Category: Media

Only smash the piggy bank in emergencies (Policy Matters)

This column originally appeared in The Journal Record on April 23, 2025 Imagine you’re saving money in case your roof starts leaking during a storm. One day, instead of fixing the roof, you decide to hand that money to someone… Read more [More...]

Now is time for long-term planning, not short-term politics (Commentary)

What if you gave away the biggest tax cut in Oklahoma history, and no one noticed? That’s the reality facing the governor and the legislative leaders he’s trying to pressure to pass income tax cuts that benefit the wealthiest Oklahomans.… Read more [More...]

Oklahomans get what we pay for (Policy Matters)

Oklahomans pay among the least in taxes when compared to folks from other states. And we get what we pay for - or in this case don't pay for. While our taxes are low, so is our quality of life when stacked up against other states. You don't have to look hard to find neighbors who are suffering. [More...]

Statement: OK Policy responds to governor’s misleading comments on SB 675

Statement from OK Policy Executive Director Shiloh Kantz about the governor’s comments accusing the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of leading the charge to block Senate Bill 675, which would have granted the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority access to law enforcement records to… Read more [More...]

Statement: DOGE-OK recommends health care cuts that are harmful, counterintuitive

The governor’s office this week released its first DOGE-OK report to promote government efficiency at the state level, mimicking the aims of the federal effort being led by Elon Musk. The DOGE-OK report identified $157 million in “wasteful” health care… Read more [More...]

Policy Matters: ‘Path to zero’ is a dangerous road

This column originally ran Feb. 5, 2025 in The Journal Record During his State of the State address, the governor again pitched plans to cut – and eventually eliminate – Oklahoma’s personal income tax. This so-called “path to zero” is… Read more [More...]

Governor’s costs for his proposed income tax cut have quietly increased. Here’s why lawmakers should prioritize targeted tax credits to help working families.

Last month, when the governor initially announced a proposal to cut the state’s personal income tax by a half-percent, the Oklahoma Policy Institute raised the flag that these cuts would cost about $660 million in state revenue annually – nearly… Read more [More...]

Anti-immigration raids harm all communities (Commentary)

This commentary was authored by Vivian Morris, Tribal-State Policy Analyst, and Gabriela Ramirez-Perez, Immigration Policy Analyst. As the new administration issued a flurry of executive orders during its first weeks in power, many of the actions have specifically targeted immigrants… Read more [More...]

OK Policy comments on revenue numbers estimated during February’s Board of Equalization meeting

The Board of Equalization on Friday certified an $8.273 billion estimate in General Revenue collections for the Legislature to appropriate in Fiscal Year 2026. This is a decrease of $311 million, or about 3.6 percent, from last year’s February estimate, which sets the maximum amount the Legislature can appropriate for the upcoming fiscal year. [More...]

One Moment of Courage

Not every act of courage will make the history books, and that’s okay. What matters is that you take action. You show up. You decide not to stay silent in the face of injustice. Because when you take that step, I promise others will follow. And when enough of us find our courage, we will tip the balance toward change. [More...]