Among the 250 measures filed for consideration so far are six proposed constitutional amendments that will require a public vote. How does limiting the governor to one term, cutting legislators’ pay in half and the Legislature meeting ever other year instead of every year sound? Would paying legislators less and making them work less get […]
legislature
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Sex offenders are now less offender-y?
In 2007, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a new measure that created a three-tiered risk assessment level. That law requires sex offenders to be placed on the registry for 15 years, 25 years or life, depending on their assessment levels. The problem focuses on offenders who had been convicted, sentenced and placed on the registry prior […]
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City officials respond to MAPS 3 legal challenge
City officials sent a letter Tuesday to private attorney David Slane outlining the reasons his concerns are misplaced. Slane alleged the December 2009 MAPS 3 vote was unconstitutional because it violated the state’s single-subject rule since eight different projects would be financed with the sales tax extension. The single-subject rule came into focus for Slane […]
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Injunction junction
Credit: Brad Gregg Um, at least that’s the takeaway of state Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, a key supporter of an Oklahoma constitutional amendment to ban the use of Sharia law in state courts. On Aug. 15, a federal judge issued a permanent injunction against the amendment, which voters overwhelmingly approved in a 2010 statewide vote […]
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Advancing Medicaid reform
The consultants recommended accepting federal Medicaid-expansion funding but using it to underwrite private insurance purchases for poor Oklahomans. SB 640 would have given these citizens a choice of private insurance or the present SoonerCare insurance plan. The Leavitt Partners wanted to push eligible clients to use the ACA’s health-insurance exchange and Indian Health Services. SB […]
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Allergy sufferers give thanks
This requirement would have necessitated a doctor’s co-pay for each appointment, ultimately leading to a massive increase in the cost of these safe, common, vital medicines. It also would have increased the number of doctor visits and thereby strained the demands on Oklahoma’s medical system. As someone who depends on cold and allergy medicine to […]
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Mr. Popular
Credit: Brad Gregg On Reynolds’ newly launched website, shannonforcongress.com, he appears to accuse Shannon of everything short of stealing candy from a baby. The Oklahoma City Republican suggests Shannon took a pair of illegal corporate campaign contributions, has a sorry legislative track record and even has played fast and loose with his claim of being […]
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‘Tightening the noose’
Basically other states have come to their senses about pot, both medical and recreational and the associated prison reform. Once again, Oklahoma is tightening the noose on its citizens. When Oklahoma uses human incarceration as a major economic model, it is helpful to keep the private prisons and the legal system clogged with nonviolent drug […]
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Taking tests to task
Just like workplace drug testing, if it really affects work performance, do you really need a drug test? Won’t you see its effect? Those who do cocaine, meth, etc. and time it right, you’ll never catch those people — do it Friday and Saturday, and it’s out of your system by Monday. And a $20 […]
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The anti-Obama premium
I am no fan of President Obama. There are many reasons to be concerned about his administration: IRS abuse, Obamacare, domestic spying on citizens and so on. However, trying to associate our state’s infrastructure issues — such as our Capitol building or weigh stations — with something Obama would do is ridiculous. This ultimately will […]