 Law & Principles Oklahoma weighs tougher penalties for disrupting worship
Senate Bill 743, authored by state Sen. Todd Gollihare, would impose jail time and escalating fines for those who invade or obstruct religious gatherings. The bill is inspired by both national incidents and harassment at Gollihare’s own church.
Ray Carter | January 23, 2026 Oklahoma weighs tougher penalties for disrupting worship Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA. Nearly all Oklahoma Republican state lawmakers oppose SQ 836 warn of California-style elections1/22/2026  Law & Principles Nearly all Oklahoma Republican state lawmakers oppose SQ 836, warn of California-style elections
More than 90 percent of Oklahoma House Republicans and 95 percent of Senate Republicans are urging voters to reject State Question 836, warning that the proposal would dismantle Oklahoma’s primary system and replicate California’s “top two” model.
Ray Carter | January 22, 2026 Nearly all Oklahoma Republican state lawmakers oppose SQ 836, warn of California-style elections Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Law & Principles State lawmakers urge Oklahomans: Be wary of signing SQ 836 petition
Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton and Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, along with 110 of their fellow members of the Oklahoma Legislature, issued an open letter to the people of Oklahoma, urging them to be wary of signing the initiative petition to place State Question 836 on the statewide ballot.
Staff | January 22, 2026 State lawmakers urge Oklahomans: Be wary of signing SQ 836 petition Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Economy Hern launches policy institute to expand opportunities for future generations
U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Tulsa, who rose from poverty to become a highly successful businessman before entering Congress, is launching the Hern Policy Institute to help future generations access the same opportunities he enjoyed.
Ray Carter | January 22, 2026 Hern launches policy institute to expand opportunities for future generations Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Higher Education Whistleblower: OU dental school prioritizing high-tuition foreign students as some Oklahomans get squeezed out
A whistleblower says the University of Oklahoma’s dental school is increasingly prioritizing high-paying foreign students over U.S. applicants, limiting opportunities for Oklahomans—even though language barriers and lower-quality prior training drain faculty time and diminish instruction for American students.
Ray Carter | January 21, 2026 Whistleblower: OU dental school prioritizing high-tuition foreign students as some Oklahomans get squeezed out Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Culture & the Family A church service interrupted, and a warning about America’s future
A group of progressive activists stormed a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, turning a house of worship into a political stage and violating the boundaries that protect religious freedom, private property, and community order. This is not an isolated protest—it’s a warning flare for our society.
Ryan Haynie & Matt Oberdick | January 21, 2026 A church service interrupted, and a warning about America’s future Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Law & Principles Outside the mainstream? OKC mayor dismisses entire gubernatorial field
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt is urging voters to upend the state’s election system and adopt a California-style primary, claiming Oklahoma’s Republican gubernatorial candidates are “out of the mainstream.” A look at Holt’s record, however, raises questions as to who is out of the Oklahoma mainstream.
Ray Carter | January 21, 2026 Outside the mainstream? OKC mayor dismisses entire gubernatorial field Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Budget & Tax, Good Government Minnesota’s fraud crisis should prompt Oklahoma lawmakers to act
Massive welfare fraud scandals in Minnesota have drawn national outrage—and Oklahoma shouldn’t kid itself that similar problems aren’t happening here.
Jonathan Small | January 21, 2026 Minnesota’s fraud crisis should prompt Oklahoma lawmakers to act Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Law & Principles, Good Government Accused criminal’s reelection highlights Oklahoma election-date problem
A Warr Acres city councilman was reelected without a single vote cast—then arrested days later on charges of first-degree rape and multiple counts of lewd acts with children—highlighting what critics call a structural flaw in Oklahoma’s low-profile, off-cycle elections.
Ray Carter | January 20, 2026 Accused criminal’s reelection highlights Oklahoma election-date problem Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Higher Education OU debacle highlights dysfunction in higher ed
OU officials now admit a graduate assistant acted “arbitrarily” when she gave a student a zero for stating there are two sexes, but the episode exposes far more than one rogue instructor.
Jonathan Small | January 19, 2026 OU debacle highlights dysfunction in higher ed Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA. |
   
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. 
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