Category: Media

Oklahoma gas tax may be raised (The Oklahoman)

By Rick Green An increase in Oklahoma’s gasoline tax will likely be on the table next legislative session as it’s one of the smallest in the nation, it hasn’t been adjusted in nearly three decades, fuel prices are comparatively low… Read more [More...]

Civic engagement groups prepare for the next legislative session (Oklahoma Gazette)

By Laura Eastes Last week, when Oklahoma’s chief budget negotiator divulged that the state was short $868 million in revenue for the coming year, it reinforced concerns that once again lawmakers would have another difficult budget to balance and citizens… Read more [More...]

Lawmakers seek to fill budget hole (The Altus Times)

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma budget writers are bracing for yet another gaping hole to work around for the upcoming fiscal year — the third consecutive year with a significant shortfall. Officials estimate a $600 million deficit for the budget that’ll… Read more [More...]

State legislators say there will be no income tax decrease – for now (Tahlequah Daily Press)

By Janelle Stecklein OKLAHOMA CITY – Even though state budget writers face a hole hundreds of millions of dollars deep, top officials haven’t ruled out an income tax cut next year. The state may be looking at an estimated $868… Read more [More...]

Another year, another budget hole for lawmakers to address (Associated Press)

By Tim Talley OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma budget writers are bracing for yet another gaping hole to work around for the upcoming fiscal year – the third consecutive year with a significant shortfall. Officials estimate a $600 million deficit… Read more [More...]

Child Advocates Meet at NWA Pre-Legislative Session in Bentonville (KNWA)

By Karella Kordsmeier BENTONVILLE, AR.– The Northwest Arkansas Pre-Legislative Session Summit happened in Bentonville on Tuesday. The day included panel discussions and presentations designed to prepare attendees and child advocates for the legislative session that begins in January. David Blatt,… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma sees immigration increasing from Central America (The Oklahoman)

By Josh Dulaney Talk quickly turns to tamales when Edgar Argueta considers the differences between Hispanic groups who call Oklahoma home. The 64-year-old property owner prefers tamales wrapped in plantain leaves, like the kind he ate in his native Guatemala… Read more [More...]

Western Plains continues to do more with less (Woodward News)

By Elise Solloway The fate of Oklahoma’s social services in 2017 are in the hands of the state economy, the House, the Senate, and the Governor. Woodward’s Western Plains Youth and Family Services, Inc. receives part of its annual funding… Read more [More...]

Mayor Bynum appoints new Chief Resilience Officer to address racial disparities in Tulsa (KTUL)

By Clayton Youngman & Lauren Partain TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Mayor G.T. Bynum has appointed a new Chief Resilience Officer to oversee development and growth of the city’s resilience efforts, specifically focusing on racial disparities in Tulsa. Bynum selected DeVon… Read more [More...]

Earned Income Tax Credit legislation to be filed by NW OKC lawmaker (Tahlequah Daily Press)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation that would restore the earned income tax credit to its previous levels will be filed soon by newly-elected state Rep. Collin Walke. Senate Bill 1604 approved last year by the Legislature and signed by Governor Fallin… Read more [More...]