HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS AND APPRECIATE DOC AND DPS WORKING WITH US TO GET THIS TO HAPPEN.

AND I AGREE WITH JUSTIN, JUST SHOWN A SPOTLIGHT ON WHAT MANY OF US HAD SEEN, BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TELL THE POPULATION AND GET THE PUBLIC INVOLVED AND THE LERG INVOLVED.

I THINK IT MADE IT MORE REAL, TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE OF THOSE WHO GOT THE ID AND ALL THE PAPER WORK AND THOSE WHO DIDN'T.

I KNOW I WORKED WITH A PERSON IN OUR SOCIAL LIVING PROGRAM FOR ALMOST A YEAR TO GET THE PAPER WORK, AND I WAS WORKING WITH HIM SO DILIGENTLY.

IT WAS JUST HARD.

HIT WALL AFTER WALL AFTER WALL.

THE OTHER POPULATION I THINK ABOUT IS THOSE WHO COME THROUGH FOSTER CARE, WE KNOW THERE'S A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF FOSTER CARE BETWEEN 18 AND 26 WILL END UP INCARCERATED.

IF THEY'VE GONE THROUGH FOSTER CARE, THEY MAY NOT HAVE SEEN A BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON FOR THAT POPULATION RIGHT NOW TOO.

IT'S STARTED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE IN FOSTER CARE HAVE THE PAPERS BEFORE THEY AGE OUT.

IT'S SPURRED A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS.

>> THAT SOUNDS GREAT.

BACK TO YOU.

REALLY QUICKLY, HAS THERE BEEN ANY APPREHENSION BETWEEN THE EMPLOYERS IN HIRING OR EMPLOYING THOSE JUST OUT OF PRISON.

>> IT'S DEFINITIVELY EDUCATION PROCESS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT A SIMPLE FELONY CAN BE.

THERE ARE A GOOD HANDFUL ALONG WITH THE EMPLOYERS ON THE FRONT END OF THIS AND EXCITED AND EDUCATED ABOUT IT.

AND THERE'S SOME WE -- A SOFT SKILL WE HELP TO PROVIDE THEM, AND A GREAT TOOL KIT OUT THERE.

WE'VE BEEN GIVING THAT TO EMPLOYERS AND THEY CAN UNDERSTAND THE TAX CREDITS THEY CAN GET FROM HIRING THESE FOLKS.

THERE'S A SMALLER PERCENTAGE THAT WE'RE DOING MORE EDUCATION AND HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS OF HIRING GOOD PEOPLE WHO JUST NEED A SECONDED CHANCE.

>> DO YOU KNOW THAT ANYONE WHO'S TRYING TO GET HIRED WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION.

>> THAT DOES HAPPEN, AND GENERALLY THE EMPLOYERS ALREADY ON THE FRONT KNOW HOW TO HELP THEM GET IT, OR DIRECT THEM TO FOLKS WHO DO HELP THEM DO THAT.

I WAS VERY VERY INVOLVED WITH THE FOLKS COMMUNITIED AND MAKING SURE THAT WE GOT ALL OF THEM WE COULD IN A BUS TO THE FACILITY AND GOT EVEN IF A GAP FOR FUNDING, WE FOUND FOLKS TO HELP PAY FOR THAT.

THERE'S A GOOD NUMBER OF STANCES FROM PRECOVID, AND WHEN WE TAKE INMATES IN A BUS TO GET THEM THEIR ID.

>> IT SEEMS A SMALL THING TO MOST OF US, HOW BIG OF A DEAL IS THIS.

HOW MUCH WILL THIS HELP?

ESPECIALLY IF YOU AS RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME TO GET THE IDS.

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THIS MAKE?

>> IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE, ESPECIALLY NOW, WITH COVID, EVERYTHING IS BY APPOINTMENT.

IT'S NOT LIKE I CAN TAKE THEM DOWN THERE, IT'S EXTREMELY HELPFUL FOR US, AND FOR REENTRY, THE RECERTIFICATION WITH EVERYONE IF THEY HAVE THEIR ID, IT MAKES IT SO MUCH EASIER.

>> WE BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND AND EACH INMATE'S CASE PLAN IS DEVELOPED AS SOON AS THEY ENTER THE PRISON SYSTEM.

THAT INVOLVES INFORMING DOCUMENTS THAT MIGHT BE MISSING.

>> DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> OUR CAREER TECH PARENTS, MANY OF THE PRISONS HAVE THE PARENT IN THE PRISON AND I SEE A LOT OF FOLKS NETWORK WITH THE COACHES, CAREER TECH COACHES, THEY SEND US FOLKS, EVERYONE THEY SEND US COMES WITH A RESUME.

THERE'S SOME GOOD WORK DONE IN THE SMALL POPULATION, TO COME OUT OF THE PRISON HAVING WORKED FOR OCI, THOSE FOLKS COME OUT THE WITH A PORTFOLIO OF THE WORK AND A RESUME.

WE HAVE GOOD EXAMPLES TO USE AS WE DEVELOP THIS.

>> WE COULD TALK MORE ABOUT THIS, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US AND THE GOOD WORK ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

YOU'RE APPRECIATED THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>>> THANK YOU FOR SPENDING PART OF YOUR 2021 WITH US, WE LOOK FORWARD TO TO COVERING OKLAHOMA IN 2022 AND BEYOND, FOR ALL OF US ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, I'M JASON DOYLE, HAPPY NEW YEAR.

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