Category: Media

State Budget Summit to feature national policy expert and state leader panels on Oklahoma’s most important issues

As the 2018 Oklahoma legislative session nears, the state continues to struggle with chronic budget shortfalls and growing discontent among Oklahomans about lack of funding for core services. On January 25 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Policy Institute’s 5th Annual State… Read more [More...]

OK Policy report calls for reform to improve trust between law enforcement and communities in Oklahoma

For Immediate Release: November 7, 2017 Contact: Ryan Gentzler, rgentzler@okpolicy.org, (918) 794-3944 Today, OK Policy released a report, “Strategies for Building Trust Between Law Enforcement and Communities in Oklahoma,” that details the challenges facing Oklahoma law enforcement and proposes a… Read more [More...]

New budget is a squandered opportunity of massive proportions

Here is our assessment of the budget unveiled on Nov. 13th by House and Senate leaders. UPDATE: The new General Appropriations bill, HB 1019X, has now passed the House and Senate and awaits action by the Governor. Lawmakers had plenty… Read more [More...]

Federal Tax Reform Plans Likely to Benefit Wealthiest Oklahomans the Most (Public Radio Tulsa)

By Matt Trotter Republicans now have competing federal tax reform plans, but the more it resembles the House proposal, the more it will benefit wealthy Oklahomans. An analysis of that plan finds Oklahomans making roughly $500,000 a year or more… Read more [More...]

Statement: Lawmakers should respect wishes of the majority and pass revenue deal

Oklahoma Policy Institute released the following statement on the Oklahoma House’s failure to pass HB 1054: Most Oklahomans want a comprehensive solution to our budget crisis. The solution preferred by the majority would prevent deeper budget cuts, provide desperately needed… Read more [More...]

Expensive Battle Likely if Oil, Gas Tax Hike Goes to Voters (Oklahoma Watch)

By Trevor Brown The battle over Oklahoma’s tax on oil and gas production could soon spread outside the State Capitol to dinner conversations and public debates across the state. A group of small oil and gas producers said despite recent… Read more [More...]

Even One-Party States Are Having Budget Battles This Year (Governing)

By Liz Farmer Amid divisive politics and strained finances, it’s become almost commonplace for state lawmakers to close budget holes with one-time fixes. But such sneaky budget maneuvers have a way of coming back to bite politicians. Right now, Oklahoma… Read more [More...]

Gamesmanship, taxes and accepting reality (Journal Record)

By Arnold Hamilton As the not-so-special legislative session winds down, consider this irony: Oklahoma lawmakers’ base pay is second highest in the region – and more than five times higher than Texas. Teachers, can you feel the love? Don’t get… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma cut taxes. Now a squeeze on public services forces a rethink. (Christian Science Monitor)

By Simon Montlake As past president of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, an industry body that his father helped to create, Dewey Bartlett Jr. is a familiar voice in policy debates. So when he began calling this year for higher… Read more [More...]

Tulsans react to failed budget proposal (KTUL)

By Kimberly Jackson TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Lawmakers are still deciding how to handle Oklahoma’s massive budget shortfall. Today a proposal that would have meant additional taxes on liquor, cigarettes, and fuel, failed in the House of Representatives. That left… Read more [More...]