Articles
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Good Government
Police unions could create barrier to reform
Few cases show the need for union reform more than Laquan McDonald’s death.Curtis Shelton | June 16, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Stitt vows transparency for CARES funding, warns cities can’t use it for shortfalls
Oklahomans will be able to view how the state spends $1.2 billion in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding by going to the state’s online “checkbook,” Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Wednesday.Ray Carter | May 20, 2020
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Culture & the Family, Good Government
Oklahoma ranks among worst on unemployment payments
If what the government gives, it can take away, some wonder if the reverse holds true. Can the government give back what it takes away?Ray Carter | April 9, 2020
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Good Government
Candidate filing begins amid COVID-19 restrictions
Candidate filing for Oklahoma’s 2020 elections began Wednesday, April 8, under what may be the most unusual circumstances in state history.Ray Carter | April 9, 2020
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Culture & the Family, Good Government
Overreaching politicians and shared sacrifice
The COVID-19/coronavirus is a global crisis and a very dangerous illness. But that does not justify any and every response to try to stop it. We could have nuked Wuhan in early January—that might have put an end to it right there, but no moral person would do anything like that.Trent England | March 25, 2020
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Culture & the Family, Good Government
Pursue innovation, remember working families during COVID crisis
“The Covid-19/coronavirus represents a true threat to public health. But even in the midst of unprecedented action, an important balance must be preserved: Action must be taken to reduce public spread of this virus, but it must be done in a way that minimizes the damage to people’s lives."Jonathan Small | March 22, 2020
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Culture & the Family, Good Government
Legislature to restrict public access to Capitol
To deal with public-health concerns created by the coronavirus, the Legislature will dramatically restrict access to the Oklahoma Capitol in the coming weeks, legislative leaders have announced.Ray Carter | March 17, 2020
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Good Government
Government workforce reform remains far from certain
Measures to overhaul the Oklahoma government’s human resources system quietly advanced this week without debate or question from lawmakers. But the bills’ authors indicated much work remains, suggesting the likelihood of significant reform is far from certain.Ray Carter | March 12, 2020
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Good Government
Like a good neighbor: Stitt seeks sensible collaborations for the public good
The “BeANeighbor” initiative—with its Tocquevillian understanding of the importance of civil society—could be Gov. Kevin Stitt’s most long-lasting legacy.Patrick B. McGuigan | March 10, 2020
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Budget & Tax, Good Government
Lawmakers vote to increase state’s unfunded liability
House lawmakers have voted to increase benefit payments to some state government retirees, but have chosen not to provide an appropriation to fund the additional expense. Instead, lawmakers voted to raid pension system assets to cover the cost of the higher monthly payments, which will reduce the systems’ solvency, and they advanced the bill despite lacking any firm estimate of the associated cost.Ray Carter | February 28, 2020