Articles
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Oklahoma’s ‘path to zero’ income tax survives first test in legislature
A proposal to repeal Oklahoma’s “path to zero” income-tax law—an automatic trigger that reduces rates whenever state revenues surge—failed in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee on a 2–9 party-line vote.Ray Carter | February 16, 2026
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Education
Third-grade reading reform moves ahead
Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced HB 4420, a sweeping literacy bill that revives mandatory retention and early intervention requirements similar to Mississippi’s nationally acclaimed model.Ray Carter | February 16, 2026
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Education
Amid record school revenues, Oklahoma teacher hiring lags administrative growth
A new analysis from Georgetown University’s Edunomics Lab shows that despite more than $3 billion in additional funding since the 2018 teacher walkout, Oklahoma schools have added relatively few teachers while rapidly expanding non-teaching staff.Ray Carter | February 16, 2026
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Law & Principles
OCPA urges opposition to income-tax bill
OCPA President Jonathan Small urged lawmakers to oppose Senate Bill 1302, by state Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. The bill would repeal the state law that has placed Oklahoma’s income tax on the path to repeal by requiring that a portion of strong future revenue growth be partially returned to taxpayers through strategic reductions in the income-tax rate.Staff | February 16, 2026
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Education
Oklahoma’s short school year draws scrutiny as academic scores lag
Oklahoma students receive far less classroom time than their peers nationwide, and lawmakers say that deficit helps explain why state academic outcomes rank among the worst in the country despite billions in new funding.Ray Carter | February 16, 2026
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Good Government
Stitt’s consequential legacy takes shape
Gov. Kevin Stitt’s first seven years show a sweeping shift in Oklahoma’s direction. His tenure has moved Oklahoma decisively toward a conservative, pro-growth future.Jonathan Small | February 16, 2026
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Law & Principles
‘Top two’ turnout claim falls flat in OKC election
Supporters of State Question 836, which would replace Oklahoma’s party-primary system with a California-style “top two” model, have argued the change will increase voter turnout and say Oklahoma City’s nonpartisan mayoral elections offer a proof of concept. But Tuesday’s results tell a different story.Ray Carter | February 12, 2026
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Health Care
Hilbert bill blocking Medicaid for illegals clears first hurdle
Lawmakers have advanced legislation that would bar illegal immigrants from accessing Medicaid benefits by requiring the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to verify every applicant’s legal status through the federal SAVE system before approving coverage.Ray Carter | February 11, 2026
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
Bill allowing students to sue over forced coed sleeping quarters advances
Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced a bill that would allow students to sue schools or colleges that force them to share sleeping quarters or other intimate spaces with members of the opposite sex, including individuals who identify as transgender.Ray Carter | February 10, 2026
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Higher Education
Oklahoma House panel advances study of three-year bachelor’s degrees
Oklahoma lawmakers have taken a first step toward shortening the path to a college degree, advancing a bill that orders a study of a three-year, 90-credit-hour bachelor’s track.Ray Carter | February 10, 2026