Articles
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma’s election-security laws within international norms
This year the Oklahoma Legislature approved, and the governor signed into law, legislation requiring that absentee votes cast during a pandemic include a copy of the voter’s photo ID, and reinstated a requirement for notarization of absentee voting in future elections. The bill was advanced after similar election safeguards were struck down by the Oklahoma Supreme Court based on a technicality.Ray Carter | August 13, 2020
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Health Care
Medicaid expansion costs soaring
The estimated cost of a Medicaid-expansion proposal narrowly approved by Oklahoma voters in June is soaring and threatens to force cuts to other parts of government, according to the state Senate’s chief budget writer.Ray Carter | August 13, 2020
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Economy
Oklahoma ranks high in economic report, but with caveats
Oklahoma ranks in the top 10 states in “economic outlook,” according to the 2020 “Rich States, Poor States” report issued by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). But there’s reason to think that may not last.Ray Carter | August 13, 2020
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Culture & the Family
Illegal firing, free-speech violation alleged in tribal suit
Shane Jett, a Republican former state lawmaker, has sued the chairman of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in tribal court, alleging the chairman illegally fired Jett from his position as CEO of the Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation.Ray Carter | August 13, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Appropriation-estimate process to face scrutiny
A state board that establishes how much money lawmakers can appropriate each year will be an initial target of investigation for the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT).Ray Carter | August 13, 2020
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Education
Stitt not only governor supporting in-person schooling
A growing number of politicians, including those at the opposite end of the political spectrum from Gov. Kevin Stitt, are now similarly endorsing in-person instruction.Ray Carter | August 11, 2020
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Culture & the Family
‘Risky’ counties can have few COVID-19 cases
In a majority of Oklahoma counties a COVID-19 diagnosis for three or fewer individuals can elevate the entire county’s daily infection rate to a “moderate risk” level some policymakers say should trigger various forms of mandatory shutdown.Ray Carter | August 10, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Revenue collections fall, but still exceed 2018 levels
June 30, 2020, marked the end of fiscal year 2020. Data from the Office of the State Treasurer show that the last few tumultuous months severely impacted revenue collections for the state.Curtis Shelton | August 10, 2020
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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