Articles
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Education
Millions diverted from Oklahoma classrooms
Since 2018, per-student revenue in Oklahoma public schools has surged by 51 percent—yet academic outcomes have gone in the opposite direction. One possible explanation for that disturbing trend: Much of the money provided to schools is not reaching the classroom.Ray Carter | April 8, 2025
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Budget & Tax
Phaseout of Oklahoma income tax continues to advance
Legislation that would gradually phase out Oklahoma’s tax on work and investment—the personal income tax—continues to move ahead, clearing its first Oklahoma Senate hurdle this week.Ray Carter | April 7, 2025
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Law & Principles
Initiative-petition reforms clear Oklahoma House committee
Legislation that would require initiative-petition efforts to gather signatures from Oklahomans across the state has cleared another legislative hurdle.Ray Carter | April 7, 2025
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Education
Limit on school virtual days moves ahead in Oklahoma House
Legislation to address the perceived widespread abuse of “virtual learning” has cleared its first hurdle in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.Ray Carter | April 7, 2025
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Culture & the Family
The rising conservative populism
In this review of Patrick Ruffini’s book, “Party of the People: Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP,” OCPA’s Rick Farmer sheds light on the emerging conservative populist coalition.Rick Farmer, Ph.D. | April 7, 2025
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Budget & Tax
Mississippi is beating Oklahoma (again)
Mississippi students are outperforming their Oklahoma peers when it comes to reading. Now, Mississippi officials are seeking to outpace Oklahoma in the race for jobs by eliminating the Magnolia State’s income tax.Jonathan Small | April 7, 2025
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma should codify the end of Chevron deference
A recent U.S. Supreme decision provides a watershed moment for Oklahoma to redefine its approach to administrative agency deference, preserving a more engaged role for the judiciary.Ryan Haynie | April 4, 2025
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Budget & Tax
Stitt: On taxes, Oklahoma can’t afford to be left behind
Gov. Kevin Stitt is continuing his push to gradually phase out Oklahoma’s tax on work and investment, the personal income tax, noting that other states are slashing their income-tax rates and threatening to leave Oklahoma behind.Ray Carter | April 3, 2025
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Law & Principles
Measure to reduce regulation moves ahead
Legislation that could significantly reduce major state regulations has cleared another legislative hurdle, passing out of the Senate Administrative Rules Committee.Ray Carter | April 3, 2025
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Education
Oklahoma House committee supports aid to special-needs children
Members of the House Common Education Committee have voted to simplify the process for Oklahoma children with special needs to access the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program.Ray Carter | April 2, 2025