Articles
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Budget & Tax
New report shows Oklahoma’s casino compacts should be renegotiated
A new report by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) highlights the need for Oklahoma to renegotiate its gaming compacts.Staff | November 20, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Officials urge caution in passing unfunded pension benefits
Under legislation passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives this year, retired state workers’ benefits would have been increased by 4 percent. But that bill, which did not advance in the Senate, included no funding to cover the additional cost, making the measure an unfunded mandate.Ray Carter | November 19, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Officials say state’s ‘merit protection’ system harms workforce quality
Under the “merit protection” system used in Oklahoma government, it’s too hard to fire bad employees or give promotions to good employees, according to several officials. That has some officials calling for a major overhaul, or even repeal, of the system.Ray Carter | November 18, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Governor, tribal officials discuss casino compact dispute
Gov. Kevin Stitt said state-tribal negotiations over casino compacts have reached an impasse, but said he remains committed to an improved agreement that will require state casino operators to pay market rates for monopoly gaming rights.Ray Carter | November 15, 2019
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Health Care
Conflicting responses given on Medicaid agency’s role in teen program
Thrive, an OKC organization that works on teen-pregnancy issues, prominently lists the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) as one of seven partners on its website. A spokesperson for the OHCA, downplayed any ties between the agency and Thrive.Ray Carter | November 14, 2019
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Education
OKC district’s effort to penalize charter schools for attracting students prompts lawsuit
The Oklahoma City school district has announced plans to impose a fee on area charter schools that would financially penalize charter schools for attracting students from the traditional district. Two area charter schools have filed a lawsuit in response.Ray Carter | November 13, 2019
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Education
Ethics questions arise as law firm hosts school administrators’ golf event
Ask the average teacher what his or her Wednesday looks like, and the answer will usually involve working in the classroom. In contrast, on a recent Wednesday, as many as 100 school administrators and board members spent their day in a very different fashion—playing golf.Ray Carter | November 11, 2019
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Education
Father of Parkland shooting victim says Enid Public Schools’ actions dangerous
The recent action of Enid Public School administrators who fired a school resource police officer for seeking prosecution of at least two students who had threatened classmates sent precisely the wrong signal, nationally known school safety crusader Andrew Pollack has told OCPA.Mike Brake | November 8, 2019
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Criminal Justice
Parole overhaul, diversion funding sought to address SQ 780 shortcomings
Supporters and critics alike are calling for reforms and/or new funding to address the perceived shortcomings of State Question 780, a voter-approved initiative that reduced penalties for theft and drug use in Oklahoma, with one lawmaker even advocating “radical” change.Ray Carter | November 8, 2019
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Education
Oklahoma academic decline prompts concern, calls for change
Results from two national measures of academic performance— the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the ACT college-readiness exam—show continued decline in Oklahoma schools’ academic outcomes.Ray Carter | November 7, 2019