Articles
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Good Government
Devon, Expand, and the high cost of a century of bad policy
The loss of headquarters like Devon and Expand is the compounding result of Oklahoma’s long history of bad policy—and Texas’ far earlier embrace of good policy. Texas has had no income tax, lighter regulation, lawsuit reform, and better agency accountability for decades.Jonathan Small | March 31, 2026
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Culture & the Family, Good Government
Mullin’s move to Homeland Security highlights years of public and private service
Markwayne Mullin’s confirmation as U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary marks a moment to acknowledge the breadth of his service to Oklahoma—from growing a family business into a major employer, to representing the state in the U.S. House of Representatives and later the U.S. Senate.Jonathan Small | March 30, 2026
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Economy
SQ 832 would hit small businesses hard
SQ 832 would raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029 and tie future increases to the cost of living in expensive urban areas nationwide. The measure would pressure small businesses, reduce job opportunities for younger workers, and mirror negative outcomes seen in other states.Curtis Shelton | March 27, 2026
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Education, Law & Principles
Oklahoma bills expanding teacher-group access clear both chambers
The Oklahoma Legislature has approved two bills aimed at ensuring all teacher associations can engage with school districts during contract meetings. The proposals also allow teachers to withdraw from an association at any time.Ray Carter | March 26, 2026
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Health Care, Good Government
Oklahoma lawmakers advance measures allowing voters to revisit Medicaid expansion
Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced two measures that would give voters a chance to revisit the Obamacare Medicaid expansion as surging program costs threaten to squeeze out funding for other services. Opponents argue lawmakers should instead raise taxes.Ray Carter | March 26, 2026
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Education
Third-grade reading reform clears both chambers of Oklahoma Legislature
Oklahoma lawmakers have overwhelmingly advanced two sweeping literacy reform bills that would require struggling third-grade students to repeat the grade unless they score above “below basic” on the statewide reading test and would mandate intensive early interventions for younger grades.Ray Carter | March 25, 2026
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Education, Law & Principles
Oklahoma House advances bill requiring schools to show instructional spending before bond elections
Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced legislation requiring school districts to tell voters exactly how much of their funding goes to classroom instruction before asking for approval of new bond projects.Ray Carter | March 24, 2026
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Education
House votes to lock in Oklahoma’s participation in federal school-choice tax credit
Oklahoma lawmakers have taken the next step toward securing the state’s place in a new federal tax-credit program designed to expand private-school scholarships for low- and middle-income families.Ray Carter | March 24, 2026
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Economy
IRS data suggest Oklahoma’s real growth engine isn’t subsidy schemes—it’s economic freedom
For years, Oklahoma politicians chased mega-projects with giant subsidy offers—and mostly lost. But newly released IRS data show that the state did far better by cutting taxes and expanding economic freedom.Ray Carter | March 23, 2026
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Education
In Oklahoma, rich kids perform poorly in school
Even in Oklahoma districts with relatively low poverty rates, students who should be advantaged still perform far worse than their peers nationwide. The data show Oklahoma’s poor education outcomes are widespread and not limited to high-poverty schools.Ray Carter | March 19, 2026