Articles
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma Supreme Court continues pro-abortion rulings
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has declared two state laws restricting abortion to be unconstitutional, citing an earlier ruling in which the court declared abortion is a right granted by the Oklahoma Constitution despite the fact that the state constitution contains no language directly or implicitly addressing abortion.Ray Carter | May 31, 2023
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Law & Principles
Coalition thanks Stitt for free-speech stand
A broad coalition of groups that support freedom of speech and the press has sent a letter of thanks to Gov. Kevin Stitt for his veto of HB 1236. The measure would have weakened the Oklahoma Citizen Participation Act, which provides legal recourse against frivolous lawsuits that are intended to chill free speech.Trent England | May 26, 2023
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma Supreme Court to decide if ‘reservation’ Indians pay income tax
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which declared that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Oklahoma reservation was never formally disestablished for purposes of federal major-crimes law, has now led to a state court case that will determine if all American Indians in the affected areas are now exempt from paying Oklahoma state income tax.Ray Carter | May 22, 2023
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Law & Principles
OCPA calls for renegotiating tobacco compacts
OCPA President Jonathan Small today said state-tribal compacts that are set to soon expire should be renegotiated to maximize state benefit and transparency.Staff | May 16, 2023
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Law & Principles
OETA doesn’t need state subsidies
PBS can survive, but it needs to do so without Oklahoma government subsidies.Jonathan Small | May 12, 2023
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
Stitt’s OETA veto draws support
Gov. Kevin Stitt’s decision to veto legislation reauthorizing the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), the state’s Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) entity, has drawn national attention and prompted much pearl-clutching from his critics. But the move is drawing support from some Oklahoma lawmakers and a good-government organization.Ray Carter | May 10, 2023
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Education, Law & Principles
Response to MLK legislation is telling
That some would now downgrade King’s work, out of fear their complaints about HB 1775 will be exposed as political bunk, sadly shows moral blindness did not end with the downfall of Jim Crow.Jonathan Small | May 3, 2023
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Education, Law & Principles
Democrats continue to oppose MLK bill
Legislation that would require Oklahoma public schools to teach about the civil-rights leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr., has passed the state Senate and is headed to the governor’s desk.Ray Carter | April 25, 2023
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
How to be an effective advocate at the state Capitol
When you are passionate about an issue, you want policymakers to hear your voice. Here are some ways you can effectively communicate your concerns to your legislators.Rick Farmer, Ph.D. | April 10, 2023
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Law & Principles
Lawmaker’s racial comment draws pushback
A lawmaker dismissed a significant share of the attendees, apparently based on their skin color, at a recent rally at the Oklahoma Capitol that drew hundreds of people from across the state.Ray Carter | April 5, 2023