By:
Steve Lewis
November 5, 2024 // Updated: November 5, 2024

Timothy Tardibono, who was appointed last week by Gov. Kevin Stitt to be the new director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA), should prove to be a good appointment. His background, education and experience all point toward progress for troubled children, youth and families in Oklahoma.
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By:
Steve Lewis
October 29, 2024 // Updated: October 29, 2024

The House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Finance held a study about modernizing the state Sales Tax Relief Credit for low-income Oklahomans.
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By:
Steve Lewis
October 23, 2024 // Updated: October 23, 2024

One of the interesting things about living in these times is the re-litigation of matters long thought to be settled. Who would have thought that public school teachers could be required by the state to teach from Bibles that were purchased and delivered to schools with state tax dollars?
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By:
Steve Lewis
October 17, 2024 // Updated: October 17, 2024

If you look closely, you can find good work being done by many legislators who are working across the aisle to address the state's many needs.
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By:
Steve Lewis
October 9, 2024 // Updated: October 9, 2024

The lengthy study on Oklahoma’s felony murder statute showed that our felony murder statute is not an outlier among the states. But, as witnesses pointed out in the hearing, it is fertile ground for what many would consider entirely legal but horribly unjust results.
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By:
Steve Lewis
October 1, 2024 // Updated: October 1, 2024

An issue that will likely be on the legislative agenda next year is childcare. As the economics and the makeup of families have changed, the need for out-of-home childcare has exploded.
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By:
Steve Lewis
September 23, 2024 // Updated: September 23, 2024

Thoughtful legislators, like thoughtful businesspeople, understand you can't have quality education, infrastructure, and mental health programs without funding them properly. Hopefully, policymakers will take care to read the whole report.
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By:
Steve Lewis
September 16, 2024 // Updated: September 16, 2024

Due to inadequate health care funding, Oklahoma will continue to experience the economic and social outcomes caused by poor health, mental health, and addiction.
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By:
Steve Lewis
September 9, 2024 // Updated: September 9, 2024

While HB 4156 gave state law enforcement officers the authority to arrest people who are found in Oklahoma without legal authority to be in the U.S., the "Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visa Task Force” has issued recommendations towards a more balanced approach to the immigration issue.
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By:
Steve Lewis
September 3, 2024 // Updated: September 3, 2024

Between incumbent losses, term limits, retirements, and the complete change in leadership in both chambers, the next session will surely be interesting.
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