Articles
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Economy, Culture & the Family
For Oklahoma saddle maker, COVID response may be worse than broken neck
Clinton “Doc” Hole is no stranger to adversity. But he said the government-ordered closure of businesses across Oklahoma in response to COVID-19/coronavirus may do what a broken neck and tornadoes couldn’t.Ray Carter | March 27, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Businesses ordered closed in 19 Oklahoma counties
Gov. Kevin Stitt has ordered the closure of “nonessential” businesses in the 19 Oklahoma counties that have at least one confirmed positive COVID-19/coronavirus case. Those employers must stay closed for the next 21 days.Ray Carter | March 24, 2020
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Economy
Mass transit burns energy, attracts few riders
As 2019 rolled over into a new decade, Oklahoma City celebrated the first anniversary of its sometimes-maligned streetcar system. Unfortunately, many of those gleaming streetcars were running virtually empty.Mike Brake | January 27, 2020
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Economy
Economists use beer to highlight socialism’s failings
Socialism may be gaining in popularity among certain groups, but it remains a thoroughly discredited economic system, as two experts highlight in their book Socialism Sucks: Two Economists Drink Their Way Through the Unfree World (Regnery, 2019).Ray Carter | November 22, 2019
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Economy
Data suggest Oklahoma economic growth is slowing
Continuing the pattern of recent months, new data indicate Oklahoma’s economic growth is slowing, suggesting lawmakers may have far less growth revenue to spend next year, based on information provided by State Treasurer Randy McDaniel.Ray Carter | November 6, 2019
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Economy
Attack reminds us of Oklahoma's volatile revenue sources
The recent attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry puts into light Oklahoma’s precarious economic position.Curtis Shelton | October 11, 2019
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Economy
Oklahoma workers’ comp rates continue decline
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready has announced approval of a 5.1-percent decrease in workers’ compensation insurance loss costs for 2020, continuing a downward trend in business costs that was fueled in part by enactment of major workers’ compensation reform in 2013.Ray Carter | September 30, 2019
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Budget & Tax, Economy, Good Government
Stitt’s proposal would not be first change to state gaming compacts
While Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call to renegotiate Oklahoma’s gaming compacts has drawn opposition, Stitt’s proposal would not be the first alteration of those state-tribal agreements. In fact, just over a year ago, the compacts were indirectly revised. And the year-ago revisions drew opposition not from tribal governments, but from officials who felt the new agreement shortchanged state government.Ray Carter | August 26, 2019
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Budget & Tax, Economy, Good Government
Deregulation could spur state growth, lawmakers told
For Oklahoma lawmakers seeking to boost economic growth and job creation in Oklahoma, one expert says a key step is to pare down regulation. “There is considerable evidence, academic evidence, that regulations slow economic growth.”Ray Carter | August 26, 2019
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Economy
Expert says gambling compacts need to better address addiction
The debate over renegotiation of Oklahoma’s gaming compacts with tribal governments has centered on the rates paid by tribes and the impact of renegotiation on state-tribal relations. But some experts say those discussions are overlooking another important factor.Ray Carter | August 7, 2019