>>> TOO MANY OF OKLAHOMA RURAL HOSPITALS ARE ON LIFE SUPPORT.

IS MEDICAID EXPANSION THE ANSWER?

>> DOING MEDICATION EXPANSION FOR EVERY 1 DOLLAR THAT THE STATE APPROPRIATES WE'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING BACK NINE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO MATCH.

AND THIS IS ECONOMIC SHOT IN THE ARM THAT OUR HOSPITALS AND OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM NEEDS RIGHT NOW.

>> HOW TO PAY FOR IT.

A KEY QUESTION WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION SET TO BEGIN IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.

>>> THE FIRST YEAR IS GOING TO BE HARD, THERE'S NO QUESTION, THERE WERE LOTS OF DIFFERENT PRO POST ALLS FOR HOW TO FUND IT BUT THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN SO WE HAVE TO ANSWER THAT CALL.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION EXTENDS EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE MORATORIUM UNTIL APRIL.

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR OKLAHOMAMANS IN FEAR OF LOSING THEIR PLACE TO LIVE.

>> THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU ESTIMATES MORE THAN 100,000 OKLAHOMA HOUSEHOLDS ARE BEHIND ON RENT.

>> OKLAHOMAMANS GATHERING TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING.

>> WE LOVED CONSIDERED KING.

WE LOVED THE MOVEMENT BUT WE WERE REACHING OUT TO ONE ANOTHER.

WE WERE STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE OF OTHER RACES AND OTHER GROUPS AND WHAT NOT.

>> THOSE STORIES PLUS A CONVERSATION ON THE ROLLOUT OF OKLAHOMA VACCINE PROGRAM NEXT ON "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

ACCORDING TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS SIX RURAL HOSPITALS SHUT DOWN.

EIGHT MORE HAVE DECLARED BANKRUPTCY.

THIS WEEK WE'RE GOING TO TAKE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT WHY THE RURAL HOSPITALS ARE STRUGGLING, HOW IT'S BEEN MADE WORSE BY THE PANDEMIC.

STEVE SHAW BEGINS ON THE SMALL TOWN OF PRAGUE.

>> THE ONLY THINGS CLIFF LOVES MORE THAN OU FOOTBALL ARE HIS FAMILY AND THE TOWN OF PRAGUE.

WHICH IS THE UNIQUE COMMUNITY OF AROUND 1800.

IT'S A PLACE HE CALLED HOME PRETTY MUCH SINCE KINDERGARTEN.

CLIFF'S ALSO BEEN MAYOR HERE FOR SEVEN YEARS.

FOR MORE THAN HALF THAT TIME, PRAGUE'S BELOVED 15 BED COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FINANCIALLY BEEN ON LIFE SUPPORT.

>> THE PAST HAS BEEN ROUGH.

THE PREVIOUS OWNER, TWO PREVIOUS OWNERS OWNED MULTIPLE HOSPITALS AND WENT BANKRUPT ON ALL OF THEM.

AND SEVERAL OFFERS WERE IN THE MIX, BUT THE NONPROFIT OUT OF TULSA PURCHASED THE HOSPITAL AND GAVE IT GOOD SHOT.

>> LAST WEDNESDAY THE TULSA NONPROFIT THAT PURCHASED PRAGUE IN BANKRUPTCY COURT LESS THAN A YEAR AGO TURNED THE HOSPITAL BACK OVER TO THE CITY.

MAYOR CLIFF SAYS THE NONPROFIT WAS ALREADY IN THE HOLE MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS.

>> THEY WERE AWARE OF THAT.

>> PATTI DAVIS IS PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

THEY REPRESENT 119 HOSPITALS AROUND THE STATE.

SHE SAYS RURAL FACILITIES STARTED GETTING PINCHED A DECADE AGO WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

IT ALLOWED MORE PEOPLE TO BE COVERED BUT ALSO MEANT HOSPITALS AGREED TO TAKE LESS IN MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENTS.

>> THE AGREEMENT WAS FOR THE CUTS THAT ALL HOSPITALS WOULD EXPERIENCE UNDER MEDICARE, WHICH IS THE PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE OVER 65, THEN STATES WOULD CHOOSE TO EXPAND MEDICAID AND START COVERING MORE OF THE UNINSURED.

AND IN OKLAHOMA, DID NOT DO THAT.

AND OKLAHOMA HAS THE DUBIOUS DISTINCTION OF BEING THE SECOND HIGHEST ONLY BEHIND TEXAS IN THE NUMBER OF INUNSURED.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS RURAL HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY HARD HIT BECAUSE THEIR PATIENTS ARE OLDER, SICKER AND IN MOST CASES HAVE LESS FINANCIAL MEANS.

ALSO SHE SAYS FAR FEWER EMPLOYERS IN SMALL TOWNS PICK UP THE TAB FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTHCARE.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST THERE IS A MYTH OUT THERE THAT IF YOU ARE POOR, YOU QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID AND THAT SIMPLY IS NOT THE CASE.

IN OKLAHOMA, YOU HAVE TO BE ELIGIBLE BY CATEGORY, MEANING YOU HAVE TO BE A PREGNANT WOMAN, A POOR CHILD, SOMEONE THAT IS DISABLED OR SOMEONE THAT IS ELDERLY WITH VERY LOW INCOME.

SO IF YOU ARE A LOW INCOME HUSBAND AND WIFE, AND YOU WORK FOR LOW WAGES FOR AN EMPLOYER THAT DOES NOT FURNISH INSURANCE YOU DO NOT QUALIFY.

>> IN LAST JUNE OKLAHOMA VOTERS APPROVED STATE QUESTION 802, WHICH EXPANDS MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY FOR ADULTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 65.

IT TAKES EFFECT THIS JULY.

>> GOT TO WORK THROUGH THE FUNDING OF THAT.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THAT IN THE NEXT SESSION.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT DOING MEDICAID EXPANSION FOR EVERY $1 THAT THE STATE APPROPRIATES WE'RE GOING TO BE BRINGING BACK NINE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO MATCH.

AND THIS IS ECONOMIC SHOT IN THE ARM THAT OUR HOSPITALS AND OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS NEED RIGHT NOW.

>> HOW MANY HOSPITALS HAVE YOU SAVED WOULD YOU NAY THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS?

>> TOTAL HOSPITALS SAVED AT LEAST TEN.

>> GODWIN FE IS PRESIDENT OF SHAWNEE BASED COHESIVE HEALTHCARE.

THEY SPECIALIZE IN SAVING RURAL HOSPITALS.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SAVE PRAGUE.

MAYOR CLIFF SAYS COMPANY LEASE EVER HAS BEEN A GOOD SEND.

>> THESE HOSPITALS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO STAY OPEN IN THIS SMALL COMMUNITY, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, AS WE ARE IN RURAL AREAS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE KIND OF LIVE SPARSELY.

MAYBE TEN MILES FROM THE LOCAL HOSPITAL, AND IF YOU COMPARE IF THE HOSPITAL WASN'T THERE, THEY PROBABLY GOING TO BE MAYBE 50, 60 MILES TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL.

>> FE SAYS EXPANDING MEDICAID WILL PROVIDE A BOOST.

>> YOU KNOW, EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

THE MEDICARE EXPANSION WAS A BIG WIN FOR NOT JUST RURAL HOSPITALS BUT FOR EVERY HEALTH INSTITUTION, BUT MY ENCOURAGEMENT TO EVERY LOCAL COMMUNITY THAT IS STRUGGLING WITH THE HOSPITAL IS DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE TO ASK FOR HELP.

>> RURAL HOSPITALS ARE ABOUT TO GET MORE HELP.

LAST MONTH CONGRESS PASSED AND THE PRESIDENT SIGNED $900 BILLION IN NEW COVID-19 RELIEF LEGISLATION.

MARK WOODRING IS ASSISTANT DEAN FOR RURAL HEALTH AT OSU.

>> THERE IS A PART OF THAT BILL THAT WILL CREATE A NEW RURAL HOSPITAL DESIGNATION CALLED THE RURAL EMERGENCY HOSPITAL DESIGNATION BY 2023.

IT WILL ALLOW RURAL HOSPITALS TO TRANSFORM AND THEY CAN SHIFT THEIR FOCUS ON TO MORE OUTPATIENT CARE, EMERGENCY CARE, PARTICIPATING IN TELEMEDICINE, WHILE DISCONTINUING MAYBE INPATIENT CARE WHERE THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE THE VOLUME OR FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING INPATIENT PROGRAMS AND WORKING WITH OTHER REGIONAL PROVIDERS.

