Articles
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Economy
Oklahoma ranks high in economic report, but with caveats
Oklahoma ranks in the top 10 states in “economic outlook,” according to the 2020 “Rich States, Poor States” report issued by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). But there’s reason to think that may not last.Ray Carter | August 13, 2020
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Economy
Unemployment fraud still rampant in Oklahoma?
During the spring COVID-19 shutdown, Oklahoma officials were swamped with fraudulent unemployment claims.Ray Carter | July 30, 2020
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Economy
Innovative CareerTech program getting Oklahomans back to work
An Oklahoma CareerTech center has created an innovative program to help adults displaced by the coronavirus shutdown move rapidly from the classroom to the workforce.Mike Brake | July 22, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Oklahoma’s unemployment rate among nation’s lowest
Oklahoma’s reopening of business after the COVID shutdown has resulted in one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates.Ray Carter | July 21, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
What are the leading causes of death in Oklahoma?
While the coronavirus is a real public health issue, it may not turn out to be the taker of life it was initially envisioned to be.Mike Brake | July 15, 2020
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Health Care, Economy
OKC doctor says shutdown ‘a mass casualty incident’
Americans may be paying for the extended shutdowns for some time as unrelated health issues that are not being treated now continue to emerge.Mike Brake | May 26, 2020
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Economy
Stitt: Oklahoma can be national leader on COVID
Twenty days into the state’s reopening, Gov. Kevin Stitt said Oklahoma is on pace to enter the final phase of that process by June 1 and could be a national leader.Ray Carter | May 14, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Oklahoma’s post-reopening COVID numbers defy critics’ predictions
While critics suggested Gov. Kevin Stitt’s decision to begin reopening Oklahoma starting April 24 would lead to increased COVID-19 infections and deaths, the data continue to head the right direction, and the governor said more businesses will be able to reopen soon.Ray Carter | May 11, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
AG Hunter to Norman mayor: ‘Religious services can go on as scheduled’
Attorney General Mike Hunter has questioned why Norman Mayor Breea Clark is allowing gyms, tattoo parlors, and pet groomers to reopen on May 1 but has forbidden houses of worship from doing the same until mid-month. At the same time, Mayor Clark has found herself embroiled in a federal lawsuit involving her decree that local hair salons could not reopen until mid-month as well.Mike Brake | May 8, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Economy
Don’t hit businesses on UI experience rating
As Oklahoma begins the slow process of reopening, policy solutions for consumers and businesses will be needed to jumpstart the economy. With Oklahoma unemployment reaching record numbers, lawmakers must focus on making hiring easier for businesses. One way would be to suspend any increases to experience rating for businesses paying unemployment insurance (UI) taxes.Curtis Shelton | May 8, 2020