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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Ray Carter

Center for Independent Journalism

Ray Carter is the director of OCPA’s Center for Independent Journalism.

Ban on DEI in OK colleges passes House

Tulsa Beacon

By a margin of nearly four to one, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have voted to make permanent a ban on mandatory “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs at Oklahoma colleges. “Individually, we don’t have a problem with each word: ‘diversity,’ ‘equity,’ ‘inclusion,’” said state Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont (pictured above). “But…

Lawmakers vote to allow Christians to serve as foster parents

Tulsa Beacon

Christian couples could not be barred from serving as foster or adoptive parents based on their religious beliefs under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Senate Bill 658, by state Sen. Julie Daniels and state Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, says that the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) cannot require any current or…

Transparency reforms to Initiative Petitions prompt accusation of ‘fascism’

Tulsa Beacon

By an overwhelming majority, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have approved a range of reforms that will increase transparency and public participation in the state’s initiative-petition process. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said the overriding goal of the bill is simple: “This is a voter-empowerment bill.” Senate Bill 1027, by state Sen. David…

Student groups at OU, OSU, and UCO ‘vow to resist the presence of ICE on Campus’

Tulsa Beacon

A student group linked to antisemitism nationwide is urging Oklahoma officials to prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from enforcing immigration law on Oklahoma campuses. After 12 foreign students in Oklahoma reportedly had their visas revoked by the Trump administration, Students for Justice In Palestine (SJP) released a statement claiming the 12 students “were…

Oklahoma Senate Committee advances new tax-reform plan

Tulsa Beacon

This year’s legislative session has included much focus on addressing the problems created by Oklahoma’s tax on work and investment, the personal income tax. Gov. Kevin Stitt has called for lowering the top tax rate from 4.75 percent to 4.25 percent and putting the tax on a path to complete repeal over time. Both chambers…

Oklahoma school-board election shift moves ahead

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation that would shift Oklahoma’s school-board elections to better-known election dates that draw higher turnout has cleared two House committees and is now eligible to be heard by the entire membership of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Senate Bill 6, by state Sen. Ally Seifried and state Rep. Chris Banning, would move school-board elections to…

Stitt appoints Travis Jett to OK Supreme Court

Tulsa Beacon

Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed attorney Travis Jett to fill a position on the Oklahoma Supreme Court that came open after voters ousted longtime liberal incumbent Justice Yvonne Kauger last November. “Travis Jett is a man of integrity, wisdom, and deep respect for the rule of law,” Stitt said. “He brings an impressive legal mind,…

Hospital Price Transparency bill overcomes hospital opposition

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation that would require Oklahoma hospitals to publicly post prices for roughly 300 services has advanced from a state House committee, overcoming the lobbying efforts of hospital officials who sought to kill the transparency measure. Senate Bill 889, by state Sen. Casey Murdock and state Rep. Mark Lepak, requires Oklahoma hospitals to make public a…

OK House Committee quickly approves ban on men in women’s prisons

Tulsa Beacon

In a hearing that took only minutes, members of a state House committee voted to change Oklahoma law to explicitly ban men from being placed in women’s prisons. Senate Bill 418, by state Sen. Julie Daniels and state Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, requires Oklahoma prisons to “designate each multi-occupancy restroom, changing room, and sleeping quarters for…

Millions diverted from Oklahoma classrooms

Tulsa Beacon

Since 2018, per-student revenue in Oklahoma public schools has surged by 51 percent, yet academic outcomes have gone in the opposite direction, declining even as spending increased. One possible explanation for that disturbing trend: Much of the money provided to schools is not reaching the classroom. Data recently released by state Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid,…