Articles
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Tribal plates allow drivers to evade Oklahoma tolls
Tribal car tags are creating public-safety problems and financial challenges for the state. To make up for drivers not paying tolls, says one Oklahoma Turnpike Authority official, “we have to charge everybody else a little bit more.”Ray Carter | July 25, 2023
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Law & Principles
Senate overrides Stitt veto, creates one-year tribal compacts
Primarily due to the unified support of Democrats, who rely heavily on campaign donations from tribal entities, the Oklahoma Senate overrode Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recent veto of two bills that authorize one-year state-tribal compacts.Ray Carter | July 24, 2023
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Law & Principles
OCPA issues statement on veto overrides
“With today’s vote, it is now clear that the number-one issue for voters to consider when they cast ballots next year will be whether a candidate supports having a state with one set of rules for all Oklahomans, or a state where different rules apply based on a citizen’s heritage and physical location,”Jonathan Small | July 24, 2023
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Law & Principles
Court upholds law protecting children from sex-change treatments
The message from the Sixth Circuit is clear: regulating the medical profession and determining what constitutes child abuse are primarily legislative functions.Jonathan Small & Ryan Haynie | July 22, 2023
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Law & Principles
Lawmakers must ensure fairness for all Oklahomans
Oklahoma lawmakers should pass “trigger” laws that declare anytime an Oklahoman of American Indian descent is exempted from a state law or regulation, that law will be repealed for all other Oklahomans.Jonathan Small | July 20, 2023
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Law & Principles
Document shows Cherokee political donations favor Democrats
Oklahoma politicians often refer to tribal governments as state “partners.” A recently obtained Cherokee Nation document indicates the tribe financially partners with politicians from both parties through campaign contributions, but especially with Democratic lawmakers.Ray Carter | July 13, 2023
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Law & Principles
Fairness, certainty, and unity still needed
“If Oklahoma is to survive, we must all be subject to the same laws, taxes, and treatment—period.”Curtis Shelton | July 7, 2023
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Law & Principles
Executive power—and the responsibility that comes with it
According to Oklahoma law, “The Governor is authorized to negotiate and enter into cooperative agreements on behalf of this state with federally recognized Indian tribal governments within this state to address issues of mutual interest.”Brandon Dutcher | July 6, 2023
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Law & Principles
We need fairness for all Oklahomans
You may have seen some recent news that could have serious public-safety implications for Tulsa and other parts of eastern Oklahoma.Dave Bond | July 5, 2023
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Law & Principles
Light those fireworks in your front yard! (No, not you.)
Tribal members are no longer subject to city ordinances under a new ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. Throughout much of eastern Oklahoma, anyone who has a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card will now be exempt from local enforcement of municipal ordinances.Jonathan Small | July 4, 2023