Tuesday 18 Jun
OKG Newsletter
Kurt Hochenauer
Whole lotta crazy going on
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
There’s enough extreme ideological legislation floating around the state Capitol right now to make a decent reality television show.
Solutions for progressives
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
Oklahoma progressives had a lot to celebrate in terms of the national results on Election Day.
Democrats step up
Politics of satire
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
Although they’ve been maligned by at least one corporate media outlet for doing so, three state lawmakers are standing up for Oklahoma women’s rights by fighting absurdity with absurdity.
The 99 percent
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
Local government officials can’t obscure the larger picture in their ongoing skirmishes with the Occupy OKC protesters.
Counterpoint: Bad tax model
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
For years, Republicans have touted the idea of eliminating the state income tax to create a better business climate, and they have at least a fair chance to start the process during the next legislative session.
Feeling the heat
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
No one can say with absolute certainty that climate change was a factor in this summer’s record-breaking heat, but it would be foolish at this point to not at least consider its impact.
Elitism for dummies
War on logic
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
June marked the 40th anniversary of the so-called war on drugs, but there wasn’t much celebrating.
Counterpoint: GOP undermines funding
Lawmakers apparently feel little compunction about gutting funding.
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
There’s real merit to the idea that Oklahoma public universities should cut or even eliminate tuition, making higher education accessible to everyone.
Not fit for fitness
A new health-related report should not be ignored or qualified.
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
It’s more than just another typical report that exposes the city’s and state’s weaknesses.
Students cover tax cuts
The word “irresponsible” to describe the pending income tax cut on Jan. 1, 2012, is probably an understatement.
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
Oklahoma college students should expect another increase in tuition costs this fall, in part, because the state Legislature will probably not stop what University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren has called an “irresponsible” tax cut.
Point: More doctors, less preachers
The scientific community supports evolutionary theory.
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
Some conservatives among the religious right want people to believe there is a scientific controversy over the validity of the theory of evolution, but it’s only a backdoor attempt to bring creationist ideas into Oklahoma science classrooms.
Workers under attack
GOP staging a full fiscal assault on the middle class
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
The start of the legislative session had some Democrats here hoping GOP overreach on cultural wedge issues might create voter backlash and fatigue this year that would hurt conservative political candidates in the future.
Counterpoint: Separation anxiety
The Constitution is under fire by the right-wing assault
Commentary
Kurt Hochenauer
The bills would also appear to directly violate Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, which states: “No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or...
