Author: Tyler Parette

State in Dire Distress (okeducationtruths)

Oklahoma has one of the most beautiful state flags. According to Wikipedia: The Osage shield is covered by two symbols of peace: the Plains-style ceremonial pipe representing Native Americans, and the olive branch representing European Americans. Six golden brown crosses,… Read more [More...]

Prospects brighten for cigarette tax increase in Oklahoma (The Oklahoman)

By Rick Green In the 24 years since Oklahoma voters restricted lawmakers’ ability to raise taxes, the state Legislature has not been able to muster the three-fourths majority needed to pass a tax increase. That’s why there were major doubts… Read more [More...]

Everyday folks call, email and visiting lawmakers before end of legislative session (Oklahoma Gazette)

By Laura Eastes Andy Moore talks with with others at a recent Let’s Fix This event at the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Garett Fisbeck) Andy Moore was fed up with dreary headlines about the state’s financial mess. Articles covering the revenue… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma Policy Institute’s Do Something OK raises state budget crisis awareness (Red Dirt Report)

By Louis Fowler  Photo provided    OKLAHOMA CITY – While news about Oklahoma’s budget crisis continues to trickle to the masses, the sad fact is that many people are unaware about just how devastating these cuts are going to be in… Read more [More...]

Puppet campaign urges Oklahomans to “get off our butts,” do something about budget shortfall (KFOR)

By Lacey Lett OKLAHOMA CITY – A group of Oklahomans are taking an unusual approach to voicing concern over the state’s $1.3 billion shortfall. The Oklahoma Policy Institute, a non-partisan independent policy think-tank, started the ‘Do Something’ campaign to encourage… Read more [More...]

Democrat Stone challenges McDaniel for District 83 (Edmond Sun)

By James Coburn  Many Oklahomans are not pleased with what is happening at the state Capitol, said Jason Stone, D-Edmond. Stone, 43, is the only Democrat running for House District 83. He will face Republican incumbent Randy McDaniel, also of… Read more [More...]

More Red States Embrace Obamacare, As Long As You Don’t Call It That (Huffington Post)

by Jeffrey Young  WASHINGTON — Presidential candidates and other national politicians throw around a lot of rhetoric about health care reform, but the real action is happening in conservative state legislatures across the country. Red state governors and lawmakers are… Read more [More...]

Questions remain regarding proposed Medicaid reform plan in Oklahoma despite widespread support (News OK)

By Jaclyn Cosgrove  DURANT — Nico Gomez stood before a small group of 25 concerned residents.  How will we save Oklahoma’s Medicaid program?  That’s the question at hand.  Gomez, Oklahoma Health Care Authority CEO, has his answer: the Medicaid Rebalancing… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma Is Wasting Money to Prove a Point: The State Really Hates Abortion (Rewire)

By Imani Gandy Oklahoman legislators, like anti-choice politicians across the country, are hell-bent on eliminating abortion through a series of flank attacks while ignoring the needs of born humans in their state. SB 1552 now goes back to the state… Read more [More...]

The Oklahoma State Budget Explained by Puppets (Z94)

By Kelso      Quite possibly, the one thing everyone can agree on, regardless of political belief, is the thought of a working budget. After analysts pointed heavily at the oil bust, Oklahoma isn’t doing so OK these days. $1.3Billion in the… Read more [More...]