Articles
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Education
Teacher-liability bills advance
Two bills that would provide liability insurance as a benefit for public school teachers and other school employees are advancing in the Oklahoma Legislature.J.E. McReynolds | March 7, 2019
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Good Government
OCPA statement on agency accountability agreement
After Gov. Kevin Stitt and legislative leadership announced an agreement on state agency accountability, Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), released the following statement.Staff | March 5, 2019
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
The opportunity cost of Oklahoma’s corporate welfare
Oklahoma lost $152 million in 2017 from corporate incentives and could reduce its total overall tax burden by 2.7 percent if it ended all corporate welfare programs.Curtis Shelton | March 4, 2019
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Education
Education tax break clears House committee
Legislation is advancing to give Oklahoma parents and guardians an annual state income tax credit of $2,500 per family for use in paying elementary and secondary educational expenses.J.E. McReynolds | March 1, 2019
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Education
Showing teachers we care
It’s been well-documented how teachers often leave the profession not necessarily because of pay, but because of discipline concerns, disciplinary policies, behavior-related issues, false allegations, and district administration not having their backs. Thankfully, there are two bills this session addressing this issue and showing teachers the respect they deserve.Jonathan Small | March 1, 2019
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Good Government
OCPA statement on legislative efforts to increase accountability
After Oklahoma House and Senate committees advanced bills to give the governor more power over agencies, Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA), released the following statement.Staff | February 27, 2019
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Budget & Tax
Energy price declines yet to impact state collections
The decline in oil and gas prices have yet to impact state collections, but gross production numbers will most likely decline in the next few months.Curtis Shelton | February 26, 2019
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Criminal Justice
Criminal justice reform takes aim at ‘debtor’s prisons’
State Sen. George Young (D-Oklahoma City) has introduced two bills that seek to make the transition from prison or jail less stressful and expensive. His goal is to reduce recidivism.Mike Brake | February 25, 2019
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Education
Bill allowing scholarships for homeless students clears committee
A state-funded scholarship program for students with disabilities should be extended to benefit homeless children, according to Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City).J.E. McReynolds | February 22, 2019
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Health Care
Medicaid expansion still a bad idea
Senate Bill 605, which passed out of committee this week, has been labeled by some as a “conservative” Medicaid expansion. In reality, it’s just Obamacare Medicaid expansion under a new name.Jonathan Small | February 22, 2019