Articles
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Budget & Tax, Economy
State unemployment fund drained by pandemic
An unprecedented surge in unemployment claims caused by this year’s COVID-19 shutdown, combined with major fraud, has drained Oklahoma’s unemployment insurance trust fund and requires an increase in associated taxes on employers.Ray Carter | October 21, 2020
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Criminal Justice
My question for law-enforcement opponents of SQ 805
These law-enforcement officials would have us believe they don’t make law, but just enforce it as written. But they are some of the most vocal and active lobbying groups in the state. How many criminal justice reforms have we seen fought by the District Attorneys Association, Sheriffs Association, and Fraternal Order of Police?Ryan Haynie | October 20, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Deer Creek revenues, enrollment growing
Officials in many school districts continue to insist that funding is inadequate. So let's take a look at the available revenues in selected Oklahoma districts.Curtis Shelton | October 20, 2020
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Health Care, Good Government
Stitt rated a four-star governor on economy
Gov. Kevin Stitt has been rated a four-star governor in a new report that evaluates all 50 governors on their economic stewardship, but the report warns that Medicaid expansion will make continued financial prudence much more challenging for Stitt.Ray Carter | October 20, 2020
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Criminal Justice
SQ 805 and the ‘violent offense’ list
There is massive confusion over which offenses are violent and why. We're here to clear it up.Ryan Haynie | October 16, 2020
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Education
Hofmeister, board routinely waive school finance penalties
The State Board of Education, chaired by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister, recently voted to impose more than $11 million in “clawback” penalties on Epic Charter Schools for alleged improper coding of administrative costs on state finances reports.Ray Carter | October 15, 2020
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Culture & the Family
Fears Fellows already making an impact
When OCPA envisioned the J. Rufus Fears Fellowship, our aim was to prepare young leaders for Oklahoma’s future. As it turns out, that future is now. Already, Fears Fellows are doing great things.Rick Farmer, Ph.D. | October 15, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Department of Education budget request unrealistic
The Oklahoma State Board of Education recently released its fiscal year 2022 budget request and is asking for an increase of $191 million over the current level.Curtis Shelton | October 15, 2020
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Education
Review process launched into Epic’s charter
Members of the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted Tuesday to begin a months-long administrative process that could potentially result in termination of the board’s contract with Community Strategies, Inc., the governing board for Epic One-on-One Charter School.Ray Carter | October 13, 2020
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Education
Medical officials favor school reopening
Roughly one-quarter of the way through the school year, the debate over in-person instruction continues with some districts continuing to severely curtail classroom lessons while other districts remain fully online due to alleged concerns about COVID-19.Ray Carter | October 13, 2020