Articles
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Budget & Tax
Unfunded mandate proves headwind to state retirement system
Although the funded status of the Oklahoma Teachers’ Retirement System (OTRS) improved dramatically for a decade, an unfunded benefit-increase mandated by lawmakers in 2020 effectively eliminated four years’ worth of continued progress, according to data presented to lawmakers.Ray Carter | November 1, 2022
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Education
Lost learning, lost earnings: Trends bode ill for Oklahoma children’s future
Oklahoma’s future economic growth is linked to the quality of today’s education system. That’s why the latest round of ACT test scores is reason for concern.Jonathan Small | November 1, 2022
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Economy
Oklahoma’s economy outperformed most states during COVID
A recent report shows that Oklahoma government policies did far less harm to economic growth and citizens’ personal income than those imposed in nearly all other states.Ray Carter | October 31, 2022
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Education
Sound the alarm on Oklahoma’s academic results
Oklahoma’s 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test results show Oklahoma’s academic outcomes have plummeted, have fallen far faster than most states, and are at levels below nearly all states.Jonathan Small | October 28, 2022
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Law & Principles
Paycom employs legal strategy of 1950s segregationists
In a recent court filing, Paycom has asked an Oklahoma court to order the release of information that would directly and indirectly identify specific individuals who accessed free-market materials from the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA).Ray Carter | October 28, 2022
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Education
Study: Demographics don’t explain Oklahoma’s bad school results
Oklahoma’s poor educational outcomes are often dismissed as a byproduct of student demographics, particularly child poverty. But according to a new study, that is not the case.Ray Carter | October 27, 2022
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Higher Education
Professor says OU groupthink undermines excellence
The ideological groupthink and pressure tactics that prevail at many state-funded universities ultimately undermine the purpose of education and highlight the need for reform, according to a professor who has examined the problem.Ray Carter | October 26, 2022
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Radical environmental policies impact Oklahomans
It may be time to update Oklahoma’s utility regulations so both reliability and price stability are considered. If utilities are expected to keep prices stable, their leaders may be less likely to “go along to get along” with the advocates of environmental policies that are creating so much economic harm for working families.Jonathan Small | October 25, 2022
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Education
NAEP tests show academic results plunged under Hofmeister
Though state funding for Oklahoma schools has been at record-high levels since 2018, our state’s academic outcomes now rank among the worst in the country.Ray Carter | October 24, 2022
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Education, Health Care
Stitt: Oklahoma students not required to get COVID vax
Although the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has endorsed adding the COVID-19 vaccine to childhood immunization schedules, Gov. Kevin Stitt said the vaccine will not be required for public-school attendance in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | October 21, 2022