Articles
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Law & Principles
Distorting facts to fit a narrative
Politicos in Oklahoma, and across the country, should stop bending the facts to meet their needs.Jonathan Small | July 27, 2018
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Flood of federal dollars damages accountability
When state government spends federal dollars, it seems like “free” money. After all, state legislators did not impose the taxes. Legislators and other state officials are much less likely to be held accountable for how that money gets spent. Federal officials, on the other hand, can blame the state if the money is poorly used. Nobody is ever on the hook. For taxpayers, this system is a nightmare, but for politicians, it’s perfect.Trent England | July 26, 2018
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Law & Principles
The ethics of work and personal responsibility
OCPA distinguished fellow Andrew Spiropoulos reminds us that FDR compared welfare to a narcotic that saps self-respect and erodes the human spirit.Andrew C. Spiropoulos | July 26, 2018
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Higher Education, Law & Principles
Oklahoma professors push back against campus groupthink, identity politics
Concerned about stifling political correctness and the absence of viewpoint diversity on campus, some Oklahoma professors are speaking out.Staci Elder Hensley | July 23, 2018
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Budget & Tax, Education
Official says some assessors shortchange schools, counties
Oklahoma teachers spent much of the spring at the state Capitol requesting increased school budgets. But even as they won massive statewide tax increases, many of their own home county assessors were likely failing to collect millions of dollars in local property taxes for education.Mike Brake | July 20, 2018
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Education, Law & Principles
Politicized schools threaten education
The First Amendment protects all Americans from government officials prodding us to support their pet special interests. But, some Oklahoma school officials seem to reject this idea.Jonathan Small | July 20, 2018
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Higher Education
Putting the brakes on tuition hikes at OU?
The University’s new president, Jim Gallogly, has made fiscal responsibility a top priority for the university. This may finally provide students and families with relief from constant tuition and fee hikes.Curtis Shelton | July 18, 2018
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Agriculture
Taking Oklahoma agriculture and ranching to the next level
One of Susan Bergen’s favorite mantras says that “Life is 360 degrees.” It’s a philosophy you might expect from the OCPA trustee, who’s the daughter of a Sierra Club naturalist mother and a manufacturing entrepreneur father.Staci Elder Hensley | July 16, 2018
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Higher Education
Academic freedom, freedom of speech, and the future of higher education
For higher education to fulfill its mission, we need excellent professors, staff, and facilities. But for all of this to work in the manner to which we have become accustomed, more is needed. What is it? What is the key? What makes the difference? What has made our system of higher education the envy of the world? What distinguishes an institution of higher education from any other means of imparting knowledge? What makes it all cohere?Andy Lester | July 13, 2018
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Good Government
How do we limit cronyism?
Politicians love their power. Why? Because they’re people. That’s why government tends to grow, along with cronyism and dependency. In the end, taxpayers always get the bill.Jonathan Small | July 13, 2018