Articles
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Budget & Tax
Don’t fall into the federal money pit
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 will send $3.5 billion to the state of Oklahoma. Counties and municipalities get a share of $1.3 billion. The use of funds is restricted to responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, whether directly health-related or in response to negative economic impacts.Curtis Shelton | September 27, 2021
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Health Care
No reason to defer to ‘expertise’ of AMA, OSMA
Whether it’s Critical Race Theory, removing sex designation from birth certificates, or opposing pro-life “heartbeat” legislation, medical associations aren’t bashful about taking political positions.Jonathan Small | September 27, 2021
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Education
Left-wing student activism touted for Oklahoma civics?
Oklahoma should incorporate “project-based civics” into public-school courses, according to the state leader of a national organization whose efforts have been criticized for injecting left-wing activism into classrooms under the guise of civics education.Ray Carter | September 25, 2021
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Higher Education
Regent suggests revising laws that restrict college access
Protectionist Oklahoma laws and regulations have made it harder for many students to access specific college courses, a top education official told lawmakers this week.Ray Carter | September 23, 2021
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Culture & the Family
COVID cases plummet in Oklahoma
The number of active cases of COVID-19 in Oklahoma has fallen 30 percent since the start of September with much of the decline recorded in the last nine days.Ray Carter | September 22, 2021
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Law & Principles
Federal bill called threat to secure Oklahoma elections
Oklahoma’s top election official said a proposed “compromise” election-overhaul measure introduced by U.S. Senate Democrats retains the flaws of its predecessors by mandating a “dubious federalization of election administration” that will “make it harder to administer fair and secure elections.”Ray Carter | September 21, 2021
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Education
Hofmeister suggests officials ignore state testing results
OSDE officials indicated that the state will not be able to analyze student test results for at least three more years—and that’s only if the agency is allowed to spend $35 million on a new data system.Ray Carter | September 20, 2021
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Budget & Tax
Biden tax plan points up the need for Oklahoma reform
Massive tax increases proposed by President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats provide another reminder of the need for state tax reform in Oklahoma.Curtis Shelton | September 20, 2021
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Law & Principles
OK Attorney General vows to fight Biden vaccine mandate
Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor and 23 other state attorneys general have sent a letter to President Joe Biden, warning they will oppose Biden’s effort to mandate that private sector employees either get a COVID-19 shot, submit to weekly testing, or be fired.Ray Carter | September 17, 2021
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Education
Governor requests full audit of education agency
Gov. Kevin Stitt has requested that the Oklahoma Auditor and Inspector’s Office conduct a full audit of the Oklahoma State Department of Education.Ray Carter | September 16, 2021