Articles
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Law & Principles
Coalition thanks Stitt for free-speech stand
A broad coalition of groups that support freedom of speech and the press has sent a letter of thanks to Gov. Kevin Stitt for his veto of HB 1236. The measure would have weakened the Oklahoma Citizen Participation Act, which provides legal recourse against frivolous lawsuits that are intended to chill free speech.Trent England | May 26, 2023
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Education
Oklahoma school-choice law offers families hope
When Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a new law providing tax credits to help Oklahoma families cover the cost of private-school tuition, parents said it gave them far more than a tax benefit—it gives Oklahoma families reason to hope for a brighter future for their children.Ray Carter | May 26, 2023
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Education
OCPA: School choice law will change lives
OCPA President Jonathan Small said the creation of refundable tax credits to help families pay for private school and homeschooling will positively impact children’s lives for years to come.Staff | May 25, 2023
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Education
Bill could mandate pursuit of Biden federal school grants
A provision snuck into legislation funding Oklahoma public schools could force the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) to apply for federal grants that were a priority of the prior Democratic state superintendent of public instruction.Ray Carter | May 25, 2023
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Education
Oklahoma enacts universal school choice
Whether you call it a tax credit or a “voucher in disguise,” the important thing is that the parents of all school-age children now have more options.Brandon Dutcher | May 24, 2023
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Budget & Tax
OKPOP Museum becoming money pit
Eight years after state lawmakers provided $25 million to build the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture in Tulsa, the facility has yet to serve patrons and its cost to state taxpayers is exploding.Ray Carter | May 23, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma spending discipline fuels savings growth
Legislative leaders say they are continuing to follow a practice that has resulted in the largest amount of state savings in Oklahoma history. Put simply, lawmakers are not spending every dollar available.Ray Carter | May 23, 2023
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Education
Lawmakers greenlight rules on school porn, parent rights
Oklahoma State Department of Education regulations that ban pornographic materials in public-school libraries and spell out parental rights in schools have received approval from Oklahoma lawmakers.Ray Carter | May 22, 2023
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma Supreme Court to decide if ‘reservation’ Indians pay income tax
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2020 ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which declared that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s Oklahoma reservation was never formally disestablished for purposes of federal major-crimes law, has now led to a state court case that will determine if all American Indians in the affected areas are now exempt from paying Oklahoma state income tax.Ray Carter | May 22, 2023
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Education
Major school-choice bill headed to governor
After months of wrangling, a major school-choice measure is now headed to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk and is expected to be signed into law.Ray Carter | May 19, 2023