October 2004 Volume 11 Number 10

Oklahoma Needs a Taxpayers' Bill of Rights

October 01, 2004

In an August 10 editorial, the state's largest newspaper, The Oklahoman, extolled Colorado's "Taxpayers' Bill of Rights" (TABOR) and said Oklahoma needs one, too. We agree. Oklahoma's business leaders worked hard to get Right to Work and are working hard for tort reform and workers' compensation reform. But if we want to turbocharge the state's economy, an Oklahoma TA... Read More >

Tort Reform Lessons from Thomas More

October 01, 2004

Scarcely a day passes by without the media reporting, in half-amused, half-despairing tones, yet another lawsuit against a business, doctor, or school. No doubt, many actions are justified. But there are numerous counter-examples, in which people seem anxious to fix blame for their problems upon someone else - invariably someone with substantial financial resources. T... Read More >

Teacher Pay in Oklahoma: A Closer Look at the Conventional Wisdom

October 01, 2004

Editor's Note: In an OCPA speech last summer, legal scholar Walter Olson recalled that "back in the days of the Soviet Union it used to be that you could figure out to some extent what was going on in the Soviet Union by reading Pravda, but you had to read it in a certain way. For example, if on page 17 Pravda reported that the Ministry of Aviation had strenuously denied... Read More >

Will OEA Lawsuit Threaten Local Schools?

October 01, 2004

The state's largest school employee labor union, the Oklahoma Education Association, is pursuing litigation challenging the constitutionality of the way Oklahoma funds its schools. Suits of this type have been filed in nearly every state and are generally known as "equity and adequacy" lawsuits because they charge that the current system leads to outcomes that are inequi... Read More >

Tax Credits for Stay-at-Home Parents

October 01, 2004

Childcare costs are one of the largest expenses facing families with young children. The cost of paid childcare for an Oklahoma infant can be as much as $500 per month ($6,000 per year). However, the cost is likely to be much higher for stay-at-home parents. To see this, consider a hypothetical married couple where each spouse earns $40,000 per year. When both spouses... Read More >

Regarding Henry

October 01, 2004

What are conservatives to make of ;v. Brad Henry? Perspective editor Brandon Dutcher recently traded e-mails with OCPA adjunct scholar Andrew Lester, a partner in the law firm of Lester, Loving & Davies. Dutcher: Andy, you have a long history in the vast right-wing conspiracy, so I must say I was impressed with Brad Henry for reaching out and inviting you to be a part of... Read More >

Now More than Ever

October 01, 2004

OCPA owes a great debt to our trustees. They are a vital part of our success these first 11 years. Now with our future headquarters under renovation, the organization is entering the most exciting time in our history. After the September OCPA board meeting at Oklahoma City's Faculty House, trustees were provided an opportunity to tour our new headquarters just a bloc... Read More >

Quote Unquote

October 01, 2004

?All persons have the inherent right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry.? --Constitution of Oklahoma, Article II, Sec. 2 ?In our society, how many people have died at the hands of a murderer who had been previously convicted of another murder? The number is not a small one. Everyone who opposes the death penal... Read More >

Pages: 1

View Archived Items >