Articles
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Criminal Justice
Oklahoma fees may be excessive, unconstitutional
Oklahoma’s use of court fines and fees may be excessive and potentially unconstitutional, according to experts who spoke at a recent Senate meeting. But law enforcement officials stressed that repeal of those fees will require an offsetting increase in state appropriations.Ray Carter | October 23, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma’s gaming activity, by the numbers
Oklahoma’s gaming activity has grown at one of the fastest paces in the country since voters first approved the State-Tribal Compacts in 2004. Since then Oklahoma’s gaming revenue has grown by nearly 200 percent and has doubled its share of Oklahoma’s economy.Curtis Shelton | October 23, 2019
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Health Care
Tennessee seeks block grant to curb Medicaid costs
Tennessee announced it is seeking to cap total Medicaid spending by utilizing block grants. If the state’s proposal is approved by the Trump administration, other states would likely follow suit.Kaitlyn Finley | October 22, 2019
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Criminal Justice
Risk assessment urged for bail process
Under existing Oklahoma law, people arrested for crimes can post bail and be released even if they pose a threat to others, while other individuals posing no threat remain behind bars awaiting a hearing because of poverty, officials told lawmakers at a legislative study.Ray Carter | October 22, 2019
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Education
Don’t overregulate choice
There is no real need to regulate private schools, in choice programs or otherwise, for anything other than health and safety. Parents are the real accountability system.Greg Forster, Ph.D. | October 22, 2019
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Education
Top school makes case for building funds
One of the top-performing schools in Tulsa is also among the Oklahoma schools facing the greatest challenge when it comes to facilities—because it is a charter school.Ray Carter | October 21, 2019
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Health Care
Walmart dives into the primary-care market
Walmart is shaking up the health care industry by offering low-cost primary-care services to its retail customers.Kaitlyn Finley | October 21, 2019
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Education
Families celebrate 20 years of Oklahoma charter schools
In 1999, the legislation allowing charter schools to open in Oklahoma was signed into law. The repercussions are still being felt today and were hailed by hundreds of parents and children at an anniversary celebration in Oklahoma City.Ray Carter | October 18, 2019
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Education
School-choice programs aid in teens’ recovery
Mission Academy is a private school serving students in grades nine through 12 and does not receive state appropriations. Its tuition is need-based, and the school has never turned away anyone because of an inability to pay. While private funders cover much of the school’s cost, Oklahoma’s school-choice programs have played a crucial role.Ray Carter | October 17, 2019
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Education
Lawmakers urged to combine education spending with reform
To improve Oklahoma's K-12 school system, lawmakers were encouraged to adopt the ideas in a 1990s education law that combined increase in education funding, while simultaneously implementing large reforms.Ray Carter | October 16, 2019