Articles
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Education
ESA Bill Passes Education Committee: Q&A with State Sen. Rob Standridge
State Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, sat down with CIJ following a meeting of the Oklahoma Senate Education Committee on Monday where his Education Savings Account bill, SB 560, passed by a one-vote marginJay Chilton | February 21, 2017
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Budget & Tax
First steps on the road to balancing Oklahoma’s state budget without increasing taxes on working Oklahomans
In order to help close the budget gap for Oklahoma’s state government, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs proposes the following 13 ideas.Jonathan Small | February 21, 2017
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Budget & Tax, Health Care
TSET Billboard Spending Examined
TSET currently uses 92 billboards in Oklahoma’s major population areas. The total budget for TSET’s billboard advertising campaign in fiscal year 2017 is $770,000.Jay Chilton | February 20, 2017
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Higher Education
A Public Letter to David Boren
Today, OCPA President Jonathan Small sent the following letter and public records request to the office of David Boren and the University of Oklahoma’s Open Records Office.Jonathan Small | February 14, 2017
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Education
More options needed for state employees, education employees, other government employees, and taxpayers
State revenues have declined because of Oklahoma’s struggling economy. Lawmakers should look for innovative reforms that allow for government services to be provided at a lower cost.Jonathan Small | February 14, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma's Budget Process
How the state government spends its money is a concern for most Oklahomans. Where that money goes tells citizens about the priorities of our politicians.Curtis Shelton | February 14, 2017
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Budget & Tax
Never Enough Revenue
What does government cost? Often the only real answer is, whatever politicians can convince us it costs.Trent England | February 2, 2017
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Agriculture
For Many Oklahoma Farmers, Trade Is a Big Deal
For U.S. agriculture, trade is a big deal. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data show that the U.S. exports about 20 percent of all agricultural output both in terms of volume and in terms of dollars.Jayson Lusk | February 1, 2017
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Criminal Justice
Oklahoma’s Prison Crisis: The Enormous Cost of Doing Nothing
Oklahoma’s prisons are in a state of emergency—fiscally and literally. Oklahoma’s prison population is projected to grow by 25 percent over the next decade, at a cost of nearly $2 billion to taxpayers.Jonathan Small & Trent England | February 1, 2017
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Education
Non-Teaching Staff Surge Prevented Oklahoma Teacher Pay Raises
Oklahoma's Education Department increase in “all other staff” (folks who are not lead teachers) has increased 36 percent. That’s more than twice as fast as the increase in students.Benjamin Scafidi | February 1, 2017