Articles
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma legislative session ends with few major accomplishments
State lawmakers passed some culturally conservative measures this year. But they left a Democratic group in charge of judicial selection and shelved tax cuts in favor of massive government-spending hikes.Ray Carter | May 31, 2024
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Law & Principles
Stitt compact proposal addresses public-safety challenges
To address the growing problem of unregistered tribal tags creating roadside danger for law enforcement, and to ensure all Oklahoma drivers pay tolls on state turnpikes, Gov. Kevin Stitt has submitted a model compact to all tribes that issue tribal license plates.Ray Carter | May 30, 2024
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Education, Culture & the Family
Bill allowing Bible classes during school sent to governor
Legislation that provides a framework for schools to allow students to take religious or moral instruction from an outside provider during the school day has cleared its final legislative hurdle.Ray Carter | May 29, 2024
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Education
Ban on ‘three-cueing’ in reading nears final passage
Legislation that would prohibit Oklahoma teachers from using the discredited “three cueing” method to teach reading is now just one vote away from Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk.Ray Carter | May 29, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Pension benefits not a reliable way to attract, retain employees
SB 102 puts Oklahoma taxpayers and pension recipients at risk by creating $90 million in unfunded liabilities. It is unclear what recurring revenue lawmakers will use to pay for these liabilities.Curtis Shelton | May 29, 2024
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Education
Shawnee schools target child-abuse whistleblowers
The Shawnee school district is trying to use the courts to force the unmasking of numerous whistleblowers who raised concerns about child molestation.Ray Carter | May 28, 2024
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Education
Report shows ‘the rich’ get tax subsidies through public schools
Oklahoma taxpayers are subsidizing the education of wealthy students (in public schools).Ray Carter | May 24, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Stitt veto protects pensioners, taxpayers
SB 102, recently vetoed by the governor, was another attempt to chip away at past reforms that have helped put Oklahoma public pension systems in a fiscally responsible position.Curtis Shelton | May 23, 2024
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Budget & Tax
Tribes seek share of turnpike revenue
Many tribal car tags are effectively unregistered with the state of Oklahoma, but a tribal official says tribes are willing to end that problem—if the state agrees to divert millions of dollars in turnpike revenue to tribal governments.Ray Carter | May 22, 2024
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Education
HB 1425 could improve student attendance, moral training
If HB 1425’s only benefit is to improve student attendance, it will be a success. And if the moral instruction students access because of the law impacts their outlook and lives in broader ways, that’s even better.Jonathan Small | May 21, 2024