Articles
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Law & Principles
The Oklahoma House of Representatives: Where good bills go to die
When House leaders are reduced to touting past successes rather than current achievements, it sends an implicit message that should worry Oklahomans—that House leadership’s best years are behind them.Jonathan Small | June 10, 2022
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
Cherokee Nation chief bans display of Oklahoma state flag
Even as the Cherokee Nation is removing the flag of Oklahoma from its properties, tribal officials continue to take an active role in Oklahoma political campaigns.Ray Carter | June 8, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Lawmakers differ on reining in inflated tax bills
State lawmakers spent much of the past year trying to rein in practices that critics say have dramatically inflated businesses’ property-tax valuations in some Oklahoma counties.Ray Carter | June 8, 2022
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Law & Principles
House lawmakers’ spending on themselves explodes
In 2018, the Oklahoma Legislature approved hundreds of millions of dollars in tax increases. Since then, House lawmakers have increased their own budget by 92 percent.Ray Carter | June 7, 2022
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Criminal Justice, Law & Principles
Oklahoma Democrats call for gun control
Following a Tulsa shooting that took the lives of four individuals (not counting the shooter), members of the state House Democratic caucus are calling for new gun-control measures to be passed as part of a pending special legislative session.Ray Carter | June 2, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Stitt’s fiscal views a culture shock for Legislature?
Since Stitt entered office, the state government has shifted from having massive annual budget shortfalls to having historic levels of savings, and from constantly enacting tax hikes to debating tax reductions.Ray Carter | June 1, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
GOP struggles to defend slush fund, projects for ‘rural’ OKC
With only days left in this year’s legislative session, Oklahoma state lawmakers deposited $250 million into a “slush fund”-style account with no legal restrictions on how that money can be spent.Ray Carter | June 1, 2022
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Law & Principles
Stitt announces vetoes, calls for ‘real inflation relief’
Inflation is costing households $5,200 per year. In response, Oklahoma legislative leaders want to mail taxpayers a $75 check. Gov. Kevin Stitt says the state can do better, and vowed to fight for real tax cuts.Ray Carter | May 26, 2022
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma House supports new school standards promoting abortion?
Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have approved legislation that would force the State Board of Education to adopt new academic standards for health education.Ray Carter | May 25, 2022
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Law & Principles
McGirt mess continues to grow
All Oklahomans drive on the same roads and can access the same public-school system. But thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt ruling, some Oklahomans may no longer pay to fund those systems, creating increased financial burdens for everyone else.Jonathan Small | May 23, 2022