Articles
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma lawmakers’ actions may have dramatic impact
State-tribal tobacco compacts, recently enacted by lawmakers over Gov. Kevin Stitt’s objections, contain language that federal records indicate could allow tribes to claim a dramatic expansion of territory subject to the compacts, potentially diverting tens of millions of dollars in tax collections away from the state.Ray Carter | August 8, 2023
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Law & Principles
OCPA statement on U.S. Supreme Court action in Hooper case
OCPA President Jonathan Small issued a statement today in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent action in the Justin Hooper v. City of Tulsa case, which will determine if all Oklahomans have to obey local traffic laws and regulations.Staff | August 7, 2023
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Law & Principles
Cherokee tribe claims jurisdiction in state-run election
The Cherokee tribe has claimed it has the power to investigate a state-run election, inserting the tribe into the civic affairs of a small Oklahoma community whose citizens include non-Indians who have no representation in Cherokee Nation government.Ray Carter | August 4, 2023
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Law & Principles
Many Indians don’t pay turnpike tolls—meaning non-Indian drivers pay more
Due to flaws in existing state-tribal compacts, and a willful lack of enforcement mechanisms, individuals driving with tribal car tags are often able to evade payment of turnpike tolls.Jonathan Small | August 4, 2023
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
Stitt signs order protecting women’s rights
Filling in gaps left by legislative inactivity, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order that bars males from being allowed in female-only facilities and events.Ray Carter | August 1, 2023
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Law & Principles
In move that could cost state millions, House overrides Stitt
In a move that could threaten tens of millions of dollars in state funding for health care programs, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have voted to override Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of legislation authorizing, in effect, new one-year state-tribal compacts on tobacco.Ray Carter | July 31, 2023
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Law & Principles, Good Government
Organized crime exploiting tribal car-tag loopholes
Oklahoma is the hub of transnational organized crime, says the commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Drug dealers and human traffickers are using unregistered tribal plates to move people and product around the country.Ray Carter | July 28, 2023
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Law & Principles, Good Government
Law enforcement: Unregistered tribal tags endanger police
Most tribal license tags are not registered with the state, thus endangering police officers during routine stops. Moreover, tribal courts’ lack of transparency has made it possible for many repeat drunk drivers to remain on Oklahoma roads.Ray Carter | July 26, 2023
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Tribal plates allow drivers to evade Oklahoma tolls
Tribal car tags are creating public-safety problems and financial challenges for the state. To make up for drivers not paying tolls, says one Oklahoma Turnpike Authority official, “we have to charge everybody else a little bit more.”Ray Carter | July 25, 2023
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Law & Principles
Senate overrides Stitt veto, creates one-year tribal compacts
Primarily due to the unified support of Democrats, who rely heavily on campaign donations from tribal entities, the Oklahoma Senate overrode Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recent veto of two bills that authorize one-year state-tribal compacts.Ray Carter | July 24, 2023