Kurt Hochenauer

The debate over school consolidation continues in Oklahoma, but consolidation is hardly the financial panacea presented by its proponents. School consolidation is often a sign that a small, rural Oklahoma community is no longer viable and must give up its schools, but that doesn’t mean state leaders should give up on these places. Sometimes, the […]

Women’s medical privacy rights could be threatened and the state’s growing bioscience industry would have suffered under new pro-life legislation in Oklahoma. House Bill 1595, which has passed the House and Senate, would require doctors to submit detailed information on each abortion they perform to the Oklahoma Health Department, which would put the information on […]

A GOP-sponsored bill deregulating schools is a dangerous measure that could lower academic standards and increase class sizes in the state’s schools. Its stated intent is to empower school districts, but Senate Bill 834, sponsored by Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville, could ultimately reduce the quality of education received by the state’s children. Under the measure, […]

One part of the solution to Oklahoma’s budget dilemma is simple: The state government should raise taxes on the state’s wealthiest income earners. Obviously, this won’t happen for a variety of political reasons. But the fact income tax hikes or surcharges on the wealthy aren’t a major part of the state budget debate is fiscally […]

Oklahomans who cared about maintaining science standards in schools paid close attention to a bill introduced by state Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, which would have allowed teachers to discuss with their students the strengths and weaknesses of evolution, global warming and human cloning. Called the “Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act,” Senate Bill 320 appeared […]

Now is exactly the time for state government to invest more in higher education, but don’t count on a majority of Oklahoma leaders to see it this way. Faced with projections of declining state revenues, Oklahoma’s political leaders shouldn’t hesitate to tap the Rainy Day Fund to increase funding for higher education. This is unlikely […]

State Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, has wasted no time pushing her religious agenda since her re-election to the Oklahoma House last month. Kern, along with state Rep. Mike Reynolds, another Oklahoma City Republican, has introduced the “Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act” for the 2009 state Legislature to consider. The bill should actually be titled the […]

Earth to disappointed Oklahoma Democrats: It’s all good. Put those recriminations away. No one person or event can be blamed for the poor showing of Democratic state candidates in the Nov. 4 election. Keep your hopes alive. State Democrats are poised to make gains in the general election two years from now. It’s not difficult […]

What if the Oklahoma City area becomes even more politically and culturally conservative in the next few years? According to a story in the Tulsa World, population trends show Oklahoma’s fastest-growing political districts are now either controlled by Republicans or trending towards the GOP. These districts include Oklahoma City’s suburban areas. If the trends hold, […]

The Oklahoma conservative bastion and corporate media can attempt to rationalize it, but state government continues to inadequately fund public education. This has caused incalculable harm through the decades. It limits economic development because the state lacks a substantial educated workforce. It has led to high rates of cyclical poverty and hungry families. When people […]