OK PARTNERSHIP FOR SCHOOL READINESS / From the desk of Carrie Williams
In the fast-paced world of policymaking, the legislative process often feels like a whirlwind of bills, debates and decisions. Yet, behind the scenes, an essential and often overlooked component plays a critical role in shaping thoughtful and effective legislation: the “interim study.” These studies act as the steady foundation that supports well-informed policies, guiding lawmakers toward more comprehensive and impactful decisions.
An interim study is a deep dive into pressing issues that occurs between legislative sessions. During this time, legislators examine key topics, analyze data, consult experts, and listen to public testimonies. The insight gathered during these studies lays the groundwork for crafting new legislation or refining existing policies. Often, these studies focus on complex issues that require more careful consideration than the regular legislative session allows—topics like child care and early education, for example.
At the Oklahoma State Capitol, during the current interim study period, the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness (OPSR) has contributed valuable data, research and testimony to three key studies, all aimed at improving the state’s early child care and education system:
• IS24-048: Is Lack of Childcare an Impediment to Economic Growth & Sustainability for Oklahoma? (Schreiber)
• IS24-095: Increasing Costs of Childcare in Oklahoma (Vancuren)
• IS24-112: The Closing of Multiple Community Action Daycare Centers (Pittman) These studies can be found by going to okschoolreadiness.org/news. By participating in these studies, OPSR directly influences the policymaking process, offering lawmakers not only research-backed data but also insights from the lived experiences of child care providers and families. This collaborative effort fosters an environment where legislators, free from the pressure of immediate decision-making, can work across party lines to address complex problems.
In recent studies, lawmakers recognized the critical role child care plays for both families and the economy. They requested additional fiscal data and guidance on steps needed to stabilize the child care industry and create meaningful, quality legislation for children and families. They listened when OPSR detailed the importance of appropriating state dollars to subsidize child care for child care workers to help meet the needs of the broader working population.
In addition, OPSR provided lawmakers examples of solutions implemented by other states, such as business subsidies for employees, and emphasized the positive impact similar programs could have on Oklahoma’s economy.
Last session’s HB 4147 was modeled after programs from other states that provide tax incentives to employers who help cover the costs of child care for their employees, but unfortunately, the bill did not pass during the session, essentially killing its momentum. Thankfully though, this idea is gaining new life through interim studies. Lawmakers have encouraged further outreach to chambers and sought solutions to common opposing arguments, along with potential compromises needed for the bill’s reintroduction.
OPSR’s involvement in these studies moves the conversation forward on the importance of Oklahoma’s early child care and education system — not only for the well-being of families, but also for the state’s economic health as well.
We hope that our contributions will help lawmakers craft effective bills for the upcoming first session of Oklahoma’s 60th State Legislature in 2025, paving the way for a stronger, more sustainable future for children, families and the broader community.
Editor’s Note: Carrie Williams is CEO of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness. To learn more visit https://okschoolreadiness.org.
