Recent Articles

Life after Step Up?

Earlier this month, HB 1033xx, the main revenue measure based on proposals from the Step Up Oklahoma coalition, failed to gain the three-quarters support in the House needed to pass a revenue bill. Unlike a similar measure that failed in… Read more [More...]

‘This is not OK’: Cuts are hitting all aspects of public education

Miami Public Schools in Ottawa County serves about 2,500 K-12 students in seven schools. This year, four school librarian positions were eliminated, leaving the district without a single librarian. In Newkirk, there is no librarian and no speech or drama… Read more [More...]

Step Up Oklahoma plan adds to the consensus that new revenues are essential

Note: This post was edited on Jan. 28th to reflect updated revenue estimates from the Step Up coalition The new Step Up Oklahoma coalition, a bipartisan group of business and civic leaders and organizations, has put forward a comprehensive plan… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s budget outlook is improving, but major challenges remain

For the first time in four years, lawmakers may begin the 2018 session with more money to appropriate than the year before. This is undeniably good news, coming after multiple sessions when lawmakers started the year with shortfalls ranging from… Read more [More...]

Meet our new Board members!

Oklahoma Policy Institute is excited to announce the appointment of three new members to our Board of Directors – Kara Berst of Ada, Dr. Jason Kirksey of Stillwater, and Erika Lucas of Oklahoma City. “Kara, Jason, and Erika are all successful… Read more [More...]

Five reasons to donate today to OK Policy

We know there are many worthy organizations and causes reaching out to you this time of year asking for support. Whether you are a first-time donor or long-time supporter, here are 5 reasons to make a tax-deductible donation to Oklahoma… Read more [More...]

Hunger by the Numbers: How many football stadiums…

This fall, the US Department of Agriculture released its annual report on household food security, which measures the share of households who don’t have enough food to lead an active, healthy life in the last year. For the three-year period… Read more [More...]

Cost of oil and gas tax breaks continues to approach $400 million

Tax breaks for the oil and gas industry will continue to cost Oklahoma close to $400 million this year and next, based on new data from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. At the December Board of Equalization meeting, the Tax Commission… Read more [More...]

Nobody wants to go back for a second special session. Here’s why it’s still necessary.

For eight long weeks this fall, Oklahoma lawmakers met in special session, trying to produce a budget agreement that would fill an immediate funding hole for three state agencies and produce a longer-term solution to continuing budget shortfalls. That attempt… Read more [More...]

Senator Lankford ignores the example of his own state if he thinks tax triggers are responsible

The United States Senate is poised to vote as early as this week on a major tax overhaul bill.  Although tax reform is the highest priority of Congressional Republicans and the White House, crafting legislation capable of securing a 51-vote… Read more [More...]