Articles
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Education
Stitt targets ‘ghost student’ funding
In his State of the State address, Gov. Kevin Stitt called on all schools to provide full-time, in-person instruction as an option.Ray Carter | February 1, 2021
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Education
Four-day school week survives new law
The State Board of Education voted to give a one-year exemption to all Oklahoma public schools from a state law that requires districts to provide at least 165 days of instruction starting next year.Ray Carter | January 28, 2021
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Higher Education
Touting ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion,’ OU warns students ‘Boomer Sooner’ could be problematic
A mandatory diversity training program informs OU students that “Boomer Sooner” is steeped in racism and can represent a form of oppression.Ray Carter | January 28, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Education
Legislative leader shocked by schools’ cash stockpile
Rep. Mark McBride noted combined school-district carryover almost reached $1 billion, which represents nearly one-seventh of the $7 billion public schools received last year from all sources.Ray Carter | January 27, 2021
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Education
‘Private school’ criticisms have familiar ring
A new report argues that private schools participating in school-choice programs may be flawed. But the issues raised in that report are widespread in the traditional public school system it touts as superior.Ray Carter | January 27, 2021
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Education
Pastor touts anti-Christian-school report
A top official with the group “Pastors for Oklahoma Kids” is touting a report that opposes school-choice programs because participating private schools may adhere to historic Christian teachings about issues such as transgenderism and are free to hire only Christian staff.Ray Carter | January 27, 2021
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Health Care
Health Department unable to determine mask-mandate impact
Officials at the Oklahoma State Department of Health say they are no longer able to provide accurate data on what, if any, impact mask mandates have on COVID-19 transmission and will no longer be providing that information to the public.Ray Carter | January 26, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
Budget based on low take-up of Medicaid expansion
Officials at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which runs the state’s Medicaid system, continue to project that a voter-approved expansion of Medicaid will require state taxpayers to provide another $164 million per year.Ray Carter | January 25, 2021
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Budget & Tax
Federal COVID funding in Oklahoma far exceeding actual need
When the COVID-19 pandemic first began sweeping the country, Congress responded by approving in March 2020 a huge package of bailout funding for state governments via the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.Ray Carter | January 25, 2021
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Law & Principles
Stitt calls for tribal compacts on McGirt issues
Gov. Kevin Stitt has called on tribal leaders to begin compact negotiations to address the many issues created by the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt v. Oklahoma ruling, which declared the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s reservation was never disestablished.Ray Carter | January 22, 2021