Category: Media

Confronting a Newly Created $214 Million Budget Deficit at the State Capitol (Public Radio Tulsa)

By Rich Fisher Last week’s Oklahoma Supreme Court decision invalidating the State Legislature’s cigarette cessation fee means that there’s now a $214 million budget deficit in this year’s budget. This gives Oklahoma lawmakers two options: go back into special session… Read more [More...]

Trump’s emergency declaration leaves questions for Oklahomans (News OK)

By Meg Wingerter President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will issue an order declaring a national emergency related to opioids, but it isn’t clear what that will do for Oklahoma’s efforts to fight a wave of overdoses. Trump didn’t… Read more [More...]

With Oklahoma’s cigarette ‘fee’ gone, what’s next? (News OK)

By Dale Denwalt The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a $1.50 cigarette fee scheduled to go into effect this month is an unconstitutional tax, setting the stage for another fight over spending at the state Capitol. The decision strips… Read more [More...]

Statement: Lawmakers must go back to special session and finish job of funding core services

The SOS Coalition, which includes Oklahoma Policy Institute and 20 other organizations, released the following statement on today’s Oklahoma Supreme Court decision that threw out a cigarette fee and created a $214 million hole in the budgets of SoonerCare ($70… Read more [More...]

State Supreme Court Hears Arguments On Constitutionality Of Last-Minute Tax Bills (Express Newsline)

By Express Newsline Oklahoma Supreme Court justices considered arguments Tuesday that challenged the constitutionality of four bills passed during this year’s legislative session. That came after unsuccessful efforts to pass it at as a tax. It’s expected to generate $123… Read more [More...]

Supreme Court hears arguments challenging legislative bills (KFOR News)

By Sarah Stewart OKLAHOMA CITY – Dozens packed the Oklahoma Supreme Court room at the state capitol Tuesday morning to hear challenges against several bills passed in the final days of the legislative session. Four different bills are being challenged… Read more [More...]

Think Tank Questions Benefits of Sales Tax Holiday (Public Radio Tulsa)

By Matt Trotter Oklahoma’s annual sales tax holiday is underway, but it may not be as good a deal as you think. Gene Perry with Oklahoma Policy Institute said a common belief is sales tax holidays mean an overall economic… Read more [More...]

‘We are all doing it’: US teacher begs motorists for money for classroom supplies (Yahoo News)

By Yahoo News ‘We are all doing it’: US teacher begs motorists for money for classroom supplies A teacher in the US has been forced to beg for cash on the side of the road because she does not have… Read more [More...]

DEALING WITH THE BUDGET NSU, other universities watching for further cuts (Tahlequah Daily Press)

By Sean Rowley During 2017, those associated with higher education – students, faculty, staff, administration – are again on the circling carnival ride of funding cuts followed by tuition hikes. Earlier this summer, almost all of Oklahoma’s colleges and universities… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma’s Inhofe, Lankford uncertain on health care repeal’s future (News OK)

By Justin Wingerter After meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, Oklahoma’s senators remained uncertain about the prospects of Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. On television and radio this week, U.S. Sen. James… Read more [More...]