OCPA Archive of Article Links

SQ 832 will undercut pro-life efforts by reducing economic stability

3/31/2026

Economy, Culture & the Family

SQ 832 will undercut pro-life efforts by reducing economic stability

SQ 832 would trigger automatic annual minimum-wage increases in Oklahoma tied to national price trends. This model has spurred economic conditions that harm young and low-income workers—and reduce opportunities for women facing difficult pregnancy decisions.

Jonathan Small, Dave Bond & Matt Oberdick | March 31, 2026

SQ 832 will undercut pro-life efforts by reducing economic stability
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Tulsa burger shop owner says SQ 832 would force menu prices to rise again

3/31/2026

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Economy

Tulsa burger shop owner says SQ 832 would force menu prices to rise again

A Tulsa restaurant owner is warning that State Question 832, which would tie Oklahoma’s minimum wage to cost-of-living increases in major U.S. cities, could significantly raise fast-food prices and strain family budgets.

Ray Carter | March 31, 2026

Tulsa burger shop owner says SQ 832 would force menu prices to rise again
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Devon Expand and the high cost of a century of bad policy

3/31/2026

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Good Government

Devon, Expand, and the high cost of a century of bad policy

The loss of headquarters like Devon and Expand is the compounding result of Oklahoma’s long history of bad policy—and Texas’ far earlier embrace of good policy. Texas has had no income tax, lighter regulation, lawsuit reform, and better agency accountability for decades.

Jonathan Small | March 31, 2026

Devon, Expand, and the high cost of a century of bad policy
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Mullins move to Homeland Security highlights years of public and private service

3/30/2026

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Markwayne Mullin, Donald Trump, White House, Oval Office

Culture & the Family, Good Government

Mullin’s move to Homeland Security highlights years of public and private service

Markwayne Mullin’s confirmation as U.S. Department of Homeland Security secretary marks a moment to acknowledge the breadth of his service to Oklahoma—from growing a family business into a major employer, to representing the state in the U.S. House of Representatives and later the U.S. Senate.

Jonathan Small | March 30, 2026

Mullin’s move to Homeland Security highlights years of public and private service
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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SQ 832 would hit small businesses hard

3/27/2026

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Economy

SQ 832 would hit small businesses hard

SQ 832 would raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029 and tie future increases to the cost of living in expensive urban areas nationwide. The measure would pressure small businesses, reduce job opportunities for younger workers, and mirror negative outcomes seen in other states.

Curtis Shelton | March 27, 2026

SQ 832 would hit small businesses hard
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Oklahoma bills expanding teacher-group access clear both chambers

3/26/2026

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David Bullard, Legislative Service Bureau

Education, Law & Principles

Oklahoma bills expanding teacher-group access clear both chambers

The Oklahoma Legislature has approved two bills aimed at ensuring all teacher associations can engage with school districts during contract meetings. The proposals also allow teachers to withdraw from an association at any time.

Ray Carter | March 26, 2026

Oklahoma bills expanding teacher-group access clear both chambers
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Oklahoma lawmakers advance measures allowing voters to revisit Medicaid expansion

3/26/2026

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Health Care, Good Government

Oklahoma lawmakers advance measures allowing voters to revisit Medicaid expansion

Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced two measures that would give voters a chance to revisit the Obamacare Medicaid expansion as surging program costs threaten to squeeze out funding for other services. Opponents argue lawmakers should instead raise taxes.

Ray Carter | March 26, 2026

Oklahoma lawmakers advance measures allowing voters to revisit Medicaid expansion
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Third-grade reading reform clears both chambers of Oklahoma Legislature

3/25/2026

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Education

Third-grade reading reform clears both chambers of Oklahoma Legislature

Oklahoma lawmakers have overwhelmingly advanced two sweeping literacy reform bills that would require struggling third-grade students to repeat the grade unless they score above “below basic” on the statewide reading test and would mandate intensive early interventions for younger grades.

Ray Carter | March 25, 2026

Third-grade reading reform clears both chambers of Oklahoma Legislature
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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Oklahoma House advances bill requiring schools to show instructional spending before bond elections

3/24/2026

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Chad Caldwell, Oklahoma Legislative Bureau

Education, Law & Principles

Oklahoma House advances bill requiring schools to show instructional spending before bond elections

Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced legislation requiring school districts to tell voters exactly how much of their funding goes to classroom instruction before asking for approval of new bond projects.

Ray Carter | March 24, 2026

Oklahoma House advances bill requiring schools to show instructional spending before bond elections
Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.

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House votes to lock in Oklahomas participation in federal school-choice tax credit

3/24/2026

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Denise Crosswhite Hader, Legislative Service Bureau

Education

House votes to lock in Oklahoma’s participation in federal school-choice tax credit

Oklahoma lawmakers have taken the next step toward securing the state’s place in a new federal tax-credit program designed to expand private-school scholarships for low- and middle-income families.

Ray Carter | March 24, 2026

House votes to lock in Oklahoma’s participation in federal school-choice tax credit
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.

SQ 832 will undercut pro-life efforts by reducing economic stability

Tulsa burger shop owner says SQ 832 would force menu prices to rise again

Devon Expand and the high cost of a century of bad policy

Mullins move to Homeland Security highlights years of public and private service

SQ 832 would hit small businesses hard

Oklahoma bills expanding teacher-group access clear both chambers

Oklahoma lawmakers advance measures allowing voters to revisit Medicaid expansion

Third-grade reading reform clears both chambers of Oklahoma Legislature

Oklahoma House advances bill requiring schools to show instructional spending before bond elections

House votes to lock in Oklahomas participation in federal school-choice tax credit

Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

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