Law & Principles, Judicial Reform

Constitutional change required for cap on noneconomic damages

This legislative session, Senate Judiciary Chair Julie Daniels seeks to revive the noneconomic damages cap by placing it in the Oklahoma Constitution. The bill, SJR 40, may be the sole remaining approach to assure that the intent of the legislature, as well as the state’s voters, is preserved.

A.J. Ferate
April 28, 2020
Law & Principles, Judicial Reform

Put tort reform in the Oklahoma Constitution

The Oklahoma Supreme Court conducts itself more as a rolling constitutional convention than an appellate court. The Legislature, and the people, should not tolerate the Court’s overreach.

Benjamin Lepak
April 20, 2020
Law & Principles, Judicial Reform

Senators support judicial nominating transparency

A measure to bring Oklahoma’s judicial nominating process in line with the transparency requirements of many other states has won strong approval in the Oklahoma Senate.

Ray Carter
March 10, 2020
Law & Principles, Good Government, Judicial Reform

Lawmakers seek sunlight for Oklahoma judicial processes

The operations of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission have long drawn criticism for excessive secrecy and lack of public transparency. Two bills that have cleared a Senate committee seek to address that problem.

Ray Carter
February 25, 2020
Law & Principles, Judicial Reform

Mandatory bar membership raises free-speech concerns

For decades, Oklahoma attorneys have not been allowed to practice law unless they join the Oklahoma Bar Association. Due to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding free speech and the right of association, a Senate committee has voted to end that mandate.

Ray Carter
February 25, 2020
Judicial Reform

Critics denounce secrecy of Oklahoma judicial nominating process

Following a judicial bribery scandal in the 1960s, Oklahoma adopted a “Missouri plan” system in which an outside commission selects judicial nominees and the governor is barred from considering any other applicants.

Ray Carter
December 26, 2019
Judicial Reform

Conflict-of-interest concerns arise in judicial nomination

A member of the Judicial Nominating Commission was a financial contributor to the political campaign of a judge who applied with the JNC to fill a vacant Oklahoma Supreme Court seat, records show.

Ray Carter
August 2, 2019

Oklahoma’s COVID curve may be flattening

Ray Carter
April 7, 2020

Senate leader: Tax-credit scholarships help kids who ‘lack opportunity’

Ray Carter
February 11, 2020

Stitt calls for spending cuts, restraint

Ray Carter
April 7, 2020
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