Tag: Oklahoma

The shrinking state employee workforce

In the wake of three consecutive years of steep budget cuts, the number of state employees staffing correctional facilities, inspecting restaurants and nursing homes, serving victims of abuse and neglect, and performing other public functions has declined sharply. In FY… Read more [More...]

Voices of Oklahoma: Henry Bellmon – Déjà vu all over again

Voices of Oklahoma is a nonprofit organization dedicated to “preserving Oklahoma’s legacy, one voice at a time.” Click here to hear Henry Bellmon’s story, in his own words, interviewed by John Erling. George Santayana (1863 – 1952) wrote “…Those who… Read more [More...]

FY 2013 Budget overview: Been down so long it feels like up

In the 1960’s, Richard Fariña titled his novel of his college days and experiences, “Been Down So Long It Feels Like Up To Me.” The sentiment might also apply to the state budget for the upcoming year. After being down… Read more [More...]

Guest Blog (Michael Givel): Can Oklahoma replicate Maryland's Genuine Progress Indicator?

Dr. Michael Givel is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Oklahoma What’s the best way to measure social progress? For decades, the United States and other nations have primarily measured social progress by the economic measure of… Read more [More...]

Guest Blog (Steve Ellis): Income tax opponents offer nothing new in the Wall Street Journal

Stephen Ellis, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Oklahoma. His research areas include philosophy of economics, decision theory, philosophy of mind and ethics. The Oklahoma income tax ‘wars’ have gone national!  The latest… Read more [More...]

Tax cuts for some, tax hikes for others

Will Oklahoma families pay higher or lower taxes under HB 3061, the tax plan agreed to last week by Governor Fallin and legislative leaders? The answer depends on a number of variables, including household income, family size, and whether or… Read more [More...]

Business leaders urge rejection of tax triggers

As reported in CapitolBeatOK, a group of 30 prominent business executives, civic leaders and philanthropists recently sent an open letter to the Governor, Speaker and Senate Pro Tem urging them not to adopt a trigger mechanism that would lead to… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s middle-class children are falling behind

It’s no secret that Oklahoma lags behind other states in student achievement. In 2011, Oklahoma fourth graders’ reading scores ranked 40th among all states (plus Washington DC and Department of Defense schools). Among eighth graders, Oklahomans’ reading scores put us… Read more [More...]

New poll shows Oklahomans oppose income tax cut proposals

A poll released today by the Oklahoma Advocacy Project reveals strong opposition among Oklahomans to proposals for reducing and eliminating the state income tax. The poll finds that large majorities oppose a tax cut if it means less funding for… Read more [More...]

The sure path to economic prosperity

What is the best course for strengthening Oklahoma’s economy and providing broad-based benefits for Oklahoma families? Proponents of cutting or eliminating the state’s personal income tax claim that doing so will boost the state’s economy. However, as University of Oklahoma… Read more [More...]