Articles
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Education
School funding surges, but to what end?
Over the last two legislative sessions, lawmakers have increased K-12 school appropriations by 20 percent, funneling $638 million more into the system, boosting teacher pay by a combined total average of more than $7,000 apiece, and devoting millions more to classroom funding. But so far, lawmakers have little to show for it.Ray Carter | August 12, 2019
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Education
Union declares teaching is political
Just weeks after roughly 60 of its members attended a conference where participants voiced support for abortion, transgender rights, reparations for slavery, and more, the Oklahoma Education Association tweeted that teaching “is a political act.”Ray Carter | August 9, 2019
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Good Government
Proposed election change could create costs, headaches
Some liberal activists want to require Oklahoma and other states to eliminate runoff primaries and instead use “ranked choice” voting. But Oklahoma’s top election official warns that change would involve substantial taxpayer expense and likely voter confusion.Ray Carter | August 8, 2019
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Health Care
Stitt continues to reshape government leadership
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Monday that Kevin Corbett will be the new director of the state’s Medicaid agency, continuing Stitt’s practice of prioritizing individuals with private-sector business expertise when making appointments.Ray Carter | August 7, 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
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Good Government
Government transparency bill signed in ceremony
Senate Bill 271, by state Sen. Nathan Dahm and state Rep. Kyle Hilbert, requires state agencies to post annual reports online that list “all federal funds” under the agency’s control and identify, in descending order, the funding source the agency relies on “to the greatest extent.”Ray Carter | August 6, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Tribal stances on gaming-fee increase contrast with past tax-increase position
In 2018, some tribal officials were among those urging Oklahomans to “step up” and pay higher taxes. Today, those same tribal entities are opposed to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call to renegotiate tribal gaming compacts and possibly increase the “exclusivity fee” paid by tribes.Ray Carter | August 5, 2019
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Education
School-voucher program is helping Oklahoma foster kids
Thanks to an expansion of the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program, caregivers and adoptive parents of foster children can enroll students in a private school of their choosing that aligns more closely with their child’s specific needs.Staci Elder Hensley | August 3, 2019
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Judicial Reform
Conflict-of-interest concerns arise in judicial nomination
A member of the Judicial Nominating Commission was a financial contributor to the political campaign of a judge who applied with the JNC to fill a vacant Oklahoma Supreme Court seat, records show.Ray Carter | August 2, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Debate over state savings continues
Gov. Kevin Stitt's decision to prioritize savings for future downturns continues to draw objections.Ray Carter | August 2, 2019