Author: Aanahita Ervin

Aanahita Irani Ervin joined OK Policy Institute as a Fiscal Policy Analyst in May 2024. She calls Oklahoma City and Mumbai, India home having been raised in both cities. She earned her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 2022 and her Master of Public Policy from the Sanford School at Duke University in 2024. She began her policy journey wanting to merge science with policy to help address climate change. She soon realized her wide array of interests in criminal justice reform to food insecurity and how they are inextricably linked to poverty. Fiscal policy undergirds all policies because without financial backing, policies have no power. Aanahita is excited to use her skills to positively transform Oklahoma’s fiscal policy landscape to better serve everyday Oklahomans. When not working, she enjoys admiring Oklahoma’s sunsets, cooking meals, and taking rejuvenating naps.

Recent Articles

OK Policy comments on revenue numbers estimated during December’s Board of Equalization meeting

By: Aanahita Ervin
December 20, 2024 // Updated: December 20, 2024

Statement from Aanahita Ervin, OK Policy’s Fiscal Policy Analyst: The Board of Equalization on Friday certified an $8.225 billion estimate of funds for the governor’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal. Given this is an early estimate, lawmakers should not view… Read more [More...]

Impact of the Sales Tax Relief Credit on Oklahoma Families | House Interim Study | Oct. 23, 2024

By: Aanahita Ervin
October 25, 2024 // Updated: October 26, 2024

OK Policy’s Fiscal Policy Analyst Aanahita Ervin spoke with lawmakers about how modernizing the state’s Sales Tax Relief Credit can benefit low- and moderate-income families. Ervin spoke during an Oct. 23, 2024, interim study in the Oklahoma House focused on… Read more [More...]

Overview of Oklahoma’s Sales Tax Relief Credit | Oklahoma House Interim Study | Oct. 23, 2024

By: Aanahita Ervin
// Updated: October 26, 2024

OK Policy’s Fiscal Policy Analyst Aanahita Ervin spoke with lawmakers about the state’s Sales Tax Relief Credit, which provides targeted fiscal relief to low- and moderate-income families. The Sales Tax Relief Credit has been on the books since 1990, but… Read more [More...]

Tax credits are anti-poverty tools | Oklahoma Senate Interim Study | Oct. 10, 2024

By: Aanahita Ervin
October 14, 2024 // Updated: October 15, 2024

Targeted tax credits can be used as a tool to fight poverty in Oklahoma. The tax system is a critical part of the safety net with more than a third of all public support for U.S. families delivered through tax provisions. Hence, tax credits can drastically decrease poverty. [More...]

Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Highlights

By: Aanahita Ervin
October 10, 2024 // Updated: October 10, 2024

In nominal dollars, this year's Oklahoma budget is the largest in state history. However, in real dollar value, it has lost a lot of its buying power when adjusted for inflation and population growth. [More...]

Oklahoma should adopt IRS Direct File

By: Aanahita Ervin
September 14, 2024 // Updated: September 14, 2024

Oklahoma can opt in to Direct File for the 2025 tax season, which would offer taxpayers free and easy filing by integrating our state online tax filing tool. [More...]