Authors
Tom Newell
Vice President for the Center for Culture and the Family
Tom Newell serves as OCPA’s Vice President for the Center for Culture and the Family, advocating for a culture that supports and sustains strong families in Oklahoma. Newell served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016 as the first Republican ever to be elected in House District 28. In addition to serving in the legislature, he pastored churches in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, serving his denomination as both a state and national leader. Since leaving the Legislature, Newell has served as government affairs director for the Foundation for Government Accountability, CEO of S.A.L.L.T (Salt And Light Leadership Training), and as vice president of government affairs for the organization Yes. Every. Kid. Tom is a proud son, father, and grandfather. Tom, his wife, Erin, and his two bonus sons reside just outside of Oklahoma City.
Recent Articles
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Education, Culture & the Family
Bible class ‘released time’ a good idea for Oklahoma
Let’s allow Oklahoma students to be excused from school to attend a course in religious instruction.Tom Newell | April 9, 2024
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Health Care
Oklahomans deserve better than Medicaid expansion
Instead of inviting budgetary crises, shifting costs to taxpayers, and creating a class of able-bodied welfare recipients, Oklahoma lawmakers can reject Medicaid expansion once and for all. It’s time to abandon Medicaid expansion and refocus our energy on protecting the truly needy and promoting opportunity for able-bodied Oklahomans.Tom Newell | March 5, 2019
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Health Care
To help needy Oklahomans, implement Medicaid audits
Annually, billions of dollars are lost—and stolen—from taxpayers and the truly needy through spending on ineligible Medicaid recipients. Some of the dollars are lost through outdated systems and auditing practices by the state, others through blatant fraudulent and criminal behavior.Tom Newell | January 29, 2018
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Health Care
To help needy Oklahomans, implement Medicaid audits
Annually, billions of dollars are lost—and stolen—from taxpayers and the truly needy through spending on ineligible Medicaid recipients. Some of the dollars are lost through outdated systems and auditing practices by the state, others through blatant fraudulent and criminal behavior.Tom Newell | January 23, 2018
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The Trent England Show: A conversation with Holly Fretwell
Rep. Tom Newell fills in for Trent and talks with Holly Fretwell of PERC about wildfires in the West.Tom Newell | August 4, 2016
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Budget & Tax
Oklahoma Needs Federal-Funds Transparency
It’s time to expand federal funds transparency in Oklahoma so that policymakers and the public can have the best information about state agency use of federal funds and so that we can be better prepared to provide for core services of government.Tom Newell, Greg Treat | July 1, 2015
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Oklahoma Must Eliminate the Penalty on Work
In the 50-state competition for growth and opportunity, states charging no personal income tax are winning. Texas and Florida, two income tax-free states, are among America’s biggest winners.Tom Newell | September 2, 2014
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