Amber England The Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition, a statewide initiative of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, is committed to fighting for policies that address the barriers the state faces in making healthy choices. Starting an important conversation about child trauma and how its effects rob our ability to shape a healthier future for Oklahoma […]
op-ed
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Holding our biased breath
But as the company sells off billions in assets to pay $32.6 billion in “spending obligations” (as The Wall Street Journal recently reported), charges of crony capitalism abound and its CEO fends off charges of insider dealing, local defenders of the embattled energy giant have come forth in droves. Some even contend we are the […]
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Shining light on the legislative process
With the legislative session over, it’s a good time to think about ways to make the next one better. Specifically, I’m concerned with making the legislative process more transparent. Much has improved over the five years since I’ve been covering the state Capitol, but much more can — and should — be done. For starters, […]
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Oklahoma and Medicaid expansion
Based on the court’s ruling, Oklahoma now could choose not to expand Medicaid to cover more people without insurance living below the poverty line. But such a choice would squander the chance for as many as 180,000 struggling Oklahomans to get health insurance coverage while leaving hospitals and other health care providers on the hook […]
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Cutting taxes is not an answer
I wish those fortunate enough to be able to pay taxes would reflect on public services that are often taken for granted but make for a civilized society: police and fire protection; sewage treatment and water treatment facilities; public schools and teachers; family services for lives that have run off the rails. Tens of millions […]
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Myriad Gardens is a dream come true
Now, after more than 40 years, I can breathe normally, thanks to the vision of another energy executive, Larry Nichols, whose determined efforts have allowed Mr. McGee’s audacious plan to be realized. Oklahomans are not by nature or history a patient people, and support for the realization of the vast potential of the gardens has […]
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Standing up for special needs families
“What about organic?” she asks. “Two percent? Skim?” “Milk is milk,” an exasperated manager tells her. “We’ve got one kind. It was good for me. It’s good enough for kids today.” Education technology expert Richard Culatta recently shared that our public education system came to the U.S. via autocratic 18th-century Prussia. “Their purpose was as […]
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Wherefore art thou, Democrats?
Democrats hold no statewide offices. They failed to file candidates for the two Corporation Commission seats up for election this year. Of the 24 state Senate seats up this year, Democrats filed for only 12. In the 101 state House districts, they fielded candidates in just 54. There are Democrats running for all five Congressional […]
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Women fared well in legislation
Although the topic of reproductive rights came up across the national political scene and appeared to take center stage in Oklahoma by way of the proposed personhood bill, there was much more that happened at the state Capitol worth sharing. For one, House Bill 2396, co-authored by Rep. Wade Rousselot, D-Wagoner, and Sen. Kim David, […]
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Handwritten letters make enduring gift
Jay Wilkinson My dad was Bud Wilkinson, one of the most successful and well-respected college football coaches of all time. At the heart of my father’s success — not only as a coach, but also in many other facets of his life — was his extraordinary ability to communicate with others. Dad knew success was […]