Author: Tyler Parette

Protecting vital services while balancing the budget (Journal Record)

By Arnold Hamilton Barring an upset of biblical proportions, Oklahoma’s Legislature will balance the 2016-17 budget on the backs of the middle class and the working poor. If lawmakers can even bring themselves to raise new revenue, it most likely… Read more [More...]

Faith leaders, nonprofit groups lobby to protect tax credits for low-income families, seniors (Tulsa World)

By Barbara Hoberock OKLAHOMA CITY — Ministers and nonprofit groups urged state lawmakers Wednesday not to reduce or eliminate tax credits that benefit low-income Oklahomans. David Blatt, executive director of the Tulsa-based Oklahoma Policy Institute, said at a Capitol news… Read more [More...]

Mind Your Own Business: Yay Google, for dumping payday loan ads (News OK)

By Paula Burkes Like numerous consumer advocacy groups, I applaud Google’s announcement this morningthat they’re banning ads for payday loans and other predatory lending. It’s been 11 years ago, but I’ll never forgot the story I wrote on one Oklahoman… Read more [More...]

Lawmakers play ball while budget crisis looms (Fox 25)

By Phil Cross OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — With a $1.3 billion budget hole and a deadline looming what would you expect your elected leaders would be doing? Fox 25 found several state representatives playing ball during a time many people… Read more [More...]

Clergy urge Oklahoma lawmakers to keep tax credits for poor (Hastings Tribune)

By Sue Ogrocki OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Religious leaders from across Oklahoma are urging lawmakers not to get rid of tax credits that support hundreds of thousands of middle- and low-income residents. A letter signed by more than 140 clergy… Read more [More...]

Metro Nonprofits Speak Out Against Tax Credit Cuts (News 9)

By Aaron Brilbeck Enlarge 1 / 1 OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislative leaders have repeatedly said, with an estimated $1.3 billion budget shortfall, nothing is off the table, but religious and civic leaders say some things should be. While legislative leaders… Read more [More...]

Religious Leaders, Charities Oppose Current Budget Plan (KWGS)

By Matt Trotter Oklahoma Conference of Churches Executive Director Bill Tabbernee (right) talks about his opposition to state lawmakers’ plans to reduce the earned income, sales tax relief, child and child care tax credits. He was joined by DeVon Douglass… Read more [More...]

Religious, nonprofit leaders urge lawmakers not to cut tax credits for Oklahoma’s neediest families (Red Dirt Report)

By Heide Brandes Heide Brandes / Red Dirt Report From left, DeVon Douglass, Oklahoma Policy Institute executive director David Blatt and Rev. Dr. William Tabbernee, executive director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, speak at a press conference Wednesday.     HEIDE… Read more [More...]

Clergy group asks Oklahoma lawmakers to consider impact of budget cuts on the poor (The Oklahoman)

By Clara Hinton  More than 140 Oklahoma religious leaders are appealing to government representatives’ sense of morality and justice — as massive state budget cuts loom on the horizon. Wednesday, several religious and nonprofit leaders held a news conference at… Read more [More...]

Cigarette tax increase considered (Skiatook Journal)

By Senator J.J. Dossett With three weeks left in the 2016 legislative session, we’re finally beginning to vote on bills that will shape the 2017 fiscal year budget. On Thursday the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget approved a slate… Read more [More...]