SO THE NEW RURAL HOSPITAL DESIGNATION SHOULD HELP MANY RURAL HOSPITALS.

>> WOODRING SAYS BROADBAND EXPANSION AND A STRONGER RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BE KEY.

>> REIMBURSEMENT HAS PLAYED A BIG PART OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS IN TERMS OF SEEING MORE PROVIDERS AND HOSPITALS PARTICIPATE IN TELEMEDICINE.

SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD THE REIMBURSEMENT POLICIES WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT AS WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THAT.

>> WOODRING SAYS THERE IS NO COOKIE CUTTER APPROACH HERE.

>> WHAT WE FOUND THAT IS RURAL HOSPITAL CLOSURE DOES IMPACT RURAL OKLAHOMAMANS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PLACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE NEXT NEAREST HOSPITAL IS OFTEN MORE THAN 25 MILES.

85% OF HOSPITAL CLOSURES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THERE IS ANOTHER HOSPITAL WITHIN 25 MILES.

OF THAT GROUP OF HOSPITALS THE AVERAGE DISTANCE IS ONLY JUST OVER 14 MILES.

>> BEFORE CHRISTMAS WE WERE MAXED OUT AT A CAPACITY.

YOU COULDN'T GET A ROOM.

IT WAS 100% AS SOON AS A BED CAME OPEN IT WAS FILLED.

>> PRAGUE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL CARED FOR MAYOR CLIFF BRYANT'S PARENTS JUST BEFORE THEY DIED 1N DECEMBER 21st.

SHIRLEY FROM THE COVID, CLIFF SENIOR FROM OTHER SERIOUS ISSUES, AND A BROKEN HEART.

>> IT'S PERSONAL FOR EVERYONE.

>> STEVE SHAW, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> THANK YOU.

AND ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OF OKLAHOMA 4 MILLION RESIDENTS, 1.3 MILLION OF THEM LIVE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

A LITTLE MORE THAN 25% OF THE STATE'S POPULATION.

>>> LOTS OF NUMBERS FOR YOU NOW.

AS OF FRIDAY MORNING 242,329 OKLAHOMAMANS HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

ALMOST 39,000 HAVE RECEIVED THEIR SECOND SHOT TO COMPLETE THE VACCINATION.

THE STATE IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE 81,000 ADDITIONAL DOSES THIS WEEK, AND 87,000 NEXT WEEK.

ON TUESDAY, THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID MORE THAN 505,000 PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE AND 63,000 APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED.

HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE ASKING EVERYONE WHO REGISTERS TO ANSWER A BRIEF QUESTIONNAIRE TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS.

>> THOSE WHO KNOW THE HISTORY OF VACCINE TESTING IN OUR COUNTRY KNOW THAT OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND DIGIT US IN COMMUNITIES CAN SOMETIMES FEEL WARY OF VACCINES.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE VACCINES FOR THOSE REGISTERING IN THE PORTAL, YOU WILL NOTICE WE ASK FOR INFORMATION ON RACE.

THIS IS TO HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARE REACHING ALL POPULATIONS.

>> COMING UP IN OUR WEEKLY IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, WE'LL BE DISCUSSING THE ROLLOUT OF THE PROGRAM IN OKLAHOMA WITH SUSAN CADOT.

>>> WE ARE SEEING SOME POSITIVE TRENDS IN OUR COVID NUMBERS.

THE SINGLE DAY AVERAGE FOR NEW CASES DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS.

STILL HIGH, BUT A LOT LESS THAN LAST WEEK.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE DECREASING, AS WELL.

FROM A RECORD HIGH OF 1,994 ON JANUARY 5th TO 1,634 ON FRIDAY.

OF COURSE, THE NUMBER THAT MATTERS MOST IS DEATHS.

AND THAT IS UP THIS WEEK.

262 PEOPLE DIED FROM COVID-19 IN OKLAHOMA IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS.

THE WEEK PREVIOUSLY THAT NUMBER WAS 222.

OUR TOTAL NOW STANDS AT 3,187.

ALSO THIS WEEK, THE YOUNGEST STUDENTS IN OUR STATE LARGEST SCHOOL SYSTEM RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM THIS WEEK.

KIDS IN PRE-K THROUGH FOURTH GRADE ARE BACK ON LIMITED BASIS IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

THE DISTRICT SAYS THIS COULD CHANGE AGAIN IF THERE ARE COVID FLARE UPS.

STUDENTS IN FIFTH THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL IN OKLAHOMA CITY WILL REMAIN ON REMOTE LEARNING SCHEDULE.

>>> WE ARE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE BIG ISSUES BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1st ARE SHAPING UP TO BE PAYING FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION, CRAFTING THE 2022 BUDGET AND REDISTRICTING MANDATED BY THE 2020 CENSUS.

JASON DOYLE HAS A REPORT FROM 23rd AND LINCOLN.

>> Reporter: THE BUDGET PICTURE FOR OKLAHOMA NEXT FISCAL YEAR IS STILL UP IN THE AIR BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY.

MAKING INFORMATION GATHERING CRUCIAL FOR LEGISLATORS.

>> WE'RE HAVING OUR BUDGET HEARING.

PULLING TOGETHER NUMBERS AND AS YOU KNOW THE FEBRUARY NUMBERS IS WHAT WE'LL BUILD THE BUDGET OFF OF.

>> WE HAVE NUMBERS ON EVERY ONE OF THE SUBCOMMITTEES.

I TRY TO PICK A PERSON FROM MY CAUCUS WHO IS INTERESTED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: IT WILL BE MID-FEBRUARY BEFORE NEGOTIATOR WILL KNOW HOW MUCH THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEND.

>> THE ECONOMY IS COMING BACK, AND RIGHT NOW LOOKS GOOD.

AND ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS $50 A BARREL, AND SO WE'RE BUDGETED THIS YEAR ABOUT $29 A BARREL, ON OIL, AND SO RIGHT NOW WE SEE GOOD THINGS HAPPENING.

>> SO FAR WE'RE BRINGING IN MORE REVENUE THAN PREDICTED.

WHICH WILL BE VERY GOOD FOR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET.

WE WILL SEE IN FEBRUARY WHAT NUMBERS THEY GIVE US TO GO ON AND IT'S VERY HARD TO PREDICT RIGHT NOW WHAT THIS NEW ECONOMY IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

>> Reporter: HEARINGS ARE BEING HELD WITH AGENCY LEADERS MAKING REQUESTS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

LOOMING LARGE OVER THE BUDGET PROCESS PAYING FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I'M STRONG ON WE WILL NOT USE ONE TIME MONEY FOR ONGOING EXPENSE.

SO IT IS AN ONGOING EXPENSE EVERY YEAR.

>> THE FIRST YEAR IS GOING TO BE HARD.

THERE IS NO QUESTION.

THERE WERE LOTS OF DIFFERENT PROPOSALS FOR HOW TO FUND IT BUT THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN SO CERTAINLY WE HAVE TO ANSWER THAT CALL.

>> Reporter: IT'S ESTIMATED BY THE OKLAHOMA HEALTHCARE AUTHORITY THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL NEED TO COME UP WITH ABOUT $164 MILLION FOR THE FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS TO START COMING TO THE STATE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE VERY CLOSE LOOK AT WHERE THE FUNDS ARE GOING TO COME FROM.

THE CONCERN I HAVE CONCERN THAT THE GOVERNOR PUT OUT MANAGED CARE SYSTEM FORKED HE MERCHANDISE I KID EXPANSION DURING THE TIME THAT WE WERE OUT OF SESSION, SO THERE HAS BEEN NO INPUT OR VERY LITTLE INPUT FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Reporter: KURT SAYS AFTER THE MEDICAID EXPANSION GOES INTO EFFECT, IT SHOULD GET EASIER TO FUND.

>> AFTER THE FIRST YEAR WE EXPECT SAVINGS IN A LOT OF AREAS.

REALLY THERE WILL BE SAVINGS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH ARENA, IN TERMS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER TREATMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SHOULD GO DOWN IN COST AS WE DEAL WITH MORE PREVENTION, SAME IN OTHER AREAS, YOU KNOW, AS WE SPEND MONEY ON PREVENTION WE SHOULD REDUCE COST IN OTHER AREAS.

