Articles
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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
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Culture & the Family
A beautiful tapestry: WovenLife blends all ages, abilities, into one big family
WovenLife puts seniors and young children in the same environment, resulting in significant social and developmental benefits for both. The Oklahoma City-based nonprofit takes that concept a step further by also integrating a large number of special-needs children.Staci Elder Hensley | November 7, 2019
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Economy
Data suggest Oklahoma economic growth is slowing
Continuing the pattern of recent months, new data indicate Oklahoma’s economic growth is slowing, suggesting lawmakers may have far less growth revenue to spend next year, based on information provided by State Treasurer Randy McDaniel.Ray Carter | November 6, 2019
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Higher Education
A look at higher-education revenue in Oklahoma
Higher education’s state appropriations have fallen by 39 percent since 2008, but total revenues have grown by more than 9 percent. This is in large part due to the ever-increasing tuition rates at Oklahoma’s colleges and universities.Curtis Shelton | November 6, 2019
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Criminal Justice
Hundreds released from Oklahoma prisons due to corrections reform
Due to the passage of a ballot initiative and associated legislation that reduced the penalties for some property and drug crimes, hundreds of Oklahoma inmates were released on Monday following the largest single-day commutation of sentences in U.S. history.Ray Carter | November 5, 2019
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Health Care
Medicaid expansion means more federal control
Expanding Medicaid would greatly increase the federal government’s control over Oklahoma’s state budget. If Oklahoma chose to expand Medicaid it could increase the federal government’s share of the state budget to over 50 percent.Curtis Shelton | November 5, 2019
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Education
Other states show school choice, funding increases can coexist
Polling conducted by Cor Strategies for OCPA shows that Oklahomans are strongly supportive of school choice even as they also support making the state’s education system the government’s chief spending priority.Ray Carter | November 5, 2019
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Education
More progress needed for Teachers’ Retirement System
Oklahoma has made progress toward a healthier pension system, but events in Chicago show the dangers of being complacent. Oklahoma can further establish a stable retirement system by adopting reforms to TRS similar to those adopted for OPERS.Curtis Shelton | November 4, 2019
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Health Care
Transparency touted as solution to surprise medical bills
To combat the problem of “surprise” medical bills, experts encouraged Oklahoma lawmakers to ban “balance billing” Oklahoma consumers and to increase health-care price transparency.Ray Carter | October 31, 2019