Articles
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma Democrats seek removal of gender language
Democratic members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives called for elimination of gender-specific language in the House’s operating rules during that chamber’s organizational meeting on Tuesday.Ray Carter | January 5, 2021
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma House leaders promise ‘big things’
The top two leaders of the Oklahoma House of Representatives promise lawmakers will work on “big” policy measures in the pending legislative session, although they provided few specifics.Ray Carter | January 5, 2021
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Law & Principles
Ethics Commission targets ‘informational materials’
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission has temporarily tabled a proposed rule that would require lobbyists and nonprofit organizations to report when they provide certain “informational materials” to state lawmakers.Ray Carter | December 14, 2020
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Law & Principles, Good Government
'Ethics Commission' vs. free speech (again)
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is an agency set up to regulate campaign finances and lobbying of state officials. Unhappy with this narrow but important responsibility, the Commission has a history of trying to expand its own power.Trent England | December 10, 2020
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Law & Principles
GOP leaders support initiative-petition reform
Republican legislative leaders say the state’s initiative-petition process should be reformed so future amendments to the Oklahoma Constitution cannot be sent before voters thanks primarily to funding from out-of-state interest groups that mostly gather signatures in urban areas.Ray Carter | December 10, 2020
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Education, Law & Principles
Attorney General: Oklahoma Department of Education acted illegally
An official opinion issued by the office of Attorney General Mike Hunter concludes the Oklahoma State Department of Education acted illegally when it imposed new regulations on a state scholarship program for children with special needs.Ray Carter | December 3, 2020
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Law & Principles
Officials call on Congress to address McGirt challenges
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau is urging Congress to approve legislation that restricts the impact of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding tribal reservations in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | October 21, 2020
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Law & Principles
OCPA urges Congress to provide post-McGirt fairness, certainty and unity
In a letter to members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs has urged Congress to formally disestablish five tribal reservations to ensure fairness, certainty and unity for all Oklahomans.Staff | October 8, 2020
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Law & Principles
State retains environmental oversight—for now
The federal Environmental Protection Agency has approved Gov. Kevin Stitt’s request for the state of Oklahoma to retain regulatory oversight of lands now considered part of Indian reservations when those properties are not owned by a tribal government.Ray Carter | October 8, 2020
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Law & Principles
McGirt complications: Judge considers recusal
The ripple effects continued to be felt this week as a McGirt-based criminal appeal highlighted another challenge: The judges who have to resolve such legal disputes often have ties—and even receive benefits from—tribal governments, creating conflict-of-interest appearances.Ray Carter | October 2, 2020