Category: Media

Religious Leaders, Charities Oppose Current Budget Plan (KWGS)

By Matt Trotter Oklahoma Conference of Churches Executive Director Bill Tabbernee (right) talks about his opposition to state lawmakers’ plans to reduce the earned income, sales tax relief, child and child care tax credits. He was joined by DeVon Douglass… Read more [More...]

Religious, nonprofit leaders urge lawmakers not to cut tax credits for Oklahoma’s neediest families (Red Dirt Report)

By Heide Brandes Heide Brandes / Red Dirt Report From left, DeVon Douglass, Oklahoma Policy Institute executive director David Blatt and Rev. Dr. William Tabbernee, executive director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, speak at a press conference Wednesday.     HEIDE… Read more [More...]

Clergy group asks Oklahoma lawmakers to consider impact of budget cuts on the poor (The Oklahoman)

By Clara Hinton  More than 140 Oklahoma religious leaders are appealing to government representatives’ sense of morality and justice — as massive state budget cuts loom on the horizon. Wednesday, several religious and nonprofit leaders held a news conference at… Read more [More...]

Pastoral Letter to Protect Broad-Based Tax Credits

Note: This letter was delivered to legislators and Governor Fallin on May 11th. Additional signatories are noted in italics [Download the letter as a PDF] “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who… Read more [More...]

Cigarette tax increase considered (Skiatook Journal)

By Senator J.J. Dossett With three weeks left in the 2016 legislative session, we’re finally beginning to vote on bills that will shape the 2017 fiscal year budget. On Thursday the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget approved a slate… Read more [More...]

State in Dire Distress (okeducationtruths)

Oklahoma has one of the most beautiful state flags. According to Wikipedia: The Osage shield is covered by two symbols of peace: the Plains-style ceremonial pipe representing Native Americans, and the olive branch representing European Americans. Six golden brown crosses,… Read more [More...]

Prospects brighten for cigarette tax increase in Oklahoma (The Oklahoman)

By Rick Green In the 24 years since Oklahoma voters restricted lawmakers’ ability to raise taxes, the state Legislature has not been able to muster the three-fourths majority needed to pass a tax increase. That’s why there were major doubts… Read more [More...]

Everyday folks call, email and visiting lawmakers before end of legislative session (Oklahoma Gazette)

By Laura Eastes Andy Moore talks with with others at a recent Let’s Fix This event at the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Garett Fisbeck) Andy Moore was fed up with dreary headlines about the state’s financial mess. Articles covering the revenue… Read more [More...]

Oklahoma Policy Institute’s Do Something OK raises state budget crisis awareness (Red Dirt Report)

By Louis Fowler  Photo provided    OKLAHOMA CITY – While news about Oklahoma’s budget crisis continues to trickle to the masses, the sad fact is that many people are unaware about just how devastating these cuts are going to be in… Read more [More...]

Puppet campaign urges Oklahomans to “get off our butts,” do something about budget shortfall (KFOR)

By Lacey Lett OKLAHOMA CITY – A group of Oklahomans are taking an unusual approach to voicing concern over the state’s $1.3 billion shortfall. The Oklahoma Policy Institute, a non-partisan independent policy think-tank, started the ‘Do Something’ campaign to encourage… Read more [More...]