Articles
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Health Care
Lawmakers learn shady management companies could benefit from Medicaid expansion
Medicaid expansion has been touted as a way to shore up financially troubled rural hospitals, but at a recent legislative study, lawmakers learned the beneficiaries of Medicaid expansion may include management companies that have run several rural Oklahoma hospitals into the ground.Ray Carter | November 22, 2019
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Education
Funding structures, not union politics, driving teacher pay
During 2018, many Oklahoma school districts shut down for up to two weeks as part of a union-led walkout campaign targeting the state legislature. Just days before the shutdown, the legislature had passed a package of tax increases in order to raise teacher pay by an average of $6,100. One of the most salient arguments leading up to the pay raise and walkout was that Oklahoma was losing teachers to Texas due to higher pay south of the Red River.Curtis Shelton | November 21, 2019
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Health Care
Stitt calls Medicaid expansion ‘Plan F’
In a recent interview, Gov. Kevin Stitt expressed his disapproval of State Question 802, calling it “problematic” and “Plan F” for the state.Kaitlyn Finley | November 21, 2019
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Budget & Tax
How do Oklahoma’s casino fees compare to other states?
One fact stands out above all others: Oklahoma has more slot machines than all but a handful of states—yet collects less revenue than most.Jonathan Small & Curtis Shelton | November 20, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Expert warns against legal games with pension protections
During a recent legislative study that included a review of a pension-protection law, the head of one state pension system offered lawmakers a recommendation for improving such laws: Stop allowing bills to self-exempt from pension protections.Ray Carter | November 20, 2019
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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