Articles
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Education
Absenteeism surging in Oklahoma schools
A recent legislative study highlighted another downside of COVID school shutdowns: They are associated with a much higher level of chronic absenteeism after the pandemic.Ray Carter | October 12, 2023
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Economy
Anti-ESG law benefiting state economy
A state law that prohibits Oklahoma government entities from using investment firms that boycott energy companies is having a small but positive impact on Oklahoma’s economy, lawmakers were told at a legislative study.Ray Carter | October 11, 2023
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Education
School climate outweighs pay in teacher retention
During a recent legislative study, lawmakers were told one reason for the persistence of the teacher shortage is that school climate and societal trends can outweigh financial considerations for many teachers.Ray Carter | October 11, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Republican senators back Stitt on tax cuts
A growing number of Republican senators are now publicly voicing their disagreement with the decision to adjourn the special session to take up tax cuts and backing Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call to cut taxes for Oklahomans.Ray Carter | October 9, 2023
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Culture & the Family
Ban on youth sex-change surgeries survives court challenge
An Oklahoma state law that makes it illegal to provide children with puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or sex-change surgeries as a treatment for gender dysphoria has survived the first round of an ongoing court challenge.Ray Carter | October 6, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Tax hikes don’t explain revenue growth
Gov. Stitt & House Speaker McCall credit tax cuts for Oklahoma's revenue growth, while some senators argue revenue growth stems from 2017/2018 tax hikes, not 2021 cuts.Ray Carter | October 5, 2023
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Good Government
Presidential transition project aims to take America back
The Heritage Foundation, along with dozens of conservative organizations (including OCPA), is putting together a governing agenda and assembling thousands of vetted and trained personnel to begin dismantling the administrative state.Brandon Dutcher | October 5, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Quarter-point income-tax cut is very doable
Both the empirical research and Oklahoma’s own experience suggest that beneficial effects of a tax cut should be expected.Curtis Shelton | October 4, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Treat claims ‘no plan’ for tax repeal, ignores own bill
Within hours of the start of the special legislative session on Oct. 3, the Senate adjourned sine die, a procedural move that ends the session and prevents any votes on tax cuts from occurring.Ray Carter | October 4, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Special session begins with calls for tax cuts, some opposition
Saying tax cuts will spur economic growth and restrain government overspending, state leaders endorsed a reduction in Oklahoma’s personal income tax on Oct. 3, the first day of a special legislative session focused on tax policy.Ray Carter | October 3, 2023