Author: Tyler Parette

OKLAHOMA VIEWPOINTS: Reactions to State of State (Stillwater News Press)

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin gave her annual state of the state address Monday to kick off the 2017 legislative session. Here is some of the reaction: Oklahoma Policy Institute We applaud Gov. Fallin’s call to fix Oklahoma’s structural budget deficits… Read more [More...]

Governor’s budget draws varied comments (The Oklahoman)

By Randy Ellis Proposals in Gov. Mary Fallin’s State of the State speech drew a variety of comments Monday. Here are a few of them: “The governor has laid out the boldest policy proposals the state has seen in decades… Read more [More...]

Capitol influence: Shaping policy begins early for advocacy groups (Tulsa World)

By Barbara Hoberock and Randy Krehbiel Shaping policy begins with shaping the legislative body that creates it. That’s why special interests spend uncounted millions of dollars advancing their ideas to the public, and to identify and nurture potential candidates for… Read more [More...]

Political State Podcast: Previewing the 2017 Legislative Session (The Oklahoman)

By Ben Felder and Dale Denwalt [arve url=”https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/305965764&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true”/] The Oklahoman’s Ben Felder and Dale Denwalt host their inaugural episode for “Political State,” a weekly podcast that looks at the world of politics on a state, local and federal level. This… Read more [More...]

Bill aimed at ending “debtors prisons” (KFOR)

By Kristen Shanahan OKLAHOMA CITY – Out of jail and in debt. It is a vicious cycle some argue puts Oklahomans back in the same jail they just got out of. Jami Hood knows what it is like to spend… Read more [More...]

OK Policy looks to reduce burden for people who can’t pay court fines (KOCO)

By Bret Buganski OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Policy Institute is calling on the state Legislature to make big changes to save citizens money and keep people who miss court fees out of jail. “Too often this leads to a… Read more [More...]

Group gives tips for talking with legislators (The Norman Transcript)

By Sidney Lee Voting is the best-known and most basic way to be politically active in the United States, but it isn’t the only way.  Together Oklahoma encourages Oklahomans to talk with their state legislators about causes that matter to… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s Budget Crisis (OETA)

[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/igIUHftjCeM”/] Oklahoma lawmakers appear to be realizing they have cut about all they can and now it’s time to fine new revenue streams to keep state government operating. A legislative leader, an economist and a budget expert have all… Read more [More...]

Critics Warn against Federal Block Grant Funding for Oklahoma (KWGS)

By Matt Trotter Block grants as federal funding are catching on for the purported flexibility they offer states, but there are downsides. While an Affordable Care Act repeal could cost more than 300,000 Oklahomans their heath insurance, Republicans’ plans for Medicaid… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma on Track for $2B Budget Hole by 2030 (KWGS)

By Matt Trotter You’ve heard this before, but it’s just as true today — Oklahoma is locked into a structural budget deficit.  “Or, even simpler, we’re broke,” said Oklahoma Policy Institute Executive Director David Blatt at the group’s fourth annual budget… Read more [More...]