Articles
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Budget & Tax
Federal COVID funding in Oklahoma far exceeding actual need
When the COVID-19 pandemic first began sweeping the country, Congress responded by approving in March 2020 a huge package of bailout funding for state governments via the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.Ray Carter | January 25, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Education
School choice’s appeal grows along with low-income benefit
Critics suggested Gov. Kevin Stitt’s “Stay in School” program benefitted the well-to-do under the cover of aiding low-income families. But the program’s beneficiaries all earn less than a household headed by Oklahoma teachers earning average teacher pay—and often dramatically less.Ray Carter | January 21, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Education
School choice program proves dramatic success
The “Stay in School” program launched by Gov. Kevin Stitt has allowed over 1,000 low-income Oklahoma students to attend private schools at substantially lower cost than what would have been spent in traditional public schools, a new report shows.Ray Carter | January 20, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Education
Experts warn school ‘equity’ mandate will fuel lawsuits
State Sen. Mary Boren has filed legislation to alter language in the Oklahoma Constitution that currently requires “a system of free public schools” so it instead requires maintenance of “an efficient and equitable system of free public schools."Ray Carter | January 19, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Higher Education
Colleges seek more state borrowing for professors
Last May, Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed legislation authorizing $314.4 million in state debt to fund endowed chairs for college professors in Oklahoma, but members of the Legislature overrode Stitt’s veto.Ray Carter | January 15, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
OKC Mayor Holt ducks reparations questions from citizens
More than six months after touting his leadership role in the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt remains silent on whether he agrees with that group’s support for potential reparation payments for slavery and racial discrimination, a proposal that could cost up to $6.2 quadrillion.Ray Carter | January 14, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Education
Nearly $100 million unspent from school COVID funds
Although some school officials have claimed COVID-19 has created new spending needs that exceed available funding, creating financial strain in state schools, districts have been slow to spend federal bailout money provided specifically for those needs, state senators were told Monday.Ray Carter | January 11, 2021
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Budget & Tax, Education
Pay hikes may do little for teacher shortage, student reading
In the 2018 legislative session, lawmakers passed some of the biggest tax increases in Oklahoma history, saying the additional taxes were needed to boost teacher pay and increase the number of educators in public schools.Ray Carter | January 11, 2021
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Budget & Tax
Spending restraint may benefit 2022 state budget
Modest state spending restraint, prompted last spring in the face of an unprecedented pandemic-driven economic shutdown, may make dealing with this year’s state budget slightly easier, although it will not eliminate budget challenges, based on information presented at the December meeting of the State Board of Equalization.Ray Carter | December 18, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Education
Moore per-student revenue increasing
Moore Public Schools has seen steady enrollment growth throughout the past decade, with the student count growing by nearly 14 percent since 2010.Curtis Shelton | December 18, 2020