Articles
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Good Government
Speech police, take two
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission this week released a rewritten version of its plan to regulate political speech. The Commission still plans to vote on the proposal this Friday, and could pass either version.Trent England | January 9, 2019
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Good Government
OCPA reacts to Oklahoma legislative leadership elections
After Charles McCall (R-Atoka) was reelected Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City) was elected President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), released the following statement.Staff | January 8, 2019
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Budget & Tax
How money walks: Alaska
Despite having no income tax rate and a low tax burden, Alaska lost $3.06 billion between 1992 and 2016. This is in part due to non-policy factors, such as weather and the high cost of living, creating unique challenges for Alaska.Curtis Shelton | January 4, 2019
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Good Government
Three resolutions for Oklahoma
The new year is a time for resolutions. Here are three for state government, things the Legislature can do in the upcoming session that would make Oklahoma government more effective and accountable.Jonathan Small | January 4, 2019
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Education
Former Bixby superintendent now draws $100K annually
A school superintendent who resigned after his home was the scene of at least two sexual assaults received $167,028 for a year in which he did no work and now draws $99,678 annually.Mike Brake | January 3, 2019
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Health Care
Medicaid expansion a budget-buster
When Oklahoma lawmakers assemble in February, they will be assured by many experts that expanding Medicaid under Obamacare will be cheap and that the federal government will foot most of the bill. But those experts are wrong. They have been wrong every time.Jonathan Small | December 28, 2018
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Budget & Tax
How money walks: Nevada
While Nevada saw tremendous growth over the last two decades, Oklahoma has experienced an outflow of wealth.Curtis Shelton | December 26, 2018
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Health Care
Experts consistently got it wrong on Medicaid expansion
Health care experts from independent research groups and state agencies wildly underestimated the number of newly eligible able-bodied adults that would sign up for Medicaid under Obamacare.Kaitlyn Finley | December 21, 2018
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Good Government
Privacy protects free speech
Instead of putting Oklahomans on lists and violating their privacy, the Ethics Commission should be working to strengthen our democratic system by protecting Oklahomans’ rights to free speech and personal privacy.Jonathan Small | December 21, 2018
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Education
School districts spent millions on travel
During the 2017-18 school year, while teachers were marching on the state Capitol and some school districts were cutting back to four-day weeks, Oklahoma’s two largest districts spent nearly $2.5 million on travel to various conferences and other trips.Mike Brake | December 20, 2018