Articles
-
Education, Culture & the Family
Great-grandmother seeks educational opportunity for at-risk children
Born in 1952, Linda Lewis did not envision being a caretaker for two young children during her golden years. But when her grandson was incarcerated and the mother of her great-grandchildren ran afoul of the Department of Human Services, she became the legal guardian for two of her great-grandchildren.Ray Carter | February 24, 2020
-
Law & Principles
State workforce reform advances
Members of a Senate committee have advanced legislation related to overhaul of state government workforce regulations, a goal endorsed by Gov. Kevin Stitt.Ray Carter | February 21, 2020
-
Law & Principles
‘Universal’ licensing effort advances
Two measures that would reduce occupational red tape in Oklahoma have cleared a Senate committee, including a measure to make Oklahoma the second state in the nation to offer “universal” recognition of other states’ licenses.Ray Carter | February 21, 2020
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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