Articles
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Education
Program called life-changing answer to prayer
Parents and school officials say a tax credit program that encourages private donations to scholarship-granting organizations has been, literally, life-saving and an answer to prayer, and urged lawmakers to expand the program.Ray Carter | April 22, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Economists differ on Oklahoma’s budget future
Despite approval of roughly $1 billion in tax increases over the last three years, a new report claims Oklahoma will face “persistent” shortfalls that reach more than $1 billion by 2030 and “draconian cuts” to state services will occur unless lawmakers approve additional large tax increases. But some economic experts say policymakers should view such claims with caution.Ray Carter | April 22, 2019
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Health Care
Statement on Medicaid expansion ballot initiative
Statement from Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council for Public Affairs, on the filing of a ballot initiative to put Medicaid expansion on the ballot.Jonathan Small | April 19, 2019
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
Amid doctor shortage, TSET spending draws lawmakers’ concern
New data shows the state’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, or TSET, has spent as much of Oklahoma’s tobacco-settlement funds on promoting bars and supporting a boathouse as on recruiting doctors to rural areas. That has lawmakers questioning the trust’s effectiveness.Ray Carter | April 18, 2019
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Judicial Reform
Judicial redistricting headed to governor
Oklahoma lawmakers have sent a bill to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk that would redraw judicial district lines.Ray Carter | April 17, 2019
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Education
Scholarship critics notably silent on millions in tax credits
Opponents of the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act argue tax credits reduce available state funding for schools. But those same critics have been largely silent when it comes to a host of other tax-credit measures that involve at least $116 million in combined fiscal impact on state tax collections.Ray Carter | April 17, 2019
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Education
How much do unions spend on politics in Oklahoma?
Even in right-to-work states, public-sector unions can have a significant impact on how government operates. A new poll shows that 84.4% of voters support allowing teachers to vote on who represents them.Curtis Shelton | April 17, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Federal-funds transparency measure advancing in Legislature
Senate Bill 271, by Sen. Nathan Dahm and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, requires state agencies to report “all federal funds” used by the agency in a transparent manner.Ray Carter | April 17, 2019
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Law & Principles
Janus tells OKC audience workers’ rights not yet secure
The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Mark Janus and ruled forced payment of union dues by nonconsenting government workers is an unconstitutional infringement of their free-speech rights. But in an Oklahoma speech on Tuesday, Janus warned that unions and their political allies are working to undermine that hard-won victory.Ray Carter | April 16, 2019
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Budget & Tax
More people moving out of Oklahoma than moving in
A recent analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City shows more people moving out of Oklahoma than moving in. This has closely followed the business cycle of the oil industry and changes to the personal income tax.Curtis Shelton | April 16, 2019