Articles
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Law & Principles
Top-two primary proposal draws criticism—from California’s own elections chief
State Question 836 would replace Oklahoma’s party primaries with a California-style “top two” system. But even California’s own secretary of state says this flawed system disenfranchises smaller parties and limits voter choice.Ray Carter | November 19, 2025
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Law & Principles
America at 250: Lincoln’s words still define us
Abraham Lincoln articulated America’s founding creed with unmatched clarity 162 years ago at Gettysburg.Trent England | November 19, 2025
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Education
GOP voters back expanding Oklahoma’s school-choice tax credit, poll shows
A new poll shows Oklahoma Republican voters overwhelmingly support the Parental Choice Tax Credit program—and want lawmakers to eliminate the current $250 million cap that risks shutting out families as demand spikes.Ray Carter | November 18, 2025
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Education
A $250,000 state superintendent? Oklahoma’s pay-raise panel triggers scrutiny
Oklahoma’s Statewide Official Compensation Commission has drawn criticism after voting to double the state superintendent’s salary to $250,000—making the position the highest-paid statewide elected office in Oklahoma and among the highest-paid education chiefs in the country.Ray Carter | November 17, 2025
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Higher Education
Is the OSU staffer who intimidated a conservative student still employed?
Weeks after berating a conservative student, an OSU staff member remains employed, according to multiple sources. The confrontation, first reported (with audio) by OCPA, drew national and international attention and prompted some lawmakers to demand her dismissal.Ray Carter | November 17, 2025
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Oklahoma’s food-stamp numbers spark questions about fraud
Oklahoma’s food-stamp participation rate is nearly 50 percent higher than its poverty rate—a gap wider than almost any other state—raising questions about potential fraud or lax eligibility enforcement. Oklahoma’s political leaders must ensure that benefits reach only those who truly qualify.Jonathan Small | November 17, 2025
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Education
At many Oklahoma schools, very few students are proficient readers
In the Oklahoma City and Tulsa school districts, the vast majority of third-graders are not proficient in reading. Even in districts such as Edmond, Deer Creek, Broken Arrow, and Bixby, most students are failing to achieve proficiency.Ray Carter | November 13, 2025
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Law & Principles
School chaplains are not unconstitutional
Chaplains have long served in America’s public institutions without violating constitutional limits on church and state. Given the State of Oklahoma’s extensive precedent for employing chaplains, public schools are well within their rights to offer voluntary chaplain services.Ryan Haynie | November 12, 2025
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Law & Principles
Clinton, Biden donors call for ‘open primaries’ in Oklahoma
Many leading advocates of State Question 836—a proposal to replace Oklahoma’s traditional party-primary system with a California-style “open primary”—are donors to left-wing candidates and causes.Ray Carter | November 11, 2025
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Budget & Tax
How Oklahoma can deliver property-tax relief the smart way
Rising property valuations are driving up tax bills, and Oklahoma homeowners are feeling the pinch. Here are some sensible reforms that state lawmakers should consider.Curtis Shelton | November 11, 2025