Articles
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Budget & Tax
Weinstein film cost Oklahoma taxpayers $4.6 million
In 2005, the state of Oklahoma implemented a film incentive program with the goal of attracting movie and television productions to the state. “August: Osage County,” produced and distributed by the Weinstein Company, took advantage of the program in 2013, costing Oklahoma taxpayers more than $4.6 million.Jay Chilton | November 6, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Did Harvey Weinstein benefit from Oklahoma’s Hollywood handout?
Current state law provides “a cash rebate of 35-37% on qualifying Oklahoma expenditures to film and television productions filming in the state,” plus a sales tax exemption.Trent England | November 3, 2017
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Good Government
The right path
While Americans have different views about what’s to be done with those who have come to our country illegally, most are open to some form of leniency for those brought here as children.Jonathan Small | November 3, 2017
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Budget & Tax
The facts about revolving funds
While recent legislative appropriations have remained relatively stable, total state spending has increased nearly every year. Much of the non-appropriated spending comes from the revolving funds designated for certain state agencies.Curtis Shelton | November 1, 2017
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Good Government
Oklahoma Bar Association, far left attack Scott Pruitt
Hopefully, the OBA will do the right thing and not be used as a tool of the far left. But either way, the episode is a reminder to Oklahomans that we let a private political group have government power at our peril.Jonathan Small | November 1, 2017
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Budget & Tax
TSET promotes alcohol consumption, other risky behaviors
Why does a state agency award grants for “alcohol use prevention” while promoting bars? And why would any state agency spend money to promote “drag shows” and other raunchy programs at nightclubs?Trent England | November 1, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
Oklahoma’s highly profitable nonprofit hospitals
Many “nonprofit” hospitals are highly profitable entities with vast amounts of net revenue, large cash balances, profligate capital spending, and generous executive compensation. Yet they constantly plead poverty and demand ever more government spending.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. & Baylee Butler | November 1, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Education
Profit warning!
For many folks in the public school establishment, it seems that “profit” is a scary word.Curtis Shelton | October 30, 2017
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Education
Just let them learn
Regardless of total funding levels for public education, most Oklahoma students are not proficient in subjects like mathematics and English language arts – subjects that are crucial to helping any person thrive.Jonathan Small | October 27, 2017
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Education
Demystifying ‘emergency’ certification
Oklahoma’s teaching certification designations are more specific than many states. As a result, a teacher who taught fourth grade in the previous school year may not be certified to teach kindergarten.Jay Chilton | October 26, 2017