Articles
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Law & Principles
Measure requiring absentee voter ID sent to governor
Touting the need to protect election integrity, members of the Oklahoma Senate voted Thursday to require some form of verification from absentee voters.Ray Carter | May 7, 2020
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Budget & Tax
House budget debate pits tax increases against spending restraint, savings
House lawmakers voted Thursday to send legislation to Gov. Kevin Stitt that relies on modest spending reductions and use of savings rather than tax increases to cover a $1.3 billion shortfall.Ray Carter | May 7, 2020
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Law & Principles
Election security measure gains strong House approval
After the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that state law allows citizens to vote absentee by simply signing an affidavit, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted Wednesday to revise the law and address associated concerns about election fraud.Ray Carter | May 6, 2020
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Health Care, Law & Principles
Health worker protection advances over Democratic objections
Legislation to protect health care providers from COVID-19 lawsuits gained Senate approval Wednesday, despite Democratic efforts to block a final vote on the bill.Ray Carter | May 6, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Senate approves funding bill as Democrats hint tax increases needed
The Oklahoma Senate approved Tuesday the “general appropriation” bill to fund state government for the next year but did so over the objections of Democrats who hinted tax increases should be pursued instead of modest spending reductions.Ray Carter | May 6, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Health emergency extended, but lawmakers say change is needed
Both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature voted Tuesday during special session to extend the state declaration of a “catastrophic health emergency” (CHE) for another 30 days.Ray Carter | May 5, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Legislative leaders reach budget agreement
The leaders of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and state Senate announced Monday they have reached a budget agreement.Ray Carter | May 4, 2020
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Health Care
Medicaid expansion complicates budget planning
Gov. Kevin Stitt has filed federal paperwork to expand Oklahoma’s Medicaid program to include many able-bodied adults starting July 1, which he has labeled SoonerCare 2.0.Ray Carter | May 4, 2020
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Health Care
Immunity for those treating COVID-19 advances
Legislation to protect health care workers from some lawsuits while treating COVID-19 patients gained strong bipartisan approval in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday.Ray Carter | May 4, 2020
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Economy
Stitt given ‘A’ for COVID-19 response
A new report by the Committee to Unleash Prosperity gives Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt an “A” grade for his handling of the state’s COVID-19 response. Stitt is one of only nine governors to receive an “A” from the organization.Ray Carter | May 4, 2020