Articles
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Economy
Attack reminds us of Oklahoma's volatile revenue sources
The recent attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil industry puts into light Oklahoma’s precarious economic position.Curtis Shelton | October 11, 2019
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Education
Lawmakers’ inaction contributes to dire situation for neglected child
A child survivor of trauma (who also has autism) struggled to obtain needed services until he was able to attend a private school for children with special needs. But this year, due in part to Oklahoma lawmakers’ failure to increase the cap on the tax-credit scholarship program, the boy can no longer attend that school—and the local traditional school refuses to provide many services he needs. The case was one of many reasons parents and caretakers urged lawmakers to expand Oklahoma’s tax-credit scholarship program during a recent forum.Ray Carter | October 10, 2019
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Health Care
Medicaid fraud, mispayments cost taxpayers billions
Despite the fact that approximately 800,000 adults were mistakenly added to Medicaid rolls in expansion states, some Oklahoma lawmakers still seek to expand this welfare program.Kaitlyn Finley | October 10, 2019
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Health Care
Lankford warns Medicaid expansion involves high costs
If Oklahoma expands its Medicaid program to cover able-bodied adults, as allowed by the federal Affordable Care Act, Oklahoma government will have to either raise taxes or divert money from other programs, U.S. Sen. James Lankford warns.Ray Carter | October 10, 2019
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Education
Foster and adoptive children receiving school choice opportunities
When the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program was opened to foster and adopted children in 2017, no one knew how popular it would be. While participation in the program has grown steadily in three years, for at least one family with five foster and adopted children, the program extension has been literally life-changing.Mike Brake | October 9, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma rig count highlights wisdom of fiscal prudence
Oklahoma’s rig count reached a three-year low, pointing to a dampened confidence in the energy industry. This lack of confidence could impact Oklahoma’s economic outlook as the global economy continues to slow.Curtis Shelton | October 8, 2019
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Health Care
Expert: Lack of transparent pricing, unneeded procedures, driving up health costs
Politicians’ attempts to increase insurance coverage will do little to reduce medical costs or ensure appropriate medical care, according to a top medical expert.Ray Carter | October 7, 2019
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Health Care
Don’t be fooled: Federal government holds all the Medicaid cards
Medicaid expansion has proven to be a costly mistake for states. Oklahoma lawmakers should be wary of expanding Medicaid in exchange for temporary “conservative” reforms.Kaitlyn Finley | October 4, 2019
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Education
Building funds a challenge for both charter and district schools
Because Oklahoma’s public charter schools, unlike their traditional counterparts, do not receive local property tax funding, it is very difficult to pay for quality facilities, lawmakers were told at a recent legislative study. At the same time, some traditional districts face similar problems for a different reason: Their local property valuations are too low to pay for construction and repairs.Ray Carter | October 3, 2019
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Education
Teachers’ union calls for gun control
The National Education Association is urging its members, which include a sizable share of Oklahoma teachers, to lobby Congress to pass new gun-control laws.Ray Carter | October 2, 2019