Articles
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Education, Law & Principles
Oklahoma school virtual days harming parents’ jobs
Some Oklahoma public schools’ excessive use of virtual days for non-emergency situations is threatening the incomes of working parents or requiring them to use up most of their vacation time, according to state Sen. Kristen Thompson.Ray Carter | February 1, 2024
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Special sessions routine for Oklahoma Legislature
Members of the Oklahoma Senate have routinely convened in special session in recent years—regardless of the extra expense to taxpayers—to consider things like increasing taxes and spending money on corporate welfare programs.Ray Carter | February 1, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma House passes tax cut; ball now in Senate’s court
Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have voted overwhelmingly to reduce Oklahoma’s top personal income tax rate to 4.5 percent, immediately, and have sent the measure to the Oklahoma Senate.Ray Carter | January 31, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma tax-cut session proceeds, despite Senate
A special legislative session to reduce Oklahoma’s personal income-tax rate convened on Jan. 29 with little fanfare—or fireworks.Ray Carter | January 29, 2024
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Education
Already short school year includes virtual days at some Oklahoma schools
In most states, public schools provide around 180 days of instruction per year. But in Oklahoma, schools can provide 165 days or fewer. Indeed, students in one district may receive just 148 days of in-person instruction in a school year.Ray Carter | January 25, 2024
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Education, Law & Principles
Oklahoma lawmakers look to limit school misuse of virtual days
Two state lawmakers hope to rein in public-school reliance on virtual-learning days, which have been strongly linked to major learning loss due to the often-subpar product provided.Ray Carter | January 23, 2024
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Law & Principles
In major win for Stitt, Chickasaw Nation signs new compacts
In a major victory for Gov. Kevin Stitt, the Chickasaw Nation has agreed to new state-tribal compacts on tobacco and license tags that address key issues raised by the governor.Ray Carter | January 22, 2024
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Stitt: Time to cut taxes is now
Saying “government is going to spend whatever money you give them,” Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is urging lawmakers to reduce the state income tax.Ray Carter | January 19, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Stress test: State can weather another ‘Great Recession’
If Oklahoma faces an economic recession comparable to the “Great Recession” of 2008 to 2010, state government is able to cover the associated downfalls over a five-year period, according to a study conducted by the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency.Ray Carter | January 18, 2024
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Millions diverted from law enforcement due to McGirt ruling
One ripple effect of the McGirt ruling is the diversion of millions of dollars from Oklahoma law enforcement, agency leaders recently told state lawmakers.Ray Carter | January 17, 2024