Authors
Brandon Dutcher
Senior Vice President
Brandon Dutcher is OCPA’s senior vice president. Originally an OCPA board member, he joined the staff in 1995. Dutcher received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oklahoma. He received a master’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in public policy from Regent University. Dutcher is listed in the Heritage Foundation Guide to Public Policy Experts, and is editor of the book Oklahoma Policy Blueprint, which was praised by Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman as “thorough, well-informed, and highly sophisticated.” His award-winning articles have appeared in Investor’s Business Daily, WORLD magazine, Forbes.com, Mises.org, The Oklahoman, the Tulsa World, and 200 newspapers throughout Oklahoma and the U.S. He and his wife, Susie, have six children and live in Edmond.
Recent Articles
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Education
If Oklahoma’s public schools are ‘accountable,’ why are all these high-school graduates illiterate?
“One in four young adults across the U.S. is functionally illiterate—yet more than half earned high school diplomas,” says a new report. It’s time for the Oklahoma Legislature to put an end to social promotion in our state’s unaccountable public schools.Brandon Dutcher | October 17, 2025
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Education
Who’s draining whom?
Oklahoma’s public-education funding is at an all-time high. Private school choice pales by comparison.Brandon Dutcher | August 22, 2025
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Education
Two ways to address Oklahoma’s illiteracy crisis
Oklahoma policymakers must continue to press for reading reforms—while also empowering parents to choose schools that enthusiastically embrace the science of reading.Brandon Dutcher | June 24, 2025
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Culture & the Family
OCPA files brief in gender-identity case
OCPA and the Manhattan Institute have filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of parental-rights activist January Littlejohn.Brandon Dutcher | April 30, 2025
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Higher Education
As Trump nixes DEI, foolishness persists in Oklahoma higher ed
On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order abolishing “illegal and immoral discrimination programs” (DEI) in the federal government. We still have work to do in Oklahoma.Brandon Dutcher | January 22, 2025
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Budget & Tax
How fast does Oklahoma’s state government spend your money?
Ever wonder just how FAST Oklahoma’s state government spends your money? Check it outBrandon Dutcher | December 6, 2024
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Education
More spending, more choices
Oklahoma’s public school spending is at an all-time high. And so is the number of options available to parents.Brandon Dutcher | October 2, 2024
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Education
Homeschool parents support ESAs, tax credits
A nationwide survey of homeschooling parents finds support for educational-choice policies.Brandon Dutcher | September 24, 2024
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Education
School choice is (still) popular in Oklahoma
Consistent survey results (and election results) showing the popularity of educational choice should cause legislators to defend and expand Oklahoma’s voucher and tax-credit programs.Brandon Dutcher | August 9, 2024
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Education, Law & Principles
Oklahoma groups want school board elections on Election Day
Voter turnout for local school board elections is notoriously low. Several Oklahoma groups are working to boost voter turnout by moving those elections to Election Day.Brandon Dutcher | February 1, 2024
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