Articles
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Criminal Justice, Law & Principles
McGirt repercussions lead to Stitt veto
Saying he will not support legislation that weakens Oklahoma’s state sovereignty, Gov. Kevin Stitt has vetoed a bill that would have required state law enforcement officials to enforce rulings handed down by tribal courts.Ray Carter | May 12, 2022
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma House struggles to advance reforms
In recent weeks, the Republican leadership of the Oklahoma House of Representatives has struggled to advance even modest reforms, in sharp contrast with the Republican-controlled Oklahoma Senate.Ray Carter | May 6, 2022
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Criminal Justice, Law & Principles
Expungement reform signed into law
Legislation that simplifies the process of expunging the criminal record of certain individuals has been signed into law.Ray Carter | May 5, 2022
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Law & Principles
Stitt Administration investigating dubious uses of education funds
State documents show Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration is poised to sue a vendor for alleged failure to abide by its contract, thereby potentially allowing several hundred thousand dollars in alleged misspending to occur.Ray Carter | May 4, 2022
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Law & Principles
Amid publicity, Moore vote on election integrity shifts
State Rep. Anthony Moore recently voted for legislation that would require a voter-fraud investigation when 10 or more people appear to be voting from one house—despite having previously voted against an almost identical bill that he decried as a waste of prosecutors’ time and “unconstitutional.”Ray Carter | May 3, 2022
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Law & Principles
Legal reform almost killed by GOP defectors
Legislation that would cap contingency fees paid to private law firms by state government narrowly passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives due to some Republican lawmakers joining Democrats in opposition.Ray Carter | April 29, 2022
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Criminal Justice, Law & Principles
Oklahoma law enforcement issue goes before U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Oklahoma’s bid to assert jurisdiction over non-Indian criminals who prey upon Indians living on lands declared part of reservations by a prior U.S. Supreme Court ruling.Ray Carter | April 28, 2022
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
Did state superintendent candidate violate reporting law?
As voters consider the campaign pitches of the five individuals seeking the office, their evaluations will include weighing whether one candidate—current Shawnee Superintendent April Grace—committed a crime by failing to report to law enforcement that a suspected pedophile was on her staff.Ray Carter | April 26, 2022
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Education, Law & Principles
School-board election reform nears governor’s desk
Legislation that would shift school-board general elections to a November ballot may now be just one vote away from Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk.Ray Carter | April 19, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Senate analysis refutes House member claims on pension bill
Legislation that would increase the state employer match for government workers’ retirement contributions has won approval in the Senate Appropriations Committee and now awaits a vote from the full Senate.Ray Carter | April 14, 2022