Articles
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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
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Culture & the Family
Oklahoma rally calls for ‘back to work’ order
As data continues to show Oklahoma has achieved the stated purpose of the government-ordered shutdown of businesses by allowing the health care system to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic’s peak, citizens at a rally on Wednesday called on Gov. Kevin Stitt to reopen the state.Ray Carter | April 15, 2020
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Health Care, Economy
Public Health chairman: Let Oklahomans go back to work
The chairman of the state House Public Health Committee, who previously warned the threat of coronavirus was “quite real” and urged Oklahomans to “look at options where they can stay home and limit their exposure,” says it is now time to reopen society.Ray Carter | April 14, 2020
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Health Care, Culture & the Family
COVID may reduce health care providers, but encourage innovation
The government response to COVID-19 has threatened the survival of businesses across the country—including doctors’ offices and major hospitals. It’s a trend that could significantly impact health care access for months or years to come—but those changes could also encourage innovation.Ray Carter | April 13, 2020
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Culture & the Family
Oklahoma COVID trends remain positive
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have been flat for close to two weeks now and projections show the state has far more capacity than required to address the expected peak rate of hospitalizations, officials said Friday.Ray Carter | April 10, 2020
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Culture & the Family, Good Government
Oklahoma ranks among worst on unemployment payments
If what the government gives, it can take away, some wonder if the reverse holds true. Can the government give back what it takes away?Ray Carter | April 9, 2020
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Good Government
Candidate filing begins amid COVID-19 restrictions
Candidate filing for Oklahoma’s 2020 elections began Wednesday, April 8, under what may be the most unusual circumstances in state history.Ray Carter | April 9, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Stitt calls for spending cuts, restraint
Gov. Kevin Stitt is calling for modest cuts to state government spending in response to the current budget shortfall. That apparently puts him at odds with the Republican-controlled Legislature, which voted this week to preserve current spending levels by tapping state savings.Ray Carter | April 7, 2020