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Oklahoma Supreme Court justices interrupted the state’s solicitor general repeatedly with questions during oral argument in a case challenging the constitutionality of an income tax cut passed earlier this year. State Health Commissioner Terry Cline says no cases of Ebola have been reported in Oklahoma, but the state is ready in case of outbreak.
The OK Policy Blog examines two state ballot questions that would expand property tax breaks for certain military personnel and their families. An editorial in The Oklahoman pointed out that a bill to expand DNA testing of persons charged with some crimes might be set back by testimony from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation that thousands of tests already mandated under existing law go undone.
Only 2 percent of U.S. colleges and universities are giving students the best tools for success, according to a new report by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, and The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is among them. Protesters are planning to demonstrate at Oklahoma City University’s International Energy Conference this week.
The Number of the Day is the number of active underground storage tanks in Oklahoma carrying hazardous substances or petroleum. In today’s Policy Note, Politico surveys the fluid, confusing legal environment facing immigration courts as thousands of migrant children from Central America process through the system, many without representation.
In The News
Oklahoma Supreme Court justices pepper state attorney with questions about tax cut
Oklahoma Supreme Court justices interrupted the state’s solicitor general repeatedly with tough questions Tuesday as he sought to defend the way legislators passed an income tax reduction measure. “Why don’t they just follow the constitution?” Justice Noma Gurich asked. “All this whole issue is about is follow the constitution of the state of Oklahoma.”
Oklahoma Health Commissioner Terry Cline calls state’s system for dealing with Ebola ‘well-oiled machine’
State Health Commissioner Terry Cline is seeking to reassure the public that a “well-oiled machine” is in place to combat Ebola should the deadly disease reach Oklahoma. Cline said the state has put out a series of communications to health care professionals about proper procedures for dealing with any outbreak of the deadly disease.
SQ 770 & 771 would expand property tax breaks for some veterans and their families
After Oklahoma voters decided twenty state questions in 2010 and 2012, including several broad and contentious issues, this November’s ballot may seem anticlimactic. Oklahoma voters will have just three state questions to decide, none of which are especially momentous. Two of these, SQ 770 & SQ 771, involve homestead exemptions for certain military personnel and their families.
Read more from Oklahoma Policy Institute
Uncertain futures for two efforts being tried again in Oklahoma Legislature
TWO often-tried proposals will be trotted out once again during the 2015 session of the Legislature. Testimony at recent interim legislative hearings didn’t leave a clear sense of whether banning text-messaging for all drivers or expanding DNA testing of criminal offenders will succeed this time around.
Many U.S. colleges fail to prepare students, new report says, but University of Science and the Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha gets A
Only 2 percent of U.S. colleges and universities are giving students the best tools for success, according to a report released Wednesday. The 2014-15 edition of What Will They Learn? surveyed 1,098 institutions, both public and private, to see if they require graduates to complete seven core curriculum courses.
Energy Conference to be Greeted by Protesters
Oklahoma City University’s International Energy Conference will be held Wednesday in Oklahoma City featuring numerous national speakers, including Matthew McManus with the U.S. Department of State. He and leading experts in the energy industry will discuss the state and future of the global domestic energy resource development. But the conference will also face protesters who plan to hold what they call a ‘Rational Synergy Convergence.’
Read more from Oklahoma Energy Today
Quote of the Day
“Why don’t they just follow the constitution? All this whole issue is about is: follow the constitution of the state of Oklahoma.”
Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Noma Gurich, to the state’s solicitor general as he sought to defend the way legislators passed an income tax reduction measure that has been challenged as unconstitutional
Number of the Day
10,089
Number of active underground storage tanks in Oklahoma carrying certain hazardous substance or petroleum. There have been 38 confirmed releases and 35 completed cleanups this year.
Source: EPA.gov
See previous Numbers of the Day here.
Policy Note
Migrant children: Out of sight, still in mind
Weeks before November’s elections, the child migrant crisis has dropped out of sight even as the children themselves have moved into that less visible but perilous maze — the nation’s immigration courts.
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