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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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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Education
Deadline change may have impacted Oklahoma school-choice families
Enrollment in Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit program continues to grow, with more than 40,000 students approved for the 2026–2027 school year. Most tax-credit recipients continue to come from low- and middle-income households.Ray Carter | June 25, 2026
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Health Care, Law & Principles
Oklahoma cases included in massive federal fraud takedown
Federal officials announced that a nationwide health care fraud crackdown has resulted in charges against 455 defendants for schemes involving more than $6.5 billion. Prosecutors reported that some cases were filed in Oklahoma.Ray Carter | June 23, 2026
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Budget & Tax
Arkansas surges ahead of Oklahoma in tax competition
After cutting its income tax rate to 3.7 percent—well below Oklahoma’s 4.5 percent rate—Arkansas has strengthened its appeal to workers, families, and higher-income earners relocating from other states.Ray Carter | June 22, 2026
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Economy
SQ 832 campaign message clashed with Oklahoma wage reality
While Oklahoma's legal minimum wage will remain at $7.25 an hour, many entry-level occupations already pay substantially more due to competition for workers. In fact, the average wages for jobs highlighted in the pro-SQ 832 campaign advertisements often meet or exceed $15 an hour.Ray Carter | June 22, 2026
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Education
School-choice backers cruise to victory in Oklahoma primaries
Candidates and incumbents who supported school-choice policies scored victories across Oklahoma in the June 16 primary elections, including lawmakers who backed expansion of the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program.Ray Carter | June 18, 2026
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma voters reject SQ 832 in decisive vote
Oklahoma voters rejected State Question 832, a proposal that would have raised the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2029 and then automatically increased it each year thereafter, with roughly 55 percent voting against the measure.Ray Carter | June 17, 2026
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