Will you be HERE to stand with those struggling in our community?

Will you be HERE to hold accountable those who want to lead our city?

“Are YOU HERE with us?” will be asked of candidates for mayor during an online accountability session led by local ACTION leaders. Community members will share stories of how our friends and neighbors are impacted by public decisions in the areas of Health care, Economic recovery, Racial bias, and Evictions, and candidates will be asked how they would address these issues.

Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7pm – selected mayoral candidates (register in advance through Zoom to receive the link)

Our power comes from showing up together in solidarity to support the common good for our community.

Our faith and values call us to do so!

Our community needs you HERE to show your support

for fair, just, equitable public decisions from our elected city leaders!

Register today! Joining the ACTION accountability sessions is simple, safe, and a meaningful way to take action for a better city! 

Candidates were selected based on a scoring rubric that included information such as campaign reports filed, constituent communication, and availability of platform. ACTION is a nonpartisan coalition and does not endorse candidates.

Currently working on:

VOTE!

COVID 19 has made voting more challenging. One recommendation is to request an absentee ballot, which is the right of any registered voter in Oklahoma. AUGUST 25 there will be an election for city offices and some run-offs from June 30.

Use the OK VOTER PORTAL to request an absentee ballot, view your sample ballot, find your polling place, and track your absentee ballot after you mail it.

Important dates:

August 18 by 5pm - Deadline to request absentee ballot

ACTION Notary Days!! You may have your absentee ballot notarized:

Sat, Aug 15, 10am-2pm @ All Souls Church, 2952 S. Peoria

Sun, Aug 16, 2-4pm @ Fellowship Lutheran Church, 6727 S. Sheridan

Due to Oklahoma being in a state of emergency due to COVID-19, voters also have the option of including a copy of a current state-issued ID or voter registration card when returning your absentee ballot.

EARLY VOTING (only at the Election Board, 555 N Denver): Thurs, Aug 20, and Fri Aug 21 from 8 am - 6 pm; Sat Aug 22 from 9 am- 2 pm

August 25 – Polls open 7am-7pm, but may have moved due to lack of poll workers - find your polling place here: https://www.ok.gov/elections/OVP.html

 Evictions and Tenant Rights - 

On June 1, Allied Communities of Tulsa Inspiring Our Neighborhoods (ACTION) and Voices Organized In Civic Engagement (VOICE) invited elected officials to help address the issue by pausing evictions and using federal CARES Act funds for rental assistance to tenants and their landlords. The state of Oklahoma ranked in the bottom fifth of the nation in their response to the eviction crisis during the pandemic, receiving zero stars out of 5 from Eviction Lab.

City councils in Tulsa and OKC to consider calling for moratorium on evictions

Tulsa braces for possible wave of evictions as courtrooms reopen after COVID-19 shutdown

We’ve heard stories from families who have lost their jobs or had their hours cut, making it difficult to pay their rent. If you have a story to share about dealing with an eviction or other landlord/tenant issues, contact christy.action@cox.net.

ACTION has urged Governor Stitt to expand the CARES Act moratorium on evictions through July 25th to include all rental properties and all evictions with the exception of those related to criminal activity. The city council of Tulsa unanimously approved a resolution asking the governor to extend the moratorium as requested. 

ACTION is working with Restore Hope Ministries to connect landlords and tenants with rental relief funds. Find out more here.

Immigration Issues

We call on the Board of County Commissioners to END the 287(g) contract in Tulsa County. 

This agreement costs taxpayers while jeopardizing safety in the Hispanic community. With the threat of COVID-19, it is imperative to reduce the jail population by focusing only on people who truly present a danger our community. Since OK State Statue 22 O.S. §171.2 (OCSN 2019) already requires an immigration status check for anyone arrested for a felony or DUI, the 287(g) program merely serves as a dragnet to subject low level offenders to deportation, often after many productive years in our city, requiring them to leave behind jobs, homes, and families. 

Read the full ACTION statement here.

Tulsa World editorial: End Tulsa's involvement with the federal 287(g) immigration program

To find out how your organization can be involved, contact Kris King at iaftulsa@gmail.com

Student Loan Debt - 

The Student Loan Borrower’s Bill of Rights, HB2922, was not heard on the Senate floor before the 2020 session ended. This bill requires loan servicers to give accurate information to borrowers, including their full range of payment options if they have trouble paying back a loan, rather than just forbearance. It is imperative that student loan borrowers have the right to fair lending practices. This bill overwhelmingly passed the OK House 84-8 and is supported by OK bankers. HB2922 is co-sponsored by Senators John Michael Montgomery and Carol Bush. We look forward to it being presented in the next legislative session.

Relief for student loan debt: payments and interest suspended

  (check with your loan servicer before stopping payments - the suspension does not apply to privately held loans)

There are over 44 million people who owe more than $1.5 trillion in the U.S. simply because they sought an education. Learn about a Tulsa woman who has been grappling with student loan issues for years: "I beat cancer, but I can't beat my student loan problems!"

If you have a story you’d like to share about how a debt collector has harassed you or a family member because of student loan debt, please contact ACTION at iaftulsa@gmail.com

Public Education Support - 

Locations for meals for children: grab-n-go, mobile sites

In January we brought together almost 80 people to view Titus Jackson's documentary Brokeklahoma, about the state of public education. Afterwards, parents, teachers, legislators, school board members, and local residents shared their stories of how their families are being impacted by too little funding for our schools. We are hearing stories of crowded classrooms, difficulty finding teachers to hire, classroom safety for students and teachers, lack of arts classes in schools, and the impact the lack of children's mental health services has in their classrooms, and on the ability of many children to learn. We are talking with administrators and experts in childhood trauma to explore ways for children to get help and for teachers to be supported in the schools, as well as following the many bills filed in the legislature that impact education. 

Criminal Justice Reform - At the District Attorney Candidate Accountability Session last election cycle, our team was challenged by Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiler to see what really goes on in the courtrooms in relation to fair bail amounts and alternative sentencing opportunities. In response, we trained over 20 Court Observers in partnership with Still She Rises who observed bail hearings and arraignments through the fall. We are collecting data and stories about how procedures and policies work in a variety of cases.

If you need help in the Tulsa Area with ASSISTANCE FOR LOSS OF INCOME, RENT, MEDICATION, CHILDCARE AND MORE, start here with the United Way's Covid-19 Resource Page or call 211. 

 Thank you, friends!

In September we launched a campaign to invite 100 new donors into support of our work. WE DID IT! We are grateful to all who made a donation, and we continue to welcome new friends - simply click the Donate button above to show your support.

IAF Network Supports Help for Families

ACTION, and the 65 other members of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) network to which we belong, urged Congress to deliver an economic stimulus plan that protects those who urgently need help the most: American workers, families, and small businesses on the front lines of this national emergency. We ask our leaders to focus on Urgent Principles for Maintaining Economic Stability

We stand together!

Taking Action-

Terminating 287(g) in Tulsa County

Candidate Accountability Sessions Present Concerns of Families