>> Reporter: EVEN AS LAWMAKERS GATHER THE BUDGET INFORMATION THEY'RE LEAVING TO GATHER INPUT FOR REDISTRICTING.

>> WE ARE IN REPRESENTATIVE DOBRINSKI'S DISTRICT, SO -- >> YES, YOU ARE.

>> YES.

WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT IN REDISTRICTING MAP.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING WITH ESTIMATES.

THE CENSUS FIGURES ARE DUE ON APRIL THIS.

>> WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BEST TO ALLOW THE PEOPLE TO OWN THE PROCESS.

WE'RE ABLE TO GET PRETTY ACCURATE PROJECTIONS AND ESTIMATED NUMBERS FROM 2019 NUMBERS.

>> Reporter: THE REDISTRICTING COULD RESULT IN SUBURBAN AND URBAN VOTERS BEING ADDED TO RURAL DISTRICT ROLLS.

>> I LOVE MY RURAL COMMUNITY.

THAT'S WHERE OUR SOLID ROOTS COME FROM AND THAT'S WHERE I'M GRATEFUL TO PARTICIPATE SO THAT'S WHY I HOPE I GET TO STAY VERY RURAL.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE DENISE CROSSWHITE-HADER DISTRICT INCLUDES PART OF CANADIAN COUNTY WHICH HAPPENS TO BE A MAJOR GROWTH AREA IN OKLAHOMA.

>> YOU'LL SEE THAT TODAY NAMED AND I COUNTY ONCE AGAIN IS THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTY AFTER THE 2010 CENSUS RIGHT NOW ESTIMATES SHOW IT IS AGAIN THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTY.

>> OKLAHOMA HAS HAD OVERALL GROWTH, AS WELL AS PROJECTING SINCE THE LAST CENSUS, AND THAT WILL AFFECT THE SIZE OF EACH DISTRICT.

BUT REALLY WHAT YOU SEE IS TRANSFORMATION.

>> Reporter: THERE COULD BE ISSUES WITH THE CENSUS GETTING FINALIZED NUMBERS TO THE STATE BY THE DEADLINE.

THE BUREAU DIRECTOR IS RESIGNING AS QUESTIONS SURFACE ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF THE NUMBERS.

>> WE DO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE TO HAVE ACCURATE NUMBERS, SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN I IMAGINE IS THERE WILL HAVE TO BE A CONVERSATION WITHIN THE SUPREME COURT HEAR IN OKLAHOMA TALKING ABOUT WHAT THAT ALLOWS -- WHAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO DO IN THAT SITUATION.

SOMETHING WE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH.

>> EVEN WITH LAWMAKERS WORKING ON REDISTRICTING IF THE CENSUS BUREAU DOESN'T ISSUE FINALIZED NUMBERS BY THE END OF MAY IT COULD LEAD TO SPECIAL SESSION.

JASON DOYLE, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> IN THE WEEKS AHEAD WE WILL BE PROVIDING TEAM COVERAGE OF THE 58th LEGISLATURE.

AND THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN SHAWN ASHLEY BECOMES A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR ON "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> SHAWN IT'S ABOUT TO BE YOUR BUSY TIME.

LET'S AGAIN WITH DEL CITY LAWMAKER INTRODUCING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CHANGE THE WAY WE CALCULATE THE RAINY DAY FUND.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ANDY FUGAT HAS PROPOSED THIS CHANGE.

IT WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

WHAT THIS WOULD DO WOULD LOOK AT ALL STATE SPENDING IN ORDER TO CALCULATE THE RAINY DAY FUND CAP AS OPPOSED TO JUST GENERAL REVENUE FUND SPENDING.

AS THE REPRESENTATIVE POINTS OUT, ALL STATE SPENDING IS MORE THAN THREE TIMES GREATER THAN AMOUNT SPENT FROM JUST THE RAINY DAY FUND BECAUSE IT INCLUDES LICENSES AND FEES, TAXES THAT GO TO SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FEDERAL SPENDING.

IT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE CAP ON THE FUND.

>> THERE IS GOING TO BE A VACANCY ON THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

JUSTICE TOM COLBERT WHO SERVED NOW FOR 16 YEARS IS RETIRING FEBRUARY 1st.

COLBERT WAS A GROUND BREAKER FOR THE COURT AS THE FIRST BLACK SUPREME COURT JUSTICE AND THE FIRST TO SERVE AS CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT.

PREVIOUSLY HE HAD SERVED ON THE COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS.

HE WAS A TEACHER AT ONE TIME.

AND THEN GOT HIS LAW DEGREE AT OU AND ENDED UP ON THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT.

GOVERNOR STITT WILL MAKE HIS CHOICE FOR REPLACEMENT FROM NAMES SUBMITTED BY THE JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION.

THAT WILL BE THE GOVERNOR'S THIRD APPOINTMENT TO THE SUPREME COURT.

>> SPEAKING OF THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK THE STATE RELEASING A NEW VERSION OF MOBILE I.D.

PROGRAM.

HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT.

WHAT IS THIS VERSION DESIGNED TO DO.

>> THE INITIAL VERSION WAS RELEASED A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AGO.

AND WHAT IT DOES IS ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO ESSENTIALLY DOWNLOAD THEIR STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE OR STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD ON TO THEIR SMARTPHONE.

THIS NEW VERSION IS TIED TO THE STATE'S REAL I.D.

EFFORT.

AND IT WILL ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO UPLOAD THOSE DOCUMENTS, WHICH THEY WILL NEED TO APPLY FOR REAL I.D.

THAT ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY WILL SAVE TIME WHEN INDIVIDUALS GO INTO APPLY FOR REAL I.D., BECAUSE THOSE DOCUMENTS WILL ALREADY BE AVAILABLE.

THEY'RE SAYING IT COULD CUT YOUR TIME IN THAT APPLICATION PROCESS DOWN BY AS MUCH AS 40%.

>> THAT WOULD BE NICE.

THE RURAL BROADBAND EXPANSION COUNCIL MET THIS WEEK BUT THEY DID NOT OR COULD NOT TAKE ACTION.

WHY?

>> THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT A NUMBER OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS HAVE BEEN FACING, BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THEY SIMPLY DID NOT HAVE A QUORUM.

THEY HAD SIX OF THE SEVEN MEMBERS THERE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO HOLD A FULLY LEGAL MEETING.

LAWMAKERRERS ARE EXPECTED TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THOSE SPECIAL PROVISIONS, THE AMENDMENT, THE TEMPORARY AMENDMENTS, TO THE OPEN MEETING ACT THAT WOULD ALLOW VIRTUAL MEETINGS TO TAKE PLACE.

WE HAVE TO SEE THAT LEGISLATION AND LAWMAKERS WILL TAKE IT UP WHEN THEY RESUME FEBRUARY 1st.

>> SHAWN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> WEDNESDAY MARKED PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER FROM THE UNITED STATES.

WITH THE INAUGURATION OF OUR 46th PRESIDENT, JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN JUNIOR.

>> SO TODAY, AT THIS TIME, IN THIS PLACE, LET'S START A FRESH, ALL OF US.

LET'S BEGIN TO LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHER AGAIN.

HEAR ONE ANOTHER.

SEE ONE ANOTHER.

SHOW RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER.

POLITICS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A RAGING FIRE, DESTROYING EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH.

EVERY DISAGREEMENT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A CAUSE FOR TOTAL WAR.

>> SECURITY FOR THE MOSTLY VIRTUAL EVENT WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT WITH 25,000 NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS PROVIDING SUPPORT INCLUDING 400 FROM OKLAHOMA.

AT 78, BIDEN BECOMES THE OLDEST PRESIDENT.

JOINING HIM ON THE PODIUM CAM KAMALA HARRIS WHO BECOMES THE FIRST FEMALE, BLACK AND SOUTH ASIAN VICE PRESIDENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

THE NEW PRESIDENT GOT RIGHT TO WORK SIGNING A TOTAL OF 17 EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

IMMEDIATE HALT ON CONSTRUCTION OF THE BORDER WALL BETWEEN THE U.S. AND MEXICO.

HE CANCELED THE PERMIT FOR THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE THAT WOULD HAVE RUN FROM CANADA THROUGH CUSHING, OKLAHOMA AND DOWN TO THE GULF.

