Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, writes a note during the State of the State Address on Feb. 2, 2026, at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice)
OKLAHOMA CITY — As Oklahoma struggles with a lack of child care options, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and advocates are looking toward long-term solutions.
A statewide study released last week by United WE, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on economic security for women, found that there is a “pressing need” for greater child care capacity in nearly all counties in Oklahoma. Gaps in caregiving, especially child care, causes states to lose billions of dollars in economic productivity and is a top reason for women leaving the workforce, the group found…