Articles
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Budget & Tax
Getting real about government spending
From the first day of the 2017 legislative session until its closing moments, most lobbyists and many politicians told us our state has a structural deficit leaving it in dire need of new recurring revenue, which is to say, major tax increases.Jonathan Small | June 2, 2017
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Higher Education
Oklahoma higher education spending continues to rise
Total spending has increased so much in higher education that the legislature could zero out its appropriation altogether—saving more than $800 million, closing nearly all of the shortfall—and it would simply return this part of state government to slightly more than its 2013 spending level.Trent England | June 1, 2017
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Higher Education
China plants flag in Norman
Why is the University of Oklahoma advancing the interests of one of America’s global adversaries? OU should close its Confucius Institute as soon as possible.Mike Brake | June 1, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Education
Does school choice expand the welfare state?
Congratulations, Oklahoma! By pursuing school choice, you did the impossible—you turned some big-government progressives into radical libertarians.Greg Forster, Ph.D. | June 1, 2017
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Education
By a margin of 5 to 1, Oklahomans say let teachers vote on unions
What do Oklahomans think of letting teachers vote on unions?Brandon Dutcher | June 1, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Statement on Legislature passing state budget
The Legislature deserves credit for passing a budget that minimizes damaging tax increases on Oklahomans compared to what was called for at the start of session.Jonathan Small | May 26, 2017
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Budget & Tax
A tribute to SQ 640
As the 2017 legislative session navigated through its final days with debates over budget gaps and proposed tax increases, some who love the idea of soaking the taxpayers for all they can get bemoaned the existence of one of the most important constitutional safeguards in state history – State Question 640, passed overwhelmingly by the voters in 1992.Jonathan Small | May 26, 2017
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Health Care
Statement regarding House Bill 2406
Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement today regarding House Bill 2406.Jonathan Small | May 24, 2017
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Budget & Tax
The veiled budget
To hear some at the state Capitol talk, every agency is on starvation rations due to the state budget shortfall.Jonathan Small | May 19, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma state budget crisis? I should say so
When it comes to government spending in Oklahoma, the 800-pound gorilla in the room that everyone ignores is this simple question: Should government grow faster than the private sector’s ability to pay?J. Scott Moody & Wendy Warcholik, Ph.D. | May 19, 2017