THE U.S. WILL REJOIN THE PARIS CLIMATE ACCORDS AND REENGAGE WITH THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REVOKE POLICY TO EXCLUDE NONE CITIZENS FROM THE 2020 CENSUS AND ORDER TO END A TRUMP ERA TRAVEL BAND FROM MOSTLY MUSLIM COUNTRIES.

DONALD TRUMP DID NOT ATTEND LEAVING WASHINGTON FOR HIS ONLY IN SOUTH FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.

BEFORE DEPARTING HE ISSUED 70 SENTENCE COMMUTATIONS AND PARDONED 73 PEOPLE.

INCLUDING LIL WAYNE AND STEVE BANNON.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN THE SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL FOR THE NOW EX-PRESIDENT WILL BEGIN BUT REMEMBER THE SENATE IS NOW SPLIT 50-50 WITH VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS IN CONTROL OF A TIE BREAKING VOTE.

IT WILL TAKE A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE TO CONVICT DONALD TRUMP.

BUT IT WOULD ONLY TAKE A SIMPLE MAJORITY TO POTENTIALLY BAN HIM FROM EVERY SEEKING OFFICE AGAIN.

THED BY ADMINISTRATION RENEWED A MORATORIUM ON EVICTING TENANTS WHO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PAY RENT OR MORTGAGE DUE TO COVID PANDEMIC.

IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE OKLAHOMA COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY WANTED TO SEE THAT DEADLINE COME AND GO ENDING THE MORATORIUM.

ONR EXPLAINS WHY AND WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMAMANS WHO FEAR LOSING THEIR PLACE TO LIVE.

>> WE WANT WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE ECONOMIC STABILITY OF THE ENTIRE STATE, AND THAT MEANS PEOPLE STAYING IN THEIR HOMES, AND IT MEANS PEOPLE BEING CAUGHT UP ON BILLS, BOTH RENTERS AND LANDLORDS.

>> LAST MARCH THE CARES ACT INCLUDED 120-DAY MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS, AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HELP WITH RENT RELIEF AND EVICTION PREVENTION.

AFTER THAT ENDED THE CDC ENTAITED A NEW ONE IN SEPTEMBER AND THAT HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH MARCH 31st.

>> IN THE EARLY PART OF THE PANDEMIC I WAS GETTING CALLS FROM INDIVIDUAL RENTERS WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT FALLING BEHIND ON THE RENT.

IN THE PAST MONTH I'VE HAD MORE CALLS FROM LANDLORDS THAN I HAVE RENTERS WHO ARE CONCERNED NOT ONLY FOR THEIR OWN RESIDENTS BUT CONCERNED FOR THEMSELVES PAYING THE BILLS.

>> THE STATE EACH GOT CARES FUNDS.

ORIGINALLY TO DO EVICTION PREVENTION, WITH MORATORIUM WENT INTO EFFECT SEPTEMBER 4th, THE CDC MORATORIUM, THOSE FUNDS COULD BE REPURPOSED TO DO RENT ALL ASSISTANCE INSTEAD OF EVICTION, BECAUSE EVEN WHILE THERE IS A MORATORIUM, IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO PAY YOUR RENT, THAT -- THOSE EXPENSES CONTINUE TO PILE UP AND PILE UP AND PILE UP.

>> DAN STRAUGHAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS THAT OF THE DIFFERENT FUNDING CHANNELS THAT WERE CREATED RENT ASSISTANCE HAS BECOME THE MOST VITAL.

>> THE COMMUNITY CARES PARTNERSHIPS THAT WAS DOING THOSE ORIGINALLY EVICTION PREVENT AND UTILITY AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND JOB TRAINING, THEY HAD FROM JULY UNTIL MID-DECEMBER 18,000 APPLICATIONS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

AND THAT'S NOT INDIVIDUALS, THAT'S HOUSEHOLDS.

SO YOU KNOW MAYBE 60,000 INDIVIDUALS APPLYING FOR THAT ASSISTANCE.

>> AND THAT'S JUST IN THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY AREA.

>> WE KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN -- THERE HAVE BEEN UPWARDS OF 20,000 EVICTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, AND HALF OF THOSE HAVE MOVED FORWARD BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT AND PROTECTIONS UNDER THE EVICTION MORATORIUM.

WE ALSO KNOW THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU ESTIMATES MORE THAN 100,000 OKLAHOMA HOUSEHOLDS ARE BEHIND ON RENT.

>> WHICH HE SAYS PUTS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IN TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IF NOT HUNDREDS.

FORTUNATELY THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CHANNELS FOR RENT ASSISTANCE.

>> OUR OFFICE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ADMINISTERS MULTIPLE LINES OF FUNDING FROM MULTIPLE FEDERAL SOURCES FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES BUT THEY EACH HAVE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AUDIENCES, SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT CLIENTELE AND SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS.

>> WHILE MANY OF THE LINES OF FUNDING ARE FLOWING TO HELP, THE MORATORIUM HAS COMPLICATED THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ABILITY TO USE ONE MAJOR LINE OF FUNDING, STOPPING NEARLY $17 MILLION OF AID.

>> THE MONEY THAT YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW IS SPECIFICALLY FOR HOMELESS PREVENTION.

AND IT IS ADMINISTERED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT OR HUD.

AND FOR HOMELESS PREVENTION WE FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON PEOPLE WHO ARE LITERALLY HOMELESS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE IN IMMINENT DANGER OF BECOMING HOMELESS.

>> WHILE THE MORE TORE YUM STANDS NO ONE QUALIFIES AS BEING IN IMMINENT DANGER OF BECOMING HOMELESS WHICH MEANS THE $17 MILLION OF FEDERAL HUD MONEY IS OUT OF REACH FOR MANY WHO COULD USE THE HELP.

>> WHILE THE MORATORIUM IS IN EFFECT, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO PAY BILLS FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT BE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, SO WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS AT LEAST FOR THE MOMENT, WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON THOSE WHO ARE LITERALLY HOMELESS, WITH $17 MILLION.

IF AND WHEN THE MORATORIUM EXPIRES, WE CAN REDIRECT RESOURCES BACK TO PEOPLE WHO ARE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY HOMELESS ALLIANCE SAYS IT WOULD BE BETTER TO CHANGE THE RULES FOR FUNDS BUT IN THE MEANTIME RENTERS IN TROUBLE SHOULD REACH OUT FOR HELP.

>> THE VERY BEST WAY IS TO CALL 211, AND YOU WILL ACTUALLY TALK TO HUMAN BEING AND THAT HUMAN BEING WILL WALK YOU RIGHT THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> NUMBER ONE, TALK TO YOU THE LANDLORD AND WORK OUT A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

NUMBER TWO, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY.

AND NUMBER THREE, IF YOU ARE SERVED WITH EVICTION NOTICE KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER CDC EVICTION MORATORIUM.

>> THEY CAN BE ACCESSED IN A TWO PAGE DOCUMENT AVAILABLE ON THE CDC WEBSITE OR BY CALLING 211.

>>> THANKS.

AND THAT DECLARATION OF RIGHTS UNDER CDC MORATORIUM NEEDS TO BE FILLED OUT BY TENANTS FACING ESLING AND TURNED OVER TO THE LANDLORD TO INVOKE THE PROTECTION.

>>> THE SUPREME COURT McGIRT DECISION IS INCREASING THE CASELOAD.

SO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ASKED OTHER STATES IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE SOME OF THEIR PERSONNEL TO HELP OUT.

THUS FAR PROSECUTORS AND SUPPORT STAFF HAVE MOVED TO TULSA FROM 12 STATES INCLUDING WISCONSIN, GEORGIA, MONTANA AND NEW JERSEY.

U.S. ATTORNEY BRIAN KEYS TEAR CALLS THE PEOPLE A GOD SEND.

HE SAYS HE EXPECTS HIS CASELOAD TO QUADRUPLE IN THE COMING YEAR.

>>> THE LONG-AWAITED FILMING OF MARTIN SCORSESE "KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON" "KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON" IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY.

THE $200 MILLION PRODUCTION STARRING LEONARD OVER DICAPRIO HAS BEEN ON HOLD SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN LAST MARCH.

SCORSESE SAYS IT WILL TAKE SEVEE SHOOTING SCHEDULE.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS TRUE AND TRAGIC OKLAHOMA STORY OETA IS REAIRING A DOCUMENTARY DEVOTED TO IT NEXT THURSDAY, JANUARY 28th AT 7:00 .

