Articles
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Education, Good Government
Stitt makes education priority at inauguration
In an inauguration speech marking the start of his second term, Gov. Kevin Stitt vowed to continue his efforts to make Oklahoma a top 10 state in all areas with education and school choice a major focus.Ray Carter | January 9, 2023
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Criminal Justice
Oklahoma should invest in services, not prisons
It’s time to move past the solutions of the ‘90s that resulted in one of the highest incarceration rates in the world and look to new (and cheaper) solutionsRyan Haynie | January 9, 2023
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Law & Principles, Culture & the Family
O’Connor gets win for religious freedom
In a win for Oklahomans’ constitutionally protected First Amendment right to religious freedom, Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor has reached an agreement with St. John Health System over its past practice of threatening employees with suspensions or the loss of their jobs when they chose not to get the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious beliefs.Ray Carter | January 9, 2023
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Education
Oklahoma public schools have billions in reserve
Oklahoma’s public schools have billions of dollars in reserve funding available through the combination of carryover and unspent federal COVID funding, according to state reports.Ray Carter | January 6, 2023
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Budget & Tax
Abundant tax revenue provides opportunity for reform
With collections continuing to grow, lawmakers have ample wiggle room to enact significant tax reform while keeping a relatively flat budget.Curtis Shelton | January 5, 2023
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Higher Education
Many Oklahoma college degree programs not worth the money
A new report shows more than one in five degree programs offered by Oklahoma colleges are not worth students’ time and tuition because those degrees fail to produce income gains that offset the cost.Ray Carter | January 5, 2023
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Education
Enrollment shows Oklahoma families pursuing education alternatives
Although the learning disruptions caused by COVID are now largely a thing of the past, newly released state data show total enrollment in Oklahoma public schools still remains lower than it was three years ago before the pandemic.Ray Carter | January 4, 2023
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Law & Principles
Should Oklahoma lawmakers ‘vote their district’?
It’s important for lawmakers to stay in touch with all their constituents, not just the tax-consuming ones. It’s just as important for them to do the real work of policymaking.Jonathan Small | January 4, 2023
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Law & Principles
Legislature selects leadership
Lawmakers in both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature selected their leaders for the next two years during an organizational day on Monday. In subsequent comments, both men gave glancing views of potential legislative priorities for the 2023 legislative session, which begins in February.Ray Carter | January 3, 2023
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Education
‘Civics’ group says HB 1775 will ‘limit civic education’
OCPA has long recognized the importance of civics education in public schools.Brandon Dutcher | January 3, 2023