Recent Articles

Data shouldn’t be political (Policy Matters)

For decades, administrations of both parties have recognized that trustworthy data is the backbone of effective governance. The current presidential administration has broken from that tradition, taking a dangerous step backwards. [More...]

Our children are paying for grown-up power plays (Policy Matters)

Our children need stability, vision, and leaders truly committed to their futures, not chaos driven by political self-interest. Now is the time for Oklahomans to demand that our state senators and representatives use their power to hold him accountable. [More...]

The myth of Oklahoma’s fiscal self-reliance (Policy Matters)

This column originally appeared in The Journal Record on August 6, 2025 Oklahoma prides itself on being lean and self-reliant, living within its means while others spend recklessly. But the numbers tell a different story. In truth, billions in federal… Read more [More...]

The Big ‘Beautiful’ Delay: How a Republican Congress rigged the federal megabill (Policy Matters)

Behind "The One Big Beautiful Bill" is a carefully engineered blueprint to fast-track tax cuts for the wealthy, while paying for them by snipping the ropes of the social safety net for our working poor. The deceptive part is that these cuts won't take effect until after next year's midterm elections. That's not a coincidence. It's a calculated move. [More...]

Statement from the Oklahoma Policy Institute on passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill”

On July 3, 2025, H.R.1 — also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — cleared both chambers of Congress and now heads to the President’s desk for final approval. Statement from OK Policy’s Executive Director Shiloh Kantz:  Today’s… Read more [More...]

Policy Matters: When lawmakers cut budgets, it rolls downhill

In government, just like in nature, everything rolls downhill. And when budget cuts start cascading downwards, it’s not the mountaintop that feels the hit – it’s the town in the valley. [More...]

The governor’s agenda isn’t a plan — it’s a power grab (Commentary)

Make no mistake: The latest tax cut push announced by Gov. Stitt and legislative leaders has nothing to do with sound policy. It's about power — and protecting a political legacy at the expense of Oklahoma's future. [More...]

Only smash the piggy bank in emergencies (Policy Matters)

This column originally appeared in The Journal Record on April 23, 2025 Imagine you’re saving money in case your roof starts leaking during a storm. One day, instead of fixing the roof, you decide to hand that money to someone… Read more [More...]

Oklahomans get what we pay for (Policy Matters)

Oklahomans pay among the least in taxes when compared to folks from other states. And we get what we pay for - or in this case don't pay for. While our taxes are low, so is our quality of life when stacked up against other states. You don't have to look hard to find neighbors who are suffering. [More...]

Policy Matters: ‘Path to zero’ is a dangerous road

This column originally ran Feb. 5, 2025 in The Journal Record During his State of the State address, the governor again pitched plans to cut – and eventually eliminate – Oklahoma’s personal income tax. This so-called “path to zero” is… Read more [More...]