>>> HAD HE LIVED DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING WOULD HAVE BEEN 92-YEARS-OLD THIS YEAR.

ON MONDAY THE NATION CELEBRATED THE BIRTHDAY OF THE ICON.

THERE WERE PARADES IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA WHERE CARS AND FLOATS ROLLED THROUGH THE GREENWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.

JOSEPH BIAS IS THE MUSIC DIRECTOR AT TULSA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, BIAS MET DR. KING FOR FIRST TIME.

AND AFTER KING WAS ASSASSINATED BIAS WAS ASKED TO SING AT KING'S FUNERAL IN ATLANTA.

>> WE LOVED DR. KING.

WE LOVED THE MOVEMENT.

BUT WE WERE REACHING OUT TO ONE ANOTHER.

WE WERE STANDING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, SIDE BY SIDE WITH PEOPLE OF OTHER RACES AND OTHER GROUPS AND WHAT NOT, AND TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TIME TO SING IN A MOMENT LIKE THAT WAS THE MOST EMOTIONAL AND IT WAS I GUESS HISTORIC BUT YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT IT WHILE YOU'RE THERE.

I SENSED THAT EVERYBODY WAS EXPERIENCING MAYBE FOR THE FIRST TIME A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

AND FOR ME THAT UNITY WAS MOTIVATED BY SENSE OF LOVE AND COMPASSION.

>> THAT WAS BEAUTIFULLY SAID.

ALSO MAKING THE DEBUT AT THE PARADE WAS THE GAP VAN.

WHICH STANDS FOR GREENWOOD ARTS PROJECT VAN, A MOBILE GALLERY THE FIRST OF MANY PROJECTS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE AND INFORM.

GALLERY AMERICA HOST ROBERT REID TAKES US FOR A SPIN.

>> 2021 IS HERE AND EYES ALL AROUND THE WORLD ARE CENTERING AROUND TULSA.

ONE OF THE THINGS THEY'LL SEE IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING ART PROJECTS TO COME OUT OF OKLAHOMA IN RECENT YEARS.

A FEW YEARS AGO TULSA WAS ONE OF FIVE CITIES TO WIN $1 MILLION GRANT AS PART OF A BIG PUBLIC ART CHALLENGE.

AND THAT'S RESULTED IN THE GREENWOOD ART PROJECT WHICH IS GOING TO FEATURE OVER 30 ART PROJECTS ALL AROUND TULSA FROM NOW THROUGH SUMMER.

THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS TO SPREAD AWARENESS OF THE 1921 MASSACRE AND TO RECULTIVATE THE HISTORIC GREENWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND BLACK WALL STREET THROUGH THE POWER OF ARTS.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR JERICA WORTHAM EXPLAINS THE PROJECTS.

>> THEY'RE DIRECTED TO CONCERT, THEATERS.

YOU'LL SEE A -- WE HAVE SURVIVORS THAT WILL ACTUALLY BE TAKING THE ROUTE THAT WAS TAKEN IN TULSA ON THE NIGHT OF THE MASSACRE.

>> ONE PART OF THE GREENWOOD ART PROJECT THAT MADE THE DEBUT IS THE GAP VAN, A MOBILE GALLERY THAT IS LOOKING TO PROMPT ALL OF TULSA TO TELL THE STORY OF THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT.

>> THIS IS A POSTER CREATED TODAY, A POSTER FOR THE GREENWOOD ART PROJECT.

THIS WAS CREATED BY SYDNEY TRAN AND SO YOU CAN SEE THE WORKSHOP AND SHE WAS ASKED TO DESIGN THE FRONT OF THE HISTORY OF GREENWOOD, THE LEGACY OF BLACK WALL STREET.

>> COMING MONTH THE POSTER PROJECT WILL ROLL IN TO ART EVENTS ACROSS TOWNS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS.

>> THEY WILL BE PLACED ON DISPLAY OUTSIDE OF THE VAN AND BECOME A MOBILE GALLERY.

AND SO THE GAP VAN IS GOING TO BE A PLACE WHERE THESE POSTERS CAN BE HELD AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN SEE THE WORK CREATED BY THOSE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> SOME VIEWERS OF A CERTAIN AGE MAY REMEMBER TULSA GAP VAN IN THE 70s AND 80s.

BUT THE GAP VAN ACTUALLY REFERS TO THE GREENWOOD ART PROJECT.

GALLERY AMERICA IS VERY EXCITED TO BE FOLLOWING THE GREENWOOD ART PROJECT.

AND YOU CAN GET MORE UPDATES FROM US BY FOLLOWING US ON INSTAGRAM CHANNEL AT @OETAGALLERY.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT, GO TO THEIR WEBSITE, GREENWOODARTPROJECT.ORG AND FOLLOW THEM ON INSTAGRAM AT @GREENWOOD.ART.PROJECT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, STAY ARTY, OKLAHOMA.

>>> THANK YOU.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS PROMISING TO ADMINISTER 100 MILLION DOSES OF COVID VACCINE DURING THE FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE, AMBITIOUS PLAN THAT WOULD REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF VACCINE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO OKLAHOMAMANS.

OUR IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION THIS WEEK IS OKLAHOMA'S RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC WORKING?

CAN IT CAN BE IMPROVED?

IS OUR VACCINATION PROGRAM ON TRACK?

HERE IS SUSAN CADOT AND HER GUEST.

>> EVEN INTO 2021 COMPANY I HAVE IS STILL THE TOP HEADLINE, THE TOP CONCERN.

I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME DR. JEFFREY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE DR. CLARK.

SHE IS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

DR. CLARK, THANK YOU AS WELL FOR TAKING TIME WITH US TODAY.

I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE SO BUSY.

>> WE APPRECIATE SPENDING THE TIME TALKING WITH YOU.

>> WELL, IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOPIC TO COVER FOR ALL OF OKLAHOMAMANS.

WE WANT TO SPREAD AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING, AND I JUST PULLED OFF THE COMPUTER LAST WEEK'S NUMBERS FOR COVID.

I WOULD LIKE TO READ THEM QUICKLY.

JUST LAST WEEK JANUARY 8th, TO JANUARY 14th, THERE WERE 29,152 CASES.

THAT IS A CHANGE IN INCREASE OF 19.4%.

THERE WERE 210 DEATHS IN ONE WEEK IN OKLAHOMA, FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THAT IS A CHANGE UP OF 14.8%.

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS SEEING IN THE MEDICAL FIELD?

WHAT KIND OF IMPACT IS THIS HAVING IN THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA?

I'LL BEGIN WITH YOU.

>> WELL I CAN TELL YOU LIKE EVERYONE ELSE OUR HOSPITALS ARE FULL.

OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS ARE FULL.

AND OUR ICUs ARE FULL.

I THINK ON THE IMPACT ON THE INPATIENT SIDE WE'RE SEEING PEOPLE REALLY STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH THE WORKLOAD AND THE STRESS OF MANAGING THESE VERY, VERY COMPLEX PATIENTS, LENGTH OF STAYS ARE LONGER, MORE INTENSIVE.

>> DR. CLARK WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO THINK THIS IS BEING OVERBLOWN?

I HAVE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WHO ARE SKEPTICAL, THEY THINK THEY'RE JUST -- IT'S A POLITICAL THING.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS FOR THEM?

IS THIS REAL?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY REAL.

I WOULD -- I REALLY FIND PEOPLE WHO ARE EXTREMELY SKEPTICAL GENERALLY DON'T HAVE CONTACT WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS THAT ARE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AS A GENERAL RULE.

IT ONLY TAKES YOU STEPPING INTO ANY EMERGENCY ROOM OR HOSPITAL WARD OR ANY HOSPITAL TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE AND THE SEVERITY OF WHAT IS GOING ON.

OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL LOOKS SOMEWHAT NORMAL.

INSIDE THE HOSPITAL FOR MOST HOSPITALS KIND OF LOOK LIKE A WAR ZONE.

CONFERENCE ROOMS ARE TAKEN OVER FOR HOSPITAL BEDS.

THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE NEW HOSPITAL WARDS ANY PLACE YOU CAN AT ANY OF OUR HOSPITALS.

STEP INTO A HOSPITAL ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY AND YOU'LL PROBABLY SEE THE SAME THING.

