Articles
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Education
Oklahoma’s confusing bathroom policy: context and legal background
Stillwater Public Schools has been in the news recently for a policy that permits transgender students to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity.Ryan Haynie & Kimberly M. Richey | April 19, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Senate analysis refutes House member claims on pension bill
Legislation that would increase the state employer match for government workers’ retirement contributions has won approval in the Senate Appropriations Committee and now awaits a vote from the full Senate.Ray Carter | April 14, 2022
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Budget & Tax
Why defined-contribution retirement plans are preferable to defined-benefit plans
Oklahoma’s DC system creates a more stable system that retirees can rely on while providing financial responsibility for taxpayers who fund the system.Curtis Shelton | April 14, 2022
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Law & Principles
Lawmaker makes false statements about bill
State Rep. Josh West has made inaccurate and false claims about recent pension legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, indicating he either didn’t read or didn’t understand the legislation, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small said today.Jonathan Small | April 14, 2022
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Education, Culture & the Family
Mothers urge change to Stillwater bathroom policy
During the public-comment portion of the April 12 meeting of the Stillwater Board of Education, many parents urged the district to change its policy allowing transgender students—males who identify as female—to use the girls’ bathrooms.Ray Carter | April 13, 2022
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Law & Principles
Cap on government lawyer contracts advances
Contingency fees paid to private law firms by state government would be capped under legislation that has now won approval in the House Rules Committee.Ray Carter | April 13, 2022
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Education
Competition drives improvement in public schools
The overwhelming evidence shows that when public schools cease to be monopolies, they improve.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | April 13, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
Senate rejects House effort to pad lawmakers’ retirement
Members of the Oklahoma Senate have rejected legislation, advanced from the Oklahoma House of Representatives, that would have padded many legislators’ own retirement benefits.Ray Carter | April 11, 2022
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Budget & Tax, Law & Principles
OCPA praises Senators for rejecting retirement scheme
Members of the Senate took a strong stand against legislative self-dealing today by rejecting a House effort to quietly boost retirement benefits for state politicians, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs President Jonathan Small said today.Staff | April 11, 2022
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Education
AG O’Connor: School transgender bathroom policy not mandated
There is no legal requirement forcing Oklahoma public schools to allow transgender individuals—biological males who identify as female—to have unfettered access to girls’ bathrooms, according to Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor.Ray Carter | April 11, 2022