Articles
-
Budget & Tax, Health Care
Amid doctor shortage, TSET spending draws lawmakers’ concern
New data shows the state’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, or TSET, has spent as much of Oklahoma’s tobacco-settlement funds on promoting bars and supporting a boathouse as on recruiting doctors to rural areas. That has lawmakers questioning the trust’s effectiveness.Ray Carter | April 18, 2019
-
Judicial Reform
Judicial redistricting headed to governor
Oklahoma lawmakers have sent a bill to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk that would redraw judicial district lines.Ray Carter | April 17, 2019
-
Education
Scholarship critics notably silent on millions in tax credits
Opponents of the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act argue tax credits reduce available state funding for schools. But those same critics have been largely silent when it comes to a host of other tax-credit measures that involve at least $116 million in combined fiscal impact on state tax collections.Ray Carter | April 17, 2019
-
Budget & Tax
Federal-funds transparency measure advancing in Legislature
Senate Bill 271, by Sen. Nathan Dahm and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, requires state agencies to report “all federal funds” used by the agency in a transparent manner.Ray Carter | April 17, 2019
-
Law & Principles
Janus tells OKC audience workers’ rights not yet secure
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Mark Janus and ruled forced payment of union dues by nonconsenting government workers is an unconstitutional infringement of their free-speech rights. But in an Oklahoma speech on Tuesday, Janus warned that unions and their political allies are working to undermine that hard-won victory.Ray Carter | April 16, 2019
-
Education
School administrators to lobby, play golf in OKC
A group of public-school administrators planning to visit Oklahoma City during school hours on April 24 appear poised to spend more time golfing than in direct meetings with lawmakers, even though the purported purpose of the trip is legislative outreach, based on an email from one of the group’s leaders.Ray Carter | April 15, 2019
-
Economy
Oklahoma migration may hold tax lessons
New research by Federal Reserve Bank officials shows “more people moved out of Oklahoma to live in other parts of the United States than moved in” during each of the past three years, reversing a prior trend of population growth.Ray Carter | April 12, 2019
-
Criminal Justice
Corrections system is in crisis, officials say
Policymakers warn a crisis is brewing in Oklahoma’s prison system, and even if correction reform measures drive down some costs, the need to upgrade the system could remain.Ray Carter | April 11, 2019
-
Education
Scholarship bill clears committee
Legislation expanding an education program that has helped children across Oklahoma passed out of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee late Wednesday.Ray Carter | April 11, 2019
-
Education
Teacher liability insurance measure clears House committee
Legislation providing state-funded liability insurance policies for teachers easily passed the House Insurance Committee on Tuesday.Ray Carter | April 9, 2019