Category: Media

Health insurance? Fooey! (Oklahoma Gazette)

Why does the standoff between Gov. Mary Fallin and the Affordable Care Act remind us of the battle between Sylvester and Tweety Bird? First, the Republican governor delayed implementing aspects of the ACA, otherwise known as Obamacare, in hopes that… Read more [More...]

STATEMENT: Governor’s decision not to join Medicaid expansion is deeply troubling

Governor Fallin’s decision not to expand the Medicaid program to cover uninsured low-income adults is deeply troubling and unfortunate, putting politics over the interests of Oklahomans. Read more... [More...]

Report shows rising inequality in Oklahoma as lower- and middle-class incomes stagnate

CONTACTS: CBPP: Shannon Spillane, 202-408-1080, spillane@cbpp.orgEPI: Phoebe Silag, 202-775-8810, psilag@epi.orgOK POLICY: Gene Perry, 918-794-3944, gperry@okpolicy.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 15, 2012 Incomes for poor and middle-class families in Oklahoma have stagnated since the late 1990s, with nearly all of the… Read more [More...]

Backers of Oklahoma state question attempt to clear up voter confusion (The Oklahoman)

by Michael McNutt, The Oklahoman Passage of State Question 765 next week would not abolish the state’s largest agency, supporters of the measure said Friday. SQ 765 would repeal three sections of the state constitution and add another, essentially eliminating… Read more [More...]

Remember to vote (Woodward News)

Dwight Hughes, Superintendent at High Plains Technology Center On November 6, 2012, Oklahoma voters will not only vote for a presidential candidate, but we will also decide six state questions to possibly amend the State Constitution.  Amending the State Constitution… Read more [More...]

New report details Oklahoma’s unnecessary and unaffordable oil and gas tax breaks

(Tulsa, OK): Tax breaks for the oil and gas industry are growing out of control and squeezing out resources for schools, roads, public safety, and other keys to long-term economic growth, according to a new report issued today by the… Read more [More...]

At what price? Some fear that Oklahoma schools are not just broke, but broken (Oklahoma Gazette)

Original at http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-16547-at-what-price.html by Peter Wright, Oklahoma Gazette Only two states cut per-pupil spending more than Oklahoma in the last five years, according to a recent think-tank report. While it appears nearly impossible to determine what funding is adequate for… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma school funding cuts among worst in U.S.

Contact: David Blatt, (918) 794-3944, dblatt@okpolicy.org Since 2008, Oklahoma’s public school spending per student has dropped by more than 20 percent, according to new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). Oklahoma’s education cuts were the third… Read more [More...]

More openness sought in Oklahoma’s budget process (The Oklahoman)

Original at http://newsok.com/more-openness-sought-in-oklahomas-budget-process/article/3702160 By Michael McNutt, The Oklahoman The way legislators craft the state’s budget, which has evolved into secret meetings involving only a handful of key fiscal negotiators, should be more open so citizens and other lawmakers have a… Read more [More...]

Oklahomans talk positives of Supreme Court ruling on health care reform (KJRH)

Original at http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/Oklahomans-talk-potential-positives-of-Supreme-Court-ruling-on-health-care-reform A momentous Supreme Court decision made Thursday will affect Americans nationwide and — despite the state’s protests — Oklahomans.  Health care reform means many Oklahomans who were once denied insurance will be guaranteed coverage.  According to the… Read more [More...]