Articles
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Budget & Tax
State revenues up. Again.
The latest press release from the Oklahoma Treasurer shows another month of revenue growth. With this past December exceeding the collections from December 2016, it marks the eighth straight month of year-over-year increases in revenue collections.Curtis Shelton | January 12, 2018
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Health Care
New Medicaid policy allows state diversity
The Trump Administration yesterday announced a shift in Medicaid policy that will allow more diversity in how states design medical welfare programs.Trent England | January 12, 2018
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Budget & Tax, Education
The truth about education spending
Oklahomans know they’re not getting a good return on their public education investments. A survey last year of 1,016 likely Oklahoma voters by the firm Cor Strategies found that only 22 percent think taxpayers are getting a good ROI – while 66 percent do not. And it’s not just Republicans, 60 percent of Democrats say we’re not getting a good ROI.Jonathan Small | January 12, 2018
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Higher Education
Teacher union calls for boycott of Oklahoma Wesleyan-trained teachers
In response to a recent newspaper column written by Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU) president Everett Piper, the Bartlesville Education Association is calling for Bartlesville Public Schools to refrain from accepting student teachers from OKWU for any training in district classrooms.Mike Brake | January 11, 2018
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Education
State Chamber’s ‘OK2030’ plan recommends school choice
The State Chamber of Oklahoma Research Foundation has unveiled a comprehensive vision for public policy reforms aiming “to dramatically improve our state’s rankings and prospects.”Patrick B. McGuigan | January 8, 2018
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Good Government
Resolutions for 2018
More exercise, fewer fibs, a better diet, and abandoning what doesn’t work – individual Oklahomans have New Year’s resolutions, so why not state government? Here are four suggestions.Jonathan Small | January 5, 2018
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Budget & Tax
A pay raise for Christmas
“America needs a tax cut,” Gov. Mary Fallin and several other GOP governors said in a Dec. 7 letter urging Congress to pass tax reform and send it to President Trump.Jonathan Small | January 2, 2018
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Good Government
What makes Christmas special?
From its origins to our celebrations, Christmas is about relationships and communities. In the United States today, and here in Oklahoma, we face questions about both.Jonathan Small | December 22, 2017
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Budget & Tax
How does Oklahoma rank in Tax Climate Study?
The Tax Foundation recently released its 2018 State Business Tax Climate Index. The report gauges how each state’s tax system compares to the others and ranks each one. In this year’s edition, Oklahoma is ranked 32nd.Curtis Shelton | December 22, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Off the charts
Gov. Mary Fallin, during the regular and first special legislative sessions, repeatedly used a chart showing cuts to state agencies since 2009.Curtis Shelton | December 20, 2017