Articles
-
Education
Oklahoma students spend a year less in class—and it shows
Oklahoma’s academic struggles track closely with one of the shortest school years in the nation. Despite per-student revenue of $14,842, student outcomes remain dismal.Jonathan Small | April 6, 2026
-
Budget & Tax, Education
Budget agreement supports education, seeks welfare reform
Gov. Kevin Stitt and legislative leaders announced a $12.7 billion state budget agreement that increases spending by 1.27 percent and pours more than $230 million in new funding into public education.Ray Carter | April 1, 2026
-
Education
Oklahoma lawmakers advance bill targeting teacher predators
Oklahoma lawmakers are advancing new legislation aimed at stopping the “pass the trash” practice that allows educators accused of sexual misconduct to quietly move between school districts.Ray Carter | April 1, 2026
-
Budget & Tax, Economy
Report says Oklahoma is top 10 for low taxes, yet rivals without income tax post bigger gains
A new report ranks Oklahoma among the 10 states with the lowest overall tax burden, but several no-income-tax states still outperform Oklahoma on measures such as migration, job growth, and rising income levels.Ray Carter | April 1, 2026
-
Economy, Culture & the Family
SQ 832 will undercut pro-life efforts by reducing economic stability
SQ 832 would trigger automatic annual minimum-wage increases in Oklahoma tied to national price trends. This model has spurred economic conditions that harm young and low-income workers—and reduce opportunities for women facing difficult pregnancy decisions.Jonathan Small, Dave Bond & Matt Oberdick | March 31, 2026
-
Economy
Tulsa burger shop owner says SQ 832 would force menu prices to rise again
A Tulsa restaurant owner is warning that State Question 832, which would tie Oklahoma’s minimum wage to cost-of-living increases in major U.S. cities, could significantly raise fast-food prices and strain family budgets.Ray Carter | March 31, 2026
-
Good Government
Devon, Expand, and the high cost of a century of bad policy
The loss of headquarters like Devon and Expand is the compounding result of Oklahoma’s long history of bad policy—and Texas’ far earlier embrace of good policy. Texas has had no income tax, lighter regulation, lawsuit reform, and better agency accountability for decades.Jonathan Small | March 31, 2026
-
Culture & the Family, Good Government
Mullin’s move to Homeland Security highlights years of public and private service
Markwayne Mullin’s confirmation as U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary marks a moment to acknowledge the breadth of his service to Oklahoma—from growing a family business into a major employer, to representing the state in the U.S. House of Representatives and later the U.S. Senate.Jonathan Small | March 30, 2026
-
Economy
SQ 832 would hit small businesses hard
SQ 832 would raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029 and tie future increases to the cost of living in expensive urban areas nationwide. The measure would pressure small businesses, reduce job opportunities for younger workers, and mirror negative outcomes seen in other states.Curtis Shelton | March 27, 2026
-
Education, Law & Principles
Oklahoma bills expanding teacher-group access clear both chambers
The Oklahoma Legislature has approved two bills aimed at ensuring all teacher associations can engage with school districts during contract meetings. The proposals also allow teachers to withdraw from an association at any time.Ray Carter | March 26, 2026