 Higher Education OU backs down in anti-Christian grading controversy
After weeks of controversy, the University of Oklahoma has removed a graduate teaching assistant from classroom duties following an investigation into the zero he gave student Samantha Fulnecky for a paper expressing her Christian beliefs.
Brandon Dutcher | December 29, 2025 OU backs down in anti-Christian grading controversy Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Law & Principles OKC mayor urges ‘top two’ primaries, but California’s track record undercuts the pitch
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt is urging Oklahomans to adopt a California-style “top two” election system, arguing it produces more pragmatic officeholders. But California’s real-world results tell a different story.
Jonathan Small | December 29, 2025 OKC mayor urges ‘top two’ primaries, but California’s track record undercuts the pitch Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Law & Principles ‘Top Two’ jungle primaries would be death knell for Independent, alternative-party candidates in Oklahoma
Independent and alternative-party candidates have played a meaningful role in Oklahoma statewide elections for decades. State Question 836, with its California-style “Top Two” primary, would make it nearly impossible for alternative parties to survive, reducing voter choice and silencing non-establishment voices.
Chris Powell | December 22, 2025 ‘Top Two’ jungle primaries would be death knell for Independent, alternative-party candidates in Oklahoma Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Education, Law & Principles New Oklahoma law closes loophole allowing abusive school employees to hop districts
A new Oklahoma law aims to end the practice known as “passing the trash,” in which school employees accused of abusing students resign and quietly move to another district without their misconduct being disclosed.
Ray Carter | December 22, 2025 New Oklahoma law closes loophole allowing abusive school employees to hop districts Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Budget & Tax, Education Lawmakers seek to address Oklahoma’s reading crisis
After a decade of steep declines in student reading performance, two Oklahoma lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at restoring literacy as a core focus of K-12 education.
Ray Carter | December 19, 2025 Lawmakers seek to address Oklahoma’s reading crisis Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Higher Education Out-of-state students leave Oklahoma after graduation
State data show that two-thirds of nonresident OU graduates leave Oklahoma within five years, compared to more than 80 percent of in-state graduates who remain.
Ray Carter | December 18, 2025 Out-of-state students leave Oklahoma after graduation Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Health Care GAO finds Obamacare fraud is easy
Government Accountability Office officials told Sen. James Lankford that 19 of 20 fraudulent test applications for Obamacare—submitted using entirely fake identities, Social Security numbers, and documents—were approved through HealthCare.gov or insurance brokers.
Ray Carter | December 17, 2025 GAO finds Obamacare fraud is easy Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Law & Principles Holt calls state leaders ‘bitterly unpopular’—but they outpoll him
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, who promotes “Pride Month” celebrating transgenderism and other sexual identities, recently dismissed Oklahoma statewide elected officials as “bitterly unpopular.” Holt says a California-style election system will produce superior governance.
Ray Carter | December 17, 2025 Holt calls state leaders ‘bitterly unpopular’—but they outpoll him Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Higher Education OU professor to promote ‘accurate’ science education on evolution, climate change
A University of Oklahoma associate professor has been named a 2025 Sound Science Fellow by the National Center for Science Education. The fellowship is “aimed at advancing the teaching of evolution, climate change, and accurate scientific education.”
Ray Carter | December 15, 2025 OU professor to promote ‘accurate’ science education on evolution, climate change Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Budget & Tax Oklahoma state agencies go big with Christmas wish list
Oklahoma state agencies have unveiled their latest holiday wish lists, asking lawmakers for an extra $1.74 billion in funding—double last year’s request. The appeal comes after years of steep spending growth, with appropriations rising $4.7 billion since Gov. Kevin Stitt took office. Higher education is seeking the largest boost at $426 million, while the Space Port Authority again asks for the biggest percentage increase: 2,067%.
Curtis Shelton | December 15, 2025 Oklahoma state agencies go big with Christmas wish list 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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