Articles
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Culture & the Family
A man of vision
What can one man do? If the man is Dr. David Brown, founder of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, the answer is, “A lot.” Thanks to Dr. Brown’s vision and tenacity, many Oklahomans today enjoy greater opportunities and a better quality of life.Jonathan Small | March 12, 2022
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Education
Concerns about Hofmeister politicization, competence arise
Recent financial estimates produced by Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) are leading a top lawmaker to question whether the agency has become politicized under the leadership of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister.Ray Carter | March 11, 2022
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Education
Is the status quo working?
According to a 2019 survey conducted by WPA Intelligence, only a third of Oklahoma voters say Oklahoma’s public education system is providing a good return on investment.Brandon Dutcher & Curtis Shelton | March 11, 2022
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Education
Oklahoma school-choice bill gets national endorsements
A major effort to expand school choice opportunity is not only receiving widespread attention and support in Oklahoma, but also nationwide support as major conservative leaders have now endorsed the bill.Ray Carter | March 10, 2022
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Education
School CRT regulations updated, but critics say more needed
The State Board of Education has approved permanent rules for a new state law that bans schools from teaching certain concepts broadly associated with Critical Race Theory, but one critic told the board the regulations do not go far enough.Ray Carter | March 10, 2022
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Education
Anti-school-choice groups’ poll contradicted—by own pollster
A group of public-school entities have released a poll claiming the overwhelming majority of Oklahoma voters oppose school choice. But that finding is contradicted by their own pollster’s previous findings—twice.Ray Carter | March 10, 2022
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Law & Principles
Election ‘Zuckerbucks’ ban clears House
Due to concern about perceived influence on the outcome of elections, state lawmakers have voted to ban private entities from funding Oklahoma election expenses.Ray Carter | March 9, 2022
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Education, Culture & the Family
Parents support homeschooler inclusion in school-choice bill
In the ongoing debate over allowing state education funding to follow students to any provider, including homeschooling or private schools, some homeschoolers have objected, leading lawmakers to recently strip those parents from the bill.Ray Carter | March 9, 2022
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Law & Principles
GOP lawmaker joins Democrats against election-security bill
A bill that would mandate investigation of potential voter fraud has advanced from the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Those voting “no” were mostly Democrats, but state Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, joined them in vocal opposition.Ray Carter | March 9, 2022
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Budget & Tax
‘Fines and fees’ reform clears Senate
Legislation allowing court fines and fees to be waived for certain offenders—and potentially increase the payment of those fees—has won unanimous approval in the Oklahoma Senate.Ray Carter | March 8, 2022