OCPA Archive of Article Links

Top two turnout claim falls flat in OKC election

2/12/2026

Law & Principles

‘Top two’ turnout claim falls flat in OKC election

Supporters of State Question 836, which would replace Oklahoma’s party-primary system with a California-style “top two” model, have argued the change will increase voter turnout and say Oklahoma City’s nonpartisan mayoral elections offer a proof of concept. But Tuesday’s results tell a different story.

Ray Carter | February 12, 2026

‘Top two’ turnout claim falls flat in OKC election
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Hilbert bill blocking Medicaid for illegals clears first hurdle

2/11/2026

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Health Care

Hilbert bill blocking Medicaid for illegals clears first hurdle

Lawmakers have advanced legislation that would bar illegal immigrants from accessing Medicaid benefits by requiring the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to verify every applicant’s legal status through the federal SAVE system before approving coverage.

Ray Carter | February 11, 2026

Hilbert bill blocking Medicaid for illegals clears first hurdle
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Bill allowing students to sue over forced coed sleeping quarters advances

2/10/2026

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Law & Principles

Bill allowing students to sue over forced coed sleeping quarters advances

Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced a bill that would allow students to sue schools or colleges that force them to share sleeping quarters or other intimate spaces with members of the opposite sex, including individuals who identify as transgender.

Ray Carter | February 10, 2026

Bill allowing students to sue over forced coed sleeping quarters advances
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Oklahoma House panel advances study of three-year bachelors degrees

2/10/2026

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Higher Education

Oklahoma House panel advances study of three-year bachelor’s degrees

Oklahoma lawmakers have taken a first step toward shortening the path to a college degree, advancing a bill that orders a study of a three-year, 90-credit-hour bachelor’s track.

Ray Carter | February 10, 2026

Oklahoma House panel advances study of three-year bachelor’s degrees
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Group accused of funneling foreign money involved in Oklahoma minimum-wage campaign

2/10/2026

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Law & Principles

Group accused of funneling foreign money involved in Oklahoma minimum-wage campaign

A nonprofit tied to a lawsuit over allegedly funneling foreign money into U.S. political campaigns is now among the funders of an Oklahoma initiative that would hike the state’s minimum wage far beyond local market levels.

Ray Carter | February 10, 2026

Group accused of funneling foreign money involved in Oklahoma minimum-wage campaign
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Bill to stop abusers from hopping districts clears committee

2/10/2026

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Education, Good Government

Bill to stop abusers from hopping districts clears committee

An Oklahoma House committee has unanimously advanced legislation to help prevent school employees accused of abusing children from quietly resigning and taking jobs in new districts.

Ray Carter | February 10, 2026

Bill to stop abusers from hopping districts clears committee
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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OCPA files amicus brief to defend free speech

2/9/2026

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Law & Principles

OCPA files amicus brief to defend free speech

A man in Oklahoma is serving prison time for “stalking” even though his only “crime” was posting a YouTube rant about his ex-wife. OCPA’s Center for Law & Liberty filed a brief urging the Court of Criminal Appeals to correct this abuse and make clear that offensive or unpleasant speech is still protected speech.

Ryan Haynie | February 9, 2026

OCPA files amicus brief to defend free speech
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Boost to school-choice program clears House committee

2/9/2026

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Education

Boost to school-choice program clears House committee

The demand for Oklahoma’s Parental Choice Tax Credit program is now so high that the program’s $250 million cap threatens to shut out families next year. House Bill 3705 would raise the cap to keep up with demand.

Ray Carter | February 9, 2026

Boost to school-choice program clears House committee
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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One reform would dramatically boost Oklahoma voter participation. Lawmakers should finish the job

2/9/2026

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Education

One reform would dramatically boost Oklahoma voter participation. Lawmakers should finish the job

Oklahoma’s school-board elections are intentionally held on obscure winter and spring dates, producing abysmally low turnout and giving disproportionate influence to special interests.

Jonathan Small | February 9, 2026

One reform would dramatically boost Oklahoma voter participation. Lawmakers should finish the job
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Incremental improvement isnt enough: Oklahomas draft standards fall short

2/6/2026

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Education

Incremental improvement isn’t enough: Oklahoma’s draft standards fall short

Oklahoma’s new 2026 Draft Academic Standards for Social Studies represent a modest improvement over the weak 2019 standards. Unfortunately, they still reflect the education establishment’s studied lack of interest in patriotism, the historic roots of the American republic, or any notable achievements by conservatives or Republicans.

David Randall, Ph.D. | February 6, 2026

Incremental improvement isn’t enough: Oklahoma’s draft standards fall short
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

For 25 years, OCPA has served as Oklahoma’s largest and most influential free-market based think tank. We conduct research and analysis of public issues in Oklahoma from a perspective of limited government, individual liberty, and a free-market economy.
Over the years, OCPA has steadily increased in breadth, scope and ultimately, effectiveness. As long as government exists, there needs to be an organization to keep it accountable. In Oklahoma, we are that organization. And our policy work provides the road map for our state’s success.
Policy matters because people matter. It matters that students attend high-quality schools. It matters that small business owners are free from red tape. It matters that government is responsible and limited. It matters that the most vulnerable have access to opportunity.
And you matter to us.

Top two turnout claim falls flat in OKC election

Hilbert bill blocking Medicaid for illegals clears first hurdle

Bill allowing students to sue over forced coed sleeping quarters advances

Oklahoma House panel advances study of three-year bachelors degrees

Group accused of funneling foreign money involved in Oklahoma minimum-wage campaign

Bill to stop abusers from hopping districts clears committee

OCPA files amicus brief to defend free speech

Boost to school-choice program clears House committee

One reform would dramatically boost Oklahoma voter participation. Lawmakers should finish the job

Incremental improvement isnt enough: Oklahomas draft standards fall short

Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

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