Category: Media

Another year, another budget hole for lawmakers to address (Associated Press)

By Tim Talley OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma budget writers are bracing for yet another gaping hole to work around for the upcoming fiscal year – the third consecutive year with a significant shortfall. Officials estimate a $600 million deficit… Read more [More...]

Child Advocates Meet at NWA Pre-Legislative Session in Bentonville (KNWA)

By Karella Kordsmeier BENTONVILLE, AR.– The Northwest Arkansas Pre-Legislative Session Summit happened in Bentonville on Tuesday. The day included panel discussions and presentations designed to prepare attendees and child advocates for the legislative session that begins in January. David Blatt,… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma sees immigration increasing from Central America (The Oklahoman)

By Josh Dulaney Talk quickly turns to tamales when Edgar Argueta considers the differences between Hispanic groups who call Oklahoma home. The 64-year-old property owner prefers tamales wrapped in plantain leaves, like the kind he ate in his native Guatemala… Read more [More...]

Western Plains continues to do more with less (Woodward News)

By Elise Solloway The fate of Oklahoma’s social services in 2017 are in the hands of the state economy, the House, the Senate, and the Governor. Woodward’s Western Plains Youth and Family Services, Inc. receives part of its annual funding… Read more [More...]

Mayor Bynum appoints new Chief Resilience Officer to address racial disparities in Tulsa (KTUL)

By Clayton Youngman & Lauren Partain TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Mayor G.T. Bynum has appointed a new Chief Resilience Officer to oversee development and growth of the city’s resilience efforts, specifically focusing on racial disparities in Tulsa. Bynum selected DeVon… Read more [More...]

Earned Income Tax Credit legislation to be filed by NW OKC lawmaker (Tahlequah Daily Press)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation that would restore the earned income tax credit to its previous levels will be filed soon by newly-elected state Rep. Collin Walke. Senate Bill 1604 approved last year by the Legislature and signed by Governor Fallin… Read more [More...]

Norman superintendent will retire at school year’s end (The Oklahoman)

By Jane Glenn Cannon NORMAN — Norman Public Schools Superintendent Joe Siano said his decision to retire in June did not come easy. “This extremely rewarding profession has afforded me the opportunity to work alongside many outstanding individuals whom I… Read more [More...]

Gleaning up after Thanksgiving (GlassHospital)

By Dr. John Schumann With the holiday season upon us, our thoughts often turn to those in need — of food, clothing and shelter. I recently attended the Oklahoma Food Security Summit and was struck by a presentation about the… Read more [More...]

Leadership Oklahoma class visits Tahlequah (Tahlequah Daily Press)

Members of Leadership Oklahoma Class 30 expanded their knowledge of Oklahoma tribal government and community economic development last week during their visit to Tahlequah. Local arrangements and hospitality were coordinated by area member Molly Jarvis, senior vice president, marketing communications… Read more [More...]

Finding optimism for #oklaed despite SQ 779’s defeat (NONDOC)

By John Thompson Former state Speaker of the House Steve Lewis opened his Nov. 4 article for Oklahoma Policy Institute with the observation: For a state with a well-deserved reputation for loathing government, we Oklahomans sure spend a lot of… Read more [More...]