Articles
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Good Government
Sparks Flying: Reflections on Party Purity and Discretionary Wisdom
In America at least, political parties exist to operate as grand coalitions, bringing together diverse interests in pursuit of broadly shared goals within a republican framework of separated powers.Patrick B. McGuigan | June 3, 2014
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Health Care
‘Nonprofit’ hospitals and the $987 cortisone shot
“Just because hospitals or colleges say they are ‘nonprofit’ doesn’t mean they are,” Fried writes. “Indeed, they may be anything but.”Brandon Dutcher | June 2, 2014
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Budget & Tax
Pernicious view of property rights on display in energy tax debate
Arguing recently for a tax increase on Oklahoma’s energy industry, one writer for a liberal policy institute performed a valuable service by putting his philosophical cards on the table.Brandon Dutcher & Trent England | May 27, 2014
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Budget & Tax, Energy
Myths and facts: Are Oklahoma energy producers paying their ‘fair share’ in state taxes? They’re paying an awful lot
Myth: Oklahoma businesses, both large and small, that drill wells for oil and natural gas within the state are not currently paying their “fair share” of state taxes to benefit Oklahoma citizens.Jonathan Small & Dave Bond | May 20, 2014
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Budget & Tax, Energy
Myths and facts: Is Oklahoma’s one-percent tax on horizontal drilling a subsidy that created a state government budget shortfall? The answer is no
Myth: Oklahoma’s current gross production tax rate of 1 percent on horizontal and deep oil and natural gas wells is a “subsidy” for the energy industry that has caused a budget shortfall for state government.Jonathan Small & Dave Bond | May 19, 2014
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Budget & Tax, Energy
Myths and facts: Do poll results show that Oklahomans want to raise taxes on energy drilling? Far from it
Myth: Oklahomans “overwhelmingly” wish to raise taxes on oil and natural gas drilling within the state.Jonathan Small & Dave Bond | May 14, 2014
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Budget & Tax, Education
Myths and facts: Will raising Oklahoma’s gross production tax by 600 percent provide $250 million more for schools? Not likely
Myth: If Oklahoma’s gross production tax rate on horizontal and deep-well drilling for oil and natural gas is increased from 1 percent to 7 percent, Oklahoma schoolchildren will benefit from more than $250 million in additional public education spending.Jonathan Small & Dave Bond | May 13, 2014
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Higher Education
College graduation rates should concern policymakers
Disruptive innovation is all around us. The $10,000 bachelor’s degree is here to stay, for example. Harvard business professor Clayton Christensen says “15 years from now more than half of the universities will be in bankruptcy, including the state schools.” It’s time for Oklahoma’s political leaders to reconsider some things.Brandon Dutcher | May 13, 2014
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Budget & Tax
Myths and facts: Is Oklahoma state government experiencing a budget shortfall? The answer is no
Myth: Oklahoma is “unable to fund state services” like schools, roads, and prisons because state tax collections, appropriations, and total spending are below prior years, creating a budget shortfall.Jonathan Small & Dave Bond | May 12, 2014
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Education
On fixed costs, school administrators can’t have it both ways
“If you have more students, you need more teachers,” Duncan superintendent Sherry Labyer sensibly told the Duncan Banner in February. If, for example, 250 new students show up to enroll in Duncan’s public schools, then obviously administrators will need to hire more teachers.Brandon Dutcher | May 12, 2014