Articles
-
Education
Median income vs. teacher pay
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median teacher salary for secondary teachers in Oklahoma was $40,090 in 2017. This was $6,460 more than the median personal income for all Oklahomans in 2017. Nationwide, secondary teachers had a median pay of $59,170 compared to $51,100 for those with a similar level of education in 2017.Curtis Shelton | October 1, 2018
-
Education
Teacher unions echo far left
There are still echoes from last spring’s Oklahoma teacher walkout, not all of them welcome.Jonathan Small | September 28, 2018
-
Education
Oklahoma students, parents testify on school bullying
Sobering statistics, moving stories from victims, and policy solutions were discussed during a Sept. 11 interim study on school bullying.Staci Elder Hensley | September 24, 2018
-
Energy
Oklahoma wind farms encroaching on military flight paths
Wind farms are being built in military test and training flight paths, apparently in violation of a new state law.Mike Brake | September 24, 2018
-
Energy, Good Government
Wind cronyism costs linger
How did mankind figure out fire without a government program? These days every new technology has backers who insist they are one more government check away from being the next big thing. That was the Solyndra story, and in Oklahoma, it is the story of wind farm companies.Jonathan Small | September 21, 2018
-
Education
Cristo Rey showing inner-city students the path to success
As equal parts Catholic high school, college preparatory academy, and a real-world workplace experience, Oklahoma City’s newest private school—Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School—offers an innovative, practical, and powerful approach to education.Staci Elder Hensley | September 19, 2018
-
Budget & Tax
A look at the August 2018 economic report
Total Gross Receipts collected in August came in at $995.1 million—a 13.1%, or $115.4 million, increase from the same month in the prior year. Similarly, the General Revenue Fund grew by 9.9% coming in at $454.6 million. New revenue from legislative changes amounted to $18.3 million, or 16%, of this month’s growth.Curtis Shelton | September 17, 2018
-
Education
Teacher unions oppose Kavanaugh
You would think U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh wants to burn down the schoolhouse.Jonathan Small | September 14, 2018
-
Budget & Tax, Education
Don’t ignore teacher retirement benefits
When discussing teacher compensation, nearly all the focus revolves around average salaries. But ignoring teacher retirement benefits also ignores the cost to taxpayers.Curtis Shelton | September 12, 2018
-
Budget & Tax
A look at August 2018 gross receipts
Tax and fee increases passed during the 2018 session took effect in August, but most of the revenue growth came from a growing economy. Legislative changes resulted in $18.3 million, or 16%, of the total growth for the month.Curtis Shelton | September 10, 2018