Articles
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Criminal Justice
Letting felons vote makes sense, sometimes
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds this week granted voting rights to about 40,000 convicted felons. For those convicted in Iowa of lower-level felonies, her order automatically restores their right to vote after their sentence is completed.Trent England | August 10, 2020
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Criminal Justice
COVID death in Oklahoma County jail highlights need for bail reform
With the Oklahoma County jail already overcrowded, it is irresponsible to detain Oklahomans pretrial unless they pose a specific threat to the public or are a significant flight risk.Ryan Haynie | August 7, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Stitt opposes additional federal bailouts for states
Members of Congress are currently debating whether to provide another round of federal bailout money to state governments in response to the COVID-19 recession.Ray Carter | August 6, 2020
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Culture & the Family
COVID hospitalizations steadying?
At the start of the pandemic, the average hospitalization for COVID-19 ran from 10 to 12 days. Currently, those stays are typically between five and eight days.Ray Carter | August 6, 2020
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Budget & Tax
McGirt decision could upend regulations, taxes
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reestablished Indian reservations in Oklahoma is creating broad uncertainty and threatens to result in regulatory chaos that will drive businesses away from the state, according to state leaders.Ray Carter | August 6, 2020
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Education
Lankford: Only schools that reopen should get aid
If Congress approves another round of bailout funding for state school systems, U.S. Sen. James Lankford said it should be directed to schools that reopen for in-person instruction.Ray Carter | August 5, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Tax collections raise concern about budget gamble
The Republican-controlled Legislature wanted to drain most state government savings and leave little in reserve for next year, while Gov. Kevin Stitt called for reining in spending to preserve greater savings for next year.Ray Carter | August 5, 2020
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Criminal Justice
What about victims?
In 2018, probationers in Texas paid nearly $40 million in restitution to victims of property crimes. Victims and taxpayers benefit more from restitution than from long, expensive prison sentences.Ryan Haynie | August 5, 2020
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Judicial Reform
Judicial nominating process fueling conflicts of interest?
The secretive process used to appoint judges in Oklahoma through the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission has drawn increasing criticism in recent years.Ray Carter | August 5, 2020
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Education
State mandate could have closed COVID-free schools
The Oklahoma State Board of Education recently opted against imposing state mandates that dictate how school districts should handle COVID-19 response, including forced closure of schools, and opted instead to provide guidance.Ray Carter | August 4, 2020