Articles
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Culture & the Family
Lawmakers concur with health emergency declaration
Both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature have voted to grant Gov. Kevin Stitt greater power to respond to the COVID-19 virus outbreak.Ray Carter | April 6, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Oklahoma no outlier on ‘shelter in place’
What if Oklahoma instituted a “shelter in place” order to combat the COVID-19 virus and no one noticed?Ray Carter | April 6, 2020
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
In Norman, buying groceries may result in fine, jail
A recent “stay at home” order issued by Norman Mayor Breea Clark requires citizens of Norman to restrict shopping to odd or even days, based on a citizen’s home address, as part of the city’s response to COVID-19.Ray Carter | April 3, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Supply chains threatened by forced business closures
To reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, state and local governments in Oklahoma and across the country have ordered the closure of most businesses, aside from those deemed “essential” by government officials.Ray Carter | April 3, 2020
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
Shutdowns: What’s the point?
Stopping the worst ravages of this virus is an important task for all Americans, including our government officials. The importance of the task provides no excuse for turning the process into a bureaucracy where the means become more important than the ends.Trent England | April 2, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Businesses ordered to shut down statewide
For the first time, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has ordered the statewide closure of “nonessential” businesses, including in 37 counties that have not yet recorded a case of COVID-19/coronavirus as of the time of his announcement.Ray Carter | April 1, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
City of Norman seeks cessation of waste management
Citing efforts to fight COVID-19/coronavirus, the City of Norman has ordered the closure of a waste-disposal company, despite such businesses being declared “essential” by federal authorities.Ray Carter | April 1, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
COVID-19 not the only threat to Oklahomans’ health, lives
In ordering business closures and restricting citizen movement, government officials have primarily focused on the potential loss of life that could be caused by the COVID-19/coronavirus. Yet experts agree those anti-COVID efforts could also contribute to an increased death count in Oklahoma, highlighting the thin line policymakers are treading.Ray Carter | March 30, 2020
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Economy, Culture & the Family
How far should the government go to enforce an order?
Throwing people out of work, taking away people’s livelihoods, and making people poorer are not the purposes of these orders. And so if an innovative business is able to come up with ways that fully incorporate social distancing into their workplace and customer interactions—why would we shut those businesses down?Jonathan Small | March 30, 2020
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Culture & the Family
OCPA comments on passing of Dr. Tom Coburn
Jonathan Small, president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, issued the following statement today in response to the passing of Dr. Tom Coburn.Staff | March 28, 2020