Articles
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Health Care
Mental health spending could face scrutiny
While Oklahoma state government has increasingly spent more money on mental health treatment, it appears lawmakers have struggled to keep track of that spending and if it has generated positive results, based on legislation that has advanced through a Senate committee.Ray Carter | February 21, 2020
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Education
Teacher union gives ‘F’ grades to Oklahoma delegation
The National Education Association (NEA), whose state affiliate is the largest teachers’ union in Oklahoma, has given F grades to the majority of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation in its Legislative Report Card for the first session of the 116th Congress.Ray Carter | February 21, 2020
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Budget & Tax
State savings could increase
Less than two years removed from a series of major state shortfalls, members of a Senate committee have voted to raise the cap on a state government savings fund, advancing a key priority of Gov. Kevin Stitt.Ray Carter | February 21, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
Tobacco funds eyed to cover surging Medicaid costs
Grappling with the surging expense of Oklahoma’s Medicaid program and the potential for even greater costs if a ballot measure expanding the program passes later this year, members of a Senate committee have voted to redirect state tobacco settlement funds to Medicaid.Ray Carter | February 20, 2020
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Good Government
State could investigate city officials under proposed law
What if they held an election and no one abided by the results? The community of Bennington found out in recent years when voters ousted a mayor but the mayor refused to leave office, according to Rep. Justin Humphrey.Ray Carter | February 19, 2020
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Law & Principles
Donor privacy receives bipartisan support
Legislation to protect Oklahomans’ privacy when citizens support political causes has received strong bipartisan support in a Senate committee.Ray Carter | February 19, 2020
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Higher Education
College due process issues addressed by legislation
College students facing potential expulsion would be guaranteed due-process rights comparable to those provided in a court proceeding under legislation approved by a state Senate committee.Ray Carter | February 19, 2020
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Education
Student privacy concerns raised due to bill’s passage
Legislation imposing new reporting mandates on a school-choice program has passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives even though the legislation does not include specific student-privacy protections that ensure compliance with federal law.Ray Carter | February 18, 2020
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Health Care
Federal court strikes blow to Medicaid work-requirement effort
Upholding a lower court ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit recently ruled that work requirements cannot be imposed on Medicaid recipients because the goal of the program is simply to increase health coverage, not to improve health outcomes or encourage self-sufficiency and independence from government welfare.Ray Carter | February 17, 2020
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Law & Principles
Lawmakers vote to repeal ‘threading’ regulation
Threaders remove hair from customers’ eyebrows and upper lips using simple thread. The practice does not involve the use of chemicals, heat, or wax. But in Oklahoma, threaders are nonetheless required to obtain a cosmetology license—even though the licensing process includes no training in threading.Ray Carter | February 13, 2020