>> ACCORDING TO THE TULSA WORLD SOME HOSPITALS AS DR. CLARK SAID ARE PUTTING PATIENTS IN HALLWAYS, CONVERTING ENTIRE WINGS INTO COVID UNITS, LIMITING NONEMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND ADMITTING ONLY THE SICKEST OF THE SICK COVID PATIENTS.

IS THAT TRUE?

>> THAT'S TRUE.

AND WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE SITTING IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM SENDING HOME THAT MAYBE NORMALLY WE WOULD PUT THEM IN THE HOSPITAL BUT WE DON'T HAVE ROOM FOR THEM.

WE'RE TRANSFERRING PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF OUR REGION AS A MATTER OF FACT BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T HAVE BEDS.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A PEAK IN TULSA, AND SEEMS TO BE FLATTENING OUT.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT WEEK OR THE WEEK AFTER.

THIS IS SUCH AN UNPREDICTABLE EVENT, IT'S HARD TO KNOW.

BUT WE'VE HAD SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE DYING IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A BED FOR THEM IN THE HOSPITAL.

AND THAT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING FOR ALL OF OUR STAFF.

>> WHAT KIND OF AGE RANGES ARE WE SEEING MOST SEVERELY AFFECTED BY COVID?

IS IT STILL KIND OF THE ELDERLY AT THIS POINT OR IS IT ALL AGES?

>> WE ARE STILL SEEING THE SEVERITY OF CASE IS MORE LIKELY TO BE HIGHER WITH OLDER POPULATION, THAT'S NOT 100%, OF COURSE.

THE NUMBERS AGE RANGES OF INFECTED ARE VARIED OF COURSE, BUT THE SEVERITY IS STILL MUCH HIGHER THE OLDER YOU ARE.

I PRIMARILY DO OUTPATIENT MEDICINE, SO I AM FOLLOWING THESE PATIENTS AS OUTPATIENT THAT SURVIVE AND GO HOME.

AND MANY OF THEM HAVE CONTINUED SYMPTOMS FOR MONTHS.

I'M TAKING CARE OF ONE WOMAN AS WE WERE DISCUSSING A FEW MINUTES AGO FOR OXYGEN FOR OUTPATIENT.

SHE HAS BEEN ON OXYGEN NOW THRE.

AND I DON'T SEE AN END IN SIGHT AS FAR AS THAT.

WE KIND OF PLATEAUED AND HAVE NOT IMPROVED FOR THAT.

IT'S -- AND SHE THIS HER 50s.

SO SEVERITY GOES UP WITH AGE, BUT BOY IT'S ALL ACROSS THE SPECTRUM.

>> ARE YOU KIND OF -- WHAT KIND OF AGES ARE YOU SEEING UP IN TULSA?

AND I WANT TO THROW SOMETHING OUT.

I KEEP READING THE TERM RATIONING OF CARE.

THAT'S FRIGHTENING.

>> YOU KNOW, 80% OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIE FROM COVID ARE 65 AND OLDER.

OBVIOUSLY THE WORST OUTCOMES ARE WITH OLDER PATIENTS.

WHAT I'VE SEEN IS YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO ARE ILL WHO ARE AT HOME AND TRYING TO MANAGE SYMPTOMS AT HOME.

AND FOR SOME OF THEM IT COULD BE VERY FRIGHTENING.

I THINK YOU KNOW THE SYMPTOMS ARE SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND PERSISTENT COUGH AND FEVER.

THEY CAN GO ON A WEEK, TWO WEEKS, AND SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO BECOME ILL THEY'RE OUT OF WORK, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE TO HEAP CARE FOR THEM.

THERE ARE A LOT OF IMPACTS THAT GO BEYOND DEATH WITH THIS ILLNESS AND THAT'S ONE OF THE -- THAT PEOPLE HAVE FOREGOAT EN.

IN TERMS OF RATIONING, THUS FAR WE'VE BEEN DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF HELPING MANAGE PATIENTS WITHIN OUR MARKET BUT THERE ARE OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, CALIFORNIA IS A GOOD EXAMPLE, RATIONING IS HAPPENING AND WE DON'T WANT TO REACH THAT POINT WITH OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.

>> LET'S TURN TO THE PROSPECT OF A SOLUTION BY WAY OF THESE VACCINES FROM PFIZER.

AND MODERNA.

IS THERE ENOUGH VACCINE IN OKLAHOMA, I'M GOING TO CUT TO THE CHASE, I HAD LEAD UP QUESTION, BUT FROM WHAT EARTH OF YOU ARE SEEING IS THERE ENOUGH VACCINE IN OKLAHOMA TO ADMINISTER IT TO EVERYONE WHO WANTS A SHOT?

>> NO.

>> NO.

>> I THINK THE ANSWER IS NOT ENOUGH ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW.

WE THINK IN OKLAHOMA ABOUT 5% OF OUR POPULATION HAS HAD THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THEIR VACCINE.

BUT ONLY LESS THAN 1% RECEIVED THE SECOND DOSE, SO CLEARLY WITHIN OUR STATE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE.

THERE IS ISSUES WITH PRODUCTION, THERE IS ISSUES WITH DISTRIBUTION AND THERE IS ISSUES WITH VACCINATION.

THERE IS NO DEBATE ABOUT THAT.

SOME OF THOSE THINGS WE HAVE CONTROL OVER.

I KNOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MADE LOTS OF PROMISES THEY'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FOLLOW UP ON, BUT THE CHALLENGE IS THAT AT SOME POINT IN TIME WE WILL HAVE ADEQUATE VACCINE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ADEQUATE DISTRIBUTION MODELS AND THE ABILITY TO GET THOSE VACCINES TO THE VOLUME WE NEED.

>> YOU SAID NO REALLY QUICKLY.

AND I WANT YOU TO EXPAND ON THAT.

IS OKLAHOMA GETTING ITS FAIR SHARE OF THE VACCINE?

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

THAT IS AN ANSWER THAT I DON'T KNOW.

FAIR SHARE IS A LOADED QUESTION.

I THINK IT'S BECAUSE OF POPULATION AND THEY HAD CERTAIN PERCENTAGE BASED ON STATE POPULATION, AND THEN THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN OKLAHOMA HAD DECIDED THE DISTRIBUTION TO THE COUNTIES.

>> I WAS QUICKLY SAID NO BECAUSE WE KNOW BY THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP ON THE PORTAL THE DESIRE FOR PATIENTS OKLAHOMANS TO HAVE A VACCINE IS RELATIVELY GOOD, IT'S BETTER THAN WHAT I EXPECTED INITIALLY.

AND MORE PEOPLE ARE SIGNING UP, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE LOTS OF PEOPLE SIGNED UP, BUT CAN'T GET THE VACCINE.

SO THAT TELLS ME WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH, PERIOD.

>> YEAH, I HAD A FRIEND WHO PUT IN HE WAS WILLING TO DRIVE 100 MILES TO WHEREVER HE NEEDED TO GO TO GET THE VACCINE SHOT.

HE'S OLDER AND HAS HEART CONDITIONS.

PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO DRIVE.

BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAY I'M NOT TAKING THAT SHOT.

HAVE YOU HEARD THAT?

WHY ARE PEOPLE DISTRUTHFUL OF THE SHOT, DR. CLARK?

>> BOY, YOU COULD PROBABLY HAVE A LONG DISCUSSION ON THAT.

THERE ARE SO MANY MULTIPLE THINGS OUT ABOUT ANY VACCINE, MUCH LESS COVID, THE VACCINE FOR COVID HAS BEEN HEIGHTENED BECAUSE OF THE SPEED OF IT GETTING DONE, WHICH IN REALITY WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY TO DO THAT, THE TECHNOLOGY IS NOT NEW.

WE DO THIS ON A YEARLY BASIS FOR OUR FLU SHOTS.

SO THE SPEED IS NOT REALLY A BIG PROBLEM.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF MISTRUST AND MISINFORMATION IF NOT OUTRIGHT LIES THAT HAVE BEEN CIRCULATED THROUGH THE INTERNET AND SOME MEDIA OUTLETS AND SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS THROUGHOUT MANY OF THE STATES THAT ALSO FUEL THE MISTRUST.

>> WHAT KIND OF FEARS ARE YOU HEARING AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO HAVE A FEAR OR WEARINESS OF TAKING THE VACCINE?

>> I THINK THAT YOU KNOW AS DR. CLARK MENTIONED A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT HOW QUICKLY THIS VACCINE WAS PRODUCED.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT NO ONE -- HOW CAN IT TAKE TO SO LONG MAKE A VACCINE IN GENERAL.

THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

WE CAN DO THIS IN LESS THAN A YEAR AS WE DEMONSTRATED.

WHAT I TELL MY PATIENTS IS THERE IS OVER 70,000 PEOPLE WHO WENT THROUGH CLINICAL TRIALS WITH THE TWO VACCINES WE HAD WITH ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS RESULTS, AND VERY FEW ADVERSE EFFECTS.

NOW, WE'VE ALREADY DISTRIBUTED 15 MILLION DOSES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND 40 MILLION ACROSS THE WORLD, WITH VERY FEW REPORTS OF BAD SIDE EFFECTS.

THE ONLY THINGS WE KNOW ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN IMAGINE EASILY LIKE REACTIONS TO THE VACCINE, AND OCCASIONALLY WE TREAT WITH EPINEPHRINE.

SO I THINK THAT IF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR AN EXPLANATION OF WHETHER THE VACCINES ARE SAFE WE HAVE LOTS OF DATA TO SUPPORT THAT AND WE GOT LOTS OF DATA TO SAY -- THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE VACCINES WE'VE EVER PRODUCED.

SO THE HESITANCY HAS A LOT TO DO WITH MISINFORMATION.

>> 90 PLUS PERCENT EFFECTIVENESS RATE, THAT IS BETTER THAN THE FLU VACCINE BY A LONG SHOT, CORRECT?

>> BY A LONG SHOT.

AND THIS IS THE ABILITY TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM GETTING ILL AND BEING HOSPITALIZED.

IF WE CAN CONVERT THIS TO ILLNESS THAT LEADS TO SORE THROAT AND RUNNY NOSE AND LITTLE COUGH FOR A FEW DAYS, I THINK WE ALL CAN LIVE WITH THIS.

IT'S THE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THE DEATHS THAT ARE ABSOLUTELY DESTROYING OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND I THINK YOU KNOW WE PROVEN THAT THESE VACCINES CAN PREVENT THAT.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HERD IMMUNITY.

WHAT IS THAT?

>> IT'S REACHING A POINT WHERE IF YOU HAVE THE INFECTION, ENOUGH PEOPLE AROUND YOU WHO HAVE BEEN EITHER VACCINATED OR HAVE HAD THE INFECTION IN THE PAST THAT THEY CAN'T SPREAD IT TO THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.

SO ULTIMATELY THE WAY OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC FOR US IS TO REACH A THRESHOLD OF HERD IMMUNITY AND THAT MAY MEAN BETWEEN 70 AND 90% OF OUR POPULATION HAS TO BE VACCINATED OR HAD THAT BEEN INFECTED.

ULTIMATELY WE DON'T WANT INFECTIONS TO BE THE DRIVER OF HERD IMMUNITY.

WE WARRANT VACCINATION TO BE THE DRIVER.

>> WHAT ABOUT AS THE VIRUS MAY EVOLVE, VARIANTS OF THE VIRUS, IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN DEAL WITH?

>> WE'RE DEFINITELY SEEING THE VIRUS CHANGE.

AND THE VIRUS CHANGING IN A WAY THANK IS DEFINITELY CONCERNING FOR THE MEDICAL WORLD IN THAT THE VIRUS IS BECOMING MORE CONTAGIOUS, MEANING IT TAKES FEWER VIRAL PARTICLES FOR PEOPLE TO DEMONSTRATE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.

IF THAT'S THE CASE THE VIRUS WILL SPREAD FASTER AND THE ONLY WAY TO COMBAT THIS IS BY A MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE VACCINATION PLAN, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THESE VARIANTS SO FAR HAVE BEEN RESPONSIVE TO THE CURRENT VACCINE OUT THERE, BUT IF THIS VIRUS CONTINUES TO EVOLVE AND CHANGE BECAUSE IT'S GROWING IN PEOPLE, IF WE CAN'T PREVENT THE INFECTIONS IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO CHANGE AND SO THAT'S WHY VACCINATION STRATEGY IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US.

>> I WANT TO MOVE INTO EDUCATION.

GOVERNOR STITT WANTS SCHOOLS TO REOPEN, GIVING PARENTS THE OPTION OF SENDING THEIR CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL IN PERSON.

GOVERNOR ALSO STATED SCHOOLS THAT ENFORCE THE USE OF MASKS WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO QUARANTINE POTENTIAL EXPOSURES OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS UNLESS THEY'RE SHOWING CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS.

DR. CLARK DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THOSE PLANS AND IDEAS?

>> YES, I'M GOING TO START WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THEY DON'T NEED TO QUARANTINE.

GOVERNOR STITT AND HIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE USED A STUDY OUT OF NORTH CAROLINA THAT WAS JUST PUBLISHED.

WE TALKED WITH THE OKLAHOMA ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS AND AMERICAN PEDIATRICS GROUPS, THAT ASSUMPTION WAS NEVER INTENDED, THAT WAS NEVER RECOMMENDATION THAT SHOULD BE DONE, TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT IS HOW THIS HAS BEEN USED TO CITE A SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE TO SAY WE CAN ALL GET OUR CHILDREN BACK INTO SCHOOL.

THE AUTHORS OF THE ARTICLE ARE STILL RECOMMENDING THAT CHILDREN SHOULD BE QUARANTINED.

THEY SHOULD BE WEARING MASKS.

WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO SOCIALLY DISTANCE.

WE DO NOT FEEL THAT CHILDREN GOING BACK TO SCHOOL IS PROBABLY THE SMARTEST THING TO DO.

WE SAW A SIGNIFICANT UPTICK AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST SCHOOL YEAR.

WE EXPECT TO SEE THAT AGAIN.

THE RISK TO THE CHILDREN ARE -- IS NOT AS HIGH BECAUSE OF THE AGE POPULATION, BUT THE RISK TO OUR EDUCATORS AND OUR STAFF AT OUR SCHOOLS BECOME VERY, VERY HIGH AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE A TEACHER IN SCHOOL YOU HAVE NO ONE TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN IF THEY'RE THERE OR AT DISTANCE LEARNING.

WE ARE NOT PARTICULARLY IN AGREEMENT WITH HAVING COMPLETE PERSON LEARNING.

THERE IS NO PERFECT ANSWER BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT WE -- ANYONE IS RECOMMENDED.

>> LET ME ASK YOU, THERE IS -- I WANT TO PLAY DEVIL'S ADVOCATE.

KIDS HAVE BEEN OUT OF SCHOOL GOING ON A YEAR.

DON'T THEY NEED THAT STRUCTURE?

THERE ARE CHILDREN SUFFERING, FALLING BEHIND, NOT ONLY FALLING BEHIND ON SCHOOL WORK BUT SUFFERING BY NOT HAVING THE SOCIAL EXPOSURE THAT HAS BEEN OFFICIAL TO THEM.

HOW DO YOU WEIGH THAT IN THE BALANCE?

>> WITH CHILDREN IN SCHOOL IS WHEN THEY -- MY WIFE IS A SCHOOL TEACHER.

SO CLEARLY YOU KNOW I HEARD ALL THE DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WHEN WE HAVE A POSITIVITY RATE OF 20 TO 30% IN OUR COMMUNITIES, THERE IS NO SOCIAL GATHERING THAT IS SAFE.

WHETHER IT'S SCHOOL, WHETHER IT'S THE SHOPPING MARKET, WHETHER IT'S AT CHURCH, SOCIAL GATHERINGS ARE A LACE WHERE WE SPREAD VIRUS.

AND ESPECIALLY IN THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE THE DEMOGRAPHICS ARE MORE CHALLENGING, OLDER FAMILIES, MIXED FAMILIES, LOWER SO YES ECONOMIC FAMILIES, THESE GATHERINGS ARE DEVASTATING TO THE FAMILIES.

AND WE KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING.

AND SO IN THOSE SCHOOLS WITH THOSE DEMOGRAPHICS YOU CAN'T THROW BLANKET ANSWERS OUT THERE AND SAY JUST PUT YOUR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING THE CONSEQUENCES.

WHEN WE GET OUR POSITIVITY RATES DOWN TO 5%, 4%, LESS THAN THAT, THEN SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO BE SAFE TO GO BACK TO FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING, BUT WE GOT TO VACCINATE.

