Articles
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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
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Law & Principles
Lawmaker makes false statements about bill
State Rep. Josh West has made inaccurate and false claims about recent pension legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, indicating he either didn’t read or didn’t understand the legislation, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small said today.Jonathan Small | April 14, 2022
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Law & Principles
Cap on government lawyer contracts advances
Contingency fees paid to private law firms by state government would be capped under legislation that has now won approval in the House Rules Committee.Ray Carter | April 13, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Senate rejects House effort to pad lawmakers’ retirement
Members of the Oklahoma Senate have rejected legislation, advanced from the Oklahoma House of Representatives, that would have padded many legislators’ own retirement benefits.Ray Carter | April 11, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
OCPA praises Senators for rejecting retirement scheme
Members of the Senate took a strong stand against legislative self-dealing today by rejecting a House effort to quietly boost retirement benefits for state politicians, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small said today.Staff | April 11, 2022
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma election-integrity measures are justified
Voter confidence is crucial to democratic stability. That’s why it is appropriate for Oklahoma state lawmakers to advance election-security measures even though Oklahoma has not suffered the election irregularities that have plagued other states.Jonathan Small | April 4, 2022