Articles
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Culture & the Family
McGirt may limit law enforcement protection for citizens
Those potentially left without protection may include many tribal citizens who were supposed to be among the biggest beneficiaries of the ruling.Ray Carter | January 5, 2021
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Energy
Agency reports predict wide range of McGirt problems
The Seminole Nation has indicated it plans to impose a tribal tax on oil production within its territory, representing the latest repercussion of the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt v. Oklahoma decision that declared a tribal reservation was never disestablished in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | January 5, 2021
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Education
OEA members oppose measurement of students’ learning loss
The Oklahoma Education Association continues to oppose school reopening as well as public measurement of student learning that would let parents know how severe a child’s learning loss has been as the result of school shutdowns.Ray Carter | December 22, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Spending restraint may benefit 2022 state budget
Modest state spending restraint, prompted last spring in the face of an unprecedented pandemic-driven economic shutdown, may make dealing with this year’s state budget slightly easier, although it will not eliminate budget challenges, based on information presented at the December meeting of the State Board of Equalization.Ray Carter | December 18, 2020
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Education
OEA opposes school reopening despite vaccine
Earlier this month, the satirical website, The Babylon Bee, posted an article titled, “Teachers Union Opposes Vaccine As It Might Force Teachers To Teach Again.” The real world substantially duplicated parody in Oklahoma on Thursday as the Oklahoma Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, declared its continued opposition to school reopening after Gov. Kevin Stitt announced that teachers will be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations.Ray Carter | December 17, 2020
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Education
After long delay, Christian school’s application approved
After months of delay, the State Board of Education has quietly approved Christian Heritage Academy’s application to serve children who are beneficiaries of a state scholarship program.Ray Carter | December 17, 2020
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Education
State board of education stresses need for testing
Members of the State Board of Education have voted to suspend school A-F report cards for another year, but will require schools to administer state tests to provide some level of public reporting on how students have fared throughout COVID-19 shutdowns and forced virtual education.Ray Carter | December 17, 2020
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Culture & the Family
Lankford: Voter fraud concerns are justified
Following the 2016 presidential election, reports of Russian efforts to interfere in the U.S. election process prompted numerous congressional investigations and bipartisan efforts to better protect election security, U.S. Sen. James Lankford noted.Ray Carter | December 17, 2020
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Law & Principles
Ethics Commission targets ‘informational materials’
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has temporarily tabled a proposed rule that would require lobbyists and nonprofit organizations to report when they provide certain “informational materials” to state lawmakers.Ray Carter | December 14, 2020
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Education
Tulsa charter students face huge funding gap
A new national report finds an enormous gap exists in the per-pupil funding provided to public charter schools in Tulsa compared to the traditional Tulsa Public Schools district.Ray Carter | December 11, 2020