Articles
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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
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Law & Principles
House taps Chickasaw bank official for redistricting effort
A prominent Chickasaw bank official has been named to a high-profile role in the Oklahoma House of Representatives’ redistricting process.Ray Carter | September 30, 2020
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Law & Principles, Good Government
Court upholds Oklahoma election security laws
A U.S. district court judge has rejected the Oklahoma Democratic Party and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s request to strike down Oklahoma absentee-voting laws, declaring those laws impose only a “minimal burden” and that voter-fraud concerns “are legitimate and weighty.”Ray Carter | September 18, 2020
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Law & Principles
New documentary defends the Electoral College
A new book and a new feature-length documentary from OCPA’s “Save Our States” Project make the case for Hamilton’s “excellent” system.Staff | September 2, 2020
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Law & Principles
Officials offer few solutions as alleged rapist is freed
Due to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that effectively reestablished the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s tribal reservation in Oklahoma, an alleged serial rapist may never face trial.Ray Carter | September 2, 2020
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma AG defends election security laws, opposes ballot harvesting
Attorney General Mike Hunter pushed back Friday against a Democratic lawsuit that seeks the elimination of many absentee-ballot safeguards and the legalization of “ballot harvesting” in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | August 22, 2020
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Law & Principles
Federal government approves new state-tribal compacts
The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) has allowed two new state-tribal gaming compacts to take effect, a move that could result in greater competition in Oklahoma’s casino market and provide a higher share of gaming revenue to state government.Ray Carter | August 20, 2020
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Law & Principles
Slave-owning past remains problem for Choctaws
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is now opposing federal efforts to require that descendants of the tribe’s former slaves be given promised rights before the tribe can receive federal housing funds.Ray Carter | August 19, 2020