Articles
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Education, Economy
K-12 failures create economic headwinds for Oklahoma
The failures of Oklahoma’s K-12 public-school system are a significant negative factor holding back economic growth and job creation in the state, based on data presented to lawmakers during a study conducted this week.Ray Carter | August 31, 2022
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Economy
Corporate welfare efforts ignore true growth areas?
In recent years, Oklahoma lawmakers have offered millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to “green” energy businesses. But the associated job creation has been anemic and those corporate-welfare efforts overlook, or even undermine, existing businesses that are already producing high-paying jobs across Oklahoma, according to one state business leader.Ray Carter | August 30, 2022
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Education
Oklahoma voters send education message
For years, Oklahoma has ranked among the bottom tier of states based on academic outcomes (despite the fact that funding is at a record-high level). Now, parents and Oklahomans from all walks of life and corners of the state are ready for change.Jonathan Small | August 30, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Education
Oklahoma schools’ federal spending highlighted at meeting
Oklahoma schools are flush with federal cash, including COVID-bailout money, with only limited spending restrictions. Some reported uses have little obvious connection to COVID, as experts warn improper spending could create financial challenges for schools within two years.Ray Carter | August 29, 2022
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Education, Law & Principles
School bathroom regs adopted; Hofmeister voices concern
Members of the State Board of Education voted to approve emergency regulations that restrict school bathrooms to members of one sex, although State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister addressed transgender concerns even as she voted in favor of the new regulations.Ray Carter | August 25, 2022
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Education
Critical Race Theory in calculus, anatomy classes at Mustang?
Mustang officials begged the board to reconsider their accreditation decision, saying teachers in a wide range of classes at the district have indicated they believe they may violate the law.Ray Carter | August 25, 2022
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Education
School-choice supporters prevail in runoff
School-choice supporters continued to prevail in the Aug. 23 runoff elections with the most-high profile victory occurring in the race for the Republican nomination for state superintendent of public instruction.Ray Carter | August 24, 2022
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Criminal Justice
Work touted as crucial need to reform ex-convicts
If officials want the recidivism rate to decline for ex-convicts, Oklahoma must increase opportunities for incarcerated individuals to get job training and encourage more businesses to become “second chance” employers who will hire people with a record, lawmakers were told at a legislative study this week.Ray Carter | August 23, 2022
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Education
Seven public-school reforms for 2023
Parents are ready to work with policymakers to fix problems. In the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers can enact the these public-school reforms.Jonathan Small | August 23, 2022
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Law & Principles
Tribes reverse course from their prior McGirt arguments
Several tribes that celebrated the McGirt ruling are effectively doing a 180-degree pivot by urging federal judges to reverse course and rule that an 1898 law impacting Oklahoma reservations is no longer in effect.Ray Carter | August 22, 2022