August 2006 Volume 13 Number 8

One Step Forward, One Step Back

August 01, 2006

Oklahoma has had an astounding budget year. Despite an unprecedented $1 billion in new revenues and surplus cash, the legislature could not manage to forge a budget deal by the end of the regular legislative session. One would think that with such tremendous resources available, coming to agreement on Oklahoma's priorities would be easy, but like a young child st... Read More >

Energy 'Crisis'? Let the Free Market Operate

August 01, 2006

Milton Friedman's observation that "the government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem" perfectly describes the oil and gas market. While consumers are grumbling about high prices at the pump and our government is seeking alternatives to reduce America's petroleum addiction, we must realize that the solution to all our energy needs is as simple as ... Read More >

School Choice Spreads with State Tax Credits

August 01, 2006

In 2001, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge battled with Democratic state legislators to create a corporate scholarship tax credit program to bring the state's families school choice. Five years later, Ridge's tax credit has strong bipartisan support and is a model for other states. And just last month, Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, signed legislation expanding the progr... Read More >

Summertime, and Making a Living Is Easy

August 01, 2006

Economist Ed Rubenstein had the gall to mention one of public policy's great unmentionables: Schoolteachers work considerably fewer days per year. Read More >

With Trial Lawyers Down, It's Time for Tort Reform

August 01, 2006

In May the law firm Milberg Weiss Bershad & Schulman and two of its senior partners were indicted by a federal grand jury for paying illegal kickbacks to plaintiffs. Milberg Weiss, which reportedly has won more than $45 billion for its clients, strenuously denied any wrongdoing, but analysts quoted in news reports said the indictment is tough news for America's most ... Read More >

What Oklahoma Should Look for in a New Chancellor

August 01, 2006

After nearly four years in the position, Paul Risser has announced his retirement as chancellor of the state's higher education system. A search will soon begin for his replacement, and this represents an opportunity to find a leader who will think "outside the box" to bring major improvements to Oklahoma's public colleges and universities. When the search committe... Read More >

School Funding Is Adequate, Results Are Not

August 01, 2006

In January the state's largest labor union, the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA), filed a lawsuit claiming that school funding in Oklahoma is inadequate. On July 28 an Oklahoma County district judge dismissed the lawsuit. Now it's time to address education's real problems. The union says education has reached "a crisis state." That's true, but it's not a fundin... Read More >

What Will Billions Buy?

August 01, 2006

Warren Buffett will soon give $30 billion to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, whose chief domestic priority is education. Will the money be used to promote free-market reforms? Read More >

People Make the Difference

August 01, 2006

The photos on this page are of just a few of the many individuals who make OCPA the state's preeminent, non-partisan public policy research and education organization. They include policy makers and OCPA members, reporters and opinion leaders, board members and staff. Each plays an important role in the success of what we do. We are grateful for their involvement and... Read More >

Quote Unquote

August 01, 2006

?In essence he [John Dean] is talking and writing about the ?kool-aid drinkers? who control the conservative movement in DC and now at the state level. ? This should be of particular interest to Oklahoma voters since every Republican is trying to ?out conservative? the others in their campaigns for primary votes. They don?t even refer to themselves as Republicans, just con... Read More >

Pages: 1

View Archived Items >