 Education Study: Private-school choice boosts public-school outcomes more than spending
A new research synthesis by Patrick Graff concludes that competitive pressure from private-school choice consistently raises public-school outcomes—far more efficiently than traditional spending increases.
Ray Carter | March 4, 2026 Study: Private-school choice boosts public-school outcomes more than spending Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Higher Education Oklahoma Senate panel advances bill to end professor tenure
A bill that would abolish tenure for future college faculty in Oklahoma has cleared a Senate committee. Supporters argue taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for professors who can coast for decades, while opponents warn the change will shrink applicant pools and raise salaries.
Ray Carter | March 3, 2026 Oklahoma Senate panel advances bill to end professor tenure Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Economy Socialists promote SQ 832 in Oklahoma
A socialist organization—the Oklahoma City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America—is a leading promoter of State Question 832, a ballot measure that would force Oklahoma’s minimum wage to rise continually based on the cost of living in places like New York City and San Francisco.
Ray Carter | March 2, 2026 Socialists promote SQ 832 in Oklahoma Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Health Care Oklahoma’s Medicaid expansion has turned into a money pit
Five years after Oklahoma expanded Medicaid, none of the promised benefits have materialized. Rural hospitals aren’t thriving, state finances aren’t in a stronger position, and health outcomes haven’t improved.
Jonathan Small | March 2, 2026 Oklahoma’s Medicaid expansion has turned into a money pit Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Law & Principles House lawmakers vote to prevent illegal aliens from using welfare
By a margin of more than four to one, members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives have approved two bills that will make it harder for illegal immigrants to obtain taxpayer-funded welfare benefits in Oklahoma.
Ray Carter | February 26, 2026 House lawmakers vote to prevent illegal aliens from using welfare Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Economy SQ 832 copies policies that raised prices elsewhere
States forcing a $15 minimum wage saw prices rise faster than Oklahoma while experiencing weaker wage growth. With SQ 832 mirroring the same policies that drove up costs and reduced opportunities elsewhere, the data suggest Oklahoma should stick with the approach that’s delivering real wage gains without inflation.
Curtis Shelton | February 26, 2026 SQ 832 copies policies that raised prices elsewhere Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Education ‘Break glass in case of emergency’: Oklahoma Senate joins reading debate
Oklahoma lawmakers in both chambers have advanced major reading reforms that would end social promotion and force early intervention for struggling students.
Ray Carter | February 25, 2026 ‘Break glass in case of emergency’: Oklahoma Senate joins reading debate Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Education Effort to handcuff school-choice program fails in Oklahoma Senate committee
An Oklahoma Senate committee has defeated legislation that would have undermined the state’s Parental Choice Tax Credit program.
Ray Carter | February 23, 2026 Effort to handcuff school-choice program fails in Oklahoma Senate committee Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Education As demand rises, Oklahoma Senate panel votes to raise Parental Choice Tax Credit ceiling
Oklahoma lawmakers are moving to expand the state’s Parental Choice Tax Credit program as rising demand pushes the current $250 million cap to the breaking point. SB 1380 passed a Senate committee on a 10-2 vote that broke along party lines, with Republicans in support and Democrats opposed.
Ray Carter | February 23, 2026 As demand rises, Oklahoma Senate panel votes to raise Parental Choice Tax Credit ceiling Click the headline to read the full article at OCPA.  Education OCPA: Say no to watering down educational excellence
OCPA President Jonathan Small urged lawmakers to oppose Senate Bill 1391, which is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. The bill effectively forces private schools to adopt a public-school curriculum by mandating that private schools administer state tests based on the public-school curriculum.
Staff | February 23, 2026 OCPA: Say no to watering down educational excellence 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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