Articles
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Oklahoma officials push back on ESG
Oklahoma officials, at both the state and federal level, are pushing back, and ESG proponents are expected to lose billions of dollars in business they currently conduct with Oklahoma state entities.Ray Carter | February 2, 2023
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
Oklahoma leaders working to help families prosper
One of the few upsides to the federal fiscal crisis is that it has prompted good policy responses at the state level.Jonathan Small | January 31, 2023
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Education, Law & Principles
Activists attack Stitt nominee … for defending teacher?
An activist group is apparently opposing one of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new State Board of Education appointees because she defended a public-school teacher who reported a violation of a state law banning racist staff trainings.Ray Carter | January 12, 2023
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
O’Connor gets win for religious freedom
In a win for Oklahomans’ constitutionally protected First Amendment right to religious freedom, Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor has reached an agreement with St. John Health System over its past practice of threatening employees with suspensions or the loss of their jobs when they chose not to get the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious beliefs.Ray Carter | January 9, 2023
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Law & Principles
Should Oklahoma lawmakers ‘vote their district’?
It’s important for lawmakers to stay in touch with all their constituents, not just the tax-consuming ones. It’s just as important for them to do the real work of policymaking.Jonathan Small | January 4, 2023
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Law & Principles
Legislature selects leadership
Lawmakers in both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature selected their leaders for the next two years during an organizational day on Monday. In subsequent comments, both men gave glancing views of potential legislative priorities for the 2023 legislative session, which begins in February.Ray Carter | January 3, 2023
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Education, Law & Principles
Adjunct-teacher-law critics are wrong
Adjunct teaching candidates are likely retirees who would not return to college for several years to get another degree in education, but who are willing to work today. Why not make it easier for schools to hire them?Jonathan Small | December 27, 2022
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Law & Principles
Agencies, schools, responding to Stitt’s TikTok ban
Gov. Kevin Stitt’s executive order banning the use of the TikTok social-media app by state entities is being implemented, although many state entities are tight-lipped about whether they previously used TikTok, which has drawn scrutiny for its potential exploitation by the Chinese Communist Party.Ray Carter | December 22, 2022
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Education, Law & Principles
Motion Picture Association opposes Oklahoma library book ratings
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has indicated it may sue Oklahoma schools if a state senator’s proposal to use a G/PG/R rating system for school-library books is implemented.Ray Carter | December 8, 2022
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Education, Law & Principles
AG: Religious charter schools are legal in Oklahoma
In an official legal opinion, Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor says a state law that prohibits religious entities from operating a public charter school likely violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and “therefore should not be enforced,” based on rulings from both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Oklahoma Supreme Court.Ray Carter | December 1, 2022