Articles
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Budget & Tax
Appropriation-estimate process to face scrutiny
A state board that establishes how much money lawmakers can appropriate each year will be an initial target of investigation for the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT).Ray Carter | August 13, 2020
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Education
Stitt not only governor supporting in-person schooling
A growing number of politicians, including those at the opposite end of the political spectrum from Gov. Kevin Stitt, are now similarly endorsing in-person instruction.Ray Carter | August 11, 2020
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Culture & the Family
‘Risky’ counties can have few COVID-19 cases
In a majority of Oklahoma counties a COVID-19 diagnosis for three or fewer individuals can elevate the entire county’s daily infection rate to a “moderate risk” level some policymakers say should trigger various forms of mandatory shutdown.Ray Carter | August 10, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Stitt opposes additional federal bailouts for states
Members of Congress are currently debating whether to provide another round of federal bailout money to state governments in response to the COVID-19 recession.Ray Carter | August 6, 2020
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Culture & the Family
COVID hospitalizations steadying?
At the start of the pandemic, the average hospitalization for COVID-19 ran from 10 to 12 days. Currently, those stays are typically between five and eight days.Ray Carter | August 6, 2020
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Budget & Tax
McGirt decision could upend regulations, taxes
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reestablished Indian reservations in Oklahoma is creating broad uncertainty and threatens to result in regulatory chaos that will drive businesses away from the state, according to state leaders.Ray Carter | August 6, 2020
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Education
Lankford: Only schools that reopen should get aid
If Congress approves another round of bailout funding for state school systems, U.S. Sen. James Lankford said it should be directed to schools that reopen for in-person instruction.Ray Carter | August 5, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Tax collections raise concern about budget gamble
The Republican-controlled Legislature wanted to drain most state government savings and leave little in reserve for next year, while Gov. Kevin Stitt called for reining in spending to preserve greater savings for next year.Ray Carter | August 5, 2020
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Judicial Reform
Judicial nominating process fueling conflicts of interest?
The secretive process used to appoint judges in Oklahoma through the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission has drawn increasing criticism in recent years.Ray Carter | August 5, 2020
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Education
State mandate could have closed COVID-free schools
The Oklahoma State Board of Education recently opted against imposing state mandates that dictate how school districts should handle COVID-19 response, including forced closure of schools, and opted instead to provide guidance.Ray Carter | August 4, 2020