Articles
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Health Care
Agency may impede treatment despite governor’s order
Although Gov. Kevin Stitt has authorized hospitals to again perform “elective” surgeries by May 1, regulations released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) severely restrict the ability of many facilities to treat patients in a timely manner.Ray Carter | April 24, 2020
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Health Care
Uncertainty persists on Medicaid expansion, funding
While Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration has filed federal paperwork to expand Oklahoma’s Medicaid program to cover hundreds of thousands of able-bodied adults, which officials have dubbed “SoonerCare 2.0,” a top legislative leader indicated Thursday that the expansion issue remains a topic of debate.Ray Carter | April 23, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
How will schools spend federal COVID funds? No one knows
Oklahoma’s public K-12 schools will receive nearly $161 million through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. But officials appear to have little idea how the money will be spent beyond extremely broad categories that could include a multitude of expenses.Ray Carter | April 23, 2020
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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