Category: Media Coverage

Critics hail Steele’s appointment to Pardon and Parole Board (Journal Record)

By Catherine Sweeney OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin’s latest appointment to the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board has garnered high praise, as supporters say that it proves her dedication to criminal justice reform. She appointed Kris Steele, a former… Read more [More...]

Several paths for Oklahoma’s latest budget shortfall (News OK)

By Dale Denwalt Oklahoma lawmakers face some tough decisions following a court case that struck down $215 million in new revenue this month. What can they do? Here are some options. Call a special session The first big decision is… Read more [More...]

Fallin, legislative leaders mull options to deal with budget hole (Tulsa World)

By Barbara Hoberock OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Mary Fallin and legislative leaders are waiting on more information before possibly returning in special session to fix a major budget hole. “It is not necessary to make the call for a special… Read more [More...]

Budget Woes (OETA)

[arve url=”https://youtu.be/BCsU_TxFXgM” /]… Read more [More...]

Petition drive for citywide income tax to support schools begins (News OK)

By William Crum An initiative petition drive aimed at calling a vote on a temporary citywide income tax to supplement lagging teacher pay has begun. A coalition of education and political leaders, Save OKC Schools, has 90 days to gather… Read more [More...]

Shadid proposes tax increase to fund teacher stipends (Red Dirt Report)

By Carita Jordan Howard OKLAHOMA CITY- Oklahoma’s number one asset for a thriving future doesn’t lie in crude oil nor does it lie in infrastructure – it lies in our youth, local leaders said yesterday evening at the Save OKC… Read more [More...]

Confronting a Newly Created $214 Million Budget Deficit at the State Capitol (Public Radio Tulsa)

By Rich Fisher Last week’s Oklahoma Supreme Court decision invalidating the State Legislature’s cigarette cessation fee means that there’s now a $214 million budget deficit in this year’s budget. This gives Oklahoma lawmakers two options: go back into special session… Read more [More...]

Trump’s emergency declaration leaves questions for Oklahomans (News OK)

By Meg Wingerter President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will issue an order declaring a national emergency related to opioids, but it isn’t clear what that will do for Oklahoma’s efforts to fight a wave of overdoses. Trump didn’t… Read more [More...]

With Oklahoma’s cigarette ‘fee’ gone, what’s next? (News OK)

By Dale Denwalt The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a $1.50 cigarette fee scheduled to go into effect this month is an unconstitutional tax, setting the stage for another fight over spending at the state Capitol. The decision strips… Read more [More...]

State Supreme Court Hears Arguments On Constitutionality Of Last-Minute Tax Bills (Express Newsline)

By Express Newsline Oklahoma Supreme Court justices considered arguments Tuesday that challenged the constitutionality of four bills passed during this year’s legislative session. That came after unsuccessful efforts to pass it at as a tax. It’s expected to generate $123… Read more [More...]