Articles
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Stitt unveils reopening plan
Some currently shuttered businesses will be allowed to reopen in just two days and many others can reopen on May 1 under a plan unveiled today by Gov. Kevin Stitt.Ray Carter | April 22, 2020
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Budget & Tax
State-tribal impasse breaks; new casino compacts signed
In what he called an “historic day,” Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed new state-tribal casino gaming agreements with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Comanche Nation.Ray Carter | April 22, 2020
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Education, Culture & the Family
How many Oklahoma students are continuing to learn?
With schools across the nation closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, a key question is: How many students are continuing to learn?Mike Brake | April 21, 2020
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Education
Amid millions for K-12 schools, lobbyist group opposes aid for private sector
The Oklahoma State School Board Association (OSSBA) has declared its opposition to the provision of some federal aid to families with children in private schools, declaring education providers in the private sector are not facing “a pandemic-related emergency.”Ray Carter | April 21, 2020
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Budget & Tax
No rapid recovery expected for Oklahoma’s economy
Employment in Oklahoma is not expected to rebound to pre-coronavirus levels for two years, and state tax collections are falling to 2016 levels. In response, Gov. Kevin Stitt called on lawmakers to tap state savings and to reduce spending to “smooth out” financial challenges over the next few years.Ray Carter | April 21, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Democrats oppose any reduction in state spending
The shutdowns caused by the government’s COVID-19 response have devastated business and family budgets across Oklahoma, forcing many working families to make hard financial choices.Ray Carter | April 20, 2020
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Health Care, Culture & the Family
Stitt: Testing key to state’s reopening
Gov. Kevin Stitt and other officials say improved tracking of the COVID-19 virus will be crucial in reopening Oklahoma’s economy in the coming weeks.Ray Carter | April 17, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Online shift may save school funds, but numbers remain elusive
Now that all Oklahoma public schools have shifted to distance learning, potentially significant savings could be achieved for many previously routine expenses. But state officials do not have that data and existing law may indirectly encourage school officials to spend those savings before July.Ray Carter | April 17, 2020
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Criminal Justice, Law & Principles
Crime may be unaffected by COVID-19, while lawsuits proliferate
The statewide COVID-19 shutdown may have dramatically impacted most Oklahomans, but it may not have deterred serious crimes, law enforcement officials told lawmakers Thursday. At the same time, the state could soon face a rash of lawsuits challenging the legality of government actions that forced business closures and the loss of citizens’ jobs.Ray Carter | April 17, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Stitt plans to reopen Oklahoma soon
Amidst growing evidence that Oklahoma has dramatically flattened the growth curve of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced today that many currently shuttered businesses may soon be allowed to reopen while elective surgeries will resume before the end of April.Ray Carter | April 15, 2020