Authors
Ray Carter
Director, Center for Independent Journalism
Ray Carter is the director of OCPA’s Center for Independent Journalism. He has two decades of experience in journalism and communications. He previously served as senior Capitol reporter for The Journal Record, media director for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and chief editorial writer at The Oklahoman. As a reporter for The Journal Record, Carter received 12 Carl Rogan Awards in four years—including awards for investigative reporting, general news reporting, feature writing, spot news reporting, business reporting, and sports reporting. While at The Oklahoman, he was the recipient of several awards, including first place in the editorial writing category of the Associated Press/Oklahoma News Executives Carl Rogan Memorial News Excellence Competition for an editorial on the history of racism in the Oklahoma legislature.
Recent Articles
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Law & Principles
Senate sends ranked-choice voting ban to Stitt
Legislation that would prohibit the use of ranked-choice voting in Oklahoma elections has been sent to Gov. Kevin Stitt.Ray Carter | April 26, 2024
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Education
Oklahoma House votes to mandate phonics, ban ‘three-cueing’
Under legislation advancing from the Oklahoma House of Representatives, teachers could no longer use the discredited “three-cueing” method to teach reading, and more teachers would instead be trained in the “science of reading,” including phonics instruction.Ray Carter | April 25, 2024
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Education
Lawmakers object to aiding homeless and special-needs children
Several Oklahoma lawmakers oppose allowing homeless youth to access a scholarship program.Ray Carter | April 25, 2024
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Law & Principles
Illegal immigration bill sent to governor
Legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to be arrested by state police for “impermissible occupation” has won strong approval from the Oklahoma Senate and is headed to the governor.Ray Carter | April 24, 2024
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Law & Principles
Warning it will fuel litigation, Stitt vetoes SB 1737
Gov. Kevin Stitt has vetoed a bill that would allow businesses to sue Oklahomans for speech activity alleged to be harassing—even if the citizen has been charged with no crime.Ray Carter | April 24, 2024
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Culture & the Family
Stitt: Oklahoma right to focus on border control
Gov. Kevin Stitt says states should take action to deter illegal immigration.Ray Carter | April 19, 2024
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Culture & the Family
Oklahoma lawmakers target illegal immigration
Illegal immigrants could be arrested by state police for “impermissible occupation” under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The bill passed with overwhelming support but was condemned by Democrats as “extremist” and “reprehensible.”Ray Carter | April 18, 2024
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Higher Education
Speech First prevails in fight with OSU
OSU will disband its “Bias Response Team” and make other significant changes. Cherise Trump, executive director of Speech First, hopes other universities will “learn from OSU’s experience that there is a high cost to violating students’ constitutional rights.”Ray Carter | April 17, 2024
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Education
One-year delay for Oklahoma school-choice program harms children
One provision of the Henry scholarship program has caused anguish for some Oklahoma students and families. Legislation awaiting a vote in the Oklahoma House of Representatives would fix it.Ray Carter | April 17, 2024
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Judicial Reform
Judicial Nominating Commission structure hides partisan tilt
Defenders claim the JNC is “nonpartisan.” But the membership requirements of the group have granted Democratic partisans outsized influence in selecting Oklahoma judges.Ray Carter | April 15, 2024
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