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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Education, Culture & the Family
Oklahoma officials join Supreme Court fight over religious liberty and school choice
Oklahoma officials have joined members of Congress and attorneys general from across the country in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the rights of religious schools in a case challenging Colorado's exclusion of Catholic preschools from a state-funded universal preschool program.Ray Carter | July 21, 2026
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Economy
Oklahoma ranks 15th-best state for homeownership—but one weakness stands out
A new report from the Hern Policy Institute ranks Oklahoma as the 15th-least burdensome state for homeownership, citing relatively low long-term ownership costs and limited zoning burdens, but finds the state lags many others in the pace of housing permitting and new construction.Ray Carter | July 20, 2026
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Economy, Culture & the Family
New report: Oklahoma’s growth driven by tax policy, housing supply
A new policy brief from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University finds Oklahoma ranked 11th nationally in net domestic migration from 2018 to 2023. The report concludes that lower tax burdens and policies that allow more home construction are the strongest predictors of population growth.Ray Carter | July 16, 2026
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Health Care
Oklahoma Medicaid fraud has hidden victims, report says
A new report from the Hern Policy Institute argues that Medicaid fraud and improper payments harm more than taxpayers by diverting limited health-care resources away from eligible patients and contributing to longer wait times and higher costs.Ray Carter | July 15, 2026
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Economy, Culture & the Family
Report cards vs. reality: Oklahoma remains a top destination for movers
Recent national rankings labeled Oklahoma among the nation's worst places to live or relocate, but actual migration data tell a different story. Oklahoma's affordability, strong communities, economic opportunity, and family-friendly culture help explain why people continue choosing the state.Ray Carter | July 14, 2026
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Law & Principles
Left-wing labor commissioner asks Oklahoma Supreme Court to deny OCPA brief
Supporters of State Question 836, including liberal Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn, are asking the Oklahoma Supreme Court to place the measure on the ballot after the Secretary of State determined the initiative petition fell short of the signatures required under state law.Ray Carter | July 13, 2026
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma’s tax cuts improved competitiveness—but the race isn’t over
Although Oklahoma has reduced its top personal income-tax rate from 6.65 percent in 2005 to 4.5 percent today—improving its competitive position relative to many states—the tax-cut race is accelerating elsewhere.Ray Carter | July 1, 2026
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Law & Principles
U.S. Supreme Court decision vindicates Oklahoma’s girls’ sports law
In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states may lawfully restrict girls’ and women’s athletic competitions to biological females.Ray Carter | June 30, 2026
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Law & Principles
Report: Non-citizen households more likely to receive welfare in Oklahoma
A new report finds that households headed by non-citizens receive welfare benefits at significantly higher rates than households headed by U.S.-born citizens, with Oklahoma reflecting the same pattern seen across most states.Ray Carter | June 30, 2026
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Higher Education
Report finds Oklahoma colleges raised tuition despite increased state funding
A new report finds that college tuition in Oklahoma increased by $7,518 per student from 1980 to 2025, after adjusting for inflation, even though state funding also increased by $1,435 per student during that time.Ray Carter | June 29, 2026
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