Teachers’ union encourages members to politicize Thanksgiving, Christmas gatherings

The parent organization of the Oklahoma Education Association is encouraging its members to “incorporate your commitment to social justice at your celebrations this year.”

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by Ray Carter

Never enough: Here come the state agency wish lists

So far, Oklahoma state agencies have requested $454 in additional funding for the next fiscal year—and the wish list keeps getting longer.

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by Curtis Shelton

Lawmakers learn shady management companies could benefit from Medicaid expansion

Medicaid expansion has been touted as a way to shore up financially troubled rural hospitals, but at a recent legislative study, lawmakers learned the beneficiaries of Medicaid expansion may include management companies that have run several rural Oklahoma hospitals into the ground.

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by Ray Carter

Proud to be an American?

The Oklahoman recently printed the obituary of a remarkable man whose life story should put protestors to shame.

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by Mike Brake

Economists use beer to highlight socialism’s failings

Socialism may be gaining in popularity among certain groups, but it remains a thoroughly discredited economic system, as two experts highlight in their book Socialism Sucks: Two Economists Drink Their Way Through the Unfree World (Regnery, 2019).

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by Ray Carter

Funding structures, not union politics, driving teacher pay

During 2018, many Oklahoma school districts shut down for up to two weeks as part of a union-led walkout campaign targeting the state legislature. Just days before the shutdown, the legislature had passed a package of tax increases in order to raise teacher pay by an average of $6,100. One of the most salient arguments leading up to the pay raise and walkout was that Oklahoma was losing teachers to Texas due to higher pay south of the Red River.

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by Curtis Shelton

Expert warns against legal games with pension protections

During a recent legislative study that included a review of a pension-protection law, the head of one state pension system offered lawmakers a recommendation for improving such laws: Stop allowing bills to self-exempt from pension protections.

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by Ray Carter

Officials urge caution in passing unfunded pension benefits

Under legislation passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives this year, retired state workers’ benefits would have been increased by 4 percent. But that bill, which did not advance in the Senate, included no funding to cover the additional cost, making the measure an unfunded mandate.

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by Ray Carter

Governor, tribal officials discuss casino compact dispute

Gov. Kevin Stitt said state-tribal negotiations over casino compacts have reached an impasse, but said he remains committed to an improved agreement that will require state casino operators to pay market rates for monopoly gaming rights.

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by Ray Carter

How do Oklahoma’s casino fees compare to other states?

One fact stands out above all others: Oklahoma has more slot machines than all but a handful of states—yet collects less revenue than most. 

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by Curtis Shelton

Officials say state’s ‘merit protection’ system harms workforce quality

Under the “merit protection” system used in Oklahoma government, it’s too hard to fire bad employees or give promotions to good employees, according to several officials. That has some officials calling for a major overhaul, or even repeal, of the system.

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by Ray Carter

OKC district’s effort to penalize charter schools for attracting students prompts lawsuit

Under Oklahoma law, an entity that sponsors a public charter school—in this case the Oklahoma City school district—is allowed to assess the charter school a fee of up to 5 percent of the charter’s state funding “for administrative services rendered.” While charter schools have substantial independence, they are required to have a sponsoring entity, typically a local traditional school district.

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by Ray Carter

Father of Parkland shooting victim says Enid Public Schools’ actions dangerous

The recent action of Enid Public School administrators who fired a school resource police officer for seeking prosecution of at least two students who had threatened classmates sent precisely the wrong signal, nationally known school safety crusader Andrew Pollack has told OCPA.

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by Mike Brake

Parole overhaul, diversion funding sought to address SQ 780 shortcomings

Supporters and critics alike are calling for reforms and/or new funding to address the perceived shortcomings of State Question 780, a voter-approved initiative that reduced penalties for theft and drug use in Oklahoma, with one lawmaker even advocating “radical” change.

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by Ray Carter

Oklahoma academic decline prompts concern, calls for change

Results from two national measures of academic performance— the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the ACT college-readiness exam—show continued decline in Oklahoma schools’ academic outcomes.

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by Ray Carter

Data suggest Oklahoma economic growth is slowing

Continuing the pattern of recent months, new data indicate Oklahoma’s economic growth is slowing, suggesting lawmakers may have far less growth revenue to spend next year, based on information provided by State Treasurer Randy McDaniel.

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by Ray Carter

Medicaid expansion means more federal control

Expanding Medicaid would greatly increase the federal government’s control over Oklahoma’s state budget. If Oklahoma chose to expand Medicaid it could increase the federal government’s share of the state budget to over 50 percent.

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by Curtis Shelton

More progress needed for Teachers’ Retirement System

Oklahoma has made progress toward a healthier pension system, but events in Chicago show the dangers of being complacent. Oklahoma can further establish a stable retirement system by adopting reforms to TRS similar to those adopted for OPERS.

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by Curtis Shelton