Articles
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Law & Principles
State actions show it's time to repeal federal minimum wage
States are competent to enact their own wage policies. Indeed most states already set their own minimum wages above the federal level. Congress should repeal the federal wage floor and leave states entirely free to enact, and to learn from, different policy choices.Trent England | January 2, 2015
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Raising means lowering? (or why people hate lawyers)
Will the Oklahoma Supreme Court rule that “raising” means “lowering”? That is one possible outcome in a case currently before the Court.Trent England | November 24, 2014
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Law & Principles
Federalism: The Objective and the Strategy
A massive infrastructure for liberty has emerged within the states over the last two decades. The time has come to leverage those resources in the fight to restore constitutional federalism.Trent England | November 13, 2014
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Free Market Friday: A threat to prosperity
This week, state Supreme Court justices heard arguments regarding the constitutionality of Senate Bill 1246, which cuts the state personal income tax if revenue targets are met. Those who oppose personal income tax cuts in Oklahoma are voicing their support for this challenge.Michael Carnuccio | October 17, 2014
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Law & Principles
For Customer Service Week, celebrate free markets
Here is a quiz in honor of Customer Service Week. Which kind of business environment is most likely to lead to good customer service? A. Lots of competition to win and keep customersB. Little or no competition (a monopoly or a cartel)Trent England | October 6, 2014
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Law & Principles
Explaining the Constitution
For at least a century, the Constitution has been under attack by politicians, judges, and academics. President Woodrow Wilson called for a more flexible “Darwinian” interpretation of the Constitution. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer argues the text should be manipulated to serve his own “democratic” ideals. For many Americans, none of this is a big deal.Trent England | September 30, 2014
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Law & Principles
Scripture and the state: Maximal or minimal government?
Through the years in the pages of Perspective, various economists, political scientists, accountants, and others have made the case for low taxation and limited government. We’ve never had a theologian weigh in on the issue, but with certain voices on the religious left calling for high taxes and big government, we are pleased to publish this article by pastor and author David W. Hall.David W. Hall | September 19, 2014
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Law & Principles
State by State is the Right Way to Elect a President
The American Founders intended for presidents to be elected by a state-by-state process, which is how we have done it since George Washington. John Koza’s National Popular Vote plan would throw all that out, diminishing the voice of Oklahomans and undermining our constitutional system of states.Trent England | September 2, 2014
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
HB 2562 lawsuit: Is a tax cut the same as a tax hike?
In 1992, Oklahoma voters approved State Question 640 to add a taxpayer-protection provision to the State Constitution. Everyone — supporters and opponents alike — understood the provision would make it harder to raise taxes.Jonathan Small & Trent England | August 12, 2014
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Law & Principles
What we celebrate today
Most nations have an independence day, usually commemorating a military victory or legal action. America’s Independence Day, marking the anniversary of July 4, 1776, is different.Trent England | July 3, 2014