Articles
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Education
State Chamber’s ‘OK2030’ plan recommends school choice
The State Chamber of Oklahoma Research Foundation has unveiled a comprehensive vision for public policy reforms aiming “to dramatically improve our state’s rankings and prospects.”Patrick B. McGuigan | January 8, 2018
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Budget & Tax
Many films receiving Oklahoma tax rebate produce no box office receipts
A declared goal for the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program is to enhance the image of the state to a nationwide audience. According to the Incentive Evaluation Commission Film Enhancement Rebate Program Draft Report, “the effect on Oklahoma’s image nationwide is unclear, but likely limited.”Jay Chilton | November 15, 2017
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Budget & Tax
TSET paid more than $3 million in eight years to hospital lobbying organization
The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) has given millions of dollars to fund smoking cessation and health-improvement-related charitable organizations since its creation in 2000.Jay Chilton | November 13, 2017
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Education
Teacher absenteeism is a problem in Oklahoma’s public schools
In Oklahoma, the chronic teacher absenteeism rate for charter schools is around 5 percent. In traditional public schools, it’s 20 percent.J.E. McReynolds | November 7, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Weinstein film cost Oklahoma taxpayers $4.6 million
In 2005, the state of Oklahoma implemented a film incentive program with the goal of attracting movie and television productions to the state. “August: Osage County,” produced and distributed by the Weinstein Company, took advantage of the program in 2013, costing Oklahoma taxpayers more than $4.6 million.Jay Chilton | November 6, 2017
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Education
Demystifying ‘emergency’ certification
Oklahoma’s teaching certification designations are more specific than many states. As a result, a teacher who taught fourth grade in the previous school year may not be certified to teach kindergarten.Jay Chilton | October 26, 2017
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Budget & Tax
TSET spending priorities questioned
An Oklahoma trust established to administer funds from the 1998 tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) is ripe for reform, according to lawmakers and other critics of the trust. They say that some of the money could be better spent to help alleviate the state’s budget challenges.Jay Chilton | October 10, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Culture & the Family
'Dragalicious' for kids, 'Ru Paul’s Drag Race,' get Oklahoma government support
Smoking and second-hand smoke are health risks. So are many other behaviors.Staff Reports | September 26, 2017
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Education
Relationship between OSSBA, schools risk management trust examined
Insurance is easy to forget about until you need it, like when a building is damaged in a storm or a customer slips and sues.Jay Chilton | September 25, 2017
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Education
Is OKCPS a sanctuary school district? Officials send mixed messages
Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Aurora Lora issued a statement on Sept. 5 in opposition to the Trump administration’s decision to rescind an Obama-era executive order establishing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.Jay Chilton | September 19, 2017