A Word Map for 2012: Out of the mouths of Legislators

Over the past year, Oklahomans have coped with another year of severe drought, raging wildfires, rising poverty, sluggish job growth, rising health care and insurance costs, and the ongoing large scale deployment and return of National Guard and Army reservist… Read more [More...]

Step up or step aside: Looming deadline forces Oklahoma's hand on a health exchange

The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the health care law, or Affordable Care Act (ACA), will soon compel even the most reluctant states to address their central responsibility under the law – state-based health insurance exchanges.  Exchanges, which we’ve blogged… Read more [More...]

Legislature poised to limit access to mammograms, prostate screenings, immunizations & more

While the new federal health law has expanded consumer guarantees for minimum health benefits, Oklahoma is poised to move in the opposite direction. Embedded in an ‘interstate compact’ bill to allow out-of-state insurers to sell policies in Oklahoma is a… Read more [More...]

2012 Session: Prospects look better for immigrants, worse for the poor, loaded for gun enthusiasts

The 2012 legislative session convened last Monday and will run until the end of May (click here for a complete run-though of how this works in our handy Legislative Overview). With 1,934 new bills  filed, it takes awhile before we… Read more [More...]

Jimson Weed, Runaway Cows, and Henna Tattoos: Highlights from the 53rd Legislature

We all know that the state legislature is tasked with addressing the state’s most urgent and important public policy problems.  From program budgeting to educational standards to defining and specifying criminal penalties for unlawful acts, state senators and representatives enter… Read more [More...]

Now Available: The 2011 Legislative Overview – your program and playbook for the legislative session

Do you know who chairs the Senate Appropriations committee? Who serves as Governor Fallin’s Secretary of Energy? When the deadline is for passing bills out of their original chamber? How much money there is in the Rainy Day Fund? The… Read more [More...]

OICA Fall Forum offers an opportunity to shape policy for children

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) hosts its annual Fall Forum in Edmond on October 13 and 14. This unique event brings together hundreds of opinion leaders and advocates to identify issues affecting children. Participants work together to help… Read more [More...]