OKPOLICY.ORG
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re proud to share some of OK Policy’s most impactful publications of the year. From in-depth reports and thoughtful commentary to data-driven analysis, these highlights reflect our commitment to advancing policies that build a more prosperous, equitable Oklahoma. Explore the best of our work from 2024 and see how research, advocacy, and community voices are shaping our state’s future.
1. When Oklahomans wanted information about state issues on the November 2024 general election ballot, they turned to OK Policy. Our election resources were by far the most visited pages on our website in 2024. Oklahomans turned to us for non-partisan resources about judicial retention, the two state questions, and other election issues. OK Policy remains committed to ensuring that everyone has access to non-partisan information to help lawmakers and everyday Oklahomans create laws and policies that work on behalf of everyone.
2. Are your grocery bills still high? Not seeing the big savings in your grocery bill from the elimination of the grocery sales tax? Want to know why? OK Policy looked at how eliminating the state portion of the grocery sales tax would impact your bottom line. (Hint. It wasn’t much.)
3. On average, most people in the U.S. have more money than folks in Oklahoma. Why is that? And how do we fix it? OK Policy took a look at the most recent numbers on poverty in one of our most read articles this year.
4. Is Oklahoma a good place to raise your kids? Let us know your thoughts. One of our most read articles this year shared the latest findings from the annual KIDS COUNT report that showed Oklahoma lags behind their national peers in many well-being metrics.
5. Low wages are one reason Oklahoma is one of the poorest states in the nation. This is one of the reasons that advocates helped put SQ 832 on the ballot, which will let voters decide if Oklahoma’s minimum wage should be raised. Check out our resources on both the minimum wage in general, and SQ 832 specifically.
6. Do undocumented immigrants pay taxes? YES! One of our most read articles this year showed how much undocumented immigrants paid in state and local states last year? Did you know more than 63,000 Oklahomans live with at least one undocumented family member AND Oklahoma immigrant households have $8.3 billion in spending power to help keep local small businesses going strong.
7. Wanna know a key step to decreasing homelessness and increasing affordable housing? OK Policy will let you in on our little secret. It’s zoning. In our metro areas, up to 96% of zoning is designed only for single-family housing. Check out our article on the intersection between affordable housing and zoning in one of our most popular articles this year.
8. How much do you need to make to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Oklahoma? You may find your paycheck is not going as far as it used to, and your housing costs are going up, up and almost away from reach? You are not alone. OK Policy looked at the growing housing affordability crisis in one of our most popular articles this year.
9. Your tax rate can increase the inequality you experience. Is your tax rate making you poorer compared to others over time? A report released in January showed that Oklahoma’s tax system is upside down, asking the state’s lowest earners to shoulder an overall tax rate nearly twice that of the top 1%.
10. Did you know Black youth are nearly three times as likely to be referred to youth justice system involvement as white youth, and almost seven times as likely to be placed under OJA custody in 2023? OK Policy this year published a report that explored the inequities of our youth justice system and suggested ways to reimagine how it could better help Oklahoma’s youth and families. Read more about OK Policy’s plan to tackle the overrepresentation of Black youth in formal court processing and custody.
11. What do you know about Oklahoma’s 38 federally recognized Tribes? Did you know existing federal law recognizing Tribal citizenship was historically established in an effort to wipe tribes out? One of the key questions that comes up in the relationship between Tribal Nations and the state is focused on Tribal citizenship. Learn more in this Tribal-State Policy 101, which was one of our most read articles this year.
12. Let’s talk about court fines and fees. In Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, the poorest neighborhoods have the highest court debt per person. Residents in rural counties pay higher court fees than city folks. Why is that? Link to one of our most popular articles this year, and learn ways we can sustainably fund our courts.
13. Creating a state budget is the primary Constitutional duty for Oklahoma lawmakers. Each year, OK Policy takes a look behind the numbers for the fiscal year, which for FY 2025 started on July 1, 2024. So, even though this is nominally the largest budget in state history, when adjusted for population and inflation, it’s almost 9% smaller than the FY2000. As we all know, a dollar from 25 years ago doesn’t stretch as far as a dollar today.
