Articles
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Higher Education
As college DEI spending surges, buildings neglected
Oklahoma's public colleges spent $83.4 million on controversial "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) programs over the last decade, including drag-queen performances and presentations on topics like "Black Jesus." Lawmakers are concerned that this DEI spending may be diverting funds from essential needs, as state colleges request an additional $200 million for neglected building maintenance during a recent budget hearing.Ray Carter | December 15, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Baseball star’s contract could save him a fortune in taxes
Shohei Ohtani's unique 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, featuring deferred payments of $68 million annually, significantly lowers his tax burden.Curtis Shelton | December 14, 2023
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Higher Education, Law & Principles, Good Government
Stitt takes aim at race-based discrimination in colleges
With a newly issued executive order, Gov. Kevin Stitt is seeking to downsize or eliminate “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) offices and bureaucracy at Oklahoma colleges and to prevent state colleges from engaging in illegal discrimination.Ray Carter | December 13, 2023
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Law & Principles
Lawmaker says probation fees being diverted
State Rep. Justin Humphrey says fees imposed on individuals released from prison and placed on probation have not been used for oversight of those convicted criminals. Instead, he said the money is being diverted to other uses, and he has asked Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond to investigate.Ray Carter | December 13, 2023
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Education
Robust demand fuels call for Oklahoma school-choice expansion
Applications for the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program indicate demand for school-choice options in Oklahoma is among the strongest in the nation. In fact, demand is so robust that legislative efforts to raise or eliminate the current cap on the tax-credit program are now being endorsed by state leaders.Ray Carter | December 12, 2023
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Higher Education
OU’s drag-queen spending this year exceeds $56,000
In less than one year, the University of Oklahoma has spent at least $56,000 on three separate drag-queen shows, according to documents obtained through open-record requests.Ray Carter | December 12, 2023
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Judicial Reform
What the bar association doesn’t understand about judicial reform
In the coming months, the Oklahoma Bar Association is going to light up the phone lines of lawmakers. Here are some points about judicial reform that should give lawmakers and grassroots activists something to push back with.Ryan Haynie | December 11, 2023
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Higher Education
UCO requires English professor to embrace race-based discrimination
In a job posting for an assistant professor of English, the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) seeks applicants who have “a strong commitment to antiracist and social justice pedagogy.”Ray Carter | December 11, 2023
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Law & Principles
Government monopolies require regulation
The one area where regulation is not only necessary, but also must be the most intrusive, is in an environment where the government has granted a monopoly.Jonathan Small | December 11, 2023
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Education
School-choice program’s launch benefiting families
Oklahoma's school-choice tax credit program faced initial delays due to technical glitches, but after launching on Dec. 6, it received over 30,000 submissions in the first 90 minutes (although some duplication of submissions may have occurred), according to Governor Kevin Stitt. School leaders believe the program is providing new opportunities for Oklahomans who couldn't afford private school education before.Ray Carter | December 8, 2023