Articles
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Education
Facing strong school choice support, union touts push poll
A new poll released by public-school interest groups says Oklahomans oppose school choice. In contrast, the polling firm that was correct about the Stitt-Hofmeister race continues to find lopsided support for school choice in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | February 9, 2023
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Education
Here’s how to raise Oklahoma teachers’ pay
If all of these proposals were adopted, a high-performing teacher could see an approximately $24,000 pay raise. That may sound fanciful to some, but it proves that there is a route to making a robust financial commitment to teachers while also reforming the education system so that those investments are aimed at improving student outcomes.Curtis Shelton | February 9, 2023
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Culture & the Family
Ban on youth transgender surgeries clears committee
Legislation making it illegal to perform sex-change surgeries on children or inject them with cross-sex hormones or puberty blockers has won easy approval in an Oklahoma Senate Committee.Ray Carter | February 8, 2023
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Education
Oklahoma public schools spend $12,967 per student
According to Oklahoma State Department of Education data from the Oklahoma Cost Accounting System, school district expenditures in 2022 totaled $9,058,129,282.81. Student enrollment is 698,577. Thus, the per-student expenditure is $12,967.Brandon Dutcher & Curtis Shelton | February 8, 2023
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Education
Lawmakers vote to end school bans on student Indian regalia
American Indian students in Oklahoma public schools could not be prohibited from wearing tribal regalia under legislation that has won committee approval in the Oklahoma Senate.Ray Carter | February 7, 2023
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Budget & Tax, Education
A spending increase is not a ‘cut’
Those who proclaim spending increases and teacher pay raises are “cuts” are not only crying wolf—they are also insulting voters’ intelligence.Jonathan Small | February 7, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Senators seek information on Oklahoma school administrative spending
Differences in school districts’ administrative spending, along with potential association with student outcomes, could become publicly available to parents under legislation that has advanced from a state Senate committee.Ray Carter | February 7, 2023
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Good Government
Stitt calls for tax cuts, school choice
In his fifth State of the State speech, Gov. Kevin Stitt urged lawmakers to enact $655.7 million in tax cuts and provide school choice to all Oklahomans.Ray Carter | February 6, 2023
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Economy
As conservative policies advance, people are moving to Oklahoma
During Gov. Kevin Stitt’s first term in office, he cut taxes, expanded school choice, restrained government growth to build up record state savings, and imposed COVID restrictions that were far more limited in scope and duration than those in many states.Ray Carter | February 3, 2023
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Budget & Tax
State agency wish lists are long
Based on the estimate made in December, it is expected the Legislature will have a record amount of revenue with which to craft this year’s budget. State agencies are aware of this, and that is reflected in the budget requests that have been submitted this year.Curtis Shelton | February 2, 2023