Articles
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Law & Principles
OKC mayor urges ‘top two’ primaries, but California’s track record undercuts the pitch
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt is urging Oklahomans to adopt a California-style “top two” election system, arguing it produces more pragmatic officeholders. But California’s real-world results tell a different story.Jonathan Small | December 29, 2025
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Law & Principles
‘Top Two’ jungle primaries would be death knell for Independent, alternative-party candidates in Oklahoma
Independent and alternative-party candidates have played a meaningful role in Oklahoma statewide elections for decades. State Question 836, with its California-style “Top Two” primary, would make it nearly impossible for alternative parties to survive, reducing voter choice and silencing non-establishment voices.Chris Powell | December 22, 2025
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Education, Law & Principles
New Oklahoma law closes loophole allowing abusive school employees to hop districts
A new Oklahoma law aims to end the practice known as “passing the trash,” in which school employees accused of abusing students resign and quietly move to another district without their misconduct being disclosed.Ray Carter | December 22, 2025
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Budget & Tax, Education
Lawmakers seek to address Oklahoma’s reading crisis
After a decade of steep declines in student reading performance, two Oklahoma lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at restoring literacy as a core focus of K-12 education.Ray Carter | December 19, 2025
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Higher Education
Out-of-state students leave Oklahoma after graduation
State data show that two-thirds of nonresident OU graduates leave Oklahoma within five years, compared to more than 80 percent of in-state graduates who remain.Ray Carter | December 18, 2025
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Health Care
GAO finds Obamacare fraud is easy
Government Accountability Office officials told Sen. James Lankford that 19 of 20 fraudulent test applications for Obamacare—submitted using entirely fake identities, Social Security numbers, and documents—were approved through HealthCare.gov or insurance brokers.Ray Carter | December 17, 2025
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Law & Principles
Holt calls state leaders ‘bitterly unpopular’—but they outpoll him
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, who promotes “Pride Month” celebrating transgenderism and other sexual identities, recently dismissed Oklahoma statewide elected officials as “bitterly unpopular.” Holt says a California-style election system will produce superior governance.Ray Carter | December 17, 2025
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Higher Education
OU professor to promote ‘accurate’ science education on evolution, climate change
A University of Oklahoma associate professor has been named a 2025 Sound Science Fellow by the National Center for Science Education. The fellowship is “aimed at advancing the teaching of evolution, climate change, and accurate scientific education.”Ray Carter | December 15, 2025
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma state agencies go big with Christmas wish list
Oklahoma state agencies have unveiled their latest holiday wish lists, asking lawmakers for an extra $1.74 billion in funding—double last year’s request. The appeal comes after years of steep spending growth, with appropriations rising $4.7 billion since Gov. Kevin Stitt took office. Higher education is seeking the largest boost at $426 million, while the Space Port Authority again asks for the biggest percentage increase: 2,067%.Curtis Shelton | December 15, 2025
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Higher Education
Time for OU regents to act
The University of Oklahoma continues to draw national attention for ideological theatrics. It’s time for the OU regents to lead rather than spectate.Jonathan Small | December 15, 2025