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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.

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,…

Phaseout of Oklahoma Income Tax continues to advance

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation that would gradually phase out Oklahoma’s tax on work and investment—the personal income tax—continues to move ahead, clearing its first Oklahoma Senate hurdle this week. House Bill 1539, by state Rep. Mark Lepak and state Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, would cut Oklahoma’s 4.75-percent personal income-tax rate by a quarter point each time that net state…

Initiative-petition reforms clear OK house committee

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation that would require initiative-petition efforts to gather signatures from Oklahomans across the state has cleared another legislative hurdle, easily winning approval in a state House committee. “The integrity of our election system is essential for our democracy to survive and thrive, and that’s what this legislation is about,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow….

Senate votes to ban dei at oK colleges

Tulsa Beacon

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs, which have been associated with fostering antisemitism and other forms of racism, would no longer receive state funding under legislation advanced by the Oklahoma Senate. Senate Bill 796, by state Sen. Adam Pugh, states that no Oklahoma college or university “shall utilize state funds, property, or resources to grant…

Three nominees advanced for OK Supreme Court position

Tulsa Beacon

Under Oklahoma law, an unelected 15-member Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) controls who gets nominated to serve on the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The JNC announced on March 12 that the group has chosen three nominees from 14 applicants for the Oklahoma Supreme Court vacancy created when voters ousted longtime liberal incumbent Justice Yvonne Kauger last November….

Lawsuit reform clears the Oklahoma Senate heads to house

Tulsa Beacon

Members of the Oklahoma Senate have passed, by a supermajority margin, legislation that would prevent “jackpot” awards in Oklahoma courts while still allowing victims to receive full payment for medical treatment and lost income when injured due to another’s neglect. Senate Bill 1065, by state Sen. Brent Howard, caps noneconomic-damages awards at $500,000. The bill…

Senate gives strong support to moving school-board elections

Tulsa Beacon

By an overwhelming margin, members of the Oklahoma Senate have voted to move school-board elections to a November general election ballot, seeking to dramatically increase participation in those races. “I’m running this bill for the taxpayers,” said state Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore. “I want increased voter participation because they are the ones that pay. So…