Articles
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Budget & Tax
September 2018 sets record revenue collections
Total Gross Receipts collected in September 2018 set a record high of $1.15 billion—an increase of 14.1%, or $141.4 million, from the same month in the prior year. Record highs have now been set during the first three months of this fiscal year.Curtis Shelton | October 17, 2018
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Health Care
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is an entitlement program created by the federal government and administered by the states that pays certain health care services for low-income individuals. Currently, Medicaid covers 71 million Americans and costs taxpayers more than half a trillion dollars annually.Kaitlyn Finley | October 16, 2018
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Education
Oklahoma schools find creative ways to expand learning
Officials from a range of traditional public schools, public charter schools, and private schools briefed state lawmakers on some of their innovative educational approaches during an interim study on Sept. 11 in the Senate Education Committee.Staci Elder Hensley | October 15, 2018
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Budget & Tax
Some politicians, public employees get pension perks
“Double dipping” refers to a scenario wherein a retired government worker returns to work in a job covered by the same pension system and receives a salary—while also receiving or accruing pension benefits from their prior position.Jonathan Small & Mike Brake | October 9, 2018
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Budget & Tax, Economy
Oklahoma falls in national tax climate report
The Tax Foundation’s 2019 State Business Tax Climate Index ranks Oklahoma 26 overall. This is Oklahoma’s worst ranking in the last four years and five spots lower than last year.Curtis Shelton | October 8, 2018
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Higher Education
A breath of fresh air
Oklahoma higher education is a notorious devourer of cash. That’s why new University of Oklahoma President Jim Gallogly is such a breath of fresh air.Jonathan Small | October 5, 2018
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Higher Education
Oklahoma’s colleges have a spending problem
Despite having fewer students and less appropriated funds, Oklahoma’s higher education leaders have refused to decrease spending or even to maintain spending at constant levels. Instead, they have raised tuition and fees in order to fund massive spending increases.Trent England & Cody Ray Milner | October 2, 2018
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Education
Median income vs. teacher pay
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median teacher salary for secondary teachers in Oklahoma was $40,090 in 2017. This was $6,460 more than the median personal income for all Oklahomans in 2017. Nationwide, secondary teachers had a median pay of $59,170 compared to $51,100 for those with a similar level of education in 2017.Curtis Shelton | October 1, 2018
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Education
Teacher unions echo far left
There are still echoes from last spring’s Oklahoma teacher walkout, not all of them welcome.Jonathan Small | September 28, 2018
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Education
Oklahoma students, parents testify on school bullying
Sobering statistics, moving stories from victims, and policy solutions were discussed during a Sept. 11 interim study on school bullying.Staci Elder Hensley | September 24, 2018