Articles
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Higher Education
OU pursues tuition hike despite student financial challenges
Millions of dollars in additional funding have surged into the coffers of Oklahoma’s colleges and universities in the last two years, but that isn’t stopping officials at the University of Oklahoma from requesting another tuition increase even as students and their families are struggling with the highest inflation in four decades.Ray Carter | June 21, 2022
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Education, Law & Principles
Lawmaker makes false claim about own district
State Rep. Josh West recently claimed that he “ain’t got a private school within dadgum two hours of me.” But independent research shows that people throughout most of West’s district live within 30 minutes of a private school—some of which West himself has visited.Ray Carter | June 20, 2022
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Education
Oklahoma Secretary of Education: Academic focus needed in Tulsa
By Ray Carter Oklahoma Secretary of Education Ryan Walters is defending a Tulsa Public Schools board member who has come under fire after suggesting the district should focus more on academics than social agendas.Ray Carter | June 17, 2022
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Budget & Tax
Inflation is cause for extreme caution on Oklahoma use of ARPA funds
What Oklahoma needs is private-sector growth, not increased government planning and spending. The former is the only path to increased prosperity for all.Jonathan Small | June 17, 2022
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Education, Law & Principles
AG O’Connor opposes Biden transgenderism mandate
Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor has joined a national coalition of state attorneys general to oppose the Biden administration’s efforts to force schools to embrace transgender policies, including policies that grant male students access to girls’ restrooms.Ray Carter | June 14, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Fuzzy math in House tax-and-spending plan?
The leadership of the Oklahoma House of Representatives says that chamber will advance several tax proposals this week in response to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call for passage of broad-based, pro-growth tax cuts—but indicated passage of tax cuts relies in part on cutting the budget of the governor’s office, citing the state’s balanced-budget requirement.Ray Carter | June 14, 2022
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Budget & Tax
Inflation crisis is vexing, but tax cuts can help
More than half a dozen states have already cut taxes this year. The current special legislative session gives Oklahoma a chance to join that group and not get left behind.Curtis Shelton | June 14, 2022
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Education
With education ‘on the wrong track,’ Oklahomans support parental choice
Most Oklahomans believe K-12 education is on the wrong track. They would choose something other than a regular public school if given the choice. And they support letting the money follow the child.Brandon Dutcher | June 14, 2022
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Budget & Tax
Lawmakers start tax-cut session, but action appears unlikely
Conceding to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s wishes, members of the Oklahoma Legislature met briefly on June 13 in a special legislative session that will focus on tax cuts.Ray Carter | June 13, 2022
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Law & Principles
The Oklahoma House of Representatives: Where good bills go to die
When House leaders are reduced to touting past successes rather than current achievements, it sends an implicit message that should worry Oklahomans—that House leadership’s best years are behind them.Jonathan Small | June 10, 2022