Articles
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Law & Principles
OCPA files lawsuit to protect free speech, voters’ right to information
A federal lawsuit filed by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs on behalf of a district judicial candidate contends that Oklahoma’s current laws and regulations unconstitutionally restrict what judicial contenders may say during campaigns, violating their First Amendment rights.Ray Carter | May 26, 2026
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Law & Principles
Research shows SQ 832 could cut worker benefits
Supporters of State Question 832 argue it will raise take-home pay, but evidence from states with similar laws and decades of academic research indicate the opposite may happen for many workers.Ray Carter | May 19, 2026
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Health Care, Law & Principles
HJR 1023 continues the success of work comp reform
For decades, Oklahoma operated a workers’ compensation system that shortchanged both injured employees and their doctors while funneling money into lawsuits rather than care. HJR 1023 will help support Oklahoma’s landmark work comp reforms.Jonathan Small | May 14, 2026
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma GOP gubernatorial candidates united in opposition to SQ 832
With the Republican primary just weeks away, the party’s top gubernatorial contenders—Gentner Drummond, Chip Keating, Charles McCall, Mike Mazzei, and Jake Merrick—are unanimously opposing State Question 832.Ray Carter | May 13, 2026
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Health Care, Law & Principles
Stitt acts after Oklahoma Senate stalls immigration-verification bills
Gov. Kevin Stitt has issued an executive order requiring Oklahoma agencies to tighten immigration-status checks for welfare programs. The order mirrors legislation that passed the House but has stalled in the Senate.Ray Carter | May 7, 2026
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Law & Principles
U.S. Supreme Court declines tribal income-tax case, leaving Oklahoma ruling intact
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge to the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling that all Oklahomans—including tribal citizens living on lands considered “reservation” after the McGirt decision—must pay state income tax.Ray Carter | April 7, 2026
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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
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Education, Law & Principles
Oklahoma House advances bill requiring schools to show instructional spending before bond elections
Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced legislation requiring school districts to tell voters exactly how much of their funding goes to classroom instruction before asking for approval of new bond projects.Ray Carter | March 24, 2026
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Law & Principles
What SQ 832 gets wrong about real people
Proponents of SQ 832 may believe they’re promoting fairness, but they’re overlooking the fragile economics and personal choices that keep many of Oklahoma’s small businesses alive. The unintended damage could be lasting.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | March 9, 2026
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Law & Principles
House lawmakers vote to prevent illegal aliens from using welfare
By a margin of more than four to one, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have approved two bills that will make it harder for illegal immigrants to obtain taxpayer-funded welfare benefits in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | February 26, 2026