Disbarred: A Nationwide Analysis of the Impact of Mandatory Bar Associations on Lawyer Population
Disbarred: A Nationwide Analysis of the Impact of Mandatory Bar Associations on Lawyer PopulationAuthor Tyler WilliamsonAbstract This paper discusses arguments for and against mandatory bar associations. It finds numerous flaws with the mandatory bar model, including...
The Why and How of Sound Tax Policy
The Why and How of Sound Tax PolicyAuthor Luke TuckerAbstract This paper lays out four general tax principles – the principles of neutrality, simplicity, transparency, and predictability – that should be followed to make taxes more efficient, more economical, and more...
Rethinking Emergency Powers in Oklahoma
Rethinking Emergency Powers in Oklahoma Author Mike Davis Abstract This paper analyzes Oklahoma’s gubernatorial emergency powers and finds them lacking. It recommends enacting a tight limit on the amount of time an emergency can be declared to exist, limiting local...
Independent, Principled
State Policy
Universally Recognized Occupational Licensing Ignores the Underlying Problem – Occupational Licensing
Occupational licensing is a hot topic across the country. However, few proposals address the underlying problem: one must secure the government’s approval to earn a living. One of the latest fads...
Do Not Put Your Hope in the Courts; Actively Fight for Yourselves
Conservatives have been disappointed by several recent Supreme Court rulings. From declaring half of Oklahoma a tribal reservation to a strained interpretation that conflates sexual orientation...
Performance-Based Compensation is Good, but School Choice is Best
“Except for different salary levels based on years of classroom experience, unions insist on equal pay for every teacher in a district, regardless of productivity, professionalism, subject...
Our Story
The 1889 Institute is named for the first land run in Oklahoma. On April 22, 1889, pioneers gathered at a starting line and raced to claim tracts of land from the U.S. government for the price of staying on the
land for five years. The land run typifies the American ideal of opportunity – readily available to anyone with the personal initiative to take it, but without expecting equal results. Regardless of status, education, or station, no participant in a land run had an official advantage. In this way, the land run illustrates 1889 Institute’s commitment to fighting privilege granted by government, and expanding opportunity where government has intruded excessively.
Who We Are
The 1889 Institute is an independent group of scholars dedicated to making Oklahoma the best it can be. We are not affiliated with a political party, do not receive any money from any government entity, and do not engage in grassroots advocacy.
What We Do
The 1889 Institute analyzes and develops state public policy for the state of Oklahoma based on principles of limited and responsible government, free enterprise, and a robust civil society. We disseminate analyses and recommendations to policymakers and the general public.