Articles
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Law & Principles
Election security measure gains strong House approval
After the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that state law allows citizens to vote absentee by simply signing an affidavit, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted Wednesday to revise the law and address associated concerns about election fraud.Ray Carter | May 6, 2020
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Health Care, Law & Principles
Health worker protection advances over Democratic objections
Legislation to protect health care providers from COVID-19 lawsuits gained Senate approval Wednesday, despite Democratic efforts to block a final vote on the bill.Ray Carter | May 6, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Market downturn could wallop Oklahoma pension funds; COLA would make things worse
A new analysis from Pew Charitable Trusts provides numbers to show just how severe the impact of COVID-19 on public pensions in Oklahoma could be.Curtis Shelton | May 6, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Senate approves funding bill as Democrats hint tax increases needed
The Oklahoma Senate approved Tuesday the “general appropriation” bill to fund state government for the next year but did so over the objections of Democrats who hinted tax increases should be pursued instead of modest spending reductions.Ray Carter | May 6, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Health emergency extended, but lawmakers say change is needed
Both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature voted Tuesday during special session to extend the state declaration of a “catastrophic health emergency” (CHE) for another 30 days.Ray Carter | May 5, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Reopen, recover, rebuild
We've compiled a list of three dozen COVID-era policy prescriptions to protect taxpayers and get Oklahoma moving again.Staff | May 5, 2020
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Budget & Tax
Legislative leaders reach budget agreement
The leaders of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and state Senate announced Monday they have reached a budget agreement.Ray Carter | May 4, 2020
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Health Care
Medicaid expansion complicates budget planning
Gov. Kevin Stitt has filed federal paperwork to expand Oklahoma’s Medicaid program to include many able-bodied adults starting July 1, which he has labeled SoonerCare 2.0.Ray Carter | May 4, 2020
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Health Care
Immunity for those treating COVID-19 advances
Legislation to protect health care workers from some lawsuits while treating COVID-19 patients gained strong bipartisan approval in the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday.Ray Carter | May 4, 2020
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Health Care
Federal strings may abet Oklahoma Medicaid fraud, abuse
New federal legislation may hamper Oklahoma’s ability to determine Medicaid eligibility for new enrollees.Kaitlyn Finley | May 4, 2020