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Child care provider support needed to get Oklahoma economy running

Our child care industry and the future of our state’s economy are at stake. Now it is time for the state to listen. [More...]

Legislature rebuilds barriers to voting immediately after the Supreme Court knocked them down

The Legislature should be serving Oklahomans, not making it harder for them to exercise their fundamental right to vote. The requirements enacted by SB 210 can and should be reversed with alternatives that require less risk to our citizens. Oklahomans deserve better. [More...]

Drafting a budget during uncertain times (Capitol Update)

Given the substantial information gap under which legislators were operating, they did a good job of writing and passing the state budget last week. The budget reflects tremendous work by the appropriations committee members — especially the respective chairmen, Sen.… Read more [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: Lawmakers create barriers for voting safely; increase needed for food security; and more

Taking a closer look at the fast-tracked legislative process that cemented barriers to voting safely; SNAP is a critical piece of our pandemic response, and Congress needs to give it a boost. [More...]

SNAP is a critical piece of our pandemic response, and Congress needs to give it a boost

SNAP can help to stabilize a declining economy, and making the program as effective as possible is in everyone’s best interest right now. Food security is economic security — when people have adequate nutritious food, they are healthier, better able to fight off illness, and able to work as soon as good jobs are available.  [More...]

The Weekly Wonk: A call for officials to cooperate; medical parole would protect communities, and more

Cooperation needed to navigate uncharted waters; Medical parole is necessary to help protect Oklahoma prisons and hospitals from COVID-19; Broadband is more important than ever in Oklahoma. [More...]

Medical parole is necessary to help protect Oklahoma prisons and hospitals from COVID-19 

Spread of the virus within Oklahoma’s incarceration system will remain an ongoing threat to vulnerable inmates, corrections staff and rural hospitals. Without decisive action from state leaders to reduce its transmission, the virus has very real potential to make both prisons and our communities less safe in the long run.  [More...]

Broadband is more important than ever — here is how Oklahoma can respond (Guest Post: Dr. Brian Whitacre)

Broadband connectivity will be an important part of our society both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oklahoma Legislature should take advantage of the attention drawn to this issue and develop policies that will set us up for the increasingly digital future. [More...]

Four reasons to finish the job on retiree cost of living adjustment

By putting money into the pockets of Oklahoma’s retirees, the Legislature can help the economy without impacting the state’s budget. There’s no reason that Oklahoma should fall behind the region in benefit levels. [More...]

Current economic situation creates uncharted territory for state budget process (Capitol Update)

It seems a new conflict develops weekly now between the Governor and legislative leaders. This week the conflict again relates to the budget. Previously, the Governor had refused to sign a stopgap appropriations bill using money from the Rainy Day… Read more [More...]

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