WE GOT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING THAT ARE GOING TO ALLOW US TO GET POSITIVITY RATES DOWN.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT EACH OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN TO REALLY GET US BACK TO NORMAL SOONER INSTEAD OF HOBBLING ALONG, GETTING US BACK TO RUNNING SCHOOL.

WE'LL PICK UP WITH YOU.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN?

>> I THINK LEADERSHIP NEEDS TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

OUR GOVERNOR NEEDS TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

WE NEED OUR GOVERNOR PUSHING BACK, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATION, AND DISPELLING THE MISCOMMUNICATION.

AND BY COMMUNICATING TO OUR COMMUNITIES HOW IMPORTANT AND HOW SAFE AND HOW EFFECTIVE THESE VACCINES ARE.

THE OTHER PART OF THAT IS REALLY PUSHING THE RESOURCES OUT TO COMMUNITIES TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE PREPARED FOR MASS VACCINATION ITS.

I SAID IN THE LETTER WE NEED TO VACCINATE 50 TO 100,000 A WEEK, TO REACH HERD IMMUNITY BY THE END OF THE SUMMER, THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND I DON'T SEE ANY EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IT THAT RIGHT NOW.

AND THE RESOURCES HAVE TO BE THERE.

AND I HOPE THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HELPS US WITH THOSE RESOURCES, AS WELL.

>> STATEWIDE MASK ORDINANCE.

THAT HAS BEEN A VERY BIG EXPECTATION FOR MANY OF US, AND ESPECIALLY WITH STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, IT'S BEEN A HARD SELL TO OUR CURRENT GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION, AND WITH THE CURRENT HEALTH DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONER, WE ARE ALL IN IT TOGETHER.

AND ONCE WE REALIZE WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ME, NOT JUST ABOUT MY PARTNER, NOT JUST ABOUT MY FAMILY, IT'S ABOUT EVERYONE WALKING DOWN THE STREET, HOPEFULLY WE'LL ALL DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

>> I WANT THE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR INSIGHT TODAY.

I KNOW IT'S GOOD INFORMATION FOR ME AND FOR OUR VIEWERS.

THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH.

>> GREAT CONVERSATION AS ALWAYS.

>>> WE MENTIONED OKLAHOMA EARLY WORK ON REDISTRICTING EARLIER.

HOW ARE OTHER STATES HANDLING THAT PROCESS?

IN THE NATIONAL VIEW MITCH LEGAN IN INDIANA REPORTS ON HOW IT'S BEING HANDLED IN THE HOSIERS STATE.

>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS BACK IN SESSION WHICH MEANS JULIA VAUGHN IS BACK AT THE STATEHOUSE.

>> TWO, THREE TIMES A WEEK, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TYPICALLY WORKS MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, SO IT'S DEFINITELY A FULL-TIME JOB.

>> SPENT OVER TWO DECADES PUSHING COMMON CAUSE INDIANA AND SAYS IT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO NOW THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> THE PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF REDISTRICTING AND HOW MUCH IT IMPACTS ELECTIONS, THAT HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS.

>> REPUBLICANS WERE IN CONTROL WHEN THE STATE COMPLETED REDISTRICTING BACK IN 2011.

BY 2012, THEY SECURED A SUPER MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

AND HAVEN'T LOOKED BACK SINCE.

>> YOU SEE THAT IN THE FACT THEY NOT ONLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET TO SUPER MAJORITY BUT KEEP AND EXPAND IT.

>> AFTER CENSUS DATA ARE COLLECTED EACH DECADE THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRES STATES DRAW NEW ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES FOR U.S. CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.

14 STATES GIVE REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS PRIMARY CONTROL OVER DRAWING LINES.

IN INDIANA, THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS IN CHARGE.

>> INDIANA IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE -- FEWEST RESTRICTIONS CULTURALLY OR LEGALLY IN -- ON WHAT CAN BE DONE WHEN THEY'RE DRAWING THE LINES.

>> ADVOCATES LIKE VAUGHN SAY WHEN REPUBLICANS RUN STATEWIDE SUPPORT HOVERS IN THE MID-50s.

PARTISAN REDISTRICTING OR GERRYMANDERING ALLOWS THEM TO KEEP THE LEGISLATURE AROUND 70% REPUBLICAN AND AVOID ANY REAL DEMOCRATIC PRIORITIES.

>> GIVEN THE CHANCE TO DRAW LINES, THE MAJORITY PARTY WHEN THEY'RE IN POWER LIKE THEY FAR INDIANA WILL DRAW THE LINES TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.

>> VAUGHN ISN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO FEELS PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING ALLOWS LEGISLATORS TO PICK CONSTITUENTS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

COMMON CAUSE IS CREATING A MULTI-PARTISAN CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION FOR THE PUBLIC TO GIVE INPUT AND MAKE THIRD PARTY MAPS TO COMPARE WITH THOSE DRAWN BY THE LEGISLATURE.

>> OUR IDEA IS TO MAKE A PUBLIC PROCESS FOR REDISTRICTING, SO THE DISTRICTS ARE DRAWN WITH THE PUBLIC INTERESTS DRIVING INSTEAD OF PARTISAN POLITICAL INTERESTS.

>> REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN HESITANT TO EMBRACE SUCH A STRATEGY, SAYING A TRULY NONPARTISAN COMMISSION IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.

AND THEY'RE LESS KEEN ON FULLY INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION.

>> WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE LOTS OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND INPUT ABOUT COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST THAT ARE ACROSS STATE SO WE'RE CAREFUL ABOUT WHERE WE DRAW OUR LINES AND NOT DIVIDE THOSE COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST.

>> THE POLITICIAN DOESN'T WANT TO SAY I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE THAT POWER UP AND THEN HOPE IT COMES OUT OKAY FOR ME.

NO, I'M GOING TO STICK WITH MY BUDDIES.

WE'LL DRAW THE LINES TO MAKE SURE IT COMES OUT THE RIGHT WAY.

>> THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN 2019 THAT PARTISAN REDISTRICTING IS AN ISSUE BEYOND THE REACHES OF THE COURTS.

IT'S POLITICS.

>> IF IT WAS DEMOCRAT IN CHARGE, THERE MIGHT BE SOME DIFFERENT MAPS GERRYMANDERED FOR DEMOCRATS.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT TO DO IT.

JUST BECAUSE I DO SOMETHING DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD DO SOMETHING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S BAD.

>> AS ACTIVISTS ADVOCATE, GREG TAYLOR WILL TRY ONCE AGAIN TO GET A REFORM BILL PASSED BEFORE REDISTRICTING OCCURS AT THE END OF THE SESSION.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PRESS PROSES WILL LIKELY BE RUSHED.

INFORMATION WON'T BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF MARCH, JUST A MONTH BEFORE THE SESSION ENDS.

>> IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A COMMISSION, IT'S TOO LATE TO PUT THATTING TO.

NOW WE'RE OPERATING FROM A STANDPOINT OF WE HAVE TO HAVE AT LEAST SOME STANDARDS PUT IN PLACE FOR REDISTRICTING.

>> RESTRICTIONS WOULD INCLUDE THINGS LIKE KEEPING DISTRICTS COMPACT AND NOT DIVIDING CITIES AND COUNTIES BETWEEN DISTRICTS.

BUT HE DOESN'T EXPECT THEM TO PASS.

>> THERE ARE REASONS IF WE DON'T DO OUR JOB WELL THE COURT CAN THROW SOME OF THOSE THINGS OUT.

THOSE REQUIREMENTS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE THROUGH CASE LAW AND WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO ADHERE TO THEM.

>> ADVOCATES HOPE THE CITIZENS COMMISSION WILL PROVIDE HOSIERS WITH A LOOK AT HOW REDISTRICTING COMMISSION WOULD WORK BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE TAKES ANOTHER CRACK IN ABOUT THE YEAR 2031.

FOR INDIANA NEWS DESK, I'M MITCH LEGAN.

>>> COMING UP ON THE NEXT OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, THE CDC RELEASES TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL ALLOW OKLAHOMA TO TRACK HEALTH ISSUES DOWN TO THE ZIP CODE.

>>> AND WE WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A TOUR OF THE MURALS PAINTED ON THE WAS OF OKLAHOMA CITY PLAZA DISTRICT AS PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY KACI FERGUSON.

FOR ALL OF US IN "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, AND ENJOY THE WEEKEND.

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC.

WWW.CAPTIONSOLUTIONS.COM