Articles
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Law & Principles
In move that could cost state millions, House overrides Stitt
In a move that could threaten tens of millions of dollars in state funding for health care programs, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have voted to override Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of legislation authorizing, in effect, new one-year state-tribal compacts on tobacco.Ray Carter | July 31, 2023
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Law & Principles, Good Government
Organized crime exploiting tribal car-tag loopholes
Oklahoma is the hub of transnational organized crime, says the commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Drug dealers and human traffickers are using unregistered tribal plates to move people and product around the country.Ray Carter | July 28, 2023
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Education
Tulsa schools could face accreditation downgrade
Members of the State Board of Education opted to take no action on Tulsa Public Schools’ accreditation during the group’s July meeting. But State Superintendent Ryan Walters indicated there are significant problems in the Tulsa district that could lead to an accreditation downgrade in August.Ray Carter | July 27, 2023
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Law & Principles, Good Government
Law enforcement: Unregistered tribal tags endanger police
Most tribal license tags are not registered with the state, thus endangering police officers during routine stops. Moreover, tribal courts’ lack of transparency has made it possible for many repeat drunk drivers to remain on Oklahoma roads.Ray Carter | July 26, 2023
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Tribal plates allow drivers to evade Oklahoma tolls
Tribal car tags are creating public-safety problems and financial challenges for the state. To make up for drivers not paying tolls, says one Oklahoma Turnpike Authority official, “we have to charge everybody else a little bit more.”Ray Carter | July 25, 2023
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Law & Principles
Senate overrides Stitt veto, creates one-year tribal compacts
Primarily due to the unified support of Democrats, who rely heavily on campaign donations from tribal entities, the Oklahoma Senate overrode Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recent veto of two bills that authorize one-year state-tribal compacts.Ray Carter | July 24, 2023
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Education, Culture & the Family
Teacher unions and the sexualization of children
As parents and educators alike continue to push back against gender indoctrination, the true culprit in the sexualization of children at school is clear: teachers’ unions.Maddie Dermon | July 24, 2023
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Law & Principles
OCPA issues statement on veto overrides
“With today’s vote, it is now clear that the number-one issue for voters to consider when they cast ballots next year will be whether a candidate supports having a state with one set of rules for all Oklahomans, or a state where different rules apply based on a citizen’s heritage and physical location,”Jonathan Small | July 24, 2023
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Law & Principles
Court upholds law protecting children from sex-change treatments
The message from the Sixth Circuit is clear: regulating the medical profession and determining what constitutes child abuse are primarily legislative functions.Jonathan Small & Ryan Haynie | July 22, 2023
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Budget & Tax
What Oklahoma policymakers can learn from the Thunder
Oklahoma’s political leaders could learn something from the Thunder. Instead of trying to lure specific companies with large government subsidies, the state should enact pro-growth policies that help businesses and families grow from the ground up.Curtis Shelton | July 21, 2023