Authors
Ray Carter
Director, Center for Independent Journalism
Ray Carter is the director of OCPA’s Center for Independent Journalism. He has two decades of experience in journalism and communications. He previously served as senior Capitol reporter for The Journal Record, media director for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and chief editorial writer at The Oklahoman. As a reporter for The Journal Record, Carter received 12 Carl Rogan Awards in four years—including awards for investigative reporting, general news reporting, feature writing, spot news reporting, business reporting, and sports reporting. While at The Oklahoman, he was the recipient of several awards, including first place in the editorial writing category of the Associated Press/Oklahoma News Executives Carl Rogan Memorial News Excellence Competition for an editorial on the history of racism in the Oklahoma legislature.
Recent Articles
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Criminal Justice
With child rapist set to walk free, Stitt warns of ‘two-tiered’ justice system in Oklahoma
The child rapist whose case led to the U.S. Supreme Court effectively re-establishing Indian reservations across eastern Oklahoma is set to walk out of prison a free man, something that would have never happened if his original trial as an Oklahoman in state court had been allowed to stand.Ray Carter | May 3, 2024
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Education
Oklahoma lawmakers try to crack down on sexting teachers
Trying to deter more cases of sexual abuse of students in Oklahoma schools, state lawmakers have advanced legislation that would impose new regulations on teacher communications with children.Ray Carter | May 2, 2024
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Law & Principles
Stitt signs legislation allowing police to arrest illegal immigrants
Legislation making “impermissible occupation” a crime—allowing law enforcement officials to arrest illegal immigrants—passed the state House by a vote of 77‒20 and the state Senate by a vote of 39‒8. It has been signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt.Ray Carter | May 1, 2024
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma part of pushback on Biden Title IX rewrite
The Biden administration’s rewrite of federal Title IX law would allow men to enter women’s restrooms and locker rooms—so long as the male claims to identify as a woman. Oklahoma officials are pushing back.Ray Carter | April 30, 2024
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Education
Caving to teacher unions, Oklahoma House kills teacher-empowerment bill
An effort to give teachers greater control over their interactions with unions—and reduce interruption of school days for non-school activities—has failed in the Oklahoma House of Representatives after lawmakers caved to union pressure.Ray Carter | April 29, 2024
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Law & Principles
Senate sends ranked-choice voting ban to Stitt
Legislation that would prohibit the use of ranked-choice voting in Oklahoma elections has been sent to Gov. Kevin Stitt.Ray Carter | April 26, 2024
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Education
Oklahoma House votes to mandate phonics, ban ‘three-cueing’
Under legislation advancing from the Oklahoma House of Representatives, teachers could no longer use the discredited “three-cueing” method to teach reading, and more teachers would instead be trained in the “science of reading,” including phonics instruction.Ray Carter | April 25, 2024
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Education
Lawmakers object to aiding homeless and special-needs children
Several Oklahoma lawmakers oppose allowing homeless youth to access a scholarship program.Ray Carter | April 25, 2024
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Law & Principles
Illegal immigration bill sent to governor
Legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to be arrested by state police for “impermissible occupation” has won strong approval from the Oklahoma Senate and is headed to the governor.Ray Carter | April 24, 2024
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Law & Principles
Warning it will fuel litigation, Stitt vetoes SB 1737
Gov. Kevin Stitt has vetoed a bill that would allow businesses to sue Oklahomans for speech activity alleged to be harassing—even if the citizen has been charged with no crime.Ray Carter | April 24, 2024
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