Articles
-
Law & Principles, Good Government
Court upholds Oklahoma election security laws
A U.S. district court judge has rejected the Oklahoma Democratic Party and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s request to strike down Oklahoma absentee-voting laws, declaring those laws impose only a “minimal burden” and that voter-fraud concerns “are legitimate and weighty.”Ray Carter | September 18, 2020
-
Culture & the Family
State reopening not harming citizen health
Oklahoma’s economy has been fully reopened for months and, although more Oklahomans have contracted COVID-19, the number of those being hospitalized for the virus has declined.Ray Carter | September 17, 2020
-
Economy
Stitt: More state bailouts may create perverse incentives
Gov. Kevin Stitt remains opposed to additional federal bailouts of state governments, saying states have not yet spent all the bailout money already provided by Congress and warning additional bailouts could incentivize economically destructive policies in other states.Ray Carter | September 17, 2020
-
Education
Partisan divide seen in Oklahomans’ views of cultural unrest
In a recent survey, Oklahomans were asked about “the cultural unrest, including protests and riots, occurring in America right now.” When it comes to their views about the current upheaval, the role the education system has played in it, and whether complicit universities should have their funding cut, Oklahomans are split along party lines.Brandon Dutcher | September 17, 2020
-
Education
Democrats ignoring the law and courts to attack needy children
Jonathan Small issued the following statement today in response to House Democrats attacking a state program that serves the educational needs of low-income and minority children.Jonathan Small | September 16, 2020
-
Economy, Culture & the Family
Review of state’s pandemic response includes warnings
To better prepare for future pandemics, state lawmakers conducted a review this week of state and local government responses to COVID-19. Among the takeaways: Many challenges early in the pandemic were the result of the government itself.Ray Carter | September 16, 2020
-
Education
Many Norman parents unhappy with district’s handling of back-to-school learning
Initially, Norman Public Schools offered parents a back-to-school choice of on-site, virtual, or “blended” curriculum for K-12 students. In mid-August, the decision was abruptly made to start the year with virtual classes only. After only a couple of weeks the guidelines changed again.Staci Elder Hensley | September 16, 2020
-
Education
AG Hunter’s school-choice defense draws national praise
Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter has been honored by his peers for his office’s defense of school-choice programs that empower parents.Ray Carter | September 16, 2020
-
Good Government
Recall effort highlights Norman mayor’s unpopularity
Citizen efforts to force a recall election of Norman Mayor Breea Clark have fallen short, yet the recall effort also showed broad public displeasure with Clark’s performance. The number of citizens who supported Clark’s ouster was 153-percent greater than the number of citizens who voted to elect Clark mayor in 2019.Ray Carter | September 15, 2020
-
Criminal Justice, Culture & the Family
Sober living through community
Tucked away in south Tulsa, on a street where residential homes have mostly been converted to commercial businesses, sits Sangha (pronounced SAHN-guh, Sanskrit for “community”). Sangha is a sober-living house that typically houses around six men working to kick addiction.Ryan Haynie & Kaitlyn Finley | September 15, 2020