Articles
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Good Government
Candidate filing begins amid COVID-19 restrictions
Candidate filing for Oklahoma’s 2020 elections began Wednesday, April 8, under what may be the most unusual circumstances in state history.Ray Carter | April 9, 2020
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Culture & the Family, Good Government
Overreaching politicians and shared sacrifice
The COVID-19/coronavirus is a global crisis and a very dangerous illness. But that does not justify any and every response to try to stop it. We could have nuked Wuhan in early January—that might have put an end to it right there, but no moral person would do anything like that.Trent England | March 25, 2020
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Culture & the Family, Good Government
Pursue innovation, remember working families during COVID crisis
“The Covid-19/coronavirus represents a true threat to public health. But even in the midst of unprecedented action, an important balance must be preserved: Action must be taken to reduce public spread of this virus, but it must be done in a way that minimizes the damage to people’s lives."Jonathan Small | March 22, 2020
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Culture & the Family, Good Government
Legislature to restrict public access to Capitol
To deal with public-health concerns created by the coronavirus, the Legislature will dramatically restrict access to the Oklahoma Capitol in the coming weeks, legislative leaders have announced.Ray Carter | March 17, 2020
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Good Government
Government workforce reform remains far from certain
Measures to overhaul the Oklahoma government’s human resources system quietly advanced this week without debate or question from lawmakers. But the bills’ authors indicated much work remains, suggesting the likelihood of significant reform is far from certain.Ray Carter | March 12, 2020
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Good Government
Like a good neighbor: Stitt seeks sensible collaborations for the public good
The “BeANeighbor” initiative—with its Tocquevillian understanding of the importance of civil society—could be Gov. Kevin Stitt’s most long-lasting legacy.Patrick B. McGuigan | March 10, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Lawmakers vote to increase state’s unfunded liability
House lawmakers have voted to increase benefit payments to some state government retirees, but have chosen not to provide an appropriation to fund the additional expense. Instead, lawmakers voted to raid pension system assets to cover the cost of the higher monthly payments, which will reduce the systems’ solvency, and they advanced the bill despite lacking any firm estimate of the associated cost.Ray Carter | February 28, 2020
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Education, Culture & the Family, Good Government
After Oklahoma Republicans side with OEA, union touts transgender reading program
Two days after six Republican senators joined Democrats to defeat legislation opposed by the Oklahoma Education Association, the union is promoting a national day of school readings on transgender issues.Ray Carter | February 27, 2020
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Good Government
‘At will’ worker measure advances
All new state government workers would be made “at will” employees under legislation that has advanced from a House committee, marking movement on a reform endorsed by Gov. Kevin Stitt.Ray Carter | February 26, 2020
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Good Government
Bill advances to boost appointment power
Legislation that would increase the appointment power of the governor, House speaker, and Senate president pro tempore has gained easy approval in a Senate committee.Ray Carter | February 26, 2020