Articles
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Good Government
Survey: Oklahoma voters support redirecting some tobacco money to rural health care
Money received by Oklahoma government from tobacco companies has been deposited into the state’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund, beginning shortly after the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement was reached. TSET then spends interest earnings on various health-related expenditures. New polling shows Oklahomans are ready to overhaul that arrangement.Ray Carter | April 9, 2019
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Good Government
Officials warn legislation could roll back workers’ comp progress
Oklahoma’s new administrative system is more focused than the old, court-based system on compensating injured workers and getting them back to work. House Bill 2367 would make a number of changes in the new system first established by the 2013 legislation.Mike Brake | April 9, 2019
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Higher Education
Stevenson confirmed as OU regent
The Oklahoma Senate voted 45-1 to confirm Eric Stevenson to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents.Ray Carter | April 9, 2019
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Education
Survey: Oklahoma voters support raising cap on scholarship program
With members of a state House committee expected to vote this week on legislation raising the cap on an existing tax-credit scholarship program, new polling shows strong public support for the proposal.Ray Carter | April 8, 2019
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Education
Survey: Oklahoma voters support providing liability insurance for teachers
As legislation creating an “Educators' Professional Liability Insurance Program” for teachers and other school employees winds its way through the Legislature, a new poll shows broad public support for the proposal.Ray Carter | April 5, 2019
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Budget & Tax
With an eye on commodity prices, policymakers look for ‘stability through savings’
A crash in oil prices from 2014 to 2016 also cratered Oklahoma government revenues. That scenario could repeat should oil prices experience a similar decline again, based on a new report, a finding with much significance as Gov. Kevin Stitt and lawmakers debate whether and how much to increase state savings for future downturns.Ray Carter | April 5, 2019
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Judicial Reform
Judicial-selection reform clears Senate committee
Legislation making its way through the Oklahoma Legislature would reform and modernize the 1967-era geographical districts by which state Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals judges are appointed.Mike Brake | April 4, 2019
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Education
Study finds school choice improves mental health
School choice plays a significant role in improving overall student mental health, including lowering adolescent suicide rates. That’s according to a groundbreaking new study.Staci Elder Hensley | April 3, 2019
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Education
New survey asks pastors: Do schools influence faith formation?
New research by the Barna Group shows education’s impact on the transmission of moral values is increasingly an issue of concern for religious leaders, many of whom now view schools as a negative influence when it comes to a child’s faith formation.Ray Carter | April 3, 2019
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Education
Edmond parents report abuse in schools
During a special Thursday forum, parents told members of the Edmond School Board that students have been subjected to extreme bullying that includes physical assault and even being forced to ingest urine, and families are being forced to take extreme measures in response.Ray Carter | March 20, 2019